Listening to Stories

Reading is something I enjoy doing a lot. I can't stand it when I don't have time to read. Working and going to school can really eat up any extra time you have. Reading a gazillion research articles is nothing compared to a good story. So I tried audio books. They are great- especially when it read by an excellent reader/actor like Jim Dale ( reader of the Harry Potter books). I say actor because a really good reader uses different voices for the characters and conveys what each character feels. Anyway, so I begin borrowing audio books from the library. Sometimes they were available immediately and sometimes I had to wait. But many times I didn't want to wait. So I downloaded audio books from the library using Overdrive or bought books from Audible. But one of my favorite ways to hear new stories is listening to podcasts like Escape Pod. Escape Pod presents science fiction short stories for the public. The readers are good and some are writers of short stories also. Most of the stories are between 30 to 60 minutes long. Go to the site and listen to a story. There are at least five years of stories waiting for you to try.

Mind Voyages: Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Challenge

I will try one more challenge. Science Fiction is my favorite genre. I do read fantasy sometimes but I prefer sci-fi. The Mind Voyages: Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Challenge is being hosted by Robin of My Two Blessings.

Here are the rules.

• The challenge will run from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.
• Participants may join at any time.
• All forms of books are acceptable including e-books, audio books, etc.
• Re-reads are acceptable as long as they are read after January 1, 2010.
• Books may overlap other challenges.
  
• Create an entry post linking to this blog.
• You don't have to decide before hand what you will be reading.
• Come back and sign up with Mr. Linky in the "I'm participating post" below this post.
• You don't have a blog to participate.
• There is a Mr. Linky for participants to post book reviews.

I will be trying the Sling shot back to Earth which is reading three winners from the Nebula list.

Here is my tentative list.

1. Tehanu: The Last Book of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin (1990 winner)
2. The Quantum Rose by Catherine Asaro (2001 winner)
3. The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon (2003 winner)
   

Graphic Novels Challenge 2010

I read graphic novels quite bit now since I started back to school. Unfortunately, I never post anything about them (or anything else). So in 2010 I will take part in the Graphic Novels Challenge.

Here are the rules.

• The challenge starts on January 1st 2010 and ends on December 31st (but we don't mind you starting early.)
• You don't have to make a list beforehand (but you can, of course! Lists are great because they give ideas to people who aren't sure what to read. And if you do make one, don't feel forced to stick to it!)
• We simplified the levels of participation: you can be a Beginner (3 Comics or Graphic Novels), Intermediate (3-10) or an Expert (10+). You're more than free to adjust your level of participation after the challenge has begun.
• There will be mini-challenges! Look for a post with more info on that soon.
• Overlaps with other challenges are totally fine.

I think I will try the intermediate. This is really going to be great! I can't wait to see what the mini-challenges are!