My giveaway is a little different this week, since I am giving away a book I’ve already reviewed!
Last year I couldn’t resist the hype and tackled Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes on CD — and actually enjoyed it more than I expected. Feel free to read my previous review of Nineteen Minutes.
So, why did I read it again? Well, I was asked to create discussion questions for Nineteen Minutes for a book club recently. And, this time around, I completely changed my previous opinion regarding the ending! I will not spoil the surprise, but let’s just say that my usual fear with Picoult (fast-paced, character-driven, issue-focused drama destroyed by ludicrious endings) was affirmed this time.
So, my only thought is that listening to Picoult is easier or more generous than reading her work? I find this to be true of Grisham, so why not Picoult, too?
So, what do you think: Are we “easier” on writers when we listen to them? (Or, I guess, are they easier on us?) Do you think your opinion of a work would be affected significantly by the medium?
Oh — I almost forgot! If you would like to win a free copy of Nineteen Minutes, drop me a comment and I’ll draw a winner soon…
Great work.
When you listen to a book, the person doing the reading can make or break your enjoyment. My husband is a retired over-the-road truck driver and he listened to books. He tells me that he would purposely look for a particular reader because he knew that person would make the listening enjoyable no matter who the author of the book is. He says he would pick out an audio book if that good reader was the person he was going to listen to, even though he may not have picked out that author’s audio book.
Oh yes, his favorite reader is Will Patton!
Believe it or not, I have not read anything by Jodi Picoult so this would be a great introduction. So many books, so little time…
I have actually not listened to any audio books thus far but I will be very soon (I have an audiobook to review in the near future). Now I’m curious if after listening to the book, would my impressions be different if I’d read it. I definitely think I need to experiment with that. I think as was said, it really depends also on who reads the book (whether it’s the author, someone who is great with different voices/accents or someone who is not…etc.) Great post and I’d love to be entered for the giveaway!
I have read one of her books and enjoyed it. I’d like to read more. Enter me, please.
So true!! I agree with your husband — I am so relieved to find a great reader! Thank you for telling us his favorite reader’s name, too — I’ll look for him
I have listened to a couple of books read by the author and was actually disappointed! One book I had to take back to the library and check out in paper form, in fact. I think authors underestimate how much “acting” is involved when reading a book… One of my big pet peeves is when I can hear the reader breathing between sentences…
I won a copy of this book last year but then lent it out to someone in my book club before I had a chance to read it.. and still haven’t gotten it back! Oh well, would love to win it again!
I can’t really comment on whether it is easier to listen to the book than read it as I have not had the opportunity to listen to audio books yet (although 3 are on their way! Yea!) I do think sometimes, however, that when you re-read a book you can come away with a different perspective on it. It may depend on circumstances in your life at the time, what else you’ve read recently, or just what mood you were in each time. I know I re-read a book one time when I was in a better place in life and found the book completely different the second time around. Interesting question.
I would like to be entered to win. I like Picoult and have not had the chance to read this one. Thanks!
Great point, Rebecca… Simply reading the novel twice would have made quite an impression, too… Especially since, while I mostly enjoy Picoult, I do not think of her novels as ones I would read more that once. So much of her “punch” is in her endings, after all! I look forward to hearing whether you enjoy the audio books once they arrive!
No good deed goes unpunished, eh?!
Thank you for throwing your name in the mix, Lisa!
You won, Rebecca! Hope you like it!!