“When you read a book, the story definitely happens inside your head.  When you listen, it seems to happen in a little cloud all around it, like a fuzzy knit cap pulled down over your eyes.” —Robin Sloan, Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore

Never say Never Rae.  I just listened to 5 minutes and 48 seconds of Sissy Spacek’s southern lilt reading To Kill A Mockingbird. As a matter of fact, this old dog just purchased the audio book.  Yep.  You heard me right.  I figure if I kicked the I-don’t-want-a-dog habit, I’m capable of conquering other stubborn ground. (I’ve got my own makeover goin on over here.) Why you may ask?  I suppose it’s because I can.  That doesn’t mean I’ll like it.  But I am gonna try it.  Just like the printed stuff, I aim to do my homework.  Here’s the VIP direction I’m headed in:

Because I’m still doin the English major thing and I can’t realistically disappear to a room of my own, listening to Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse may be a great place to start with this audio experiment of mine.  The real draw here is hearing Nicole Kidman—her ability to bring Woolf’s words to life has been described as “genius.” 

I hate to admit it, but I’ve never read The Wizard of Oz.  Sorry L. Frank Baum, don’t mean to disrespect. While I may opt to read this to the kiddos since we’re on a moony reading roll, I might be savvy to give the job to Anne Hathaway.  She does seem pretty perfect for this gig.  

And despite the fact that I’ve never (yes, I just said never) been interested in reading Graham Greene’s The End of the Affair, I desperately want to listen to it. If that sounds contradictory, I have two words for you: Colin Firth.  Dare I say I will listen to anything read by Mr. Darcy…I mean Mr. Firth: the Phone Book, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Mein Kampf, you name it.  

Feels like a new day.  I may even get a jump on the Christmas holiday and purchase this promising audio book for Rae: Pack of Two: The Intricate Bond Between People and Dogs. Hilary Swank does some dog-lovin’ justice as she reads about pure canine admiration.    

Posted by Tracy