Simply Audiobooks Inc.

The Female Brain

I’ve recently began listening to Louann Brizendine, M.D’s  “The Female Brain.” It’s a journal of discoveries that follow female thinking from birth, to motherhood, to the mature years, and absolutely everything in between. This audio book will answer the question, “Is the male and female brain really that different?” The answer is YES – in every way possible.

What fascinated me the most was finding out that gender-specific instincts that have been ingrained in us since the beginning of time are still present today, whether we know it or not.  And wow, do hormones ever play a vital role in all of our actions! Who would have thought that a bodily chemical would have such an ability to alter moods, thoughts, and actions?

We all think right? Why not find out the science behind it all? Whether you’re a male or female, the insights into the female brain have got to interest you! Or, to see the other end of the spectrum, see Louann Brizendine M.D’s other audio book – The Male Brain.

I’m curious about what you think – what gender specific brain differences have you encountered? One known fact I’m aware of is that  girls generally talk more than boys, hence the length of my blog post!

Find the Female Brain Here

Click here to discover The Male Brain

Will Snooki’s, A Shore Thing, be a hit audio book too?

I have to get something off my chest. Is it just me or does anyone else out there feel like saying, “What just happened here? “Snooki”, a New York Times Best Selling Author?!” WHAT? Yes, you read that right. Absorb it, take it in, and feel free to question. It is mind-boggling. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s novel, “A Shore Thing” hit bookshelves on Jan. 4 and currently sits at No. 24 on the New York Times Bestseller list. So, I’ve watched Jersey Shore once to many times and although I know many people are fans of the getting drunk and sleeping with strangers drama, the newly made up abbreviations – why speak in full sentences? – and of course, The Situation, I can’t help but feel sick to my stomach knowing that Ms. Polizzi’s book is a New York Times Best Selling author. Although she may be great to watch, but a bestselling author? I wonder if Nicole Richie ever made the list too.

As an avid reader, I used to scan the New York Times best seller list when trying to decide what books to read. Now, I sit here wondering if I’ve been following the wrong list. Not likely, as I’ve enjoyed many authors, but who knows what the future holds for those skilled writers…who knows.

Listen to the audio book, before you see the film: 127 Hours

The nominations have been announced. The 83rd Annual Academy Awards are slowly creeping up. It’s one of those events I really do look forward too. Not necessarily for the fashion, or even the stars, but I sit and wait patiently on my couch for the announcement of Best Adapted Screenplay. So here I was, checking out the nominations and I saw it…Between a Rock and a Hard Place , known in the film world as 127 Hours. I do believe I said “yay” in a very whisper like tone, but trust me the excitement was there! I don’t know about you, but my love for true stories continues to get stronger as I listen to others tell them, imagining what they’ve gone through, knowing that someone actually went through these very scenarios I am reading or listening too. I am thrilled to see that 127 Hours was nominated. Although I have not seen the film, the autobiography was intense and truly put me in a survival state of mind. I envisioned the landscape, the ordeal, and sometimes even felt like it was my right hand against the canyon wall with such vivid descriptions.

If you’re a fan of non-fiction, check it out before getting close to a movie theater. I’m sure the film will be great (hence the nomination) but nothing is as compelling as envisioning yourself on the inspiring journey.

The 127 Hours audio book is available now.

Flo Gibson, the Great Voice of Audio Books, Dies at 86

Having recorded, about 1,134 books in her career, it’s evident that Mrs. Gibson truly had a voice audiences loved to listen too. A founder of, and chief reader for, Audio Book Contractors, she specialized in unabridged recordings of the classics. Mrs. Gibson narrated everything from “The Wind in the Willows” to more adult related novels like “Pride and Prejudice” and “Middlemarch” which spans 31 hours, 7 minutes, over 24 cassettes, and a workload that kept her in the studio for more than 10 weeks. Many have emphasized that if you were going to invest, for example, 36 hours and 7 minutes required to hear “Anna Karenina” Mrs. Gibson would be the voice to hear it in: “Deep and throaty and juggles men’s and women’s roles with ease.” (Margalit Fox, NYT)

If you haven’t heard a story narrated by Flo Gibson, you probably should.

Censorship: A knife to the classics

As I sit here and ponder the very foundation where stories are brought to life, it’s always evident that the time and place of a story helps us understand where the story itself gave birth. It can take us back to a certain period in time, where horse drawn carriages covered the road, where old school jargon is contextualized, including words of yesterday that are unsuitable today.

It does spark a bit of frustration when I read articles about the censoring of the famous Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the elimination of the “N” word. I understand the rationale behind it, but it doesn’t make it right. Yes, the “N” word is hurtful, disrespectful and unacceptable verbiage to be used today. However, the fact is, it was used in the past and by removing it completely from any updated copies of this classic story, removes the authenticity of the period. It reveals a lot about what it was like to live in the slave holding south. Plus, from now on, it will make me wonder if I’m reading the original story or a revised censored one.

I also have to agree with the many book enthusiasts out there that believe if the child does not understand the context in which the story was written, it should not be a story a child should read. Rather, instead of censoring and eliminating original work, why not delay when children read this story in school?

I’d love to hear what you have to say about censoring Huckleberry Finn. What do you think?

And if you wanted to rediscover this classic story in its original form, I’d do it now before Big Brother gets its hands on it. Listen to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn now.

Ever wonder who was behind the creation of the popular Twilight Saga? I’m sure you all know her name, but how many of you really know Stephenie Meyer’s? Well, now could be your chance. Due to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: The Official Guide on April 12, 2011, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is hosting a special fan event, where you could interview the author for yourself. One fan from each country including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Germany, to select a few, will win a chance to “talk extensively with Meyer, who will answer Twilight-related questions.”

Details regarding the location and timing of the event are currently confidential but that shouldn’t stop you from entering this once in a lifetime sweepstake!

To enter for your chance to win, visit thetwilightsaga.com

And, if you still haven’t had a chance to check out what all the hype was about regarding Twilight and the vampire rage of 2010, I recommend you do. It’s one captivating saga that I promise you won’t want to stop the play button for. Not for anything, not even grabbing a bite to eat. The story itself has enough bite to keep you going.

What’s that you say? You’ve already read it twice? Then rediscover the Twilight Saga on an audio book! A completely different experience you shouldn’t miss.

Now I know you’re all fans of audio books and epic stories, but how about the hit television series 24? The reason why I ask is because there is some news brewing regarding Howard Gordon, the executive producer, writing a possible Jack Bauer novel. What can I say, I’m a big fan of this idea already, coming from someone who owns a Kiefer Sutherland action figure.

Gordon’s upcoming debut novel Gideon’s War is also worth noting. There is already a planned sequel to Gideon’s War due out next year entitled “Allegiance”. I mean if this novel is half as exciting as his action packed television series, it’s bound to be entertaining. News has it that the character, Gideon Davis is the anti-Jack Bauer, a comforting man who can’t even stand the sight of guns. I’m intrigued. Plus, it’s an available audio book! Could it get any better? Yes it could.

Howard Gordon has already stated he had an idea in mind for the Jack Bauer novel if he were to write one. If nothing happens with the possibility of a 24 movie of course. So the great news is that we can still catch Jack Bauer in action, but we must wait patiently. And if all else fails, why not try Gideon’s War in the meantime. I know I will!

The results are in! But first, let’s review the nominations once more. The contenders competing for best audio book of the year are:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, by Stieg Larsson
Freedom, by Jonathan Franzen
Room, by Emma Donoghue
Fall of Giants, by Ken Follett

All great audio books of course, but only one could be our winner.
The best audio book of the year voted by you is The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest, by Stieg Larsson.

With a whopping 46% of votes, Larsson took the lead, but Fall of Giants wasn’t too far behind generating 33% of votes. Room received 11% and Freedom placed last with 9% of votes. With thousands of stories released each year, coming in 4th doesn’t seem so bad. This is a great opportunity to check out the 4 top audio books of the year, before 2011 gets on its way with even more. I’m going to confess, I’m currently listening to The Millennium Trilogy, and thus far, I am completely addicted. I would recommend any one of these 4 audio books to anyone looking for an engaging story.

Ever wonder what narrators think when recording an audio book? What they strive for, the goals they have in place? Well, a great article was released by Sinclair McKay outlining some experiences narrators have had. Like the beautiful actress Rosemund Pike, who used audio books “to brush up her regional accents.” Now, the author of The Secret Life of Bletchley Park, Sinclair McKay, had the opportunity to read her own novel. She describes her own experience, how one would think reading was so straightforward and yet you find yourself fluffing it up, going into unfamiliar territory, feeling self-conscious about your voice and trying to keep the audience entertained all at the same time.

I thought the article was quiet entertaining. I’ve listened to audio books many times but never really envisioned what it would be like listening to yourself for hours on end in a studio, questioning whether it’s time to raise your voice, creating authentic accents. Also, ever wonder why you’ve never heard the reader turn the page? It’s because they stop reading on the bottom of the right-hand page and start recording again when the page has been turned over and pinned back. And let’s not forget about the sensitivity of the microphone, it picks up everything, including a “gastric intrusion”. This is a perfect illustration as to why you should never read on an empty stomach. And why it’s important not to forget the amount of work and talent needed to present such amazing entertaining audio books.

Read the full article here.

Plus, stay tuned this Friday when we announce the winner for the AUDIO BOOK OF THE YEAR!

New Year’s Eve is full of anticipation, excitement and the wonder of what the New Year is going to bring. With a full glass of Champaign, friends and family all around, we raise our glass and make a toast to the future. As glamorous and exciting as New Year’s Eve is said to be, our resolutions for the upcoming year may not be as exciting. We’ve all done it, gyms are crammed to the max with weight loss resolutions, some choose to put themselves on a budget, watch less television, be more active, read more. But slowly as we encounter the middle of the year we find ourselves stuck in a habit we weren’t able to break, and our new year’s resolutions, well, what are those? But don’t fret, there’s still hope. With a little help from Self-help audio books, they can help you stay on track with your new year’s resolutions. Check out all of our Self-help audio books and discover the power of listening.

Health, Mind, Body & Soul – Discover Self-help Audio Books