Simply Audiobooks Inc.

Audio books haven’t caught on to “Bieber fever” just yet.

I was speaking to a friend about the Grammy Awards today and we were both extremely thrilled about the winner for Best Spoken Word album, but what happened to Justin Bieber and why wasn’t First Step 2 Forever an audio book? Imagine, the sound of his voice, narrating his story, while breaking out into beats? What does it take to get your story published as an audio book? How does Snooki do it and not Bieber? I’m not suggesting that I am a huge fan of the musician specifically, but it did make me question how books get chosen and transformed into audio books.

Bieber fever seems to be spreading so fast, I was certain there was an audio book already published in his honor. But I was very wrong. Book, yes. Audio book….hmmm only time will tell.

And the best spoken word album goes to…

With the Grammy Awards on last night, it was no surprise that Earth (The Book): A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race won for Best Spoken Word Album. Written by Jon Stewart & The Daily Show, the book’s premise covers in its entirety, the human experience. How we got here, what we did while we were here and how we’re leaving. I haven’t had a chance to listen to this audio book quiet yet, but knowing it’s a winner makes me want to pick it up.

Discover the audio book winner for yourself here

Last week the folks around Simply Audiobooks threw down our theories about who we thought would win the Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album. Our money was on Michael J. Fox for his memoir Always Looking Up. We were right. This post is partially to gloat in our correct prediction, but mostly to congratulate Mr. Fox on a beautiful, inspiring book that absolutely deserved this recognition.

Al Gore!

The 51st Grammy Awards were held last night, and though you might not have seen any performances by those nominated in the Spoken Word category, the prestigious award went to Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, read by Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon, and Blair Underwood.

Gore’s audio book was up against some tough competition:

Born Standing Up, by Steve Martin

I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert

Life Beyond Measure by Sidney Poitier

When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris

Kudos to Gore and his narrators for a job well done.

And I very much look forward to the by-product of Gore’s win -  Stephen Colbert’s rant of “Who’s Not Honoring Me Now?“