Some people
say that listening to an audiobook doesn’t count as real reading. I disagree.
In fact, we can learn so much from a performance that it seems a shame to
restrict ourselves to only the voice in our head when experiencing a story. My
absolute favourites that I have recently returned to include Stephen Fry
reading the Harry Potter series (or Oscar Wilde’s short stories, in fact,
Stephen Fry reading anything) and Tim
Curry’s performance of A Series of Unfortunate Events. I remember as a boy
growing up on Stig Wemyss reading Andy Griffiths’ stories on tape, and
admiring his voices and reveling in the silly sound effects.
Of course
audiobooks count - they are the same journeys that we find in the printed word.
I wouldn’t only listen to audiobooks
any more than I would only do
anything. But on car drives or long, slow runs, they are second to none for
helping to tip a couple of titles off the To Read pile.
This
Christmas, don’t forget that there are many ways in which stories can be
enjoyed, and even given as gifts. In fact, there are more than just the written
word and the recorded audiobook. There are also live performances, and I can’t
think of anything better than snuggling down on the couch and doing your very
best old man voice for that miser Scrooge in A Christmas Carol.
Merry
Christmas, and a glorious summer to all of you. I hope it is filled with a
feast of both food and the imagination.
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