Talking books

[Gemini]

I want to write in praise of these wonderful things!
My mother, 86, was an avid reader and crossword puzzler. With age and macular degeneration, she can no longer do these things. TV quizzes help to replace the crosswords.
Talking books, in CD form have replaced books for her. I browse titles from the library online every week. I reserve ones I think she will like and pick them up from my local library. She loves them, and never tires of telling me what wonderful invention they are They really have improved her life and give her much pleasure.
My daughter who travels for work a lot finds them useful too. She says they make a late night drive pass quickly, and help keep her awake!
They are useful for travellers, and because they are portable can be listened to at home while doing a variety of things.
Audio books are wonderful!

[Elisi]

So true Gem :-)

[Elisi]

So true Gem

[Guest]

It's wonderful for all the things you describe Gemini, but I find it impossible to retain stories or non fiction in my brain unless I physically see the print on the page. I suppose it's beacause I'm so heavily into the written word in both my professional and lie sue live that I've become attuned to print. It's as though the image impacts on my brain whereas the sound doesn't. I pray I never suffer as your mother has done as I'd have a lot of brain training to do!

[Gemini]

I have found these very useful for my GD too
It's a half hour drive back from her school to my house each week. We chat on the way from school to where I park my car, but on the journey, once she has told me her news she likes to chill out. It's not so easy conversing between the front and back of the car too!
I have couple of children's story CDs which she likes to listen to as we drive home, never minding that she knows them by heart. Every so often I borrow a different CD from the library for her. This goes down very well! I have a couple reserved for the new term.

[Nanto2girls]

I know someone whose husband has very little sight left,and he listens to a lot of talking books. He says it's surprising how many well known celebrities do the readings.

[Grauntie Mag]

I haven't had talking books but I do enjoy Afternoon Theatre on catch up via the iPad. There is nothing like someone reading to you or a good play.

[Plantaholic]

Not quite the same but I love Audible books, I listen when I go to bed through earphones. I agree with Minny, I do retain the written word better.

[Glammanana]

Doing the job I do I find many unwanted talking book CDs donated to the Charity Shop and have a large number of customers who look for them I find many people buy them and then re-donate they are very very popular
I have been known to use them when clothes sorting to pass the time away on what can be a very mundane job sometimes,big cheer for talking books from me.

[Gemini]

I never see them at our local charity shop Glamma, I wish I did! I imagine they go out as soon as they come in.

[Glammanana]

Gems yes they do to be honest but if you want when we get some in I will let you know and post them off to you. xx

[Gemini]

Oh, that's so kind of you Glamma!!

[Nana]

My Aunt went blind in her later years. Talking Books were her company & interest before she died. A local group ran a lending library of Talking Books. Great thing to do I thought.

[Daisy]

I think they're wonderful to have in the car. We use them on long journeys and abroad. We were once listening to a very tense thriller, and just as it reached its climax the car broke down. We coasted into a nearby lay by, and listened to the end of the book before either of us said a word. I keep a couple of story CDs in the car for GD1.