Read to me?

It seems that most people have definite opinions about audiobooks. I’m kind of lukewarm about them myself. I read very quickly. The pacing just bugs me. What bugs me more is when the narrator does goofy voices that distract me from what they are saying or there’s random music for NO REASON. On the other hand, when I’m knitting, cleaning, or attempting to be healthy and walk/exercise, I LOVE being able to have a story to follow. Not in the car though…not sure why. Cars are for music. NPR at the most. Talk radio=yuk.  Then there’s the debate as to whether it counts as reading. I think it does. (if it were a live person reading to you, as in a class or at home, it would count too).  Feel free to disagree. Anyway, that said, here are some awards for audiobooks.

1. The big one is The Audie. It’s been around since 1996. (I know, that was yesterday, but it’s a new-ish category).

The Audies, sponsored by the Audio Publishers Association (APA), is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment. Through The Audies award competition, publishers are able to enter titles in various categories for
recognition of achievement. Finalists are selected and, from that group of finalists, one winner is awarded. Finalists will be notified in March 2012, and showcased on the APA website, to the press, and in APA materials. Winners will be recognized
at the exciting Audies gala in New York City on June 5, 2012. Two special awards highlight outstanding achievements: The Distinguished Achievement in Production Award goes to an audiobook that demonstrates excellence in all areas
of production, while the Audiobook of the Year recognizes the audiobook that, through quality, innovation, marketing and sales, has had the most significant impact on the industry. Separate Calls for Entries will go out for these awards
in September and the recipients will be announced at the 2012 Audies Gala. We invite you to join us in this celebration of the spoken word!

 (http://www.audiopub.org/audies-contest.asp)

The do’s and don’ts for entries are fun to look at. There are over 30 categories for this one, so forgive me if I don’t have a list.

I did find THIS  partial list of past winners. (2007 and previous).

2. YALSA, (Same ALA group for the Alex awards) & the ALSC (Newbery & Caldecott folks) present the Odyssey Award for excellence in Young Adult  & Children’s Audio books. Winners and Honorees have been named since 2008. (see link for lists). There are 9 committee members. Full-cast, read-alongs, and single narrator works are eligible. Here’s the list of criteria.

3. Publisher’s Weekly awards the Listen Up awards. Selected by the editors of the audio section, these awards recognize their favorites for the year.

4. And, frequently Audiobooks are nominated for Grammy Awards in the Spoken Word Category.

So, I guess if they’re your thing, you already know some of these. If not, I suggest picking a good one to start with b/c in my experience, quality varies GREATLY.

 

 

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