Years ago in Ohio, I used to listen to books on cassette when I had a long commute (one side of a cassette was equal to driving from Toledo to Findlay). Now, however, I’m fortunate not to have much of a commute, yet when else does one listen? I’m not a knitter or jigsaw puzzle aficionado, but while my husband was out of town recently, I rediscovered the joy of the bedtime story.
The following are a few of my favorites with vastly talented voice actors. Remember radio plays? When I was a child, I would go to sleep listening to CBS Radio Mystery Theatre, but these are even better because they aren’t scary.
• William Shatner has written and recorded a number of books. I particularly enjoyed Leonard: Leonard: My Fifty-year Friendship with a Remarkable Man about his relationship with Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock. If you grew up with Star Trek as I did, you can still hear Shatner intone, “Space, the final frontier,” and be taken right back in time.
• James Herriot’s books, narrated by Christopher Timothy, who played the lead role in the 1970’s PBS version, are also favorites. I enjoy the current TV version as well as the older recordings. The accents take me abroad in an instant!
• Voice actors Robert Ian Mackenzie and Barbara Rosenblat are celebrities with dedicated audiences. If you’re a fan of Chief of Police Bruno or Mrs. Pollifax, you’ll want to check them out on audio.
• Finally, check this link for the latest list of Audie Awards for audiobooks and spoken-word publishing.
Whatever your pleasure, reading or listening, check us out. We’re here for you!
Wendy Pender, Older Adults Program Coordinator, King County Library System