December 2014

I never thought in a million years that I would listen to audiobooks. I mean seriously, the way I figured it, audiobooks were things that old ladies listened to while taking the kids out, and they were always self hel books, or books to help teach languages, or something equally boring. It would include drab, boring narrators that put one to sleep, and stupid sounding voices when the narrator planned to try a particularly tricky voice. Though both can be true with some books, it's not often the case with most. Now, I'm practically pissed at all the time I spent griping about audiobooks and the impurity of "reading" them vs reading regular books, when I could have spent that time listening to more audiobooks.

The audio format of books has practically blown up in the recent years (or so I've been told) and the narrators are better than ever. Most are engaging, exciting, and embody the MC or storyline so that you feel like you're actually standing right inside or next to your favorite characters.

In 2014, I signed up for the audiobook challenge, and stuck with it the entire year, ending with 84 audiobooks listened to. Check out my post here. This year, I'm hoping to listen to even more. I won't bore you with all the rules, but you can check them out and/or sign up here.

My chosen level is: Marathoner (Look Ma no hands) 50+

I'm hoping to listen to more than the 84 books I listened to in 2014. You can expect updates on the following dates:

Update Schedule:

March 27th: 1st Quarter Update
June 19th: 2nd Quarter Update – Giveaway included
September 25th: 3rd Quarter Update
December 18th: 4th Quarter Update and Wrap – Giveaway included

If you wish, however to see my progress when there isn't a formal post, I've created a lovely goodreads shelf just for this year's challenge. I think It will help me keep track even of my rereads more efficiently.

It would be great if you would join with me.For those of you who havent even tried Audiobooks, there's even a Newbie level of books (1-5 books), so there's no excuse for you not to give it a try. You may find that it makes chores a lot more fun.

This challenge is hosted by one of my fav bloggers, The Book Nympho. Here are the rules (copied from the sign up page):

· Runs January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014. You can join at anytime.

· The goal is to find a new love for audios or to outdo yourself by listening to more audios in 2014 than you did in 2013.

· Books must be in audio format (CD, MP3, etc.)

· ANY genres count.

· Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

· You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads, Shelfari, Facebook, LibraryThing, etc.

· If you’re a blogger grab the button and do a quick post about the challenge to help spread the word. If you’re not a blogger you can help by posting on Facebook or Tweeting about the challenge.

You can choose whatever level you want to reach, and then start reading. I signed up for :

· My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+

I totally knocked that number out of the water with a total of 83 audiobooks!!! Plus one additional book that I'm pretty sure will be finished tomorrow. That number doesn't even include the books relistened to within the same year, or at times in older years. Let me just say that nearly every book I read this year was an audiobook, mainly because I've been too busy to stop and find time to read, but I still want to know what happens in all the stories. For that reason, my addiction to audiobooks is stronger than ever. I can't wait for the next year's challenge, where I hope to choose a number even higher than this one (if one even exists)

Here's my list of books and the dates each were read:

Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep (1/2/14-1/3/14)
On the Edge by Ilona Andrews 1/3/14-1/6/14)
Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews (1/9/14-1/13/14)
Fates Edge by Ilona Andrews (1/13/14-1/15/14)
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews (1/15/14-1/20/14)
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (1/27/14-2/28/14)
The Spider by Jennifer Estep (1/23/14-1/27/14)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas (1/27/14-1/29/14)
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (1/30/14-2/4/14)
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater (2/4/14-2/8/14)
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers (2/8/14-2/10/14)
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau (2/10/14-2/12/14)
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire (2/12/14-2/15/14)
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire (2/15/14-2/18/14)
A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire (2/18/14-2/18/14)
Hollowland by Amanda Hocking (2/18/14-2/19/14)
Captive in the Dark by C.J. Roberts (2/19/14-2/20/14)
The Devil's Reprise by Karina Halle (2/20/14-2/21/14)
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (2/21/14-2/22/14)
Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead (2/22/14-2/24/14)
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (2/24/14-2/25/14)
Frostbite by Rachelle Mead (2/25/14-2/28/14)
Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper (2/28/14-2/28/14)
Red Hill by Jamie McGuire (2/28/14-3/4/14)
Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men by Molly harper (3/4/14-3/5/14)
Nice Girls Don’t Live Forever by Molly Harper (3/6/14-3/10/14)
Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill(3/10/14-3/10/14)
Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill 3/10/14-3/11/14)
Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill (3/12/14-3/13/14)
Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill (3/16/14-3/17/14)
Drink Deep by Chloe Neill (3/18/14-3/19/14)
Biting Cold by Chloe Neill (3/19/14-3/24/14)
House Rules by Chloe Neill (3/24/14-3/24/14)
Biting Bad by Chloe Neill (3/29/14-3/29/14)
Wild Things by Chloe Neill (3/29/14-4/01/14)
Coven by Tony Ruggiero (3/14/14-3/16/14)
Tilt by Ellen Hopkins (3/24/14-3/25/14)
The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J Maas (4/8/14-4/10/14)
Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (4/10/14-4/14/14)
Skinwalker by Faith Hunter (4/16/14-4/19/14)
Blood Cross by Faith Hunter (4/19/14-4/22/14)
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole (4/22/14-4/24/14)
Endless Knight by Kresley Cole (4/24/14-4/25/14)
Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter (4/25/14-4/29/14)
Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins (4/29/14-5/2/14)
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa (5/2/14-5/4/14)
A Hunger like No other by Kresley Cole (5/4/14-5/6/14)
No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole (5/6/14-5/13/14)
Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken (5/13/14-5/13/14)
Raven Cursed by Faith Hunter (5/13/14-5/17/14)
Gone Girl Gillian Flynn (5/19/14-5/21/14)
Altered by Jennifer Rush (6/15/14-7/15/14)
Angelfall by Susan Ee (6/30/14-6/30/14)
The 5^th Wave by Rick Yancey (6/10/14-7/03/14)
The Giver by Louis Lowry (7/11/14-7/11/14)
Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor (7/11/14-7/18/14)
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare (7/18/14-8/9/14)
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews (7/31/14-8/07/14)
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (8/9/14-8/17/14)
Death’s Rival by Faith Hunter (8/23/14-8-25/14)
Four: A Divergent Story Collection by Veronica Roth (8/25/14-8/26/14)
Blood Trade by Faith Hunter (8/25/14-8/29/14)
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (8/29/14-9/2/14)
Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas (9/02/14-9/15/14)
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs (9/18/14-9/24/14)
Hounded by Kevin Hearne (9/24/14-10/2/14)
Black Arts by Faith Hunter (10/1/14-10/2/14)
Broken Soul by Faith Hunter (10/7/14-10/8/14)
Cat o’ Nine Tales: The Jane Yellowrock Stories by Faith Hunter (10/23/14-10/26/14)
Stained by Ella James (10/26/14-10/28/14)
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews (10/28/14-10/30/14)
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout (11/26/14-12/03/14)
Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout (12/03/14-12/03/14)
Opal by Jennifer L Armentrout (12/03/14-12/09/14)
Origin by Jennifer L Armentrout (12/9/14-12/14/14)
Twice the Growl by Milly Taiden (12/17/14-12/17/14)
Bound by Lorelei James (12/17/14-12/19/14)
A Shade of Vampire by Bella Forrest (12/17/14-12/19/14)
Hexed by Kevin Hearne (12/19/14-12/30/14)
Trading Teon by Regan Hawk (12/29/14-12/29/14)
Claiming Their Royal Mate by Andie Devaux (12/29/14-12/29/14)
Strength in Numbers by Regan Hawk (12/29/24-12/19/14)
The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (12/29/14-12/29-14)Charming by Elliot James (12/29/14-Present) -planning to finish this one by 12/31/14

What do you think about my new obsession? Have you tried audiobooks? Any questions about choosing one to start with?