| Reading a book has long been a source of relaxation. | | | | to. I enjoy having an audio book in the car on long |
| However, in this modern age of computers, the | | | | journeys. The length of the story is always given on |
| internet, DVD movies, and MP3 players the simple act | | | | the cover of the box so I can pick one that will finish in |
| of reading a book has taken a backseat. People want | | | | time for my journey, so I don't miss the ending! |
| something more interactive than just pages to turn. | | | | It isn't simply stories that are available as audio books, |
| Kids are certainly more interested in playing their latest | | | | but language lessons too. Imagine learning to speak a |
| games console game. We seem to be turning away | | | | number of key Japanese phrases whilst you do the |
| from the joy of reading a good book, but there is an | | | | ironing, or mastering basic French whilst doing the |
| answer. Audio books have been around a long time, | | | | vacuuming?! The possibilities are endless with the |
| but are relatively unknown to most people. There is a | | | | number of portable media players that are available |
| misconception that audio books are designed for | | | | now. You can have the enjoyment of your favourite |
| people with eyesight problems. This is one of their | | | | novel, short story, or language lesson whilst still carrying |
| uses, of course, but it is far from the full story. | | | | out your daily chores. Audio books are available from |
| Audio books are available on either cassette tape or | | | | most major bookstores, as well as over the internet. |
| CD. The beauty is that the whole story is narrated, | | | | There are books for people of all ages, including kids, |
| often by well-known actors and actresses. It is like | | | | and include modern novels as well as the classics. If |
| having your own private play. The variety of audio | | | | you are a member of a local library, you will also find |
| books is immense, and there is bound to be one that | | | | audio books to hire, for a nominal fee, so you can try it |
| suits your tastes. The real bonus of listening to an | | | | and decide if you really want to buy one. |
| audio book is that you can play it wherever you want | | | | |