Listen...

I've  never been one who listens to books on audio. It just...wasn't my thing. I'm not going to say it is now, in a broad sense, but I've certainly learned to appreciate what audiobooks have to offer.

I first gave audiobooks a chance when I used one for my classroom. I wanted my students, who were struggling readers, to hear a book that had thirteen different voices. It was a way of showing them how to hear 'voices in their heads' and differentiate between characters when they read. Needless to say, they loved it, as did I. I did not, however, see the need for me to listen to audiobooks, personally, as I love to read in my own head.

Then, a few years later (yes, seriously), I decided to take a long road trip alone. I went to Half Price Books and found an interesting book on CDs. I thought I'd try it. I really enjoyed it! The book kept me company, I laughed and cried along with the characters, and - as often happens with books - the theme suited something I needed to think over. It was good for the brain and good for the soul. And good for the miles! I drove eighteen hours and enjoyed every minute! Did that hook me into audiobooks? No, not really, though I'd learned to appreciate them a little more.

Fast forward to...almost four years later (again - yes, seriously)...

I was cleaning out and reorganizing my home library. I had a small basket with some books in it. When I dug through them, I found a book on CDs that I had bought long ago (after my inspirational road trip), but had never listened to and forgot I had them. I decided that I needed to either get rid of them or listen to them. I opted to see if it worked for me to listen while I just did my daily driving and trips to see my daughters (one lives an hour away, one lives three hours away). Once again, I loved the experience and enjoyed the narrator so much that I looked up to see what other books she narrates.

It was about this time that a teacher friend of mine showed me how her Kindle has her books on it, but that she can switch to audio when she wants. "Whaaaat?! How did I NOT know this?" (Possibly because my head is usually buried in a book? ;) I got excited about all the possibilities! I could read a book at home and, when I have to run somewhere in the car, take the voice with me to continue the story!

Now, I'm officially a member of Audible. That's right. I'm finding ways to get through my TBR list much faster, which makes me happy. I'm not rushing through the books (I'd never do that), I've just found more ways to enjoy them and allow them to filter into other places during my days and evenings.

I am picky, though. I have to like the narrator. I also still prefer to read for myself when I can sit with a book (or Kindle) in my hand. It also depends on my mood because I love to listen to music, too. I'm still pretty darn happy, though, to find more ways to get my reading time in - especially now that school is about to start up, and I have less pleasure reading time than I do in the summer.

By the way, I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile. Summer has flown by! I'll try to write on a more regular basis now that my yearly academic routine is about to kick in. I do have some books to tell you about, as well as a couple of audiobooks you might find interesting. I will post again tomorrow to tell you about those.

I have to go for now. My classroom is begging me to keep working and setting up for the new school year!

Happy reading!!

Tuesday's Post on Wednesday...

Yes, I know. I promised to blog "tomorrow" on my last post...and didn't. My apologies. I was a bit obsessive yesterday about trying to finish up going through all my photos from vacation, and it drove me a bit nutty. All better now, though. I finished them up and don't have to sort through them anymore. Enough with my excuses. Let's continue, shall we?
 
Before the Pacific Coast Highway...
 
Our first destination in California was San Diego. We would not be able to pick up the PCH until we were farther up the coast in Dana Point. We stayed in the San Diego area for two days, and I wish we could have stayed more. It really is a wonderful place with perfect beaches and really nice people.
 
On our first morning, we had breakfast on the beach. Well, not literally 'on the beach' in the sand, but just a couple of footsteps away on a beach-level patio at a place that served wonderful food with a smile. We enjoyed a hearty breakfast and some great coffee before exploring the beach and enjoying some sun.

 

On to Coronado Island...

 

After we stayed at the beach for awhile, we took a short drive over to Coronado Island. All I knew about it was my daughter had been there and assured me it was paradise. I also had friends that had been to the Hotel del Coronado, where the movie "Some Like It Hot" was filmed. I wasn't sure what I expected, exactly, but it surpassed whatever my preconceived notions were.

Everything they said was true, and it was very beautiful. I also found that the people were especially nice. I say 'especially nice' for a reason. I had been up and going since early that morning. We had already been to one beach exploring, walking, sitting in the sand. I had Jeep hair on top of beach hair! But, no matter where I went, no one seemed to notice. No one looked at me like I had a Medusa head, which is my new nickname for the combo 'Jeep hair/beach hair' since going to California. I was quite impressed with the non-judgmental, California hospitality I received.

You see, Coronado Island is a place where the wealthy live and play. And, while you can tell that from everything you see, it doesn't feel that way. I didn't feel out of place or unwanted. There is ample public parking for free, and there are lovely neighborhoods to walk through. It doesn't have that 'don't touch me' feel at all.

We went into the Hotel del Coronado, enjoyed walking around freely, and bought a few things in the very nice shops. I have a sincere appreciation for good customer service, and I received it everywhere I went in the hotel and on the island. It was a top-notch day and evening we spent on Coronado Island. I can't wait to go back!

 
Next stop, PCH...
 

We left San Diego the next day and got on the Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point, California. I was so thrilled I took pictures of the first road sign we came across. I had no idea, at that point, just how thrilled I really should have been. You see, I'm an East Coast girl. I'm not sure exactly what I expected, but I guess I thought it would be something like Myrtle Beach. Oh, sure, I had seen movies where people drive the PCH, but...it's a movie - not reality! Or, so I thought...
 
I will never forget coming down that first bit of road and seeing the coast for the first time. We were on a fairly straight piece of the highway and, as we came over a little incline in the road,...there was the Pacific Coast in all its glory! Wow! It was like a postcard picture!
 

Now, the beach is gorgeous all by itself, but to have one side of the road look like paradise and the other side of the road display these magnificent, dramatic mountains is...awe-inspiring. I also found that it is impossible to convey how that feels in photography. I mean, I took good pictures I really love, but it doesn't even come close. You have to sense it. It gives you that awareness of...just how small you are in this world. And, I don't know about you, but I love that feeling. It makes me feel much less stressed about life. No wonder California Coast people are so laid back and relaxed.
 
We drove the PCH and stayed at various hotels along the way, deciding each evening where we wanted to stay. I'll tell you how we did that in my next post. For now, just enjoy a few pictures from different places along the highway.

 

 

At this point, we thought we might never want to go back home...