Road Trippin' With Books On Tape - Brief Article

Black Issues Book Review, July, 2001 by Cynthia A. Roby

Fill your ears with popular fiction by black authors, thanks to Griot Audio[TM] and other new options

Nothing compliments a great road trip, removes you from a subway ride, replaces those same old songs on the radio, eases the stress of that rush hour commute, mutes those chattering kids in the back seat or enhances participation and discussion during family time better than a great audio book.

Summer--being the season of heat, relaxation and road trips--requires easy-listening with fun plots and great narrative talent. An audio book makes the perfect companion. If you are planning a road trip, log on to Cracker Barrel's Website and click on `trip planner' to map out your destination and pick up/drop off audio books while en route. You can also rent or purchase, for various time periods and prices, from several other websites. Recorded Books, LLC, which was slated to release 12 new titles each quarter, offers an excellent collection of African American authors for their Griot Audio[TM] section. Check their website for some of your favorites.

Audible.com allows you to download the spoken word. Their vast selection includes audio books, newspapers, magazines, and radio shows.

Want to sample before you buy? Log on to Time Warner's website and click on "free chapters" Preview works by authors like Walter Mosley, Lolita Files, Rosalyn McMillan and Breena Clarke.

If you prefer to buy on recommendation, Books on Tape offers current selections from `Oprah's Book Club'.

Talking Books not only offers discount audio books, but old-time radio shows--great classic titles like "War of the Worlds", "Time Machine" and "Amos and Andy."

Last but not least are the ever-popular Borders Online, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com websites, where you can search and find a bit of every topic and title to nurture, entertain, or educate you. Wherever you go this summer, be it that road trip or just around town, take an audio book to ease your travelling woes.

Easy-Listening Audio Books

[tapes] Good Peoples, author Marcus Major, narrated by Peter Francis James. 7 cassettes, 9.75 hours. Recorded Books--Griot Audio[TM]. The smooth, mellow tone of James' voice will keep you listening. It moves perfectly with the novel.

[headphones] Liar's Game, author Eric Jerome Dickey, narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez and Patricia Floyd. 9 cassettes, 12.75 hours. Recorded Books--Griot Audio[TM]. The narrative tones of Fernandez and Floyd compliment each other and the characters.

[tapes] This Just In, author Yolanda Joe, various narrators. 6 cassettes, 8.75 Books--Griot Audio[TM]. Each narrator's voice captures the personality the characters. A must-listen for the beach.

[tape] Family Affairs, author Sandra Kitt, narrated by Kim Staunton. 6 cassettes, 9 hours. Recorded Boo--Griot Audio[TM]. Staunton's voice carries the book well. She possesses great ability to adapt her voice and tone to bring multiple characters to life.

[headphones] Good Hair, author Benilde Little, narrated by Kim Staunton. 5 cassettes, 6.25 hours. Recorded Boo--Griot Audio[TM]. Again, Staunton flaunts her narrative talent to breathe life into each character. A must-listen in the car or subway.

Griot (gree'-oh)--In traditional West African culture, a story-teller who entertains, teaches, and informs the tribe or village through the power of the spoken word.

Where to buy audio books online ...

Amazon Books amazon.com

Audible audible.com

Audio Books audiobooks.com

Barnes & Noble bn.com

Borders Online borders.com

Cracker Barrel crackerbarrelocs.com

Recorded Books recordedbooks.com

Talking Book World talkingbooks.com

Cynthia A. Roby is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, New York. With a focus on business and health issues, her work has been showcased in publications including Latina, She Ink, ACE-Dialogue, Black Elegance and BELLE. She is currently working on her first novel The Yellow Bowl As BIBR associate editor for the Audio section, she offers this issue's recommended books on tape on page 72.