Welcome back for more audio book goodness. Today we are discussing the art of audio book reviewing. By no means do I consider myself an expert on audio book reviewing, or reviewing in general but I have tried a few things along the way. My first piece of advice is to remember that there is no right or wrong way to write a review, period.
That being said I have learned a few things since writing my very first audio book review. (Backseat Saints by Joshilyn Jackson)
- I provide information about release date, publisher, narrator, and length- some people like this information, others don’t care.
- I also include other formats available (I do this on all of my reviews)
- I comment on the story itself. Including my overall reaction to the story. Mention specifics about what I liked or didn’t like just as I would in a print review.
- Narration- did their voice fit the story? Did it add or detract from your listening experience?
- Was there any music or other sound effects?
- Anything else that affected the overall listening experience?
These are just a few of the things that I consider when writing my reviews. Everyone experiences an audio book differently and therefore may pick up on something I did not. That is the great thing about reading reviews. Reading more than one will give you a pretty good picture of what the audio book was like.
Now I turn it over to you, what information do you like to see in an audio book review?
© 2012, Teresa. All rights reserved.
I appreciate comments on the narration because for me, it can make or break an audio book. Some narrators are so fantastic I recommend the audio book specifically to people. If I find a narrator irritating I will say so with an explanation why, but I always frame it that people have different preferences; what bothers one person is fine for the next.
Thanks for your input. My answers are basically the same. I believe our reaction to narrators are even more unique to books, as one’s emotions can be conveyed in so many different oral ways.
here is my post: http://wordsandpeace.com/2012/06/26/so-you-want-to-review-audiobooks-audiobook-week-discussion-and-giveaway/
I’m glad you mentioned music and sound effects. I totally forgot about it! I tend to not like it. I don’t think it adds anything to the story; in fact, most of the time it takes me OUT of the story.
Its good to mention music and sound effects. I stopped listening to The Shadow of the Wind audiobook because they were playing music behind the narration, like it was some olde time radio show. Luckily that would have been a reread, but still. I agree with Heather, its not needed for an audiobook. They can save it for film or tv adaptations.
I think you write great audiobook reviews!
I am new to audiobooks so I have been loving all this advice about writing a review!
You are the first person I have read that mentions the music…I had forgotten about that! And I agree, there is no one way to write a review. But you definitely have the basics covered! Thanks! 
I definitely struggle with my audio reviews – I’m not always consistent in mentioning anything about the narration/production other than listing who it was read by.
This is such a great discussion topic and I am getting great ideas for fine-tuning my audio reviews!
Kristin @ Always With a Book
My main thing I look for when someone reviews an audio book is if they enjoyed the narration. I can read reviews anywhere about the book, but what I really want to know is how was the reader and the sound or the sound effects. Great post. Thanks!
Yes – length!! I’m going to have to include that in my audiobook reviews. That’s a big determining factor for me — so far I can only really listen to audiobooks that are 15 hours or less … not sure if I have the attention span for a longer one!
Good idea to include all the available formats. I’ve recently been a little saddened to find out that books I want to read are NOT available on audio! Wonder how they decide what books will be produced and which ones won’t.
I’ve only encountered music at the beginning of audiobooks but it always seems really strange to me!
Great tips. Especially on the music. I need to remember to include that.
I am always listening to an audio book in the car, but haven’t really found a good, consisitent way to review them. Oh well, I’m always a work in progress
I like a summary of the story and a note or two about the narration. I think both aspects are important for an audio review.
PS I’m linking up to this post in my weekend links tomorrow!