I love audio books. I must listen to over 100 audio books a year. (I can often do parts of my job while listening to an audio book.) Almost all my audio books are mysteries. I have listened to a few romances this year but my last book was really an “ear-opener”! 
It was my first “very-steamy” audio book. Now, while I can read very steamy passages comfortably, when the same copy is read out loud, I find it very uncomfortable. (I use headphones so I am not concerned about anyone over-hearing what I am listening to.)
BTW, the book is the next book I am going to review. If you want to hear for yourself what I am talking about, listen to: “This Time Love”, by Elizabeth Lowell, Brilliance Audio, 2004, Audio Cassettes, 8 hours long, read by Laural Merlington.
I am just curious. Does anyone else have a problem listening to passages that they have no problem reading? Is the audio experience that different from the reading experience? What would it be like to write audio books to be only audio books (not radio plays) rather than for print? I think there is something interesting here but I don’t know what it is.
What do you think? 
Thanks,
Vince
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
I have that same problem. I
I have that same problem. I listen to audio books at work and if I'm listening to something that gets a little steamy, I find myself looking around like everyone is listening to the book too. Although I'm easly embarassed and most people I associate with at work knows this.. they tease me offen lol. I feel like I turn red at these scenes.
Jwnne
Hi
Hi Jwnne
I know how that feels. This question has made me think about the difference between audio and reading. I think that reading is talking place in your head but audio is taking place outside in the world as well as in your head. I find listening to an audio book very different from reading the same copy. Sometimes I think the experience is so different it’s like they are different books.
Here’s an interesting experience along these lines that a writer might take. I saw Bridgett Jones Diary at the movies. Then I read the book. Then I listened to the abridged audio book. Then I listened to the unabridged audio book. Then I watched the movie again on video tape. You can tell I really liked this work. This exercise will provide many insights into screenwriting, the difference between the written, visual, and audio, and how an abridgement is achieved. It’s also a lot of fun.
Thanks,
Vince
“Romances are the emotional vitamins of the soul.” Vince
I'm surprised I didn't see
I'm surprised I didn't see this post earlier. Me, I have no problem listening to a steamy book. It even has it's perks.
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