#audiobooks

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When Amazon tells you they're replacing actual human narrators at Audible with AI for the glorious cause of accessibility, remember that those assholes regularly rope authors into Audible Exclusive deals, which not only means you can only hear them on Audible, it also means those audiobooks then become inaccessible to PUBLIC LIBRARIES.

It's not about accessibility, it's about the profits.

I don't use audiobooks — but if I did I sure wouldn't want one with an AI voice.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/may/13/audible-unveils-plans-to-use-ai-voices-to-narrate-audiobooks

I appreciate this from John Scalzi on Bluesky: At no point will any of my audiobooks be narrated by "AI." "AI" can't perform stories, it can only recite words. Both my stories and my listeners deserve better. All my audiobooks will be read and performed by actual people.

He continues: (NB: I don't have problems with automated screen readers for folks who need them; assistive devices are a different discussion entirely.)

https://bsky.app/profile/scalzi.com/post/3lp64zx77rs2u

h/t @dougiec3

hey book nerds, Libro.fm is having a sale this weekend. A lot of their bestsellers are $5, which is an awesome price for .

In terms of I saw Lights Out (the production on that was awesome it's probably the best-produced book I've listened to), Neon Gods, Leather & Lark, etc.

Your purchase with them funnels some profits to your choice of independent bookstore, and in the current environment those folks are facing a lot of heat and could use the support.

🖤 My novel GODHUNTER will be available in audio starting on April 8th, narrated by Marnye Young. I’m so excited to share this trailer with everyone!

🖤 If you’re interested, the universal book link in my profile lists some of the marketplaces where you can order it, but I couldn’t get them all up. When in doubt, please try a search! I hope it will be available in libraries too.

@bookstodon

A video showing images of a woman in a black veil, a graveyard, a crow, ships, the sea, lanterns, and underwater images. All relevant to the book. The first frame text reads "Coming April 8th." The last reads "Now Available in Audio."

I've finished: The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

This Holms and Watson duo really captured me. The fact that the setting isn't London, but a province near the seawall that protects a biotech empire from seasonal attack by giant leviathans makes it much more appealing.

The biotech isn't mimicking current or future technology, it mainly enhances natural abilities. The augmentations have repercussions and unwanted side effects.

The story is toled in first person by Dinios Kol, an engraver, augmented to have perfect recall. He is very competent but suffers from imposter syndrome as he tries to hide his dyslexia from his superiors.

Kol is assigned to assist the eccentric genius investigator Ana Dolabra, an over sensitive woman that has to blindfold herself in order to manage the amount of information assaulting her brain. Kol assits her by going out into the world and recalling what …

I've finished: Spiderlight by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Adrian Tchaikovsky does Sword & Sorcery.

Spiderlight is both a light hearted and a serious examination of the creatures of the light and of the dark dichotomy of the Tolkienish, Sword & Sorcery genre, and it is not subtle about it.

Sometimes too crude, but has a lot of fun and serious moments.

Tchaikovsky gets to examine the concept of an uplifted spider in a fantasy setting.


https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/d36e1c27-820a-44a9-bc72-9e77625565a4

@bookstodon @audiobooks

Both publisher and I have been looking, but who can point me to some Black, male, for screen reader users, American Black, Disabled male audiobook narrators, and non-binary disabled audiobook narrators? @disability @audiobooks

I've finished: The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

This is one of Kingfisher's horror novels. Relatively cozy horror, but still horror.

There is human connection, personable characters and humor, but also lots of very creepy body horror.

Thanks to T. Kingfisher's writing style, this is horror I can cope with.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/aa19076b-ec62-4080-8d63-a643da848589

@bookstodon

I've finished: To Be Taught If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

This is not one of Becky Chambers hopeful stories.

It is an exercise in ethical space exploration.

It has relationships, cool aliens, and an attempt to do the right thing in a harsh universe.

It is good, but don't come to it expecting her famous cozy tales.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/a6fd183c-62e2-4b5a-af60-da4123193b82

@bookstodon

I've finished: A Conventional Boy by Charles Stross

A Conventional Boy seeks to answer the question: How would D&D and RPGs fit into the Laundry universe.

It's a side story starring a new main character and a few side characters from other novel.

Set before the arrival of the new management, it doesn't require familiarity with the latest books. I think it is set somewhere after Book# 6 The Annihilation Score, as Mo and her violin are very briefly mentioned.

It is short and to the point and features a couple of bonus short stories starring Bob.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/95cfda69-8c1d-47fa-aefa-51f6f6a33ca2

@bookstodon