Borrowed Audiobook By: I started to listen to audiobooks in [2016] as a way to offset my readings of print books whilst noting there was a rumour about how audiobooks could help curb chronic migraines as you are switching up how you’re reading rather than allowing only one format to be your bookish choice. As I found colouring and knitting agreeable companions to listening to audiobooks, I have embarked on a new chapter of my reading life where I spend time outside of print editions of the stories I love reading and exchange them for audio versions.
I currently have subscriptions to both Audible and Everand (previously known as Scribd) as well as Spotify whilst I used to borrow audiobooks via CloudLibrary and occasionally Libby (though the latter rarely has books I’m interested in reading). I regularly purchase audiobooks via Audible whilst for other titles which are part of the Plus Catalogue of audiobooks, I can ‘borrow’ them as part of my subscription. Similar to how Everand works as well as Spotify. Spotify does limit how many hours you can listen to audiobooks per month whereas the limits are higher on Everand and Audible. So far, it has always worked out for me as a listener though this is the first year I’ve attempted to listen to audiobooks on Spotify.
As I listened to an audiobook copy of “A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking” as part of my subscription to Audible, I was not obligated to share a review on its behalf. I am sharing my ruminative thoughts for my own edification and for continuing to share my bookish and readerly life on my blog Jorie Loves A Story and/or on social media of my choice. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
And, so it begins! Happy #SpooktasticReads:
I happily listened to A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking whilst #SpooktasticReads was getting underway this year and I couldn’t be more delighted to announce it was my first listen to finish, too! Except to say, it took me a bit longer to finalise the review on its behalf because it became a bit of an emotional read for me and there were portions of the story, I listened to quite extensively without writing any notes down. As I was colouring as I listened, I also made a lot of progress in my Halloween themed colouring book – full of sugar skulls, pumpkins, haunted houses and other delights which befit a Halloween colouring adventure! Laughs.
The main reason it took me awhile to reconcile my emotions with the story is because I had a rather hard-hitting week at work. I was filling in for different people and working extra hours as a result and at some point, the exhaustion won out over anything else. By the weekend, I felt done in and had a long satisfying rest to recover my energies and spirits. Also, this story starts out with such a burst of hilarity I wasn’t quite prepared for the shift in gears to where it took such dramatic turns in the story – both for the characters themselves and for us as readers listening to the narration. You sort of get caught off-guard as there is so much humour laced through the opening bridges of the story until everything gets turnt quite serious and then, there is less to laugh about truly as it is a very serious story by all counts.
I was just lost in this world – completely consumed by the vision Kingfisher had for it and rallying behind her characters who had the odd stacked against them and never once felt like throwing in the towel without at least attempting to survive despite the realities of what they were facing. It was a very strong message about coming together as community and fighting fiercely for what you believe in whilst never allowing your enemy to get the better of you either. There were supporting characters who were equally quirky and courageous whilst the persons in power were humble and vulnerable like the everyday citizens of their kingdom, too. It was a very well-rounded tale and one that I felt was wickedly narrated too.
I will definitely have to purchase this audiobook at some point because it was definitely a beloved read of mine this #SpooktasticReads and I was quite chuffed it was available to listen to via Audible’s Plus Catalgoue! Quite the find, indeed! Thereby if you’ve been wanting to listen to this story yourself – it is on Audible but it is also available through Everand, too.
This story took the award for BEST Young Adult Fantasy
and BEST Audiobook Narrator for 2024.
A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
by T. Kingfisher
Source: Audible | Subscription
Narrator: Patricia Santomasso
Places to find the book:
ISBN: 9781614505242
ASIN: B09FNLS5RY
on 12th October, 2021
Format: Audiobook | Digital
Length: 8 hours and 30 minutes (unabridged)
Published by: Tantor Audio | @tantoraudio via Insta
(a subsidiary of Recorded Books)
Follow the author: Site | Insta
Formats Available: Trade Paperback, Audiobook and Ebook
Converse via: #YAFantasy + #AudioReads, #Audiobook
and #SpooktasticReads or #SpooktasticReads2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- #SpooktasticReads 2024
Jorvik Calling
