Audiobooks for cheapskates

Long time no write I know, but this is worth the wait. A couple of months ago (in fact, round about the same time I last updated this blog, come to think of it) I finally got round to investigating the availability of audiobooks to brighten my trudge to work, and my slightly sprightlier trudge on the treadmill at the gym, and the slightly mesmeric activity of kneading dough on the rare occasions that I actually bother to make bread, which always seem to coincide with an Archers omnibus. Much to my delight, I found the whole of Vanity Fair on iTunes for free, thanks to the University of South Florida, and despite the (at first irritating) mispronunciations of various places and names (Berkeley Square is perhaps understandable, but I only realised that the enticing sounding “Voss Hall” that Becky and Amelia visit was actually Vauxhall when I was moved to research it, and as for the cla-RAY that Jose is so fond of swigging … but I digress. It is free, and I am grateful) it has entertained me for many long weeks and runs. However, although I have tried to ration myself, the grains of sand are running out for my friends in Russell Square, and so I eagerly logged on to iTunes to find out what else USF had to offer me. Sadly, mostly American classics, it turns out, which I already ploughed through during my US Literature paper. I despaired. I denied myself updates on the situation of the lovely Amelia, I pondered whether I could afford £30 for a reading of War and Peace. And finally I did a Google search for free audiobooks. Praise be, I discovered LibriVox (mission statement: “To make all books in the public domain available, for free, in audio format on the internet.” ) They have a VAST, and increasing number of out of copyright titles available to download, completely free of charge, so I’ve got the first three chapters of Mrs Gaskell’s North and South to look forward to. If I remember, I might even let you know how I get on. And they’re always looking for volunteer readers (all you need is a recordable MP3 player), so if you fancy yourself a bard …