I’m blind, and the pleasure I get from books is listening to them. The words I hear fire my imagination and in this place I can see. Well written books fill my mind with vivid pictures of fascinating characters acting out suspenseful plots often with surprising twists. This is a world I often disappear into, a place where I am not sightless but limitless.

My GoodReads Guide to Excellent Audio Books is based on my own listening experiences. I get my audio books through either B.A.R.D., the National Library Service for the Blind, or audible.com. I have a few criterion for what I deem excellent which I note as follows:

First, well written stories. The plot is logical and at the same time absorbing. Characters don’t do stupid things. Coincidental occurrences

don’t disturb the story’s believability.

Next, there are interesting characters. Personalities that reflect the myriad possibilities of human behavior. There are relationships that shed light on human dilemmas. Characters who are challenged and respond in the highest and lowest manners.

Finally, there is an underlying message, perhaps a theme about values. Ideally, a story that offers a solution to one of the many life challenges people face. Of course, I also appreciate the narration, how the story is told.

Being a writer, I consider excellent audio books as my doorway into the minds of the writers who created them. These are my mentors and listening to how they use words to build stories is  a gift I am truly grateful for. Currently, I’m working through a list of twentieth century Pulitzer Prize winning authors. What a fantastic writing school!

That’s about it. My definition of “excellence” is constantly changing and as it evolves I’ll let you know. Hopefully, others will share their thoughts on this subject and we can grow together.

Almost forgot, here’s the link to my GoodReads Blind Writer’s Guide to Excellent Audio Books.

Thanks for playing. I look forward to hearing from you.

Tio Stib

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