Since retiring, Marlene Cole has enjoyed the freedom to indulge in whatever book strikes her fancy. Now that she is no longer pressed for time, Marlene relishes the chance to listen to a good, unabridged audiobook. She’s been listening to audiobooks --- long and short --- since 1989 (a good year: Taylor Swift was born, and Woody Harrelson hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time), and here she shares with us some tips for the best experience. Hint: If you’ve maxed out your audio-borrowing from one library, just head over to the next county and load up!

Question: How long have you been listening to audiobooks?

Marlene Cole: I’ve been listening since mid-1989.

Q: What made you start listening?

MC: While working at a job that required manual dexterity but not a lot of concentration, I found that I needed something to occupy my mind. I had always loved being read to or listening to someone telling a good story.

Q: When and where do you listen?

MC: Now that I am no longer working, I listen in the car, walking, while knitting, gardening or cooking.

Q: What kind of books do you like to listen to best?

MC: At first I chose audiobooks for their length. Now I’ll listen to unabridged audiobooks of any genre.

Q: What do you use to listen to audiobooks?

MC: Mainly my iPod. It is small enough to fit in a pocket and convenient to use.

Q: Are the books that you listen to different from the kinds of print and eBooks you read?

MC: I listen to more nonfiction than I read. But I have found that my tastes are more eclectic in audiobooks than print versions. The story is paramount to me.

Q: Where do you buy/borrow audiobooks from?

MC: I have used our library for borrowing, starting with tapes, then CDs, then electronic resources. I have been a member of Audible since 2002 and now get most of my audiobooks there. At one point, I was listening to at least four audiobooks a week and borrowing from two different county libraries.

Q: Do you share your audiobooks with anyone?

MC: I have shared in the past, but now most of my friends use the library. It's just sharing suggestions/recommendations now.

Q: Do you listen with anyone else, or is it a solo experience?

MC: I am a solo listener. However, there was one time on a road trip with a girlfriend where we listened to Susan Fromberg Schaeffer’s THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF FOUDINI M. CAT narrated by David Hyde Pierce. It was so very memorable.

Q: What percentage of your reading is done via audiobooks?

MC: About 50/50. 

Q: Do you have favorite narrators? If so, tell us about them.

MC: Yes, I have favorite narrators and would probably listen to them reading a laundry list. Will Patton reading any of James Lee Burke's books, the late Frank Muller, Anna Fields and Edward Herrmann are favorites. Narrators either make or break an audiobook for me. They have the ability to make the words engage all your senses.

Q: What are some of the most memorable books that you've listened to and why?

MC: Some that come to mind are: Ken Follett's PILLARS OF THE EARTH. The building of the cathedrals and the lives of all involved in the 14th century were enthralling --- and so enlightening.

Nelson DeMille's UP COUNTRY. This was my first Audible purchase, and I was fascinated by the character who returned to Vietnam to solve a crime committed during the Vietnam War.

Abraham Verghese's CUTTING FOR STONE. I had tried to read this book but put it aside. I then started listening to the audiobook, read by Sunil Malhotra, and was so drawn into the story that I didn't want to be interrupted. The whole atmosphere of Ethiopia came alive for me --- the smells, the color, the operating room, the food.

Laura Hillenbrand's UNBROKEN, read by Edward Herrmann. I could not fathom all that Louis Zamperini endured and how he was able to go on and lead such a fulfilling and inspirational life afterward.

Q: What is the last audiobook you listened to? Tell us about it.

MC: I just finished THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY by Richard C. Morais. The narrator, Neil Shah, takes us on a culinary journey from Mumbai to Paris. Since cooking is one of my passions, I found myself salivating constantly during this narration. I want to go the markets with them and be in their kitchens learning how to prepare all the dishes. This is the story of Hassan Haji, a natural-born chef, and his journey through food and life takes him from India to France. It was a delightful way to meet a larger-than-life Indian family and a very traditional French restaurateur.

Q: Is there anything about the format of audiobooks that you don't like or would like to see changed or improved? 

MC: I am happy with the current format but would like more author interviews included in the audiobooks.