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A Conversation with Bill Bolander

Sounding Off on Audio: Interviews with Listeners About Their Love of Audiobooks

A Conversation with Bill Bolander

Bill Bolander works in a factory and can fix anything except his difficulties with dyslexia. Listening to audiobooks has opened up a new world of books to him. Now he can discuss books with his bibliophile wife, Linda Johnson, an avid Bookreporter.com reader who --- not coincidentally --- shared her own thoughts on audiobooks with us a few weeks ago. In this "Sounding Off on Audio" interview, Bill tells us about some of the great books he has listened to. And for all of you biography and history lovers, he has some excellent recommendations!

Question: How long have you been listening to audiobooks?

Bill Bolander: About three years, I think.

Q: What made you start listening?

BB: I’m a poor reader. It’s easier to listen.

Q: When and where do you listen?

BB: At work, working around the house, long drives.

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

BB: Nonfiction. I like biographies and historical books.

Q: What do you use to listen to audiobooks?

BB: My fourth-generation iPod touch.

Q: Where do you buy/borrow audiobooks from?

BB: The library or the Ohio eBook Project.

Q: Do you share your audiobooks with anyone?

BB: My wife, Bookreporter.com reader and “Sounding Off on Audio” contributor Linda Johnson.

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

BB: Mostly a solo experience.

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

BB: Ninety percent.

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

BB: UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand, read by Edward Herrmann: I enjoyed how the gentleman survived the events of his life and how he dealt with them.

PLAYING WITH THE ENEMY, Gary W. Moore’s biography of his father, professional baseball player Gene Moore: Again, I was fascinated by his trials and tribulations and how he dealt with them.

NO EASY DAY, former Navy SEAL Matt Bissonette’s military memoir about the mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden (read by Holter Graham): I was interested in how the U.S. government dealt with the enemy.

THE ASTRONAUT WIVES CLUB, Lily Koppel’s memoir as read by Orlagh Cassidy: I think it gives a different point of view of the space program.

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

BB: IKE’S BLUFF by Evan Thomas and read by Brian Troxell is about President Eisenhower and the trials and tribulations that I had never heard about of his office. It includes accounts of his illnesses.

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

BB: I’ve had one or two that the volume was too low, making it difficult for me to hear, even though my device was turned up to its highest setting.