This is a book that I checked out from the State Library Of Ohio on my kindle app. I have had it on my "to read list" for quite some time. Many times I have noted it recommended by others and I wanted to see what it was about. This novel has a large fan base. Its followers are almost cult like in their adoration of all the books in this series. Because of this I think I expected too much. Fantasy or science fiction are not my genre although I occasionally do enjoy a book that is one or the other. The Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy is supposed to be a comedy and too make significant philosophical statements. The comedy went over my head but comedy does that with me sometimes. And since the author, Douglas Adams, is British it might be that it is a cultural divide type thing as British humor often goes over my head. Any philosophical statements in the book also whizzed right by me. I don't blame the novel because obviously many people belly laugh over this book and feel it has moved them to a higher plane philosphically. The fault I am sure is in me and not the book. Originally this book was a radio show, ater it became a novel, at one time it was a television show and a hitch-hiker movie was created. Nevertheless, I will not be reading the rest of the series or seeking out the radio show, television show or movie. But don't let me stop you from reading it and enjoying it. Please click on the author's name and book title above to learn more. And watch the movie trailer that follows.
After the news of Tony Horwitz's death was on the news I decided it was time to listen to an audio book that had been on my to read list for a long time. Confederates In The Attic is a book that was written by Horwitz in the 1990s. It is a travel log of his experiences in visiting civil war sites and interacting with various re-enactment groups in the south. He also interviews southern blacks and their feelings about civil war monuments. The book has a lot of details about battles. Horwitz intersperses humor and sadness through out his experiences. I enjoyed parts of it. The section where he visits Shilo, where he explores Gone With The Wind, and his visit to Andersonville were my favorite parts of the book. It is a well written non fiction book and I am glad I listened to it. But I do think it is more of a book for guys. Please click on the book title and author's name above for more information and watch the video that follows.
Over a decade ago I listened to a few episodes of podcasts. In those days I listened on iTunes and found it a bit clunky and lost interest. Then a couple of months ago, I discovered my iPhone had a podcast app. It looks like the picture above. Some people have told me they had to download the podcast app. But if I downloaded it I sure don't remember doing so. I am pretty sure it came with the app already on it. Normally, I listen to audio books on my commute but I only subscribe to one audio book a month from audible. I have two library services that I can check out either digital or audio books from but they require their own audio player apps. Unfortuneately, I am not real comfortable with the library audio book apps. So an alternative for me is to listen to podcasts during my commute between audio books. I have found myself so drawn into the podcasts that I have been listening to them while I sew, while I do housework, and while I walk. In fact, I have been bugging everyone I talk to about what I heard on this podcast or that podcast. I have even been sharing links to a podcast or two on social media. Maybe it is just the older generation, which I am a part of, that is not hip to podcasts but the response I often get is complete confusion. Many people are not aware of podcasts. They don't know what they are or how to begin to listen to one. So I decide to write this blog to try to turn some folks on to podcasts.
Podcasts are like radio programs on demand. They are free. You subscribe to a podcast of your choice on the podcast app of your choice. Then you listen to it when ever or where ever you want. You put your ear buds in and listen. To make it clear how to do listen to a pod cast I found two YouTube video tutorials that explain. One is for those with iPhones and one is for those with droid phones. Please select the correct one for your device below and learn how to listen to a podcast. The first video is for people with iPhones and the second video is for everyone else that has a smart phone. If your smart phone is not an iPhone it is a droid. (at least I am pretty sure it is)
Now that you have the ability to listen to podcasts on your device I would like to share with you some of the podcasts that I have found that I enjoy. There are more podcasts than any of us can imagine. You can search by topic or if you hear of a podcast from someone you are interested in you can search by the name of the podcast to add the podcast in your app. I divided the ones I listen to into lists below because not all of us have the same topical interests. Click on the name of the podcast and follow links to listen on your computer if you happen to be someone who actually still has a flip phone.
Podcasts that are just fun and interesting:
A Way With Words is a podcast about vocabulary that is just old fashioned fun. Callers call in and ask about a word. In between calls the hosts explain interesting facts about words. It is a great way to add to one's minutia.
Planet Money is one of the first podcasts I listened to years ago. It is about the global economy and sounds like it would be dry. But they use such every day examples that it is very entertaining. This podcast really helps a person understand a lot about our modern world.
Ben Franklin's World is a podcast about what life was like in Colonial America. That happens to be one of my favorite historical periods. I am sure each person can find a podcast about whatever their era of interest is.
As a nurse, I find that keeping abreast with current events in the area of health care is important to me. Two podcasts that help me do that are:
What The Health is a pod cast that covers a broad range of health care news and policy changes.
Boom! Lawyered is a pod cast that is NOT G rated. It is two female attorneys that cover the latest infringes on women's reproductive rights. They are angry women and use some pretty foul language at times. But they explain things in easy to understand terms.
What first drew me to podcasts was my genealogy hobby. There are many podcasts on that topic. Four that I really like and that I follow are:
Generations Cafe is Amy Johnson Crow's podcast. I have always enjoyed her blog and her podcast is just as wonderful.
Genealogy Gems is Lisa Louise Cooke's free podcast. She also has a premium podcast series that costs to subscribe to. But her free one is very top notch.
So now that you know all about them welcome to the land of podcasts! Enjoy!! Soon you will be telling every one what cool things you heard on your latest favorite podcast.
