I have “re-read” Dicken’s Great Expectations recently, read by Anton Lesser whilst doing all the boring day-to-day jobs or just living – eating meals, waiting for appointments, taking journeys, enjoying the sun.  For in depth experience I still read but for ease what could be nicer than being read to?

Have you ever listened to a narrated book with particular relish and had the feeling that the narrator’s voice and interpretation of the material made all the difference, maybe to the extent that you sought to listen to other books narrated by the same reader, perhaps even titles you would not have chosen to otherwise read yourself? Has anyone got any experiences to share?

I love reading books and enjoy a variety of genres, but, admittedly I am an absolute beginner, almost a sceptic, regarding audiobooks.  I am puzzled by the way the experience of listening to a book does not register in my consciousness in quite the same way as the experience of reading a book. Can I say I have read a book when I have listened to an unabridged narrated version?