The idea with these “SO. INTO.” posts will just be a series of spin-off posts slightly to my life happened regular posts.
These will be more about just me running my mouth on something I’m genuinely hooked on at a given moment in time.
or would that just be me…?
Audiobooks!
For FAR TOO LONG Reading for me has truly become a hobby of wishful thinking. I kept telling myself I’ll buy myself a nice bedside reading lamp, and then get into the habit of reading ahead of going to sleep.
Yet for years I’ve made no progress on the simple act of lamp purchasing nor made any efforts to just sit on the couch and read the many interesting books I’ve picked up over the years.
So, with physically reading things just not fitting into my life. I am SO THANKFUL! that the way of the Audiobook has got all up in my grill.
Also. “Audible” is an service through Amazon. It’s a marketplace to buy and store your audiobook purchases. Get the app on your phone or for other devices and you’re good to go. It’s well worth getting a free trial, by all means cancel right after signing up and getting your free book you determine whether it’s something your life needs.
My gateway into Audiobooks began late Spring 2019.
A friend of mine (Will) had let me spend one of his Audible credits he’d racked up on a book of my own choosing.
We’re deep-fried friends, so he trusted that whatever book I’d pick would be something he too would someday enjoy, and then generously he then signed into the app on my own phone and let me listen to said book over the coming couple of weeks (yes weeks, as the book I chose was 20+ hours long).
So it became my go-to entertainment whenever I was walking to work, around the city, or putting some productive time into some chores at home.
That first book:
Service Games: The Rise and Fall of SEGA
So this first one. I’d legitimately had this book in my Amazon Wishlist for about 4 years to eventually pick it up and read it someday.
Having since listened to it all. I can testify that it was an absolute nostalgia love letter from start to finish. It’s history I knew quite a lot about already (being a video game history uber-geek), yet still, the book was so well researched, engagingly written, and really well-read by the narrator man (important, for an audiobook).
It might be fair to say that you must have some prior interest in both business and the video game industry (or at least Sega) to really get the most of the book. Though me being target audience, I frickin loved it!
The inner captain hindsight in-me was wishing I was listening to something fictional, in which Sega would have a happy ending and retain a market leader in the video game console market. Though still, I’m glad Sega are still around to make games for all consoles nowadays, even if I feel they neglect so many of their best franchises.
Next! Limmy’s Autobiography
Surprisingly Down to Earth and Very Funny
I find Limmy to be a rare comedic treat to the UK. He’s his own beast, and he’s the kind of weird that most of us would only ever act out when we have a place to ourselves. He scratches an itch that “Tim and Eric” used to scratch for me (another weird comedy show I adored).
If weird dark comedy is your thing, Limmy should press some of the right buttons I’d imagine. Check him out on Netflix, YouTube, Twitch, or Twitter.
Praise-singing aside. Listening to his autobiography recently was an absolute treat. Hearing about his struggles with depression and anxiety (relatable content!), and all of his stories that lead him to where he is and who he is today really took my respect and admiration for the guy to a new level.
If you dislike the guy already, then I doubt this book will turn you. For fans though, it comes highly recommended!
Better yet. The fact that he narrates his own autobiography on Audible means that you get the most authentic experience you could get for his autobiography. Beyond what words on paper or Kindle etc could give I’d say. Though be careful weary traveller, you’ll likely giggle in public at certain parts.
Earlier on, where I said I don’t get round to reading good books I already own? Well here’s a perfect example (notice the “purchased this item on…” text from my Amazon screenshot above).
Master’s of Doom is an incredible book that covers the story behind the creation of the pop culture gaming phenomenon “Doom”.
How ID Software was born from a few guys creative ambition and some stubbornness. Through the heights of the company’s success and popularity, onward to the twilight years of those founding fathers’ careers, tainted somewhat with ego’s and (in hindsight) bad decisions.
It’s a really insightful and entertaining story. I feel it’s not too far out to say you could potentially enjoy this book even if you’re not a fan of video games. Similar to how “King of Kong” doesn’t require you to be a gamer.
Master’s of Doom is well narrated in Audiobook form by Wil Wheaton (Stand By Me, Star Trek, etc) for some extra nerd credibility…
Next! Blood, Sweat, and Pixels!
Following on from “Masters of Doom” I felt like I really wanted to stick in the video game industry world with my next listen. Blood, Sweat, and Pixels more than delivered.
Every chapter of the book is devoted to a particular game. Consider it a sort of “making of/ developer diary” for each. The Witcher 3, Shovel Knight, Uncharted 4, Stardew Valley, even the cancelled Star Wars 1313 game are among some of the games covered.
Even though I had only played a small selection of the games covered, not a single chapter of the book felt lost on me. The surgical look into the games industry, the world of game development, and the interesting contrasts between working in an indie studio vs being part of a big “Triple A” backed game.
If you’re familiar with some of the games in the book then consider that a bonus. I can confidently say the vast majority of video game fans will get great entertainment value out of this book.
That’s a wrap for this post.
At the time of writing. I have “Gotta Get Theroux This” written and narrated by Louis Theroux. I can’t give a final verdict as I have 4 hours and 5 minutes left to listen to.
At some point in the not too distant future I’ll have enough behind me to pass on some more recommendations.
I’ve carefully omitted one relatively recent listen (which could possibly be my favourite Audiobook yet) but I’ll have a lot to write about that sometime in the next 2 months for certain.
On the topic of Audio too. If you’re not using Wireless earphones yet with your phone, then I personally swear by these (or click the Amazon link below)
Excellent sound quality for the price – No more constantly getting a wire caught on something – Work perfect with all phones that have bluetooth (iPhone or android) and works excellent with other Bluetooth enabled devices (I often use mine with my PSVita).
To end. If you’re already an Audiobook homie, or you have some great book recommendations. Let me hear them!
If they’re on Audible I’ll add them to my wishlist to use a future credit on, unless I pick up physical reading again. Then who knows, maybe I’ll go physical. *shrugs*
