The folks at SFFAudio today posted a glowing review of Volume One of our Edgar Allan Poe series, read by narrator Wayne June. You can read the review here:

Review of Into That Darkness Peering Volume 1, read by Wayne June

They've awarded Volume One with their SFFAudio "Audio Essential" recommendation, stating in the review:

"June captures the sympathetic first person narrative and then drives home the barbarity flawlessly... There are already many versions of these three classics available on audio, but I’d venture not a single one could come even close to match any of these three. Wayne June’s voice is perfectly matched to the melancholic material...  nobody else’s voice is more morbidly macabre than is Wayne June’s. This is essential listening."

It's particularly gratifying to have our efforts rewarded by such appreciation, an indication that AudioBookCase is fulfilling its mission to produce and present the definitive versions of the Classics.

Discover the finest in Science Fiction Audiobooks, Fantasy Audiobooks, and Audio Drama: visit SFFaudio.com

      

The eagerly anticipated AudioBookCase production of "Into That Darkness Peering, Volume 2... Nightmarish Tales of the Macabre by Edgar Allan Poe" is available as of today!

The review copies and pre-orders have been shipped and we're fully stocked as of now, so get your copy here today: http://shop.audiobookcase.com

Volume Two contains the Poe Classics:

• The Conqueror Worm
• The Tell-Tale Heart
• The Imp of the Perverse, and
• Hop-Frog

Once again read by Narrator Wayne June. It will also be available for download shortly at http://www.thelisteningzone.com

The Southern Literary Messenger says: "Wayne June's reading... is excellent! ...It is worth hoping that recordings such as this by June will continue to be made."

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is in post-production now and should be shipping in June, so stay tuned for that as well! We have other titles in the works which we'll be announcing soon, and we intend to keep you well supplied with "chilling choices" for your summertime audiobook listening!

Send us your suggestions for Volume three and/or any other titles you'd like to see and hear by writing us at info@audiobookcase.com

If you're not on the mailing list, subscribe via email and be among the first to be informed of new releases and special promotions!

Have a great Memorial Day and we'll talk to you soon!

      

According to an analysis released by the National Endowment for the Arts and reported on in USA Today, despite rising education levels Americans of every age are reading less and less for pleasure these days. The study of decades of data on our reading habits shows that Americans in every age group are reading less. The NEA believes the trend to be cause for some concern, citing the outcome of the analysis as an extremely important social issue, with more people turning away from books, turning to popular culture and consequently becoming less "socially and civically engaged."

The report suggests that the demands of today's busy lifestyle and the rise of other forms of entertainment have had a negative impact on recreational reading for millions of Americans, showing that only 38% of adults surveyed said they had spent time reading a book for pleasure the previous day, that 65% of college freshmen reported they read little or nothing for pleasure, and that the number of 13-year-olds saying they read for fun "almost every day," declined 5% over the past few decades.

The statistics prompted NEA chairman Dana Gioia to remark: "People are looking for things to do that aren't dumb. I don't think that Americans are dumber than before, but I do believe our public culture is."

Fortunately, audiobooks, it seems, are coming to the rescue for growing numbers of Americans. The Audio Publisher's Association makes the observation that more and more people are seeing audiobooks as a way to "read" more while multi-tasking with other lifestyle activities such as traveling and commuting, working out, relaxing, cooking, doing household chores, gardening... and the list goes on.

The APA further states that children's audiobooks also form a large part of the market, since many families choose them for in-car entertainment or an at-home hobby, as well as many teachers and schools using them for educational tools, recognizing some obvious benefits to students. Audiobooks can introduce students to books above their reading level, can be used to model good interpretive reading and reading aloud, teach critical listening, expand vocabulary, expose the student to new dialects, accents, and literary styles as well as act as a conversation starter for important topics of discussion for families who listen together.

The exponential growth of the audiobook market combined with the rocketing new listening technologies is enabling us to retain and strengthen literacy in our culture as easily as popping on our earphones.

How about you? Heard any good books lately?

      

Is it April already? You wouldn't guess that from the temperatures around here; still hangin' in the 30's. But, you didn't come here for a weather report!

There's a new magazine online as of April 1st: John Wright's "The Southern Literary Messenger". The publication is a revival of a 19th century magazine, published 1834-1864. The original boasts the distinction of being Edgar Allan Poe's first place of employment. He was hired as a staff writer and critic in August 1835, and by December was appointed editor. 

The new version, as the original, is "Devoted to Every Department of Literature and the Fine Arts" and publishes "lively and informative articles on all subjects and welcomes the contributions of lively and particular readers."

According to Publisher John Wright, the aim in publishing it is to bring together in one place diverse forms of writing on diverse subjects, presented in such a way as to enliven the full breadth of a reader’s interest.

Follow the link here to

 Read a review of AudioBookCase's "Into That Darkness Peering Vol. One, read by Wayne June",

and make sure you visit the home page and subscribe to the magazine... It's free and well worth your time!

Speaking of our first release, it's available not only on CD from our secure shopping cart, but now also by download from The Listening Zone!

If you prefer downloads to CDs, Go Here: AudioBookCase Downloads

Well, it's back to work, I'm late with Volume two, and of course Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde, but rest assured, they're coming soon and I've got you on the list if you've inquired about release dates. Take a minute and send your suggestions for Volume three why donchya?

Send 'em here: info@audiobookcase.com

      

To the Buried That Repose Around Us

Fifty nine years ago today on January 19, 1949, a shadowy figure clad in black and carrying a silver-tipped cane entered the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore, Maryland.

The spectre proceeded to raise a toast to mark Edgar Allan Poe's birthday, leaving three red roses and a half bottle of cognac on the grave of the burial ground's most celebrated resident before departing. Thus began a mysterious tradition that has transpired every year since.

The "Poe Toaster" paid his annual tribute early this morning and according to reports the curator of the on-site Poe House and Museum said the inscrutable visitant was the same individual who has come to the grave site many times in the past, recognizing him from his build and distinctive gait.

In wishing Edgar Allan Poe a Happy 199th Birthday, AudioBookCase shares the sentiment expressed by the wraith-like figure in a note left on the grave on one of his previous visitations: "The memory of Poe shall live evermore!"

 

      

Each year, in order to increase awareness of the audiobook industry and promote the use of audiobooks, the Audio Publisher’s Association celebrates audiobooks through its Audiobook Month campaign in June. Encouraging libraries to boost circulation by promoting audiobook awareness through contests, publishing patron reviews, family listening programs and the like, the APA also honors the years best with its AUDIE and AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR awards. Visit www.audiopub.org for more info.

 AudioBookCase celebrates Audiobook Month 2007 by offering a special promotion for its first release, Volume One of "Into That Darkness Peering: Nightmarish Tales of the Macabre by Edgar Allan Poe" which includes the classics: The Raven, The Black Cat and The Cask of Amontillado read by Wayne June.

 Team up with a friend or members of your reading/listening group to order multiple copies of Volume One from our website during the month of June, and for each copy ordered you will receive a coupon entitling you to a copy of Volume Two at half price upon its release in the fall! Order Here: http://shop.audiobookcase.com/

 Volume Two is in production now and based on customer suggestions will include the Edgar Allan Poe classics “The Tell Tale Heart”, “The Imp of the Perverse”, “Hop Frog” and “The Conqueror Worm”, again read by narrator Wayne June.

 Thanks to all who submitted their suggestions for Volume Two, and by all means get on the bandwagon and put in your ideas for content for Volume Three, on the schedule for production later in the year. “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” should be on the shelves this summer, so watch for that as well. Contact us, as usual at: info@audiobookcase.com

 Good things are happening, we’ve got some surprises in the works for the coming months (don’t you just hate a tease!) so have a great summer, and count on it: We'll keep you posted!

      

It's March, 2007 and we at AudioBookCase are proud to announce our first release, Volume One in a six volume series of Edgar Allan Poe classics read by Wayne June. The series title is "Into That Darkness Peering: Nightmarish Tales of the Macabre by Edgar Allan Poe"  and includes the classics: The Raven, The Black Cat and The Cask of Amontillado.

It's available now on CD from our website, http://www.audiobookcase.com and the Edgar Allan Poe Museum in Richmond, VA, and will soon be available on Audible, iTunes, the Listening Zone, Amazon, and AudioFy's Audio Chip format. We're answering inquiries as fast as time allows from dealers and distributors, and would be happy to entertain all suggestions if you have a favorite audiobook dealer who should be carrying the product.

Volume Two in is the development stages (suggestions for content welcomed on this score, too!), and also in the works is an upcoming release of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Robert Louis Stevenson classic.

We've got plans for a PodCast for the site which will feature free previews and samples, we'll have feature articles on new developments in the audiobook publishing industry, narrator interviews and are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting future! 

We'll keep you posted!