Audio books are a fabulous addition to any home library. While most of us
may think of paper and binding when we consider additions to our home
libraries, we could just be overlooking one of the most interesting ways to
read available. An audio book can take all the wonderful details of a book
and combine them with the drama and excitement of a live performance. Audio
books can offer the visually impaired or physically challenged the
opportunity to share in a literary experience that they might otherwise not
have.
Audio books have been available on cassette tape for decades. However, the
age of technology now allows audio books to be rented or purchased on
compact disc and also as an MP3 file that can be downloaded straight to your
computer or your iPod. Audio books are easy to find. They can be purchased
or even rented at libraries and at bookstores in your local mall.
Audio Books - Read Smarter
One of the most convenient ways
to get a "talking book" however, is to order one online. By accessing the
Internet on your home computer, you
can begin to browse audio books immediately. There are many different genres
of books available on CD and Mp3 files. From mysteries to self-help books,
cook books to the Bible, it is easy to find nearly any type of book you
desire and order it online. The Talking Book Store offers audio books from a
website that is easy to use and filled with options. You can subscribe to
the site and save money every time you order a book. You can find books that
are absolutely free to order. You can search for your book by category,
title, author or keyword. The site even tells you exactly how to download
your book to your iPod and how to burn it to a compact disc so you can play
it on your computer, your home stereo or even in your car.
When ordering an audio book online, it is important to know that you can
trust the website you are working with. There should be a secure online
ordering site so that your personal information is safe. The Talking
Bookstore uses data encryption to ensure your financial information is safe
online. In fact, because of the security measures, ordering online might
just be safer than using your credit card in a store! Your safety and
security is taken very seriously, so you can order online without worry.
You can order online whether you are looking for fiction, old radio shows or
wanting to learn a new language. The Talking Bookstore even offers a link to
a program on audio book that is specially designed to help with stammering
and stuttering. You can order audio TV shows or films. While you are
browsing at The Talking Bookstore, be sure and check out the Highly
Recommended section for some of the choicest audio books available to order
online anywhere.
The next time you are looking for a different type of entertainment, or
if you have already learned to love audio books, look at The Talking
Bookstore for a wonderful selection of audio books.
Stamp Collecting - another passion:
The streets of London were cold, dreary and poverty-stricken in the early
1900s. Kids in wool scarves huddled together and practiced their hardest
bargaining tactics, trading new postage stamps. It was an inexpensive hobby
and provided hours of fun. As these children aged, they found their old
collections tucked away in a drawer and, unable to part with them, passed
them down to future generations. Over time, these stamps became exceedingly
rare and valuable -- thus, the stamp collecting (in German
Briefmarken sammlung) hobby was born. Today there are millions of
stamp collectors worldwide who collect various types, for various reasons
and at various prices!
Proper stamp collecting requires some "gear," much like any noteworthy hobby.
For instance, collectors should purchase online or hardcover stamp albums or
stockbooks to hold their collection. To affix the stamps in the album,
collectors will also need peel-able stamp hinges (small rectangular piece of
paper coated with a sticky gum) and metal stamp tongs. To carefully examine
the stamps (every philatelist's favorite pastime!), collectors will need a
magnifying glass, at minimum, but can also get a perforation gauge, color
guide and watermark detector for more in-depth looking! People who like to
collect stamps will also find a host of literature, catalogs and magazines
to help them cultivate their hobby.
What do people look for when collecting stamps? This depends, of course, on
personal preference. Some people collect themes, artwork or stamps from
countries they like, just to have a collection of some sort to show off to
friends and family or pass down to future generations. Maybe there's someone
who collects Star Wars, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and other pop-culture stamps.
Or there could be another collector who specializes in war-time stamps from
around the world. Others look out for exceedingly rare prints that are worth
a great deal of money.
Generally anything before 1900 and in good condition, will be worth a good
sum. The first United States postage stamps -- the five-cent Franklin and
the ten-cent Washington (unused) sold for $1,400 and $28,000, respectively.
Britain's first official adhesive stamp ("Penny Black") sold as used postage
stamps in an auction for $200 in the year 2000 -- and unused for $3,000!
Also, errors, misprints and flukes are naturally the most coveted. For
instance, the "Inverted Jenny" is a US postage stamp from 1918 featuring a
photo of a Curtiss JN-4 airplane where the plane was mistakenly printed
upside-down! Only 100 were ever printed and a block of four just sold at an
auction for $2.7 Million! Similarly, the "Treskilling Yellow" stamp from
Sweden was misprinted in the wrong color, placing its value at over $2
Million.
Stamp collecting can be a great investment to pass down to future
generations, as it gains value with every passing year and requires little
to no maintenance or supplies. Old war-time stamps or founding fathers
stamps function as a part of history, while Star Wars and Marilyn Monroe
pop-culture stamps make great collector's items. One need only visit eBay to
find an inexpensive way to begin.
