Its my Birthday!

Holy COW,

At this moment it is 3:49am on October 11th, my 36th Birthday.  I just listened to some of the most epic story telling, a sad and profound oration.  Recently I have taken to listening to audio books, many many hours listening.  I have a few feelings about it and want to share them with the one or two potential readers here.

A good writer does not make a good reader... I have listened to a lot of different books and have figured out that unless the writer is also a professional performer most often they shouldn't be reading their own books.  My grandfather was a great story teller, and an amusing writer, he read his own audio book and I have a deep appreciation for the work. However, I am sure having something remaining of him, the ability to hear his voice nearly 20 years after his passing, taints my perspective.  

Authors like Neil Gaiman are also good readers and writers.  While I appreciate his oration, I find that when professional readers perform a piece, the step away and performance add a great deal to the piece.  But... let writers like Steve Martin perform at the whim!