Jamie Carroll Frisk may be one of our youngest "Sounding Off" contributors, but her audiobook listening habits span decades. A recent graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, Jamie grew up with audiobooks playing during family car rides. Today, she continues the tradition, popping in audio CDs for her commute to work. She also keeps busy baking, reading and preparing for dental school admissions. Enjoy her interview below!

Question: How long have you been listening to audiobooks?

Jamie Carroll Frisk: My family used to listen to audiobooks on our car rides when I was a child, so my love for audiobooks started back then. I can safely say, I’ve listened to audiobooks for about 20 years. 

Q: What made you start listening?

JCF: As an adult, I really got into audiobooks when I started commuting an hour to and from school every day. They keep me engaged and entertained, thus making the chore of driving enjoyable.

Q: When and where do you listen?

JCF: I mainly listen in the car while driving to and from work or running errands. 

Q: What kind of books do you like to listen to best?

JCF: I enjoy fantasy and the classics.

Q: What do you use to listen to audiobooks?

JCF: My car's CD player or the free audiobooks app by Digital Press Publishing on my phone.

Q: Are the books that you listen to different from the kinds of print and eBooks you read?

JCF: Yes, I find that I listen to the classics and self-help books more than I read them.

Q: Where do you buy/borrow audiobooks from?

JCF: The classics are free through that app. But I borrow many of my other audiobooks from my local public library.

Q: Do you share your audiobooks with anyone?

JCF: On occasion. If my mother is interested in a particular book, I will share it with her. 

Q: Do you listen with anyone else, or is it a solo experience?

JCF: It's a solo experience.

Q: What percentage of your reading is done via audiobooks?

JCF: Probably 80 percent of my reading is done via audiobooks. It's just so convenient! 

Q: Do you have favorite narrators? If so, tell us about them.

JCF: I love when books are read by the authors. But I do think Jim Dale did a great job with the Harry Potter series.

Q: What are some of the most memorable books that you've listened to and why?

JCF: THE KITE RUNNER by Khaled Hosseini and the Anne of Green Gables series are among the most memorable that I've listened to because they truly embody the changes and struggles that an individual goes through while growing up. It made me aware that decisions in your past can truly stay with you for a lifetime.

Q: What is the last audiobook you listened to? Tell us about it.

JCF: The last audiobook I listened to was THE TIPPING POINT: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell. It was in this audiobook that I realized how much I enjoy when a book is read by its author. Gladwell refines how we understand the world around us and explains how a product or thought process catches fire in a society by introducing three main rules: the law of few, the stickiness factor and the power of context. It is definitely an eye-opening (ear-opening?) listen.

Q: Is there anything about the format of audiobooks that you don't like or would like to see changed or improved? 

JCF: I wish I didn't have to change CDs while driving, but other than that, I can't say there is anything I would change.