audio books (again)
I ran down to the library at lunch today and found a few of the audio books I had on my list — Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner and Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah. (Actually, that second one wasn’t on the list but the author was, so I grabbed it anyway.) I also got one called Heal Yourself with Medical Hypnosis. It sounded interesting, but I have a feeling it’ll end up being one of those ones where my mind drifts off. (Or maybe with hypnosis, that means it’s working?)
I’ve been curious about hypnosis and hypnotherapy for a while. I keep wondering if it might help me get past my problem with public speaking. I tried Toastmasters but didn’t have the time to commit to it. Besides, Toastmasters seemed to be more for polishing speaking skills than whipping a fear. Mine’s a strange phobia. If I’m in front of a bunch of people and they’re asking me questions, I’m OK, or if I’m really pissed off, I can talk fairly well. But to just stand there and speak . . .
(shudder)
April 18th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Comfort and Joy is a really good book. I love Kristin Hannah’s books. If you have not read her book titled Magic Hour, you need to. It is extremely good!
Do you have anymore recommendations? I am running out of stuff to listen to!
As for the public speaking thing, I can not do it either. Not even when I am pissed off, or answering questions. In my last semester of college, I had a class and we had to do 2 speeches. Even though the class was small with only about 15 people in it, I started shaking really bad, and even starting bawling like a big baby. The professor tried to calm me down, but I could not do it. She ended up just having me do my speeches in front of only her. I know that it was not fair to the other students, but I was not complaining!
April 18th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
Karin, I hope you enjoy “Good in Bed”… I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. You’ll have to let us know about the “Heal yourself with Medical Hypnosis”… I’ve always wondered if something like that would work.
Public speaking will always be an issue with me too because I speak with a very southern accent. When I have to call our home office at work, they want to guess where I’m from (I’ve had everything BUT West Virginia… usually it’s Arkansas, I’ve been told I talk too fast to be from Georgia). My first experience in public with this job was the sales manager introducing me to other agents/staff. Her exact words were “if you folks think I sound southern, wait till you hear this little girl speak”. I smiled and walked away as fast as I could. I don’t think I spoke to anyone there.
April 18th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
You two are making me feel better. I know fear of public speaking is supposed to be extremely common. It just bugs me that I can’t whip this one. I forced myself to stand up and read during this open mike thing at the WV Writers Conference. I know my voice was probably too quiet for anyone but the front row to hear, but it was like I was helpless to be any louder. When I read to Celeste, I’m all animated and silly. I can do different voices and improvise. (It’s a wonder the kid ever learned to read because even though I’d read her the same book over and over, I changed it every time. The words on the page didn’t coincide with the ones coming out of my mouth.) Anyway, after I read, I ran straight to the bathroom and got sick.
Another time I spoke before the Webster Springs Women’s Club and I know I stunk. Geoff said I wasn’t bad but I felt like I was. As soon as I started talking, this really old woman in the front started coughing, so I stopped talking and she stopped coughing. I started talking, she started coughing. I stopped. She stopped. If she hadn’t been so old I’d have sworn she was just yanking my chain. I didn’t know what to do. I guess I could’ve pelted her with cough drops or something.
I started listening to the hypnosis book on the way home tonight and it’s fascinating. I wonder if there’s anyone credible around here who does it? It just seems like something hypnosis could work on.
Oh yeah — about recommendations. I only have one. DON’T get John Grisham’s “The Last Juror.” Big waste of time.
April 19th, 2006 at 9:35 am
I’d recommend Chuck Palahniuk’s “Choke”, but suggest that you shouldn’t listen to it while you drive or eat.
April 19th, 2006 at 11:29 am
I’ve never read any of Palahniuk’s books but I remember his name from Fight Club. I’ve heard he’s one of those authors you either love or hate, so I’m definitely intrigued. (I’m not easily grossed out or offended either, so he might be right up my alley.) Thanks.
April 20th, 2006 at 6:47 am
Fight Club isn’t even his best. It was just sort of the right book for the right people at the right time. I like the movie more than I like the book.
Diary and Lullaby are more entertaining reads: funny, sad and really kinda out there.
Choke is good, but it’s not for the squeamish.