Month: December 2020

Are Audiobooks as Good as ‘Reading Books’?

Audiobooks or Reading

Audiobooks are versions of books, that are meant for the ears instead of the eyes. Wait, what? Well, the idea of not reading a book might sound a little less familiar, but familiarity is growing with time. More and more audio versions are being made available. Comparing audiobooks and paperbacks can make us look into the bright and dark sides of both. One is about listening and the other about reading.

Books have traditionally been associated with sitting down in some leisure time and reading your favourite kind of book. Audiobooks appear to be more convenient; since many of us struggle to have the time to develop a consistent reading habit. . Audiobooks, definitely are an innovation, designed to cater for our fast-running routines where we prefer digital media and movies over reading in our free time. This innovation, however, genuinely provokes the question of what is superior and more valued; audiobooks or reading?

Audiobooks for Adults; Accessibility

They are perfectly designed to provide an experience to blind or visually impaired people, ensuring that everyone has access to books.

Audiobooks: Learning Languages

Audiobooks are helpful for those who understand a language but cannot read written text. This utility comes in two ways; they can listen to a book and secondly, they can also learn to read gradually by holding the book in front of them whilst the narrator reads the book aloud.

Audiobooks are also a good tool to help introduce children to different languages. Since children learn to speak from scratch, their learning can be enhanced by listening to audiobooks. While there are numerous ways to teach/learn a language, audiobooks have an edge for communicating the accent and pronunciation very delicately. This also applies to the learning of all languages and accents.

Audiobooks for Children

Audiobooks are a great way of getting children to learn new stories and new skills. Some children do not want to sit down with a book sometimes, audiobooks are a great way introduce new books to them in a different and engaging way.

Audiobooks Vs Reading

It will not be a very good idea to weigh audiobooks and reading against each other. We cannot cancel reading for listening; since both are essential skills. We should take advantage of all technologies. Likewise, we can welcome audiobooks and can take benefit from them. Reading is one remarkable brain exercise, which aligns and sharpens our focus and allows us to look for details. It strengthens insightfulness.

Audiobooks are more fun when it comes to fiction. Since they strengthen the traditional practice of storytelling, audiobooks are a tech-inspired solution for our nostalgia of olden golden times. However, for non-fiction, reading is always a better idea because non-fiction, academic books require more attentive energy. When we read, we can understand more clearly and are more receptive to ideas. We can also use both reading and audiobooks in combination. First, we can read difficult texts and then listen to the same, just to affirm and reinforce our prior knowledge.

Audiobooks are just a more refined, tech-driven version of the old school  stories or the bed-time stories used to amuse children. Now, the difference is that we have audios of a range of books, and not just children’s books. Audiobooks are not a replacement for reading. They are a luxury; something you can have as an addition to your basic survival kit. To say that listening is the new reading, will sound more like a flawed assertion. We should not seek to replace one with another, rather a better idea would be to let audiobooks and reading co-exist.

Stay connected with Austin Macauley and be the first one to hear about our new releases by following us on facebook, twitter and Instagram. If you are an aspiring writer, submit your manuscript to us and make your dream of becoming a published author come true.

Romance Books to Get You into the Mood for Love!

Romance Books to Get You into the Mood for Love

It takes great emotional strength to read romantic books. The best romance books are ones where you just can’t put the book down. The characters pull you into their world, and you feel as they feel, becoming a part of their world as they become a part of yours. Love stories are the best way to spend your time, especially with there still being restrictions on going out at the moment. Good books are hard to come by, but when they do, you can bet they’ll become a permanent part of your collection. So, read ahead and find a new book, a new experience to lose yourself into!

Whether you’re an avid or a new reader who has fallen in love with romance books, we have something for everyone in our collection of love stories. Below are some of our recommended books for you to get going.

 

 

From The Heights Of Heaven To The Depths Of Despair

From The Heights Of Heaven To The Depths Of Despair
Grace Lagos

Kacey, a Greek girl with a free spirit, falls in love with an Irish boy. Her controlling and disapproving parents want her to marry a Greek boy as soon as possible. This becomes a problem for Kacey. Will love be enough to transcend the cultural boundaries and the pressure on Kacey by her parents? To find out, grab your copy of the book here.
The author, born in a town outside Brisbane, Australia, was three when her parents bought a farm where she grew up. On the vast and empty farm, she had her books to keep her company, providing an escape into another world. She works now in the public service and lives in Brisbane with her husband, two children, and grandchildren.

 

 

Single Mother

Single Mother
Mohanachandran T

A love story about two people who could not get married despite being in love with each other due to social differences. They surrendered to the fact that they’ll enjoy what little time they have together and move on with their individual lives. Only years later, their past reunited them, albeit in a very different and unexpected way. Check out this interesting romantic book here.

The author is a civil engineer by profession with an interest in writing. His first book was published in 2016 and his second published in 2017, both being self-help books. The author has also established an Indian school in the UAE, which is now one of the best in the country.

 

 

Robbery of Another Kind

Robbery of Another Kind
Dr Najat Sultan

This story is about a young girl called Rovan living at a time when development in technology allowed After receiving a message, Rovan was taken back into the past, where she fell in love and devoted herself to the one she loved. Suddenly, however, things changed, and she found herself alone. This is a story about love and the meaning this word carries. Order your copy of this romantic novel now.

The author holds a PhD in Public Administration. She is a lecturer at the Institute of Administrative Development, UAE, the Acting Director of Research and Consulting as well as the Head of Admission and Registration Department at the Institute of Administrative Development, UAE. Her passions include reading, drawing and writing.

 

 

The Battle of Love

The Battle of Love
Nagham Mohammed Alsamarqandi

A romantic novel revolving around the lives of different girls as they face the struggles of life. Their ambitions and dreams stopped in their tracks as each girl experienced injustice from loved ones. How they cope with these situations and the events that unravel will culminate in the practice of black magic and the loss of innocent lives. Learn more about the story here.

The author is a Saudi poet and writer with a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature.

 

 

She Was

She Was
Nura Alhamadi

She Was is a novel about love and loss. She gave him a home when he had nothing.  But fate has its way. She was snatched away from him and taken to a place from where there is no return!

 

 

 

 

Rose Marie

Rose Marie
Badriah Al-Ahmad

Arthur’s pain is unbearable. He cries for the woman he loves, the distance between them and his inability to see her has turned him into an insomniac. What has Arthur done for her to behave this way towards him? Has he wronged her? Will his pain ever end? Find out in this romantic story, Rose Marie.

She has an interest in short stories and prose.

 

 

 

Me and His Wife

Me and His Wife
Maryam bin Sultan

The past has a funny habit of coming back to haunt you when things are going well. After almost three beautiful years of marriage, there is now a storm coming, filled with hatred and contempt. Will our characters and their lovers escape this storm unscathed?

She started participating in writing competitions at a young age. She also got the first position for her short story at Ras Al Khaimah.

 

 

 

 

Follow this link to find more romantic books that you might like.

To stay connected with Austin Macauley and be the first one to hear about our new releases, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you are an aspiring writer, submit your manuscript to us and make your dream of becoming a published author come true.

Reading Tips for Families & Children

Reading Tips For Families & Children

Families reading is fun, entertaining and extremely useful as it helps develop the habit of reading books, especially in children. Struggling readers can largely benefit from family reading sessions because it helps them gain confidence and motivation to read. Sharing a book with children and other family members helps build the family bond while keeping all entertained and engaged.

It’s usually difficult to keep children hooked onto a book, but family reading is a great way to keep young readers engaged and involved in reading. It’s the best technique to make young ones lifelong readers. Enjoying a story together is a reason for laughter, family discussions and lively bonding. If you’re not confident about reading together or your child is struggling with a book, here are a few tips to help you out.

Children Reading Tips

Looking for some interesting reading ideas for parents? Is your child weary of reading? It can be frustrating at times to get your child to read with you but do not fret as we got you covered with our handy pointers below. Take a look.

  • Ensure the book is interesting for all parties. It’s not worth sharing a book that your child is not interested in. If you’re thinking of reading together as a family, then it’s best to first ask your child to pick a title. A nice picture book, an engaging children’s book or an addictive piece of fiction, whatever your child chooses, make sure your kid is interested in the title. That way, they will stay engaged during the reading session and will be more inclined to develop a good reading habit as well.
  • There must be no distractions during family reading. If there is any TV, computer or another activity going on in the reading space, then make sure it’s finished before you start with the reading to ensure you get everyone’s full attention
  • While reading aloud, stop to ask questions about the book and discuss the different pointers in the book. If your child has difficulty in reading, talking about a picture book or a story can help remove any fears or issues. Motivate them to answer different questions about the book, brainstorm ideas and ask them if the book is making them feel any emotions and feelings and discuss these with them.
  • Sit closer together during the reading session and encourage the children to hold the book, turn pages and read aloud with you. If possible, try to act out different situations in the storybook and take turns to play out various characters in the book.
  • A picture book is a fun tool that can inspire your child to develop the habit of reading books. Look at the pictures together and ask your child to guess different situations in the story. You don’t necessarily have to read out the words in the text. Use pictures to encourage the young ones to discuss the literature and perhaps, laugh together at a funny moment or image.

Family Reading Tips

Families reading together is a great way to have fun and connect. Here are some handy family reading ideas that are sure to make every reading moment memorable and enjoyable.

  • Look for anything interesting to read like a newspaper, a detective novel or a romantic title. It could be a computing tutorial, a children’s picture book or historical fiction, anything that perks up your fascination. Have the children join in the fun. Readout loud with them by taking turns and pause for moments where you can discuss characters, the plot or anything associated with the literature.
  • Make it a habit to give books as gifts or presents and motivate your children to swap books with you and with the other family members. Then enjoy reading these books together and discussing the text over a nice dinner meal or an evening tea. This way, the kids will have new stories to read and talk about that will add to their literary prowess.
  • Visit your nearest library with the kids and look for some exciting books to read as a family. The library is stocked with interesting books that can be enjoyed with the family members and young ones. Also, check for important events like author meet-ups and author reading sessions at the library. It’s a great way to let your children meet their favourite authors and develop the habit of reading books.
  • While cooking or deciding the menu for a meal, have kids read out recipes to you and discuss cooking methods. If watching the TV, have them read out listings and program schedules. It will help build their language, vocabulary and grammar skills as well. Always have a family bookshelf in your home that is stocked with good books to read as a family, perhaps a Harry Potter or a Stephen King read that you can all enjoy at a cosy family gathering.

We have selected some cool books that you can enjoy reading as a family. These books are sure to make your reading activity indelible and worth every minute.

Austin-Macauley-Homes

 

Austin-Macauley-Nahola-and-the-Insect-Hunter

 

 

Austin-Macauley-After-a-While

 

AMP_Seeking_Hope

 

Austin-Macauley-At-Grandmother-Hissa’s-House

 

To stay updated with our newly released titles, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you are an aspiring writer, submit your manuscript to us and make your dream of becoming a published author come true.

5 Ways to Inspire Your Children to Read

Top Tips to Encourage Children to Read

As parents we envision our children to be well-mannered and want them to engage in activities that push them to have a fresh and unique perspective on life; what better is there than reading? Reading is not only necessary for academic purposes, it is a fundamental need for them, providing them with a gateway of various opportunities. Reading is essential to teach thoughtfulness and imagination in children and helps build their critical thinking, analytical, socialisation and communication skills.

Sometimes it can be difficult to get children to read, especially if they do not enjoy it which can feel like a losing battle, however, reading can be fun and exciting and it is our roles as parents to show them how.

Below we have outlined 5 ways in which you can encourage your children to read regularly.

  • Be Your Child’s Reading Buddy

Children are the mini version of us, they like to copy us in every way. We know they want to do whatever we are doing, they won’t even let us use the bathroom in peace! Reading with them is a great way to encourage children to read. Reading regularly can inspire them to also read on their own. Taking turns to read sentences, paragraphs, or even short stories is a great way to spend time together and get your children comfortable with reading.

  • Encourage Them to Read on Their Own

Have a lot of reading material available at home that will encourage your children to read on their own. Purchase books with intriguing front covers which will grab their attention and draw them in.

  • Recognise Their Achievements

Recognising and celebrating their achievements can help with reading too. Praise them when they have finished reading a book or a school project. This positive reinforcement will work a long way and will motivate and push them further to accept new reading challenges.

  • Expose Your Child to Different Genres

Every child is different, and that being said, they all have different tastes and preferences. Learning a skill becomes easy when you enjoy what you are doing. You can help your children to become good readers by exploring various genres with them. Because the more they like it, the more eager they would be to read it.

  • Buy Books That Interest Their Taste

After exploring these genres with your children and figuring out what they enjoy the most, you can ensure you are purchasing books they like. There are only so many times you would read the same book and this is same with for children. Giving them access to different stories will keep their excitement levels up. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a new book?

Here is a list of our top children’s books to we think will encourage your children to read at home more often:
 

The Little Nurse

Book: The Little Nurse
Author: Dr. Reem Bent Nasir Aldosari

A delightful and endearing story of a young girl as she finds herself interested in becoming a nurse after she injures her knees while playing. Embark with Hima’s journey as she discovers her interest in nursing after her encounter with Nurse Reem, who later explained the nursing profession to her. Moreover, a great read for instilling your children with nursing knowledge as it makes an introductory exhibit of career they can opt for in the future.

 

Munir the Millionaire

Book: Munir the Millionaire
Author: Zainab Ali Albahrani

It is a book of adventure, exploration and intrigue; it takes you on Munir’s journey, who is an intelligent kid and a keen observer. His curiosity lands him to realize the significance of money for a prosperous life. So, he starts to manifest unique ideas that will make him a lot of money.

 

 

 

 

 

The Strange Ring

Book: The Strange Ring
Author: Ahlam Yahya Jhaaf

It is a fascinating yet enticing adventurous story of a strange magical ring called The Great Name’s Ring, which leads our three heroes on a journey across the Arab countries after finding this ring in an old box. This book is excellent for introducing the spirit of adventure in your children and to ignite the theme of exploration in them.

 

 

Diversity

Book: Diversity
Author: Maryam Saqer Al Qassimi

It can be one of those perfect bedtime stories to read to your children as it aspires to raise awareness regarding appreciating differences and integrating a sense of equality in them. This book is a thought-provoking and classic example of mindful reading.

 

 

 

 

To stay updated with our newly released titles, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you are an aspiring writer, submit your manuscript to us and make your dream of becoming a published author come true.