Must Have Urban Fantasy Audiobooks

I have been an audiobook advocate for quite some time now as I listen to the narration of a book while doing work or other tasks. If your into the Urban Fantasy / Paranormal genre, I have listed the best audiobook everyone should have on your portable media players.

1.) Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - I am a die hard fan of this series and the narration by actor James Marsters was likeicing to the cake. Marsters is superb on his vocal talents while narrating on most of the audiobooks (Marsters was not able to narrate for "Ghost Story). Aside from Marsters narrating, the story itself is great and I dare to say it's much better than Stephanie Meyer's Twilight or J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter (oh well I'm biased).

To date, the series has 13 audiobooks with the upcoming book entitled "Cold Days" coming in November.

2.) The Hollows / Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison - Here's another series that has a similar theme with Dresden Files. The protagonist is a witch/bounty hunter with a living vampire and a foul mouth pixie as business partners. They hunt paranormal criminals for bounties in an alternate universe version of Cincinnati. As with Dresden Files, this series has a good combination of action, some drama and a good dose of comedy/dark humor. The series was narrated by Marguerite Gavin who like Marster, was the best for this series.

To date, the series has 10 audiobooks with the upcoming book entitled "Ever After" coming in January 2013.


3.) Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep - Elemental Assassin is another alternate universe urban fantasy series that you would like to listen to. It is story Gin Blanco was a mercenary elemental assassin who seeks revenge on her family's killer who she later learn that it was the city's most powerful elemental.

The series was narrated by Lauren Fortgang, another favorite narrator of mine because of her "southern accent" that best fits the storyline. To date, the series has seven audiobooks.


4.) Riley Jenson Guardian series by Keri Arthur - Riley Jenson Guardian series is based in Australia and the protagonist is a half vampire / half-werewolf who work as a "guardian" which is a paranormal equivalent of the FBI. She also has a powerful 1000 year old vampire for a lover and an 800 year old vampire for a boss. This series has a great combination of romance, paranormal action and some comedy.

The series was mostly narrated by Angela Dawe. To date, the series has nine audiobooks.

How to Buy Cheap Art Supplies

Sometimes it is positively terrifying to walk into an art supply store. The prices are enough to give anyone a minor heart attack. What can you do though? You need pastels and paints, sketchbooks and brushes and an assortment of other things. Well, over the years I 've discovered different ways of finding cheap art supplies. First it was out of necessity because I was an art student, but even now I ca n't stomach the idea of spending 100 dollars on a box of pastels. 

The best place to find cheap paint is at your local ironmonger or paint store. Ask the clerk if they have any "mistints" or "oops" paint. These are approximately 9.00 per gallon and the pint size is around 3.00-4 .00 per pint. Sometimes they also have discontinued colors that are on sale. Chinese ink is another very inexpensive product which you can find in art supplies stores. Not all of the products are expensive!. 

It's not always fun, however a great place to find art supplies and craft supplies is in your local Salvation Army or the corner thrift store and even at garage sales. Depending on what kinda an artist you are, whether you are a painter or sculptor, you can find great hand me down craft supplies, someone else's old thread and wool collections, costume jewelry and bead collections, nails, vintage buttons and the list goes on! You can get these collections for a few dollars! If you go regularly you get even better deals because the store clerk becomes familiar with you. 

I enjoy working on paper rather than canvas. Many years ago I was always cringing as I went to the art supply store to buy a sketchbook. I finally realized that I could buy great paper from any office supply store. However the sizes were limited. Then a friend told me about a Paper Warehouse, this is where all the printers in the city get their paper from. The one I go to has a cash and carry office where they sell discontinued papers altogether different sizes!