Abroad in Japan Audiobook OUT AT LAST (Watch How it was Made) 🇯🇵 Inside a Tiny Tokyo Apartment on YouTube
Added 2023-10-10 15:57:24 +0000 UTCHi Guys!
As someone who struggles to read and hold a physical book out of sheer laziness, audiobooks have been a godsend over the last few years.
Whether I’m at the gym on a treadmill, sitting on a bullet train, or falling asleep on a plane, the odds are I have an audiobook in my ears, or a city pop album, or Duran Duran, or just anything from the ‘80s. It’s great being able to learn while on the go.
And what better way to learn than by listening to the brand new Abroad in Japan audiobook, out at long last and narrated painstakingly by yours truly. It’s a miracle my voice box survived.

It took three very long days, but admittedly it was a pretty cool and surreal experience being at Penguin’s headquarters in London to narrate the book in August. I confess I felt some pressure, given the last speakers before me in the booth in previous weeks were actors Brian Cox from “Succession” and David Tennant from “Doctor Who.” Following these mighty actors and titans of industry was bloody nerve-wracking. But I’m pretty pleased with how the book turned out.

One of the most frustrating aspects of reading the audiobook was going through the book and reading it properly for the first time in about nine months. It made me realise there are lots of things I’d like to change, add, or remove. So fingers crossed for a second edition. But for now, if you haven’t grabbed yourself a copy, it’s available on Kindle, Audible, and Amazon. It’s a retelling of my 10 years living in Japan, so check it out. You can find a few clips from the recording sessions and a sneaky preview above!
RV Road Trip
Also as you might have seen folks, I’m currently on an RV trip in the Izu Peninsula with CDawgVA, Ludwig, and American Pete. It’s been going well and we've just wrapped our last day. So if you’ve missed it, check it out on Connor’s Twitch. Yesterday we did canyoning where I nearly smashed my head on some rocks. We've also made pottery and nearly crashed in a Tuktuk, in scenes reminiscent of an Indiana Jones film. When all is said and done, it’s been a lot of fun.


Inside a Tiny Tokyo Apartment
And lastly, we’ve just released a video on what an average Tokyo micro-apartment is like. I won’t lie; it’s low-hanging fruit. It’s the sort of video I hate, yet I did enjoy filming it as it’s always fun hanging out with the ever cheeky and suave Alex. We're currently working on two large videos that are taking some time, and rather than have no videos for two weeks, I wanted to put something out and this presented itself as a good little option to put out in the meantime.

It’s an entertaining video with a truly shocking apartment that I’m not quite sure how people can justify living in, although it does come with a free pet. Check it out on “Abroad in Japan.”
Hope you’ve all had a great start to the week!
Chris.
Comments
I loved the audio book though the only disappointing thing is there wasn’t a section where Connor came on and voice acted as you. All in all I enjoyed the book! Will listen again
Tonberry
2023-11-06 03:26:26 +0000 UTCChris, I've just be listening to an audio sample of your book. There is a degree of passion in your presentation that stands out from many other books. Unfortunately promotion in Waterstones for the hardcopy only lasted one week but hopefully the sales were good. Looking forward to your annual Q and A video next week. Take care, Stephen
Stephen Baxter
2023-10-21 13:28:11 +0000 UTCI've finished your book. I have to say I'm not usually a fan of...well would it count as a autobiography or a memoir? Probably a memoir...but at any rate, yes I'm not a fan of those types of books, but I really enjoyed yours! It was easy to read, funny and just a good book all around. Really love the cover art as well. Nice choice. And after watching that clip above...I have the same headphones you were using! They're great headphones lol.
Astor Reinhardt
2023-10-17 00:20:22 +0000 UTCNaw bruh the apartment video was good. It piques the imagination, makes us wonder if we could live in those spaces if we had to, but I think the no-A/C closet-sized one was a hard pass. I'd probably just go hang out under a bridge. Plus, your humorous takes keep it entertaining. The combination works. No one wants to hear a boring person compare tiny apartments.
Paul
2023-10-15 22:10:38 +0000 UTCThank you for answering this 😂 it was driving me mad. Looked wicked though!
Hayley Khan
2023-10-15 16:17:59 +0000 UTChaha flying cars!
Abroad in Japan
2023-10-14 13:23:54 +0000 UTCI got the audiobook today and listen to it whenever I am on a jog or walk. The intro and chapter 1 hit so close to home and reminded me of my own year in Japan. Despite having been there 3 times before that, staying for a prolonged time is so much different and you described the anxiety and uncertainty so well. Can't wait to listen to it some more!
VanillaCoke1956 .
2023-10-13 19:15:41 +0000 UTCI don’t know if anyone watches the podcast on YouTube. But I couldn’t stop watching the screen behind Chris in the studio. The studio looks fantastic, as does the visuals on the screen. However, it seems to show something flying across the cityscape, flying cars? Planes? Stray North Korean missiles? It’s driving me mad!
Hayley Khan
2023-10-13 03:46:52 +0000 UTCOh, great. Now you've convinced me to grab the audiobook too. Thanks a bunch!
Leelo Lenik
2023-10-12 07:51:16 +0000 UTCI remember a time when there was user submitted closed captions, is that an option Chris (if you read this)? I would be happy to spend some time to add those.
Jae Birb
2023-10-11 10:38:01 +0000 UTCThat stupid game haha
Abroad in Japan
2023-10-11 04:38:33 +0000 UTCHey Chris, been wondering if you've ever thought of providing closed captions. It is massively helpful for a lot of people (myself included)! Can't wait for the book to arrive in my local bookstore here in Boston, MA!
Monica L
2023-10-11 01:16:13 +0000 UTCListening to you read feels so familiar cos of all the emails you've read on the podcast. Totally here for it!
Muhammad Fawaz
2023-10-10 23:56:28 +0000 UTCI already read the book, but had to buy the audiobook to hear the stories in voice form. Great to listen to when exercising, although may have had some slight embarrassing public laughing fits. Seen bits and pieces of the streams, always good seeing you guys together. You can tell when various youtube/streamers are genuinely friends, the chemistry are banter is on point 👌🏽
Hayley Khan
2023-10-10 21:56:14 +0000 UTCReally enjoying the audiobook and am planning on purchasing the physical book. Wanted to hear it read by you first. Congratulations on a fantastic literary achievement.
Matthew
2023-10-10 21:00:24 +0000 UTCThe audio book is awesome Chris, congratulations! Managed to catch some of the RV stream - couldn’t stop laughing at your “four 3s” 🤣🤣
Chelsea Anderson
2023-10-10 18:43:23 +0000 UTCWe've read the book and loved it, will be getting the audio version too, you have such a great storytelling voice. I imagine I'd forget how to talk after doing this for a day, let alone three!
Sarah and Jae
2023-10-10 18:04:21 +0000 UTCThe tiny apartment video might be a low-hanging fruit, but a video with the captivating Chris and the affable Alex is always a guarantee for a good time! So feel free to fit them in whenever you need or want!
Blex
2023-10-10 17:21:10 +0000 UTCI finished the audiobook in one sitting. As someone with vision issues I really appreciate any author who records an audiobook as reading would not be as enjoyable for me. Hearing you read it was like you recounting these stories to me personally. It was great.
Andrew L
2023-10-10 17:13:44 +0000 UTCI finished the audiobook today and it took all my patience not to read the book that I had here since the pre-order delivery, but it was well worth it IMO because hearing these stories from you and with the emotions you felt in your voice, was a totally different experience then just looking at black letters on white paper (for example the part where you couldn't make it to the funeral...). I was a bit worried after what you've told on the podcast regarding the pronunciations the audio engineer wanted, but I'm very glad that my worries were unfounded and it really sounds like the sarcastic, british and very likeable (or might I even say affable) Chris Broad we all know and love from all your videos!
Blex
2023-10-10 17:07:00 +0000 UTCI was torn on if I should buy the book or audiobook.....im gonna buy both!
garrett1433
2023-10-10 16:38:26 +0000 UTCI’m excited to listen while painting in my art studio :) Also hats off for the recording. Last weekend I had to read off a teleprompter as a part of a video shoot and that was only a few paragraphs - can’t imagine an entire book!! Well done!
Fiona C
2023-10-10 16:31:53 +0000 UTCLow hanging fruit? Maybe. Entertaining? Absolutely.
Busiris
2023-10-10 16:30:46 +0000 UTCWhen doing your audio book, you looked like a natural Chris. Congratulations 👏🎉
Amanda Hayward
2023-10-10 16:15:12 +0000 UTCJust signed up for audible for the first time and used the trial option. Just got the audiobook for free! Looking forward to listening
Joseph Hamilton McConnell
2023-10-10 16:13:17 +0000 UTCI listened to it during my first half marathon on Sunday morning! Came in under 2 hours and was fully entertained throughout 😁
Andrew Roque
2023-10-10 16:13:09 +0000 UTCJust finished the audiobook today and it was fantastic and brilliant listen loved every bit of it and very well presented
Matthew Davies
2023-10-10 16:09:15 +0000 UTCGreat videos Chris! I probably won’t get the audiobook as I already have a hardcover copy but I do enjoy your videos.
Fluffyspark7
2023-10-10 16:04:00 +0000 UTCIt's amazing to see you get to this achievement, Chris! I'm stoked to give the book a read through, and perhaps listen to it a bit too 😉. Quite the experience for you I imagine. Be well 🙇 Cheers!
Owen Shartle
2023-10-10 16:01:46 +0000 UTCLooking forward to listening to the book. Might do it on my flight to Japan in November!
Zach Rountree
2023-10-10 16:01:43 +0000 UTCreally enjoying it so far
fazaman
2023-10-10 16:00:40 +0000 UTC