Ah that's so cool that you come from a theatre background - I reckon theatre and improv, particularly as a kid/teen, does wonders for one's confidence and development :D

And I definitely relate to the book thing! They really are doing marvelous things with audio, aren't they? Do you use Audible? I've heard great things. Personally, I'm the opposite - find I drift if I listen to someone else reading the story, but have heard some wonderful audio adaptations. What kinds of historical fiction are you into? (I mean what era)