Audiobooks discussion
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June 2015
I dropped Paris, as I just didn't find it very interesting or easy to follow. I got it from the library, so it was easier for me to drop. Next up: The Seamstress.
Jeanie wrote: "Marilee wrote: "I really enjoyed "Light" too… I was a bit perplexed that some listeners found it difficult, but personally, I had no problem with the changes in viewpoint and I enjoyed the narratio..."Thanks for the info on "Career of Evil". It's always nice to have something to look forward to in the fall. So often entertaining books are released in hopes of becoming the BIG beach book… though I don't think anything is a breakout in that field this year. Not to worry though, obviously, there are plenty of previously published good books to read and listen to on vacation this year.
I did a bit of Googling and discovered not only is another Cormorant Strike book in the works but also a BBC TV series! No word on when that will be shown, or if it'll make it's way to the USA. One can hope.
I'm really looking forward to In the Unlikely Event as my big beach read this summer, but I'll be reading it in print. It's been a loooong time since I've read Judy Blume on the beach! I saw her speak with Jennifer Weiner and snagged a copy of the book at BookCon. She's a gem. Marilee wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Marilee wrote: "I really enjoyed "Light" too… I was a bit perplexed that some listeners found it difficult, but personally, I had no problem with the changes in viewpoint and I enjoy..."
And, as for summer listens, I think Jami Attenberg's Saint Mazie, narrated by Tavia Gilbert will be perfect.
Hmm, I read one of those Cormorant Strike books, I guess it was the first since we were being introduced to the Assistant. I just couldn't get into it. If the audiobooks really are that good, maybe I'll give it another shot in audio.
Sue wrote: "I'm really looking forward to In the Unlikely Event as my big beach read this summer, but I'll be reading it in print. It's been a loooong time since I've read Judy Blume on the bea..."She is going to be by me tomorrow night but i don'tknow if i can go
I forgot about the new Judy Blume… of course! I will probably buy the hardcover when I get to Cape Cod in July. There's an indie book store there I've been patronizing for years… As for listening, The Silkworm and I Am Pilgrim [a lonnnng book]…. and The Language of Bees, part of the wonderful Laurie King Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell series, are waiting on my iPod Nano.
Dave wrote: "Hmm, I read one of those Cormorant Strike books, I guess it was the first since we were being introduced to the Assistant. I just couldn't get into it. If the audiobooks really are that good, may..."I really like the audiobook narrator so it might be worth a shot
I can't wait for the next Cormoran Strike book; loved the first two.I finished How the Light Gets In, my favorite Gamache story so far. This one didn't end with a cliff hanger involving my favorite characters, so not planning to read the next one for a while.
Started the comic/horror novella Cat Out of Hell which I've been looking forward to as I loved other quirky novellas by the author. Not sure what I think yet except this is the 2nd book I've listened to lately where I hated the narration of the cat. Maybe talking cats are tough to voice? Or maybe I should stop choosing books featuring talking cats :)
Patricia wrote: "I half way through What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson and OMG it's bad! The narrator is OK, but there is no actual 'story' basically it's just the authors version of what happens..."I have never read the book What Dreams May Come but it was one of my favorite Robin Williams movies. The things you say you don't like about were the things that made me love the movie.
I finished The Dead Play On, a Cafferty and Quinn Mystery by Heather Graham. This is actually a paranormal mystery series but the paranormal part went missing this timearound. Aside from lacking the expected ghosts or demons or things that go bump in the night, it could have been a decent story. My biggest problem was that chunks of the story involved my least favorite mystery heroine cliché. Danni Cafferty kept telling Quinn he should rely on her intuition--which is right about half the time--and that "I can take care of myself and don't need a man to come riding to the rescue!" You guessed it, in the end she couldn't take care of herself and needed a man to come riding to the rescue. *Sighs* And her vaunted intuition... big goose egg there. But, to be fair, no one else came close to figuring it out either. They should be grateful the killer was incompetent.
Hey Marilee - I'll be reading Judy Blume on the Cape, too, in August! What part of the Cape are you on, and what's the independent bookstore you love?? We stay in Dennis and love to visit the Armchair Bookstore, near the lovely Chat House coffee shop. Marilee wrote: "I forgot about the new Judy Blume… of course! I will probably buy the hardcover when I get to Cape Cod in July. There's an indie book store there I've been patronizing for years… As for listening,..."
Donna wrote: "Started the comic/horror novella Cat Out of Hell which I've been looking forward to as I loved other quirky novellas by the author. Not sure what I think yet except this is the 2nd book I've listened to lately where I hated the narration of the cat. Maybe talking cats are tough to voice? Or maybe I should stop choosing books featuring talking cats :) "I really liked this one but read rather than listened to it. And no, you must never give up on Talking Cats!
Storyheart wrote: "Donna wrote: "Started the comic/horror novella Cat Out of Hell which I've been looking forward to as I loved other quirky novellas by the author. Not sure what I think yet except this is the 2nd bo..."Thanks Storyheart, I'll persevere with talking cats
I finished up the Odd Thomas series with Saint Odd and man, do I need something light and fluffy now! I love Odd's character and he made me cry at the end of the series, but Koontz is getting really fixated on the evil done by those in power plot points. I looked for something funny in my TBR pile and came up with Bloodsucking Fiends but I could not stand the narrator! I didn't even make it through the first chapter and I returned it, which I haven't done in a long while.
I've got a long flight on Saturday, so I loaded my Sansa Clip with tons of books. I think I'll start with the Tufa series by Alex Bledsoe. I read The Hum and the Shiver and really loved it and the 3rd book in the series just came out on audio, so I'm planning on running through the whole set.
I'm listening to All the Light We Cannot See for book club next week. I can see how you need to pay attention to pick up on the POV change or you could end up confused.I just finished Uprooted. The story was good, although I heard it was Beauty & the Beast retelling which is a severe stretch. The narrator though was poorly chosen. Her accent didn't bother me. It was that she spoke in a kind of staccato rhythm and without much emotion (although at times she tried).
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I'm listening to The Virgin in the Ice, written by Ellis Peters and read by Patrick Tull; it's the 5th book in the Brother Cadfael series. This has to be one of my least favorites, just because it goes back and forth and back and forth. The son and daughter of one of Maude's nobles are lost between a priory near Cadfael and the monastery/nunnery they were in when fighting broke out in their town. It's the first storm of winter and it's deathly cold and snowing heavily. These two youngsters get separated, get found, then run off to do something brave, and get found again, and then one is kidnapped and, and..... There are murdering bandits and also a monk and a nun who get involved in all this tramping around. I was shocked last night when I realized I had only gotten to the end of Part 1 of 2. Oy!
I'll finish, because there's an important new character who is introduced, and, well, I do like listening to Patrick Tull.
CatBookMom wrote: "I'm listening to The Virgin in the Ice, written by Ellis Peters and read by Patrick Tull; it's the 5th book in the Brother Cadfael series. This has to be one of my least favorites, j..."I feel exactly the same way about this book for the exact same reasons... except I listen to Steven Thorn.
I finished and thoroughly enjoyed The Fold. I didn't realize that Peter Clines was the author of 14 or that this book was set in the same universe.
CatBookMom wrote: "I'm listening to The Virgin in the Ice, written by Ellis Peters and read by Patrick Tull; it's the 5th book in the Brother Cadfael series. This has to be one of my least favorites, j..."I loved that series on audio. I had read one in paper and thought "meh" but when I heard them, I was addicted. (Even though they are all kind of the same.) I really liked the episodes with that "important new character" as it shed a new light on Cadfael.
Since I've been in the doldrums regarding my current books in progress, I decided to go back and re-read the first book in a favorite series, Moon Called from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Oops, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I remembered when I first read it. Maybe it's that I've read hundreds of books from that genre since then... or maybe my meh mood is affecting that one too. I'll keep trying.
Robin wrote: "CatBookMom wrote: "I'm listening to The Virgin in the Ice, written by Ellis Peters and read by Patrick Tull; it's the 5th book in the Brother Cadfael series. This has to be one of my..."Yes, a very important character, in a special way. These aren't the most exciting mystery books out there, by a long bit, but there are so many human insights, so much character (and NOT whiny ones!), so many careful and just-right word choices. I didn't comment about The Leper of St. Giles, but doesn't it have some really wonderful bits?
Jeanie wrote: "Since I've been in the doldrums regarding my current books in progress, I decided to go back and re-read the first book in a favorite series, Moon Called from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia ..."I still struggle with some of the other authors in the genre, ones who write stories with much more violence in particular. I've given up on a couple of the other authors, just not the sort of character-driven stories I like the best. So I find myself thinking "So write faster, dern-it!!" at the authors I like.
CatBookMom wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Since I've been in the doldrums regarding my current books in progress, I decided to go back and re-read the first book in a favorite series, Moon Called from the Mercy Thompson seri..."Yes, if only the good ones would write faster!
I just finished The Cuckoo's Calling. Like all of Rowling's books it's a page-turner, but I was disappointed with the resolution of the mystery. Rowling's villains are always kind of one-note, and parts of it didn't make much sense. I'm planning on reading the next book though - although the ending was a letdown the lead-up was good, and I think the narrator is great.Not sure what I'll read for my fiction next. Just picked up Elenor & Park for a song on Amazon whispersync, so maybe that? I also have Beautiful Creatures, which I got from the AudiobookSync thing. Has anyone read Beautiful Creatures? Any good?
Briar Rose wrote: "I just finished The Cuckoo's Calling. Like all of Rowling's books it's a page-turner, but I was disappointed with the resolution of the mystery. Rowling's villains are always kind o..."I was not a fan of Beautiful Creatures. Too wordy and angsty for me.
Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Briar Rose wrote: "I just finished The Cuckoo's Calling. Like all of Rowling's books it's a page-turner, but I was disappointed with the resolution of the mystery. Rowling's villain..."Beautiful Creatures is YA Southern Gothic. I was in a willing mood at the time I read it so I enjoyed it. I picked up the next book and novella in a sale some time back. I haven't been in the mood for those yet though.
Sue wrote: "Hey Marilee - I'll be reading Judy Blume on the Cape, too, in August! What part of the Cape are you on, and what's the independent bookstore you love?? We stay in Dennis and love to visit the Armch..."We always stay in East Orleans, at Nauset Beach. The book store I go to is Main Street Books in Orleans, next door to the Orleans Whole Food. I hope it's open… you never know with indie stores, but their website is active, a good sign.
There are two other places in town as well, one specializing in used books, Annies, and another place called BookSmith MusicSmith, which is has been around a long time. BookSmith obviously has music as well as books, magazines, and gift items.
Back in the day there was a wonderful old bookstore on Main street called the Compass Rose, closed several years now.
What Dreams May Come by Richard Matheson was awful. I gave it one star, it reads like something I would have written in a grade school essay "what I think heaven is like" complete with grade school made up words like 'startlement" The part that really annoyed me though was that while this is clearly a work of fiction, the author claims up front that this is all true and based on actual research!
Like the section he writes on reincarnation, where the 5 week old baby body and the new soul are fused by a giant computer, that lines up the spinal cords and it's all controlled by a gland at the base of the brain...yep, I'll just go and confirm those "facts" in my Reincarnation 101 textbook.
I can't decide if it's just plain awful or delusional as well.
The only saving grace in this mess was the narrator, Robertson Dean he was quite good.
Then I listened to The House I Loved by Tatiana de Rosnay. This was short (at 6hrs)and enjoyable enough. Happy to listen to a Kate Reading narration again.
Now listening to The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. She has an unusual writing style and I find I have to concentrate to understand the meaning...had to rewind a few times already as I suddenly realised I has no idea what was going on. I have the library version with David Horovitch and I am enjoying his narration.
I had started Rhys Bowen's Queen of Hearts some time ago and left off... much as I appreciate Katherine Kellgren's narration, the overwrought aspects of the story became tiresome. I picked up the story whereI had left off and found the melodrama of the story and narration still a little much, but I did finish it.
I just finished Lonesome Dove. Not generally being a fan of Westerns, I was unprepared for how utterly steamrolled I would be. Augustus McCrae may well be my all time favorite literary character, and that's saying something. I loved Lee Horsley's narration, even though the audio quality was a little spotty. At 31 hours, I still wish it was twice the length. I'm late to the party on this one, I'm sure. Wow. Just wow.
Sandi wrote: "I'm now listening to The Girl with All the Gifts and am totally hooked after just one chapter. The narration by Finty Williams, a narrator I've never heard, is absolutely wonderful. The story is intriguing. I'm torn between wanting to rush through it and to savor it slowly. "Ohhh...isn't it phenomenal? Totally deserved that Audie (although I was sad for friend and colleague, Bob Bray, who also deserved an Audie!).
Vanessa wrote: "I just finished Lonesome Dove. Not generally being a fan of Westerns, I was unprepared for how utterly steamrolled I would be. Augustus McCrae may well be my all time favorite liter..."Isn't Larry McMurtry a wonderful writer? Of course this novel won the Pulitzer, so as you've learned, the book is much more than just a "western" as some might think, who haven't read or listened to it.
I read it long ago, and watched the mini-series on TV, but might like to revisit the story again, via audiobook one of these days.
Marilee wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "I just finished Lonesome Dove. Not generally being a fan of Westerns, I was unprepared for how utterly steamrolled I would be. Augustus McCrae may well be my all tim..."What's wrong with me??? I just couldn't keep myself focused to read Lonesome Dove in print and everything I know about it screams I would love it. Maybe audio will do the trick. In general, I'm down with westerns and am currently finishing Ivan Doig's Montana trilogy with Ride With Me, Mariah Montana. I've thoroughly enjoyed Doig, Steinbeck, Stegner and even a little bit of the Longmire series.
Fran wrote: "Marilee wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "I just finished Lonesome Dove. Not generally being a fan of Westerns, I was unprepared for how utterly steamrolled I would be. Augustus McCrae may we..."Yet another great thing about audiobooks. Since I'm able to listen to so many more books, I've tried genres I never would have otherwise. Who knew I'd like westerns?!
I thought the audio for Lonesome Dove was great. Hope it works for you, as I was surprised just how much I loved that book. I'm also a big fan of Doig's Montana trilogy. Steinbeck, Stegner...I'm a huge fan. :)
Almost finished The Rose of Sebastopol and am surprised how much I've enjoyed it. It comes across in the first few chapters as an historical romance with slightly purple prose but suddenly develops into something much more interesting than that. The narration by Josephine Bailey is very good.
Julie wrote: "KristieThanks for the other recommendations . I have one of Stegner's ( not audio, but Kindle) ,I've read 3 of Steinbecks .. Love East of Edenthe best .
I also have 2 of Doig's ... but..."
The Montana Trilogy is English Creek, Dancing at the Rascal Fair, and Ride With Me, Mariah Montana. That is the order he wrote them (I think), but if you want to listen chronologically you should listen to Dancing first. English Creek and Ride with Me have the same narrator, who I really liked. I thought the narrator for Dancing was a little stiff, but the beauty of his writing overcame it.
Loved East of Eden too. One of my all-time faves. Angle of Repose by Stegner is also amazing.
Xe wrote: "Sandi wrote: "I'm now listening to The Girl with All the Gifts and am totally hooked after just one chapter. The narration by Finty Williams, a narrator I've never heard, is absolutely wonderful. T..."Thanks for the recommendation. I've reserved a copy from the library.
Julie wrote: "KristieThanks for the other recommendations . I have one of Stegner's ( not audio, but Kindle) ,I've read 3 of Steinbecks .. Love East of Edenthe best .
I also have 2 of Doig's ... but..."
Julie, I also enjoyed McMurtry's Telegraph Days on audio a few years ago.
Storyheart wrote: "Almost finished The Rose of Sebastopol and am surprised how much I've enjoyed it. It comes across in the first few chapters as an historical romance with slightly purple prose but su..."I listened to this a few years ago and was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it and how long the story stayed with me - even though it is basically a rather unbelievable romance. Ties in somewhat to the William Monk series by Anne Perry that I picked up soon after. The heroine in that series was a nurse in the Crimean war.
I'm listening to Ready Player One. Awesome book and great narrator.
Ready Player One was a favorite of mine from last year! Wil Wheaton made me consider reading John Scalzi, even though I am not really into SciFi.
Fran wrote: "What's wrong with me??? I just couldn't keep myself focused to read Lonesome Dove in print and everything I know about it screams I would love it. Maybe audio will do the trick...."I think you would really enjoy the audio, it was fantastic! The narrator does an amazing job of the voices (especially Gus)!
I agree! Lee Horsley really added something special to this book. I have Comanche moon, narrated by my favorite, Frank Muller, but I almost wish it was narrated by Horsley too.
Vanessa wrote: "I just finished Lonesome Dove. Not generally being a fan of Westerns, I was unprepared for how utterly steamrolled I would be. Augustus McCrae may well be my all time favorite liter..."I keep wanting to get to this one!! Glad to hear you loved it.
Vanessa wrote: "I just finished Lonesome Dove. Not generally being a fan of Westerns, I was unprepared for how utterly steamrolled I would be. Augustus McCrae may well be my all time favorite liter..."I read this in print years ago, not sure I would like it since I'm not typically a Western fan, but I agree it's a Wow! The video version was also excellent. I started 2 other books by him but couldn't get into either of them.
Justin wrote: "I'm listening to Ready Player One. Awesome book and great narrator."I loved RPO. A sequel is supposedly in the works and there's a movie being directed by Spielberg. I have high hopes for the movie, but I'm a little wary of the sequel. Cline also has a new book coming out this summer, Armada, but I'm going to wait before jumping into that one.
Julie wrote: "You guys will help me fill up a wish list on Audible. I'm a newbie to audiobooks and just recently joined Audible ...."We'll help you keep that WishList full, but I hope you'll also check out your local library system - many, many books are available to be checked out and downloaded online for free. I'm not a fan of the Gutenberg audios, but many of my audiobook-loving friends get books from that source, too. I do get a lot of books from the library, as well as the many I buy from Audible.
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Audiobooks
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Just started World Gone By by Dennis Lehane. Third and final (I think) episode in the story of Boston-born Joe Coughlin as he makes his way in the criminal world of Tampa, FL.