Audiobooks discussion
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June 2013
Regarding Nero Wolf, we mentioned to Audible a little while back that a Nero Wolf page would be a good idea. Well, they have a "Nero Wolf" link on the pages for each book now, but they aren't numbered and the page includes the radio plays. Sigh.
ipods are notorious for not having the ability to replace the battery. That was one of the cons I saw in reviews when I bought my ipod touch.
theoretically from what i have read - electronic devices with user replaceable batteries tend to have more failures over a lifetime, than non-replaceable ones...the original kindles had replaceable batteries, but they changed it in the next iteration
Dee wrote: "theoretically from what i have read - electronic devices with user replaceable batteries tend to have more failures over a lifetime, than non-replaceable ones...the original kindles had replaceable..."Good to know there is an actual reason. I am warped and assumed they just wanted people to have to buy a whole new one!
theoretically that is the reason...truth, I don't know...I guess they also figure that the battery lifetime (supposedly like 10000 hours) is when ppl would start looking for a new one
I'm fairly certain I remember reading that you can buy replacement ipod batteries online. It takes a little bit of work, but hey, any reason to break out the mad scientist lab coat, right?
J. wrote: "I'm fairly certain I remember reading that you can buy replacement ipod batteries online. It takes a little bit of work, but hey, any reason to break out the mad scientist lab coat, right?"We bought a battery in the past for our older ipod (original) but we had to "break it open" to put it in and scratched it up in the process!
Just saw that Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage is being offered for free download at Downpour.http://www.downpour.com/purple-sage?u...
Janet wrote: "Just saw that Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage is being offered for free download at Downpour.http://www.downpour.com/purple-sage?u..."
And narrated by Mark Bramhall..may have to listen to a western!Love his narrations.
I'm just starting Eragon
.For those of you that have listened to this book, is it one that you think my husband will like? He loved the Harry Potter books (which I have not yet read) - but he ordinarily listens to crime thrillers or science fiction.
(I love that I can now use the word "ordinarily" - less than a year ago, he wouldn't give audiobooks a try - now he goes through them faster than me!)
It is possible to replace the battery on an iPod Nano 6th generation, but will take some effort as the battery is soldered to the motherboard. Here's a link to a teardown of the unit:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPod+N...
A replacement battery for this unit is ~$15.
Kimberly wrote: "I'm just starting Eragon.For those of you that have listened to this book, is it one that you think my husband will like? He loved the Harry Potter books (which I have n..."
I loved Harry Potter but could not get into Eragon for some reason - could just be me though. I think Harry is pretty unique where both adults and kids liked it (except John who is stubborn and refuses to try it!)
I am nearly done with UnWholly
and boy is it getting intense I am also nearly done with Eleanor & Park
and am kind of in love with it! Both narrators are excellent and the narrator for Park is just plain awesome IMO.
I really liked Unwholly when i read it Heidi - I was worried because Unwind blew me away...I can't wait for the last book to come out
And me, equally stubborn, and 1/4 Irish ;)
But I think I need to listen to the audiobooks, just to say I did - so I will schedule that for this winter.
But I think I need to listen to the audiobooks, just to say I did - so I will schedule that for this winter.
Jennifer (E-reads, E-listens, E-breathes) wrote: "And me, equally stubborn, and 1/4 Irish ;)But I think I need to listen to the audiobooks, just to say I did - so I will schedule that for this winter."
Yay! This 1/2 Irish all stubborn reader is super excited for you!
i'm almost done with Crank - its different - its free verse poetry, but in a few places, it actually sounds more like a narrative...I can't believe i've never read/listened to Ellen Hopkins before..next up - i'm flipping a coin between Where'd You Go, Bernadette and The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society
any thoughts?
Dee wrote: "I really liked Unwholly when i read it Heidi - I was worried because Unwind blew me away...I can't wait for the last book to come out"I am liking it better than Unwind - and that surprises me too:)
its the whole mirco/macro (not marco like I just wrote)...unwind was a micro examination of it - the individuals, whereas unwholly is more macro, the society etc
We'll have to discuss when I get to them, Heidi :)
Dee, I'd go with Bernadette (or wherever she went!) - I've heard lots of good things about it.
Dee, I'd go with Bernadette (or wherever she went!) - I've heard lots of good things about it.
i've heard good things about Bernadette - the other one is a review copy from Tantor - I have a long-ish drive next week to a triathlon - 3-4 hours one way, and probably won't finish either book next week on my commute into work prior to that...
Bernadette is a great summer read! I enjoyed the book and narration.
I finished Dancer. It's the first time I've listened to a full cast and I think it worked with the style of this book. I enjoyed the book and will definitely read another of Colum McCann's books.
Kimberly wrote: "I'm just starting Eragon.For those of you that have listened to this book, is it one that you think my husband will like? He loved the Harry Potter books (which I have n..."
I have to say that I really disliked *Eragon*. I thought it was poorly written, poorly edited.
If your spouse hasn't listened to *Lord of the Rings* or *The Hobbit*, go there. Otherwise, I would suggest any of the Terry Pratchett books, like Going Postal, and including the Tiffany Aching ones beginning with The Wee Free Men, or Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series (beginning with Furies of Calderon) or even Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles, (prequel is The Grimoire of the Lamb
I liked Joe Abercrombies First Law series
CatBookMom wrote: "Kimberly wrote: " I thought it was poorly written, poorly edited. "I'm thinking the author wrote it as a teen.
Eragon was published when the author was 16, I believe. The writing does improve as you go through the series, as he ages and learns. It does have a rather smashed-together feel, though. I did enjoy it, but certainly wouldn't qualify it to the level of even Harry Potter (which I love), let alone LOTR (best fantasy story of all time).
Thanks everyone. I'm going to listen to it anyway as I purchased it over a year ago and it's just been sitting in my library - but I don't think I'll have my husband listen to it with me. His voraciousness for books is something I don't want to discourage - I tend to only give him books I know are good (as a result, he's become way less judgmental of all the time I want to spend "plugged in").
I'm listening to Edited for Death, a mystery set in California gold rush country, featuring newspaper editor Amy Hobbes, and reporter Clarice Stamms. Narrated by our own "Claire" (Lee Ann Howlett).
Hope you're enjoying it, John. I promised you there wouldn't be too much switching back and forth in time. :)Lee Ann
Kimberly wrote: "I'm just starting Eragon.For those of you that have listened to this book, is it one that you think my husband will like? He loved the Harry Potter books (which I have n..."
I agree with the advice on the Hobbit series that was offered.
But if he likes Harry Potter, then have him try out the Dresden Files. It's Harry Dresden instead of Harry Potter and it has been described as Harry Potter for adults.
And given his other likes .... try the Peter Straub/ Stephen King book, The Talisman. It's one of my favorites.
Kimberly wrote: "I'm just starting Eragon.For those of you that have listened to this book, is it one that you think my husband will like? He loved the Harry Potter books (which I have n..."
I actually really enjoyed Eragon. I knew the author was young and possibly cut the writing some slack as a result. I especially enjoyed Gerard Doyle's narration. The problem I found was that as the series went along the writing itself may have improved but the books just kept getting longer for no good reason. Also, they became much more graphically violent, also unnecessarily.
I agree with Alana's assessment of Harry Pottter and especially Lord of the rings--greatest fantasy book of all time--and the narration for both series is outstanding.
So, Heidi, do you think there is anything we can do to get John to finally read Harry Potter? I'll join in any campaign you devise ;)
Jeanie wrote: " the books just kept getting longer for no good reason. "I agree, and I feel this way about the Song of Ice and Fire series... those books are ridiculously long to no good purpose. The new one is supposed to be 1500 pages! LOTR never felt too long to me and all of the poems and such led toward completeness of the story, but in ASOIAF, ever time a feast is described, I want to gouge my eyes out and go "What's the point? What's happening?" The narration, however, is excellent.
Alana wrote: "Jeanie wrote: " the books just kept getting longer for no good reason. "I agree, and I feel this way about the Song of Ice and Fire series... those books are ridiculously long to no good purpose...."
One of the great things about LotR in audio is not only that the poems are sung, but I actually listen closely and get their full meaning as a result. Even taken as the single book it was intended to be, I could never consider LotR too long. In fact, I agree with Tolkien's own assessment as he noted in his comments regarding criticism of the book, he had to agree with those who said it was too short! I often wish it were longer in order to extend my time in that world--that's why I've had to reread it over two dozen times.
I finished Kerry Greenwood's Earthly Delights, first in the Corinna Chapman mystery series. Really really enjoyed this story and the narration. I will be getting the rest of the series for sure. The only question is whether to fly through them in order to be ready for the sixth one to be released the first of August or to slowly savor them. The one thing that would slow me down is my other new pasttime of listening to the Nero Wolf books. I finished And Be a Villain yesterday and am already debating whether to start the next one available on Audible--In the Best Families--or to try the Phryne Fisher by Kerry Greenwood I picked up because a helpful person here pointed out it could be acquired in a Kindle/Audible combo for a total of $3.98--I love bargains and when it's a bargain for a good audiobook... I'm in heaven.
I am probably among the minority here, but as much as I like Harry Dresden, I'm not a big fan of James Marsters as the narrator. I absolutely LOVED him as Spike in the Buffy series on TV...favorite character ever ... maybe that's it - me not liking his non Spike voice (lol)
David wrote: "I am probably among the minority here, but as much as I like Harry Dresden, I'm not a big fan of James Marsters as the narrator. I absolutely LOVED him as Spike in the Buffy series on TV...favorit..."Is your opinion based on the first several books in the series or have you been listening to the whole series? The production wasn't the best in the first three or four, but it got better thereafter and, imo, Marsters does a wonderful job. But, if it is the non-Spike voice that puts you off, well, there's no help for that.
I finished Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle today. Rupert Degas did a marvelous narration but the book itself was a bit too disjointed for my tastes. I'm not sorry I spent a credit on it, but I will borrow any other Murakami from the library.Next up is the SYNC offering of The Tempest.
I abandoned Red Moon and am listening to Born To Darkness which is passable just barely. Red Moon was just too too 'out there'. Using werewolves as an obvious analogy to Muslimes. Bombastic, improbable, tons of gratuitous gore.
Jennifer (E-reads, E-listens, E-breathes) wrote: "We'll have to discuss when I get to them, Heidi :)Dee, I'd go with Bernadette (or wherever she went!) - I've heard lots of good things about it."
I'd love to!
Jeanie wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I'm just starting Eragon.For those of you that have listened to this book, is it one that you think my husband will like? He loved the Harry Potter book..."
So, Heidi, do you think there is anything we can do to get John to finally read Harry Potter? I'll join in any campaign you devise ;)
I've tried! All attempts have been thwarted thus far. I even subjected myself to the pain that was Gone Girl after he recommended it but alas he won't even give Harry a how do you do :( *whimper whimper*
Alana wrote: "Jeanie wrote: " the books just kept getting longer for no good reason. "I agree, and I feel this way about the Song of Ice and Fire series... those books are ridiculously long to no good purpose...."
Ugh! Yet another reason why I can not bring myself to read book two of Game of Thrones. Can't STAND long and windy books.
J. wrote: "CatBookMom wrote: "Kimberly wrote: " I thought it was poorly written, poorly edited. "I'm thinking the author wrote it as a teen."
Yes, thank you for reminding me of that. Still, it would seem to me that a good editor could (and should) have improved the book a great deal, clearing up those mistakes of inexperience. I don't think I even got halfway through before abandoning it.
Let me add my positive vote for The Dresden Files - James Marsters is amazing, and the production problems that exist in the early books were finally fixed as you progress through the series.
I just finished Insurgent. I'm really enjoying this YA trilogy and am excited for Allegiant to come out in the fall. Now that my "ear candy" phase is over, I've moved on to The Godfather. Believe it or not, I've never seen the movie. I'm 5 hours in, and the book and narration are good, though I have my same frustration with the use of an ensemble cast here as I have with American Gods...I prefer an ensemble cast when there are multiple characters speaking in first person.
I've never seen The Godfather either. Is the book supposed to be pretty close to the film? You'll have to let me know what you think of it when you're done.
I wondered the same thing, Alana. So far I'm liking it.
I am finished with Joyland and I am pleased to report that I really liked it a lot. If you are a Constant Reader I feel safe in recommending that you will not be sorry for spending the credit. :-)
i picked up joyland (book form) from teh library the other day - liking it so far
I just put myself in the queue for Joyland (the audiobook on CD) at my library. Looking forward to it!
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Good to know. Lily was especially overbearing in the one I read.