August 2015

[Heidi]

Good to hear Genevieve :)

[CatBookMom]

Jeanie wrote: "I'm back visiting with friends and family and so had another group audio listen. This time it was JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit. What an amazingly wonderful experience to share. Everyone agreed the n..."

This put a smile on my face; thanks for sharing the audio goodness.

[CatBookMom]

One of my audiobook friends at Ravelry did some digging, and has found out that, apparently, the new releases of the Michener books are very likely re-engineered versions of Books on Tape recordings from the 1990s. Recorded Books bought Books on Tape some time ago, and may be re-negotiating some contracts with authors and authors' estates.

I'm still wondering why the audio of Hawaii is available at my OverDrive library, but still isn't (as of 8/12) offered at Audible.

[Kristie]

Audible.com seems to have about 9 more Michener books available for pre-order in the next few weeks, but Hawaii is not one of them. Maybe more are in the works. I know my library had Go Set a Watchman listed for pre-order at least 6 months before the release.

[Sara]

Sue wrote: "Andre senior is mostly (maybe completely) a short story writer. Selected Stories would give you a good taste. I might check out Townie: A Memoir - but in print! Report b..."

I sure will as I am only 30* into the book. And also thanks for your recommendation I will check out his father selected short stories.

[Mejix]

Currently listening to My Struggle: Book 1 by Karl Ove Knausgaard. Very enjoyable so far. Edoardo Ballerini is doing a fantastic job reading.

[Jay]

Not a breaking news or bipartisan post but, it feeds the 'what's everyone reading?' nosiness

OBAMA'S 2015 SUMMER VACA READING LIST
The Lowland
- Jhumpa Lahiri
Between The World And Me
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
The Sixth Extinction
- Elizabeth Kolbert
Washington: A Life
- Ron Chernow
All That Is
- James Salter
All The Light We Cannot See
- Anthony Doerr

[Xe]

MissSusie wrote: "Xe wrote: "I recently finished Where All Light Tends to Go, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, and have to say it was one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Harsh and aching ..."

Oh Susie, you must! But be prepared - it's not a kind and gentle tale.

[Xe]

Sue wrote: "I loved his narration of Fourth of July Creek.

Oooo! Thanks, Sue! I love finding a new "go-to" narrator :)

[Dave]

I just finished listening to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I thought it was a pretty good "detective" story, and I felt a lot of tension throughout because I just wanted that "girl on the train" to get her act together. The ending was fairly abrupt, but it's more about building slow tension than about solving the crime/mystery.

[Robin P]

I keep getting confused between the titles Where All Light Tends to Go, All the Light We Cannot See & How the Light Gets In !

[Kristie]

Robin wrote: "I keep getting confused between the titles Where All Light Tends to Go, All the Light We Cannot See & How the Light Gets In !"

Throw The Light Between Oceans into that mix...that one messes me up with the above books, too. Lots of "Light..."

[Travis]

Robin wrote: "I keep getting confused between the titles Where All Light Tends to Go, All the Light We Cannot See & How the Light Gets In !"


I always thought they were a series. Didn't know they weren't even by the same author

[Hayley]

hi I am a newbie to this group and a very very recent convert to audiobooks..so far have read PG Wodehouse's Right On Jeeves, and Bill Bryson's A Walk In The Woods...almost finished Bryson's Down Under..them I'm looking to read The Nightingale that everyone is raving about

[Jeanie]

Hayley wrote: "hi I am a newbie to this group and a very very recent convert to audiobooks..so far have read PG Wodehouse's Right On Jeeves, and Bill Bryson's A Walk In The Woods...almost finished Bryson's Down ..."

Welcome! If you like audio, you're in the right place. Just out of curiosity, what brought you to audiobooks?

[Bill (Just a)]

Jenifer wrote: "Not a breaking news or bipartisan post but, it feeds the 'what's everyone reading?' nosiness
."

Along those lines this tweet from Tom Hanks:

"My Summer reading. REDSHIRTS, then anything else by John Scalzi! Hanx."

The Sixth Extinction just went my wishlist. I guess I will have to start buying credits again.

While I was there, the daily deal of "A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra) " is suppose to be how to let your creative mind solve problems as well as the analytical mind. A book on learning with high marks from its readers, it looked like it was worth a 2.95 gamble.

[John, Moderator]

Hayley wrote: "hi I am a newbie to this group and a very very recent convert to audiobooks..so far have read PG Wodehouse's Right On Jeeves, and Bill Bryson's A Walk In The Woods...almost finished Bryson's Down ..."

I'll second Jeanie's welcome. What device do you use to listen to books?

[CatBookMom]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Robin wrote: "I keep getting confused between the titles Where All Light Tends to Go, All the Light We Cannot See & How the Light Gets In !"


I always thought they were a series. Didn't know they weren't even by the same author..."

Where's the LOL button?

[Jessica]

Just finished A Time of Demons by Kathryn Meyer Griffith and loved it. Up next a cozy mysytery called That Wasn't Chicken by Linda P. Kozar.

Loved the first one! We'll see about the second one!

[Donna]

I finished The Last Word, the final Spellman book narrated by Izzy; darker and sadder than the others, but I like the way Lutz wrapped things up.

Crazy busy these days, so thought I wanted light and reliable entertainment - listened to Shattered but it wasn't one Francis' best. Then on to romantic suspense with Trust No One, but it was meh; I swear Jayne Ann Krentz used to write better than this but maybe my tastes have just changed; had to finish at chipmunk speed.

Next I listened to Three Men in a Boat based on recommendations here (and To Say Nothing of the Dog has been on my list for a while) - what fun! Martin Jarvis did a terrific job narrating.

Just started Good Book: The Bizarre, Hilarious, Disturbing, Marvelous, and Inspiring Things I Learned When I Read Every Single Word of the Bible and I really like it. A nice follow-up to a book by Julia Sweeney I read this year, also about someone looking closely at their religion's holy book for the first time.

[John, Moderator]

I liked Sweeney's book as well.

[Mel]

Kristie wrote: "Fran wrote: "Catherine wrote: "In the middle of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and I'm really enjoying it. I was reluctant to start since it's so long and wasn't sure I was in the mood fo..."
YES! Angle of Repose is one of my all-time top reads.

[Robin P]

Just finished Her Royal Spynessa couple hours before my new credit arrived after my 3 months hiatus at Audible. I had read it in print about 4 years ago and thought it was ok but I love Katherine Kellgren and wanted to pursue the series on audio. I barely remembered anything from the book and liked it much more on audio. I have found that with a lot of humorous/cozy mysteries, that there's not much to the plot or characters but a good narrator creates a world and adds a lot to the humor.

I did so well catching up that I switched my Audible membership from Gold to Platinum to get 2 credits a month. Finally realized a second credit is only 7.00 that way. I know the cheapest is to pay for the whole year at once, but it's easier for me to budget this way.

[Mel]

Dave wrote: "I just finished listening to The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I thought it was a pretty good "detective" story, and I felt a lot of tension throughout because I just wanted ..."

I've listened to both and you are right. Fantastic narration that made a gritty book easier to hear.

[Patricia]

I am listening to 14 by Peter Clines that I bought in a sale some time ago. It's been categorized as horror, but so far it's just boring me. I am just over 60% in and it's a group of people who live in an apartment just snooping around and talking. Plus I am finding it increasingly annoying how the author writes "took a hit of" his/her beer/coffee on every second page. I'll finish it, but it's not doing anything for me so far.
I've been wanting a good creepy/spooky book and each one I've listened to the last few weeks has failed miserably (and I *hate* Steven King so please no suggestions for his books as there is no chance I'll listen to one).
Sometimes you seem to have a run of great books, but other times I find I get a bunch of 'blah' ones in a row.
I'm going to try The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne next and hopefully I'lll have better luck with that.

[Hayley]

Thanks for the welcome folks

Jeanie I got onto audiobooks..cause I've always been an avid reader but was finding less and less time to read between work.and my studies...I have quite a commute to work and.am.alone, so instead of.listening to the radio or the same songs on my Ipod in my car. .I now listen to an audiobook...and have some much needed escapism before and after work..I also like.the.freedom it gives me.to.do.other things while reading..I've had it on while.doing coursework..While shopping and.other things round the house

It's also a space saver..as I said I've always been an avid.reader and.have got.bookcases full of.books but space is becoming a problem..so while.theres one or two authors whose books.I will always but a physical copy of I've slowly moved over to the digital.age through the Kindle and wide availability of.ebooks and now audiobooks...so I can keep up one of.my favourite pastimes without having to worry about space..

John..also gain thanks..I have a kindle..and the I also have the kindle app o my android.phone and that's also what I'm mainly using to listen to audiobooks through..as well as my Ipod and computer

[Heidi]

Robin wrote: "Just finished Her Royal Spynessa couple hours before my new credit arrived after my 3 months hiatus at Audible. I had read it in print about 4 years ago and thought it was ok but I lo..."

Love the Royal Spyness series on audio!

[Scott S.]

Patricia, the first half of 14 IS slow, but it picks up more and more toward the end. I hope you enjoy the rest more than you have up to now.

[Kristie]

J. wrote: "Patricia, the first half of 14 IS slow, but it picks up more and more toward the end. I hope you enjoy the rest more than you have up to now."

Ditto for me. The 1st half was kinda boring.

[Travis]

And 14 really is not horror. Some mash up of sci fi and mystery and I don't know what all

[Patricia]

Travis of NNY wrote: "And 14 really is not horror. Some mash up of sci fi and mystery and I don't know what all"
I'm not sure what either, but it's definitely not doing it for me. Now I'm up to (view spoiler)[ giant 'squid whales' who farm people for food (hide spoiler)] oh dear...I think I'm just too logical for this genre (whatever it is)

[Janice]

I agree with Travis. I shelved it as both sci fi and mystery. There were things I really enjoyed about the book and other things that bored me.

[Patricia]

But if you look it up here on GR, horror is by far the biggest genre it is shelved under, so that's what the majority of people seem to think it is.

[Travis]

I know horror is the main shelf. Goodreads shelving can be about as reliable as a paper sailboat some days

[Jeanie]

Patricia wrote: "But if you look it up here on GR, horror is by far the biggest genre it is shelved under, so that's what the majority of people seem to think it is."

Yeah, but it's far more mystery than horror. Once finished I sort of enjoyed it, but frankly still don't know why it was so highly praised. Sometimes I think critics are a sucker for anyone who can encorporate Lovecraftian elements into modern stories. Me? Meh.

[John, Moderator]

I started the memoir Dirty Chick: Adventures of an Unlikely Farmer last night, and couldn't put it down for over an hour. Can't say as I relate to the author's lifestyle exactly, but she funny and smart. Does as good a job reading it herself as a paid narrator would have; she apologizes for her accents at the beginning, but to me they sound okay, if not perfect.

[Kristie]

Just finished I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban. What a brave, wise, passionate young lady. I found the first part of this book a little slow, mostly a primer on the politics and culture of Pakistan, but the description of how the Taliban took control and its impact on her family, as well as the description of Malala's recovery, were really interesting.

Next up, because I just love Doig: Bucking the Sun.

[Laura]

I recently finished You're Never Weird on the Internet. I like Felicia Day but I thougth this would be more of a biography than it really is. She does give background on her life, but then skips big chunks in order to focus on the geek content. I enjoyed the experience but it wasn't what I thought it would be so I feel a little disappointed.

[Samantha]

Just finished Arena Mode by Blake Northcutt. The production values were rather low in terms of sound quality, but the story was really engaging and the narrator was good. I think I'll be back for the next one.

[Jessica]

Finished A Time of Demons and Angels and really enjoyed it. I am now about 5 hours or so into That Wasn't Chicken by Linda P. Kozar. I am enjoying it. It is a cozy mystery that is kind of thin on plot but has wonderful characters in it. Got about 2 hours left in it so I will finish it this afternoon. Not sure what is next.

[Bill (Just a)]

John wrote: "I liked Sweeney's book as well."

I saw Sweeney do a bit of "Letting Go of God" live at a convention. Really good stuff. So I went to her website and downloaded the performance for $5. I didn't know she had a book so thanks for that info.

[Jan]

I finished Tell No One which is only my second book I've read by Harlan Coben having previously listened to Six Years. I felt like I was listening to the same book with just the names changed. It was disappointing in its lack of originality.

Now I'm on to The Hobbit narrated by Ron Inglis who is doing a fabulous job!!

[Travis]

Ron Inglis is awesome in the Tolkien books

[Donna]

Bill (Just a) wrote: "John wrote: "I liked Sweeney's book as well."

I saw Sweeney do a bit of "Letting Go of God" live at a convention. Really good stuff. So I went to her website and downloaded the performance for $..."

I would've loved to see her perform it live; I bought Letting Go of God from Audible and really liked it but it's only 2 hours long, so might not contain much more than the performance you downloaded.

[Barb]

Catherine wrote: "In the middle of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and I'm really enjoying it. I was reluctant to start since it's so long and wasn't sure I was in the mood for that kind of story. Hooked now."

I also listened to Big Rock Candy Mountain - wonderful narrator. It was long but I missed the story once I finished it.

[Jan]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Ron Inglis is awesome in the Tolkien books"

I may have to track down the next ones narrated by him. I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying it. I'm loving that because I know the story so well I can really just relax and relish the story telling.

[Janice]

Patricia wrote: "But if you look it up here on GR, horror is by far the biggest genre it is shelved under, so that's what the majority of people seem to think it is."

The genre assignments on GR's is a joke. Stephen King is a prime example. People think that all he writes is horror so they immediately assign any book he writes as horrow. Example - Joyland is not a horror story by any stretch of the imagination, yet 687 people have it shelved as horror.

[Jeanie]

Jan wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "Ron Inglis is awesome in the Tolkien books"

I may have to track down the next ones narrated by him. I'm surprised by how much I'm enjoying it. I'm loving that because I know ..."

I absolutely love the Rob Ingliss narration of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the rings. His singing of the poems means I not only listen closely to them all, I really enjoy them. Prof. Drout once noted that because of LotR's popularity, Tolkien is the widest read poet in the world today. I hate to admit it, but I skipped much of the poetry or merely skimmed it in print. Now I sometimes sing them aloud! Ah, elbareth...

[Jan]

LOL Jeanie - you are absolutely right. The singing of the poems is a special treat and really adds to the experience!

[Jeanie]

I'm 40% into the first book in the Laundrey Files series, The Atrocity Archive. It's an interesting premise but the geek-speak and British bureaucratic jargon to explain the magical system and the agency that deals with it leaves me reeling. I'm ignoring much of that and mostly following the action, but my feeling of not getting it much of the time leaves me thinking this will be my only attempt at the series.