Ann's June Books I listened to...

[Ann]

It is quite common for my books to be mostly audio format and June was no exception. It was a very good month with Mr Mercedes as a top read and some other interesting books too.
Parasite
Natchez Burning
Final Jeopardy
Allegiant
Mr. Mercedes
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

Grant, Mira Parasite (Parasitology, #1) finished
6/1/2014 On Audio - Rank 9 of 10 Seriously creepy, but compelling. I will read a sequel but will have to steel myself.

Iles, Greg Natchez Burning (Penn Cage, #4) finished 6/12/2014 on both Audio and Kindle Rank 9 of 10 A trilogy begins and the wait for the next installment is both unbearable and a relief. There's violence, and then there is violence. Horrific, unspeakable cruelty and hatred simmering beneath the surface for 40 years, like a deadly snake: a threat to anyone standing in the way. Who will stand up to it and at what cost?

Fairstein, Linda Final Jeopardy finished 6/15/2014 on audio rank 8.5 of 10 An introduction to Alex Cooper, Mercer Wallace and Mike Chapman. I hadn't read this first book, but have always wanted to back-fill the series. Having heard bits and pieces of the first meetings and backgrounds there were surprisingly few revelations but the cases held my attention and get this series going.

Roth, Veronica Allegiant Finished 6/20/2014 on Audio and Kindle Rank 8.75 of 10 I was glad to read the final book in the trilogy, it provided closure and revelations and character growth; but I didn't love the audio narration for Tris' character. Tobias's narrator, Aaron Stanford was wonderful, but Tris came off as a childish voice that didn't ring true to character for me as read by Emma Galvin. I did understand a bit more about what caused the bleak blighted world to exist, and found hope in small measure for the future. I thought this book dragged more than the other two, though eventually satisfying.

King, Stephen Mr Mercedes finished 6/25/2014 on audio and Kindle Rank 9.75 of 10 Much more than "retired cop versus mass murderer", Mr Mercedes is a suspenseful thriller ride and character study. Insightful glimpses reveal motivations and a deeper understanding of 'why'. Narrated by Will Patton, the audio gives nuance to the characters voices and accelerates the breakneck pace to a satisfying conclusion.

Newman, Leslea October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard finished 6/26/2014 on Audio Rank 9 of 10 A stellar cast reads this poetry, revealing a 'historical fictional account' of the hate crime from October 1998 in a powerful and deeply moving way. While all the details cannot be known, the impact of this recitation will hopefully include more enlightened people, kindness and tolerance. 
Zevin, Gabrielle The Storied Life of A J Fikry finished 6/27/2014 on audio Rank 8.5 of 10. This was a sweet book, small town island life and a quirky bookseller with literary tastes and interesting friends, but no stranger to tragedy. And yet, A.J. finds that life is full of both good and bad and it goes on and tragedy becomes part of the fabric that we wear. The bookseller's notes on classic books and why (we) should read them are a bonus

[Carol/Bonadie]

Looks like you really liked Mr. Mercedes. I am enjoying it as well; King is a master at creating characters. I can't help thinking of Dave Robicheaux when I hear Wil Patton's narration, as he has narrated some of the James Lee Burke series.

[Ann]

I did really enjoy Mr Mercedes, Carol!
Will Patton as narrator was a big part of it. While I was listening to Scott Brick read The Storied Life of A J Fikry I was less enamored that he sounded like John Corey (Nelson DeMille) and he reminded me of the Dune series which he also read. He wasn't as well matched with A J.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Looks like you really liked Mr. Mercedes. I am enjoying it as well; King is a master at creating characters. I can't help thinking of Dave Robicheaux when I hear Wil Patton's narration, as he has..."

[Melodie]

Looking forward to Mr. Mercedes. I actually liked Allegiant quite a bit. I was surprised by the ending, but think it was probably the right one.

[Ann]

Melodie:
yes, the ending of Allegiant was a surprise (not a bad thing) and probably the most fitting. I think the reason I thought the book dragged was the narration rather than the story. I really hated the voice provided for Tris.
It looks like the four 'Four' novellas are being released as a collection or a iBooks on iTunes next week. I think I'll have to read them too. :)
Melodie wrote: "Looking forward to Mr. Mercedes. I actually liked Allegiant quite a bit. I was surprised by the ending, but think it was probably the right one."

[[deleted user]]

I, too enjoyed Allegiant! I thought the ending was brave, Roth had to know that was going to be controversial and she stuck to the story she wanted to tell. The only thing that annoyed me was serums became Roth's go-to. There was a serum for everything. Lol

Glad to hear STORIED LIFE was good! It's on my list to read this month. :-)

[Ann]

That is true, there was a serum for everything!
Christina wrote: "I, too enjoyed Allegiant! I thought the ending was brave, Roth had to know that was going to be controversial and she stuck to the story she wanted to tell. The only thing that annoyed me was serums became Roth's go-to. There was a serum for everything."

[Donnajo]

good list of books you have finished this month. I still have to get back to the roth book and I still want to get to read the iles series.
this morning I updated my written book journal and now I'm trying to figure out which books I have to get though, which arcs I still have to get too and which books off on the side I want to get back too or which books I want to read as soon as I have a spot to squeeze them in. thinking about doing a shedule. LOL.