February

[Becky]

Ugh! I hate when they do that, Robin! There should be a law against it. :(

[Doughgirl5562]

Robin P wrote: "I was excited that the newest Mary Russell book - The Lantern's Dance, which I had preordered, came out today. But they changed the narrator! I listened to the sample and it wasn't..."

I totally agree, but I think there are times when the previous narrator isn't available and they have no choice. I remember that there was a very popular audio book narrator that passed away a few years ago (or more - time flies) - and sorry but I can't remember her name.

Outlander is going to have this issue with the next book that is published - which will be the 10th book and the last in the series. The first nine books - released over thirty+ years - were all narrated by Davina Porter (except for some early abridged versions narrated by another person). Most fans LOVE her narration of the Outlander audiobooks. Davina has retired. In fact, she had already retired before the last book was published but the author talked her into narrating the 9th book. I seriously doubt she will be willing to narrate the 10th book - which is still a good 2-4 years from publication.

[Robin P]

Yes, Katherine Kjellgren did all the Her Royal Spyness books (and many others) but passed away a few years ago.

[Jeanie]

It must be the season for narrator changes. :( I finished the latest Hamish Macbeth by Rodd Green (taking over for M.C. Beaton), Death of a Spy. The narration was fine but I'm going to have to look up who the narrator is because I figure he's connected to Hamish in some way or really famous in the UK. And now I'm learning that my preorder of the latest Mary Russell has a new narrator too... this could be highly problematic. Does anyone know what happened to Jenny Sterlin?

I had to give up entirely on two series I loved after their narrators died: Royal Spyness and Armande Gamach/Three Pines... I just couldn't get over their loss. I hope I don't have to give up on Russell and holmes as well.

[MissSusie]

I started Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker Pub Date 09 Apr 2024 this is a southern mystery with vampires and so far has a bit of humor too.

[Doug]

I finished out the Chuck Wendig Heartland trilogy with The Harvest and it was just ok, YA SFF.

In between I read Peter Heller's The Last Ranger, 4 stars. It was competently narrated by Mark Deakins.

I'm now reading The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne. I started with Hounded, it reminds me a lot of Dresden by Jim Butcher, in a way. Not quite as good, 4 stars for Hounded from me. I'm continuing tonight with Hexed which is book 2. These are narrated by Luke Daniels.

[Pamela]

Jeanie wrote: "Does anyone know what happened to Jenny Sterlin?"

Looks like she passed away earlier this year. :(

[Jeanie]

Pamela wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Does anyone know what happened to Jenny Sterlin?"

Looks like she passed away earlier this year. :("

How sad. She will be missed.

[Dee]

i found like one instagram post talking about her death - she has no bio online; website etc

[Robin P]

Pamela wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Does anyone know what happened to Jenny Sterlin?"

Looks like she passed away earlier this year. :("

Oh, no, I thought maybe she just retired. Maybe there isn't much under her name because it was a name she used for performing?

[Becky]

Oh wow, now I feel bad for being glib. 😔 RIP Jenny Sterlin!

[Robin P]

If I had realized it was another narrator I wouldn't have preordered it. Possibly they didn't post a sample ahead of time, or I didn't bother checking. Interestingly, when I returned it the same day it came out,
Audible didn't even ask me why (I would have said Narrator or maybe Ordered in Error.)

[Doughgirl5562]

I just finished the seventh book in the Royal Spyness series - Heirs and Graces. It looks like the narrator change takes place on the twelve book, so I have a few more to go. But I really like Katheryn Kellgren as the narrator, so it is going to take some getting used to!

Right now I am listening to Summer on the Bluffs by Sunny Hostin, which so far is just OK.

[Doughgirl5562]

Dee wrote: "I finished up The Warmth of Other Suns: the Epic Story of America's Great Migration - its interesting many people say they enjoyed this more than Caste - but I listened to Caste a co..."

I received a copy of this book for Christmas. Thanks for the review!

[Nancy]

Better than the Movies was actually a cute story - even if it was about a high school romance :-) You could see exactly where it was going but characters were sweet and narration was good. Quick enjoyable read.

The Last Song next - and oldie goldie Nicholas Sparks.

[Dem]

Finished Duffy and Son

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/6227899922

[Christine]

Finished Beartown by Fredrik Backman |read by Marin Ireland || Review

Outstanding novel from a new author for me.

[Pamela]

Finally finished up Trees in Paradise: A California History by Jared Farmer. I did quite enjoy this book, looking at four iconic trees (Redwoods, Eucalyptus, Citrus & Palm) and how they influenced California history. It is more on the academic side of writing, than popular history and I was happy to have a print copy next to me while listening.

Next up something completely different. Managed to get hold of a pre-release audio copy of American Spirits by Russell Banks. I have enjoyed Banks writing and after he passed away didn't think any new work would be coming out, but here we are.

[Ashley Marie]

4.5 stars to The Water Outlaws. I had so much fun with this one!

[Kim]

Finally finished Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears. It was very informative, if a little bit confusing on audio with the back and forth of events.

I’m listening to Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff now as I attempt to bring myself to get rid of things. I’m also slowly listening to The Little Paris Bookshop for a buddy read.

[Katharine]

Just finished listening to The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate. I gave it 5 stars, which I rarely do! I loved this story. Historical fiction is my thing, to begin with, and I love Civil War and Reconstruction era. It's a dual-timeline novel, and the modern-day narrative was equally engaging for me. I'm also a genealogy nut, so this story about long-lost and forgotten ancestors was right up my alley. I never read Wingate's Before We Were Yours, but it's on my list now!

[Jan Mc]

I am soon to finish The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler. If I wasn't listening to it for a challenge, I would have given up hours ago. The narrator, Eunice Wong, is constantly pausing between words and I really don't like her pacing. It's a very cerebral book that I would recommend reading instead of listening.

[Bill (Just a)]

Jan wrote: "I am soon to finish The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler. If I wasn't listening to it for a challenge, I would have given up hours ago. The narrator, Eunice Wong, is constantly pa..."

I listened to it awhile back. I don't remember having an issue with the narrator. Sometimes when I do, I set my speed to 1.25. I thought it was OK. I could take it or leave it.

[Nancy]

The Last Song was not a winner for me (2.5 stars). I didn't realize this was the one that was a movie with Miley Cyrus and I couldn't get get that out of my mind while reading and it didn't help. A bland story that I just didn't enjoy

Now into If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos - it's entertaining so far.

[Jeanie]

Last night I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It was quite good, but I probably shouldn't have waited so long. I wasn't disappointed exactly, but for such a best seller I was expecting... more. Marsalas was a definite standout and I would have read it for him alone.

[Jan Mc]

I finished The Which Way Tree, historical fiction by Elizabeth Crook and it was definitely a five-star listen for me. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dee]

Jeanie wrote: "Last night I finished Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. It was quite good, but I probably shouldn't have waited so long. I wasn't disappointed exactly, but for such a best seller I wa..."

i agree - it didn't blow me away - but it was like a warm hug - just felt good

[Fran]

Katharine wrote: "Just finished listening to The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate. I gave it 5 stars, which I rarely do! I loved this story. Historical fiction is my thing, to beg..."

I listened to The Story Keeper by Wingate and enjoyed it. Historical fiction is my thing too.

[Nancy]

If You Would Have Told Me was an entertaining read. John Stamos is clever and very self-deprecating. And funny. I liked it

Next up is Identity by Nora Roberts

[Christine]

Finished Rising Tiger by Brad Thor | audiobook read by Armand Schultz | Review

Scot Harvath series #21 is set in India with a looming China threat.

[Jan Mc]

So, this week I took part in a Toppler challenge (completing books with specific themes for a team) and I chose some good titles for me:
The Mountain in the Sea sci-fi by Ray Nayler;
The Bookshop on the Corner romance by Jenny Colgan;
The Which Way Tree hist-fict by Elizabeth Crook;
The Nature of Fragile Things hist-fict by Susan Meissner.

The Which Way Tree was a five-star read for me, The Bookshop on the Corner and The Nature of Fragile Things were four-star reads, and The Mountain in the Sea got three stars. Overall, I had a good week of listening!

[Christine]

Finished How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr | audiobook 17:25 hrs | read by Luis Moreno | My Thoughts

[Kim]

Finished up some books since my last post. I listened to The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store which was interesting for the type of goal I’m trying to reach.

After that I listened to Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us. It is currently my favorite listen so far this month. Incredibly fascinating.

Lastly, I just finished up Living Well Spending Less: 12 Secrets of the Good Life. It was okay, a thought it would be something different.

Now I’m currently listening to the second book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series - Carl's Doomsday Scenario. I’m enjoying it immensely so far.

[MissSusie]

After seeing this author on a lot of best of lists for 2023 I am finally reading my first Freida McFadden The Teacher Narrated by Leslie Howard; Danny Montooth

[Fran]

I have too many books started and not finished. Two of them are nonfiction and I can listen in spurts. Ball Four: Twentieth Anniversary Edition came recommended in a NYTimes review of books that have stood the test of time. The other listen is Books That Have Made History: Books That Can Change Your Life which is one of the Great Courses. It's ok. Not life changing so far.

[Dee]

I started Soul Mountain which won the Nobel prize for literature

My brainless listen is Love & Lies: Marisol's Story from my epic audible archives

[Christine]

Finished The Deserter by Nelson DeMille | audiobook read by Scott Brick | Review

The first in a new series by father/son writing duo is a fast paced action thriller.

[Christine]

Faith: A Journey For All by Jimmy Carter | audiobook read by Author | My Thoughts

The 39th President of the US reflects on how he leans on his faith through specific points in his life.

[Pamela]

Dee wrote: "I started Soul Mountain which won the Nobel prize for literature."

I've had this print book for many years, but have yet to read it. Didn't know it was in audio...may have to look for a copy. I'll be interested to hear how the narrator and book goes for you.

[Dee]

Pamela wrote: "Dee wrote: "I started Soul Mountain which won the Nobel prize for literature."

I've had this print book for many years, but have yet to read it. Didn't know it was in audio...may have..."

I’m enjoying it - the chapters are fairly short (10-12min) - narrator I haven’t hear much about (Brian Keeler)

[Nancy]

I couldn't stick with Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks. I have realized I like a memoir alot (especially self narrated) but a biography not so much. Reads like a text book for me so this was a DNF.

The True Love Experiment is next up and so far is cute and clever.

[Kim]

I finished Carl's Doomsday Scenario today. I loved it almost as much as the first. It still maintains a rich world building with a nice dash of character development. The stakes almost always feel high and I’m constantly at the edge o f my seat wondering how Carl and Princess Donut will react to whatever, or whomever, gets thrown their way. Looking forward to book three when I get my next audible credit.

Right now I’m listening to Finna. I’m only roughly 15 minutes in.

[Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus)]

Just finished a reread of a book from my 2016 NetGalley shelf. It was just as enjoyable second time around. All That is Lost Between Us by Sara Foster ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...