July 2011 Non Romance Listening

[Brenda]

Has anyone else listened to Andrew McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency Books? Lisette Lecat is so awesome with the series, it's pure enjoyment to listen.

The first book was a little hard to get through for me because I didn't realize there were flashbacks happening. Once I picked up on that fact I was able to really enjoy the rest.

After that it's all been good, great characters and really great listens for anyone into the cozy mystery aspect.

[Dee]

i started The Time Machine on the drive to work this am - its only 4 hours long, then I have To the Lighthouse on the pile (maybe some romance after that)

[Diane]

Brenda wrote: "Has anyone else listened to Andrew McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency Books? Lisette Lecat is so awesome with the series, it's pure enjoyment to listen.

The first book was a little hard t..."

I haven't tried those books yet but I've been curious about them. Waiting to see what someone I "know" thought of them before I bit. :)
I'm almost finished with A Game of Thrones and have Nora Roberts Divine Evil from the library up next. That will take care of another Challenge category. :)

[D.G.]

I'm listening to Divergent. The narrator can't really do different voices...but the books has had little dialogue so I'm not too lost...yet.

The story is getting too close to The Hunger Games but sillier. Although the explanation for the business of the factions made some sense, the whole thing feels somewhat ridiculous. Oh well...

[paula]

Just finishedDeeper Than Midnight - my favorite in the series so far!

Next is either Tamed by a Highlander or Seduction & Scandal (the first of a new series by Charlotte Featherstone).

[Diane]

Finished A Game of Thrones today and started Divine Evil.

[D.G.]

Hey Dee...

Did you listen to Between Shades of Gray or did you read it? I got it in audio from the library and I'm not sure I'm liking the narrator...

[Dee]

I read it...so can't tell you about the narrator, but the book was really good

i'm listening to Angela's Ashes - narrated by the author...its good, the quality of the audiobook leaves a bit to be desired though

[D.G.]

She sounds like a less polished version of the narrator for Divergent (you know, my lastest favorite!) so I'm switching to print.

[paula]

Just finished Rainwater & a re-read of Honor's Splendour (one of my favorites & love the heroine's character).

Next is Carnal Innocence & Just the Sexiest Man Alive.

[D.G.]

I don't know what to listen next...I need something that it's good but not so engrossing that I won't abandon other books I'm reading - usually I like to only listen books when I cannot read (at the gym, when I'm walking etc) but if the audiobook is too good, then I forget about the books I'm reading.

Here are the candidates:

[Dee]

the only one on that list i've listened to is Bitten - it was good, and I enjoyed it, but I haven't moved on in the series (the narrator changed for book 2 and she got really crappy reviews)

[MaryK]

Well ... I can tell you what I'd do though I've only listened to one of these and can't speak to how good the other five might be. :)

I'd go with the HP, the one I've heard before. Since I know the story, it'd be easier to stop; and I'm thinking the paranormals (not counting the HP :) ) would have more tension and be harder to stop.

I really enjoyed the Jim Dale HPs. I've been meaning to get my own copies so I can listen any time.

[paula]

I would suggest . It is an enjoyable read, but one that is a little lighter than the others I think & would be easier to come & go with.

[D.G.]

Thanks for your thoughts ladies!

I just realized that I'm reading a werewolf book - How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf - and I like to read/listen different genres so I'm taking all the werewolf books out of the running.

Maybe I'll go with the Susan Mallery or Harry Potter. But I'll start my new listen tomorrow...I've been losing my sleep with the audiobooks I've been listening so I need a short break, LOL!

[Kaetrin]

@D.G. ~Vile Temptress~

I'd recommend Welcome to Temptation - it's one of my favourite Crusie books and I think it is excellent on audio.

[Dee]

i'm almost done with angela's ashes...debating if I should go with the first in the Parasol Protectorate series, or a family saga

or

[D.G.]

Maybe I'll read that next, Kaetrin!

I've listened to a few hours of the Harry Potter but I guess I should thought of cleaning the CDs first (I got them from the library) and now the audio sounds funky. I think I'll have to clean the CDs, see if that helps and re-transfer them to my iPod.

[Christina]

I'm about to finish A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear. This is read by Orlagh Cassidy, and is the eighth book in the Maisie Dobbs series. These are great historical mysteries set after WWI in England. This one is in the 1930s so we're getting closer to WWII. Excellent narration, very atmospheric books. I think they are among my favorite audiobooks.

[D.G.]

I just finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and it was excellent. What a great narration! I'm really looking forward to the next book but who knows when I'll get it. It took me a few months to get this one from the library.

[Lisa]

Paula wrote: "I would suggest . It is an enjoyable read, but one that is a little lighter than the others I think & would be easier to come & go with."

I agree with you Paula Im not a big fan of Jennifer Crusie but I think Welcome to Temptation and Manhunting are her best books and they are easy to listen to.