Spring 2012

[Kyle]

Just started The Rook by Steven James, narrated by Richard Ferrone. I had read the first book in this series; The Pawn. If this is anything like the first book, it will be another good book to listen to on the way to and from work.The Pawn

[D.G.]

Because I thought that listening to 2 audiobooks at once wasn't enough, I decided to start a third one: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which is my favorite book by Agatha Christie. I've read it several times but this is my first time listening the audio. The narration is good and now I'm focusing on figuring out how she doesnt get you to suspect the murderer ( who is sort of obvious.)

[Barbara]

Janet wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Wendy T, I have been considering "The Cove", by Ron Rash. What are you impressions as you listen? Ron Rash's Serena has less draw on me. Not everybody thought it was so wonderful,l..."

I like his short stories better than Serena. Serena didn't ring true to me as a character, too one-dimensional.

[Heidi]

Urg! Overdrive is acting weird for me today. I tried to download several WMA audiobooks and it failed each time. I even tried downloading WMA books from other Overdrive libraries and still the same problem. Boo! I planned to get my ipod and sansa all loaded up today :(

[Heidi]

Chrissie wrote: "Heidi, I need the Ipod because I have poor vision. I chose it because I can tap on it and it speaks. It is not necessary to be able to read anything on the screen. Don't you get Overdrive from libr..."

Don't get me wrong. I love my Ipod Touch. It is excellent for almost everything except when using it with Overdrive WMA books. I don't have a smart phone so it is the next best thing for me when I use it with wifi :)

[John, Moderator]

Important Moderator Announcement!

Technical discussion folder now exists. If anyone can think of a category I missed, please let me know. Thanks.

[Heidi]

Thanks John!

[Chrissie]

Great, John!

[Lynne]

Barbara wrote: "Janet wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Wendy T, I have been considering "The Cove", by Ron Rash. What are you impressions as you listen? Ron Rash's Serena has less draw on me. Not everybody thought it was ..."

The Cove was a three star book for me. I thought the characters were caricatures but the setting was interesting nontheless. I had just read Glowand I think they were just to similar in tone to enjoy the Cove. I sort of regret using a credit for it.

[Chrissie]

Lynne, thanks for telling us your view. that is a warning signal to me....I often have similar views to yours.

[D.G.]

I finished my re-read in audio of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and it was just great (this is my favorite book by AC.)

Now I'm going back to Lirael.

[Denise]

Heidi wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Denise, I have had huge troubles with getting my audible books over to my Ipod. It is like, the instructions are just so lacking. Finally, finally, finally it works fine for me. Do..."

I was persistent and finally got it to work
Thanks

[Chrissie]

Denise, :0)

Also, I just want to say that I am listening to Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 and this is really, really good. It is much more history about WW2 than memoir. Albright does an excellent job of explaining history. All is very clear and interesting and amusing too since she throws in funny jokes. It is true that the main focuses are European and Czech and British and American. This is understandable.

She reads her own book and probably because she knows how to speak she does a fine job. I really cannot say I have any complaints. To like this book you have to like non-fiction and history of course. And be interested in reading about World War II. I have listened to almost half.

[Susan]

Chrissie wrote: "Denise, :0)

Also, I just want to say that I am listening to Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 and this is really, really good. It is much more history about WW2 tha..."

I didn't realize this book was by Madeleine Albright. That makes it more interesting for me.

[Dee]

it sounds interesting for sure

I just got notification that City of Scoundrels: The 12 Days of Disaster That Gave Birth to Modern Chicago is available for me to download through overdrive, I have that and then House of Stone: A Memoir of Home, Family, and a Lost Middle East on the pile

[Chrissie]

Yes, Susan, Madeleine Albright did not know she had a Jewish heritage. She thought her family had always been Roman Catholic, and this book is also about finding out why her parents converted and why they never spoke to her about their Jewish heritage. Her parents had died before she found out and thus she could never ask them.

The jokes are fun. It makes learning history enjoyable. Here is an example: Mussolini and Hitler were on the phone. Mussolini was not able to take over Greece and in general was unable to move forward. So he says to Hitler, "This telephone connection is bad. Where are you? In Britain?" You see Hitler hadn't managed to knock out London in the Blitz. So of course, Hitler was NOT in Britain..... i am not saying this as well as Albright does.

Dee, both of yours look interesting. Please let us know what you think.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Frances wrote: "I seem to be on a role at the moment , so many great audio books.....
have finished
Harvest.Tess Gerritsen GREAT.

Immoral ooh new series Good one.

Strippednr 2 not quite up to the standard of t..."

Frances, glad you are enjoying the Brian Freeman series. I was sad to reach the end of the ones published. I hope he will write another one.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Laura wrote: "D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "HEA = Happily Ever After. Meaning that you know the couple will be together at the end. :)"

Thank you! That was so simple....I feel silly now! :)"

Glad up did, Laura, I was debating whether or not to ask, days later, so you saved me the trouble!

[Bxrlover]

Chrissie wrote: "Denise, :0)

Also, I just want to say that I am listening to Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 and this is really, really good. It is much more history about WW2 tha..."


You may also like Skeletons at the Feast. It can be very hard to listen to at times, but it is very, very good.

[Chrissie]

Bxrlover, I wonder how come I haven't read that yet! The author is so well known. I have added it. Thanks. I have to figure out why some people don't warm to it. It certainly looks like a book I would enjoy. I don't enjoy light fluffy stuff or fantasy or mysteries.....

[Janice]

I loved Skeletons at the FeastSkeletons at the Feast; it is the best book by Chris Bohjalian so far, for me. I don't remember who narrates it, but they did an excellent job.
I have been listening to Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind, first in this series by Ann B. Ross, and it is such a fun read! This is my first time to hear Karen White narrate, and she is fantastic, at least for this one!

[John, Moderator]

FYI, Miss Julia switches narrators partway through the series.

[Ellen]

Janice wrote: Ellen, it was never my understanding that Dancing at the Rascal Fair was a prequel. When I read the trilogy, I read them in order, with English Creek as the first, and I thought they were in chronological order.

Yes, Dancing at the Rascal Fair is a prequel. I read it first because it's first chronologically as far as the story goes.

Chrissie, I definitely plan on reading Doig's biography. I want to finish the trilogy first, though, and maybe some of his other novels, too. I heard Whistling Season was very good, too.

[Chrissie]

Ellen, I also started with "Dancing at the Rascal Fair" because it was the prequel of the trilogy! Since I adore biographies I hopped over to that immediately.

[Janice]

John wrote: "FYI, Miss Julia switches narrators partway through the series."

I hate when that happens--is the next narrator good, in your opinion?

[John, Moderator]

Yes, Miss Julia is still good as an audio series, though Cynthia Darlow took some getting used to.

[Julie C]

Just finished 'The Stand' by Stephen King. Turned out to be a good read.

Just started 'IT' by Stephen King. Prepared to be scared!!!!!

[Shirley]

Finished

The Backup Plan
by Sherryl Woods

Just soso

Started

Naked in Death
by J.D. Robb

we'll see

[Dee]

Shirley - I hope you liked Naked in Death...that was one of those books I tried many times to read and never got past the first quarter, but I have devoured the audiobooks, and courtesy of the last audible sale, now have the complete series in audio

[Shirley]

Dee wrote: "Shirley - I hope you liked Naked in Death...that was one of those books I tried many times to read and never got past the first quarter, but I have devoured the audiobooks, and courtesy of the last..."

Thanks Dee
I have the entire series mixed between audio/kindle/dtb

[John, Moderator]

Yesterday, I finished Beryl Bainbridge's (unfinished) novella The Girl in the Polka Dot Dress, and while Timothy West's narration was terrific, I'd recommend listening to him read Bainbridge's Injury Time first, as it's more ... approachable.

[D.G.]

I'm struggling with Lirael (too much complaining by both main characters!) so now I'm starting The Big Four, the next book in the Poirot series.

[MissSusie]

I have just started The Bee-Loud Glade by, Steve Himmer narrated by, Mark F. Smith interesting so far!

[Joel]

If any of you are Robert McCammon fans, you'll be pleased to know that all four books in his ongoing Matthew Corbett series are now available on Audible.

[Janice]

John wrote: "Yes, Miss Julia is still good as an audio series, though Cynthia Darlow took some getting used to."

Glad to hear that, I have really enjoyed this first book in the series.
Yesterday I started A Good Hard Look: A Novel by Ann Napolitano, narrated by Debra Monk. It has been a little hard to get into, maybe because I had so enjoyed the "Miss Julia" book. Has anyone else read the Napolitano book?

[Jeanie]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "I'm struggling with Lirael (too much complaining by both main characters!) so now I'm starting The Big Four, the next book in the Poirot series."

I've read all the Agatha Christie books in audio currently available on Audible--three or four from the canon are still missing. The Big Four isn't the best, but it's important since one of the characters appears more than once. I did make it through Lirael and actually appreciated it by the time I finished. I will say that Abhorsen had me quaking in my boots, even the second time through the trilogy!

I've been reading The Krewe of Hunters series because it's read by Luke Daniels. It's pretty good, but Victoria Laurie's Ghost Hunters series is better--though not better read.
I finished Dog On It, A Chet and Bernie Mystery which was funny and a fun premise--POV is the dog's--but too drawn out for the premise--both the writer and narrator needed to pick up the pace.
I finished D.J. MacHale's Merchant of Death and it was okay but I won't get the rest of the Pendragon series.
I finished two anthologies, Strange Brew and Wolfsbane and Mistletoe--the latter had some good stories but some creepy weird ones too... I don't like it when Santa is the bad guy.
I finished the second Walt Longmire mystery and will continue the series as soon as I whittle down my TBR list a bit--I too filled out my In Death collection during the sale and have 33 new titles to read.

Quick question... what's the policy on starting new threads in this group? I'd like mini discussion in addition to this one on genres such as Mysteries in Audio, Paranormal Romance in Audio, YA Audio, Fantasy in Audio, Audio Classics... not all authors are available in audio so the Cozy Mysteries group is only half-helpful to me, for example.

[Janice]

Chrissie wrote: "Ellen, I also started with "Dancing at the Rascal Fair" because it was the prequel of the trilogy! Since I adore biographies I hopped over to that immediately."

Chrissie and Ellen, thanks for the info on "Dancing at the Rascal Fair"; I don't know how I missed that that was a prequel. I may have to go back and reread the series, but would like to do so on audio this time, so it will be a treat!

[Chrissie]

Janice, Ivan Doig's books are fantastic. English Creek is the first, Dancing at the Rascal Fair the second and Ride With Me, Mariah Montanathe third of the trilogy. However at least for me, the last one is not available as an audiobokk. Is it available in the US?

[D.G.]

Jeanie wrote: "I've read all the Agatha Christie books in audio currently available on Audible--three or four from the canon are still missing. The Big Four isn't the best, but it's important since one of the characters appears more than once. I did make it through Lirael and actually appreciated it by the time I finished. I will say that Abhorsen had me quaking in my boots, even the second time through the trilogy!"

I've read around 90-95% of AC books...I'm just doing a re-read in audio of both series in order. I agree about "The Big Four" is not as good but I figure I should read them all. :)

I'm up to my neck of Lirael & Sameth. I'm starting to wish a hand would eat them both.

[Jeanie]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "

Yeah, it's sad when you root for the heroine to jump off the cliff and are disappointed when she decides to live after all. But there actually is a point to the dissatisfaction of both main characters. Being a wimp at heart, I actually appreciated that the second book wasn't quite as scary as the first, and definitely not as scary as the third. Still, I stand by the recommendation to plough through to the end, even if you want to take a bite out of both of them some times.

[Dee]

has anyone ever listened to anything narrated by Gordon MacKenzie? I just got a review copy of A Book of Tongues to listen to, but he doesn't seem to have a lot of titles to his name (or at least doesn't on audible)

[MissSusie]

Dee wrote: "has anyone ever listened to anything narrated by Gordon MacKenzie? I just got a review copy of A Book of Tongues to listen to, but he doesn't seem to have a lot of titles to his name (or at least ..."

I've never heard him but I've never been disappointed in a narrator from iambik they are good company!

[Dee]

thanks Misssusie - i've never even heard of them before - but i'm looking forward this - I got a recommendation for it the other weekend at a goodreads face to face get-together and then it showed up on a review list

[MissSusie]

Dee wrote: "thanks Misssusie - i've never even heard of them before - but i'm looking forward this - I got a recommendation for it the other weekend at a goodreads face to face get-together and then it showed ..."

Nice did you get it from audiobookjukebox? I've reviewed quite a few iambik books from them.

[Dee]

yeah - I just got the download info tonight - i have at least 1 more review one coming from them - The Stonecutter (or at least assuming so, because they asked for my email)

[Mejix]

Just picked up Doctor Zhivago, Freedom, and Chronic City from the library. Wasn't quite sure what I wanted to listen to so I'll give these a try.

[Regan]

I just finished The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes read by Patrick Tull and it was fantastic.

Patrick Tull does a great Sherlock Holmes! Most of the stories are written from the point of view of Watson, so he's the primary narrator, but often someone else -- either the 'victim' or even the perpetrator narrates sections of the story, so a reader has to be very agile to do this well. Tull succeeds at doing this well even when the female characters are narrating without resorting to bad falsetto.

There are several versions of this available including one by Derek Jacobi, so it was a hard choice, but I can highly recommend the Patrick Tull reading.

Several of the stories are very suspenseful. And even when you know what's going to happen because you've read it before or have seen an adaptation there are many details that you missed before.

[Janice]

Chrissie wrote: "Janice, Ivan Doig's books are fantastic. English Creek is the first, Dancing at the Rascal Fair the second and Ride With Me, Mariah Montanathe third of the trilogy. However at least for me, the las..."

Yes, my local library has all three in audio format, CD's I will have to rip, not downloads. And I loved all of them in paper when I read them several years ago, so I am looking forward to hearing them. Thanks, Chrissie.

[Chrissie]

Janice, it is so nice finally understanding what rip means!

[Karen]

Janice wrote: "I loved Skeletons at the FeastSkeletons at the Feast; it is the best book by Chris Bohjalian so far, for me. I don't remember who narrates it, but they did an excellent job.
I have been listening ..."
Janice, I am so glad you're enjoying my Miss Julia. I dearly loved her and the series, but as John says, they switched narrators after the first few. Wanted to chime in on it because I think it's part of an interesting shift in how narrators get hired. Back then, narrators worked primarily for one publisher, and there were some who even adopted different names so that they could work for more than one! (The Miss Julia shift happened when Random House bought Books-on-Tape.) But these days, I am noticing that there is a lot more fluidity. Narrators work for multiple publishers and it's not seen as a conflict. Hoping this will lead to more consistency in series in the future!
and I hope this makes sense. It's still early in the a.m. here on the West Coast ;)