Spring 2012

[Fran]

I am also listening to The House at Riverton and enjoying it. The Secret Garden had me hooked just that much more. The narration by Caroline Lee is superb.

[Laura]

Susie wrote: "I have a question for those of you who have listened to Game of Thrones is it hard to keep track of all the characters?... I'm watching the HBO series and sometimes find it hard and I'm guessing th..."

I haven't listened to the audio or watched the series on hbo. But when I read the book, I found it confusing and hard to keep up with all the characters at first. I just kept reading and after the halfway point, it all started falling into place and became easier.

[MissSusie]

Laura wrote: "Susie wrote: "I have a question for those of you who have listened to Game of Thrones is it hard to keep track of all the characters?... I'm watching the HBO series and sometimes find it hard and I..."

Thanks I've been thinking of trying the book since I am loving the series!

[Carolyn F.]

I'm listening to Drop Dead Gorgeous and Open House and I'm loving both of them.

[Mejix]

Just started Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux. Tracks are like 8mins long. The book itself is good though. So far so good.

[Carolyn F.]

Finished Open House, loved it. The narrator Beth Fowler was fantastic.

Now I'm starting Tending to Virginia. I listen to cassettes in my car so this is the car audiobook.

[Chrissie]

Lindsey, I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I had to put 2.5 years between Skye's death and reading the book. There is nothing harder than loosing a dog you loved. I still think about Skye, but Oscar is wonderful in his OWN special way. Just like with kids - you love one and then you can love another too.

[Julie C]

Susie wrote: "I have a question for those of you who have listened to Game of Thrones is it hard to keep track of all the characters?... I'm watching the HBO series and sometimes find it hard and I'm guessing th..."

I'm currently on book 5 of the series and the only stumbling block was book 4 as it seemed to be witten in a different style so sort of lost the plot. Back on track with book 5 and loving it. Going to get the whole series read and then get the DVD's to watch just to compare.

[Chrissie]

I enjoyed every minute of A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty: A Novel, narrated by the author! This is so weird, it is not my usual kind of book. I adored the dialog, particularly what Mosey said.

ETA: It is half price now at Audible. That is why I gave it a try. You will not be disappointed. It is so funny - the lines I mean.

[Janet]

I see the Literate Housewife's gentlemen's winners are in. Biggest shock....no Jim Dale. I figured Phil Gigante would make it but he's another one I'm going to have to give another chance...just didn't think he had the right voice for Moning's Highlander series.

[MissSusie]

Just finished Ready Player One by, Ernest Cline narrated by, Wil Wheaton this was just a fun adventure!

Now starting Come Home by, lisa Scottoline narrated by, Maggi-Meg Reed

[Heidi]

Susie wrote: "Just finished Ready Player One by, Ernest Cline narrated by, Wil Wheaton this was just a fun adventure!

Now starting Come Home by, lisa Scottoline narrated by, Maggi-Meg Reed"

I liked Wil's narration of Ready Player One :)

[MissSusie]

Heidi wrote: "Susie wrote: "Just finished Ready Player One by, Ernest Cline narrated by, Wil Wheaton this was just a fun adventure!

Now starting Come Home by, lisa Scottoline narrated by, Maggi-Meg Reed"

I..."

Yep he was good...this book is just so full of nerdy goodness LOL

[Grumpus, Hearing aide]

I just finished Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. It was an amazing listen that reminded me that strength does not have to be loud. You can read my comments here.

[Kelly]

Grumpus wrote: "I just finished Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. It was an amazing listen that reminded me that strength does not have to be loud. You can read my comments here."

Great review! I've been meaning to read this and your post prompted me to check my library again to see if it's in and it is, in audio format no less! Looking forward to this one ...

[Janice]

I just finished Solaris. There were some pretty dry parts in the story when the character was reading technical papers. The narration was spot on, though.

I just started The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break.

[John, Moderator]

I'm about halfway through Very Bad Men (David Loogan #2) - I did read the first one and, although this one stands alone in terms of plot, I'd recommend reading them in order.

[Susan]

Just finished Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick, and will be starting The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. I read The Book Thief in print form, so listening on audio will actually be a reread for me.

[Heidi]

Susan wrote: "Just finished Foreign Bodies by Cynthia Ozick, and will be starting The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. I read The Book Thief in print form, so listening on audio will actually be a reread for me."

I think you will love the narrator for the Book Thief and how he pronounces the German words. I did :) p.s. I also loved the audiobook for Markus's other book I Am the Messenger.

[LindaD]

Janet wrote: "I may have mentioned before but I am listening to The House At Riverton by Kate Morton and narrated by Caroline Lee. I too am about 3/4 through but I'm enjoying every minute. I found myself drivi..."

I have used sooo much gas on audiobooks! parks are great for stopping to listen, but I get a lot of suspiscious glances from moms, lol

[Shirley]

Finished

Beachcombers: A Novel

A great way to meet and learn about the characters. I bought 2 more and hope some will be on sale in May.

Started

Still Alice

[Wendy T]

Over the past two weeks I have finished the following books: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. I enjoyed this book, but found it confusing. I gave this book 3 stars.
Deep Down True: A Novel by Juliette Fay. I loved this book! I gave it 5 stars
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad. I thought is was an okay young adult book. I gave it 3 stars.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I found this book very interesting and I gave it 4 stars
The Switch. Another good book by one of my favourite authors. I gave this book 4 stars.
Married In Seattle by Debbie Macomber. This was a cute book, I gave this book 3 stars.

I'm now listening to Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

[Shirley]

Wendy T wrote: "Over the past two weeks I have finished the following books: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. I enjoyed this book, but found it confusing. I gave this book 3 stars.
D..."

I watched Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and loved it.

[Kelly]

I finished First Grave on the Right last week. I really enjoyed the narration, the story wasn't my style (I don't think I'm sassy enough), but I did enjoy it somewhat.

Then I listened to The Emperor of All Maladies which was exquisite. Fantastic narration and outstanding book documenting the history of cancer.

Now I'm doing a relisten of The Testament. It's been sooo long since I've listened to Frank Muller, and I forgot just how powerful his performances are. My husband just bought the audio of the most recent Dark Tower book and it will be bizarre listening without his narration.

[Ancestral]

Have started listening to Arto Paasilinna's " The Year of the Hare " about a journalist who escapes his life in the company of a hare he rescues. Really liking it thus far. Apparently, it was written in the 70s and has been translated into a myriad of languages.

[Chrissie]

Ancestral, Audible doesn't have "The Year of the Hare" for Belgians..... that has been on my list too, but I didn't know it existed as an audio.

[Ancestral]

Chrissie: I didn't purchase it from Audible, I bought the CDs instead from an online bookstore.

[Chrissie]

Ancestral, do you then listen with a CD player? Isn't it hard to backtrack/rewind with those? I have been considering trying to listen to books on CDs. I often do a 30 second rewind. I will not be able to do that with a CD player. Or is it possible to get the CD onto my Ipod? I am new with this stuff.

[Ancestral]

I listen on my iPod: I import all CDs to iTunes, including books and use a programme (Chapter and Verse) to sort them properly, chapters and all.

[Wendy T]

Today I finished Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. LOVED IT!!! 5 STAR!!!

Started Messing Around With Max by Lori Foster

[Wendy T]

Last night I finished Messing Around With Max by Lori Foster. This was a new author for me and I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more books my this author. I gave this book 3 stars.

This morning I finished Say You're One of Them by Uwem Akpan. Sad stories, but a good read. I gave this book 4 stars.

I am now listening to
The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

[Chrissie]

Ancestral wrote: "I listen on my iPod: I import all CDs to iTunes, including books and use a programme (Chapter and Verse) to sort them properly, chapters and all."

Where can I get "Chapter and Verse"? Do i buy it somewhere or is it free. A link would be appreciated if you have one.

Do you all do it this way?

[Ancestral]

The software is free to download from: http://lodensoftware.com/chapter-and-...

I find it very effective, but I doubt everyone uses it. it's not necessary to listen on iPod, but I like to have my books organised into as small a number of chunks as I can.

[Lyn]

The Night Circus
This audio book was narrated by Jim Dale who did just a fantastic job! I will read anything that he deems to narrate........this was so imaginative; it's what I admire most about the creative mind of a writer - quite remarkable! I don't know if I would have enjoyed the written version quite as well, but the audiobook was marvellous!

[Chrissie]

Thank you, Ancestral.

[Carolyn F.]

I'm listening to Tending to Virginia and oh my gosh it's Whinefest 1988, every woman just complains and blames others for their problems. I'm on the verge of just stopping the audiobook. I have no idea how the book rated so high unless something spectacular takes place later.

[Frances]

I've just finished Shatter, by Michael Robotham .Wow this was a great thriller .Really one to keep you listening throughout the night !!!!
I bought it from one of AudibleUK's sales , as lot's of people seemed to have liked it (I gave it 5 stars too)

I was a bit anoyed at audible that they hadn't made it clear that this was nr. 3 of a series , not that it mattered for this book , but I will definately be looking in to the other books in the series , (and now I probably have knowlege that I shouldn't have had)

[Chrissie]

I finished Cry, the Beloved Country. I listened to the audio book narrated by Michael York. I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a book with gorgeous, wonderful writing. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I will now start The Colour by Rose Tremaine. Why this audio book? I have heard such great things about the writer, and it takes place in New Zealand. That draws me too. I am addicted to reading books about places I know little about. I hope the narration is good.

[Frances]

Wendy T wrote: "Today I finished Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. LOVED IT!!! 5 STAR!!!

I looked at the reviews of this book ....it really seems to be love it/ hate it book ...with people really raving and giving it 5+ stars or others 1 star and being rather obscene about how much they hated it
...rather amused me .....
the only thing is now ....which party would I belong to ?

[Lyn]

Jess wrote: "I'm nearing the end of A Brief History of Montmaray (I've already read it in print, but somebody - maybe in this group? - recommended the audio and I'm enjoying it). Going on a road trip in a few d..."

I SO agree with you. I'm on here right now looking for great audiobooks because we're headed to Indiana - 6hrs each way!!

[Susan]

Chrissie wrote: "I finished Cry, the Beloved Country. I listened to the audio book narrated by Michael York. I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a book with gorgeous, wonderful writing. My review: http://www..."

I read Cry, the Beloved Country so long ago that it might be due for another look.

I enjoyed The Colour very much, but read it in print form.

[Chrissie]

Susan, did you read Paton's book or listen to it? I think Michael York was fantastic as narrator. I have just begun The Colour - so far I am pleased, but few of the characters are happy. There is an underlying sadness reflected in both the words and the narrator's voice. I fear the book may be devoid of humor.

[Jeanie]

I finished "Tricked" of The Iron Druid Chronicles and adore Kevin Hearne's writing and especially Luke Daniel's narration! This fourth installment has more of Oberon than "Hammered" did and is better proportional to the number of Oberon's scenes.

Luke Daniels has joined the pantheon of Voices, imo, with Jim Dale as the Zeus of readers, but Luke is the Lugh.

[Shirley]

Just finished

Still Alice

What a marvelous way to get to know Alice and watch her go. How such a disease can change your life as you know it. A burden no soul should endure.

Starting

Summer House: A Novel

[Nancy]

Just finished
White Witch, Black Curse

I enjoy this series and Marguerite Gavin is an *excellent* narrator.

Starting next
Angelology

I see the overall book reviews are either high or low, but picked up here that the audio version was pretty good. I hope so! (though reading back it seems like it was slow and draggy. I'm not good at that so I may end up dropping it if I can't get engaged)

[MissSusie]

Just finished Come Home by, Lisa Scottoline narrated by,Maggi-Meg Reed the audio production I was impressed with Maggi-Meg Reed’s of the young girl with braces because I knew she had braces before the book mentioned it. However there was a lot of crying and wailing going on and that got annoying so that part of it I had wished I’d read instead of having to hear it. The narration was a bit over the top and I am not totally convinced I wouldn’t have liked this book more if the characters hadn’t all sounded so whiny. This one was just a 3 star read better than ok but not great.

Now starting a re-read of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by, Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows narrated by, Paul Boehmer, Susan Duerden, Rosalyn Landor, John Lee, Juliet Mills for bookclub and how can I go wrong with the audio with this list of narrators!?!

[Regan]

I think that Guernsey Literary might be better in audio than print. I got the print version (in an airport I think) and was actually confused and thought one of the main characters was a woman and he's actually male. Don't ask me how it happened, I'm not really sure. I think the character "voice" just seemed female to me.

I also had issues with one of the love stories in the book which didn't quite ring true for me.

I liked the book -- I especially like epistolary novels – but because of these mis-steps with the characters, I can't say it was great. But sometimes, I think a narrator can give the right tone to a character and give it something I miss when reading.

[Frances]

Just finished Immoral, again a new author for me ...it's nr one in a series so look foward to listening to more as this was a great storey.

[Heidi]

Guernsey was very good on audio. My problem was I listened to it directly after listening to the Help (still one of my top 3 favortie audiobooks), so I think that is why I did not love it as much as everyone else. For me it was good but not great.

[MissSusie]

I read Guernsey back in 2009 and loved it and I am really enjoying the audio version!All the narrators are just wonderful!