Spring 2012

[D.G.]

It will be interesting to see your opinion on Hounded. The feelings on that series tend to be on the strong side: either you love it or hate it. Some people don't like the portrayal of women but I don't have any problems with it (but then, I hate all this PC crap.)

[Barbara]

Michele wrote: "Hi! I'm a brand new member of this group and relatively new to Goodreads. I have been enjoying some BBC Radio 4 adaptations of Charles Dickens novels just lately. I confess to having less patience ..."

Michele, I've listened to other BBC radio adaptations, but never of Dickens. Where did you get yours?

[John, Moderator]

Hi, Michele!

I like full cast productions of Sherlock Holmes stuff myself. The Pickwick Papers was the first Dickens I read, audio version. I had trouble getting into Our Mutual Friend, having to abandon it, and try again much later.

[Pers]

Barbara wrote: "Michele wrote: "Hi! I'm a brand new member of this group and relatively new to Goodreads. I have been enjoying some BBC Radio 4 adaptations of Charles Dickens novels just lately. I confess to havin..."

Amazon UK and Audible UK - although in the case of Amazon it was ye olde worlde cassettes which a friend's dad then converted into mp3s for our digital players!

[Pers]

John wrote: "Hi, Michele!

I like full cast productions of Sherlock Holmes stuff myself. The Pickwick Papers was the first Dickens I read, audio version. I had trouble getting into Our Mutual Friend, having to ..."

I listened to the version of Our Mutual Friend from the 90s, with Michael Kitchen in the eponymous role. It seemed to leap from the laptop's speakers to my ears with ease... And I enjoyed it so much that I immediately wanted to read the novel (as with Bleak House from the same era and also starring Michael Kitchen (as John Jarndyce)).

[John, Moderator]

Speaking of full cast, I did enjoy a performance of Jane Austen's Lady Susan, a series of correspondence among various characters, with a different reader for each individual.

[Susan]

One of my all-time favorite audiobooks was Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, and the other books in the Dark Materials trilogy that were full cast. Utterly spectacular. Since I get my audiobooks from the library, I just get what they have, and sometimes I do end up with a full cast recording, and I love them.

[Barbara]

I get my audiobooks from the library too and have been fortunate enough to find BBC recordings. We have access to other libraries though. I will do a search for the Dickens ones in particular.

[Pers]

Barbara wrote: "I get my audiobooks from the library too and have been fortunate enough to find BBC recordings. We have access to other libraries though. I will do a search for the Dickens ones in particular."

My local library doesn't have masses of audiobooks, but fortunately I have friends as mad on them as I, so we have an informal borrowing system in place.

[Kelly]

I finished Zodiac and am now reading Ballad of the Whiskey Robber. It is part book, part dramatization and I am really enjoying it! Very well done, IMO.

[Susan]

FinishedThe Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. Not my cup of tea at all. My "review" (such as it is):
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Wendy T]

Today I finished The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge. I really enjoyed this book. i was really happy with the ending of this book. I gave this book 4 stars.

I am now starting The Defiant Hero by Suzanne Brockmann

[Elizabeth]

Hi. Am new to the group and delighted to read through and find such great recommendations.

I just finished The Reversal, on audio, and really liked it. The narrator, Peter Giles, reads quite a few of the Michael Connelly books, and it is like hearing an old friend at this point. My only complaint is that the book loses steam in the final chapters - kinda like the author was in a rush to tie things up.

[John, Moderator]

Welcome, Elizabeth!

I'm just over an hour into Objects of My Affection: A Novel, read by Xe Sands. I was a bit leery of the reviews highlighting the "romance" angle, but it's not bad so far.

[Janice]

I have been listening to "13 and 1/2" by Nevada BarrNevada Barr, but when I plugged my Sansa Fuze in this morning, it does nothing! I have it plugged into the laptop now, but it is not even showing up under "My Computer". I don't think the battery is dead, I had charged it recently. Has anyone else had this happen? Is this how the MP3 player dies? I haven't had any problems with it, until today. I had plans to listen today while working out and gardening--how disappointing!

[Kelly]

Hi Elizabeth, good to have you here!

Janice wrote: "I have been listening to "13 and 1/2" by Nevada BarrNevada Barr, but when I plugged my Sansa Fuze in this morning, it does nothing! I have it plugged into the laptop now, but it is not even showin..."

My ipod mini died that way. I found some directions online to fix it but never tried it as I had an ipod touch and just used that. Maybe you can find directions online to fix your Sansa?

[John, Moderator]

Does your Fuze play okay, or is it that it won't turn on at all?

[Janice]

I did look online, and found a method for "resetting", and luckily that worked. It was not coming on at all, just quit while I was listening, and seemed totally dead, and not even showing up on My Computer when attached to the laptop. The reset requires just holding the "on" button in an up position for about 20 seconds, then restarting. I was very relieved to find such an easy fix, panic averted! Now it seems to be working just fine. Thanks for the responses.

[John, Moderator]

My Clip+ crashed once, unfortunately requiring me to format the device - ugh! Glad your situation worked out well.

[Bxrlover]

Just finished The Girl in the Garden but as it is a YA novel it wasn't my thing.

[Barbara]

I'm about halfway through I Am Half Sick Of Shadows and, so far, it's not grabbing me like the previous three in the Flavia de Luce series.

[MissSusie]

I am finally almost done with The Jungle narrated by, Paul Boehmer his narration has kept me going I think I would have given up on it if I had read it in paper book. It's not so much that I don't lke this book it's just the people in it never get a break it's just hardship after hardship but it's just I like it but I don't..this is going to be a hard one to review.

I do know that after this one I am going to have to listen to something fun and happy!

[Elizabeth]

Am currently listening to The Cabinet of Curiosities and am enjoying the ride. The best in the Pendergast series so far.

[Kelly]

Janice wrote: "I did look online, and found a method for "resetting", and luckily that worked. It was not coming on at all, just quit while I was listening, and seemed totally dead, and not even showing up on My..."

So glad you got it working! I go in a mild panic when my electronics that play my audio books stop working. :-)

[BiblioJen]

I was SO excited to log on to Audible today and discover that was released today as an audiobook!! W00t!!!! If you haven't read Cynthia Hand's "Unearthly" and "Hallowed", I can highly recommend both. I got "Unearthly" on audio first, and liked it so much that I bought it for my Kindle also. I was really crushed when "Hallowed" was released and the audio wasn't immediately available. Today is a good day! :-)

[D.G.]

BiblioJen wrote: "I was SO excited to log on to Audible today and discover that was released today as an audiobook!! W00t!!!! If you haven't read Cynthia Hand's "Unearthly" and "Hallowed", I c..."

I have Unearthly on my iPad. Maybe I should bump it up the TBR!

[BiblioJen]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "I have Unearthly on my iPad. Maybe I should bump it up the TBR!"

D.G. - I rate "Unearthly" slightly higher than "Hallowed," and they were both AWESOME! I highly recommend these, and they both make my very exclusive :-) "Favorites in YA" list. I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy!

[Wendy T]

Yesterday I finished Hemingway Deadlights: A Mystery by Michael Atkinson. I thought this book was just okay, I couldn't contact with any of the characters in this book. I was surprise I finished this books. I gave this book 2 stars.

I finished the 2nd book in the Troubleshooters series. The Defiant Hero by Suzanne Brockmann. This was another amazing story. I just love this series. 5 stars!

I am now starting Deja Vu by Fern Michaels

[Fran]

I'm halfway through Bryce Courtenay's Tommo and Hawk. I bought the first book in the trilogy, The Potato Factory, during one of Audibles $4.95 sales and now I'm hooked. The story is brutal at times, but the narration is really well done. I also finished The Importance of Being Earnest which was a freebie through Audible. It was light and enjoyable and it must certainly be the precursors to British sitcoms and actors like Michael Palin and John Cleese.

[Ellen]

I'm listening to English Creek, by Ivan Doig. After finishing Game of Thrones a few weeks ago, I felt the need for something thoughtful and soothing. I love Ivan Doig. Although this is only the second book I've read by him (I read the prequel, Dancing at the Rascal Fair about a year ago), I hope to read everything he has written.

[Frances]

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 the first one . but still very enjoyable.

The Bone Gardendiffernt to Tess Gerritsen's normal books , going back and forth in time , but great book.

The Art of Racing in the Rain, I really didn't think I was going to like this one , even though I'm a huge dog lover ....a dog talking about motor racing !!!!, but I got into it - and it was soooo much more , loved it of course .

The Innocentvery exciting

Thirteen Reasons Why sad subject , but still a really great audiobook .

Whiskey Sour, again new series to me...I don't normally apreciate authors trying to be whitty, but in this storey it worked , alongside a great crime detective storey. well narrated.

the only one to spoil my list , was Hard Girls nowhere near up to Martina Cole 's normal standard - shame .

[Janice]

Ellen wrote: "I'm listening to English Creek, by Ivan Doig. After finishing Game of Thrones a few weeks ago, I felt the need for something thoughtful and soothing. I love Ivan Doig. Although this is only the sec..."

I love Ivan Doig as well. That triology, English Creek, Dancing at the Rascal Fair, and Ride With Me, Mariah Montana are my very favorites by him. I read the paper versions, but would love to hear them on audio, with a good narrator. I recently saw that my library now has audio versions. I will be anxious to hear what you think of them.

[Elizabeth]

Fran wrote: "I'm halfway through Bryce Courtenay's Tommo and Hawk. I bought the first book in the trilogy, The Potato Factory, during one of Audibles $4.95 sales and now I'm hooked. The story is brutal at time..."

Love Bryce Courtnay - if you have not read them yet, check out The Power of One and it's sequel. I read them as DTBs not audio - so cannot provide feedback on the audio quality.

[D.G.]

BiblioJen wrote: "D.G. - I rate "Unearthly" slightly higher than "Hallowed," and they were both AWESOME! I highly rec..."

I'll add it to my TBR for next month then!

[D.G.]

Have you ever been afraid of the end of a book? I have less than an hour to go on Faithful Place and I haven't been able to finish it for days. Given how this author's books usually end, I'm expecting we'll get a disagreeable ending.

Meanwhile, I've been listening I, Juan de Pareja, a book that details the life of Velazquez' slave (who is the subject of my most absolute favorite portrait ever.) Although it's sort of biographical, it's a little simplistic so now I know why it's considered a children's book. Most likely I'll finish that one sooner than Faithful Place.

[Frances]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Have you ever been afraid of the end of a book? I have less than an hour to go on Faithful Place and I haven't been able to finish it for days. Given how this author's books usually end, I'm expect..."

Yes !! I get this way with some of Jodi picoult's books . Well I dread the ending , but still have to listen on to hear it.

[Elizabeth]

Just finished The Cabinet of Curiosities. I listened to an audio of this book, the third installment in the Pendergast series, and I think it is the best in the series so far. It reads well as a stand-alone book as well, so would be a good intro to the series. I was fascinated by the historical details about the cabinets of curiosities and 19th century New York city. My only complaint is that the book rushes to an ending - almost like the authors ran into a deadline.

[Xe]

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Have you ever been afraid of the end of a book? I have less than an hour to go on Faithful Place and I haven't been able to finish it for days. Given how this author's books usually end, I'm expect..."

Gracious yes. That happened to me with The Fault in Our Stars, and The Time Traveler's Wife. SO hard to face what I knew would come, but they were both so compelling (for me) that I couldn't help but go on.

BTW, although I read TFIOS in print, just read a glowing review of it in audio, narrated by Kate Rudd.

[MissSusie]

After The Jungle I needed something fun and decided on The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by, Christopher Healy narrated by, Bronson Pinchot I am totally understanding the Bronson love now he is fantastic really fun voices in this one already reminding me a little of Princess Bride.

[Ancestral]

This evening I made a start on The Lollipop Shoes by Joanne Harris and I am enjoying the narration by Juliette Stevenson.

[Laura]

lostime4me wrote: "I FINALLY finished Paula Quinn's -Tamed by a Highlander. an HEA ..."

I know this is probably a really dumb question....
but what is HEA?

[D.G.]

HEA = Happily Ever After. Meaning that you know the couple will be together at the end. :)

[Laura]

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! :)

[D.G.]

You shouldn't! Who can keep track of all of Internet acronyms? :)

[Regan]

The Ivan Doig books are on my list of things to read as well. Have been for years, but somehow have never gotten to them. It would be nice to have them on audio.

[Bxrlover]

I tried to get into The Bone Garden but quit an hour into it. I started ( and am really enjoying so far) Skeletons at the Feast instead.

[Ellen]

Janice wrote: "I love Ivan Doig... I will be anxious to hear what you think of them. "

Dancing at the Rascal Fair was a little slow getting going for me but eventually I became totally engrossed. English Creek grabbed me right away but there are some long stretches of explanation where my mind tends to wander.

But the characters in both books are so believable and three-dimensional and their situations feel so real, I feel like I'm living their lives along with them. Plus there's something so decent and humane about Doig. On top of all that, there's such a wonderful sense of place. I'm dying to go visit Montana now!

[Javasapien]

Ellen wrote: "I'm listening to English Creek, by Ivan Doig. After finishing Game of Thrones a few weeks ago, I felt the need for something thoughtful and soothing. I love Ivan Doig. Although this is only the sec..."

Ellen, do you recommend starting with the prequel first, as you did? I've had those on my list and you've peaked my interest again on them now.

[Javasapien]

I'm currently listening to the 46 hour long "The Winds Of War" by Herman Wouk. Both the narrator and the story are very good so far.

[Xe]

Laura wrote: "lostime4me wrote: "I FINALLY finished Paula Quinn's -Tamed by a Highlander. an HEA ..."

I know this is probably a really dumb question....
but what is HEA?"

I'm smiling because when I was first visiting the romance forums, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what that meant! You're definitely not alone :)