Audiobooks discussion

About a third of the way through The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia, which has focused on Denmark so far, as that's where the author lives. Now, on to Iceland. Narration is a good fit. Came to this one after bailing on Never Argue with a Dead Person: True and Unbelievable Stories from the Other Side, where I found the author too full of himself.

I finished The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I ended up rating it 4 stars, but in reality it's solid 3.5 for me. I thought the two story lines were interesting and it certainly kept me listening, but I didn't feel a really strong connection with the main characters.

I think the author has a tendency to over explain every thought and emotion and that can backfire into making the characters too 'analysed' and I end up not feeling for them as much as I have in other books dealing with the same topic.
Still it's an awful and heartbreaking topic and it's impossible not be moved, even though this book fiction, I always remember that millions of real people went through this...and when thinking about that I did shed a couple of tears.
I did like the narration by Polly Stone, I thought she was easy to listen too, and it's a big book for one person to carry off well, I thought she did a good job of it.

Next up is Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica I was first on hold for this at the library, which sounds intriguing, and narrated by Cassandra Campbell, who is one of my favourites.

Patricia, those are two I have been eying. I picked up The Nightingale b/c it was free from a GR group! I have been a little bit skeptical towards both, so please tell me what you think of Kubica's.

Yesterday, I finished Damocles. I loved it. I thought it was a terrific first contact story. I saw that there are some negative reviews, but I thought the story was really good.

Because of all the people who were talking about Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant series last month, I decided to get the last book in the series, Foxglove Summer. The previous book was so dark, I had to take a break. This seems a bit lighter...so far.

Just getting ready to start Number of the Beast: Paladin Cycle, Book One. It is a listen-2-review so I will definitely be posting my review on Goodreads as well as Audible.

I recently finished Where All Light Tends to Go, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, and have to say it was one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Harsh and aching story, but perfectly delivered.

I've been on a Legend of Drizzt binge and finished sojourn, The Crystal Shard, and am two thirds into Streams of Silver. I'm really enjoying the series and the narration. I'm hoping to get through The Halfling's Gem before Tuesday when the next Benedict Jacka/Alex Verus, Rhys Bowen/Royal Spyness, Ellery Adams/Book Retreat, and one other book I can't remember come out. Lots of good books to read all at once... what a lovely problem to have!

The oroblem with Drizzt is you have the main # system then the minor # system. i have a hard time keeping track where I am in the series. I think about #8 whichever subseries that is

Yes, Sandi. I thought Damocles was beautiful and beautifully narrated.

Travis of NNY wrote: "The oroblem with Drizzt is you have the main # system then the minor # system. i have a hard time keeping track where I am in the series. I think about #8 whichever subseries that is"

Fortunately, I found the series page on Audible for the Legend of Drizzt/Forgotten Realms series and they give both the number in order for the overall sequence and the number within the trilogy or tetrology within the greater series.
I finished The Dark Elf Trilogy and am now into The Halfling's Gem which will complete The Icewind Dale Trilogy and then I will move on to The Legend of the Drow which is a tetrology. I think I will take a break after this trilogy, but it's hard to stop once you get going. The series page lists thirty books in the series so it will take me a while whether I intersperse other books or not. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get to this series, but I'm really glad I finally did.

I'm working on the new release Domesticated: Evolution in a Man-Made World, and LOVING it so far. Each chapter is devoted to a different animal type that has been domesticated by humans. If you are into science and evolution then I can recommend this one. Not a huge fan of the narrator at all though. He has a horrible, nasally voice. He's done a lot of narration though, so I guess someone likes him enough to keep buying his narration.

Xe wrote: "I recently finished Where All Light Tends to Go, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, and have to say it was one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Harsh and aching story, but ..."

I agree!!!

Later this evening I hope to finish The Green Road. Excellent story of an Irish Catholic family through the years

I did finish The Halfling's Gem and figure this is a good stopping point to take a rest and read some other books. The big problem is I can't seem to figure out what to read next. Four books I want to read come out on Tuesday, but what to pick in the mean time? And, no, it doesn't help to have 444 books in my TBR pile... it makes making a choice harder. I found a cool word the other day--abulia. It indicates a lack of will or inability to make a choice... I'm verging on the clinical diagnosis as I write. Maybe I'll just buy another book rather than choosing... now, which book do I buy? Aaargh!

Jeanie wrote: "I did finish The Halfling's Gem and figure this is a good stopping point to take a rest and read some other books. The big problem is I can't seem to figure out what to read next. Four books I wa..."

I have started disciplining myself to read my to-read list generally in the order I got them, so the newest book goes to the bottom of my list. I've been pretty good about it, though I'm reading The Nightingale right now (which I just got).

Xe wrote: "I recently finished Where All Light Tends to Go, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, and have to say it was one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Harsh and aching story, but ..."

I've had my eye on this one will have to pick it up!

I loved his narration of Fourth of July Creek.

Xe wrote: "I recently finished Where All Light Tends to Go, narrated by MacLeod Andrews, and have to say it was one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. Harsh and aching story, but ..."

I am rereading (and enjoying) Thirteenth Night by Alan Gordon for a book club, in print, only because it is not available in audio, which I would much prefer. It is the first in the Fools' Guild series set in the Medieval period. A couple of later books in the series are in audio, which I will check out later.

Margaret wrote: "I am rereading (and enjoying) Thirteenth Night by Alan Gordon for a book club, in print, only because it is not available in audio, which I would much prefer. It is the first in the Fools' Guild se..."

That is a fun series. Enjoy!

The Nightingale started slowly for me, and I didn't think the ending was very strong, but overall I thought the book was very good. Narration got better for me as the book went on.

Next up, a book I got on sale awhile back...not my usual fare: Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World.

In the middle of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and I'm really enjoying it. I was reluctant to start since it's so long and wasn't sure I was in the mood for that kind of story. Hooked now.

Catherine wrote: "In the middle of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and I'm really enjoying it. I was reluctant to start since it's so long and wasn't sure I was in the mood for that kind of story. Hooked now."

Catherine, stick with it and you will not be disappointed. I loved the story and the narration. Wallace Stegner is such a good storyteller!

Catherine wrote: "In the middle of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and I'm really enjoying it. I was reluctant to start since it's so long and wasn't sure I was in the mood for that kind of story. Hooked now."

All of Wallace Stegner is fabulous.

Fran wrote: "Catherine wrote: "In the middle of The Big Rock Candy Mountain and I'm really enjoying it. I was reluctant to start since it's so long and wasn't sure I was in the mood for that kind o..."

Agreed. Angle of Repose is one of my all-time favorites.

So yesterday, I'm stuck in traffic on the way home for three hours. And you know what? I didn't mind at all (well, not much). Why???

Because I got to finish I Am Pilgrim. What a great thriller. Yes - it is cliché and totally written to be a movie. But I will also say that I loved it and the ending gave me chills. Great read - and the narration is outstanding. Normally I think guys doing a girls voice is bad. Not in this case with Christopher Ragland.

Thanks to this group (once again) for the recommendation...

Now for a change of pace - How to Talk to a Widower will be started on the ride home today (hope I don't have to listen to more than an hour of it...)

Nancy, please let us know how you like How to Talk... I loved my first Tropper (This is Where I Leave You), and am debating which of his books to get next.

I had The Legend of Drizzt Collected Stories that is/was free so I decided to go ahead and listen. It spoiled many storylines for books after The Icewind Dale trilogy but I find I don't mind knowing what to expect. They really should have indicated more clearly where the stories fall--they give dates but you have to have looked up the timeline in order to know what they mean.

I picked up Malice at the Palace, the newest release in the Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen and narrated brilliantly--as usual--by Katherine Kellgren. I'm only about two hours in and I must say that Georgiana's inept maid is wearing thin with me. She may be funny in a Three Stooges sort of way, but after a certain amount of time I expect her to improve or for Georgiana to dump her

So I finished The Book Thief after people told me to hang in there after the unusual narrative beginning. I ended up liking it well enough, though maybe not as much as All the Light We Cannot See, as far as kid protagonist WW2 era books goes.

After that, I listened to The Kraken Project because I felt after all the heaviness I needed something ridiculous. This was definitely that, but it could have been much better I think. If you've created the greatest AI computer program ever, I don't think your book should devolve into a basic chase at the end.

Anyway, I am currently listening to The Queen of the Tearling which has definitely started out promisingly. The story is unfolding slowly but surely.

I finished up Sashenka. It was a whispersync which came in handy with the patronymics. The narration was good, but the story came together too neatly at the end. Otherwise it was a decent historical fiction through the years of tsarist Russia, Stalin and Lenin rule and the contemporary oligarchs. I'm now listening to Murder in Newport. Something quick and easy after a long listen.

I ended up ditching Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World. I just wasn't that interested, and then I kept getting confused by all the names.

Now I'm on Year Zero. Seems light enough to get me through.

Chrissie wrote: "Patricia, those are two I have been eying. I picked up The Nightingale b/c it was free from a GR group! I have been a little bit skeptical towards both, so please tell me what you think of Kubica's."
I did find Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica very gripping and I ended up binge listening to the last few hours because I wanted to know what happened. However it wasn't really a 'thriller' for me, two women that have had horrible things happen to them come together and then everything spirals out of control. I felt desperately sorry for both of them and they were both likeable...and I didn't want anything else bad to happen.
I enjoyed the writing (the stories of the two women is told in flashbacks) and thought the narration by all three narrators; Cassandra Campbell, Tom Taylorson, Jorjeana Marie, was excellent.

Just about to finish Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekbäck which ended up being quite different to what I thought, a little confusing at times, but overall a good listen. Great narration by Alyssa Bresnahan.

I finished a couple of audiobooks over the weekend - Dog on It and Fairest.

I started Song of Susannah today.

Thanks, Patricia. I think I will skip it.

Kristie, I Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World adored. SOoooooo interesting, but you have to be interested in history. A new way of looking at the Mongols.

I finished Malice at the Palace. Really great narration, good story, highly anticipated ending... and now we have to wait a year to see if the ending is what it seemed... aaargh!

listening to Lustrum by Robert harris which is excellent and should finish it today. the audio version on audible is read by Bill Wallace but i've got the version recorded by RNIB here in the uk read by Tim Bruce.

Chrissie wrote: "Kristie, I Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World adored. SOoooooo interesting, but you have to be interested in history. A new way of looking at the Mongols."


I too found this very interesting, but if you aren't that interested it probably can easily become a snooze fest

The Count of Monte Cristo is what I've spent the last week on. Set it down to listen to Song of Susannah

Travis of NNY wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kristie, I Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World adored. SOoooooo interesting, but you have to be interested in history. A new way of looking at the Mongols...."

Well, we thought it was great. It is good different opinions are voiced.

I've been on a bit of a non-fiction run the last week or so. Favorites have been:
* The Big Thirst: The Marvels, Mysteries & Madness Shaping the New Era of Water by Charles Fishman Excellent look at the issues facing the modern world in regards to getting water to everyone who needs it and also our emotional comfort levels in regards to recycling and use. Focuses a lot on Australia and the issues we have been having.

* Soccernomics: Why England Loses, Why Germany and Brazil Win, and Why the U.S., Japan, Australia, Turkey--and Even Iraq--Are Destined to Become the Kings of the World's Most Popular Sport really takes apart a lot of the myths people have regarding world cup perfomance and also the player trading systems.

*Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers Mary Roach does it again and shows you the world of cadavers. Its insightful and funny, dont eat while listening to it.

*On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King. This is more of a memoir rather than a how to book however, he goes into such depth on how he does what he does, you learn a lot. Stepen narrates this one and while not a professional narrator, hearing someone who is excellent with words, in their own words, talking about words is fantastic.

Chrissie wrote: "Kristie, I Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World adored. SOoooooo interesting, but you have to be interested in history. A new way of looking at the Mongols."

Yeah, I think it was more about the frame of mind I was in...I just couldn't force myself to keep tracking the story. I may try it again one day.

Kristie wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Kristie, I Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World adored. SOoooooo interesting, but you have to be interested in history. A new way of looking at the Mongols...."

Do try. I also found it incredibly interesting.

Kristie,Travis of NY and I both liked it a lot!

As for myself Kristie I know what you mean because I have to be in just the right mood for both non-fiction and classics. Both categories I never force on myself but when vrowsing through my library just know when I'm in the mood for them. I won't even know I'm in the mood ubtil the title jumps out at me and I know I'm ready

I'm starting Murder in the Paperback Parlor, second in the Book Retreat cozy mystery series by Ellery Adams. The first one had a good premise with an old inn dedicated to book lovers so I'm looking forward to how this develops. One thing I noticed was the writing style didn't flow quite right in audio... maybe the narration, maybe the prose... we'll see.

Jeanie wrote: "I'm starting Murder in the Paperback Parlor, second in the Book Retreat cozy mystery series by Ellery Adams. The first one had a good premise with an old inn dedicated to book lovers so I'm looki..."

Hmmm maybe that is why I didn't get into the first book that well - I listened to it on audio too.

Janice wrote: "I finished a couple of audiobooks over the weekend - Dog on It and Fairest.

I started Song of Susannah today."

I just finished Fairest as well. I really dislike Levana so it was hard to like a book entirely dedicated to her! I really enjoyed Dog On it once I got used to it.

Nancy wrote: "So yesterday, I'm stuck in traffic on the way home for three hours. And you know what? I didn't mind at all (well, not much). Why???

Because I got to finish I Am Pilgrim. What a..."

I'm glad you liked I Am Pilgrim. I liked it okay I guess, but I did think it was a bit farfetched. I'm just putting it out there in case anyone else is thinking of "reading" it.

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Janice wrote: "I finished a couple of audiobooks over the weekend - Dog on It and Fairest.

I started Song of Susannah today."

I just finished Fairest as..."

I guess I'd have to say I "appreciated" Fairest rather than enjoyed it. Levana is sick but it was interesting to see how she developed and that a different choice here or there could have totally diverted her from the path she was on, yet she kept making the same choice. I couldn't help thinking in the early stages of her obsessive love that it's a good thing teen and tween girls here on Earth don't have the powers of Levana--teen heartthrobs should be glad as well!

Heidi (Yup. Still here.) wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "I'm starting Murder in the Paperback Parlor, second in the Book Retreat cozy mystery series by Ellery Adams. The first one had a good premise with an old inn dedicated to book love..."

A couple of hours into the new book and I'm convinced the issue has more to do with the prose than the narration. The phrasing is sometimes just a little too studied or mannered to feel natural. I'm also feeling Johanna Parker's narration is just a little flat, but it might not feel that way if the text had a more natural feel.

Yeah I know I am supposed to feel that way about Levana Jeanie and admit my reaction is not natural and also that it is a sign of a good story teller to create someone I love to hate so much!

I think it is mixture of writing and stilted narration for the E. Adams book. I normally love Johanna Parker so I don't think it is all her fault.