Audiobooks discussion

Starting the month off with the suspense novel Caught in the Light, which is proving interesting after a slow start.

i've been down hard with covid the last week - it only took me two years to catch it....man it sucks! so i'm finishing up A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France - i haven't read a lot about different resistance efforts, so finding this interesting

also The Maid came in for me right before i went down - but i'm skeptical - a couple hours in an ehhh

Dee wrote: "i've been down hard with covid the last week - it only took me two years to catch it....man it sucks! so i'm finishing up [book:A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and R..."

Sorry to hear that, Dee! And I agree about The Maid”, I found it so-so.

Just finished The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton. A debut for Walton. The audio performance by a full cast was great, the story was so-so, 3 stars. I'm not a fan of the oral history format like Daisy Jones & The Six. Maybe it's just I haven't liked the storyline that much. Final Revival is about an interracial rock band of the 70's, with headliners Opal and Nev, chronicling several decades of their lives and loves. A little too slow paced for me though.

Sorry to hear that you've been sick with Covid, Dee. I hope you're doing better.

I read 6 audiobooks in the month of Jul 2022,


Ink and Bone
The Time Traveler's Wife
A Long Petal of the Sea
A Treacherous Curse
Soulless
Lost Among the Living

I started Shōgun but gave it up. The length is a little daunting.

I finished the first two Mage Errant books by John Bierce. They are entertaining enough, though the second didn’t hold my interest as well as the first, and I was irritated by occasional head-hopping that didn’t start til book 2. Comparing these with the other YA fantasy indies I’ve listened to lately, IMHO these have somewhat better prose than the Kingfountain books and better worldbuilding, but Kingfountain has more interesting characters, relationships, and emotional consequences. I don’t think I’ll continue with either series for now.

Now I’m listening to Way of the Argosi by Sebastien de Castell. I love Castell to death, and I’ve already read all his books except for these two Argosi ones. So far this one is quite grim — hoping it lightens up a bit! Fabulous narration by a new-to-me reader, Kristin Atherton.

I finished Mystery of Light, third and final book in the Ash Angels series by Brian K. Fuller. This was a good ending to the trilogy... although there seems to be room for a folow-up series if the author chooses to keep going. R. C. Bray did a great job narrating this series.

I can see how authors find it necessary to raise the stakes and increase the danger and action as each book progresses, but I missed the lighter aspects of the first book when we were learning about the Ash Angels and the fights were fewer. Like I said though, it makes sense that the action and danger intensify... but I wouldn't have begun this if it had started this intense... but I held on to the end and liked how it wrapped up.

I’m reading San Fransicko Why Progressive ps ruin cities. The author is focusing on homelessness issues in SF where he has been living for 30 years. I go there every other month or so and certain areas have gone down so badly and makes me sad. There is no easy fix and it’s one of the issues really Americans need to focus the most.

I decided to take a respite from serious books (started an audiobook on the history of war on drugs, listened to the prologue and the first chapter twice, but couldn't enough concentrate). So I fell a victim again to famous/not-so-famous actors narrating books. I'm listening to a 'light' sci-fi 'Dispatcher' by John Scalzi. Narrator is Zachary Quinto, who played a brain-crushing villain in the TV series 'Heroes.' The story started slow, for my taste, the first chapter consisting mostly of a dialogue in which I understood nothing. I had to read the blurb again. But the main intrigue is introduced at the end of the first chapter, the second chapter explains the book's main idea - in that world, people who die unnatural death return back - so the pace quickened and became more engaging.

The story is only 2 h long, and it's free. Recommend it to those who like to play with life/death questions

I started Clap When You Land this afternoon; I didn't realize what it was about before I began, which is probably just as well because I'm immediately invested.

The book opens with the crash of American Airlines flight 587, on 12 November 2001. Not a tragedy I was familiar with. I've enjoyed Elizabeth Acevedo's other novels, and she co-narrates this one as well, so I'm all in.

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe - 4* - My Review

Collection of twelve previously published essays from the New Yorker. I am not a true crime fan, but I found these articles provocative and informative. It is not quite as compelling as the other two of this author’s books I have read (Say Nothing and Empire of Pain), probably due to my preference for a longer work on a single topic over a series of articles, but definitely worth reading.

The audio is competently read by the author.

Finished off a great middle grade book Ravenous Things by Derrick Chow narrated by, Todd Haberkorn This book was fabulous spooky goodness! Fans of books like Coraline or Goosebumps will like this one!

Half done with After We Were Stolen by Brooke Beyfuss, narrated by, Jesse Vilinsky this one is about kids that got out of a cult so trigger warning for all assault.

Finished today Joan by Katherine J. Chen. A fictional version of Joan D'Arc, where she is portrayed as more secular than the real Joan. There was a long build-up of her childhood and family life, bit unclear if fiction or not, I figure the author made it up. Overall I did enjoy the story, and the narrator did an excellent job.

Up next is Kim Stanley Robinson's The High Sierra: A Love Story.

I was afraid that This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger wouldn't be as good as "Ordinary Grace," but I shouldn't have worried. Really good - five stars!

Now listening to a historical romance called The Lost Letter by Mimi Mathews and really enjoying it.

Jan wrote: "I was afraid that This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger wouldn't be as good as "Ordinary Grace," but I shouldn't have worried. Really good - five stars!

Now listening to a histo..."

Yes, they are different but I also loved them both.

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu - 4* - My Review

Creative series of interrelated dark short stories with a few recurring characters. The structure is unconventional, with portions written in different points of view and taking great leaps through time and space. One of the main themes is the importance of forming interpersonal connections. It is an exploration of grief and loss positioned within pandemic and climate change scenarios. I admired it and will look forward to reading another book by this author.

The audio book is nicely narrated by a cast of readers, one per short story.

Started Soul Taken by Patricia Briggs narrated by Lorelei King Release 8/23 I love this series and only recently started reading them on audio and I have to admit you have some points about the narrator, John. (he will understand)

Joy D wrote: "How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu - 4* - My Review

Creative series of interrelated dark short stories with a few recurring characters. The structure ..."

I liked it too, 4 stars. When I mentioned it last month it seemed like a lot of people hated it though. Oftentimes I find myself not agreeing with the reviews (so I don't bother to read a lot of them as they tend to be overly critical in my opinion). I also like books that rate poorly overall, and don't like books that get an average of 4.5 stars. Strange tastes I guess for me, I generally like what I read and I'm pretty good at selecting books that I would like. Glad to see that someone else appreciated a book that I also enjoyed.

Doug wrote: "I liked it too, 4 stars. When I mentioned it last month it seemed like a lot of people hated it though. Oftentimes I find myself not agreeing with the reviews (so I don't bother to read a lot of them as they tend to be overly critical in my opinion). I also like books that rate poorly overall, and don't like books that get an average of 4.5 stars. Strange tastes I guess for me, I generally like what I read and I'm pretty good at selecting books that I would like. Glad to see that someone else appreciated a book that I also enjoyed.."

Yes, you and I have something common - I also often like books others don't and don't care for books that have an average of 4.5 stars. I just figure my taste is out of the mainstream.

I try to select books I will enjoy, but sometimes read "group picks" that are hit or miss.

Joy D wrote: "Doug wrote: "I liked it too, 4 stars. When I mentioned it last month it seemed like a lot of people hated it though. Oftentimes I find myself not agreeing with the reviews (so I don't bother to rea..."

Ha Ha! I mentioned my dislike of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at another site, where an acquaintance replied "We'll just have to agree to disagree."

I finished up The First Argentines series by Jeff Wheeler last month, which was written more recently. I decided to go back to a series I had skipped by the same author this month, Whispers from Mirrowen, starting with book 1, Fireblood. This was written in 2013 and is nicely narrated by Michael Page instead of his usual narrator, Kate Rudd. I'm enjoying the change and the book. Maybe Wheeler has gotten a bit formulaic of late, or maybe it is the narrator difference? This is the only series by Jeff Wheeler that I have not read, aside from his current one that is not yet finished.

Seven Dirty Secrets was pretty good - a twisty ending that I had guessed as a possibility but wasn't a sure thing in my mind. So a good one for me!

next up is American Demon - it's a series but it's been a long time since the last book came out. So I've got to relearn the characters and plot. Fortunately the author did a quick/clever recap at the beginning!

Dual timeline story about race and racing set in the US in 2019 and mid-1800s. The story is a mixture of art, science, history, and social commentary. Parts of this book are compelling and beautifully written. As a warning, there is a good amount of cruelty and tragedy in this one.

Horse by Geraldine Brooks - 4* - My Review

The audio is nicely read by a cast of five.

Local Woman Missing came in for me at the library - so i'm listening to that right now

I'm still listening to Musashi. I'm down to 8 hours left of the 51. Phew. On my last road trip I started Crying in H Mart, so I'm going to pick that up when I'm out of 16th century Japan.

Musashi is going to be a 4* and it should probably be a 5*. I have to give credit to the author for such an undertaking, but the translation and the narration have a too modern feel if that makes sense. There are a lot of characters making it very difficult for the narrator to differentiate between them all. I liked Shōgun more even though it's the life and times of a different characters.

I just finished listening to Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama by Bob Odenkirk and really enjoyed it. As a lover of sketch comedy, the book felt like the greatest "how-to" guide into comedy than any how-to guide I have every read. And to be honest the true found in autobiographies are using better than most "how-tos" IMO. I'm glad Mr. Odenkirk has found his rythmn over the years, and it's remarkable how he has changed the face of comedy. From Chris Farley's "Matt Foley" penmanship on SNL, to his performance as Charles Manson on The Ben Stiller Show, and have you seen "The Audition" sketch from Mr. Show, we owe a lot of yucks to this man. And don't get me started on his contribution with drama in Breaking Bad as Saul Goodman. After a good listen (from the author no less), you too will shout out, "Thank you Bob!"

For my brief review:
Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama by Bob Odenkirk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A great read for anyone who enjoys reading about an insiders guide to sketch comedy and making it in showbiz. CCCD isn't an autobiography, as much as an homage to underground comedy, sketch comedy in particular, and how a comic misfit can make it as a actor. I loved revisiting some of my favorite sketches from SNL and Mr. Show, and it's remarkable how Mr. Odenkirk really changed the face of comedy. Comedy lovers have a lot owed to him. And with his new act in drama and more serious works (Breaking Bad, Nebraska, The Post, Nobody), it looks like the best is yet to come from this man. Lesson of this book: never give up in what YOU truly believe in.



View all my reviews

My review of Being There by Jerzy Kosiński

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This was one of the books available in the recent sale of short books.

Work has been insane, so I am mostly doing relistens. I am relistening to the Hyperion series on my own and relistening to the first Monster Hunter International book with a friend. It is her first time listening so I am enjoying a first time listen vicariously through her.

I'm excited for the release of a new John Dies book towards the end of the year. I also have a new book by the author of the Bobiverse series that I'm excited for and a new book in the Superego series. Now I just need more hours in the day :)

On the plus side, the novel contains deeply drawn believable characters. The 1970s setting is realistic, describing the counterculture, activism, the generation gap, drugs, Vietnam, etc. Crossroads is a Christian youth group, and these scenes are some of most convincing in the book. On the minus side, it is overly long (almost 700 pages). It is a book about life and there is not much of a storyline. It is obviously setting up the next book in the series, and the ending leaves a lot up in the air. So, overall, it was a mixed bag for me.

Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen - 3* - My Review

The 25-hour audio book is nicely narrated by David Pittu.

Joy D wrote: "On the plus side, the novel contains deeply drawn believable characters. The 1970s setting is realistic, describing the counterculture, activism, the generation gap, drugs, Vietnam, etc. Crossroads..."

I felt about the same. As someone who was around at the time, I feel Franzen captured the era well, but I don’t feel compelled to read the next book.

I felt invested enough to finish it but was rather disappointed by the ending. I tend to like books that feel complete and this one didn't.

I am trying to leave a message usin my phone. I have disappeared b/c i am in hospital with a fractured kneecap will return to gr when i am home. Have difficulty answering messages and seeing the screen

Heal quickly Chrissie!

I had hoped probems would stoppunching me. Janice!

Chrissie wrote: "I am trying to leave a message usin my phone. I have disappeared b/c i am in hospital with a fractured kneecap will return to gr when i am home. Have difficulty answering messages and seeing the sc..."

Let us know how you are doing when you can!

Wishing you a quick recovery, Chrissie. I knew that motorcycle was gonna be trouble ;)

O Chrissie, another set back. I just wish you could have some more luck with your health. Fingers crossed here for a speedy recovery!

Chrissie, hope you'll recover quickly and get back to your normal activities!

Haven't finished San Fransicko yet but started The Martian during my road trip. Entertaining but too much "scientific calculation" and the word "Then." It's like "I do this, THEN, I do that, THEN."

I've watched the movie years ago, so I'd like to watch it again after finishing the book.

Oh, Chrissie, I hope you get better soon and that all these problems are just your bad luck bunching up and that nothing but good fortune follows soon!

And J., I've missed your sense of humor! Make that inconsiderate job of yours behave and allow you to regularly read and comment once more! ;)

I mentioned before that I had read Beware of Chicken, Volume 1. Then I re-read it several times. Then I went to the Royal Road website to just sample Volume 2... sucked me into that rabbit hole and about 150 episodes later I'm now back into the real world and suffering withdrawl pains. I can hardly wait to get hold of a fully edited Volume 2 narrated by Travis Baldree. But it truly is interesting seeing how the story initially evolves.

Chrissie! Feel better soon!

I had to ditch American Demon The Hollows Series ended with book 13. Then six years later this one comes out. Even with a good recap into to get you back up to speed, I just couldn't get back into it. Why can't authors just let a series end???

I grabbed Greenlights by Matthew McCoughney (it's been on a wait list forever) and it is really good so far. Short one but I"m impressed with it so far.

Just finished The Man Who Died Twice superbly narrated by Lesley Manville. I just can't say enough about this second book of the Thursday Murder Club series. It is just so much fun! I laughed out loud many times and never wanted to put it down. The sarcasm and humor is brilliantly captured by Ms. Manville. I would highly recommend the audio version. I also finished the audio version of Convenience Store Woman. Clocks in about 3 hours. Enjoyable and thought provoking. Narration was decent.

Currently listening to A History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage.

This has been a book on my shelf for ages, and eventually put to storage. I'm finally getting to it in audio form, and enjoying it. Largely insightful. And I enjoy Sean Runnette's narration. Which leads me to this question...

Does anyone listen to audiobooks by narrator? I would think the majority would consume based on topic and/or title, but is anyone so taken by a book's narration, that you seek out title's by it's narrator?

Happy reading/listening.
Chris

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler - 4* - My Review

Historical fiction based on the (real) Booth family, set in the US in the mid-19th century. Abraham Lincoln’s future assassin, John Wilkes Booth, is the youngest. It is well-constructed and interspersed with snippets from Lincoln’s life, which provide context for the political turmoil leading up to the Civil War. The author specifically wanted to keep the focus off the assassin, but what is missing is a character who serves as a witness. Overall, I found it to be well-researched historical fiction with a strong sense of time and place.

The audio is nicely narrated by January LaVoy.

Chris wrote: "Does anyone listen to audiobooks by narrator? I would think the majority would consume based on topic and/or title, but is anyone so taken by a book's narration, that you seek out title's by it's narrator?"

I definitely keep a list of favorite narrators and refer back to it from time to time. Scott Brick, Elizabeth Wiley, Robin Miles, Simon Vance, and Emily Woo Zeller come to mind in particular.

Thank you Ashley! I'll refer to your list for sure!

I definitely have favorite narrators. I will pick up a book by a particular narrator if the book's description appeals to me.