RMFAO (Reading My Frigging A** Off) discussion

Hello dear members of RMFAO,

With the evolution of technology, the book industry has also progressed by leaps and bounds. Where there were only physical books available at one time, there came ebooks and took the world by storm. As we progressed further, a new format swept the entire world by storm - audiobooks. Authough the tradition of narrating stories dates back to the really old times, the books were narrated into the audioformat quite late, but better late than never, right?

Audiobooks are not only extremely convenient to carry along but also be completed while doing something else such as driving, cycling, doing the laundry, cooking, gardening, or anything really because there is no need to hold the book physically in your hands to read.

Today, many readers prefer listening to audiobooks over other formats, but there are few who either don't like audiobooks or simply haven't got the chance to explore them enough. No matter which category you belong to, this challenge is meant to help you listen to audiobooks more.

All you have to do is pick a Level, and try and listen to at least that many audiobooks in the entire year. Simple. No other rules whatsoever.

Levels:
Level 1: Casual Reader: 1-10 books (easy)
Level 2: Frequent Reader: 10-25 books (moderate)
Level 3: Bookworm: 25-50 (mildly strenuous)
Level 4: Bibliophile: 50-100 (strenuous)
Level 5: Bookiopath: 100 books or more (challenging)

You can download this image here: https://thereadingbud.files.wordpress...

Feel free to use this discussion board for recommending books, discussing the ones you're reading or really love and posting links to the books or your reviews.

Other challenges that you can participate in:
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Genre Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Classics Catchup
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 A-Z Author Alphabet Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 A-Z Title Alphabet Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Title Link Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Theme-Link Challenge
✒︎ RMFAO 2023 Series Challenge

If you are as crazy about reading as we are then go wild combining all or any challenges to spice up your reading lists!

Happy listening!

Made level 4 in 2022 and 2021 - don’t think I’ll ever make level 5, but you never know! 😆 I’ll aim for the Bibliophile level 4 again in 2023, and see where that takes me 😉

Here’s to another year of happy reading/listening!

Dagny wrote: "Level 4 is where I'm going to end 2022 also, Lorraine."

Excellent!

For 2021, I was level 4. I will aim for level 4 for the year 2023. My favorite narrators this year were: Amir Abdullah, Robert Glenister, Lisa Flanagan, Jonathan Davis, Julia Whelan, Sara NovakPeter Kenny.

I’m ending 2022 as a level three, so I’m going to shoot for a level four for 2023.

Audiobook Challenge 2023
Level 4: Bibliophile: 50-100 (strenuous)
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023

January
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7.

Deanie, welcome. It's wonderful to find another listener. Personally I am addicted and I love having new recommendations. Happy listening.

1. The Wrong Man by Kate White 2/5

2. The Girl From the Sea by Shalini Boland 4/5

I'm so thankful for audiobooks as they are coming in handy when I am not able to find the time to read much!
#1 Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young - 4/5
My review for the book can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#2 I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy - 1/5 which means DNF (the book is very well-written, but it was too triggering for me personally.)
My review for this one can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

#1 #2 #3

Heena wrote: "I'm so thankful for audiobooks as they are coming in handy when I am not able to find the time to read much!"

If it weren't for audiobooks, my reading total would be significantly lower every year. I used to be a die-hard paper format reader and never thought I would enjoy audiobooks as much as I do.

Sherri wrote: "Heena wrote: "I'm so thankful for audiobooks as they are coming in handy when I am not able to find the time to read much!"

If it weren't for audiobooks, my reading total would be significantly lo..."

Same here 😉 I listen now when I work or walk the dogs or any time I can’t have a book in hand. I also now use and absolutely love my kobo ereader, and I swore for years I would never swap a paper copy for one of them either! 😂 Running out of shelf space made me try it 😉

3. The Man I Married by Elena Wilkes 2/5

#4 #5

4. The Wrong Woman by Leanne Kale Sparks 4/5

5. The Woman Next Door by Natasha Boydell AB 4/5

#3 The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz
#4 Do Epic Shit by Ankur Warikoo
#5 Get Organized: Do More in Less Time by Ciara Conlon

On to Level 2: Frequent Reader: 10-25 books 😁

#6 #7 #8 #9 #10 #11 #12

Dagny wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "On to Level 2: Frequent Reader: 10-25 books 😁
"

Good going, Lorraine! I've been reading those Stephanie Plum books for well over two decades. They're always fun."

I’ve picked continuing the series for a Goodreads challenge and am listening to them on Audible - the books have always been laugh out loud for me, but the narration is spot on and they’re a hilarious listen! 🙈

6. The People Next Door by Keri Beevis AB 4/5

7. The Locked Door by Freida McFadden AB 4/5

#13

8. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling AB 5/5

9. Wife Support System by Kathleen Whyman AB 5/5

With this one, I have upgraded to "frequent" reader status LOL

10. The New Wife by Sue Watson AB 4/5

Sherri wrote: "With this one, I have upgraded to "frequent" reader status LOL"

Good job, Sherri!

Dagny wrote: "Good going, Sherri!"
Cheryl wrote: "Good job, Sherri!"

Thank you both! :)

11. The Outsider by Stephen King AB 1/5

Sherri wrote: "11. The Outsider by Stephen King AB 1/5
"

Sherri,

You liked it even less than I did, and I was pretty disappointed in it. That ending was a real dud, wasn't it?

Dagny wrote: "Looks like that book was a bust for you, Sherri. I loved several of King's earlier books, but after readin..."

Yes, King is either fantastic or a flop for me, it seems. I loved Misery, 11/22/63, The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption.

Cheryl wrote: "You liked it even less than I did, and I was pretty disappointed in it. That ending was a real du..."

I had really high hopes for it.

#14 #15 #16

Dagny wrote: "31. Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics"

Ooh, this looks good! Does Dolly, herself, read the audiobook?

12. In a New York Minute by Kate Spencer AB 4/5

13. The Werewolf's 15 Minutes by Jonathan Maberry AB 3/5

14. One of Those Flings by Lauren Blakely AB 3/5

15. One Night Only by Catherine Walsh

16. Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea

17. The Empty Nest by Sue Watson

Dagny wrote: "That looks like a good one, Sherri! Putting it on my list."

I am interested to hear your thoughts on it when you read it. It was just OK for me.

18. Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane

19. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Maybe it's just me and I hope it is, but the audiobook narration by Mandy Kaplan grates on my nerves so bad like nails on a chalkboard! I just can't finish it. I really like this author so will look for a print copy or an ebook copy and try again in the future once my ears stop bleeding.

20. Our Little Secret by Kiersten Modlin

Dagny wrote: "I've had that happen to me, Sherry!"

I really like the author so I hope that's all it is. It's interesting, isn't it, how the narration of the audiobook can make or break one's enjoyment of it?

First time reading this author and this was a solid 4/5
21. Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

22. Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards 2/5

23. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling 5/5

Dagny wrote: "55. Santa's Little Yelpers

Fun listen as always. Grover Gardner is such a great narrator and perfect for this series."

What a great title! Can you read this as a stand-alone book, or do you have to read the books that come before it?

24. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid 5/5