Audiobooks discussion

Hunchback wrote: "Oh, I forgot to mention - now listening to The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I've heard good things about this novel, but I'm unsure whether it's bleak tone and lack of chapter breaks will make for a go..."

I read that in paperback and absolutely hated, hated, hated it. It's one of those books that you shouldn't give a negative review of if you don't have a thick skin because people will call you stupid and ignorant for not "getting it". I read a ton of post-apocalyptic fiction and literary fiction. I majored in English Literature. I "got" it and I still hated it.

Don't knock The Golden Compass or The Cat in the Hat either.

Sorry for the rant.

Sandi, I don't mind Lee as a narrator, although I know many people don't like him.

I do find these books are a bit hard to follow as audiobooks though, just because they are long and a bit convoluted, and I don't listen for long periods at a time. Perhaps reading them in print would be better. But like you, I also have them as audiobooks from the Tantor Media sale last year.

HBJ

The sales totally subvert my attempts at reducing TBR. Anyway, I have one more Dresden Files book to listen to from the library and then I'll be back to ones that I own. I've been waiting for a special on 6 & 7. Invariably, if I go ahead and use a credit, then there will be a sale on that a month or two later.

Stephanie wrote: "The sales totally subvert my attempts at reducing TBR. Anyway, I have one more Dresden Files book to listen to from the library and then I'll be back to ones that I own. I've been waiting for a sp..."

This will probably jinx it, but I've never seen later Dresden Files books offered in sales--except the site-wide %off sales. I'd say go for it and don't deny yourself more Dresden pleasure if a sale is all that is holding you back.

Now, watch them offer the entire series for one reduced price! ;P

Jeanie wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "The sales totally subvert my attempts at reducing TBR. Anyway, I have one more Dresden Files book to listen to from the library and then I'll be back to ones that I own. I've bee..."

Agree, Jeanie. I use the sales mostly to stock up on non fiction books. She might get the odd Dresden or the first Dresden but she also might wait forever. Dresden is pretty popular. I would think that Harry might be able to force a sale through magic, but he isn't good around technology.

So far in February I've knocked off...

The Beach House by Jane Green
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell

The Story of My Experiments With Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
Narrated by Bill Wallace

My Escape From Slavery & The Destiny of Colored Americans by Frederick Douglass
Narrated by Unknown

Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
Narrated by Grover Gardner

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling
Narrated by BJ Harrison

Robinson Crusoe: Classic Collection by Daniel Defoe
Narrated by John Lee

Currently listening to:

You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness by Julie Klam
Narrated by Karen White

Powder River Rose- Wow you are doing so good!

I only got one done so far this month at it was MasquesBy Patricia Briggs narrated by Katherine Kellgren - bought on 11/27/11 it was ok it was her first book and she hadn't quite gotten to where she is with her current series' I already own the 2nd one too so may have to listen to that one, but this one didn't make me want to rush right into #2.

I have had 1984 on my TBR and audio backlog for a long time now, so I finally decided to tackle it in February. Not sure what took me so long; I'm enjoying it! Almost done!

I got the first three Dresden Files in a sale over 2 years ago.

I got all of my Dresden books on sale. If not through a big discount, then through a Use 2 credits for 3 books. Current offering is to use 4 credits and get one free. Not enough for me.

I have had 1984 on my TBR and audio backlog for a long time now...Not sure what took me so long; I'm enjoying it! Almost done!

I read this in high school and annoyed the teacher by finishing it overnight rather than the piecemeal they do in school.

Jami wrote: "I have had 1984 on my TBR and audio backlog for a long time now, so I finally decided to tackle it in February. Not sure what took me so long; I'm enjoying it! Almost done!"

I have "1984" on my list, and it is narrated by Simon Prebble who I don't know anything about. I got it after reading Christopher Hitchen's "Arguably". One reviewer said Orwell mentioned Orwell 36 times. I didn't keep count but it was a lot. I read it in high school but am looking forward to revisiting "1984" to see how it holds up.

I actually prefer Simon Prebble to Simon Vance.

Forney_bill wrote: "Jami wrote: "I have had 1984 on my TBR and audio backlog for a long time now, so I finally decided to tackle it in February. Not sure what took me so long; I'm enjoying it! Almost done!"

I have ..."

I'm listening to the version narrated by Simon Prebble and I like his narration. Very easy to listen to and understand.

John wrote: "I actually prefer Simon Prebble to Simon Vance."

I can't recall anything that I listened to narrated by Simon Vance, but I am enjoying Simon Prebble's narration.

Jami wrote: "John wrote: "I actually prefer Simon Prebble to Simon Vance."

I can't recall anything that I listened to narrated by Simon Vance, but I am enjoying Simon Prebble's narration."

Simon Vance narrates Dust and Shadow: An Account of the Ripper Killings by Dr. John H. Watson. I love it! I have never listened to anything by Simon Prebble yet though. I read 1984 ages ago, but I might give it a try on audio, just to give Simon equal time. :)

I finished The Mongoliad: Book One. I was ticked that it didn't end. It just stopped. I do have Book Two and Book Three in my library. I just like taking breaks between listening to books in a series.

Sandi wrote: "I finished The Mongoliad: Book One. I was ticked that it didn't end. It just stopped. I do have Book Two and Book Three in my library. I just like taking breaks between listenin..."

That's good to know... I have the first 2 in my Library as well and will be prepared once I start. Even so, if the whole series is that way, I may follow the authors' example and stop rather than finish.

Vance did a great job on the millenium trilogy by larsson, I think. Simon prebble sounds familiar, but I don't think I've listened to anything he's read.

I recommend Nineteen Eighty-Four, by the way. Great, great novel. Everyone should read it.

HBJ

I've finished two more books from the Night Huntress series, two new releases in series I follow(Scumble river and Needlecraft Mysteries), and five more hours in the first volume of Tom Jones. The latter is an exercise in both self-discipline and masochism. Tom Jones is too old to return and I'm obsessive/compulsive enough that if it is in my Library I must eventually finish it. The narrator isn't very good and the writing style is convoluted, but I am able to spot the humor so it isn't a total waste... just not an easy listening experience.

Well, it took me forever, but I finally finished The Persimmon Tree. Humphrey Bower is really fantastic (although I'm not sure what's up with his American accents). 5 Stars for the narration.

I'm less enamored with the story. The writing was great, as per Courtenay's usual, but it was billed in the description as an epic love story, and I didn't buy it. More like an epic lust story. Still, a worthwhile listen. Overall 3.5 or 4 stars

Vanessa wrote: "Well, it took me forever, but I finally finished The Persimmon Tree. Humphrey Bower is really fantastic (although I'm not sure what's up with his American accents). 5 Stars for the..."

The Persimmon Tree is on my TBR challenge list for 2014 as well. I bought it a long time ago, but I need to pace myself with Courtenay books. I just finished one earlier today (Solomon's Song), so I'll have to wait a few months. I also hope to get to Four Fires this year, which I believe I bought on the same sale as The Persimmon Tree.

Kristie wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Well, it took me forever, but I finally finished The Persimmon Tree. Humphrey Bower is really fantastic (although I'm not sure what's up with his American accents). ..."

Ahhh, there are no words for how much I loved the Australian Trilogy (I've only ever read them in paper, but I bet they're fantastic listens too!). In fact, I think I just picked up The Potato Factory in the First in Series sale. I think I have Four Fires in my library somewhere too. I started (and never finished, because I hated) Brother Fish.

Vanessa wrote: "Kristie wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Well, it took me forever, but I finally finished The Persimmon Tree. Humphrey Bower is really fantastic (although I'm not sure what's up with his Ame..."

Humphrey Bower is my fave narrator, so yes, the books really come to life on audio. I didn't like the ending of Solomon's Song, but enjoyed the trilogy overall.

I've seen enough mixed reviews of Brother Fish and Jack of Diamonds that I'll probably skip them.

Hunchback wrote: "Vance did a great job on the millenium trilogy by larsson, I think. Simon prebble sounds familiar, but I don't think I've listened to anything he's read.

I recommend Nineteen Eighty-Four, by the w..."

I am listening to it now. I started listening last night.

I sidelined The Road in favour of Permutation City, a hard SF novel by Australian author Greg Egan.

The novel was very good, although it felt like two different novels with the same basic tech smashed together, and felt a bit rushed as a result. There were a lot of complex ideas here, and I wish Egan had spent more time exploring them. Great stuff, nonetheless.

The narrator was less great though. Not able to express truly different voices for the characters, and a slightly whiny tone to boot. I have a bunch more Egan novels in my library, which I'm looking forward to, but the narrator puts me off a bit, sadly.

Not sure what's next for me, audiobook-wise. Maybe back to The Road, or maybe on to something else.

HBJ

I've put The Road aside again, and am listening to Bellwether by Connie Willis, a novel about how trends begin, and life working in a high tech company. Narrated by Kate Reading.

Not much plot so far, to be honest, but some of the ideas are interesting, and the tone is light hearted and funny. I suspect I know what Willis is up to, here, but we'll see.

HBJ

After wrapping up a 7 month Dresden listen and feeling like I didn't know where I would ever find my next great audio listen, I've had a rather delightful and unexpected listen of books this February... .

At the end of February I've caught up completely on the books in the Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost, caught up on Devereaux's Dime Store Mysteries, and kept current with the Hannah Swensen series. While I read four books from my TBR list of books over 3 years on the shelf, I only made it halfway through Tom Jones.
And then Audible went and had a BOGO sale! *sigh* Well, my TBR list is eleven books shorter than when the year started... that's something at least.

I finished up 3 books out of my initial goal of 10 - Here, There Be Dragons, Across the Nightingale Floor, and Killing Floor - all have been on my audible shelf since 2010/11