Audiobooks discussion

Pamela wrote: "Finished up Anxious People by Fredrik Backman. Glad I stuck with it and ended up enjoying it. The fragmented narration, switching between POVs and time lines didn't help for getting..."

Yes, I and several others almost quit in annoyance a third of the way through since all the characters seem so stupid and deliberately provoking. But it is worth sticking with.

Ashley Marie wrote: "I bailed on Frankenstein (sorry, Simon Vance!) after an afternoon; the writing is poetic but the story itself is dull, dull, dull - just as I remember. So instead I jumped back on my audiobook of [..."

One of the problems with Frankenstein is that it is a story within a story within , etc. and it takes forever to get to the monster. When Mary Shelley wrote her original story for a challenge from Lord Byron during a wet summer, she started immediately with the creature coming to life, and it was the length of a story. She and her husband Percy "improved" it, to the detriment of many later readers, I think.

Warning to everyone - I don't know if there is an audio of this, but do NOT attempt to read Mary Shelley's other novel [book:The Last Man|966835]. (hmm, unsure why the link doesn't work). It is incredibly overwritten, makes no psychological (or any kind of logical) sense and goes on forever. It does have a section about a plague and the bad reaction of governments and individuals that had some relevance last year, but that wasn't worth it.

I'm rereading "The Big Sleep," narrated by Elliot Gould as it is one of those books I return to every few years because the writing is so delicious I could eat it. Tarnished knights and hard dames in a seedy 1930s Los Angeles.

I finished A Spelling Mistake, third in the Vampire Book Club series by Nancy Warren. I liked this one fairly well but kept feeling it wasn't really using its paranormal aspects to their fullest--an MC who is a witch who rarely uses any magic, vampires who can go out in the sun, and a ghost who only turns on tVs to Antiques Road Show. The elements are there but they aren't at all necessary to the story or plot so why bother making them paranormal? Still, the stories are improving generally so at least I was entertained.

I found the same thing with *Anxious People.* Irritating at times but I kept reading and enjoyed it.

My review of All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren

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

For me, Borges and Me by Jay Parini is a winner, a book not to be missed. I adore learning of Jorge Luis Borges. He is stuffed with knowledge and gets all that he can out of life. He is as far from ordinary as one can get.

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

Since this morning, I have been reading Laura by Vera Caspary. It's a mystery.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen - 4 stars - My Review

Thirteen-year-old Brian becomes stranded in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet and must figure out a way to survive. It is a positive story that will inspire confidence in young people to believe they can handle whatever challenges life presents them. At first, Brian is tempted to give up and to succumb to despair, but he gradually discovers he can do much more than he ever expected. It is filled with both the beauty and dangers in nature. I found it uplifting.

The audio book is beautifully read by Peter Coyote (4 stars for the audio).

My review of The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp. It is an Audible Plus selection.

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

Chrissie wrote: "For me, Borges and Me by Jay Parini is a winner, a book not to be missed. I adore learning of Jorge Luis Borges. He is stuffed with knowledge and gets all..."

I LOVE The Lottery in Babylon!

J. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "For me, Borges and Me by Jay Parini is a winner, a book not to be missed. I adore learning of Jorge Luis Borges. He is stuffed with knowl..."

I am hoping that is in Labyrinths: Selected Stories and Other Writings because I don't see it as being available separately at Audible. Thank you for telling me.

Joy D wrote: "Hatchet by Gary Paulsen - 4 stars - My Review

Thirteen-year-old Brian becomes stranded in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet and must figure out a way to surviv..."

I think I will read that, keeping my grandson n mind. Thanks. A kids classic I knew nothing about.

Currently listening to Lara Elena Donnelly's Amberlough, narrated by Mary Robinette Kowal. I love when authors read each other's work (Elizabeth Acevedo reading Ibi Zoboi's Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix is another example that springs to mind). Amberlough is beautifully rendered so far, five chapters in.

Not sure where I should post this but I just discovered that Costco is now selling digital audiobooks. They are packaging them as sets and then listen via a Costco Audiobook App. At the moment they have 152 sets of books, many which are parts of series. You should be able to check them out at the below link. I thought is was interesting enough to share.

https://www.costco.com/gift-books-set...

Interesting, I am a Costco member and get adds for them all the time but I didn't know about this. Thanks! (not like I need more audiobooks, but . . .)

Just took a look - They are mainly sets by well-known authors, either series or not, and some classics. This is similar to what they have in their stores as physical books, you won't discover any unusual finds. For someone who doesn't want to subscribe to a service, this could be an option. But a lot of them are probably available through libraries.

Vera Caspary's Laura surprised me. I liked it a lot! It is good to try different sorts of books. It's a classic mystery.

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

I have begun The Hollow Land by Jane Gardam. Do NOT look at the cover, it gives a completely wrong impression of the book. At least so far...... The cover looks like it is for very young kids. I have picked this up because I trust Gardam as a writer.

Pierre and Jean by Guy de Maupassant - 3 stars - My Review

Set in Le Havre, France, in the 19th century, this is a story of sibling rivalry. Younger brother Jean inherits the estate of a family friend. Elder brother Pierre becomes jealous of Jean’s inheritance. Pierre obsesses over why he did not share in this good fortune. Family secrets unfold. I am sure this book would have been scandalous in 1888, when it was first published, but in today’s world it seems rather tame. The version I read includes an introduction about literary criticism, which I found fascinating.

The audio book is competently read by Lee Smalley. (3.5 stars for the audio)

Chrissie wrote: "I think I will read that, keeping my grandson n mind. Thanks. A kids classic I knew nothing about...."

Yes, I think kids would enjoy it, probably from age 10 and up. It's ideal for age 12-14. There are a few segments that might be too scary for younger children, depending on the child, of course. I discovered it in 2017 when they held "The Great American Read" in the US on public television. It was one of the recommended books and I had never heard of it either.

Just finished Beloved by Toni Morrison and I loved it. Didn't know anything about the story except I enjoyed her The Bluest Eye . Who knew this is a Gothic genre! Put Mexican Gothic to shame. Has anyone read it before? Oh yes there are chapters in "stream of consciousness" which may make you crazy if you don't like the method but I enjoyed it.

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

Joy D wrote: "Hatchet by Gary Paulsen - 4 stars - My Review.."

If you are a fan of Gary Paulsen, you might enjoy his recent autobiography. It isn’t great, but I’m glad that I listened to it.

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

Joy D wrote: "Pierre and Jean by Guy de Maupassant - 3 stars - My Review

Set in Le Havre, France, in the 19th century, this is a story of sibling rivalry. Younger brother Jean inher..."
I had trouble relating to the characters in that one by Maupassant.

The grandson I am thinking of is thirteen, so perfect! I'll read it first. Thanks for the tip.

Kaoru wrote: "Just finished Beloved by Toni Morrison and I loved it. Didn't know anything about the story except I enjoyed her The Bluest Eye . Who knew this is a Gothic genre! Put Mexic..."

I liked The Bluest Eye more, which had me feeling guilty since Beloved was given to me by my daughter as a b-day present.

Kaoru wrote: "Just finished Beloved by Toni Morrison and I loved it. Didn't know anything about the story except I enjoyed her The Bluest Eye . Who knew this is a Gothic genre! Put Mexic..."

I listened to that years ago, loved it. And narrated by Morrison herself -- a moving experience.

I think the only other Morrison I've read is Sula.

Starting We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker narrated by, George Newbern I've heard good things about this book and Newbern is a good narrator!

The Hollow Land by Jane Gardam was an OK book for me. It is nine loosely connected stories about two boys of different background, their lifelong friendship and the friendship that grows between their families.

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

I am about to begin Madame de Treymes, a novella by Edith Wharton. I usually enjoy this author's novellas.

I have completed a 1907 novella by Edith Wharton--Madame de Treymes. It's powerful.

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

A Woman's Story by Annie Ernaux is what I have begun. It is Ernaux's prose that draws me. She writes about this book, "I believe I am writing about my mother because it is my turn to bring her into the world."

I finished The Consequences of Fear, latest in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. This one was very good. I'm always amazed how these later Maisie Dobbs books are able to show Maisie doing her job as an investigator and living her life with WWII going on in the background. It really puts things into perspective with fear, trauma, joy, loss, hope, and every other emotion present and often heightened.

Jeanie wrote: "I finished The Consequences of Fear, latest in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. This one was very good. I'm always amazed how these later Maisie Dobbs books are able to show Maisie d..."

I need to get back to this series

Jeanie wrote: "I finished The Consequences of Fear, latest in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. This one was very good. I'm always amazed how these later Maisie Dobbs books are able to show Maisie d..."

Thanks for the positive update. I’m on my library’s hold list: sixty-six people are ahead of me. Now that I’ve caught up with the series, all via audio, I don’t want to get behind.

I saw this article today on Jacqueline Winspear:

https://crimereads.com/jacqueline-win...

I have completed Annie Ernaux's A Woman's Story and gone on to the companion piece A Man's Place.

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

I finished blood, sweat and Tiers, fifth in The Best witches baking Show series by Nancy warren. What I think I like best about this mystery series is the baking... if only I could taste what the bakers had made!

I ended up getting the 3rd in the Atlee Pine series by Baldacci (A Minute to Midnight) and finished it yesterday. It's typical style for him (FBI/crime) but a twist is that the main character's twin sister was abducted when they were young and she's looking for her. This book indicated we would learn what happened to her which was only *partially* true - gah! No 4th book on the horizon so left hanging. I hate that!

Now will pick up The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto since I already had it on my shelf!

I finished The Last Colony yesterday. Scalzi's books are all beginning to sound like the same book. It's the same snark in all of them.

I'll be starting The Rose Code today.

4 stars to Amberlough, which I finished yesterday.

I bounced around a bit this morning before settling on The Anatomist's Wife; it feels similar in tone to Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series (which I still need to finish), but this automatically gets points for being set in Scotland :D

I am listening to The Goblin Emperor. The narration is good but there are lots of names of people, places, rituals, etc. in the beginning of this fantasy and it is hard to keep them straight just by listening. Apparently there is a list of characters in the print book. It also bugs me when I don't know how to spell the names of major characters. The young person/goblin at the center of the story I thought was named Myer from the pronunciation of the British-sounding author. Apparently it is Maia. It's a bit slow, spending a lot of time introducing people and presenting all the court rites attending a coronation, funeral, etc. (The young hero is thrust into leadership even though he is 4th or 5th from the throne when everyone ahead of him dies in an "accident".)

Hi Everyone! Maxx Powr

Maxx Powr, Fairalon Books, I would like to announce my Sci Fi Action Adventure audio book: The Promise (This is for adults due to language, violence, and sexual situations, but not erotica.)

I have freebie coupons available if anyone is interested. Thanks!
I'm new to this, so I apologize in advance if the format is incorrect.
Maxx

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - 4 stars - My Review

This book is a combination of coming of age, romance, migration, and social commentary on race. Ifemelu and Obinze grow up in Nigeria. They become childhood sweethearts and each other’s first love. Ifemelu moves to the US and finds herself subject to American racial prejudices she had never before encountered. She feels pressured to conform. She starts a blog addressing racial issues from the viewpoint of a non-American black. The writing is strong. Adichie employs humor and wit in addition to examining serious topics.

I very much enjoyed the audio book, read by Adjoa Andoh. She reads clearly and does a nice job with Nigerian and American accents.

I have completed A Man's Place by the contemporary French author Annie Ernaux, She writes of her father and her relationship with him.

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

Next up is A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird. It's epistolary non-fiction. A free download is available at Librivox.

Maxx wrote: "Hi Everyone! Maxx Powr

Maxx Powr, Fairalon Books, I would like to announce my Sci Fi Action Adventure audio book: The Promise (This is for adults due to language, violence, and s..."

This isn't the correct thread for promotions. If you go to the group's main page you'll see a Commercial Area folder where it is more proper to post about your own books.

Today I finished Cherringham 31-33 and really enjoyed being back in this Cotswold village. For some reason they had stopped putting out the compilations with three short stories per book and I wasn't eager to buy the stories individually. Thankfully they released this one and I hope will do more since the individual shorts are already available. I find I like these short stories for mysteries as the writers do a very good job presenting the suspects and the mystery without too much confusion and a decent job of hiding the solution until near the end.

Finished A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3852965245

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver - 3 stars - My Review

A dual-timeline narrative covering two families living on the same land in New Jersey, separated by 140 years. The two storylines are well-crafted and woven together with common themes. It tackles several critical issues of today and ties them to their root causes. It explores the concept of shelter from both an individual and global perspective. However, the book is full of lengthy dialogues among the characters that do not feel organic. The messaging is a little too blatant, almost as if the author does not trust the reader to “get it” from a more nuanced story.

The author reads her own book. I felt as I usually feel about authors performing audios - it is generally best left to professional readers. I found if I speeded up the narration to 1.2 or 1.4, it sounded a bit better (2 stars for the audio).

Dem wrote: "Finished A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II

This biography provides excellent background for many other books, including The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman, which I gave one of my rare 5*.

I just finished Charlotte's Web. I loved E.B. White's narration of his novel. He had a great tone and a fun accent that really fit the tone of the book perfectly.

Josh wrote: "I just finished Charlotte's Web. I loved E.B. White's narration of his novel. He had a great tone and a fun accent that really fit the tone of the book perfectly."

Check out Essays of E.B. White. It's very good! If you interested and want to know more, here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am quitting The Goblin Emperor halfway through. It isn't bad but very slow. Lots of time describing court protocol and introducing multiple characters. Everything is from the point of view of the main character who is pretty predictable from the beginning. All the other characters are observed from the outside so it's hard to get interested in them or tell them apart. I put the print book on hold at the library so that I could see the character list and other info, so I might end up finishing the book on paper where I can skim over some of the details.

Instead I am going to listen to the new book Raft of Stars. It seems to have some similarity to This Tender Land, which I loved. The author will be speaking about it online in a couple weeks. That has been one benefit of the pandemic - I have been on Zoom events with the authors of The Girl with the Louding Voice, Moonflower Murders, The Kindest Lie and Klara and the Sun. The authors no longer have to travel and I hope some version of this persists after the pandemic.

My thoughts on Courting Mr. Lincoln...

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

Robin P wrote: "I am quitting The Goblin Emperor halfway through. It isn't bad but very slow."

Oh, I'm sorry it didn't gel for you. I loved that book!

I've spent the last several days on one of my occasional romance binges. I listened to four of the five books from Loretta Chase's Carsington series:

Miss Wonderful
Mr. Impossible
Lord Perfect
Not Quite a Lady

The only reason I didn't proceed straight to the last book in the series is that this is an "only on Audible" series -- not available in the library or on Scribd -- and I didn't want to buy another credit right now in order to get it.

The series cemented Chase's place in my personal romance lexicon -- she is always a safe bet for good wit, sharp writing, interesting characters, and non-rapey heroes. And I always enjoy listening to Chase's narrator, Kate Reading. Narrators are especially important to me in romance, somehow -- I want a relaxing, approachable narrator that I can snuggle in with like a warm soft blanket. ;-)

I also started The City We Became, but temporarily dnfed it. It was very well written and interesting, but also very weird -- and though I often enjoy weird, my brain wasn't up for the challenge just then. I'll get back to it eventually.

And I also listened to the vella How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories. This one is part of the Folk of the Air series by Holly Black, which I've enjoyed very much. The vella is okay -- it's from Cardan's POV, which we never see in the main books of the series -- but nobody who hasn't read the series should even try to understand what's going on in it.

And now I'm listening to one last romance, this one contemporary -- Crazy Stupid Bromance. I got started on this series mostly because it's set in Nashville, where I grew up. Unfortunately, it has very little actual Nashville flavor, but the books are cute and sweet, even though they are also pretty much disposable.

Chrissie wrote: "Josh wrote: "I just finished Charlotte's Web. I loved E.B. White's narration of his novel. He had a great tone and a fun accent that really fit the tone of the book perfectly."

Check out [book:Ess..."

Oh neat. I will definitely check this out. Thanks!