Audiobooks discussion

I have had A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird in my TBR list for six years. What a mistake; I should have read it ages ago. It's very good, much better than you'd think! I explain what makes it so good in my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This afternoon I began another book sitting in my TBR list for ages--Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson. I like how she expresses herself--straightforward, to the point writing.

Contrarius wrote: "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 ..."

I really liked the Carsington series - I did them all on audio, I think it was the same 4 you mentioned.

Chase is an easy author to listen to. She’s a sharp writer, you get to laugh at the wit, and you don’t have to worry about her heroes being assholes or her heroines being doormats. The fourth one in this series had more sex than I really look for in a Regency, but that one was an outlier — they’re generally pretty light there too. (I feel like I always have to add — no, I’m not against sex in books, it’s just not what I’m looking for when I feel like reading this category of romance!)

My review of Who Is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews

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

I had wanted to read Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit before reading Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?. Since the former is still not available to me, I went ahead and read the latter first. Good writing! Now I know I want to read more by the author.

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

I'm now reading Wild Life on the Rockies by Enos A. Mills. I picked this up since I so liked A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird. The topic is similar and both are read by the talented Laura Caldwell at Librivox. The styles of the two books, I now see are quite different. Mills' book is interesting and informative. Bird's book stands out for its beautiful nature writing.

I have started another re-read of the Cradle series by will Wight in preparation for the releasse of Bloodline on April 6. This time around I'm even listening at normal speed. This series is a perfect match up of steadily improving stories--and it didn't start off bad--with the perfect narrator to bring it to life. I had no clue after reading Unsouled that this progression fantasy would get progressively greater. And I think I'm addicted to Travis Baldry's voice!

i just finished up The Vanishing Half - it was different - def. very character driven and the timeline was a bit weird and not clearly deliniated - but I gave it 3.5 stars; the narration I gave 4

Jeanie wrote: "I have started another re-read of the Cradle series by will Wight in preparation for the releasse of Bloodline on April 6. This time around I'm even listening at normal speed. This series is a perf..."

I keep meaning to try some Wight books. I'm glad to hear that you like them!

I finished Crazy Stupid Bromance. As I mentioned before -- cute, sweet, forgettable. And not nearly enough actual book club content (it's the Bromance Book Club series, after all!) But I may have to read the next one, because it looks like it may focus on the character known as "The Russian", who is a hoot.

Now I'm listening to a random UF/PNR that I literally picked by scrolling through my Audible library with my eyes closed -- The Soul Summoner, book one in the Soul Summoner series. It's not bad -- it's got competent, inoffensive writing and a fairly interesting MC. But I dislike the love triangle, and the instalove, and the way the MC (who works as a police dept's publicist) solves the crime while the actual detective just stands around looking sexy. We Shall See how I feel once I'm finished.

Contrarius wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "I have started another re-read of the Cradle series by will Wight in preparation for the releasse of Bloodline on April 6. This time around I'm even listening at normal speed. This s..."

For anyone interested, all eight books in the Cradle series are currently available on Audible Plus, so no extra money is required to be able to read the series before bloodline comes out... but be prepared to want to keep going and probably drop a credit on the new release! ;)

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett - 4 stars - My Review

Identical twins Desire and Stella run away from their small Louisiana town and make their way to New Orleans. Their lives take different paths. The plot follows Desire’s search for her missing twin. The non-linear narrative is told from a number of perspectives. It covers a period of time from the 1950s to 1990s. The author examines identity, race, and the impact of decisions. The only drawback for me is that the plot relies on a number of unlikely coincidences. I listened to the audio book, beautifully read by Shayna Small. I can also recommend a book that explores a similar theme and was published in 1929: Passing by Nella Larsen.

i just finished this up today as well Joy...I found the non-linear timeline kind of confusing at first

Starting The Rose Code by Kate Quinn Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

i just finished Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents - this should be required reading somewhere in high school or college - narrated marvelously by Robin Miles

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella Lucy Bird led me to Wild Life on the Rockies by Enos A. Mills. I liked it, but not as much.

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

I am now reading the third book in the Chronicles of Barsershire series--Dr. Thorne by Anthony Trollope. Some say this is the best.

John wrote: "I'm starting the month with The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware, frankly Imogen Church's narration interests me more than the storyline."

I loved this one on audio! Great narration. Hope you enjoy.

Nancy wrote: "I finished up Long Road to Mercy. Typical Baldacci style, there is lots of action and intrigue. I really liked the characters in this one and though the plot seemed a bit far fetche..."

I am going to add the Paris Secret to my list - thanks!

Janice wrote: "I finished Triptych yesterday. This was the first book I've read by Karin Slaughter. Some points seemed to be a bit problematic so I gave it high 3 stars rounded up to 4. I'm not sure ..."

Keep us posted on how you feel about the Irish book! It's on my list too, Janice. I read 1 or 2 by Karin Slaughter and felt they were way too graphic and long (on a rape scene). Can't read that.
Colleen

I just finished Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald, a good psychological thriller that kept me guessing (although I had an inkling about who the real "bad" person was.

This is my first novel by the author, and it's a fast (6 hours-ish) and easy read. I needed a different genre after reading The Librarian of Auschwitz which was quite well done on audio, but those kind of historical fiction books really take a lot out of me.
I enjoyed Behind Every Lie enough to try another novel of her's, but will switch it up a bit and probably start something else waiting on my Libby or Audible shelf. BTW, I found Christina McDonald via reviews on her: The Night Olivia Fell, which is also on my TBR.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom was a typical book by him - a little different and very good. Narration is excellent. Tells the story of a very gifted musician as narrated by "Music". Sounds weird and it kinda is, but very interesting.

Next up In Five Years

The Librarian's Vampire Assistant, Book 5
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
ably narrated by Ada Sinclair and Sean Posvistak

I thought this was going to be the book with HEA for main characters but romance continues to be one step forward, two steps back. Next book is from villain's POV. Villain redeemed stories can be great but after 3 years and 5 books with no HEA... I'm through trying to keep up with any Pamfiloff series. Her writing style is interesting and I find the events in individual books entertaining but I don't like how her series develop.

Caught up on some Eve Langlais series and Nancy Warren's Vampire-Witch series. Started a couple of promising cozy mystery series: The Good Buy Girls series by Josie Belle and the Queen Bees Quilt Shop series by Sally Goldenbaum.

L J wrote: "
The Librarian's Vampire Assistant, Book 5
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
ably narrated by Ada Sinclair and Se..."

You mentioned eve Langlais... she has a Paranormal Women's Fiction series that I'm considering. Any input?

Jeanie wrote: "L J wrote: "
The Librarian's Vampire Assistant, Book 5
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
ably narrated...

You mentioned eve Langlais... she has a Paranormal Women's Fiction series that I'm considering. Any input? "

Which series?

L J wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "L J wrote: "
The Librarian's Vampire Assistant, Book 5
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
ably narr..."

Either the series or the first book is titled Halfway There. There may be another, but I'll have to check.

Jeanie wrote: "L J wrote: "Langlais..."
"Which series?"
"Either the series or the first book is titled Halfway There. There may be another, but I'll have to check."

It's on my Hoopla audio list for next month.

I enjoyed most Langlais I've read, though a few I disliked a lot. Some are cotton candy reads, some have more character and plot development. I'll post what I think when I get to this one.

I've gotten back to Tara Sim's Timekeeper trilogy after reading the first book last year; Gary Furlong narrates beautifully (Chainbreaker). Hoping to finish today so I can read the third one and check another series off my list :)

I'm listening to Raft of Stars. It got a lot of comparison to This Tender Land, which makes sense, as a lot of it is kids on their own in the Upper Midwest. The narration is very good and I think captures the accent pretty well of a place I have lived most of my life. But I'm finding the book overwritten, as far as telling us exactly what the characters are thinking and feeling. I don't think most of us even understand ourselves what we are feeling at times of stress or uncertainty. I find this overwriting most often in "women's fiction" but this author is a man. I am maybe 2/3 done so I may change my opinion. I am also going to attend an online talk with the author through a bookstore.

This has been one of the few good things about the pandemic - I have attended multiple author events from all over the US and even UK thanks to Zoom, Facebook, etc. Most are free and last an hour.

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor - 3 stars - My Review

Set in Ghana in the near future, this book is a fable about the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. It is a cross between science fiction and fantasy. A young girl (Fatima, later renamed Sankofa) wanders the land, searching for the source of her strange power, leaving death and destruction in her wake. The author writes convincingly from the point of view of a child, though this is no child’s bedtime story. It is dark, violent, and chilling. Though I am not the target audience, I am glad to have found this new-to-me author.

The audio book is beautifully narrated by Adjoa Andoh. (4 stars for the audio)

I finished Louisiana Longshot, first in the Miss Fortune Mystery series by Jana DeLeon. This one was in the current sale on Audible, but I noticed the whisperSync deal plus audio was way better than the sale. I enjoyed this story and will begin getting more of them... it wasn't necessarily great, but it had some good characters and showed real promise for the series.

Joy D wrote: "Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor - 3 stars - My Review

Set in Ghana in the near future, this book is a fable about the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. It is..."

Oh hey, I listened to this one just the other day.

I liked most of the plot, the narrative voice, and the descriptions of Ghana culture. But I was puzzled by the ending, in that I don't understand what Okorafor was trying to say overall -- what she saw as the meaning of the story. Things that make ya go hmmmm.

And Adjoa Andoh is great, aside from the fact that she doesn't have a good American accent. Just coincidentally I'm listening to another Andoh-narrated book right now, Machine, and it's impressive how different she can sound from book to book. The Ancillary series by Ann Leckie is another good example of her work.

Adjoa Andoh was superb narrating The Girl with the Louding Voice.

Robin P wrote: "I'm listening to Raft of Stars. It got a lot of comparison to This Tender Land, which makes sense, as a lot of it is kids on their own in the Upper Midwest. The narr..."

Thanks for your comments about Raft of Stars. I had suggested it to my husband whose book group really enjoyed This Tender Land.

As to your comment about overwriting, I did not notice it so much when I listened to American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins a year ago, but now I'm reading the print version in preparation for leading a book discussion on it and I'm getting irritated every time she tells me what everyone is thinking and feeling.

Kathleen wrote: "I'm getting irritated every time she tells me what everyone is thinking and feeling...."

I think this overwriting is what I don't like about the Chief Inspector Gamache series of mysteries by Louise Penny.

Jan wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I'm getting irritated every time she tells me what everyone is thinking and feeling...."

I think this overwriting is what I don't like about the Chief Inspector Gamache series of ..."

The earlier or later Gamache books? I didn't notice it in the early books, although atmosphere--both outer and inner--was so much of what made these stand out for me. I felt I could literally taste all the dishes at Olivier's Bistro. I can still remember in The Beautiful Mystery how I felt I could actually hear the music and see everything in the monastery...beautiful... until the gut punch at the very end! I admit I haven't continued since losing Ralph Coshem, but that was my inability to tolerate Bathurst, not the writing.

April thread will be up shortly, but will leave this discussion open for a bit to allow for comments on recent posting.

Jeanie wrote: "The earlier or later Gamache books?..."

I've only read the first three books. I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't like the intense analysis of every character's personality and motivation. Plus, the stories really get me down, which I'm trying to avoid. :-)

Jeanie wrote: "but that was my inability to tolerate Bathurst, not the writing."

Booo, Bathurst! How dare Ralph go and die on us?? ;-)

Jan wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "The earlier or later Gamache books?..."

I've only read the first three books. I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't like the intense analysis of every character's personality..."

I read the first Gamache book in print and it was ok but I wasn't compelled to continue. Then my library mystery group (which I miss since we haven't met in a year) read a recent one and I thought it was great. I really liked how the characters were impacted by the crimes and stress of police work. That might be considered too much emotion for some people, but I found it appropriate. So I'll probably read the series sometime, but I am currently doing several other series!

Jan wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "The earlier or later Gamache books?..."

I've only read the first three books. I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't like the intense analysis of every character's personality..."

Not every series can be for everyone. And not even I am tempted to do a re-read right now... hopefully someday soon will have no outside stressors so the troubles of others in books don't feel like they are adding to the burden and stress.

Jeanie wrote: "Jan wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "The earlier or later Gamache books?..."

I've only read the first three books. I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't like the intense analysis of every character's..."

You are absolutely right! No reason to read things that are stressful. I started to read The Power during the pandemic/racial distress/election times and I couldn't deal with it. I passed the book to someone else. And I can't read about characters with cancer since someone in my family got that diagnosis a year and a half ago.

Robin P wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Jan wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "The earlier or later Gamache books?..."

I've only read the first three books. I know I'm in the minority, but I just don't like the intense analysis of ev..."

Sorry to hear of cancer in the family. I commiserate. I find reading about illnesses very difficult. Scary!

In March, I finished listening to A House Divided. I really enjoyed the entire series which followed generations of a Chinese family in the early twentieth century. I especially enjoyed this last book in the series because the protagonist spent time in two countries, China and the US, and I could see his differing, evolving perspectives on each place, which was truly fascinating.

I also finished listening to What Christians Believeand A Grief Observed.