Audiobooks discussion

Starting off the month partway through Bettyville, which I feel even more strongly that it's probably better in audio than print; Jeff Woodman's a great fit for the material!

A couple of weeks ago, I put down Girl in the Dark with a couple of hours left, hoping to finish it soon. Good book, with solid narration, just that it's on a player I rarely use, so get sidetracked.

I gave up on The Secret Scripture halfway through. I found it very difficult to follow but I didn't like anyone enough to persevere with it. Luckily it was a library copy..perhaps the Audible version with the female narrator is better, but I doubt I'll find out.

Then listened to The Ghost Bride which I've had on my TBR list for quite some time. Narrated by the author and she did a really good job. This is pretty much "what heaven is like - Chinese version" and the explanation of the Chinese culture and beliefs etc were interesting. I liked it, but wouldn't rave about it (another one Kristie gave up on if I remember correctly...you kept posting about all theses books that you DNF'd and I kept reading thinking ...'that's on my list, and so is that..." made me very nervous...lol).

Now I've taken a temporary diversion from my TBR backlog for a new release, currently listening to A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson the sort of follow up toLife After Life.
This time it follows the life of Teddy the brother of the main character in the first book. It's not written in the same way as Life After Life was (with the story constantly restarting). It does however jump all over the character's timeline which was a little confusing at first, but after about an hour once I got all the names straight, it's been easy to follow. Really enjoying this, read by Alex Jennings who is new to me and liking the narration as well.

I finished The Scarlet Gospels, by Clive Barker. It feels less like one of Barker's fantasy-horror epics, and more like an expanded short story or screenplay. Very much a sequel to The Hellbound Heart and the first Hellraiser movie than any of the lore that came after.

Very enjoyable, and well written, with lots of plot but not a lot of character development.

Lee's narration was okay, but he can't really distinguish voices very well if he can't rely on different accents. So a lot of the characters sounded the same.

(Bit quick on the trigger there, John. It's still June where I am :) )

HBJ

My goal is often 9PM Pacific, or Midnight Eastern, to be consistent.

Don't believe I mentioned Who Is Martha?, a relatively quick read at the tail end of last month. Good narration, so if you think you'd enjoy it based on the description, you probably will.

Ah, good to know. I'll try to remember in future. (And I wasn't really complaining; this is your party).

I'm now listening to Bad Pharma by Ben Goldacre. It's good, but Bad Science was better, at least so far. Bad Science covered a wider range of topics. Bad Pharma has a more limited scope, and so suffers from the "I'm going to expand on my one idea for 200 pages, mostly through repetition" syndrome.

HBJ

I told myself at the beginning of the year that I would start participating here again, so of course, I've been -- yeah, I'm a sluggard.

I just finished This Body of Death a few days ago. This was the final book I had access to in a series called The Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George. The last three are available via Audible. Plus, like the fourth or something.

Anyway, I know that many of the members here enjoy a good mystery. If you can find these books at your local library, they really are that, especially With No One as Witness (I gave it five stars), What Came Before He Shot Her (I gave it four stars) and Careless in Red (I gave it four stars). Some people argue that What Came Before He Shot Her is like watching a train wreck and is therefore not very satisfying. I can see how that might be valid for certain people. I thought it was an interesting thing for the author to decide to do. (I won't say what that 'it' is. That would be spoiling. Go read the reviews if you're curious.)

The audiobooks were narrated by Davina Porter, who does a marvelous job with the series up through Careless in Red, which is read by John Lee. He reads that and This Body of Death and does a decent job, but I much prefer the books read by Davina Porter. It's a bit jarring when they switch readers a half a dozen or more books into a series. I think my aversion was mostly due to that.

I also read a book last month called Sunshine that was part of one of the BOGO sales. It was your standard vampire romance, except where it wasn't...and it really wasn't at all. I was pretty impressed by the balancing act the author pulled off in keeping the vampires in the story very alien and creepy -- the last thing I'd call them is desirable -- while making it apparent that her protagonist has an affinity for, if not an odd attraction to one of them. This is a relationship that develops out of the plot and it's really beautifully done. The downside is that the audiobook is lousy. (The reviewers at Audible who say that are absolutely spot on.) The woman they got to narrate the thing sounds like she's middle aged. Her voice isn't horrible, but the character she's portraying in the first person is a somewhat dippy, bubbly 20 something, and it really doesn't suit. Add to that the fact that the narrator didn't seem to understand the character and it amounts to a terrible performance. Read the book if you're going to bother. It really is quite an excellent story. I gave it five stars here. On Audible's site I played a balancing act to make it clear that the narration is poor.

The last thing I'll recommend is Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker. Someone here recommended this to me and I felt I should second their opinion and say thank you. This really is a good biography. It was well narrated, engaging and lively. If the subject interests you at all, this is a very solid four star read.

Finished up Trustee from the Toolroom and found it to be a very enjoyable listen. I was surprised by how much I liked it! I think it was a daily deal when I picked it up....well worth it!

Started Rebecca which I downloaded free through the summer SYNC program. Really like the story and narration so far.

in my very limited listening time right now (since I don't have my normal commute) - i'm listening to Remember When - its been on my audible pile for several years

I have an hour or so left on The Queen of the Tearling I've enjoyed it but find it very odd that the next book is narrated by Davina Porter not Katherine Kellgren, Davina is fabulous but when you are used to Katy's voice for the characters I may have to give it a bit of distance before I listen to the next book.

I started You yesterday and got about 10% into the book. I'm not a huge fan of second person narration to start with, and being in the mind of a stalker gives me the creeps. I was on the fence about continuing it, so checked out some reviews. I clicked on one that was marked spoilers, silly me, and that wrecked it for me. I wasn't expecting blatant let the cat out of the bag spoiler right at the beginning of the review. So now I know how it ends, I hate the main character, and his victim is not all that squeaky clean herself, and I really dislike second person narration. I think I need to do like Patricia, and call this book done. I feel bad because I nominated this book for a group read I want to bail after 10%.

I started The Cider House Rules after finishing up Wolves of the Calla and Finders Keepers

Finished Moon Over Soho right around midnight, and have just loaded Whispers Under Ground onto my MP3 player. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith brings a lot to these books with his narration.

Just this morning I finished listening to Us by David Nicholls. I probably liked this just slightly less than One Day, but quite a bit more than The Understudy. Nicholls' best asset is his humor, even in this book where the lead character is kind of an uptight prig. I would definitely have to say I'm a fan of Nicholls based on these three books.

This morning, I started The Book Thief. I'm only about 10% into the book right now, but it is starting off awfully obtuse. Does it get better?

Us has been on my to - listen pile for a while.

Dave wrote: "Just this morning I finished listening to Us by David Nicholls. I probably liked this just slightly less than One Day, but quite a bit more than [book:The Understudy..."

Yes! Stick with the Book Thief! I had the same thoughts at first. It really picks up when a new visitor arrives to the house.

Valyssia wrote: "I told myself at the beginning of the year that I would start participating here again, so of course, I've been -- yeah, I'm a sluggard.

I just finished This Body of Death a few da..."

Yeah! I really enjoyed Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker and gave it a great review awhile back. I loved the narrator and the story both. I highly reccomend it!

Dave wrote: "Just this morning I finished listening to Us by David Nicholls. I probably liked this just slightly less than One Day, but quite a bit more than The Understudy..."</i>

I started reading [book:The Book Thief when the movie came out and only got about a third of the way into it before I gave up on it. I don't know what the movie was like but I got pretty bored with the book.

Right now I am litening to and reading Guidebook to Murder which I am very much into. I started it yesterday and I'm about 40% done with it. Many suspects so far and no clue as to who might have killed Miss Emily yet. Loving it!

I just started Instruments of Darkness, read by Wanda McCaddon. This has been recommended by several people, and I'm enjoying the narration. The story switches between two different stories, and there's not anything that clearly distinguishes one from the other in some cases, so sometimes there's a sentence or two gone past before I realize we're now with the other story. Sorry, that's not as clear as I would like, but...

CatBookMom wrote: "Finished Moon Over Soho right around midnight, and have just loaded Whispers Under Ground onto my MP3 player. Kobna Holdbrook-Smith brings a lot to these books with ..."

I absolutely love Ben Aaronovitch's Peter Grant. The series is just a hoot.

Stared And After by, Sarah Lyons Fleming narrated by Julia Whelan I listened to 1 and 1.5 awhile back then when I started talking about listening to this one while on vacation next week I couldn't stop thinking of the characters, so didn't even wait for my vacation started it now and bought book 3 for my vacation!

Shards of Honor; excellent! Grover Gardner narrates wonderfully. Waiting in the library queue for the next in the Vorkosigan saga.

Meanwhile I've started Dreamsnake

Just finished Symbiont, part 2 of the Parasitology Trilogy by Mira Grant (the second nom de plume of Seanan McGuire). I felt very, very generous giving it three stars. I won't bother with book three, unless I have another fit of boredom, forgetfulness or optimism that causes me to -- yeah. That's pretty much what inspired me to pick this one up. How bad could it be?

The answer is pretty bad, which is a shame. I don't really understand how someone who is so good at creating interesting and likable characters could fail this completely. I believe it's mostly Sal (the protagonist). I just can't stand her, and that leads me to see through the illusion and realize exactly how recycled everything about this series is. Seriously, anything good about these books can be found in The Newsflesh Trilogy. And there it doesn't seem like leftover turkey three days after Thanksgiving.

It really is a shame, but it isn't new. I've felt similarly about Seanan McGuire's attempts to branch out from the October Daye series too. She just doesn't seem to be able to capture the same spark.

Dave wrote: "This morning, I started The Book Thief. I'm only about 10% into the book right now, but it is starting off awfully obtuse. Does it get better?
..."
YES!! The book if worth sticking out the unusual beginning for. The obtuse start is all about the 'narrator' in the book, once you work out who that is and why and how they are telling the story then the introduction will make sense.
However it doesn't stay in that style for the whole book, it's the simple story of ordinary people trying to live their lives in an awful period of time.
I listened to the version with Allan Corduner narrating and I thought he was perfect.

One of my favourite books of all time.

Janice wrote: "I started You yesterday and got about 10% into the book. I'm not a huge fan of second person narration to start with, and being in the mind of a stalker gives me the creeps. I was..."
I listened to this recently and liked it, however I agree with what you posted, it is sick and creepy and both characters are awful in their own way...but I did think the author did put it all together is a believable way and I ended up being oddly fascinated with his sick thought process. I liken it to watching and episode of Criminal Minds, or the movie Silence Of The Lambs, it's creepy and characters do horrible things and it leaves you uncomfortable, but there is still something 'interesting' about it. I'm not in a book club, but I still think it's a good pick as there will be lots of opinions and lots to discuss (although as long as everyone is aware of the bad language and sexual content)
Personally though - I would have preferred a different ending.

Michael J. Sullivan is getting better at whipping out short stories. Professional Integrity is pretty amusing. Well worth the hour and change it takes to listen, especially if you're a fan of Riyria. I for one am really looking forward to the next book.

I finished One Plus One this morning. Cute and easy - a fun read. quite predictable and as previously mentioned here, seems to be screaming to be made into a movie....

Neil Patrick Harris: Cho0se Your Own Autobiography is up next.

I started the next Vorkosigan book yesterday, A Civil Campaign.

Patricia wrote: "Dave wrote: "This morning, I started The Book Thief. I'm only about 10% into the book right now, but it is starting off awfully obtuse. Does it get better?
..."
YES!! The book if worth sticking ou..."

I've gotten past the unusual framing device/narration, and honestly it seems like unnecessary "poetry" to me, but maybe it will have meaning later on in the book. Now that I'm into the story proper, it seems okay. We'll see. Am I burned out on World War 2? Hopefully not.

honestly, i was disappointed in The Book Thief - i think i gave it 4 stars originally, but looking back, it should have been a 3 or lower...there were lots of things that didn't work for me; that rubbed me the wrong way

Catherine wrote: "Shards of Honor; excellent! Grover Gardner narrates wonderfully. Waiting in the library queue for the next in the Vorkosigan saga.

Meanwhile I've started Dreamsnake"

Glad you enjoyed Shards of Honor, and Grover Gardner's narration. I'm a big fan.

Valyssia wrote: "I've felt similarly about Seanan McGuire's attempts to branch out from the October Daye series too. She just doesn't seem to be able to capture the same spark...."

And I can't get all the way through even the first of the October Daye books. Haven't had any interest in trying her Mira Grant books. I did enjoy the Incryptid series.

Leslie wrote: "I started the next Vorkosigan book yesterday, A Civil Campaign."

I keep seeing this series pop up in discussions in various places but I have yet to see anyone actually talk about what the series is about. What is th Vorkosigan series about. What book does it start with, etc. I just might be interested in giving it a listen.

Leslie wrote: "I started the next Vorkosigan book yesterday, A Civil Campaign."

Hope you enjoy it. There are some really great scenes in it.

Jeffrey wrote: "I keep seeing this series pop up in discussions in various places but I have yet to see anyone actually talk about what the series is about. What is th Vorkosigan series about. What book does it start with, etc. I just might be interested in giving it a listen.
..."

The series is sci-fi/space opera. Miles Vorkosigan is the central character, and the first book featuring him is The Warrior's Apprentice. After his failure, due to his physical handicaps, in getting into the military academy that is de rigueur for his family/caste/planet, Miles goes off to visit his grandmother on another planet, and accidentally sort of falls into taking over a military/mercenary space fleet.

There are two books about how his parents met and how he was born in the middle of a major civil war; those are Shards of Honour and Barrayar. You can choose to read these before *Apprentice* or afterward. There's more about all of this here (http://www.dendarii.com/biblio.html).

The narration is excellent, and the same narrator (Grover Gardner) reads all the books. The books are very well-written, with funny bits, and insightful and thought-provoking ideas. Obviously, I'm a huge fan.

CatBookMom wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I keep seeing this series pop up in discussions in various places but I have yet to see anyone actually talk about what the series is about. What is th Vorkosigan series about. What..."

Thank you so much for that information. I will check them out on Audible and Amazon. I like space operas, and this one sounds interesting.

Jeffrey wrote: "CatBookMom wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I keep seeing this series pop up in discussions in various places but I have yet to see anyone actually talk about what the series is about. What is th Vorkosigan..."

I hope you like these. You might also check your local library to see which may be available via OverDrive - either ebook or audiobook.

CatBookMom wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "I keep seeing this series pop up in discussions in various places but I have yet to see anyone actually talk about what the series is about. What is th Vorkosigan series about. What..."

I listened to The Warrior's Apprentice ( a version with 2 narrators) and The Vor Game ( I guess Grover Gardner since it was from Audible) and the same thing happened in both. I loved the beginning setup, Miles is a wonderfully original hero and I really like the sense of humor. But toward the end of each book, I had trouble keeping track of which group was on what side and what was actually happening in the diplomatic and military conflicts. I think I will go back and read them in print.

I've read 7 of the Vorkosigan Series. Love them all. Trying to get some of the other ones from the library. Grover Gardner is terrific!!!..You have said that before, I've seen your comments before. I listen to them on CD, and that makes it more difficult because they don't always record them. But, now I'm going to try some of her other series on CD. I'll let you know how they are.

CatBookMom wrote: "And I can't get all the way through even the first of the October Daye books. Haven't had any interest in trying her Mira Grant books. I did enjoy the Incryptid series."

Interesting. Good thing McGuire writes like the wind. She stands a chance of keeping all of us happy.

Robin wrote: "...But toward the end of each book, I had trouble keeping track of which group was on what side and what was actually happening in the diplomatic and military conflicts. I think I will go back and read them in print. ..."

Yes, that can be a problem. In the 3rd book Brothers in Arms, Miles gets the battle-damaged Dendarii fleet to Earth for refitting, and things get very tangled, with the Dendarii, the Barrayarans (they have a consulate on Earth and Miles gets stuck there), and an EvilGenius, all interacting. You might want to read that one before trying to listen. But it's fun, and there are plot threads and people that show up later.

Doris wrote: " I listen to them on CD, and that makes it more difficult because they don't always record them. But, now I'm going to try some of her other series on CD. I'll let you know how they are.
..."

I'm not up-to-date on finding any of Bujold's series on CD. Maybe someone in your area can help you figure out how to download and listen to the audio versions on your computer.

... Grover Gardner is terrific!!!..You have said that before, I've seen your comments before....

The way these forums are set up, it's difficult to be clear about references to earlier posts, and thereby not repeat a comment.

I'm a huge Grover Gardner fan myself. Addicted to the Inspector Montalbano series.

John wrote: "I'm a huge Grover Gardner fan myself. Addicted to the Inspector Montalbano series."

That's my next BIG series.. I keep promising myself that. Or the Andy Carpenter one, with the dog.

I have to say that Gardner's reading of the characters make Montalbano's squad seem a bit like the Bowery Boys (dating myself very badly).

Joy wrote: "Woohoo, I was able to renew The Liar so I don't have to worry about finishing by Sunday.

For my "everywhere but the car" book I am listening to Catherine Marshall's [book:Julie|22..."

I too listened to Julie recently after listening to Christy a couple years ago. I enjoyed it a lot, though probably not as much as Christy.

CatBookMom wrote: "John wrote: "I'm a huge Grover Gardner fan myself. Addicted to the Inspector Montalbano series."

That's my next BIG series.. I keep promising myself that. Or the Andy Carpenter one, with the dog."

I can't comment on the Inspector Montalbano series, but I highly recommend you go for the Andy Carpenter series!

I haven't posted in a while, so here are some of my most recent reads:

Chris Grabenstein - Tilt-a-Whirl - liked it a lot ... never would have bought this without this group and John in particular. Looking forward to continuing the series. 4* Thanks John

David Rosenfelt - Dead Center - Andy Carpenter series - always an enjoyable solid 4* read

Jo Jo Moyes - One Plus One - it was good but not as good as Me Before You 3.5*

Sandra Dallas - Tallgrass - good, just shy of 4*

Just started Francine Rivers - Bridge to Haven

I just read an interview with Jeff Woodman where he said narrating the Ceepak books is fun, not really work, for him.

Javasapien wrote: "...I can't comment on the Inspector Montalbano series, but I highly recommend you go for the Andy Carpenter series! ..."

Thanks. I have reading friends at Ravelry who love both of them.

Javasapien wrote: "Jo Jo Moyes - One Plus One - it was good but not as good as Me Before You 3.5*
...."

That was *exactly* how I felt about this book!