Audiobooks discussion

A couple of hours into Sue Grafton's W is for Wasted, and I'm interested in the story; as I bailed on the previous Kinsey mystery, wasn't sure about this one, but as long as it's mostly centered on her, not other plotlines, I'm ok with it.

i'm halfway through Dark Triumph - i've never listened to the Narrator before (Angela Goethels) - but she sounds familiar

Not sure if this should go here but Amazon's deal of the day includes the three books from the Clifton Chronicles by Jeffrey Archer (Only Time Will Tell, The Sins of the Father and Best Kept Secret) for a $1.99 each and $2.99 each for whispersync. I just finished listening to Only Time Will Tell a few days ago and I thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the narration. At the end of the narration is an interview with Jeffrey Archer and he says there are going to be five books in the series.

Chakara wrote: "This is confusing. Is this what we have read so far in February and the other is for what we plan to read? just asking."

the other thread is for people doing the TBR (TBL) challenge - everyone set goals and they are reporting which books have been lingering on their listening piles that they have gotten to

Just finished a re-read (this time via audio, obviously) of The Diary of a Young Girl. It was narrated by Selma Blair. I am really picky on nonfiction about whether I speed up the narration or not, but gave it a try on this one and in this case, the fact that the voice was raised about an octave and speaking faster actually made it better for me. It just sounded much more like a 14 year old girl who talks a lot (and quickly) and has a lot going on in her world. The "normal" voice was too "grown up" and detached from the story. Basically, it was really like listening to the voice of Anne, which makes it all the more haunting. Definitely a book that leaves you thinking, even many decades after the events.

Just finished Death Masks by Jim Butcher, #5 of the Dresden Files. This was a fast paced, action packed story. Harry takes a job to find something that it seems lots of other bad guys want.

John wrote: "A couple of hours into Sue Grafton's W is for Wasted, and I'm interested in the story; as I bailed on the previous Kinsey mystery, wasn't sure about this one, but as long as it's mo..."

John, midway through I sort of lost interest but it gets better again at the end.

I just finished the Robert Gates memoir, Duty. Enjoyed it. Now I am about 25% finished with Dean Koontz's new book, Innocence. I am finding it to be interesting and enjoyable. Next up will be Fool Moon, the second in the Dresden series. I also just got the Jeffrey Archer books on special today, along with the audiobooks. Not sure when they will be read. I have quite a backlog built up.

I finished Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry which was an entertaining listen (read by Jim Dale!). It recounts the tale of Peter leading up to Peter Pan. It ends very tidily and it's basically a pirate story with a bit o' magic, but it was fun.

I also finished my very first Agatha Christie, Cards on the Table chosen based on recommendations from this group for the narrator Hugh Fraser. I really don't think I would've liked this one as much in print as the narrator truly was fantastic. Another very entertaining listen!

I start The Dirty Girls Social Club today.

As an aside, I read in print for the first time the French goodbye for now phrase "à bientôt" and when I read it I had George Guidall's voice in my head because of The Cat Who...series that I've only ever listened to. I'm sure there are members here who will get this whereas none of my friends do. I had to laugh!

Finally got around to reading Murder on the Orient Express and wonder why on earth I put it off so long. (On a side note, my house is just about spotless and I have a couple of side projects done, just because I didn't want to stop listening to it!) Great writing, and way to turn something that sounded dumb into a great plot point. I'll have to pick up a few more Christies in the future :)

Jessicaa and Alana, virtually any Agatha Christie is worth the time to listen--especially if read by Hugh Fraser. And congrats on the spotless house!

I finished Riders of the Purple Sage. The only reason that book didn't get thrown across the room was it was on my iPad.

Next up is City of Thieves.

Janice wrote: "I finished Riders of the Purple Sage. The only reason that book didn't get thrown across the room was it was on my iPad.

Next up is City of Thieves."

Really, I've just got to hear what was bad enough about RotPS to make you want to throw it!

I've had that feeling more than once with an audiobook or two... it helps that I listen on my invaluable computer, one wall is mostly glass I can't easily replace, and the condo's swimming pool is farther than I can throw, otherwise... *swoosh, crash, splash*

Jeanie wrote: "Really, I've just got to hear what was bad enough about RotPS to make you want to throw it!..."

Here's my review.

The narrator (Mark Bramhill) was quite good. His gravelly voice fit well with the book.

Janice wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Really, I've just got to hear what was bad enough about RotPS to make you want to throw it!..."

Here's my review.

The narrator (Mark Bramhill) was quite good. His gravelly voice f..."

I can understand your feeling now. Sometimes, as you pointed out in your review, the poortrayals of women and the histrionics of the writing style of some period books can try the modern sensibility beyond endurance. When I read older books, I try to set my modern preferences aside in order to experience the book for what it was at the time. With some authors, that just isn't possible. I'm glad I never got that book even when offered for free. A book that costs no money isn't free if it has taken hours from your life that you can't get back and would have spent doing something rewarding.

I'm a few hours into The Orphan Master's Son. It is as serious and depressing as one would expect a book about North Korea to be. (I am now going to coin the phrase "North Korea-grade depressing.") It's a good story that is well told and well narrated, but I wouldn't say I look forward to listening.

I'm at the end of Drums of Autumn and boy is it good! First half was really slow and I'm pretty sure that's when and why I ended my reading of these books in print. Glad I stuck it out for the rest!

I am also listening to The Orphan Master's Son right now and am thoroughly engrossed. I still have 7 hours to. And am hoping to finish it tomorrow. Very well written and well narrated.

I finished The Dream Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The Dark Hunter series is one that got pieced together out of order on Audible. Some of the middle books of the series didn't come out until recently while the later books were available first and the first dribbled in over time. Strangely, the 16th book was misnumbered as 4 and I got it before its predecessors--sigh. Now I have to catch up before I can read that misnumbered one, which is now the seventh oldest unread book in my Audible Library--double sigh.

The The Bloodletter's Daughter was another piece of historical fiction that was an interesting listen. I did have trouble with the narrator's rendition of the lunatic Hapsburg. He came off sounding like a lecherous werewolf which just sounded ludicrous. The author's note at the end tied the pieces together including the Coded Book of Wonders which happens to be the real Voynich Manuscript that happened through the Hapsburg hands at some point. The Manuscript is still one of the world's greatest mysteries. I should have listened to the author's note first in order to put the characters and events in context. Oh well. This one may have been better in print.

Jeanie wrote: "I finished The Dream Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The Dark Hunter series is one that got pieced together out of order on Audible. Some of the middle books of the series didn't come out until recen..."

I think I gave up on this series about book 17/18...she took a character I had been waiting to see get their HEA since like book 3 and just ruined it - used a whole new pantheon (native american gods instead of greek) and it just felt like she phoned it in...plus i'm boycotting her because she has started two other series and they keep getting pushed for her to write "new stuff"

Janice wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Really, I've just got to hear what was bad enough about RotPS to make you want to throw it!..."

Here's my review.

The narrator (Mark Bramhill) was quite good. His gravelly voice f..."

I love Mark Bramhall's voice I bet he is perfect for westerns!

Dee wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "I finished The Dream Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon. The Dark Hunter series is one that got pieced together out of order on Audible. Some of the middle books of the series didn't come ..."

So which character were you waiting for? A friend told me the basic storyline of her latest Dark Hunter, "Styx" and I haven't had the heart to even start it. I know of the Chronicles of Nick, but what is the other series?

Maybe it's just the compulsive collector in me, but once invested in a series I find it hard to give up on it, despite the problems that develop. I didn't mind the native American pantheon showing up, she had already expanded the pantheons beyond the Greeks long ago, but her ever-expanding list of "strongest god ever" bothers me. Her world has too many levels and factions to follow without taking a degree in ancient mythologies. I'll catch up on the books I already have, but Styx might stymie me.

MissSusie wrote: "I love Mark Bramhall's voice I bet he is perfect for westerns!"

He narrated Doc and did a stellar performance.

Janice wrote: "MissSusie wrote: "I love Mark Bramhall's voice I bet he is perfect for westerns!"

He narrated Doc and did a stellar performance."

Agreed, Bramhall is great. He's also good in New York and Angle of Repose. I happened to listen to them back-to-back, so got a double dose. :)

Alright, so I'm about to start my first Stephen King, The Stand. I'm not a horror lover, but I've heard so much about this one I feel like I have to give it a try. Narrated by Grover Gardner (who I think also narrated the version of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest that I listened to). Anybody heard this version?

Alana wrote: "Alright, so I'm about to start my first Stephen King, The Stand. I'm not a horror lover, but I've heard so much about this one I feel like I have to give it a try. Narrated by Grover ..."

I'll be curious how you like The Stand. I have it in my Audible wish list. I read his horror stuff in high school, but listening to 11/22/63 this past year brought be back to King. The Talisman is on my TBR short list...should get to it in February.

Alana wrote: "Alright, so I'm about to start my first Stephen King, The Stand. I'm not a horror lover, but I've heard so much about this one I feel like I have to give it a try. Narrated by Grover ..."
;
Grover Gardner does a good job. Its really not horror like you may think of horror anyway. It's only really scary in the what if the world was going to end thought. It is about good and evil basically and the evil side has some twisted characters but nothing I recall over the top to give you nightmares. It is I guess you could say epic post apocalyptic as most p-a reads aren't this long and detailed. The closer to horror post apocalyptic read would be Swan Song

Travis of NNY wrote: "Alana wrote: "Alright, so I'm about to start my first Stephen King, The Stand. I'm not a horror lover, but I've heard so much about this one I feel like I have to give it a try. Narra..."

He was also good in The Cider House Rules. I really wish I could search my Audible library by narrator...I bet I've listened to others by him, but I'd rather not look through a list of over 350 audiobooks he's narrated to see in what other audiobooks I've heard him.

I've been going through John Jakes North and South series and grover Gardner does all of them.

He also narrated The Hangman's Daughter

A Rule Against Murder, I'm reading, then listening, then I'll probably read again - it just depends on what's available at my library. The narration didn't grab me at all in the beginning but I'm warming up to him.

hope to listen to both :Storm Frontand
The Lost Hero

Travis of NNY wrote: "Alana wrote: "Alright, so I'm about to start my first Stephen King, The Stand. I'm not a horror lover, but I've heard so much about this one I feel like I have to give it a try. Narra..."

Good to know. Thriller/end of the world/psychological stuff doesn't really bother me. I don't do horror/slashers though (primarily film...books aren't as bad because the sudden scary music is not playing in the background, lol). A good psychological good vs. evil thriller is fine. I may like this one :)

And I do want to try 11/22/63 sometime, I've heard it's really good.

Alana wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "Alana wrote: "Alright, so I'm about to start my first Stephen King, The Stand. I'm not a horror lover, but I've heard so much about this one I feel like I have t..."

11-22-63 is amazing. Not horror at all.

Chakara wrote: "hope to listen to both :Storm Frontand
The Lost Hero"

I've read both of these and enjoyed them a lot. The Dresden Files is one of my favorite series. James Marster's narration is great except the production allowed too many extraneous noises and didn't correct mispronunciations, but the overall feel and tone were so spot on that it didn't really matter. I look forward to hearing your impressions of this one.

I suppose you've read the Percy Jackson series prior to Lost Hero? This follow-up series has had a narrator problem--Kevin T. Collins wasn't a comfortable fit with the first book, improved for the secondand third, and was replaced with an awful narrator in the fourth book of this series. Still, it's an interesting story if you can get past the narration problems.

I'm currently listening to Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, the first of a fantasy trilogy. I'm enjoying it so far, Hobb is a great storyteller and the narration by Paul Boehmer is excellent.

ayanami wrote: "I'm currently listening to Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, the first of a fantasy trilogy. I'm enjoying it so far, Hobb is a great storyteller and the narration by ..."

I have this trilogy in my Library, but just haven't gotten around to it. I'm eager to hear what you think of it as you go along.

Last night I finished another of the older books on my TBR list, Destined for an Early grave by Jeaniene Frost. This might have been a pivotal book in the Night Huntress series, but I didn't enjoy the journey this one took me on.

I'm listening to Miss Tonks Turns to Crime

I loved the Poor Relations series!

Jeanie wrote: "Chakara wrote: "hope to listen to both :Storm Frontand
The Lost Hero"

I've read both of these and enjoyed them a lot. The Dresden Files is one of my favorite series. ..."

I thought Joshua Swanson was the narrator for the first three books of the Heroes of Olympus series? Book four was awful, such a monotone reading..hope Joshua will be back for the last one!

Karen wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Chakara wrote: "hope to listen to both :Storm Frontand
The Lost Hero"

I've read both of these and enjoyed them a lot. The Dresden Files is one of my fav..."

My bad... apologies to Joshua. I, too, hope he is back for the last book.

Just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and quite enjoyed it and it's charming British wit. The narrator was a perfect fit. This evening I started Ready Player Oneand oh man, it just grabs you right from the get go! Looking forward to getting back to it later tonight or tomorrow.

Cher wrote: "Just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and quite enjoyed it and it's charming British wit. The narrator was a perfect fit. This evening I started Ready Player Onea..."

I might have to move Major Pettigrew up my "get it from the library" list. And Ready Player One is really great, especially as someone who grew up in the 80's. Enjoy!

Cher wrote: "Just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and quite enjoyed it and it's charming British wit. The narrator was a perfect fit. This evening I started Ready Player Onea..."

Loved both of those books!

You weren't able to fall asleep with The Sound and the Fury? Wow!

Joy wrote: "Finished Bleachers....

Couldn't sleep last night so I "channel surfed" with some audiobooks. Started The Sound and the Fury, and after about an hour of that I switched to The Princess Bride, but then I fell asleep. Luckily that one is short. ..."

I never thought about The Princess Bride as an audiobook. I'm listening to the sample right now, and it just doesn't sound right without the voices from the movie, including Peter Falk as the narrator.

Joy wrote: "CatBookMom wrote: "
I never thought about The Princess Bride as an audiobook. I'm listening to the sample right now, and it just doesn't..."

I know what you're saying. It probably helps that I've ..."

But it's abridged, right? And there's nothing, nothing better than the character voices in the movie. That's one audiobook that deserves a full-cast narration using the actors from the movie. I became a total Mandy Potenkin fan based solely on his Inego. Sadly, Andre the Giant isn't available to read his part... not that I caught every word he spoke until about the twentieth watching of the movie.

Today I finished two short books, Sir Phillip's Folly by M. C. Beaton and Instruments of War, Volume 1 of the Warlock Sagas by Larry Correia.
Somehow I had been diverted from the Poor Relations series and the earlier mention in this threat about it promted me to get back to it. I really do actually love this series and can't remember why I didn't finish sooner.
The Correia book isn't a genre I typically like, consisted of almost nothing but fighting and war, and--drat--was very good. Of course such a short book in a series had to end on a cliffhanger. While it was set on another world, it had an Oriental feel and reminded me in a way of Across the Nightingale Floor,, which I absolutely loved.