Audiobooks discussion

I've started the new Poirot murder mystery The Monogram Murders. Great narration, but too early to say about the story itself.

John wrote: "I've started the new Poirot murder mystery The Monogram Murders. Great narration, but too early to say about the story itself."

I just started, too, and I'm feeling exactly the same. It was a pleasant surprise to discover the narrator was male because his first name made me think it was a female... my bad. I must admit I could wish him to read a tiny bit faster, but that's my only quibble so far with the narration. It will take more time for me to say about the story.

Almost two hours into the story, and I fear I'm not exactly gripped by the plot. Narrator's really nailing Poirot's voice though, and I like the policeman Catchpool, whom some reviewers don't think is so great.

I am enjoying every creepy, campy minute of The Girl with All the Gifts. Finty Williams is a fantastic narrator and I really like how the well-paced plot is unfolding from many different character POV's. A really fun read!

The Ford Audiobook Club that gave away and listened to California last month will be reading Everything I Never Told You in October and as I just bought the book in hardcover, I'm definitely looking forward to that.

I'm almost half way through Heft and wow. It's great. Once I got past the slightly "creepy" sounding narration for Arthur (which now works but it was just weird at first), I'm hooked. Great recommendation from this group!

I'm working through the Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey. I am on book 2: Kill the Dead.

I started reading Cress last night. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this YA series.

Almost finished Martin Chuzzlewit. Sean Barrett really brings Dickens to life says I

Janice wrote: "I started reading Cress last night. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this YA series."

I felt the same way. And I like each one more than the previous, I think. I just hope the series doesn't drag out forever....

The next one in the series after Cress is not expected to be published until November 2015. In a year, I will have forgotten everything and need to re-read the series, I think.

Janice wrote: "I started reading Cress last night. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying this YA series."

That one was my favorite so far.

Janice wrote: "The next one in the series after Cress is not expected to be published until November 2015. In a year, I will have forgotten everything and need to re-read the series, I think." This is why I tend to steer clear of series books - I find it hard to keep up with them when they string out...

Nancy wrote: "Janice wrote: "The next one in the series after Cress is not expected to be published until November 2015. In a year, I will have forgotten everything and need to re-read the series, I think." Th..."

Actually, the next book in the series, Fairest, comes out January 17. Then the final book in the series will come out the following November. The next one is about Lavana's back story--she's the Wicked Queen a la Snow White in this series.

I put a hold on my Audible account so I can catch up on my audio books so I felt good about getting two audios done last month. WOOOOOhoooo!

Now listening to:
The Gray Wolf Throne
Ready Player One

Travis of NNY wrote: "Almost finished Martin Chuzzlewit. Sean Barrett really brings Dickens to life says I"

If you haven't gotten there yet, the American section is pretty bad. I read that Dickens himself later regretted including such heavy-handed satire.

Someone at Ravelry just posted about Ralph Cosham; he died yesterday. He's a really outstanding narrator, and apparently did most of the Inspector Gamache books by Louise Penny. I most recently heard his performance of *Watership Down*, in which he did a wonderful job.

CatBookMom wrote: "Someone at Ravelry just posted about Ralph Cosham; he died yesterday. He's a really outstanding narrator, and apparently did most of the Inspector Gamache books by Louise Penny. I most recently h..."

He was definitely one of the greats a sad loss this was posted in another group I belong to ...

"On September 30 at 10:30 Ralph Cosham passed away at Reston Hospital. His family was with him when his heart finally gave out. Ralph was a wonderful talent, a loving husband and father and a man that I was proud to call my friend. The world is going to be a sadder place without him. As a testament to his dedication to his craft, during his illness his main concern was that he still had 17 pages of the latest Louise Penny novel to finish recording. God Bless you, Ralph!"

John wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "Almost finished Martin Chuzzlewit. Sean Barrett really brings Dickens to life says I"

If you haven't gotten there yet, the American section is pretty bad. I read ..."

At first the American part was horrible. And the choice of accent Barrett used was also horrible . after about half of it I came to grips that it was satire and was able to enjoy it. Dickens really came across as a person who absolutely loathed Americans with those section though.

How would the producers possibly handle those 17 pages? I suppose someone else could do them (presumably as a volunteer tribute?) with a note in the intro to the book explaining the situation.

Travis --

As I understand it, Dickens had a fairly unpleasant first visit to the States, wrote the book, returning later to find the experience much different.

John wrote: "How would the producers possibly handle those 17 pages? I suppose someone else could do them (presumably as a volunteer tribute?) with a note in the intro to the book explaining the situation.

Tra..."


I wonder that too, and who they will get to replace him he is so beloved as Gamache it will be a tough casting!

Simon Prebble, perhaps?

John wrote: "Simon Prebble, perhaps?"

Maybe!? He would be good.

Finished The Weight of Blood it was good, still not sure what I think of it overall but the narration was well done.

Now starting Season of the Dragonflies: A Novel by Sarah Creech narrated by,Kate Turnbull

John wrote: "I just finished The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle a short while ago - audio narration a solid five stars!"

I've been looking for that one. Everything I've heard about it is good.

I tried to finish "Seed" by Ania Ahlborn this morning but stopped as the narrator wasn't making the horrifying/scary scenes sound that way. I finished it via ebook instead.

I'm now listening to "Traffic" by Tom Vanderbilt on the way to and from work. Much to my surprise it makes the commute less stressful even though the book is about the thing that frustrates me daily.

I started listening to "The Neighbors" (also by by Ania Ahlborn) during free time. I wasn't overly fond of "Seed" and thought it seemed more like a young adult book with some gore and swearing thrown in, but I'm liking "The Neighbors" so far. Both are horror books.

The Glass Castle was a riveting, somewhat horrifying look at the life of a dysfunctional family and the resilience of children to rise above their circumstances. Not an easy read, but very well written and narrated.

Next up: The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I'm super excited to read this, as I loved Hillenbrand's books and get the sense that this book is written in a similar vein.

Joy wrote: "About to start The Testament by John Grisham."

That was my favorite John Grisham book, Joy. I would love to hear what you think of the narration. It's been years since I read it and my be interested in doing a re-read with the audio.

Jeanie wrote: Actually, the next book in the series, Fairest, comes out January 17. Then the final book in the series will come out the following November. The next one is about Lavana's back story--she's the Wicked Queen a la Snow White in this series.
."

You're right. I noticed that this afternoon. It's called book 3.5 in the series.

I am absolutely heartbroken about the above posted news of Ralph Coshem's death. I can hardly bear the thought of having to read the next Louise Penny book without him. It's so endearing to read about his concern to finish the last Gamache book... it's as though he loved Three Pines and its inhabitants as much as I did. I'm glad no one had to step in to finish those last seventeen pages. when I re-read The Long Way Home, I'll know to treasure those last moments all the more.
I have some other books narrated by him--mostly C. S. Lewis--and have Watership Down still left to read. I'll get to that one soon now, just because I've loved the time I've spent with that voice and will want to spend a little more time with him in a first read through.

I started Reamde. Really enjoying it so far

Has anyone listened to any of the Louise Penny books? I just started Still Life which was highly recommended by a couple of friends, but I'm not sure about the narrator.

Sarah wrote: "Has anyone listened to any of the Louise Penny books? I just started Still Life which was highly recommended by a couple of friends, but I'm not sure about the narrator."


He's fabulous!

Sarah wrote: "Has anyone listened to any of the Louise Penny books? I just started Still Life which was highly recommended by a couple of friends, but I'm not sure about the narrator."

I'll try to talk about Ralph Coshem's work on these books without my grief coloring it. I admit that his style of reading is the kind a reader has to get accustomed to. The rythms and unique vocal qualities mean that the reader may have to get into the book a little before his style feels right. But in a short time his voice becomes the only possible one for illuminating this special world. Louise Penny's world is unique and Coshem's voice belongs there.

Jeanie wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Has anyone listened to any of the Louise Penny books? I just started Still Life which was highly recommended by a couple of friends, but I'm not sure about the narrator...."

Such lovely praise! I'm only one chapter in. I must say your comment has increased my interest.

ETA: Wow. I did not know that he had died a few days ago. How terrible.

Kristie wrote: "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I'm super excited to read this, as I loved Hillenbrand's books and get the sense that this book is written in a similar vein. "

The Boys in the Boat narration is excellent. One of my favorite books and narrations of 2014, certainly my favorite non-fiction. I reluctantly listened to it on the suggestion from a family member and was surprised how engrossing and exciting the story was, considering the outcome is not at all a surprise. Very well written; and depression-era Seattle becomes just as much a character of the story as the Boys. I checked out "Olympia" (one of the Leni Riefenstahl propaganda films mentioned in the book) from the library as a supplement to the Olympic/German aspects of the story. It was a pretty creepy flick, but amazing for it's technical achievements, and that it was created by a woman in Nazi Germany.

Leslie wrote: "Kristie wrote: "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. I'm super excited to read this, as I loved Hillenbrand's books and get the sense that..."

I'm really liking it too, Leslie. I enjoy a nonfiction story that's so compelling that it reads like fiction, but there aren't too many of them. Edward Herrmann also narrates Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, which, if you haven't already read it, is also fantastic (as is Seabiscuit: An American Legend by the same author...couldn't put it down). I also recently listened to A Higher Call: An Incredible True Story of Combat and Chivalry in the War-Torn Skies of World War II, which was a surprisingly riveting true story as well.

I'm listening to With Song and The Iron King

Carolyn F. wrote: "I'm listening to With Song and The Iron King"

I've had The Iron King in my TBR pile for a long time. I'll be interested to hear your opinion to see If it needs bumping up closer to the top.

John wrote: "I've started the new Poirot murder mystery The Monogram Murders. Great narration, but too early to say about the story itself."

I just listened to that myself. The mystery was interesting, but I found the solution lackluster, although convoluted. While I did enjoy the narrator's ability to do the various accents, the story really seemed to drag for me. Have you finished it? What did you think?

I haven't gotten back to it, but you've confirmed my impression that the narration carries the "story" (such that it is).

John wrote: "I haven't gotten back to it, but you've confirmed my impression that the narration carries the "story" (such that it is)."

You and me both, John. I found the story dragging and couldn't help think that with it being at least four hours longer than the average Agatha Christie-written book, it wouldn't have the same tight plot and writing. While there are a few exceptions, I've found that most mysteries work best when no longer than eight to ten hours of listening time, otherwise it seems to stretch out the clues too far or makes them overly complicated and the prose merely meanders.

Well my last 2 books have just been kind of Meh.

So now listening to The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon narrated by, Julia Whelan pretty sure this one won't disappoint AND It's finally one of my bought but haven't listened books!

I've been on a Kate Morton binge as of late. I finished The House at Riverton a few days ago,(a little disappointed with the ending-- but hey it's her first novel). So now I'm listening to The Distant Hours. The narrator is very good, the same one for both... Her last name is Lee... Can't seem to remember her first name.

Mari wrote: "I've been on a Kate Morton binge as of late. I finished The House at Riverton a few days ago,(a little disappointed with the ending-- but hey it's her first novel). So now I'm listening to The Dist..."

Caroline Lee. She's pretty good.

September shot by. I knocked out:


Consider Phlebas - Excellent first in a long series.
Ender's World - Fascinating accounts of how Ender's Game has affected other authors.
What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions - Funny, excellent, well narrated.
Cat's Cradle - I have assumed since the first time I heard about Vonnegut that I would enjoy his work. I was amazingly underwhelmed.
The No Asshole Rule - This is either a book you wish your boss had read or the book that your co-workers wish your boss had read.
Lock In - Witty, entertaining, strong world building. I wish this wasn't a stand alone book. I listened to the Wil Wheaton version, but if I ever do a re-listen I'll give the other narrator a try. The same-universe novella tacked onto the end is narrated by almost all my favorite narrators.
Fortune's Pawn - Great first-in-trilogy book. I just saw that the third book isn't out in audiobook format yet, which is a bummer because I was hoping to run straight through this series. The female protagonist is strong and likeable.
The Screwtape Letters - Engaging & intelligent as always, C.S. Lewis always impresses me.

I'm currently listening to:
Start: Punch Fear in the Face - Acuff is a funny, funny guy.
Space Captain Smith - Wonderfully dry British humor. Didn't think I was going to like it at first, but the characters and shtick quickly grew on me.

Mari wrote: "I've been on a Kate Morton binge as of late. I finished The House at Riverton a few days ago,(a little disappointed with the ending-- but hey it's her first novel). So now I'm listening to The Dist..."

I love the combination of Kate Morton's words and Caroline Lee's voice!

Well, gang ... I have officially bailed on The Monogram Murders, the new Poirot revival. It's perhaps a short story at best DRAGGED OUT to novel length.

John wrote: "Well, gang ... I have officially bailed on The Monogram Murders, the new Poirot revival. It's perhaps a short story at best DRAGGED OUT to novel length."

I've removed myself from the library wait list - life's too short and my TBR's too long

I wasn't in the mood for We Were Liars, so I am tackling The Winds of War. I am going out of town for a conference this week, so I am hoping to put a good dent in it.

I was not in love with We Were Liars Kristie.