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Audio Books, eBooks, Podcasts & YouTube ~ 2021
This audiobook had been on my TBR for a while. Wasn't familiar with the author, but glad I opted for audio over print here: Thank You for Coming to Hattiesburg: One Comedian's Tour of Not-Quite-the-Biggest Cities in the World. Also finishing up listening to SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, read by actress Phyllida Nash (mother of actress Emma Thompson).
John wrote: "Also finishing up listening to SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, read by actress Phyllida Nash (mother of actress Emma Thompson)..."I toyed with reading SPQR when it came out. I just never got around to it. Though I think I would have to read the print edition as I am not well versed with the topic and would surly get lost with audio.
I read mostly e-books on my Kindle, but I occasionally read ones from the library on their app on my iphone or tablet.I enjoy audio books, although I haven't listened to very many. Most of my listening time is spent with podcasts of news and reviews.
But a good audio book is a wonderful thing! The narrator makes all the difference. Some people can tell stories around a campfire, and don't we love them?! They can keep me paying attention, but my mind has a natural inclination to wander, which doesn't matter with a podcast but it does with a plot, and I have to keep "rewinding".
I recommend listening to a sample, or going to the narrator's website (or their agent's) and listening to them there.
And there's a group here, if you get serious:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
My husband read & really liked SPQR, as well. It's on my list. Patty, what a great idea. Thanks.
PattyMacDotComma wroteBut a good audio book is a wonderful thing! The narrator makes all the difference...."Absolutely !
Most of the way through SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, I'm going to say that it works better as a print book for many folks. Thing is... I'm more reading it as "entertainment" to pass the time than to retain much of the data provided, as the narration works so well.
my first Netgalley audiobook,
Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You by Annie Lyons https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
John wrote: "Most of the way through SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome, I'm going to say that it works better as a print book for many folks. Thing is... I'm more reading it as "entertainment" to ..."Thanks for the info on audio versus print for this book.
Sometimes, if I can get both from the library, I like to read the ebook and listen to the audio book narration at the same time. It's slower reading to do that but I am finding that so many of these narrator are so good they really add a lot to my enjoyment and understanding of the book.
I am currently listening to Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You and the narration is excellent. I also have the eBook. The author / narrator is Jason Reynolds
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "my first Netgalley audiobook, Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You by Annie Lyons https://www.go..."This sounds like a good audio book for me to read on my exercise walks. I'm adding it to my TBR notebook. Thanks !
As I'm participating in a couple of challenges, besides my own I created here, I've started listening to A Mortal Bane. The series itself qualifies for being set in the Middle Ages, as well as disabled characters. The protagonist runs her own brothel, with a crew of disabled employees (blind, mute, "slow" and hard-of-hearing). So far it's interesting, but we'll see how the actual murder mystery goes once it's fully underway.
From the reviews here on GR, the mystery is the best part of the book. It seems folks weren't impressed by the setting, of all things. What varied folk we readers be! Enjoy, John.
Alias Reader wrote: "Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "my first Netgalley audiobook, [book:Eudora Honeysett ..."My pleasure! Enjoy. ❤📚
Blue Genes by Val McDermid https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Nice review, Sandy. This sounds like an interesting series, too. I appreciate that you shared about it.
Note: U. S. residents onlyI have completed four tasks. Posting this information if anyone else was (unknowingly) targeted for the promotion. Link is the words "Kindle challenge" in the first sentence.
https://goodereader.com/blog/kindle/a...
John wrote: "Note: U. S. residents onlyI have completed four tasks. Posting this information if anyone else was (unknowingly) targeted for the promotion. Link is the words "Kindle challenge" in the first sent..."
Thanks for posting this, John. I did receive something saying I had points or something in the Amazon challenge. I didn't read the notice completely so I didn't realize it involved a book credit.
I guess one automatically is in it, since I think it said I had points or something for finishing a kindle book. I have to see if I can find the email in my deleted emails.
------ Leave the World Behind
by Rumaan Alam; narrated by Marin Ireland
What happens: A white family staying in a rented Hamptons home finds their idyllic vacation cut short by the arrival of the owners, an older Black couple hoping to take refuge from a blackout in New York City.
Narration: In this AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording, narrator Marin Ireland's nuanced reading captures the tensions between the two families as they try to understand the cause of the blackout.
----- Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn; narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
What it's about: While grieving the loss of her mother, 16-year-old Bree has her world shaken once again when she witnesses a demon attack and discovers the Legendborn, a magical secret society descended from King Arthur's knights.
Narration: Joniece Abbott-Pratt juggles multiple character accents and tones in her energetic reading of this suspenseful YA series opener.
----- I Am These Truths: A Memoir of Identity, Justice, and Living Between Worlds
by Sunny Hostin; narrated by Sunny Hostin
What it's about: The View co-host and ABC News legal analyst Sunny Hostin's life and career.
Narration: The author's spoken-from-the-heart reading warmly complements her reflective and inspiring prose.
----- One for the Books
by Jenn McKinlay; narrated by Allyson Ryan
Wedding problems: A mishap with the guest list finds most of the town invited to the wedding of Briar Creek, Connecticut library director Lindsey Norris and boat captain Sully, but the biggest development is that someone murders Sully's old friend, who was to perform the ceremony.
Narration: Longtime Library Lover's Mysteries narrator Allyson Ryan returns to narrate this engaging 11th entry in the series.
----- Her Night With the Duke
by Diana Quincy; narrated by Zara Hampton-Brown
What happens: While stranded at a country inn, widowed travel writer Lady Delilah Chambers spends one night with a stranger only to find out later that he is Elliot Townsend, the Duke of Huntington -- and her beloved stepdaughter's betrothed.
Narration: Zara Hampton-Brown's lively British-accented narration complements this steamy 1st in a new series.
----- The Fragile Earth: Writing from the New Yorker on Climate Change
by David Remnick and Henry Finder (editors); narrated by Kaleo Griffith, Gabra Zackman, and Cat Gould
What it is: an anthology of The New Yorker's climate change reporting.
Narration: A trio of narrators imbue this AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording with a calm yet persuasive sense of urgency.
---- The Invisible Life of Addie Larue
by V.E. Schwab; narrated by Julia Whelan
What it's about: Three centuries after she makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but to be unremembered, adventurous young French woman Addie Larue discovers that one person, New York bookstore owner Henry, may be the exception.
Narration: Award-winning narrator Julia Whelan wields an impressive array of character accents (including French and New York) in her leisurely-paced reading of this sweeping fantasy.
----- She Come By It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs
by Sarah Smarsh; narrated by Sarah Smarsh
What it's about: country superstar Dolly Parton's musical and cultural legacy.
Narration: Heartland author Sarah Smarsh's plainspoken narration complements her thoughtful assessment of Parton's impact.
Monday i shut down my iPad, which i don't do on a daily basis. When i opened a new book on Overdrive, the font was gigantic to the point i couldn't read it. I tried opening another book and the same thing occurred. Eventually i managed to tame the font, so to speak but this morning it has changed again. However, it's not the huge font, at least. Is anyone else having this problem or is it particular to my machine? At least i finally figured out how to adjust the size.
madrano wrote: "Monday i shut down my iPad, which i don't do on a daily basis. When i opened a new book on Overdrive, the font was gigantic to the point i couldn't read it. I tried opening another book and the sam..."Sorry, most of my books are from overdrive and I don't have that issue. I hope you can figure it out.
My books are also from Overdrive, which is why i'm baffled. This is the first time i've had this problem. Now that i know how to "correct" it, it's not as big an issue, of course. Still, i'd like to know why it suddenly began acting up.
I just finished
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You a remix by Jason ReynoldsThis book is the condensed under 300 page YA version of the 600 + page book Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
I listened to parts of the audio book while exercise walking and read parts of the eBook. I thought the audio was well done.
I think the books style would appeal to younger and older audiences. It certainly held my interest. The book is very accessible and reads like someone is talking to you, not a dry history book. Rate 4/5 stars. Recommend.
This is good to know, Alias. It sounds informative, so that it's now quite accessible is nice.
I managed to read 5 titles off my Netgalley shelf in the past week:
Trafficked by M.A. Hunter ⭐⭐⭐.4https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Bibliomysteries Volume 1 edited by Otto Penzler (audiobook) ⭐⭐⭐⭐.6https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The Ocean House: Stories by Mary-Beth Hughes ⭐ my first dnf for 2021 and, I hope, my last. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The Boatman's Wife by Noëlle Harrison ⭐⭐⭐.6https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And
Pianos and Flowers: Brief Encounters of the Romantic Kind by Alexander McCall Smith ⭐⭐⭐.6https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And another audiobook
Flesh House by Stuart MacBride ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Sandy, what a collection of books you've shared. I like the way you describe them & whether or not you'll continue with a series. It was a clever idea of Smith's to use old Times photos for a basis of each short story. What a delight for readers and a challenge to the writer.
The bibliomystery book would give readers what they wanted--variety and different approaches to crimes.
Thanks for all the reviews, Sandy.
I've listened to the first hour (of three) of Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher... not sure what I think of it.
John wrote: "I've listened to the first hour (of three) of Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher... not sure what I think of it."I saw the Broadway Roundabouts production and I thought she was quite good and I enjoyed it. Of course it's a different experience seeing a show and reading the book.
True, Alias. And in this case there was a weird history, in that first it was a play, then a book. Since the play was a one-woman creation, i don't know how different the book is from the play. Or is it?
I listened to the memoir/travelogue Arabian Sands and enjoyed the look at a completely different way of life. The Bedouin way of life is interesting to hear about. 
I'd not heard of Wilfred Thesiger but your comments led me to look him up. What a fascinating person. And the photographs!http://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/thesiger/imag...
Deb, those are fantastic photos. The photos are the book!
Only two titles off my Netgalley shelf this week:
Weekend Pass by Paul Cavanagh https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
And:
Ask No Questions by Claire Allan https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...Plus an audiobook,
Murder in Paradise: Thirteen Mysteries from the Travels of Hercule Poirot by Agatha Christie https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sandy, even when you don't particularly like a book, you share about it very nicely. One comment from your review of the Cavanagh novel, which called to me was, "Unfortunately, I don't think that this author's style of writing gets the full potential from this story." I suspect i've read a number of books like that but didn't fully understand what you wrote--the author, while talented, wasn't quite able to fulfill the story's promise. I'm going to keep that in mind as i read. (Usually i blame myself.)
Started Night and Day by Virginia Woolf. Not the most exciting story, but I'm fine with letting Juliet Stevenson wash over me for 15 hours in this case!
I agree with you about Stevenson. This is a Woolf i haven't read, so i'll be interested to read your opinion of it.
I just started the audio book 
Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay ShettyA friend recommended the audio to me. Since the start of the year I've been trying to get back into a meditation routine without success. Maybe this book will motivate me.
Is the audio itself a meditation? That would be neat. Good luck!
madrano wrote: "Is the audio itself a meditation? That would be neat. Good luck!"No. I just started it. So far it's a bit of a memoir.
Which makes sense, actually. Thanks for the reply.
I read three e-books from my Netgalley list last week: 
Exit by Belinda Bauerhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The Rosary Garden by Nicola Whitehttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Life Sentences by Billy O'Callaghanhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Plus I listened to
Dry Bones by Peter May https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thanks for sharing these reviews, Sandy. Dry Bones sounds really good to me.
Fooled again with my Jill Lepore book! Kindle counter at 36%, but closer to 70% finished as the end notes and such take up almost half the space!
John wrote: "Fooled again with my Jill Lepore book! Kindle counter at 36%, but closer to 70% finished as the end notes and such take up almost half the space!"LOL.... I've had that happen to me, too.
Since the beginning of the month I have read 7 books, 5 Netgalley ARCs, plus 1 read/listen, also from Netgalley, and an audiobook. My Netgalley books were:
Hadley & Grace by Suzanne Redfearn https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
House of Correction by Nicci French https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The Night Hawks by Elly Griffiths https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
An Ordinary Life by Amanda Prowse https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
My read/listen was
The Shadow Man by Helen Fields https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
My audiobook was
The Silence by Susan Allott https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
madrano wrote: "Thanks for sharing these reviews, Sandy. Dry Bones sounds really good to me."It is Madrano. I really enjoy Peter May. ❤📚
I've just listened to an audio of Milkman by Anna Burns.The narration was done by Brid Brennan and I found her voice perfect for this tale. The lilting accent drew me along and engaged me into the story.
Now the story.......
This is a difficult book to rate. I enjoyed listening to the story but, to tell the truth, don't see any difference between the beginning and the end. There was conflict everywhere in this unnamed society and yet the story had no conflict and it ended....like that.
That said, it's a tale that would resonate to anyone who is a bit out of synch with the "norm" and therefore seen as a bit of an outsider. In this society, one should conform in order to fit in, in order to keep the eyes of neighbours, State and authorities off of one. One doesn't want to be in the spotlight.
After listening to this, I read a few reviews and saw that this unnamed society was Ireland in the '70s, during their time of The Troubles. That made a bit more sense of the story, but not much.
So, all in all, an interesting read if one is looking at an outcast and how that affects one's outlook and feelings. The writing is well done and often quite humorous. There just doesn't seem to be much advancement of the story. It kind of ends where it began.
What an intriguing review, Petra. In a way i'm drawn to it but in another i'm not. GR readers generally liked it but those who didn't, really didn't. I don't have a Maybe To Be Read list but if i did, this would be on it. I appreciate your comments. We'll see if they continue to tempt me over the course of this day. At that point, i'll have to read it, right?
Deb, I agree. I never once thought of not finishing it. It was well told and well written. But when I finished, I couldn't say that there was much of a story either. Very strange reaction. A rather confusing reaction.
If you ever do read it, I'd be interested in your thoughts. I haven't got a "maybe" list either.
I'll give my opinion if i do, indeed, read it, Petra.
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