Audiobooks discussion

Starting the month with a nonfiction Hong Kong by Jan Morris, and the latest in a Victorian mystery series (next one this summer): Murder at the Natural History Museum by Jim Eldridge.

starting this month alternating between Death Canyon and Tokyo Ever After

i also have The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life tee'd up for my next listen

Kicking off July with Dear Justyce!

Dee wrote: "starting this month alternating between Death Canyon and Tokyo Ever After

i also have The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life tee'd up for my next li..."

Toyo Ever After is in my on my list!

I continue to read The Night Watchman, the tone of the narrator is very good on this story.

War Horse by Michael Morpurgo - 4 stars - My Review

I had seen the movie a few years ago and loved it, so I had to read the book. It is a touching story of friendship. It is also historical fiction about World War I, told from the perspective of Joey the horse. Joey is shipped across the English Channel to France and participates in the last cavalry charge. He witnesses trench warfare, is captured by Germans, and spends time with a French farming family. He encounters both kind and mean-spirited people on both sides. I think employing the horse’s perspective helps dilute the horrors of war in a way that younger people can learn the history of the era without becoming overwhelmed. It is an anti-war story that portrays the impact on both people and animals.

The audio is capably narrated by John Keating. He does a fine job - no complaints.

Starting off the month with Survive the Night by Riley Sager narrated by, Savannah Gilmore

Joy D wrote: "War Horse by Michael Morpurgo - 4 stars - My Review

I had seen the movie a few years ago and loved it, so I had to read the book. It is a touching story of friendship..."

I listened to this one a few years ago and loved it! Still sad I missed seeing the stage show when it toured.

Ashley Marie wrote: "Joy D wrote: "War Horse by Michael Morpurgo - 4 stars - My Review

I had seen the movie a few years ago and loved it, so I had to read the book. It is a touching story..."

I was lucky to see the stage version on Broadway. However, during the intermission we learned my Grandfather-in-law passed away and we were devastated, so I don't have a good memory :(

As the month starts I'm near the end of Know My Name by Chanel Miller and have a few hours left of The Queen of Bedlam by Robert R. McCammon. Chanel Miller's book is a powerful must listen.

Kathleen wrote: "a few hours left of The Queen of Bedlam by Robert R. McCammon...."

I'd like to try this one, but the first one in the series was awfully brutal. Please update us when you're finished, Kathleen!

What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing Bruce D. Perry Oprah Winfrey


This turns out to be my favorite book of the year. I am surprised. It was like having Dr. Perry and Oprah in the room with me discussing trauma, brain development, neural networks and treatments for healing. Dr. Perry is obviously well regarded in the field of psychiatry and research. This isn't a Dr Oz. And Oprah (with 50K plus interviews over her career and her personal story of abuse and trauma) gives the perfect human touch.

Probably many of us know people who have suffered trauma and had their development effected. We ask "What's wrong with them"? After this book, you will change the question. What Happened to Them?

I am alternating between two audiobooks right now:

- A Tree Grows In Brooklyn - narrated by Kate Burton. This is my second time listening to this. I really love the narrator.

- Longbourn - Just started, but so far am really enjoying it.

Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb - 2 stars - My Review

I read this book for “Christmas in July.” It is set in the mid-1960s in Connecticut. It is touted as a Christmas story, but the holiday portion does kick in until the half-way point. Up until then, it is a juvenile tale of a ten-year-old boy, the book’s narrator, attending parochial school. He plays practical jokes and interacts with friends and classmates. I think it is supposed to be funny, but the humor is crude and did not appeal to me. The primary set-piece is a fifth grade Christmas pageant. The ending is cute. Call me the Grinch, but this book is just OK.

The audio book is nicely read by the author, who does a better job than most authors I have heard. I have no complaints.

Joy D wrote: "Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb - 2 stars - My Review

I read this book for “Christmas in July.” It is set in the mid-1960s in Connecticut. It is touted as a Christmas..."

If you are looking for a good christmas book in July, look at NOS4A2 by Joe Hill. The children also play a sort of practical joke with a game called "Scissors for the Stranger" but it isn't juvenile humor at all.

My review of The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X by Les Payne

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

Joy D wrote: "Wishin' and Hopin' by Wally Lamb - 2 stars - My Review

I read this book for “Christmas in July.” It is set in the mid-1960s in Connecticut. It is touted as a Christmas..."

I enjoyed it because I am from the same era as the author so I could relate to a lot of the references.

I finished Malibu Rising. I didn't enjoy this book as much as some of her other books, but it was still good.

Today, I'm starting The Book of Lost Friends.

Boyfriend Material
This wasn't the romcom I was expecting. Somehow the book and characters managed to be charming, boring, humorous, and sad. Narrator Joe Jameson is probably responsible for at least part of the charming.
Most readers seem to be looking forward to the next Luc and Oliver romance book in August 2022 but I was unaware when I picked this that it wasn't complete story. Ending is not cliffhanger but is more HFN than HEA.

Enjoying Southern Charms Mystery series. First book: Moonshine & Magic by Bella Falls. Charli, finding things talent, returns to her paranormal hometown. Aquires, or is aquired by, a kitten. Of course Charli also has to solve a murder.

Bill (Just a) wrote: "If you are looking for a good christmas book in July, look at NOS4A2 by Joe Hill. The children also play a sort of practical joke with a game called "Scissors for the Stranger" but it isn't juvenile humor at all.."

Thanks, Bill. I will check it out. I always want to read one of these type books a year, and I haven't had a hit since Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Robin P wrote: "I enjoyed it because I am from the same era as the author so I could relate to a lot of the references. ..."

I am glad you enjoyed it. The references to the Mickey Mouse Club were cute, and there were other parts that had a nostalgic feeling, even if I did not have a personal connection to them.

I always hate giving a low rating to a book like this, since I'm sure I am trampling on someone's fond childhood memories.

L J wrote: "Boyfriend Material
This wasn't the romcom I was expecting. Somehow the book and characters managed to be charming, boring, humorous, and sad. ..."

I liked the book too. And I'm very fond of Joe Jameson -- he does a lot of fantasy, and I'm always happy to find books he's narrated.

Jan wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "a few hours left of The Queen of Bedlam by Robert R. McCammon...."

I'd like to try this one, but the first one in the series was awfully brutal. Please update us when you're finis..."

Jan, I suggest that you pass up this book :-) It’s very much a male adventure tale with a brutal ending.

Kathleen wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "a few hours left of The Queen of Bedlam by Robert R. McCammon...."

Jan, I suggest that you pass up this book :-) It’s very much a male adventure tale with a brutal ending. ..."

I was afraid of that. Thank you for the confirmation, Kathleen! It's off my TBR list.

Yesterday, I started Silence for the Dead by Simone St. James. Not bad for what it is, with decent narration.

I just realized I've actually finished two books since I last updated - where has the time gone!

Running Blind - the 4th in the Jack Reacher series (could not find the 3rd at the library so just skipped it). A good action book for sure. It's a reliable series and you just have to put Tom Cruise out of your mind (he was in the movie version) when you listen since Jack is a huge dude (6'5")! A solid 4 star read.

The Book of Lost Friends - this is one of the best I've read in a while. My first 5 star of the year. A beautifully written book that flips between post Civil War south in the late 1800's and "current" (1987) Louisiana. The narration was excellent and I was teary by the end. A truly book not to be missed if you have the chance. Wonderful characters but one - Hannie - was just incredible. Can't recommend enough!

Nancy wrote: "The Book of Lost Friends - this is one of the best I've read in a while. My first 5 star of the year. .."

I just started the book yesterday and have enjoyed the first three chapters. It has a large cast of narrators and I'm not a huge fan of multiple narrators, so I'm a bit concerned. The largest cast I've listened to was 4 and some of the voices tended to run together.

I’m on a 16hr roadtrip… listening to Ray Porter on Bobiverse series book 2 , For We are Many.

Thumbs up, enjoying the multiple Bob’s throughout the universe!

I finished three books in the Widow's Bay series by Rebecca Regnier: Curse Strings, Intermittent Casting, and Spell Like Hotcakes. I'm going to take a break from this series and determine if what irritates me when reading these is the books themselves or if it's just my mood... I'm thinking it's a bit of both, but I'll check in with a friend and see how she reacts to them.

Finished Survive the Night by Riley Sager narrated by, Savannah Gilmore excellent thriller with very well done narration!

Now listening to a middle grade book The Last Kids on Earth by Max Brallier narrated by, Robbie Daymond

The Last Kids on Earth was okay the world building needed some work.

Now re-starting a book I DNF'd in 2020 I think it was my mood so I am giving this one another try, The Guest List by Lucy Foley narrated by, Jot Davies , Chloe Massey , Olivia Dowd , Aoife McMahon , Sarah Ovens & Rich Keeble

I finished And Then There Were Crumbs, first in the Cookie House cozy mystery series by Eve Calder. I really enjoyed this first book and plan to continue with the series. It was as much slice of life in the Florida Keys town as mystery, and all the people, businesses, and the town itself were fun to be with. A secondary character, Maxi, stole the show... which is hard to do when there is a cute dog also vying for the title of best character. I look forward to getting to know these characters and the town better... plus dreaming about eating all those cookies myself!

Janice wrote: "Nancy wrote: "The Book of Lost Friends - this is one of the best I've read in a while. My first 5 star of the year. .."

I just started the book yesterday and have enjoyed the first three chapters...." I think many of them just read the ads from the Lost Friends book. Really it is 2 primary ones and they are both very good.

I slipped in a few chapters of Erik Larson's The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz this morning and I like it already.

Now finishing up An Unkindness of Ghosts. I sped up the audio to 1.5x (always forget to try that when I get bored with a book) and I should be done in another hour or so. The pacing seems to be up and down, with scattered bright spots of beautifully crafted scenes. This is my second Rivers Solomon book, and I can't tell if they're hit-or-miss or just not necessarily my cup of tea.

I'm listening to two books right now.

Taking advantage of the free listen on Audible of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This is actually my first Harry P book. I'm enjoying it.

Doing a reread (first time listening) to Odd Thomas. I just love this book and am doing a buddy read with a few first timers. It's fun sharing a favorite books with friends.

Just finished "Odd Thomas". Interesting book. I liked it. You might like the "Nameless" series as well. Those seem similar to me.

All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai - 4 stars - My Review

Tom Barren lives in a utopian society in the year 2016, featuring flying cars, teleportation, and just about any modern convenience. His father is an inventor of time machine technology based on the pioneering efforts of Lionel Goettreider. In 1965, the development of the Goettreider Engine has made this super-technology possible. Tom gets a chance to be a time traveler. As in many time-travel books, breaking the string of past events causes a ripple effect. The author employs the concept of the multiverse. The unique spin in this book is that our world is not primary, but is a branch that never should have existed. The story is narrated in first person by protagonist Tom. It is filled with sarcastic humor, though the author occasionally gets carried away with profanities. This book portrays how some people get so carried away with their own lives that they do not care about anything else. The story portrays how Tom eventually comes to care about what he has done and attempts to fix it. I tend to enjoy time well-thought-out time-travel stories, and this book delivers. It is fast-paced, inventive, and entertaining.

The audio is read by the author, and he does a good job of pacing and articulating. I generally recommend that authors leave the reading to professionals, but he does a much better job than most. (4 stars for the audio)

My review of Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams

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

Jan wrote: "I'm listening to two books right now.

Taking advantage of the free listen on Audible of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This is actually my first Harry P book. I'm enjoying it.

..."

I hope you enjoy the first HP book and go on to enjoy the rest of them! I became addicted to Jim Dale's narration as much as the story itself and listened to them over and over while waiting for the next HP release back in the day.

Nancy wrote: "Janice wrote: "Nancy wrote: "The Book of Lost Friends - this is one of the best I've read in a while. My first 5 star of the year. .."

I just started the book yesterday and have enjoyed the first ..."

That's encouraging. Thanks. :)

Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell is a classic not to be missed. I prefer it over the author's North and South. Wives and Daughters is also excellent.

My review of Mary Barton: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Hong Kong by Jan Morris is my next book.

Jeanie wrote: "I finished And Then There Were Crumbs, first in the Cookie House cozy mystery series by Eve Calder. I really enjoyed this first book and plan to continue with the series. It was as much slice of li..."

Thanks for this one, It took my fancy from your comments and I bought it. Just finished and bought the next two. So Thank you again.

I finished four short books in the Magic and Mayhem series by Robin Peterman: Witch Glitch, A Witch in Time, Magically Delicious, and A Tale of Two Witches. The best thing about these was the narrator who did a really good job with the text and characters. I had read the first one several years ago and finally picked up more in the recent sale. I must have enjoyed this type of story more in the past since it was barely tolerable now. The tone was wacky, zany, and vulgar with lots of juvenile humor. As I said, the narrator made it tolerable but I won't be picking up any more of these.

Pat () wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "I finished And Then There Were Crumbs, first in the Cookie House cozy mystery series by Eve Calder. I really enjoyed this first book and plan to continue with the series. It was as m..."

You're welcome! I'll be eager to hear your thoughts about the next two and whether they maintain the quality.

Chrissie wrote: "Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell is a classic not to be missed. I prefer it over the author's North and South. Wives and Daughters is al..."

I'm finding Hong Kong very interesting, with Wanda/Nadia doing her usual excellent narration.

I have been revisiting old book friends with
The Ordeal of the Haunted Room, a Christmas story from the St. Mary's series
Midwinter Magic from the Georgian romance series by Stella Riley (read by Alex Wyndham)
Dry Bones from the Walt Longmire series read by George Guidall ( I am working my way through this series)
On tap - the latest Mary Russell - Castle Shade
the latest Chet & Bernie book - Tender Is the Bite

It is disappointing that Audible doesn't alert me to new books in series I am obviously buying. I happened to find them from other sources or by browsing.
One new book - I will be driving a lot next week and will listen to Miss Benson's Beetle

Robin P wrote: "I have been revisiting old book friends with
The Ordeal of the Haunted Room, a Christmas story from the St. Mary's series
Midwinter Magic from the Georgian romance..."

I liked Miss Benson a lot! I get messages from Audible for new books by authors.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - 4 stars - My Review

In this book, protagonist Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, staffed by a beloved librarian from Nora’s past. The librarian offers her the chance to select a book from the shelves, which, when opened, allows her to experience a different version of her life based on making different decisions. This book portrays the various ideas of happiness – where Nora’s life is “successful” based on money, fame, accomplishments, and relationships. She chooses different partners, specialties, and locations. These vignettes introduce humor and drama into the narrative. I enjoy Matt Haig’s writing style and appreciate his desire to help those suffering from depression. It is a creative take on the concept of a multiverse.

Trigger warning for (view spoiler)[attempted suicide (hide spoiler)]

Audio book is nicely read by Carey Mulligan. She has a few names of places that are not pronounced properly, but otherwise does a great job of voicing characters and pacing.

My review of What Abigail Did That Summer by Ben Aaronovitch

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

i finished up Death Canyon - it had potential but neither the plot nor the narration lived up to it...egads Peter Berkrot can not do female voices (I honestly don't think i've ever listened to something narrated by him before)...the plot felt really disjointed and gappy...

I ended up liking The Guest List maybe not as much as I had hoped but way more than DNF'ing last year!

Now reading Madam C.J. Walker Builds a Business by Denene Millner narrated by, Adenrele Ojo this is a middle grade book it's a good true story.