Audiobooks discussion

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December

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message 1: by John, Moderator (last edited Nov 30, 2021 09:25PM) (new)

John | 3933 comments I'm not much for holiday-themed reads, but have started A Christmas Cruise Murder, part of a series where I've listened to most of them. Also started a nonfiction Rice, Noodle, Fish: Deep Travels Through Japan's Food Culture, which I suspect I'll complete more out if a sense of obligation than enthusiasm.

On a lighter note, am going through M. C. Beaton's "Poor Relation" series, read by Davina Porter.


message 2: by Jan Mc (new)

Jan Mc (mcfitzsatx) | 279 comments John wrote: "On a lighter note, am going through M. C. Newton's "Poor Relation" series, read by Davina Porter...."

A favorite of mine, and of course, Ms. Porter narrates it perfectly. I'm trying to stretch out the series as long as I can.


message 3: by Jan (last edited Dec 01, 2021 08:52AM) (new)

Jan | 532 comments Started Silenced For Good by Alex Coombs from the Audible Plus catalog. It's caught my attention immediately though it does seem to be on the dark side. I'm really enjoying the narration by Carolyn Bonnyman.


message 4: by Joy D (new)

Joy D | 561 comments The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard: Annotated by Arthur Conan Doyle - 4 stars - My Review

Eight interrelated short stories featuring protagonist Brigadier Etiennne Gerard, an officer in the French Army during the Napoleonic Wars. He narrates tales of his escapades looking back on them many years later. Gerard is quite the hero – just ask him! The Brigadier is a great character. He is vain and a little pompous. He knows the emperor and has several tales that feature Napoleon himself. His more serious escapades are interspersed with comic interludes. It is full of delightful adventures, and I quite enjoyed it.

The audio book is nicely read by Rupert Degas. He does a great job with the voices of the Brigadier and I loved his Napoleon.


message 5: by Pamela (new)

Pamela | 260 comments I'm listening to That Summer by Jennifer Weiner for a lighter read. My library holds all seem to have come at the same time, and I keep marking deliver later. Think I may have overdone it with the holds.


message 6: by Dee (new)

Dee (austhokie) | 1955 comments i'm listening to Leverage in Death as well as The Unhoneymooners


message 7: by Kandice (new)

Kandice | 62 comments I'm listening to The Midnight Library, and while Mulligan has a beautiful reading voice, I am not quite as fond of the story. I seem to be in the minority, since almost everyone has given it four or five stars.


message 8: by Robin P (new)

Robin P | 1739 comments I am on the 3rd volume of Wrexford/Sloane series, Murder at Kensington Palace. I enjoy this series and I own at least one more after this. It may have been John who alerted me to it since he is a fan, or I may have picked it up on my own, as I love 19th-century historical mysteries set in England. Narration is excellent.


message 9: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments Robin P wrote: "I am on the 3rd volume of Wrexford/Sloane series, Murder at Kensington Palace. I enjoy this series and I own at least one more after this. It may have been John who alerted me to it..."

I love that series, too, and it was John who alerted me to it... thanks, John!


message 10: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments Today I finished The Symphony, another Great Course by Robert Greenberg. It was excellent as usual but more than any other of the survey courses it kept referencing other great Courses for more in-depth discussions about the various symphonies. Part of me wants to also get those, but the part of me that is exhausted by the focused attention required for these courses tells me to wait a while. I still have the Master Works and the Bach courses, but I'm going to listen to those one or two lectures at a time and space it out more... my brain is full right now!


message 11: by Ashley Marie (new)

Ashley Marie  | 563 comments I'm going to finish The Ice Limit but I took a break because it was feeling stuffy and picked up Phoebe Robinson's first book, You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain and it's been exactly what I needed.


message 12: by Ashley Marie (new)

Ashley Marie  | 563 comments Kandice wrote: "I'm listening to The Midnight Library, and while Mulligan has a beautiful reading voice, I am not quite as fond of the story. I seem to be in the minority, since almost everyone has..."

I listened to the sample on Libby and I feel like I might be better off reading this one in print. I like Carey's voice but she might be *too* soothing for me.


message 13: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished Bound, eighth book in the Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka. I have liked this series but stalled out on this book just after it was released. I picked up the remainder of the available series last June during the big sale on Audible and am now planning to finish the others in time for the release of the series finale next week. I enjoyed this one and hope the next three will be as easy to read.


message 14: by Doug (new)

Doug (lakeman) | 239 comments I read Celine by Peter Heller. This was different in style from his other books (which I happened to like), The Dog Stars, The Painter, or The River, which were all narrated by Mark Deakins. This one was more of a mystery and was narrated by Kimberly Farr, who I remembered from Olive Kitteridge and the sequel to that one, Olive, Again (Elizabeth Strout). It was a case where the Olive books crept into Celine because of the narration which was very similar. Other than that I liked Celine and would recommend it even if you were perhaps put off by Peter Heller's other novels, the tone of this one is not violent and I rated it 4 stars.


message 15: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished Marked in the Alex Verus Series by Benedict Jacka. Now on to Fallen, tenth book in the series.


message 16: by Jan (last edited Dec 03, 2021 09:34AM) (new)

Jan | 532 comments Doug wrote: "I read Celine by Peter Heller. This was different in style from his other books (which I happened to like), The Dog Stars, The Painter, or The River, which were all narrated by Mark..."

I loved that book Doug! It was my first by Heller and I have been trying to figure out if I want to try another.


message 17: by Ashley Marie (new)

Ashley Marie  | 563 comments I made it past the halfway mark in The Ice Limit before uttering a long-suffering sigh and DNFing it. However, I'm digging this humor books kick (4 stars to You Can't Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain) and have moved along to Ali Wong's Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets, & Advice for Living Your Best Life. I seem to gravitate toward nonfiction, especially humorous/comedic memoirs, in December. Hmmm, I wonder what that means :P


message 18: by Joy D (new)

Joy D | 561 comments There is a lot going on in this book. In addition to issues, history, and culture of indigenous people, it includes a variety of recent events, such as the Black Lives Matter protests, COVID lockdown, and the election. Due to the many diverse concepts, it takes time for the storyline to gel. The characters are well-formed. Themes include betrayal, regret, forgiveness, and redemption. It is an homage to the power of literature, and how reading can help people during times of troubles. The Sentence is an ambitious work that will serve as an excellent source, in future times, to help people to understand the American COVID-19 pandemic experience.

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich - 4 stars - My Review

The audio book is read by the author. I am not sure why an author of the stature of Louise Erdrich would not hire a professional. She does an adequate job.


message 19: by Pamela (new)

Pamela | 260 comments Finished up That Summer by Jennifer Weiner, which wasn't quite the lighter read I expected. Perhaps should have read some reviews or the blurb more closely. Don't really recommend the book, mainly due to the writing style, not necessarily the topic. It felt rushed, like an unfinished book, one that needed more honing to be a good story.

Started up Appleseed by Matt Bell for something completely different. Not far in and was getting very confused, so I stopped and read a few reviews. I understand there are three vastly different timelines, that helped! Now I'll continue on, but my desire to bail on it is tempting.


message 20: by Kaoru (new)

Kaoru Cruz (lite2shine) | 145 comments I'm still listening to 11/22/63 but hopefully I'll finish today or tomorrow (93% point). It's a long book and sometimes the pace gets slow. I'm still enjoying it.

This is the last prompt for my 52 Book Club (Alternate History), so after this, I can read anything until 2022 starts LOL.

BTW I'm running a full marathon on Sunday and usually I listen to an audiobook while running, I don't think I will during the race, I may be distracted and my pace gets really slow (I'm slow to begin with). But all these days of training, I listened to many books and I'm very grateful for the companion (especially early in the morning in the dark).


message 21: by Kaoru (new)

Kaoru Cruz (lite2shine) | 145 comments Kandice wrote: "I'm listening to The Midnight Library, and while Mulligan has a beautiful reading voice, I am not quite as fond of the story. I seem to be in the minority, since almost everyone has..."

You are not alone Kandice, I gave it 3 stars. I didn't get the rave about this book after listening to it.


message 22: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments Last night I finished Fallen from the Alex Verus series... now on to book 11, Forged, and then a couple of days to wait for the series to wrap up.


message 23: by Joy D (new)

Joy D | 561 comments Northern Spy by Flynn Berry - 3 stars - My Review

The premise of the story is that the IRA has gone underground but is still active despite the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. It explores how far we will go to protect family and whom to protect when we cannot protect everyone. As a story of family, difficult decisions, and suspenseful situations, it is effective. However, I do not think the author sets up the historical context very well. She immensely oversimplifies the issues involved in The Troubles. It would have made more sense to set the story in the 1970s - 1990s. It reads like an alternate history, which is, perhaps, the author’s intent, but it should be made clear to the reader.

DISCLAIMER: I can find no evidence of this type of terrorism currently active in Northern Ireland - anyone living there please chime in, but I've checked the news. There are some border concerns related to Brexit but nothing like the level of activity described in this book. The author is American.

I listen to the audiobook, which is competently read by Katharine Lee McEwan. She reads in a low-key manner without much voice modulation.


message 24: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished Forged from the Alex Verus series. I've enjoyed my binge read of these last four books and wonder why I didn't pick the series back up sooner. Still, I'm glad I waited since there are only a couple days left to wait for the conclusion. This last one ended with a strange sort of explanation for coming events that the character was privy to but the author decided not to let the reader in on. It was like, "He told us how and why things were about to be as bad as it could get and we realized it was true. The End." Not a horrible cliffhanger to wait a few days to have resolvd, but I'd have been less than pleased to have to wait a year for the reveal.


message 25: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments Today I also finished the latest audio release in the Penric and Desdemona series by Lois McMaster Bujold, Knot of Shadows. It was released in print back in October but the audio just came out within the last few days. Like all Penric and Desdemona novellas, this was a good story, but it was sadder and more tragic than these stories usually are. It wouldn't have stopped me, but this story needs a warning about the fact that a small child was among the victims in this story. It made for some very tragic and poignant moments... some tears were involved. I usually avoid anything called a "tearjerker", but this was done well and wasn't playing for just the tears. It also helped that it ended with a touch of humor and then a touch of philosophy.


message 26: by Kathleen (last edited Dec 04, 2021 06:42PM) (new)

Kathleen | 357 comments On a recent car trip, we finished listening to Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer, relistened to Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know for a book group, and listened to The Bomber Mafia: A Dream, a Temptation, and the Longest Night of the Second World War. The last two are by Malcolm Gladwell.

I didn’t think that WWII bombing would interest me, but Gladwell tells a unique historical story which brings up the ethics of killing thousands of hapless city dwellers who just happen to be the enemy. There are racist elements to the excessive bombing of Japanese cities and villages, by General LeMay, that Gladwell does not acknowledge.

Now we are listening to a few episodes in the Tides of History podcast, which is free in the Audible Plus catalog.


message 27: by Faith (new)


message 28: by Jan Mc (new)

Jan Mc (mcfitzsatx) | 279 comments I finally finished the sci-fi To Sleep in a Sea of Stars, by Christopher Paolini and narrated by Jennifer Hale. It's almost 40 hours, and the book was MUCH too long. Interesting concepts, but lots of repetition and technical jargon.

I'm now listening to the best-selling novel The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides and narrated (partially) by Jack Hawkins. PLEASE, will someone tell me it's going to get more interesting soon? I'm close to giving up. It's not living up to the blurb: "a shocking psychological thriller."


message 29: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished Dawn Unearthed, first in the Ravenwood Coven PNR series by Carrie Ann Ryan. This was a DD a few days ago so I gave it a try. Hands down the best thing about this book is the narration by Aiden Snow... fantastic voice! The female narrator does a good job on her sections, but Snow's voice is a show stopper. As for the story itself... about average. It is overly melodramatic in sections, not fully developed in its world building, and the typical beginning of a PNR series where the woman can't seem to wrap her mind around the paranormal became irritating. All in all, I doubt if I'll continue the series... unless it's to sample more of Aiden Snow's narration!


message 30: by Kathleen (new)

Kathleen | 357 comments Jan: I thought The Silent Patient was boring and didn’t understand the hype. It doesn’t get better. Ditch it.


message 31: by Jim (last edited Dec 05, 2021 09:02AM) (new)

Jim Townsend | 2 comments Good morning! I'm currently listening to Rogers Hornsby: A Biography by Charles C. Alexander. I think it's read by the author. MLB Hall of Famer Hornsby (1896-1962), whose lifetime batting average of .358 is second only to that of Ty Cobb, was a better player than human being, according to the book.


message 32: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments Jim wrote: "Good morning! I'm currently listening to Rogers Hornsby: A Biography by Charles C. Alexander. I think it's read by the author. MLB Hall of Famer Hornsby (1896-1962), ..."

It's funny but I introduced my nephew to the movie Field of Dreams just last week and the players all agreed not to let Ty Cobb play at the field because, paraphrasing, he wasn't a particularly nice person. Now I'm wondering if Hornsby was also second to Cobb in bad personality or if he finally beat him out in something. ;P


message 33: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments Today I finished Witching for Kismet, sixth in the PWF series Premonition Point by deanna Chase. This was quite a good story until near the end when it essentially repeated an ending from a few books ago. Overall it was still worthwhile, but the author needs to work on not repeating herself within the same series!


message 34: by Jan Mc (new)

Jan Mc (mcfitzsatx) | 279 comments Jim wrote: "Good morning! I'm currently listening to Rogers Hornsby: A Biography by Charles C. Alexander. I think it's read by the author. MLB Hall of Famer Hornsby (1896-1962), ..."

I think it might be difficult to argue that both Cobb and Hornsby were "difficult," that's for sure.


message 35: by Jan Mc (new)

Jan Mc (mcfitzsatx) | 279 comments Kathleen wrote: "Jan: I thought The Silent Patient was boring and didn’t understand the hype. It doesn’t get better. Ditch it."

Thanks! I'm going to take your advice, Kathleen. ;-)


message 36: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished a Christmas short story from The Best Witches Baking Show series by Nancy Warren, Gingerdead House. It was a nice little story for this time of year. The premise is that Poppy is participating in a charity competition at Christmas time building gingerbread houses when, of course, a murder occurs.
While it's not truly important, this story can't actually fall within the chronology of the main series, even though it tried to indicate that it does. No matter, it's always nice to get a good Christmas-themed story.


message 37: by Kaoru (new)

Kaoru Cruz (lite2shine) | 145 comments Finished 11/22/63 4.5 stars. I was wondering how it would end and it was satisfactory for me.

Now reading The Good Sister because it was only available immediately. Of course as soon as I started to read, other books I really wanted to read became available. Never fails.


message 38: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished Cakes and Pains, eighth book in The Best Witches Baking Show by Nancy Warrren. This wasn't a bad book exactly, but it moved through the story points pretending to resolve or set up something, but actually never arrived at any conclusions... not even the murder was fully "solved". The next book in the series, Wisk and Reward, will be the last of this series... and I can hardly wait. I feel a certain antipathy toward the MC, even though I'm supposed to like her, and would actively avoid having even a cup of coffee with her if she came to life and knocked on my door. I was interested in the quest that started the MC down this road... about five books ago. But this story arc has dribbled out the clues so sparingly that I'm only frustrated and more than ready for this journey to end! I'm now primarily sticking around to see who will win the baking contest.


message 39: by Ashley Marie (new)

Ashley Marie  | 563 comments I've put Ali Wong's book on the back burner until later this week because the audiobook of Get a Life, Chloe Brown is available and it's the last book I need for my yearly book challenge. Adjoa Andoh narrates, and it's very early but it's already delightful.


message 40: by Joy D (new)

Joy D | 561 comments Set in the US in the 1950s, I was a bit disappointed with the latest from Towles, after loving A Gentleman in Moscow. I was excited to read about a story that takes place on the actual Lincoln Highway, but there is very little about it in this book:

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles - 3 stars - My Review

The audiobook is nicely read by Edoardo Ballerini, Marin Ireland, and Dion Graham. It makes sense to have three narrators for three very different characters.


message 41: by Robin P (new)

Robin P | 1739 comments Kathleen wrote: "Jan: I thought The Silent Patient was boring and didn’t understand the hype. It doesn’t get better. Ditch it."

I just read it in print because my local book club picked it and I thought it was terrible, of course it's a thriller, which isn't a genre I like.


message 42: by Jan (new)

Jan | 532 comments Listening to Abide With Me by Jane Willan. This is the third in a series and the new narrator is ruining it for me. Her sing song Welsh accents are really annoying. I know this is a common complaint but I hate when they change narrators in a series. Speeding it up quite a bit is helping some.


message 43: by Kandice (new)

Kandice | 62 comments Jan wrote: "I'm now listening to the best-selling novel The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides and narrated (partially) by Jack Hawkins. PLEASE, will someone tell me it's going to get more interesting soon? I'm close to giving up. It's not living up to the blurb: "a shocking psychological thriller...."

I'm sorry to say that it did NOT get more interesting for me.


message 44: by Dee (new)

Dee (austhokie) | 1955 comments Ashley Marie wrote: "I've put Ali Wong's book on the back burner until later this week because the audiobook of Get a Life, Chloe Brown is available and it's the last book I need for my yearly book chal..."

I read this but I listed to the other 2 in the series - I loved them!


message 45: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments I finished Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America by John McWhorter. I had previously only known of--and extremely enjoyed--Professor McWhorter through his works like Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue, The Untold Story of English and his Words on the Move: Why English Won’t—And Can’t—Sit Still (Like, Literally). When I first saw this title I wondered how he thought he could get away with writing on this topic given today's culture. It was only upon reading this book that I discovered he is black.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is thoughtful, well-written (not a surprise), sometimes humorous, and absolutely essential to understanding what has become a topic many now shy away from. He speaks with authority and reasoned logic about a topic that many of us today find it increasingly difficult to discuss. His arguments clarified much of what I have found irrational about modern discourse about race and he even has two final chapters that actually give some alternative action plans for addressing the problems outlined.

This book actually dovetails in a strange way with the book I read a week or two ago, Where Do We Go From Here? by Dr. David Jeremiah. While complimentary, they approach some common concerns from vastly different viewpoints. McWhorter comes from a secular point of view and, by describing Woke Antiracism as a religion, often presents other religions in a harsh clinical light--admittedly not always undeserved. He also has a clear political view that not all will agree with, but much of what he has to say is aimed at those who would share his politics, which makes his arguments all the more effective.

It isn't often that I read about a topic like this where the author speaks to me in such a profound way, clarifying what had previously seemed baffling and even irrational. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who has ever thought about race in America. McWhorter at the very least provides food for thought even if you don't agree with his conclusions.


message 46: by John, Moderator (new)

John | 3933 comments Jeanie wrote: "I finished Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America by John McWhorter. I had previously only known of--and extremely enjoyed--Professor McWhorter through his works like Our Magnif..."

I knew he was black, and not what might be considered" progressive" but glad he's expressing his point of view.


message 47: by Jeanie (new)

Jeanie | 4024 comments John wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "I finished Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America by John McWhorter. I had previously only known of--and extremely enjoyed--Professor McWhorter through his works ..."

I think McWhorter would describe himself as Liberal or Left of Center rather than Progressive, but he never actually says.


message 48: by Nancy (new)

Nancy (nancyc) | 2 comments Jan wrote: "Listening to Abide With Me by Jane Willan. This is the third in a series and the new narrator is ruining it for me. Her sing song Welsh accents are really annoying..."

Agree with you. I get annoyed when a narrator changes too.


message 49: by Nancy (new)

Nancy (nancyc) | 2 comments I've enjoyed Murder on the Oxford Canal the narration has been good throughout the series.
Now reading The Reckoning book two in this series and warming up to the series.


message 50: by Bill (Just a) (new)

Bill (Just a) | 911 comments Merry Christmas. Risen (Alex Verus final installment) drops tomorrow.


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