Book Nook Cafe discussion

Here is the thread to discuss audio books, Podcasts, and YouTube.

Share your thoughts and tips right here. :)

Have you listened to a terrific audiobook? Did you find a terrific audiobook narrator ?

Did you find a great podcast or YouTube about books and reading ?

We want to hear all about it.

What are everyone’s favorite types of books to listen to?

I'm not so big on novels, so a lot of my listening is either murder mysteries or nonfiction.

Welcome to Book Nook Cafe, Stacy !

For audio books I need a linear plot and few characters if it's fiction.
I also like non fiction.

What's your favorite ?

----- They Come at Knight
by Yasmin Angoe; narrated by Tamika Katon-Donegal

What it's about: Elite assassin Nena Knight's employer (the powerful business syndicate The Tribe) is under siege, with attacks against their affiliates escalating across the globe. Soon it starts to look like an inside job, and Nena will need to rely on both her training and her instincts to root out a mole.

Narration: Tamika Katon-Donegal returns to narrate this 2nd intense outing in the action-packed Nena Knight series.



----- The River of Silver
by S.A. Chakraborty; narrated by Soneela Nankani

What it is: a collection of 15 short stories set in the world of S.A. Chakraborty's Daevabad trilogy.

Narration: Daevabad series narrator Soneela Nankani returns for an engrossing and lived-in performance that will resonate with fans of the previous books.



----- The Thread Collectors
by Shaunna J. Edwards and Alyson Richman; narrated by Robin Miles

What it is: a descriptive, character-driven story of four people whose lives intertwine in unexpected but profound ways during the Civil War.

Narration: Robin Miles' emotional, AudioFile Earphones Award-winning performance offers measured pacing and authentic character accents.



----- Less Is Lost
by Andrew Sean Greer; narrated by Robert Petkoff

What it's about: An old lover's death plunges modestly successful novelist Arthur Less into emotional and financial distress. A madcap tour of paid speaking gigs quickly descends into hilarious chaos.

Narration: Returning for this 2nd in the Arthur Less novels, Robert Petkoff earned an AudioFile Earphones Award for his well-characterized narration as Arthur's witty partner, Freddy.



----- Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble
by Alexis Hall; narrated by Ewan Goddard

A recipe for disaster? Upon arriving on the set of reality-television competition Bake Expectations, Paris Daillencourt accidentally injures fellow contestant Tariq Hassan, setting them on an unlikely path to love.

Narration: Ewan Goddard's distinctly voiced narration captures Paris' relatable battles with anxiety and insecurity.



------ Jacqueline in Paris
by Ann Mah; narrated by Caroline Hewitt

Before Jackie O: Vassar college girl Jacqueline Bouvier spent a year abroad in post-World War II Paris, mingling with aristocratic French families and communist student activists alike.

Narration: In an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording, narrator Caroline Hewitt juggles a variety of accents (including French and German) with ease.



----- The Revolutionary Samuel Adams
by Stacy Schiff; narrated by Jason Culp

What it is: a dramatic and page-turning biography of founding father Samuel Adams, penned by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff (The Witches: Salem, 1692).

Narration: Jason Culp imbues this evocative and richly detailed account with an immersive cadence.



----- Making a Scene
by Constance Wu; narrated by Constance Wu

What it is: a poignant and evocative memoir-in-essays from Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu.

Narration: Wu's intimate and conversational narration evokes the feeling of catching up with a friend.

Hearing Constance Wu read her own book would probably be a pleasure, i expect. Making a Scene isn't my sort of book but i'd rather listen to it than read it. Thanks for the good list, Alias, even though i don't listen to many books, i like seeing what is available.

Apple Books quietly launches AI-narrated audiobooks
Jan 05 2023

Audiobooks narrated by a text-to-speech AI are now available via Apple’s Books service, in a move with potentially huge implications for the multi-billion dollar audiobook industry. Apple describes the new “digital narration” feature on its website as making “the creation of audiobooks more accessible to all,” by reducing “the cost and complexity” of producing them for authors and publishers.

The feature represents a big shift from the current audiobook model, which often involves authors narrating their own books in a process that can take weeks and cost thousands for a publisher. Digital narration has the potential to allow smaller publishers and authors to put out an audiobook at a much lower cost...

Apple’s approach to digital narration is the opposite of competitor Amazon’s, whose Audible rules explicitly state that submitted audiobooks “must be narrated by a human.” ...

Source: The Verge

I-hope-they-don't-talk-in-ro-bot-talk..... (said in 60's Robbie The Robot voice. LOL!)

I started listening to The Golden Enclaves before the Holidays. What with the bustle and visitors, I only got half way through before I had to return it. I re-requested it and am 14th in the queue. Sigh....it'll be a long wait.

I have enjoyed the other two books in this trilogy. Golden Enclaves (the final of the series) is good, too.
The first book, A Deadly Education, was a surprise find last year.

Petra wrote: "I-hope-they-don't-talk-in-ro-bot-talk..... (said in 60's Robbie The Robot voice. LOL!)"

LOL! I know those voices and they are grating. One of our MDs use them and it is awfully distracting from the news they are trying to convey.

Petra wrote: "I started listening to The Golden Enclaves before the Holidays. What with the bustle and visitors, I only got half way through before I had to return it. I re-requested it and am 14..."

Bummer! This is why i've was trying to finish my Trees book because i already saw there were 4 ahead of me. What can we say but
be patient." And know we empathize!

Petra wrote: "I-hope-they-don't-talk-in-ro-bot-talk..... (said in 60's Robbie The Robot voice. LOL!)"

:)

Every time Audible offers me 3 months free, I toy with joining. I usually tell myself to just use the library. Also my gym plays the darn music so loud I often can't even hear my library audio book !

John or anyone uses Audible, I have a few questions, if you have a moment.

1- it says online that Alexa will read your audio book and it will be read by the books narrator not the Alexa voice. Can you confirm this?

2-Audible Premium Plus 1 Credit monthly: 1 credit per month for any premium selection title for $14.95 a month. If I get this plan that gives you 1 credit a month and if I don't use the credit can I save my monthly credits? Do they expire ? (Some websites online say they expire after a year) Is there a limit on how many I can save up?

3- Would you say most books require 1 credit or do they require more?

4- Does the catalogue include the Great Courses ?

5- If I cancel my subscription, do I still own the books I purchased? From what I see online it seems like the $8 I don't own the book and the $15 plan I do. Is that correct ?

6- Is there a limit to the amount of times I can listen to a book?

7- Are there free books that they include in your membership?

8- if I get a library kindle book, can I also listen along on the kindle with the audio if I purchase the audio?

9- Can I hear the audio book I purchased on multiple devices ? For example, can I have the audio book on my Kindle and also on my iPhone at the same time ? Depending where I am I might want to listen on different devices?

Thanks !!!

What interesting questions. I know nothing about such things, of course, but am curious about the answers.

I came across an interesting podcast. It's 8 episodes.
Rachel Maddow- Ultra
The Great Sedition Trial of 1944 is the subject of “Ultra.”
" a little-known story about an ultra-right pro-Nazi movement that plotted to overthrow the U.S. government by force in the lead up to World War II. "

Steven Spielberg's production company optioned the movie rights for "Ultra."

https://rachel-maddow-presents-ultra....

Here she is on NPR discussing it. I just found it, so I've only listened to episode one. It's really fascinating.

https://www.npr.org/2022/12/15/114307...

Thank you for the links. It seems to me that at some point in our history books at school someone should have told us about this. We know so much about spies and uprisings in our colonial times but none in the recent past. This is the kind of history which informs us that things have never been as smooth as we were taught.

madrano wrote: "Thank you for the links. It seems to me that at some point in our history books at school someone should have told us about this. We know so much about spies and uprisings in our colonial times but..."

Exactly ! It's really a fascinating story. I'm going to see if I can find some books on it.

I do own a book on Father Coughlin but it's in storage. This might make a good little project as there are many players and the era of course, WWII, is always has so many different angles to approach the topic.

Maddow mentions on the MSNBC website they have resources to follow up with.

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-p...

When one reads about Coughlin and others, then look at what is happening now, progress isn't in evidence, imo.

madrano wrote: "When one reads about Coughlin and others, then look at what is happening now, progress isn't in evidence, imo."

Listening to the podcast, you realize this is not new. Perhaps it was even worse back then.

I agree, Alias. To me, the question is why do citizens keep falling for it? New generation, i presume, but good history (or, sadly, a good tv series?) might help remedy this. I don't know but it is discouraging to see the cycle repeat.

I took the leap and joined Audible. I have 3 months free.

I think I would like to use it for mostly nonfiction books that I would like to read along with.

My first book is:
Nixonland: The Rise of a President and the Fracturing of America

It's a big book and I own the paperback, so it will be a book I read along with my normal other reads.

Ambitious, Alias. It'll also give you an opportunity to fairly test Audible. I look forward to hearing reports on both the book and the service. Enjoy!

madrano wrote: "Ambitious, Alias. It'll also give you an opportunity to fairly test Audible. I look forward to hearing reports on both the book and the service. Enjoy!"

I enjoy reading a book along with the audio for non fiction. I think it helps me retain info.

I can't just do audio if it's a non fiction book I want to take notes on.

I've enjoyed most of the audio books I've listened to. I get them from the library. However, the wait is really long. I figure with Audible, I can read and listen to a book over months if I want to.

I'm making a list of books that I'm interested in

I came across this YouTube video titled:
How I remember everything I read. It's by YouTuber, Clark Kegley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcS66...

I thought it was very interesting, so I thought I would share the YouTube video here.

He mentions The Cone of Learning by Edgar Dale who wrote about it in 1969. Edgar Dale

He posits that after 2 weeks we, generally speaking, recall these precents.

Imagine a pyramid with 6 levels
From top to bottom.
10% of what we read
20% of what you hear
30% of what you see
50% of what you see and hear
70% of what you say
90% of what you do.

I though this was interesting because it fits in with my experience of listening to Non Fiction books as I read along with the text.

Sometimes when I make my notes, I make believe I am taking a class or teaching someone the topic. So I won't just put quotes in my notes but will add definitions and other info I find on the internet.

I also find if I have a serious discussion about a book online or for a book club discussion, I also retain more and also quickly learn what I don't know. It's the old, if you can't explain it, you don't know it.

Does anyone else who reads nonfiction do this or am I just geeking out. LOL


There are a few different pyramids online but generally this is the theme.

Alias Reader wrote: "I've enjoyed most of the audio books I've listened to. I get them from the library. However, the wait is really long. I figure with Audible, I can read and listen to a book over months if I want to.

I'm making a list of books that I'm interested in..."

Good idea on both points. Audible will be a valuable resource for those books you want.

Making lists is a good idea, too. Then, if they or someone else offers a special deal, you are prepared.

I haven't heard of Dale but what a fine idea. However, i do not recall 70% of what i say. I used to believe i did and maintain i did, in fact. However, and i'm sure i'm not the only married person who would say this, if i listen to my husband, i do not, in fact, remember what i said. Sometimes i will admit it (ok, only to myself) because i might not have cared about the topic, then i do and have forgotten. (Aren't you glad you aren't married to me?)

Other than that, i agree with the pyramid. If anything, i suspect one reason i take so very many photos as we travel, it's because i fear i will forget what i saw. Clearly, i am correct there, if that pyramid is valid.

ANYway, Alias, you are not alone. While i don't pretend i'm teaching a class or such, i imagine conversations in which i repeat some of the facts i want to recall in my own words. It works rather well and, as it happens, i have actually had chats where the phrasing i created works into things. That's always sweet.

Presently, given our other posts and threads, i am almost ready to create cards which sum up books i've read. That way i do not need to look up the copious notes i've been making and can get to the guts of what i want to recall from the book.

Therefore, i reply, No, you are not geeking out. Or else i would have to say the same thing about me. Which i won't. Well, maybe...

madrano wrote: " i am almost ready to create cards which sum up books i've read. That way i do not need to look up the copious notes i've been making and can get to the guts of what i want to recall from the book..."

Let me know how it works, deb.

Maybe I need to focus on a handful of topics and work on keeping notes that way. I did that for awhile with keeping notes my book notes in a binder. I organized by topic instead of by date read. Though to go back to this I would have to go back to hand written notes. I'm still on the fence.

Here is one video on the note card system. I first of it from the author Ryan Holiday.

The Ryan Holiday Notecard System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoFZQ...

This is one of Holiday's videos where he shows his filing system.

Ryan Holiday's 3-Step System for Reading Like a Pro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT1EE...

In the first video they mention a Common Place book. I sort of have started that. It's just a regular notebook where I put things I find interesting that are not from books. Possible YouTube. So it's random things. For example, yesterday I put in The Cone of Learning Pyramid by Edgar Dale.

There are a lot of YouTube videos on how to create a Common Place book.

Thank you, Alias. I think you shared that first link awhile back, which is what intrigued me about the idea. Grouping books read by some loose categories is a good one. History would work, as the bulk of mine are from early colonial & US history. Yet i recall much of that. It's the science which is more challenging, so this would be a good place to start.

Yet again, thank you.

You're welcome. Do let us know if one of these systems works for you.

-------- Hell Bent
by Leigh Bardugo; narrated by Lauren Fortgang and Michael David Axtell

What it's about: With her mentor, Darlington, trapped in hell, Yale sophomore Alex assembles an unlikely team of allies to plot a dangerous rescue, though their efforts require sacrifices Alex isn't sure she can make.

Narration: Lauren Fortgang and Michael David Axtell return for an AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording of the 2nd immersive book in the Alex Stern paranormal fantasy series.



--------- The Light Pirate
by Lily Brooks-Dalton; narrated by Rosemary Benson

What it is: a near-future eco-thriller with hints of magic set in a small Florida town subject to increasingly violent natural disasters.

Narration: Rosemary Benson earned an AudioFile Earphones Award for her tense narration of this compelling post-apocalyptic tale.



----------- Fatty Fatty Boom Boom: A Memoir of Food, Fat, and Family
by Rabia Chaudry; narrated by Rabia Chaudry

What it's about: attorney and Undisclosed podcast host Rabia Chaudry's fraught relationship with food and her body, spurred by her Pakistani Muslim family's immigration to America shortly after her birth.

Narration: Chaudry candidly narrates her journey toward self-love with humor and warmth.



-------- Ship Wrecked
by Olivia Dade; narrated by Kelsey Navarro

Unresolved sexual tension: Gods of the Gates costars Maria Ivarsson and Peter Reedton have spent the last six years filming in a remote corner of Ireland while ruminating on their extraordinary one-night stand. Now it's time for the wrap party.

Narration: Kelsey Navarro returns to narrate this 3rd entry in the steamy Spoiler Alert romance series.



---------- Weightless: Making Space for My Resilient Body and Soul
by Evette Dionne; narrated by Evette Dionne

What it is: National Book Award finalist Evette Dionne's chronicle of how systemic fatphobia has shaped her life as a plus-sized Black woman.

Narration: Dionne imbues her reading with an impassioned and conversational tone that feels like chatting with a friend.



---------- The Gentleman's Book of Vices
by Jess Everlee; narrated by Tommy Hawthorne

What it's about: Gay soon-to-be ex-bachelor Charlie Price wants an autograph from his favorite erotica author, "Reginald Cox," otherwise known as bookseller Miles Montague. He gets the signature -- and much more -- as the two embark on a passionate, and probably doomed, affair.

Narration: Tommy Hawthorne narrates this 1st in the Lucky Lovers of London series with a lively British-accented reading.



--------- A Million to One
by Adiba Jaigirdar; narrated by Sohm Kapila

Welcome aboard: the RMS Titanic! Irish thief Josefa scored a ticket for the maiden voyage of the luxurious ocean liner. She's there to steal a rare, jewel-encrusted book, but she can't do it alone.

Narration: Sohm Kapila juggles multiple character accents and tones in this suspenseful ensemble heist tale.



------- Now Is Not the Time to Panic
by Kevin Wilson; narrated by Ginnifer Goodwin and Kevin Wilson

What happens: Bored teens Frankie and Zeke craft a tale about creepy drifters, which they anonymously post all over town as a prank. Locals mistake the threat as real and panic spreads. Decades later, a journalist confronts Frankie (now an established author) about her role in the "Coalfield Panic," forcing her to come to terms with its consequences.

Narration: Actress Ginnifer Goodwin earned an AudioFile Earphones Award for her measured and emotional performance; Kevin Wilson offers context for the novel's creation in a concluding author's note.

There's a good variety of books there! Thanks for sharing, Alias.

The Gentleman's Book of Vices sounds like a fun read. I just put it on my wishlist.

Rachel wrote: "The Gentleman's Book of Vices sounds like a fun read. I just put it on my wishlist."

True. And with a British accent telling the story into your ear--quite a pleasure, i think.

I am looking forward to it. Michelle Obama's Becoming is EXCELLENT. I am about half way through the audio version.

Happy to hear this, Rachel.

I downloaded a free Audible book.
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

I love this play. An added plus Audra McDonald is in it.
It's from the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

I had 1 credit from Audible. I decided to get the audio for
John Adams--David McCullough

I own the eBook. I like to listen to the audio as I read. Especially for biographies.

The John Adams book is wonderful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Alias Reader wrote: "I had 1 credit from Audible. I decided to get the audio for
John Adams--David McCullough

I own the eBook. I like to listen to the audio as I read. Especially for biog..."

One of my favorite books - hope you enjoy it!

Enjoy Adams, Alias!

Not to mention McDonald in Streetcar. Great selections.

Alias Reader wrote: "I downloaded a free Audible book.
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams

I love this play. An added plus Audra McDonald is in it.
It's from the Williamstown Th..."

That sounds great.

I used to read 20c plays for fun in HS. Read all the best ones!

The Boys from Biloxi

Audio version. I needed a thriller for my challenge and this is listed as such but so far I have not heard anything that sounds like a thriller. It is interesting, if formulaic.

Regarding podcasts, I listen most often to BBC. The have lots of history and philosophy type things. I find on Apple it skews heavily to real crime.

Rachel wrote: "Regarding podcasts, I listen most often to BBC. The have lots of history and philosophy type things. I find on Apple it skews heavily to real crime."

I listen mostly to health and news podcasts. I subscribe to all the various BBC podcasts.

I've read that real crime podcasts are the most popular.

Oh my goodness, Podcasts. I was so late to this party! I love Mayim Bialiks breakdown, mental health, Smartless, interviews hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. So funny! Sean Hayes also does one called HypochondriActor, with a doctor and they talk about his ailments and callers concerns AND anyone talking about gardening, BOOKS, crocheting, I’m in for a listen!

Cathy wrote: "Oh my goodness, Podcasts. I was so late to this party! I love Mayim Bialiks breakdown, mental health, Smartless, interviews hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. So funny! Sean Hayes..."

I listen to Bialik's Breakdown, too !

Thanks for the other shows, Cathy. I'll check them out.

I follow YouTuber, Emmie. If you are looking for some book titles from various countries, this might be of interest. She is reading a book from every country for a challenge.

reading a book from every single country | challenge update
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6VRn...

Cathy wrote: "Oh my goodness, Podcasts. I was so late to this party! I love Mayim Bialiks breakdown, mental health, Smartless, interviews hosted by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett. So funny! Sean Hayes..."

Neat list, Cathy. I'm still not into Podcasts. When i'm at home, i say i'll listen on the road but when on the road, i am too tired. Maybe when we settle down. It's remarkable to hear the vast array of podcasts available, even if they don't call to me.

I recently finished reading Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD

I thought this was a really good interview of the author. If you are enjoy podcasts or YouTube and are interested in this topic or book, I thought I would share this.

The 4 Causes of DECREASED LIFESPAN & How To Prevent Them For LONGEVITY | Peter Attia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85ItR...