Audiobooks discussion

I've started The Dying Day, so far it's not that much better than the first in the series.

Not completely sure about the next audiobook, but I'm leaning towards Travels: Collected Writings, 1950-1993.

i wrapped up the month finishing up Breaking the Bro Code - YA romance set in the 1980's - but honestly, you could have said it was set nowadays and it wouldn't have read much differently - i didn't feel particularly 80's ish....

will be kicking off the month with Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial that i've had reserved at the library

Dee wrote: "will be kicking off the month with Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial that i've had reserved at the library"

Ooh that looks good, Dee! I’ve added it to my list.

Robin, Fran, Jeanie: thanks for making this such a great group. Not only great suggestions about books in this group but having a good laugh now and again as well.

I am starting the month with the book Everything Sad is Untrue. This is a relatively short audiobook but I am excited.

Finished The House in the Pinesby, Ana Reyes narrated by, Marisol Ramirez this one may not have lived up to all the hype but was still a decent mystery.

Now starting a middle grade book Two Degrees by, Alan Gratz narrated by, Sophie Oda & Adam Sanders

I have completed The Getting of Wisdom by Henry Handel Richardson. At the start I wasn't so sure I'd like it. I've ended up liking it a lot because of the central protagonist. It's semi-autobiographical fiction. The author is an Australian woman, not a man.

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

Now I have begun a book by another female Australian author --My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin. The title is to be interpreted ironically. It too is semi-autobiographical. It was written when the author was16.

I was very impressed by My Brilliant Career when I read it in print. I'm sure it would be good on audio.

Specs wrote: "Robin, Fran, Jeanie: thanks for making this such a great group. Not only great suggestions about books in this group but having a good laugh now and again as well."

Specs! You're welcome. I love this group and the members. It's the only group I'm in on Goodreads. If you got a chuckle from my husband calling me when I'm out and about - it's a true story.

I have about four hours left of Demon Copperhead. The narration is amazing as is the writing. My only hesitation is the plot. It's hit a plateau for a couple of hours.

Fran wrote: "Specs wrote: "Robin, Fran, Jeanie: thanks for making this such a great group. Not only great suggestions about books in this group but having a good laugh now and again as well."

Specs! You're wel..."

And we always appreciate an audience!

Fran wrote: "I have about four hours left of Demon Copperhead. The narration is amazing as is the writing. My only hesitation is the plot. It's hit a plateau for a couple of hours."

I agree, the teenage years dragged for me after the beginning, which was very compelling. Interestingly, that's also the part that diverged the most from David Copperfield.

I’m in the middle of a cruise and listening to “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” Not far enough to understand how the various characters will meet, but I know the book has rave reviews.

I just began listening to Gone Girl. I know I'm late, but I am so excited. I love a good dive into female rage. The narration is so amazing too, I'm loving it so far <3

Robin P wrote: "I was very impressed by My Brilliant Career when I read it in print. I'm sure it would be good on audio."

Actually, no! I like the lines of the text but NOT the narration by Megan Rees. I am listening tothe audiobook version at Audible read by Megan Rees. Rees makes her words so darn flippant and light. The character is precocious, intelligent and has a nuanced vocabulary. The words, the text, don't fit Rees' tone. I keep telling myself to listen to the words, not the sound in my ears. There is much ironical humor in the lines but also sections more serious.

Yesterday I finished two shorts by Matthew Costello and Neil Richards--one from the Mydworth Mystery series and one from the Cherringham Mystery series.

Murder in the Dark has our Mydworth couple travling to a castle in the Highlands of scotland for a big New Year's Eve party that becomes limited to a handful of people when a snowstorm prevents most of the guests from arriving. This was a good old fashioned whodunnit and I always enjoy the interactions of the British aristocrat and his American wife.

In the Frame is another Cherringham short with a locked room mystery set in an old English manor that is not lived in but is open for public tours. fun and always great to see Sarah and Jack working together and figuring out the clues.

Chrissie wrote: "I am listening tothe audiobook version at Audible read by Megan Rees. Rees makes her words so darn flippant and light. The character is precocious, intelligent and has a nuanced vocabulary. The words, the text, don't fit Rees' tone."

A bad fit reader can ruin the experience. I generally try to steer clear of Cassandra Campbell for this reason. For example, in Bird Box, she read the main character as very weak and cringingly fearful, but the actual text didn't feel that way to me - had I read it, those same lines would have felt powerful and commanding.

I ditched the audiobook for Yellow Wife for a similar reason as well. I can't quite put my finger on it, but something about the way Robin Miles was reading it felt wrong to me. Like a little upwards inflection that wasn't quite a question, but felt like she was trying to insert a little sass maybe?, and for an enslaved woman (even one who has been given special treatment) it just didn't feel right to me. Also, she initially started out with a southern accent that was just... not great. Thankfully she let that peter out.

Now I'm reading it for myself via ebook, and wondering if it was actually the reader that was the issue. Though two things can be true. I can not like the way the reader is reading it and I can not love the story itself. But I'm going to give it a bit more time. See if maybe it will pick up for me soon. REALLY want to avoid a threepeat DNF.

Today I finished The House Witch, first in the eponymous series by Delemhach. First, it was spectacularly narrated by Matthew Wolfe--new-to-me narrator but I'll be looking for more titles read by him. As for the story... on paper it should be right up my alley with a medieval fantasy world, interesting and fun characters, intrigue, romance, humor... but it didn't quite work for me. My sister loved it and recommended it to me, but a number of the sscenes felt overwritten, some scenes were just too silly, and the MC's rationale for hiding who he is made little sense until further explanation was offered in the last fourth of the book. By that time I had lost much of my interest and it was too little too late. Even though nearly every aspect was good, it just didn't come together in a pleasing way... kind of like when all the ingredients in a dish sound great but somehow don't blend quite right when all put together in the same pot. But it's also a matter of personal taste so there you are. I'll check with my sister to find out what happens next and see if maybe this author has smoothed out some of the writing bumps... maybe then I'd give book 2 a try.

Becky wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I am listening tothe audiobook version at Audible read by Megan Rees. Rees makes her words so darn flippant and light. The character is precocious, intelligent and has a nuanced vo..."

I'm not big on Cassandra Cambell either!

Since I cannot switch to a paper book, I am very reluctant to give up. I force myself to distinguish between what I am hearing and the written lines. I am pretty good at doing this nowadays.......

Nope, My Brilliant Career didn't do much for me. I have to write a review--not fun when you don't like a book. I'll put it off until tomorrow.

I have completed My Brilliant Career by the Australian female author writing under the male pseudonym Miles Franklin. The title is to be interpreted ironically. I have put a big effort in trying to be fair in my judgment of the book.

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

Now I have begun another GR group read , but with the group. Reading for Pleasure. The book is The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. I haven't come far but am loving it. I didn't think I would like it this much. My guesses are often all wrong! Super good, at least so far.

I finished “You Just Need to Lose Weight”: And 19 Other Myths About Fat People - really good and highly recommended for everyone, no matter your body size or shape or composition.

Now I'm starting America 51: A Probe into the Realities That Are Hiding Inside the Greatest Country in the World - I have long been a fan of Slipknot's music, so I am nervous (but optimistic?) about this book under the "never meet your heroes" doctrine. My curiosity is winning though, so we will see. :)

I finished another Cherringham Short released just today, A Score to Settle. This one takes place around Christmas time and involves the Cherringham Choir practicing Handel's Messiah to sing at the Albert Hall as part of a 5,000 voice choir. There isn't always a murder in the Cherringham stories and I was glad that at the Christmas of this story the mystery didn't involve a dead body. Liked and enjoyed it just as much as usual.

Chrissie wrote: "I have completed My Brilliant Career by the Australian female author writing under the male pseudonym Miles Franklin. The title is to be interpreted ironically. I have ..."

I read the The Moonstone when I was a teenager 50+ years ago. It set me up for a lifetime of loving mysteries. I also bought myself a little moonstone ring at an antique store. Blushing at the memory!

I believe the book is regarded as the template for the genre.

It started out as a 5* listen and Demon Copperhead ended up as a 4*. I recently listened to David Copperfield, so the plot and characters were somewhat predictable. I will say it was one of the best narrations I've heard in a long time. My issue was about 3 hours that could have been cut down and still get the same result.

Fran wrote: "It started out as a 5* listen and Demon Copperhead ended up as a 4*. I recently listened to David Copperfield, so the plot and characters were somewhat predictable. I will say it wa..."

I agree, I still gave 5 stars but I could have done without a couple of those hours!

I have Demon Copperhead in print, but seems like a better bet is audio. Keep hearing great things about this narration! thanks for all the feedback.

I finished Highway to Hellebore, third in the Village Flower Shop Mystery series by Nancy Warren. I suppose I enjoyed the story, but I'm becoming aware of an unpleasant trend in Nancy Warren's writing of her heroines... they seem more than a little self-righteous and judgmental. I first noticed it in the MC of The Best Witches Baking Show series and now Peony of the Flower Shop is coming off the same way. Perhaps it's the brutal honesty of getting to hear the MC's thoughts rather than getting just the dialogue and action, but I'm finding it off-putting.

Fran wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I have completed My Brilliant Career by the Australian female author writing under the male pseudonym Miles Franklin. The title is to be interpreted ir..."

Yeah, some call it the first detective novel. On the whole I have a hard time taking untrue detective novels seriously. What zips through my head is why should I care if none of this is true. ..... BU
T I think it is a matter of how well the story is told. I am thoroughly drawn in by the The Moonstone, somewhat to my own surprise! The shifting sands are so ghastly, so yucky, so spooky! I find subtle humor. I think the author does a fantastic job of making a complicated situation with many characters clear. I like how Franklin has lived in different countries and Collins uses this as an opportunity to spotlight different nations' habits and ways of being. I like this much more than Collins' The Woman in White,

I think that is fun that as a child you felt such a connection with the book. Have you saved the ring and the book?

Chrissie wrote: "Fran wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I have completed My Brilliant Career by the Australian female author writing under the male pseudonym Miles Franklin. The title is to be i..."

Sadly, the book and the ring are just fond memories.

Fran, that's too bad.

I began now in part 2. I was worried the different narratives might become tedious. Not at all--this is very funny.

I'm listening to Murder at Haven's Rock on Libby today, as narrated by Therese Plummer

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Reading thousand splendid suns, I quite like the premise. It's a little hard to get through the love of two characters in the middle. But the bond between the two women and their strength is impressive. Definitely would like to read more like this.

Another book I am looking into but haven't read yet is the alchemist.

Possession by A S Byatt. Thoughts anyone?

The Guncle ended up being better than I thought it was going to be. The first half felt like a permanent "punch line". Too many one-liners and constant joke conversations. But once it settled in a bit, it got better. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it like I thought I was going to.

Next up is Live Wire: Long-Winded Short Stories. Kelly Ripa has always been pretty entertaining to me so figured I would give it a go.

I finished The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. I was totally surprised to discover how very, very much I enjoyed it. Such a fun lark!

It is free for all Audible-Plus-UK members. It is read by Peter Jeffrey. Both his narration and the book I have given five stars. Don't miss this. Audible in the US has it also for free but with a different narrator.

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

I have begun Two Solitudesby the classical Canadian author Hugh MacLennan. It deals with the conflict between the English and French people of Canada--a topic that interests me because a similar situation exists in Belgium. Gundula and I are reading this together and will discuss it under my review.

Phil wrote: "Possession by A S Byatt. Thoughts anyone?"

This is one of my favorite books ever - but in print. There are some long passages of letters and especially poetry that even I (a literature major) skipped. So I don't know how that would come across on audio. The author invents 2 19th-century poets (along with sample of their work) and has 2 20th-century academics searching for links between them. There are a lot of literary devices. The movie of this was actually quite good, though they made the hero American instead of British.

Finished Two Degreesby, Alan Gratz narrated by, Sophie Oda, Adam Sanders & Almarie Guerra. Gratz's books may be middle grade but I also thinks adults would get a lot of them too! This one is about climate change and is excellent!

Now starting a true crime book Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota's Most Infamous Cold Case by Lou Raguse read by the author.

America 51: A Probe into the Realities That Are Hiding Inside the Greatest Country in the World was a bust. Just didn't age well.

I then moved on to Convenience Store Woman, which I really liked, despite having zero idea of what it was about at all. (Edit to add: By this I mean that I didn't know what it was about when I selected it. Obviously I know what it's about after finishing it. :P)

Now I'm a little way into From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death - I liked her other book Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? And other Questions about Dead Bodies. That one was definitely lighter than this one, but I'm enjoying FHTE quite a lot already.

Should finish this one pretty quickly (it's short and I'm already a decent way through) and then I'm not sure what I'll start.

...Though as I was just browsing through my Audible library on the app, I accidentally selected A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court read by Nick Offerman, and you know what? That sounds wonderful. I haven't read that book yet, and I LOVE Nick Offerman's voice, so maybe this was serendipity. :D

Also, I highly recommend Offerman's Gumption: Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers - he reads the audio himself and it's DELIGHTFUL.

it's always interesting reading non-fiction written more than 10yrs ago...how much has it changed in that time

Dee wrote: "it's always interesting reading non-fiction written more than 10yrs ago...how much has it changed in that time"

Agreed... I think about that kind of thing a lot!. Though, if you're referring to my comment about America 51 not aging well, that was written in 2017 in response to Trump's election, so it's only been about 5 1/2 years (ugh some amount of years, numbers are hard). And his whole "Nobody is ACTUALLY going to take your rights away, settle down, drama queens" schtick just hits different on this side of the Dobbs decision, you know?

Mana wrote: "A Thousand Splendid Suns

Reading thousand splendid suns, I quite like the premise. It's a little hard to get through the love of two characters in the middle. But the bond between th..."

I loved this book much more than Kite Runner.

Becky wrote: "Agreed... I think about that kind of thing a lot!. Though, if you're referring to my comment about America 51 not aging well, that was written in 2017 in response to Trump's election, so it's only been about 5 1/2 years (ugh some amount of years, numbers are hard). And his whole "Nobody is ACTUALLY going to take your rights away, settle down, drama queens" schtick just hits different on this side of the Dobbs decision, you know?"

ha - fair enough - i saw america 51 and my brain read area 51...either way - he lost me at the man-bun description on the book jacket. i study a lot of narrative and influence warfare in my job and reading this stuff, while distasteful at times, is already really enlightening

Huh! "narrative and influence warfare" sounds really fascinating but really terrifying and depressing at the same time.

Send me book recs!

I am listening to Farmer in the Sky, which was intended for teenage readers (there was no YA back then.) The young narrator uses his Boy Scout skills in space. The first third of the book has a lot of educational material stuck in - about the spaceship and colony, and not a lot of action. The narrator Nick Podehl is good at this sort of youthful character.

Becky wrote: "Now I'm a little way into From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death - I liked her other book Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? And other Questions about Dead Bodies...."

I'm a big fan of Caitlin Doughty, and I really did like FHTE. I gave all three of her books I've read four stars.

Meanwhile, I finished listening to Remarkably Bright Creatures while on a cruise. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Becky wrote: "Huh! "narrative and influence warfare" sounds really fascinating but really terrifying and depressing at the same time.

Send me book recs!"

Think about it as telling stories to influence people to make decisions…

Honestly a great (and it hurts me to say that) great example of influence warfare is the Sacklers (opiods/Dopesick) - we use it as a case study in the masters class all my students take

Dopesick is on my list!

I've been watching Dopesick and this is one show I cannot binge, it makes me too angry. I've got Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty and Dreamland: The True Tale of America's Opiate Epidemic on my list.

I just recommended my current listen (Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial) to our course director for consideration into course

Some of Adam grant’s stuff (organizational psychologist) gets to how you influence behavior, try to change someone’s mind

I have Empire Of Pain on my TBR already as well. I really liked Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, so that was an instant add for me. I hadn't heard of Dreamland though, so thanks for that one Ashley!

Dee, I recently listened to Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know and really enjoyed it. Though I am now having the WEIRDEST experience. I opened the book page just to make sure that I was thinking of the right book (and wasn't confusing Adam Grant for someone else)... and it's still listed as To Read, which is completely bizarre because I absolutely read it and now my brain is like "DID YOU??" But of course I did because I have the literal receipt of not only having borrowed the audio from the library, but exactly how many times I "opened" it and how long I listened for. O_O

I think I know what happened and where my process broke down. The dates I read it were over a work trip, and I must not have added it to my Currently Reading shelf, and therefore never reviewed it. Now my brain is broken and I don't know if I should review it or re-read it.

Sorry, I know that's SUPER random, but it totally threw me for a loop and I had like a moment of "Am I going crazy?" lol