Audiobooks discussion

I'm starting off with the 17 hour essay collection Travels: Collected Writings, 1950-1993 by Paul Bowles. Excellent narration!

Butcher's Crossing by John Williams is a very good book! I've enjoyed it m ore than Stoner. Had I known it was this good, I would have read it much sooner.

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

After putting down that, I have begun Frost in May by Antonia White. It's semi-autobiographical. The focus on religion had me wary, but I'm gulping it down like ice cream. The prose is good and for the uninitiated it's informative. It's about life in an English girls convent. It has humor. It's the first of a trilogy. I will read them one after the other, unless I begin to get bored.

I finished Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Friday - 5 stars. An excellent deconstruction of the Little House mythos.

Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis were excellent historical sci-fi novels, the first being more serious and the second comedic relief. I gave them both 5 stars. I finished To Say Nothing... this morning, technically April, and I'm continuing the series with Blackout today. Doomsday Book had won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards for best science fiction while To Say Nothing... won the Hugo and Locus awards. Blackout won all three again, so did it's sequel, All Clear. I am impressed by the combination of science fiction and historical fiction, these are worth the read.

Doug wrote: "Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis were excellent historical sci-fi novels, the first being more serious and the second comedic re..."

Yes, they are all terrific in different ways. I think she might have said it was her version of Shakespeare, a tragedy, a comedy and a history. I suppose you know that Blackout and All Clear aren't really 2 separate books, in that the chapters just continue right from one to the next with no recap. They are all excellent on audio. And I love the message in all her books about how anyone can end up making a difference for their world.

Robin P wrote: "I suppose you know that Blackout and All Clear aren't really 2 separate books, in that the chapters just continue right from one to the next with no recap.."

Yes, there was a blurb at the beginning that indicated how All Clear had morphed into two books. I had to buy two books from Audible though. I wonder if the awards were given one time (for both books which were really one book)? I had planned to read the entirety all at once anyway. Thanks for the heads up.

I have zipped through Frost in May by Antonia White. It's the first of a semi-autobiographical trilogy. It's too good to stop now. I have begun immediately the second.

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

Just picked up Ascent Audio’s Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia Puigcerver, narrated by Walter Dixon

Kicking off April with Red Sister, narrated by Heather O'Neill.

April has me continuing Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Stephanie Marie Thornton. There are two narrators, one for each Mary which works well. I'm enjoying the book so far, not quite half-way through.

Starting the month off with All the Dark Places by, Terri Parlato narrated by, Christina Moore & Stephanie Cozart

My last update was that I was starting The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder - I finished that and have now started Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia - It's a little dry, but really interesting. I'm about 40% in.

Next up, because it's due back at the library and has holds on it, is When the Reckoning Comes. I've heard good things about this one!

I've finished two since I last posted:

The Stone Necklace - a good South Carolina book. Lots of "local" references (and even produced by a a local company). It's one where multiple story lines weave together and it was done well. Authentic Southern narration enhanced it.

Then I cruised through Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Takes me right back to 1977.

Next up is Mexican Gothic

Llistening to Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton

John wrote: "I'm starting off with the 17 hour essay collection Travels: Collected Writings, 1950-1993 by Paul Bowles. Excellent narration!"

I read The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles and enjoyed it very much.

I recently finished The Beauty of Dusk by Frank Bruni
This memoir is narrated very well by the author. He is a NY Times writer. One morning he woke up and couldn't see well out of one eye. He had a stroke. The book is not maudlin. It's well written and I enjoyed it a lot.

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

Doug wrote: "Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis were excellent historical sci-fi novels..."

These are both on my favorite books list, too. I don't have a record of continuing the series, but I'm almost sure I did read the books set during WWII.

I am currently listening to The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters, the fifth in the Amelia Peabody series of historical mysteries. Barbara Rosenblat's narration is a bit over the top, but I love this series.

Pamela wrote: "April has me continuing Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Stephanie Marie Thornton. There are two narrators, one for each Mary which works well. I'm..."

I need to catch up on Stephanie's work, I think I'm several books behind now. This new one sounds excellent!

Really looking forward to this one.
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance
HarperAudio, narrated by Fred Sanders

I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed my retirement application today! I'm retiring on 7/6, so much more time for reading.

I'm still reading (but past half way mark) 15 hours of These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong. I didn't know but she's been writing a series of gangs in Shanghai in 1920's. The first book in the series is These Violent Delights and the mystery (manmade insects infecting human's brain to cause a violent death) is interesting but it needs a good edit. Still I want to find out how people are getting infected so I'll stick through it.

Kaoru wrote: "I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed my retirement a..."

So sorry about your husband... hope he gets better and has a full recovery!

And congrats on your future retirement... it really is a great condition to be inn!

Christine wrote: "David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell [bookcover:David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Gia..."

I love Malcolm Gladwell. Let me know how you like the book. Online (maybe TED Talk) he does a lecture on the biblical David and Goliath. Guess what. No act of God needed for that outcome. Look it up for those that have an interest.

Kaoru wrote: "I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed my retirement a..."

Retirement is great!

I just started The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle narrated by Simon Vance. I do like him, but lately I have been hearing him mostly on the series by Ruth Downie set in ancient Roman Britain. So it's a bit weird to hear him narrate a book set today. I'm wondering if this is one more book with the trope of "curmudgeon discovers life and love".

Kaoru wrote: "I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed my retirement a..."

I am sorry to hear of your husband's medical problems. Life is tough. Books give us respite.

I have completed The Lost Traveller, the second in Antonia White's quartet. It takes some readjusting at the start. I explain in my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm continuing now with the third in the quartet--The Sugar House.

Sending so much support coming your way for your husband's recovery. I am so sorry that you're having to go through this. Books are a welcome relief when dealing with endless stress for certain!

Kaoru wrote: "I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed my retirement a..."

Wishing your husband good health and a productive and fun retirement for you.

On a second try I finally finished The Triumph of the Sun by Wilbur Smith and with excellent narration by Elliott Chapman. I'm giving it a 5*. It begins in the late 1880s just before the fall of Khartoum. This was an event in history I had zero background knowledge including the fact that Sudan had a dual colonized government between Britain and Egypt. Wilbur Smith does not hold back in historical retellings - it's brutal.

Finished The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders , narrated by the author.

Finished All the Dark PlacesAll the Dark Places by Terri Parlato Narrated by Stephanie Cozart; Christina Moore, I liked this one good twisty thriller and the narration was really well done I liked that both voices were unique and you were never guessing who was talking.

Now starting a book that releases 18 Apr 2023 Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker, Dallas is one of those authors that just writes a good story.

Starting Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson , narrated by Alfred Molina

Kaoru wrote: "I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed my retirement a..."

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, the day I posted above, my husband went back to ER again! And had to do another brain surgery. But he's recovering fine and already walking after less than 24 hrs of operation. I'm going back and forth to the hospital and listening to the audiobook. I find a few holes in the plot but I'll finish it no matter what!

Christine wrote: "Starting Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson , narrated by Alfred Molina"

Well this just LEAPT up my TBR. I think I knew he narrated, then I forgot lol

Plans changed... I ended up returning When the Reckoning Comes and replacing a hold on it. Just ran out of time. Booo! But then Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom became available so now I'm listening to that. Really interesting so far - it talks about the court cases and laws surrounding reproductive rights, by some of the women who fought for them.

I have finished The Sugar House by Antonia White. It's the third in a series of four.

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

Now I am off to the last of the quartet--Beyond the Glass.

They read as one book and should be read in the correct order.

Kaoru wrote: "Kaoru wrote: "I'm so behind in reading in March as my husband was hospitalized twice do to hematoma (bleeding in his brain). He's home and I'm watching him like a hawk!

On a happy note, I filed m..."

You (and your husband) are really having a difficult time! Best wishes, hope he doesn't suffer any more and will be out of hospital.

Started Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May, narrated by Rebecca Lee

I have completed Beyond the Glass, the last volume of Antonia White's quartet. Th last volume is emotionally draining.

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

Now I need to clear my head. I am reading now a book focused on the Japanese art of pruning trees. It's a book free for Audiblr-UK-Plus members. I've visited the gardens of Japan. Once having visited them you will never forget them! My son, in his studies, worked with horticulture and ecology. There is much here I recognize. I feel at home with what I am reading. The information is spot-on! he book is Cutting Back: My Apprenticeship in the Gardens of Kyoto by Leslie Buck.

I finished A Deadly Match, latest in the Mydworth cozy mystery series. I always enjoy these nice little reads for a quick mystery fix.

Finished

James Patterson by James Patterson: The Stories of My Life by James Patterson, narrated by the Author


Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May, narrated by Rebecca Lee

Midway through Isaac's Storm: A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History by Erik Larson, Random House Audio book narrated by Richard Davidson

I really, really enjoyed Cutting Back: My Apprenticeship in the Gardens of Kyoto by Leslie Buck. It's free for Audible-UK-and-US-Plus members.

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

Thank you, Eileen, for recommending it to me.

I've picked up another freebie for Audible-UK-and-US-Plus members, also recommended to ne by Eileen. Being dystopian and apocalyptic I am more skeptical of this one. I don't enjoy being scared to pieces. The title is The Wall by Marlen Haushofer. I am willing to stretch my borders.

Finished Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas
Narrated by Stephanie Németh-Parker this was a very well written story but oh so sad. 1916 Wyoming wasn't for the weak.


Now starting The Personal Assistant by Kimberley Belle Narrated by: Chelsea Stephens, Chris Andrew Ciulla & Megan Tusing

Well, this is what I thought of The Wall by Marlen Haushofer, It's post-apocalyptical.

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

It's free for Audible -UK-and-US-Plus members.

Now I will begin an autobiographical trilogy Blue Above the Chimneys by Christine Marion Fraser

Over the last week I read Mark of the Fool and Mark of the Fool 2 by J.M. Clarke and narrated by Travis Baldree. The first of these developed a little slowly but was still interesting enough for me to want to read the second. I liked several aspects of this fantasy as it played against some of the epic fantasy tropes. A young man recieves a divine mark to be one of the heroes of his nation and decides his plans to become a wizard and go to the greatest wizarding school in the world are more important to him and so he runs off to pursue his goals rather than be controlled by an unasked-for mark on his shoulder. He also approaches all of his life difficulties by thinking them through, preparing, studying, and working to develop the necessary skills to help him in any situation. And unlike Harry Potter he studies hard and works to learn all he can about magic--even though his undesired mark is designed specifically to thwart the use of magic. The supporting characters are very interesting and the world building is great. The narration is also great even though it took me a while to accept the accent of the MC... it was done well but felt a little odd at first.

Mark of the Fool 3 comes out tomorrow and I'll be continuing the adventure then.

Fascinating life Finished Code Name: Lise: The True Story of the Woman Who Became WWII's Most Highly Decorated Spy by Larry Loftis, Simon- Schuster Audio narrated by Kate Reading

This week I finished Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Stephanie Marie Thornton. I quite enjoyed it, and there are the author's notes at the end on what was changed from the women's real lives to fiction to fit in with the book (not much). Although conversations and such were invented.

Next I've been listening to a light book I thought might be fun: This Bird Has Flown by Susannah Hoffs. Written and narrated in part, by lead singer and songwriter from The Bangles. This is proving to be a quick one. Enjoying the musical interludes between the chapters.

I hopped on the audiobook to finally knock out C is for Corpse after stalling on it since last week. I like Mary Peiffer's dry narration and I'll probably come back for more in the series. 3 stars to the book overall.

Midway through Girl Wash your Face by Rachel Hollis , narrated by the author.