Audiobooks discussion

I'm starting off the month with a thriller: The Fine Art Of Invisible Detection. Excellent narration, though the plot is getting a bit complex.

i'm starting off august with 2 audiobooks in progress.

Leaving Everything Most Loved and The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science

I had set aside Mistress of the Art of Death for the time being last week, and I finished The Silent Patient yesterday - methinks I read it wrong, because it didn't do much for me. I saw the twist coming a mile off, and while I rooted for Alicia, I didn't feel connected to her (or Theo). It reminded me of YOU by Caroline Kepnes, but not as good.

Now I'm into The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls and enjoying it.

Ashley Marie wrote: "I had set aside Mistress of the Art of Death for the time being last week, and I finished The Silent Patient yesterday - methinks I read it wrong, because it didn't ..."

I read The Silent Patient for a book group and I had the same reaction as I did to Gone Girl. "This is just too unrealistic". Now, I read all kinds of fantasy, sci-fi and Regency romances. None of them are "realistic". But thrillers are generally set in the real world, and I just don't see the appeal. I am sure there are some very twisted people in the world, but I can't believe they are as consistently brilliant and organized in their twistedness as these stories show. And if they are, I don't want to know about it! I am fine with action and suspense in historical fiction, mysteries, etc. but somehow I don't "get" thrillers.

I haven't been listening much - I do mostly when I walk and it is just too hot here for much of that.

I ditched The Paper Palace. Very freeing to finally be able to do that when I just don't like a book! Grabbed DIANA, WILLIAM AND HARRY. It's nothing new and pretty mindless

I'm still listening to Leonardo Da Vinci. I find myself blurting out a lot of trivia to my husband! 'Hey, did you know Leonardo . . . ." There's a great .pdf that comes with the audiobook making it wonderful to see what your listening to.

i need a long book for a challenge...i'm narrowed down my audiobook archives to Brother Fish or Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

which one should i go with???? I need help

Dee wrote: "i need a long book for a challenge...i'm narrowed down my audiobook archives to Brother Fish or Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

which one should i go with???? I nee..."

Ha! Glad I'm not making that decision. Love them both.

Fran wrote: "Ha! Glad I'm not making that decision. Love them both."

well that's not helpful....

Dee wrote: "Fran wrote: "Ha! Glad I'm not making that decision. Love them both."

well that's not helpful...."

Ok - Brother Fish. ;-)

Fran wrote: "Dee wrote: "Fran wrote: "Ha! Glad I'm not making that decision. Love them both."

well that's not helpful...."

Ok - Brother Fish. ;-)"

See that wasn’t hard ;)

Fran wrote: "I'm still listening to Leonardo Da Vinci. I find myself blurting out a lot of trivia to my husband! 'Hey, did you know Leonardo . . . ." There's a great .pdf that comes with the aud..."

I really look forward to this one, Fran. I managed to download the PDF, even though I'm going to borrow the audiobook from the library.

Ashley Marie wrote: "I finished The Silent Patient yesterday - methinks I read it wrong, because it didn't do much for me..."

I also read this for a book club and was not impressed. I think it was way over-hyped.

De, I hope you read “Go tell the bees….” next. I’m interested to hear your thoughts. But you know it’s going to be good.
I’m starting off August with Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. About 25% so far, really liking it.

I blew through Mona Eltahawy's The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls yesterday - what an excellent piece! 5 stars.

Dee wrote: "i need a long book for a challenge...i'm narrowed down my audiobook archives to Brother Fish or Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone

which one should i go with???? I nee..."

I didn't love Go Tell The Bees - which shocks me because this is a series I have loved.

Jan wrote: "Fran wrote: "I'm still listening to Leonardo Da Vinci. I find myself blurting out a lot of trivia to my husband! 'Hey, did you know Leonardo . . . ." There's a great .pdf that comes..."

Jan, I've come to believe that a few people in history are simply born with brilliant minds that have been allowed to flourish. Da Vinci may be at the top of the list. Also, I'm always shocked at myself for how much I enjoy nonfiction/biographies when they're so engaging. This is a genre I shied away from for years. I still can't do self-help! LOL

I am enjoying the newest Charles Frazier novel, The Trackers. I have loved this author since I first read Cold Mountain (not to be confused with the mediocre movie based off the same book). It is narrated by Will Patton.

My review of The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet by Jeff Goodell

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

Finish Anne of Windy Poplars, The One, Happily Ever After, Anne's House of Dreams,Cassandra-saken currently listing too The Heir

Finished Dark Corners by, Megan Goldin narrated by, André Santana, January LaVoy & Samantha Desz-I liked this one maybe not as much as the first book, I don’t know why but this one seemed easy to walk away from and didn’t keep me as glued as I had hoped.

Now starting my book club book Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls read by the author.

Doug wrote: "I am enjoying the newest Charles Frazier novel, The Trackers. I have loved this author since I first read Cold Mountain (not to be confused with the mediocre movie bas..."

Doug, I read this on audio as well, first of Frazier's book I listened to. I enjoyed it, although for me nothing of his has compared to Cold Mountain. That book was stunning. I've read all but one of his books...and the last I do plan to get to someday.

Dee wrote: "i'm starting off august with 2 audiobooks in progress.

Leaving Everything Most Loved and The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science"

I love Jacqueline Winspear!

I'm 52% through Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone. It's a true account of the March 11, 2011 Tohoku Tsunami, which was off-the-charts devastating.

I'm participating in my local library's annual challenge "10 to Try" and further challenging myself to read books based in Japan that meet each criteria (translated works, sports, art, favorite season, etc). It's been fun and this one checks the "Distaster Badge" box. But I've already cried 3 times, lol.

Jessica wrote: "I love Jacqueline Winspear!"

I like her too - but maisie is starting to annoying me a bit

Dee wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I love Jacqueline Winspear!"

I like her too - but maisie is starting to annoying me a bit"

I wish there had been more books set between the wars. And I didn't like how Winspear ruined Maisie's life in order to have a sort of reboot. Mainly, now that we are in WWII, it comes down to my mantra "I cannot read any more books about Nazis!"

Maisie's early stories were good, but I tired of the series after a few books.

Finishing Cormac McCarthy's All the Pretty Horses today - nicely read by Frank Muller.

Robin P wrote: "I wish there had been more books set between the wars. And I didn't like how Winspear ruined Maisie's life in order to have a sort of reboot. Mainly, now that we are in WWII, it comes down to my mantra "I cannot read any more books about Nazis!""

I just want her to make a decision - i feel like she's great (maybe) about giving advice to ppl, but her personal life is kind of a hot mess

Dee wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I love Jacqueline Winspear!"

I like her too - but maisie is starting to annoying me a bit"

I took a break from Winspear because Maisie was a bit much. However, I just started The White Lady by Winspear and the main character is not Maisie. This one is post WWII.

I've finished Leonardo Da Vinci. It took a bit longer because I would sit down and look at the .pdf while listening. I'm giving it a 5*. It was well done and excellent narration by Alfred Molina.

I’m about half-way through “The Road to Roswell” by Connie Willis. It’s a fun caper about an alien abduction. Light-hearted and funny. Narration is decent.

I finished up The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, Mit, and the Fight for Women in Science today - it was another book - like Proving Ground: The Untold Story of the Six Women Who Programmed the World’s First Modern Computer that just infuriated me - this one looks like much more at systemic issues within academic and women in science (specifically at MIT) - most of it occurring before the term unconscious bias because part of common phraseology. that the one female scientist had to (view spoiler)[get down and measure floor space in the labs to get an equal amount to her male collegues just ahhh (hide spoiler)]

I have thoroughly enjoyed The Thibaults by Roger Martin du Gard. The author received the 1937 Nobel Prize for Literature for this book. I have given it five stars.

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

I thought I would have a very hard rime with any book following this. Well, I'm reading another truly excellent book. Having read other books by Hermann Hesse, I never thought I would understand or enjoy a book by him. I was completely wrong. Narcissus and Goldmund is both understandable and beautifully written. This book is special, but in a way completely different from du Gard's. Gosh do I love the variety found in books. And by the way, it's free for Audible Plus members, at least in the UK. I am not sure if it is in the US too. It's wonderfully read by Simon Vance.

I am halfway through Chernobyl: The History of a Nuclear Catastrophe by Serhii Plokhy

with the Us being elimated from the world cup and a lot of the surrounding dialogue about the players hating the US - i figured this was a good opportunity to listen to One Life by Megan Rapinoe

I've finished Narcissus and Goldmund by Hermann Hesse, an author I have avoided since my school years. It's free for Audible-UK-Plus members.

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

I liked it, but......

Now I'm reading a novel by the author Thomas Savage. The book is The Power of the Dog.

2 stars to The Reader. I seem to keep picking up these books that are very detached from the worlds and characters they describe, but it gets them off my TBR! Hoping the film expands on Hannah's character a bit.

I finished A Death of No Importance, first in a series set in Gilded Age New York. As a maid, Jane has the ability to observe and investigate without notice. It was ok but I don't feel compelled to continue. I liked the setting, but there were some unlikely events (holding a party very soon after a death in the family, for instance, or sending a single man and woman on a trip together.) The narration was good but a bit slow so I speeded it up. But if you enjoy the Molly Murphy mysteries, you will probably like this.

I finished up The God of the Hive by Laurie R. King. It did conclude the current case, which I appreciated. I also enjoyed this book a bit more, likely due to the changing of the POV. The writing style was different, and it worked better.

Not sure what is up next just yet. Maybe A Life of One's Own: Nine Women Writers Begin Again by Joanna Biggs.

I recently finished Viola Davis' autobiography, Finding Me. I'm not surprised that it is an Oprah Book Club book as Davis had a difficult childhood, perhaps vaguely similar to Oprah's. It's a 4* book.

Now I've started Weyward, a historical fiction novel which follows three generations of women from four different eras at Weyward cottage, 1619, 1942 and 2019. It is a fun listen, so far. Historical fiction is my favorite genre.

Would someone who has access to the UK Audible, please check if The Bee Sting by Paul Murray is available. Someone on YouTube in the UK mentioned it.

The print/ebook version becomes available in the US next week, but I see no mention of it at US Audible. It's long and I often prefer to listen to long books than read them. It is longlisted for the Booker Award.

My review of Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke

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

Kathleen wrote: "I recently finished Viola Davis' autobiography, Finding Me. I'm not surprised that it is an Oprah Book Club book as Davis had a difficult childhood, perhaps vaguely similar to Oprah..."

I have Weyward on my TBR list. I was wondering how the three different timelines would work on audio. Hope it's good!

Kathleen wrote: "Would someone who has access to the UK Audible, please check if The Bee Sting by Paul Murray is available. Someone on YouTube in the UK mentioned it.

The print/ebook version become..."
Yes the Bee Sting is available on Audible UK. Released 6th June 2023.

Thank you, Trollslayer 1 for the Bee Sting info. Perhaps the audio is waiting for some rights agreement. I’ll keep watching for it.

I have finished The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage.

I've written only a short review since I'm not feeling so well after my second Shingrix vaccination. Better this than to get Shingles, I think!

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

Now I'm reading Monica Dickens, the great granddaughter of Charles Dickens,. The book is One Pair Of Hands. It's autobiographical. Her writing is amusing. This is why I picked it up.

Chrissie wrote: "I have finished The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage.

I've written only a short review since I'm not feeling so well after my second Shingrix vaccination. Better this..."

Yes, I had shingles 2 years ago, terrible pain for almost 3 months, and I still get twinges sometimes. To get tosleep I listened to some of my more low-key audiobooks that were a bit dull.

I got the vaccines afterwards, even though it was before they were covered by insurance and it cost a lot. They do tend to give more side effects than most vaccines, but it's definitely worth it.

Finished Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls narrated by the author, she actually does a pretty good job at the narration and this is an interesting story and I look forward to the discussion at book club tonight. It was interesting getting a look at Rosemary's mother and family life as a child, if you have read Walls book The Glass Castle about her upbringing you'll remember Walls mother Rosemary.

Now started a non-fiction Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders by John Glatt Narrated by Shaun Grindell, I am only 4% in but the narrator is British and it's kind of throwing me a bit, maybe because this is such a southern story that it seems odd to have a British voice as narrator.

I had a tiny bit of Geisha, a Life to wrap up and did. I don't know if I've ever been more conflicted about a book. The only thing worse than the narration was the writer's general disposition but it was a fascinating memoir.

I started and finished Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan's Disaster Zone. Super tough-to-hear story covering the families who lost 74 children from Okawa Elementary School to an inept educational system and off-the-charts natural disaster.

Now I'm 39% through The Housekeeper and the Professor. Really good narration and a very tender story so far.

Actually, I am not a fan of Charles Dickens, but on hearing that his great granddaughter was also an author and that she wrote with humor, I wanted to give her books a try. I chose One Pair Of Hands, one of Monica Dickens' memoirs. It IS amusingly written and she definitely has a style of her own.

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

At the moment, I'm in the mood for humor, so now I've picked up another of Monica Dickens' memoirs. This time it's One Pair of Feet.