Audiobooks discussion

Partway through the novel Someone at a Distance (Persephone Classics) by Whipple, Dorothy (December 31, 2011) Paperback Revised, but the horribly malicious villianess making it rather a slog.

Finished Dungeon Crawler Carl right before the strike of midnight. I loved it! The Audio was fantastic and story was more compelling and in-depth than I thought it would be. I was surprised how invested I was with everything. Despite how humorous it is there a lot going on beneath the surface too. It has so much heart and the two main characters are extremely lovable.

There was a good amount of ‘achievements’ and ‘inventory descriptions’ but I found, with the audio at least, it didn’t take away from the pace of the story. The way they changed the voice for it, to be more computerized, added into the immersion for me. I’m very much looking forward to my credit this month to get the next in the series.

Today I’ll be starting up The Blonde Identity. Been waiting for a good while for it from Libby.

I read The Shadow Chronicles trilogy by Paula Brackston last month (The Winter Witch, The Midnight Witch, The Silver Witch) and this month I am starting with an earlier work by the same author, The Witch's Daughter. I have enjoyed these for the most part and they found a place as my Halloween reads. All are very well narrated by Marisa Calin.

i can't believe its November already!!!

i'm listening to:
Rosemary and Rue - UF/paranormal
Travel by Bullet - sci-fi
In Search of Amrit Kaur: A Lost Princess and Her Vanished World - non-fiction

Kim wrote: "Finished Dungeon Crawler Carl right before the strike of midnight. I loved it! The Audio was fantastic and story was more compelling and in-depth than I thought it would be. I was s..."


What you describe makes this sound like it's right up my alley. I'm bumping it up on the list of new books to buy. November has a number of books I'm already getting: Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree, Bulletproof Barista by Cleo Coyle, System Collapse (The Murderbot Diaries) by Martha Wells, Beware of Chicken 3 by CasualFarmer, Melody of Mana 4 by Wandering Agent, and Coaching Fire (Cat and Gilley Life Coach mysteries) by Victoria Laurie. Maybe Dungeon Crawler Carl can be a December book. :)

Jeanie wrote: "Kim wrote: "Finished Dungeon Crawler Carl right before the strike of midnight. I loved it! The Audio was fantastic and story was more compelling and in-depth than I thought it would..."


Oooh, a lot of those are on my ‘to read’ list as well! Beware the Chicken I’ve been going back and forth on for a while now. I might have to see if I can fit it in this month.

Kim wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Kim wrote: "Finished Dungeon Crawler Carl right before the strike of midnight. I loved it! The Audio was fantastic and story was more compelling and in-depth than I t..."


As for Beware of Chicken... it's one of my very favorites! It can either serve as a fun introduction to xianxia/cultivation tropes or as a fun and enjoyable way to appreciate how those tropes can be turned on their heads if you already know them. It is a slice of life story that is fun and charming even if you don't know much about xianxia/cultivation... and the title character is the star even if he isn't the main character!

KTloves2listen wrote: "I am listening to The Mysterious Affair at Styles narrated by Richard Armitage."

He has a delightful reading voice. Enjoy!

I'm currently listening to American Monsters, it's my last audio carryover from October/Halloweeny themed reads. (I still also have a twice-renewed ebook to finish as well. SIGH.)

And then next up is Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, which I've been looking forward to for a while!

Finished this trilogy by Jean Grainger and thoroughly enjoyed both the narration and the stories.
Mags Munro Trilogy

Currently listening to an oldie on my list: Food: A Cultural Culinary History.

RE: "Travel by Bullet." I love me some Scalzi (currently reading "Starter Villain"), but I couldn't love the narration by Zachary Quinto. What did you think, KT and Dee?

Jan wrote: "RE: "Travel by Bullet." I love me some Scalzi (currently reading "Starter Villain"), but I couldn't love the narration by Zachary Quinto. What did you think, KT and Dee?"

he's not my favorite narrator - but he's passable - they are relatively short so that helps

Aegelis wrote: "Hi all! As a audiobook fan myself, I was very excited to work with Callum Hale to share my first book as an audiobook. Check out X (Captain Ruik's Adventure) if the story sounds like something you'..."

not the place to spam your book - you'll find most folks here are turned off and you will lose potential customers....

Dee wrote: "not the place to spam your book - you'll find most folks here are turned off and you will lose potential customers......"

Apologies, did not mean to offend (and especially not intending to spam), this is my first post here and was apparently in the wrong section. All the best & blessings be.

I’m listening to The Searcher by Tana French and loving it. Not surprising, since I’ve read and loved all of her books. Compelling story and good narration to boot. I don’t consider myself an expert on accents, but the narrators ability to switch between US and Irish accents is impressive.

French’s books are compulsive page turners and very well written. If anyone here is looking for a new read/listen, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Aegelis wrote: "Dee wrote: "not the place to spam your book - you'll find most folks here are turned off and you will lose potential customers......"

Apologies, did not mean to offend (and especially not intendin..."

If you posted a promotion for your book, it has been deleted. There are clear instructions on the home page directing authors to the correct threads.

I am about 40% done with Bookshops & Bonedust by, Travis Baldree Pub Date 07 Nov 2023

3 stars to Anne Blankman's The Blackbird Girls

Finished The Crown and The Guest List ,Three Sisters, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters,All I Want for Christmas,Ella Enchanted, Once Upon a Time in the North,The Ice Monster

yay for running tons of errands today...lol!

i finished up Rosemary and Rue; as well as In Search of Amrit Kaur: A Lost Princess and Her Vanished World

I will probably finish up Travel by Bullet tomorrow

next up is Academ's Fury (all 21 hours of it) and Monk's Hood

I am excited to be listening to an offering from Netgalley, A True Account: Hannah Masury’s Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself by Katherine Howe.

MissSusie wrote: "I am about 40% done with Bookshops & Bonedust by, Travis Baldree Pub Date 07 Nov 2023"

I'm jealous... but I'll get to start it on Tuesday so I can be patient. ;) Did you read Legends and Lattes? I'm wondering how much of the previous characters we get to see... I'm a fan of the rat baker! XD

Just finished The Blonde Identity and moving on to the second in the Murderbot series. Artificial Condition

Finished Artificial Condition and loved it just as much as the first in the series. The third book, Rogue Protocol , came in through Libby so I’ll be starting that now.

Kim wrote: "Finished Artificial Condition and loved it just as much as the first in the series. The third book, Rogue Protocol , came in through Libby so I’ll be starting that now."

I just love Murderbot! I'm really looking forward to the new release coming up. :D

Jeanie wrote: "Kim wrote: "Finished Artificial Condition and loved it just as much as the first in the series. The third book, Rogue Protocol , came in through Libby so I’ll be sta..."

I’m trying to get through them all for the new release. Would love to be caught up by the end of the year. I just finished up Rogue Protocol which is currently my favorite of the series.

I started up Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers today as I impatiently wait for the my turn in line for the 4th Murderbot book.

I had started The Black Queen on Friday and while I want to continue, I've been sidetracked this morning by Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank!

I finally finished Gryphon in Light, first in Kelvrin's Saga by Mercedes Lackey and Larry Dixon. The narration never felt quite right but I became accustomed to it in the end. This first book seemed like a very long setup for the actual story, but was interesting in it's own way.

I've already started Bookshops and Bonedust so I'm having a good morning!

Kim wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Kim wrote: "Finished Artificial Condition and loved it just as much as the first in the series. The third book, Rogue Protocol , came in through Libby..."

Vera is a hoot!!

I am listening to Exiles. It is the same narrator as this author's first book, The Dry, which was excellent. This one has the same detective. The Australian accent is appropriate but several times I found myself hearing things wrong, such as I thought he said "fine" but it was "phone" or I thought he said "white" but it was "weight".

Robin P wrote: "I am listening to Exiles. It is the same narrator as this author's first book, The Dry, which was excellent. This one has the same detective. The Australian accent i..."

I had to listen to it very carefully because of the Aussie accent.

I finished Bookshops and Bonedust, written and narrated by Travis Baldree. This one actually tells a story from Viv's past so there is only a bare glimpse of the contemporary Viv. I really like the way Baldree writes and narrates and he spins a very satisfying cozy fantasy. I already look forward to the next one. We didn't get the ratkin baker in this one, but there was ratkin and a baker so good times. ;)

MissSusie wrote: "Kim wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Kim wrote: "Finished Artificial Condition and loved it just as much as the first in the series. The third book, Rogue Protocol , came in t..."

I just finished and I adored it. Vera was an amazing main character. I’m gonna miss being in her orbit.

Tonight I’ll be starting The Woman in Me .

heading out on a road trip today - goal is to finish up the 3 books i have in progress:
Academ's Fury (I prefer this series over Harry i think)
Monk's Hood
Dying Bites

if i finish up 2 of the 3 - then the next on my pile is Fake It Till You Make It

wow - everyone has been really quick - no posts since yesterday morning - crazy!!

I finished up Academ's Fury on my way to atlanta - if i didn't have a pile of other books to listen to, i would have dived right into the next one - so finishing the series (4 books left in a 6 book series) will be one of my goals for next year - i don't know if i see getting an opportunity to get the other ones listened to this year

Dee wrote: "I finished up Academ's Fury on my way to atlanta"

This series has been on my TBR Mountain for a long time! I just keep finding other series to finish first, or continue, or stand-alone books and don't want to get into another series before wrapping up a few.

I am nowhere near done with the series I am currently reading, Purity in Death by JD Robb is book 15 (of 57 I think?) and I only have through 30 on audio. If I ever catch up with book 30 there will be 90 books, haha. I recently read book 14 and I liked it better than some in the series.

I also finished The Witch's Daughter duology by Paula Brackston and despite several negative reviews (that I did not read beforehand) I liked them.

Deep Roots (Innsmouth #2) by Ruthanna Emrys was pretty weird, aliens and historical fiction, sort of sci-fi. I finished it, it was ok.

I haven’t listened to any of the In Death series for a long time. I’ve grown out of a few series, so I’m not sure I will still enjoy this one. My tastes are changing. My next one is number 31, Indulgence in Death.

Doug wrote: "Dee wrote: "I finished up Academ's Fury on my way to atlanta"

This series has been on my TBR Mountain for a long time! I just keep finding other series to finish first, or continue, ..."

I really like the In Death series and think you are finally into the long stretch of really good stories--the earlier ones were good, but they keep getting better. And don't stop at 30 because 32, Treachery in Death, is possibly the very best... followed by lots more great ones. This is one of those addictive audioseries where the narration brings the great stories to life and you just don't want to stop listening.

i like the in death books - but i need breaks in them - i tend to only do 3-4 of them a year - i'm sitting around book 50 right now

@Doug - the good with with Codex Alera is that its a finished series - 6 books - if that helps

Jeanie wrote: "And don't stop at 30 because 32, Treachery in Death, is possibly the very best

Thanks, Jeanie. I’ve added them to my real TBR!

Dee wrote: "i like the in death books - but i need breaks in them - i tend to only do 3-4 of them a year - i'm sitting around book 50 right now

@Doug - the good with with Codex Alera is that its a finished se..."

Thanks. I have all of those on audio that I bought a long time ago but my Jim Butcher has been concentrated on the Dresden series. I will move them up on my list for next year.

I'm continuing In Death with book 16 before I get burnout on the series for a while again, Portrait in Death has started out well. I bought these on MP3 CD as several book sets a long time ago when AudiobookStand.com (now out of business) was a Brilliance distributer. The sets are available on Amazon but the price is a lot higher (still lower than buying them individually from Audible).

Love the In Death books. I started binge listened from the beginning a couple of years ago including all the shorts, soon caught up and now grab them as they're released. Susan Ericksen's character voices are brilliant.

Trollslayer1 wrote: "Love the In Death books. I started binge listened from the beginning a couple of years ago including all the shorts, soon caught up and now grab them as they're released. Susan Ericksen's character..."

Listening to In Death books changed how I read.

When there were 50 in series including short stories and two more due out that year I decided to do them all in audio by the end of the year. I planned to do one a week plus the new ones when they came out. Schedule didn't work perfectly but by the end of the year I did it including the new ones when they came out then re-reading them at the end.

Those weren't all I read that year but that was what changed how I read from mostly print with some audio to mostly audio with some print. I needed something to think about other than real life chaos of my life at the time while I did physical work.

I know about mindfulness but I don't find thinking about that which cannot be changed helpful. While listening if my mind drifted I'd increase the speed a bit and it kept me paying attention to the book. Increasing the speed still seems to help me stay focused on the book. Could be that's related to how fast I read print. I just know it helps me stay in the book.

I know about mindfulness but I don't find thinking about that which cannot be changed helpful.

L J, I so identify with this! That is the great thing about audiobooks, I can listen to them while doing "mindless" tasks, like washing dishes. Why would I spend my time and mental energy thinking about the dishes or my breathing or whatever when I could be enjoying a book? For those who get benefit from meditation, more power to you, but that's not me and at this point I don't think it ever will be.

I think I am somewhere on the ADHD spectrum, so that if I don't have a book while driving or doing other activities, my mind will wander even farther afield. Somehow the book gives me enough focus while still being aware of my driving. (If the weather or traffic is bad, or I'm not sure where I'm going, then I will turn off the book.)

There are multiple authors and series that are so well done on audio that I will only do their books that way - such as the Chet & Bernie mysteries narrated by the dog, or the Cormoran Strike mysteries.

Robin P wrote: "I know about mindfulness but I don't find thinking about that which cannot be changed helpful.

L J, I so identify with this! That is the great thing about audiobooks, I can listen to them while do..."

Meditation... Well, I've done some and it worked but it wasn't about what I was doing at the moment.

Part of biofeedback learning included directed meditation that was part of book on cassette. That was over 40 years ago. Even though the book was not done by a professional narrator it was done well. It came with a print version and we were encouraged to record the mostly 5-10 minute meditation sessions we wanted to do in our own voice. Recording yourself can make you appreciate even more the efforts of narrators.

I don't listen to books while driving but while doing other tasks - oh, yes, I'm listening.

i finished up Dying Bites - i guess i bought this from audible back in like 2010ish...it was decent, i liked the world building, may consider continuing

A few updates since I came down with a nasty sinus infection last week -

I DNF'd The Black Queen.

5 stars to Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank

Currently listening to a full-cast BBC recording of King Lear, headlined by Corin Redgrave

And listening to A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France as part of Nonfiction November

I've been in a bit (well a big bit) of a lull in my listening. Have not been walking as much (cutting grass instead - can't hear) or driving. But I'm back on it and picking up Mercy. It's amazing how out of "practice" I am in listening and paying attention!

All The Broken Places....waited for awhile to listen to this, really wasn't interested in reading "Striped Pajamas" but nonetheless I did and though I didn't enjoy Pajamas, I immediately started All The Broken Places and it does help to have read Pajamas first. 50 percent in and this is will be in my top 10 for the year...