Audiobooks discussion

Starting off the month partway through Blackstone Fell, third in the Rachel Savernake mystery series. Has a less "thriller" feel, closer to a 30s Golden Age story.

Also working on Anita Brookner's Strangers, where the narrator is a consistently good fit for the material.

Right now, I have 55 unread purchased titles at Audible (granted some are under 5 hours), with 9 credits that will expire by the end of September.

I finished The Tenth Muse, tenth book in the Divine Apostasy series by A.F. Kay. I was surprised to find this one because I was expecting the release in September. It was a good story with a game-changing ending... the wait for the next one will be especially hard this time!

Started up the third book in the Silo series with Dust by Hugh Howey. I really like the first book, the second one I didn't like as much...too early to tell for this third book.

Pamela wrote: "Started up the third book in the Silo series with Dust by Hugh Howey. I really like the first book, the second one I didn't like as much...too early to tell for this third book."

i finally listened to Wool this month - I plan to listen to the other ones hopefully this year

how is it August already???

I have 3 books in progress (yep, i'm crazy)...
Blackout - to finish up the trilogy
Heir to the Shadows - found on my lost on TBR to finish up a longest books on shelf challenge
The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet

I finished a quick novella, Penric and the Bandit by Lois McMaster Bujold. This was another book that caught me by surprise because the last few books were issued on Kindle months before the audio came out but this one was released sooner than expected... hope that trend continues!

I’m listening to The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing, a recent Oprah pick. It’s a memoir of druggie suburban mother. The audio version is excellent and addictive.

Just started One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. I hope it gets less convoluted but I'm thinking it won't.

I finished Maark of the Fool 6 by J.M. Clark and narrated by Travis Baldree. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and this is the best bbook so far.

Starting the month off with All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today By:Elizabeth Comen Narrated by: Anna Caputo

MissSusie wrote: "Starting the month off with All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today By:Elizabeth Comen Narrated by: Anna Caputo"

i feel attacked just by this book title - I had my thyroid removed due to cancer over 10 years ago now - but I was told for the longest time, it was in my head, that I just needed to eat less and workout more. Based on the pathology report, they believe I'd probably had the tumor for close to 5years (I had a very slow growing form of cancer and it was into my lymph nodes)

I finished the grimdark fantasy White Sands, Red Steel by Keith C. Blackmore. John Lee's narration was wonderful (as usual), but I didn't like the gore and the stupid characters.

Currently listening to the tenth in the Hugh de Singleton historical mystery series, Deeds of Darkness by Melvin R. Starr.

I finished up Blackout - solid closure to the trilogy - I’m trying to decide if I want to integrate it into the sci-fi class I teach - sci-fi, technology and narrative

For fans of Victorian murder mysteries, I'm finding The Highgate Cemetery Murder above average. Imogen Church's narration is reminding me of Barbara Rosenblatt, a favorite of mine.

The Midnight Library is a good one - I almost ditched it and am really glad I didn't. It's a "deeper" book than the fluff I typically stick to but the message is great and story is interesting.

Dee wrote: "MissSusie wrote: "Starting the month off with All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today By:Elizabeth Comen Narrated..."

I hear you Dee! I am dealing with some cardiac problems I have been told for years were panic attacks, all in my head, my body fighting off an infection, my stomach, menopause etc.... So this book is definitely hitting on those problems! There is also a chapter about women athletes that really struck me with everything going on with the female boxer.

John wrote: "For fans of Victorian murder mysteries, I'm finding The Highgate Cemetery Murder above average. Imogen Church's narration is reminding me of Barbara Rosenblatt, a favorite of mine."

I’ve added this to my TBR. From you, John, I got into Karen Charlton and Andrea Penrose, and I always liked Barbara Rosenblatt.

Robin P wrote: "John wrote: "For fans of Victorian murder mysteries, I'm finding The Highgate Cemetery Murder above average. Imogen Church's narration is reminding me of Barbara Rosenblatt, a favo..."

Ditto from me... I'll be checking it out.

I haven't posted in awhile, so here goes.

The Edge by David Baldacci. You usually can't go wrong with Baldacci but this wasn't on par with most of his mystery/thrillers.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawton. It's a nice historical mystery set in Maine in the 18th century. The protagonist is a midwife. 4.5*

Freedom of the Mask by Robert McCammon. Another historical mystery and the 6th book in the Matthew Corbett series. A bit too far fetched for me although it has really good ratings. 3.5*

Unfinished Business is the second book I've read set in Sri Lanka. It is a mystery about who assassinated a reporter who had been criticizing the government. For what it's worth this was as brutal a description of the civil war and it's aftermath as Island of a Thousand Mirrors. 3.5*

Somebody's Fool by Richard Russo is close to a 5*. Russo's fiction set on the East Coast is what Doig is to the midwest. Russo is not quite as lighthearted.

Night Owl by Andrew Mayne is another high octane thriller that was fine. 4*

Legacy of War by Wilbur Smith is #20 in the Courtney series. This is historical fiction set after WWII in Kenya as unrest surges throughout the country prior to independence. I am unapologetically a fan of Wilbur Smith.

Next up is Youngblood Hawke by Herman Wouk. Apparently it's loosely based on Thomas Wolfe. It's 41 hrs. At least I won't have to think about what to listen to on my walks.

Lastly, I finished reading Hild and I can't imagine listening to it. Kudos to anyone who did listen. In my humble opinion it's a brilliant work by Nicola Griffith. Her use of middle English was fascinating and I found myself touching many words on my iPad for the definitions. 5* and I'd be interested in anyone else's opinion. I will probably read Menewood at some point.

Fran wrote: "I haven't posted in awhile, so here goes.

The Edge by David Baldacci. You usually can't go wrong with Baldacci but this wasn't on par with most of his mystery/thrillers.

[book:Th..."

I agree about Hild. It’s brilliant but I had to refer to the map, character list, and glossary a lot. It made me realize that writing historical fiction from so long ago is almost like writing fantasy. There is world building, systems of religion and magic, unknown languages, etc. I think it would be difficult on audio.

I finished The Meaning of Life, third in the Edge Cases series by Silver Linings. While I like the characters a great deal I'm less thrilled with a story about The System failing and the world crumbling. I'm not a fan of apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic books so I'm not the target audience--I didn't know that was where this series was going when I started it. I'm hoping the next book will wrap it up. If not, I may be done anyway.

Finished All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today by, Elizabeth Comen--Every woman needs to read this book! Every chapter made me think of something I'd been told as a female patient. Highly recommend this one if you have ever been medically gaslit!

Now starting a middle grade book that comes out Oct. 1st Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids by Hugo Cook Narrated by Melinda Sewak

I was pleasantly surprised by the historical fiction novel October in the Earth by Olivia Hawker, and it made it to my five-star level. My short review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I am listening to the FINAL volume of the Hell Divers series of apocalyptic sci-fi by Nicholas Sansbury Smith. This is gonna be rough (wink).

Last night I finished Isaiah by Dr. Bill Creasy. This is in the Audible Plus catalog and I picked it up as a supplement to my daily Bible reading--I'm halfway through Isaiah and felt like I needed some background. The author/lecturer takes a literary/religious approach to the book and truly did add to my understanding within historical, literary, and religious contexts. I plan to get his lectures on Jeremiah when I move on to that book... about a month from now.

Today I finished Great Masters: Beethoven - His Life and Music, one of the Great Courses by Robert greenberg and available on Audible Plus. I love love love Greenberg's lectures and so now, of course, I have to pick up his 24 hours plus course on Beethoven's Symphonies... happily on sale for $6.99 right now. See y'all in several days. ;)

Jeanie wrote: "Last night I finished Isaiah by Dr. Bill Creasy. This is in the Audible Plus catalog and I picked it up as a supplement to my daily Bible reading--I'm halfway through Isaiah and felt like I needed ..."

Thank you, Jeanie.

i finished up Heir to the Shadows today - it was a bit awkward in places because it covers a significant period of time and so the plot jumps around a bit - but everything wraps up for the last book in the original trilogy (although apparently there are more books now)

Just finished The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. I had heard of but not read his previous novel The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle but was spurred to listen to this one after seeing him at an author event at our local bookstore. (He is a kick!) I found the book a challenge -- a complex invented world that I had trouble navigating at points -- but I enjoyed it.

About to start Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Just finished The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. I had heard of but not read his previous novel The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle but was..."

My daughter said The Last Murder at the End of the World is a limited series on Hulu and she highly recommended it. Thanks! I'll read it first.

Fran wrote: "My daughter said The Last Murder at the End of the World is a limited series on Hulu and she highly recommended it. Thanks! I'll read it first.."

Fran, I saw that and I don't think it's the same thing. The series is called "A Murder at the End of the World" and the plot is very different as far as I can tell. Let me know if I'm wrong. (It does look good, though.)

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Fran wrote: "My daughter said The Last Murder at the End of the World is a limited series on Hulu and she highly recommended it. Thanks! I'll read it first.."

Fran, I saw that and I don't think it..."

Hmmm. Maybe the titles are so close I have it completely wrong. They both look interesting.

Phew! I finished The Symphonies of Beethoven, one of the Great Courses by Robert Greenberg. Of course it was great and chock full of information. It was a lot to take in so quickly, so I'll need to re-listen at some point in the future.

Two problems, though... one mine, one his. I shouldn't have read this so soon on the heels of Beethoven - His Life and Works... the biographical and critical information was repeated--often almost verbatim--and that became tiresome. Second, greenberg himself was a great teacher, but he often counted out beats or emphasized certain patterrns by talking over the music... and drowning it out. One two three/one two three is fine for a measure or two, but the whole length of the example? The solution obviously is for me to get out my CDs of the beethoven symphonies and listen to them sans commentary after having been given the helpful pointers on what to listen for... if only I can find the CDs... and a CD player! ;P

A dual reality concept that works really well! The Other Year by Rea Frey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

We’re listening to ’Salem’s Lot in the car. I’m not a fan of horror, but am exploring King’s older books. I wasn’t impressed with Carrie, but this book is pretty good. Yes, it’s chilling, but I can take it, unlike the horror in The Shining or The Mist; two King books which I intensely disliked.

It helps that I finally reread Dracula a few years ago.

Kathleen wrote: "We’re listening to ’Salem’s Lot in the car. I’m not a fan of horror, but am exploring King’s older books. I wasn’t impressed with Carrie, but this book is pretty good. Yes..."

I explored Stephen King after reading The Dark Tower series. I have read all of his backlog of books up to Mr. Mercedes (2014). I found a lot of tie-ins and repeated locations and references to characters throughout the older books, and saw a flowchart linking all of King's books together for sale online. It was quite a flowchart! Father Callahan from 'Salem's Lot shows up and plays a large role in The Dark Tower book 5, Wolves of the Calla.

I'm currently reading The Lost Fleet series by Jack Campbell (pen name for sci-fi author John G. Hemry), starting with Dauntless. I am on book 4, Valiant. I found this series in Audible Plus. I like it enough to continue through at least book 6, after that the series shifts and becomes The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, where I have to start spending credits. It is well read by narrator Christian Rummel.

finished up Killing Time - #5 in the Time Police series by Jodi Taylor - I love the chronicles of St Mary's series (although over time the last books have started to get a bit too weird) - and wasn't sure I'd like the time police books, but I'm a total convert - this is a series that I would love to see as a TV show.

I started Making It So (Patrick Stewart's Memoir) as well as Family Family (Laurie Frankel) - both from my epic library holds list because I was maxed out at my one library (admittedly it was only 20 holds but still...)

Started My Daughter's Revenge by Natali Simmonds Narrated by Izzy Meikle-Small, Claire Storey

Currently dividing my time with Return of the King and A Life in Parts Bryan Cranston’s Memoir.
Last week, I started and finished Martin Short’s Memoir I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedian and I finished Dark Force Rising and The Two Towers, but both of those were hold overs from July.

(Both Memoirs are so good, but riddled with tragedy)

I’m looking to close out the month with The Last Command, to close out the Thrawn trilogy and maybe starting A Court of Thorns and Roses since the whole series is included in Spotify and book 1 is free on Audible.

Happy Reading!!

Troy wrote: "Currently dividing my time with Return of the King and A Life in Parts Bryan Cranston’s Memoir.
Last week, I started and finished Martin Short’s Memoir I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedian and ..."

I'm curious as to which narration of the Lord of the Rings books you are listening to--Rob Ingliss or Andy Circus. I first listened to the Rob Ingliss narrations about twenty years ago--and re-listened many times--so I'm inclined toward that narration... like a first love I suppose. I love the songs and found that I even enjoyed the section with Tom Bombadil which had seemed simply odd when I read it in print. Oh, and how I love the Ents' marching song!

Dee wrote: "finished up Killing Time - #5 in the Time Police series by Jodi Taylor - I love the chronicles of St Mary's series..."

Yes, wouldn't this be fun as a TV series? But it would cost millions due to all the different time periods! LOL. I love both series.

Troy wrote: "...A Life in Parts, Bryan Cranston’s Memoir."

I enjoyed listening to Bryan Cranston's story and thought he would be great as an audiobook narrator all the time!

An edge of your seat mystery/thriller The Girl in the Dark by Zoë Sharp ⭐⭐⭐⭐.3 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've only recently started to listed to audiobooks, so I thought I'd check out your group for reviews and recommendations.

My favourite so far is Project Hail Mary that I read and listened to a few months ago. I always enjoy Andy Weir's work, but the narration by Rob Porter plus the sound effects made this an exceptional experience.
My review of Project Hail Mary

Darkness Visible by Arvind Ethan David is like a full-blown radio play, part of Audible's Earworm series of short stories. Very entertaining.
My review of Darkness Visible

The Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe by Arvind Ethan David is a delightful Audible short story narrated by 'the' Neil Gaiman himself, which makes it more fun.
My review of The Neil Gaiman at the End of the Universe

Old Bones fell a bit flat for me. Interesting concept - a research of the legendary Donner Party site and an archelogist and an FBI agent team up. But it just was.... meh.

I'm on The Law of Innocence now which is 6th in the Lincoln Lawyer series (one that I really like).

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett was not for me. It wasn't a bad book, but I was not interested in the characters or storyline, although I did finish it. Others may enjoy it more.

I did enjoy Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. It was more of a book up my alley.

I'm now reading Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree.

Doug wrote: "I did enjoy Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. It was more of a book up my alley."

if you aren't tracking, there is a 2nd book in the Alex Stern series - Hell Bent

Dee wrote: "Doug wrote: "I did enjoy Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo. It was more of a book up my alley."

if you aren't tracking, there is a 2nd book in the Alex Stern series - Hell Bent"

I have that checked out from the library, I saw that it won the Goodreads award for best fantasy last year. It was strange how my public libraries have a lot of copies of the second book and long wait lines for the first one. It was a pretty long book, being more than 16 hours, so I am cramming in a few smaller ones before diving into the second 16 hour book.

I really with she would continue the Grishaverse, I read all of those books a couple of years ago. This series is good too, and adult rated, but YA can be decent and Grishaverse was a group of books that I enjoyed.

I finished over the weekend: Vendetta in Death !
This book really held my attention.

I just finished listening to Travels with Charley: In Search of America. This may be my new favorite Steinbeck. It was expertly read by Gary Sinise.