Audiobooks discussion

2024 is flying by at lightspeed it seems!

Starting off the month with The Happy Housekeeper's Guide to Arson, second in a rather ... quirky series. Readers either love Barbara or hate her, I'm a fan of her as a character, but can see the frustration expressed by many. Repeated mention of why she was forced to abandon the Big City to housekeeping for her
widowed brother and twin nephews in a small town, but not a detail provided yet.
These definitely need to be read in order - excellent narration!

i'm listening to The Celebrants as well as starting A British Girl's Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak

i'm also slowly chugging through Mosaic: A Chronicle of Five Generations

I'm finishing up a re-read of The Weirkey Chronicles by Sarah Lin. The first five books are available on Audible and the next three I have to use the Kindle Assisted Reader. I enjoy this series so much I signed up for it on Patreon so I can get the ninth book in two-chapter installments each week. It's a truly unique Progression fantasy and the first three books are even available in an audiobook omnibus.

Currently Reading Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos. I read the second book in the trilogy, Belong to Me many years ago, not realizing it was part of a series! So I decided to go back to the beginning a read the first installment. I'll probably read book 2 again, after so many years I'll want to refresh my memory before I read the last book, I'll Be Your Blue Sky.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 for the first book in a new series by Lucy Connelly An Irish Bookshop Murder https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Still listening to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It's just above meh for me. I'll probably finish listening today.

I finished Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett, the second book of a delightfully silly fantasy series, and Gunslinger: Killer's Chance by A.W. Hart, a western that I didn't think was written well.

Currently listening to Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro, and I'm not sure about it yet. I don't normally read anything labeled 'horror,' but I hope this one lives up to the hype.

Listening to "Murder Your Employer The McMasters Guide to Homicide", by Rupert Holmes. This is the first in a series. It is definitely odd. Narrated by Neil Patrick Harris & Simon Vance.

Finished "Democracy Awakening, Notes on the State of America" - written and narrated by Heather Cox Richardson. This is definitely recommended for nonfiction readers. Dis you know the term "gaslighting" comes from a 1944 movie titled "Gaslight"? I watched the movie out of curiosity. Also recommended.

Per Google
The term has its origin in a 1938 play called Gas Light, which was later adapted into a 1944 film renamed as Gaslight with one word instead of two.

One of the things the abusive husband does is playing around with the lights to make the wife think she's losing her mind. I had forgotten that the wife gets the last laugh.

I finished The Cloud Kingdom, latest in the Midlife Fairy Tale series by Kristen Painter. This one was better than the previous book--which was two thirds filler--but mostly average. It's lots of fluff with a truly villainous queen as the antagonist. It's fine for when you just want a little light story that will eventually have a happily ever after... who knows, maybe even for the wicked queen.

I zipped through The House of Hidden Meanings and am glad it was short because it wasn't one I loved. RuPaul's (drag queen/celebrity) and I thought it would be more interesting than it was. Maybe I just don't know enough about him to understand all that I was listening to?

Half way through Do Not Disturb and it's ok so far. Creepy and twisty which I usually don't do so nice for a change.

Starting the month off with Mascot by Charles Waters, Traci Sorell Narrated by Karen Chilton; Merissa Czyz; Kyla Garcia; Christopher Gebauer; Robb Moreira; Soneela Nankani; Ruffin Prentiss

I finished Pashions in Death, latest in the Eve Dallas series by J.D. Robb. Love the narration as usual and enjoyed many aspects, but the story overall seemed to lack some energy. Overall it was average for an Eve Dallas book, but that's still above average.

I just finished Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove. I am in no way the target market for this book. I don't have a particular interest in this genre of music but I was curious. I enjoyed the audiobook thouroughly. Not only did I know more than I thought about hip hop but I learned a couple of things about the genre that made me appreciate it more. Also (and this is why I'm posting here), it was a great audio production. Read by Questlove it was like getting an insiders guide to hip hop. Questlove's enthusiasm and love of hip hop was contagious. Kudos to Questlove as a historian as well. He not only mastered his subject but placed it appropriately into history. Well done.

Mascot was really good highly recommend this YA book.

Now starting Children of Darkness and Light: Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell: A Story of Murderous Faith by Lori Hellis
Narrated by Aimee Reid Pub Date Sep 24 2024

Listening to Whoopi Goldberg’ latest, Bits and Pieces. Almost finished. I like that she narrated the book herself and it’s strictly about her, her brother and mother, not her whole life story. I won’t give a complete review until I’m finished.

Michelle wrote: "I just finished Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove. I am in no way the target market for this book. I don't have a particular interest in this genre of music but I w..."

A shoutout to Questlove - he donated $10,000 to my high school's music department!

⭐⭐⭐.5 for The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Tonight I finished A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell. The narration was excellent for this sometimes frustrating, often funny, Victorian era Steam Punk adventure of romance and faith. The female MC seemed unfairly frosty in her treatment of the troubled male MC for a good part of the book, but that was part of the journey and character development so I endured it.

Michelle wrote: "I just finished Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove. I am in no way the target market for this book. I don't have a particular interest in this genre of music but I w..."

Jeanie wrote: "I finished Pashions in Death, latest in the Eve Dallas series by J.D. Robb. Love the narration as usual and enjoyed many aspects, but the story overall seemed to lack some energy. Overall it was av..."

you've got me curious! I should probably check him out due to the years I invested in the Jimmy Fallon Show. lol

I finished Shelley Parker-Chan's incredible He Who Drowned the World today. Just brilliant storytelling. Excited for whatever they write next, and equally excited to pick up Natalie Naudus's debut novel (and anything else she feels like narrating, I love her voice)!

I had previously begun The Hunchback of Notre-Dame as narrated by Bill Homewood. It had been working well enough for me for the past day or so since I'd picked it up again after a few weeks away, moving along nicely even with all of Hugo's typical tangents and soapbox moments (which I do love, in all honesty). But today I realized my library had a different edition narrated by Simon Vance. I've never jumped ship so fast 😂

Jeanie wrote: "I finished Pashions in Death, latest in the Eve Dallas series by J.D. Robb. Love the narration as usual and enjoyed many aspects, but the story overall seemed to lack some energy. Overall it was av..."


Passions in Death

Audio first day it was out, now reading print.

This was more standard police procedural than race against the clock to catch terrorist, serial or spree killer. It wasn't as high tension as some even if it did start with middle of the night call. Kind of nice to see Eve getting to go home at night, eating regular meals, etc. and she gets to be sounding board for Roarke when usually he is shown in that role for her.

Do Not Disturb started off pretty strong - ended up pretty weak. Had a good creepy/thriller vibe going until a little over halfway through then it just.... went flat. 2.5 stars.

Up next is Only If You're Lucky - it's not very highly rated but is on my to-read shelf and available and I'm trying to work that list down so here goes!

Jeanie wrote: "Tonight I finished A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell. The narration was excellent for this sometimes frustrating, often funny, Victorian era Steam Punk adventure of romance ..."

Just added this to my stack (it was Audible's daily deal, but I can borrow it from the library). Glad you enjoyed it!

I finished Point Nemo by Jeremy Robinson and it really mushroomed (pun intended) into a fun and crazy story. Of course, R.C. Bray's narration was terrific.

I really liked The Silver Pigs, which was a free to members Audible book. At the time I noticed it, the second book, Shadows in Bronze, was also free, but now it no longer is. I thought I would use a credit for it, but then I saw the narrator changed. Christian Rodska (who isn't a narrator I was familiar with) had the perfect voice for a down on his luck investigator (officially an "informer") who has problems with money, family, women, etc. Very down-to-earth and colloquial. But the next volumes are narrated by Simon Prebble. He is an excellent narrator, but when I listened to the sample, I decided his accent is too patrician for this character, so I'm switching to print. I imagine I would have been fine with Prebble if I'd started with him.

i finished up The Celebrants - i've had this on my libby holds list forever and i was being told I couldn't place more books on hold because I had maxed out my number - so i'm tackling those...it was bittersweet but hopeful at the same time - I loved the concept of a living funeral

I am currently listening to The Husbands, the premise really drew me in - a single woman comes home one day to find her husband waiting in the living room but that's not the most surprising part, once her husband goes into her attic out comes a new husband and a new life. Her attic is a husband supplier and a way for her to see what her life cloud be. While the premise is very interesting the story is a bit slow. Husbands keep popping out and there is not much detail about these husbands. I still have 3 hours to go so I am hoping the ending is good

I finished Jeremiah by Dr. Bill Creasy. I'll be starting the book of Jeremiah in my daily Bible reading in a couple of days so I wanted the same kind of background I got by reading Isaiah a little while back. I did get the same background and what was there was interesting and helpful. But I have to admit this one was not as well organized and there was a great deal of repetition between each lecture. It was better than going in without a historical perspective, but not as satisfying a listen as his previous set of lectures. I'll be skipping any lectures on Lamentations as going through it in my daily reading will be more than enough... it's not a happy book.

Michelle wrote: "I just finished Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove. I am in no way the target market for this book. I don't have a particular interest in this genre of music but I w..."

Thanks for the recommendation - I've added it to my library on Spotify to give it a try.

I started the month listening to Snowblind read by Thor Kristjansson. I enjoyed the atmosphere of a north Icelandic winter and the plot and characterisation engaged me well enough. I gave it 4 stars.

I am currently listening to Blue Sisters read by Kit Griffiths. I am totally taken up by how Coco Mellors describes the interactions between the sisters which seem very real to me as an only child. One of those I will be sad to finish.

It was recommended by Jules who I follow on Tiktok.

I finished When Mountains Move by Julie Cantrell. At first I was a bit disappointed by this book when compared to the 1st book in the series, Into the Free. But now having read the whole book, it really did a great job of continuing Millie's story and brought a lot of closure to many of the issues left hanging at the end of the first book.

I even got used to the different narrator, Amy Rubinate. By the time I got to the end, I forgot the first narrator's voice. This was was my first experience with this author, but if she has other books out there, I will certainly check them out! I highly recommend both books!

A good, old-fashioned English 'whodunit'. Death at the Dolphin by Gretta Mulrooney⭐⭐⭐⭐.1 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have been going through the Walt Longmire series and wow, Hell and Back is is so intriguing. Almost of all of the series has some supernatural/magical realism element, generally related to Native American spirituality. This contrasts with the gritty reality of Wyoming life. But is established that Walt, although he doesn't admit it, has an access to other spheres - like being guided by an Indian who nobody else sees, having a dream that points him in a certain direction, seeing episodes from the past of a place, etc. This could be really silly with some other authors but I think it works. In this book, Walt wakes up on a road with no memory of how he got there or who he is, and things get stranger from there. As always George Guidall is the voice of this series.

I finished down the drain by Julia fox. it's an authentic, raw memoir that is both devastating and inspiring. going to finish the other books I've started to read and then I'm moving onto something festive for the fall.

Listened to the last book in the first omnibus for the Middle Falls Time Travel series: The Death and Life of Dominick Davidner by Shawn Inmon. There were parts that overlapped the second book, and even when it moved away from that I just found myself slightly bored with this book. The character development and growth just wasn't there. Taking a break from the series before trying another....or maybe I will just stop there.

Currently finishing up The Space Race. It was one of those audible originals they gave out years back when they were doing that monthly. Listened to this book off and on during road trips with my husband, but he's now listening to other books on his own and I want to finish this one. I'm enjoying it!

i finished up Annihilation - first in the southern reach series - its a lovecraftian kind of book - interesting but not really my thing

Robin P wrote: "I have been going through the Walt Longmire series and wow, Hell and Back is is so intriguing. Almost of all of the series has some supernatural/magical realism element, generally r..."

I've been enjoying the Longmire series too Robin. The characters are great and Guidall is the perfect narrator.

Michelle wrote: "Robin P wrote: "I have been going through the Walt Longmire series and wow, Hell and Back is is so intriguing. Almost of all of the series has some supernatural/magical realism elem..."

I skipped the one in Mexico because it seemed very dark and I hate the trope of family members being targeted by the villain. But I plan to listen to all the rest.

I finished A Useful Woman - decent cozy mystery set in regency England /Almacks - intrigued enough to consider another book in series

i also finished up A British Girl's Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak - cute but at times deep YA - exploring grief, responsibility, family etc

Dee wrote: "I finished A Useful Woman - decent cozy mystery set in regency England /Almacks - intrigued enough to consider another book in series"

Dee, that looks kind of interesting. It's not too "romancy" is it?

Donna wrote: "Dee wrote: "I finished A Useful Woman - decent cozy mystery set in regency England /Almacks - intrigued enough to consider another book in series"

Dee, that looks kind of interesti..."

Nope not really romance-y at all - some hints of what might be and what had occurred in the past but it’s pretty solid in the mystery genre

I finshed Psyche and Eros.

Going to start Atalanta

I'm still yet to finish A Touch of Chaos and The Rabbit Girls

Listen the quick read, "Gear, Grills, & Guns".

Had a busy few days.
Listened to @Kate Atkinson's Case Histories; Kia Abdullah's Next of Kin; and John Wyndham's The Trouble with Lichen.
the first two on BorrowBox, the third on Audible.
Case Histories got only 2 stars. it was a DNF a few months ago, and I'm not sure why I went back to it really.
Next Of Kin by contrast is thoroughly recommended with an engaging twisty plot.
John Wyndam.was the first adult author I read and was very happy to read this one again. It hasn't dated and I loved it just as much 50ish years later.

I just ditched a Danielle Steel book - it was terrible. Resurrectionwas 90% about a new virus and every other word was virus, COVID, vaccine or pandemic. And the first 2 chapters sped read through the entire life of two people. I was disappointed - guess it's been a while since I've read one of her books..

I seem to be in a rut of "so-so" books. I hate it when this happens.

Next up A Time for Mercy,

I just finished a reread of the twelve-book Cradle series by Will Wight... one of my favorites. It's hard not to just start it all over again!

Started last night All Creatures Great and Small

A book of two halves - but it's well worth it in the end. The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz ⭐⭐⭐.7 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Listening to The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I am enjoying it so much I went ahead and checked out The Alice Network by the same author.