Audiobooks discussion

Partway through Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, audio narration works well here.

Also on the second Clara Vale mystery: The Pantomime Murders.

Just wanted to say hi been in the group for a while just not sure how to use it because I cannot read are write so I struggle sorry I just wanted to say if you were interested in a book, maybe you would like to listen to a book called (The prison healer) by Lynette Noni this is a really good book and it grabbed me and I could not stop listening to it so all the books I have read have been listened to audible books only I am currently listening to (the bone season) by Samantha Shannon thank you 🌷

I just finished Blood Over Bright Haven. Great fantasy! Really interesting world building. Not romantasy. I would recommend.

I’m driving from Ohio to DC today

Finishing up The Cancer Factory: Industrial Chemicals, Corporate Deception, and the Hidden Deaths of American Workers - the anger i have right now and fear for future workers in light of some recent SC decisions

Working on Daughter of Sparta and Long Past Dues

Jacqui wrote: "Just wanted to say hi been in the group for a while just not sure how to use it because I cannot read are write so I struggle sorry I just wanted to say if you were interested in a book, maybe you ..."

I also enjoyed The Bone Season and I love audiobooks. I have always loved books but I discovered a few years ago that audiobooks were just as enjoyable and I can still “read” them when life gets busy with other things. This past year has been busy and stressful and it has been wonderful to have audiobooks to help me de-stress. I hope you don’t mind that I checked out your page. Looks like we both enjoy fantasy. This is a great thread to use to find good audiobooks. I have found that Goodreads readers really know their stuff.

Jacqui wrote: "Just wanted to say hi been in the group for a while just not sure how to use it because I cannot read are write so I struggle sorry I just wanted to say if you were interested in a book, maybe you ..."

Thanks for chiming in, Jacqui. We always like to hear what people are enjoying. We have some members who do audio because of visual issues, arthritis making it hard to hold a book, etc. And some of us find it a way to squeeze in books during boring tasks, like housework, driving, etc. Some of the narrators are so good that I only listen to certain series because I don't make it as funny/touching/dramatic in my own head.

Wow! Just finished I'll Be Your Blue Sky. Such a great book! This is the 3rd in the series and it seems like each book is better than the last! It's so great to revisit these beloved characters and see more of their stories and get to know them more and more! I really enjoyed the "mystery" in this story and even when you think you know how it gets resolved, the author manages to throw in a few surprises along the way. The narrators did an excellent job, not only of telling the story but really portraying the personalities of each character. Looking forward to the next book, Watch Us Shine: A Novel. I give this one a strong 4 stars! Marisa de los Santos has definitely become a favorite of mine. I highly recommend!!!

Finished "Sex and Vanity", it was a good book.

I just rode from Virginia Beach to Ohio with my dad and stepmom yesterday and I was astounded to learn they don't even listen to *music* on this drive (which they now make multiple times a year). Like ???? I would at least have an audiobook playing. As it was, I was glad to have my Kindle.

I did start a reread of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West a few evenings ago after seeing the new film (go see it, it's brilliant, I loveeee it).

I finished Camino Winds by Grisham this morning. It's was good. I'm not fond of the narrator, Michael Beck. I see that the 3rd in the series is narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and Josh Grisham. That should be an improvement.

I started Romola by George Eliot and bought it simply because it was by Eliot. I didn't do any googling for any information. So was I surprised it was set in 15th century Florence? Yes, pleasantly surprised since I was just in Italy for a month and we wound our way through Florence and the surrounding countryside.

Look at me, remembering to join this discussion on the actual first of the month! LOL

John wrote: "Partway through Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, ..."
This "stan" subject looks interesting but also very depressing. Are you finding it so?

I am in the midst of Clytemnestra: A Novel by Costanza Casati, yet another woman of Ancient Greece reimagining. The audiobook is very well done. (If I space these out, I might be able to cover the whole lot of them this decade!)

In addition, I am listening to a Colonial American mystery novel called Bone Rattler by Elliot Pattison. It's been on my list forever, and I'm glad to have snagged it on Hoopla.

Ashley Marie wrote: "I just rode from Virginia Beach to Ohio with my dad and stepmom yesterday and I was astounded to learn they don't even listen to *music* on this drive (which they now make multiple times a year). L..."

I know, when I go on trips with my husband, I feel like it's a waste of time because he finds audiobooks distracting. Unfortunately I have never been able to read in the car because it quickly makes me sick. I listen to audiobooks anytime I am driving myself, even for a 5-minute trip.

i def can't do audiobooks with anyone else in the car...because they want to talk and its like nope...spent a couple days in St Louis with my sister before driving to Chicago (abt 4hrs) and yep, she talked the whole way - i love her but I wanted to listen to my book

I have a T-shirt that says "I interrupted my audiobook for this". I had to buy it because it was so perfect!

Re: Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan

I wouldn't say it's depressing exactly. The government aren't always the most ... enlightened, but she does a good job with the people and places involved.

What I did find depressing was [book:Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. I know I'm in a tiny minority on that, but it's my opinion.

John wrote: "Re: [book:Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan

I wouldn't say it's depressing exactly. The government aren't always the most ... enlightened, but she does a goo..."

I'm in the minority too. The Wizard of Oz didn't need any spinoffs IMHO.

Robin P wrote: "Ashley Marie wrote: "I just rode from Virginia Beach to Ohio with my dad and stepmom yesterday and I was astounded to learn they don't even listen to *music* on this drive (which they now make mult..."

Ditto! I can't read in the car either. However, I'm usually the designated driver since my husband 'works' in the car. He takes care of business calls, texts and responds to email. I can usually listen to a book with my headphones while he works. And yes - I'm happy to run errand after errand after errand.

Dee wrote: "i def can't do audiobooks with anyone else in the car...because they want to talk and its like nope...spent a couple days in St Louis with my sister before driving to Chicago (abt 4hrs) and yep, sh..."

My two day drive from Canada to home this summer with my sister-in-law was so boring. TWO days!!! At least you had someone in the car you love. That would be a strong word to apply to my SIL. I'm driving to NC in a week all by my little self with audiobooks. Looking forward to the drive.

Finished the very entertaining book Ropes, Riddles, & Robberies. This series is entertaining and the books are short and sweet.

Jan Mc wrote: "In addition, I am listening to a Colonial American mystery novel called Bone Rattler by Elliot Pattison. It's been on my list forever, and I'm glad to have snagged it on Hoopla."

Jan, I read that as an eBook many years ago and was surprised by my enjoyment of it. Always wanted to continue with the next book in the series but still haven't gotten around to it. Looking forward to your thoughts on the book.


My current listen is: The Street by Ann Petry. Little over half-way through the book right now.

Starting the month off with Now or Never by, Janet Evanovich narrated by, Lorelei King

I'm in the middle of The Great Courses lecture series on King Arthur: History and Legend by Dorsey Armstrong, it is interesting.

My fiction read rn is The Archived by Victoria Schwab which I will have finished tonight.

John wrote: "Re: Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan

I wouldn't say it's depressing exactly. The government aren't always the most ... enlightened, but she does a goo..."

I agree with you John on the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West I read it a long time ago & recently re-listened to the audiobook. It's very dark and really very unlike the musical, which I loved!

I enjoyed this holiday cozy mystery 'Twas the Bite Before Christmas

I am very happy there was actual forward movement in the Stephanie Plum book!!! No Spoilers

Now starting The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by, Barbara Robinson narrated by, C.J. Critt

I finished The Street by Ann Petry the other day. I was impressed by the quality of Petry's writing, quite descriptive and well formed characters.

I had an eBook copy but my library had two versions of an audiobook. The first I tried the narrator was okay, the second sounded better for me. But that one did have sound effects included. It worked okay for me, but there were a couple of times where that was so loud I couldn't hear the words being spoken (ex: train noises).

I loved my reread of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West! 4.5-5 stars. Beautifully performed by John McDonough.

And then today I listened to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, narrated by Tara Sands. 4 stars there too, and I loved picking out the things that Maguire picked up from the original and carried through into the musical.

I finished Long Past Dues yesterday - second in series (book three not due out until March) - it picks up abt 6mths after where the first left off, so you def need to read in order

Solid world building esp with the supporting chapters - will be interested to grab book 3 when it’s released

My review of the historical mystery/novel Bone Rattler by Eliot Pattison.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Romola ended up being heavy lifting and I returned it. Such a promising start too. Then I started Eclipse by Richard North Patterson and couldn't stay focused. I'll pick up Eclipse at another time. I finally landed on Dead Even by Brad Meltzer and I'm enjoying it.

Although I have minimal interest in the lives of celebrities, I’ve recently listened to and enjoyed two of them:

From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir by Lisa Marie Presley and

Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir by Ina Garten.

Cemetery Road by Greg Iles was pretty good, much better than his most recent novel Southern Man which was overtly political and over the top with that trope. I expected a Greg Iles thriller and Cemetery Road lived up, while Southern Man disappointed.

I'm now finishing Meru by S. B. Divya. I struggle with the narration on this because the alien beings (it is sci-fi) speak in robotic voices that remind me of a computer reading the text. The human portions are not this way, and I had to double check the Audible reviews to see if others were having this notion about the narration--I am not alone. I found this one in the Kindle Unlimited program with accompanying Audible audiobook, so it is an immersion read on my Fire tablet. The narrator is Deepa Samuel, annoying enough that I might not continue with the series to the sequel, Loka. Meru isn't a bad story, so I haven't decided for sure.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 for this lovely romance, Take Me Home by Beth Moran and narrated by Rosalind Steele https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The latest Oprah book club book, an older book, Small Things Like These, is part of Audible Plus. It’s short, less than two hours.

Kathleen wrote: "The latest Oprah book club book, an older book, Small Things Like These, is part of Audible Plus. It’s short, less than two hours."

It's wonderful and there's a new, or recent movie.

Kathleen wrote: "The latest Oprah book club book, an older book, Small Things Like These, is part of Audible Plus. It’s short, less than two hours."

It's on my TBR list & I just checked - my Library has it on Libby. I am almost finished with my current book, so I will check it out when I am done! 😊

Robin P wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "The latest Oprah book club book, an older book, Small Things Like These, is part of Audible Plus. It’s short, less than two hours."

It's wonderful and there's a ne..."

the movie is really good - i hadn't read the book before I saw it, but you didn't need to - and cillian murphy is mmmm

The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss was really good in audio format. I didn't realize the book won the Goodreads Choice Award for History and Biography until I was in the middle of it. I can finally say that I actually read one of the winners!

Started The Stolen Crown: The Secret Marriage that Forever Changed the Fate of England by Susan Higginbotham. I do not know English history very well and though maybe this historical fiction will help. The beginning was very confusing with all the characters and title, somewhat settled now. Currently around bit more than a quarter the way through.

Kathleen wrote: "The latest Oprah book club book, an older book, Small Things Like These, is part of Audible Plus. It’s short, less than two hours."

It's so good!

Dead Even was ok as a legal thriller. I decided to finish the year with Hawaii by Michener. 51 hours. The introduction by the author Steve Berry was insightful into Micheners life and very interesting. Berry also reflected on the limited reading choices available to those of us who were elementary to middle school students in the 60s. The best were The Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew. Berry related that he picked up a Michener and he was smitten. I remember reading Caravans by Michener in the 60s and I was also transported to a land far away. I also remember reading Exodus by Leon Uris and I think I had read most of Dickens by the time I graduated high school. What a time to be alive!

Just finished All He Knew by Helen Frost. The story was actually interesting but the audiobook seemed to lack "soul". I don't know if was the narrator or the way the book was written "in verse" but there was just no feeling or emotion to the words. It felt very robotic to listen to it. For that reason I give it ⭐⭐½. But now I can start Small Things Like These! 😊I just may make my reading goal for the year!

Fran wrote: "Dead Even was ok as a legal thriller. I decided to finish the year with Hawaii by Michener. 51 hours. The introduction by the author Steve Berry was insightful into Michen..."

You inspired me to look for audio versions of more books I read in the 1960's. Instead of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew I was reading Nero Wolfe and Perry Mason. I've listened to Wolfe books and some science fiction. I think having watched Perry Mason tv series would interfere with listening to audio but I will look for audio of others from the 1960's - not Hawaii but maybe other historical novels I read then.

I finished A Touch of Chaos. Found it average.

I have been in SUCH a slump lately. The last 3 books I picked I didn't get through 10% and all were DNF for me. The 3 before that were totally "meh". I think I'm in a rut :-)

Nancy wrote: "I have been in SUCH a slump lately. The last 3 books I picked I didn't get through 10% and all were DNF for me. The 3 before that were totally "meh". I think I'm in a rut :-)"

That happens to the best of us! One thing that works MOST of the time for me is find a "lite" read that will hold your attention, then only listen to it when you are walking or working out. I find getting the brain chemicals moving will help me out of a reading slump.

I reread The Picture of Dorian Gray and found the more recently released Uncensored version, which I was glad to have. Edoardo Ballerini narrates beautifully. Must get a print copy for my shelf at home.

Just finished Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. I found it to be very short & to the point! I usually read longer novels than this & found I missed the detail and character development that can't be included in such a short story! Thanks to Kathleen & Fran for the recommendation!

I finished up When Women Were Dragons and Eight Perfect Murders today

When Women Were Dragons is a historical fantasy where all of the sudden in the 1950's much of the world's female population turns into dragons - timewise, it aligned with the communist threat and McCarthy's Committee on Unamerican Activities - so some interesting parallels

Eight Perfect Murders were ehhh - semi-decent mystery but nothing to write home about

continuing Blood of Troy and starting Archangel's Prophecy

I'm starting Orbital which was in the recent Audible sale. It has won at least one prize this year.