Audiobooks discussion

Starting off the month partway through a mystery: 10 Marchfield Square. Interesting premise, though a bit slow to start - excellent narration!

how is it may already? (and yes I know I said that for april - but in my defense, I was traveling more than I was home in april...)

I have 4 books in progress (don't judge me :) )
The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life
Marigold Mind Laundry
The Rainfall Market
Die for Me

Currently listening to The Spellshop. Enjoyable so far. A cozy fantasy.

I'm finishing up Beartown. I know I'm in the minority with this book, but it's not at all what I expected - I'm finding it a difficult book to listen to. If you have triggers to (view spoiler)[rape, or gay-bashing (hide spoiler)], I would pass on it.

I'm currently listening to When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World by Jordan Thomas.

Been trying to find another audio this week. Listened to a couple of those Sync freebies got some years back, one from 2015, so it's been a while. Here in Harlem: Poems in Many Voices by Walter Dean Myers. This was quick, got through it in a day.
The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez didn't work for me, so dnf.

For my second book settled on The Time Machine by H.G. Wells with the narration by Scott Brick. The library had several different narrators to choose from. I like Scott Brick so it wasn't a hard choice.

Starting The Final Game.

Currently listening to Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao. I'm enjoying the narrator and the book.

I listened to Quicksilver by Callie Hart a few days ago. It had two narrators which I don't really like, but they didn't even stick to different chapters. It was a hot mess. Plus, both of the narrators sucked. I know the male narrator was supposed to be sexy, but he was just creepy. Ick. The book itself was also not really any good.

I’m listening to The Story of a Heart: Two Families, One Heart, and the Medical Miracle That Saved a Child’s Life by Rachel Clarke. It’s a well done account of a heart transplant and shortlisted for the 2025 Woman’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

I finished up to Silver Borne (Dramatized Adaptation): Mercy Thompson, Book 5 from Graphic Audio the next book doesn't come out until May 30th so waiting impatiently.

Now I'm about 50% done with Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by, Elle Cosimano narrated by, Angela Dawe..I'm enjoying it but was hoping it would be funnier as it was a recommendation for something similar to the Vera Wong books.

Small Rain

This was a great audiobook. The author narrated his own work and did a super job. I am going to read something else by this author.

Misty wrote: "Currently listening to Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao. I'm enjoying the narrator and the book.

thanks for the heads up that was out - i just put it on hold at the library

I finished up The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan, and the Climbing Life while on the road today (out of town for the weekend) - i've watched the documentary about Alex free solo'ing el capitan - but this was more focused on the history of climbing and Alex vs. the actual free solo'ing

Jan wrote: "I'm finishing up Beartown. I know I'm in the minority with this book, but it's not at all what I expected - I'm finding it a difficult book to listen to. If you have triggers to [sp..."

Although it's quite popular, I've never had much interest in this one.

I finished up Murder at Haven's Rock: Casey Duncan Novels, Book 8 this afternoon. New author for me; very engaging story.

I am considering for my next read The Night the River Wept: A Novel by Lo Patrick. Is anyone familiar with it? It sounds interesting from the description, but I've never read this author before. I'd be interested in any comments, (no spoilers, please!)

I finished The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, and loved it. Wil Wheaton doesn't just narrate, he acts it out in audio. It's post-COVID sci-fi at its funniest.

I also listened to James by Percival Everett, and it was quite a story. I needed something light afterward, hence the Scalzi. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jan Mc wrote: "I finished The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi, and loved it. Wil Wheaton doesn't just narrate, he acts it out in audio. It's post-COVID sci-fi at its funniest.

I also li..."

Based on your review I wish I had listened to James instead of reading it. I like the author's work but did not feel this was his strongest.

Gave 10 Marchfield Square four stars. Overall, story worked well; narration had me hooked almost immediately!

I am listening to the 24 hour The Dragon Republic- good thing I enjoy Emily Woo Zeller's voice!

I am now listening to Sociopath: A Memoir and The Man Made of Smoke.

I'm enjoying White Fire (Special Agent Pendergast book 13) by Preston and Child (written in 2013). While the first few books of this series were a little bit weaker, being older and as the duo gained their stride and characters were introduced, the ongoing character development in the series has me staying with it. This is book 13 now (14 if you count the Nora Kelly #0 book that goes chronologically between books 2 and 3) and it is good if you like Mystery/Thrillers. The narrator has switched a few times and now is the late Rene Auberjonois, he did an outstanding job.

This group has listened to some good ones. I've shelved a few from the comments - @Doug, @Kristie and @John.

It's been a minute since I've posted.

Hamnet was not what I expected and my expectations clouded my star review - 3.5

The Hammer of Eden is not my favorite Ken Follett book. I like his historical fiction much, much better - 3.5

Past Tense is a Jack Reacher and it is what it is - always entertaining. 4.0. Of course I love having Alan Ritchson in my head as I listen.

I'm currently listening to A Killing on the Hill by Robert Dugoni. It's a decent historical mystery set in Seattle in the 1930s. With about 2 hours left it will be a 4* unless the ending is preposterous.

For those of you who listen to more than two books at a time, I've given it a whirl. I almost always have one book that I'm reading and one that I'm listening to. So what happens with me is that if I'm listening to two, or reading two, the more engaging of the two reads or listens takes precedent over the other. I tried to discipline myself with my latest two reads by reading a chapter of Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom and also reading Real Americans by Rachel Khong. I'm almost finished Real Americans and Frederick Douglass is all but forgotten. I only finished two chapters. Alas. It's back to one read and one listen.

IMHO - the two books I'm reading I think are better off read.

I've been leery of trying the popular Hamnet. DNF'ed I See You've Called in Dead after a couple of hours.

Listening to the historical mystery Waking the Tiger, well done so far.

I've gotten the impression that Hamnet is one of those books that folks either love or hate. I found the book beautifully written but very sad.

I am listening to Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens and narrated by Simon Vance (Blackstone Audio, 2006). It won't be as lighthearted as David Copperfield, I know, but it's still wonderful.

I am currently listening to A Flicker in the Dark. Good read so far, interested to see if who I think the killer is turns out to be the killer. We shall see :)

I am now on the 2nd Finlay Donovan book Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by, Elle Cosimano narrated by, Angela Dawe. I am enjoying them if you are fans of cozy mysteries/amateur sleuth books you will like these.

i'm nearly done with The Rainfall Market

i'm strating Two Girls Down - also Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping On a Dead Man just came in for me at the library

Earlier this morning I finished Animal Instinct, it was an enjoyable read for me.

Am now 1/2 done with the 3rd Finlay Donovan book Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by, Elle Cosimano narrated by, Angela Dawe I am enjoying this series it does have a few laugh out loud moments and the narration is really well done!

I'm listening to The North Face of the Heart by Dolores Redondo. Redondo is a solid mystery/thriller writer from Spain. Her books tend to be longer, but well done.

A Killing on the Hill ended up the 4* that I expected. It's a decent historical mystery.

Robin wrote: "I just listened to Luck and Judgement, 3rd in a series of modern police procedurals set in a small town in England. They are just that, procedural, no superhuman heroics - in fact, the middle-aged main character wonders if he can even pass the required physical. There is lots of unglamorous investigating which pays off. The banter within the station is very dry and British."

Thank you for mentioning this some months ago! #1 is an Audible Plus (UK) and I liked it, and last month some of them were on sale in a 2for1. At the same time I also started the next series, because those (#1 on Plus) were on sale too.

Now I'm hooked on these two series.

Finished Finlay Donovan #3.5 Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by, Elle Cosimano narrated by, Stacy Gonzalez this had a different narrator because it was Vero's back story.

Now on to Book #4 Finlay Donovan Rolls the Diceby, Elle Cosimano narrated by, Angela Dawe

I finished up Two Girls Down - narrated by TAvia Gilbert - solid mystery; first in series (Alice Vega), i'm intrigued enough to want to continue

I'm really liking The Shabti, which my library has via Hoopla.

Specs wrote: "Robin wrote: "I just listened to Luck and Judgement, 3rd in a series of modern police procedurals set in a small town in England. They are just that, procedural, no superhuman heroics - in fact, th..."

Glad to hear it! I have found many series from recommendations in this group myself.

I enjoyed Heretics Anonymous, a book targeted to a YA audience but interesting in itself. The narration captured the characters well.

I thought Sociopath: A Memoir was ok. I also finished The Man Made of Smoke, which I thought was excellent. I will write my review for it today.

I am now listening to If the Shoe Fits.

I recently finished Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland an excellent audiobook.

Michelle wrote: "I recently finished Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland an excellent audiobook."

Wasn't that really good!?

If you are in the mood for an emotional roller coaster, listen to Wish You Were Here. This book gave me the chance to reflect on my own life.

Fran wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I recently finished Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland an excellent audiobook."

Wasn't that really good!?"

It was excellent! The main story was compelling but so much history of the period was covered. I really didn't know that much about what happened and it was fascinating. Also great audioproduction.

Michelle wrote: "It was excellent! The main story was compelling but so much history of the period was covered. I really didn't know that much about what happened and it was fascinating. Also great audioproduction."

have you had the opportunity to watch the netflix mini-series of it yet? Also, I recommend the movie Kneecap (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27367464/) as an interesting insight into Ireland

Dee wrote: "Michelle wrote: "It was excellent! The main story was compelling but so much history of the period was covered. I really didn't know that much about what happened and it was fascinating. Also great..."

I didn't even know there was one. I will check it out. Thanks!

Starting book # 5 of the Finlay Donovan Series Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by, Elle Cosimano narrated by, Angela Dawe...This is the last book that in this series that has been released I will miss these folks when I am done. If you are a fan of Stephanie Plum give these a try!

Specs wrote: "Robin wrote: "I just listened to Luck and Judgement, 3rd in a series of modern police procedurals set in a small town in England. They are just that, procedural, no superhuman heroics - in fact, th..."

Thanks I was not familiar with this author. The next audiobook I read will be by him.

Another Man in the Street

I listened to this book. As with the other books I have read by this author it was a sad story. It was quite well narrated by Danny Sapani.

My review of The Man Made of Smoke: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm about 3/4 of the way through If the Shoe Fits now.

Just finished The Night the River Wept: A Novel by Lo Patrick. So the book started out OK and the story line was interesting, but I was really disappointed with the ending. It seemed kind of anticlimactic after all the investigation and trying to solve who did it. Also unfortunately, the woman narrator, Daniela Acitelli was difficult to listen to. I can't explain exactly why and increasing the speed of the playback helped a little, but it almost sounded as if she was disinterested in what she was reading, there was very little expressiveness in her performance. All of that is why I gave a 3⭐ rating. This was my first book by this author, and I would be willing to try Lo Patrick again, but not with that same narrator.

I've started the latest Flavia deLuce story What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust, which is taking a bit of getting used to after such a gap since the last one.

I finished If the Shoe Fits. It was a really cute retelling of Cinderella.

I am now listening to Somewhere Beyond the Sea.