Audiobooks discussion

I'm starting the month with a British mystery: Hattie Brings the House Down

I'm starting the month off with The God of the Woods.

I've started Marble Hall Murders, The main character, who is an editor, complains about continuations of series after an author dies, which is amusing because the actual author, Anthony Horowitz, himself has written both Sherlock Holmes and James Bond books.

I finished The Midnight Feast this morning and promptly started The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom.

I finished the last 45min of The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest - in part his attempt to climb Mt Everest while also pursuing the mystery of who climbed the north face first (premise was a 1920’s expedition)

Started The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress and have abt 4hrs left of Shadow Divers

Dee wrote: "I finished the last 45min of The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest - in part his attempt to climb Mt Everest while also pursuing the mystery of who climbed ..."

I'll be interested to hear about The Moon is a Harsh Mistress as I have had it for a while and it works for a challenge I have this month in another group.

Finishing the zany late-90s Marvel series X-Men and Spider-Man: Time's Arrow, just a bit of fun that serves as a grand tour of (at the time of writing) all of Marvel's most notorious alternate timelines and futures. As is to be expected Cable features prominently.

Robin P wrote: "I'll be interested to hear about The Moon is a Harsh Mistress as I have had it for a while and it works for a challenge I have this month in another group."

I listened to this some years back and enjoyed it. I had previously tried to read it in print but it didn't click for me and I set it aside. There's a lot of slang and clipped writing so it's not easy to get into. I felt it was worth it once getting used to the writing style.

Starting June with two holdovers from May. A People’s History of the United States: 1492 - Present by Howard Zinn. This is a long book around 34 hours and I'm listening about an hour or so most days. It will take me a while to finish.

The other book is River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard. This one I will finish up in the next couple of days. Then something lighter for a change of pace.

Robin P wrote: "Dee wrote: "I finished the last 45min of The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest - in part his attempt to climb Mt Everest while also pursuing the mystery of ..."

the narrator uses a russian accent which def. threw me off early on - but i'm getting into the jive now - will report back

I'm starting the month with The Lotus Shoes

Started the month off with the new graphic audiobook River Marked Dramatized Adaptation by Patricia Briggs I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book!

Now starting The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao Narrated by Carolyn Kang Pub Date Jun 24 2025

I just finished A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Good mystery. Great audiobook with a full cast.

MissSusie wrote: "Started the month off with the new graphic audiobook River Marked Dramatized Adaptation by Patricia Briggs I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book!

Now starting [b..."

So what exactly is a graphic audiobook? Seems like an oxymoron to me. 🤔

Donna wrote: "MissSusie wrote: "Started the month off with the new graphic audiobook River Marked Dramatized Adaptation by Patricia Briggs I hope I don't have to wait too long for the next book..."

It's a full cast audiobook with music and sound effects, it is not an adaptation it is word for word just like a regular audiobook however every voice is a different actor plus sound effects and music. I am really enjoying them.

I just finished The Deeper the Water the Uglier the Fish. . .actually it was a DNF for me. I think this is the farthest I've gotten in a book that I did not finish. I got to 70% and just can't go on. I struggled earlier, but kept going, hoping that it would get better. But it never did, in fact, I think it got worse! For me there were too many POVs and too much jumping around. There were so many different people telling this story, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who! But it was the subject matter (the parent/daughter relationships) that really turned me off. I have read books with this subject before and not had a problem. But this one really seemed to glorify the negative! (I am trying not to give any spoilers here.) Plus the characters were really just unlikable, with few if any redeeming qualities. I don't often give 1 star ratings, but I just can't give this book anything higher! Sorry, but I definitely can not recommend this book.

I'm reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I still don't know if its high world building like Sanderson and Martin, but its entertaining.

I finished Books That Have Made History: Books That Can Change Your Life. This was so close to being a DNF. I'm not giving it a star, just saying it is on the lowest rung of the Great Books that I have read or listened to.

MissSusie wrote: "It's a full cast audiobook with music and sound effects, it is not an adaptation it is word for word just like a regular audiobook however every voice is a different actor plus sound effects and music. I am really enjoying them."

I've listened to a few, they can be extremely fun!

I have a more traditional single narrator book on the go, however: Orbital. Been looking forward to it!

Gypsy12 wrote: "I'm reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I still don't know if its high world building like Sanderson and Martin, but its entertaining."

This is now a real classic of fantasy, and many other books are compared to it. I hope you like it, Gypsy! I gave it five stars.

The issue with the Kingkiller series is... there isn't one. Yes, there are two books and a few shorter stories, but Rothfuss hasn't finished it, and many readers are a bit... well, aggravated about it. In fact, even though the third book hasn't been published, it's listed here on GR and it has almost 5500 ratings and over 900 reviews! LOL!! And some of the reviews are hilarious.

Enough of the rabbit hole.

I loved The Name of the Wind, a rare book that is as beautifully written as the ones by Guy Gavriel Kay. Of course, it did start to seem familiar when the boy goes to a special school where he can develop his talents, make friends and enemies, etc. In the second book, the hero becomes more of a Superman and discovers sex. Still I was eager for more, but it's been too long now.

I've finished The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom. Interesting nonfiction about an evangelical Dutch woman whose family aided in the resistance during WWII. Quite a woman!

Up now is The Armor of Light by Ken Follett. I like it much better when Ken Follett's books are historical fiction. The Hammer of Eden was meh.

Fran wrote: "I've finished The Watchmaker's Daughter: The True Story of World War II Heroine Corrie ten Boom. Interesting nonfiction about a evangelical Dutch woman whose family aided in the resistance during WWII. Quite a woman!"

if you haven't read it i recommend The Hiding Place: The Triumphant True Story of Corrie Ten Boom which was her autobiography

Fran wrote: "Up now is The Armor of Light by Ken Follett. I like it much better when Ken Follett's books are historical fiction. The Hammer of Eden was meh."

I liked The Armor of Light and agree about The Hammer of Eden. I enjoy Follett's Kingsbridge series more than his other novels which have been hit of miss for me, but I have read them all.

I finished the Bill Hodges trilogy by Stephen King. Book two was the better of them but I enjoyed them fairly well.

I'm now reading Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas for a kindle challenge (immersion reading) and I find it pretty juvenile. It will be a short read and then I will earn a badge, I could have chosen a better book from the list I suppose.

I am finishing the Devils Night Series by Penelope Douglas

Last night I finished Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead it was a smooth moving story.

I just finished Bird Box and personally, I liked it. Obviously a lot better than the Netflix movie, and looking forward to reading the sequel, Malorie.

I finished up River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard which I quite enjoyed. This is somewhat a biography of Richard Burton, with John Hanning Speke being a companion on several expeditions into Africa being backed by the Royal Geographic Society.

At the last hour or so of The Strange Case of Jane by Karen Thompson Walker. This is completely different, fictional account of a psychological case. The point of view is from the psychiatrist and Jane.

Next up will be Cloud Warriors: Deadly Storms, Climate Chaos―and the Pioneers Creating a Revolution in Weather Forecasting by Thomas E. Weber.

my library is getting rid of hoopla - so i just borrowed the couple of books I had tagged through that that had epic libby waits to listen to before it goes away

Dee wrote: "my library is getting rid of hoopla - so i just borrowed the couple of books I had tagged through that that had epic libby waits to listen to before it goes away"

Oh, that happened to me, too. I assume Hoopla is getting more expensive and libraries just can't justify the cost anymore. However, I was able to get an account at another library in my state to keep using Hoopla (at least for now). I hope you can do that, too.

Pamela wrote: "I finished up River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard ..."

This is on my list. Was it "dark"?

Jan Mc wrote: "Gypsy12 wrote: "I'm reading The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I still don't know if its high world building like Sanderson and Martin, but its entertaining."

..."

That is so funny, That is one of the reasons that I'm taking so long to read the 4th and 5th book in the Fire and Ice because Martin is taking forever on that last book too. I'm doing a combined reading; but might go back and start book 4 over.

Jan Mc wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I finished up River of the Gods: Genius, Courage and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard ..."

This is on my list. Was it "dark"?"

Not sure I'd call it dark. There was an extended scene of some violence when one expedition was attacked. Here's my review I posted yesterday, if that helps: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished The God of the Woods, which was great.

I have started The Last Murder at the End of the World, which started out really weird, but is starting to get some interesting parts now. I'm hoping it continues to get better as it goes along.

April wrote: "I just finished Bird Box and personally, I liked it. Obviously a lot better than the Netflix movie, and looking forward to reading the sequel, Malorie."

I've been wanting to read it. I saw the Netflix movie, and I really liked it. It left me with so many questions though. I am hoping the book is more thorough in answering those questions!

I have several books on Audible that are included until July 1, so I am trying to zip through them. I finished Parable of the Talents. It was kind of creepy, and I am convinced that Octavia E. Butler was a time walker!

Next on my list is a trilogy by Carissa Broadbent starting with Daughter of No Worlds. I'll probably start it as soon as I boot myself off the computer!

Kristie wrote: "I finished The God of the Woods, which was great.

I have started The Last Murder at the End of the World, which started out really weird, but is starting to get ..."

Please let us know what you think when you have finished. Stuart Turton is the author of one of my favorite books of all time, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I haven't had a chance to check out The Last Murder yet, but I really loved Seven Deaths! If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it!

Donna wrote: "Kristie wrote: "I finished The God of the Woods, which was great.

I have started The Last Murder at the End of the World, which started out really weird, but is ..."

I have not read Seven Deaths yet yet, Donna. This is my first book by Turton. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. Thanks for the recommendation.

Kristie, When you read The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, also known as The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, you really have to pay attention! It's so complex and there are so many characters & clues! When I first listened to it, I immediately listened again because I knew there were clues I had missed along the way. Even knowing everything that was going to happen, I enjoyed it just as much the 2nd time! Think of a classic "Locked-room" mystery meets Groundhog Day meets Quantum Leap. It's a wild ride, but SO good. Just writing about it, makes me want to read it again! You may be too young to know those references, but I hope you like the book.

I definitely know all those references, Donna! I think I originally took it off my to-read shelf because someone told me it was very repetitive like Life After Life, which I DNF due to the repetition.

Finished The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao Narrated by Carolyn Kang Pub Date Jun 24 2025 It was good but I wish it had been better there were times I felt like it jumped around too much.

Now starting The Perfect Marriage by, Jeneva Rose narrated by, Mozhan Navabi & Andrew Eiden

i finished up Payback in Death - listed to about 5hours of it yesterday while trying to assemble an ikea dresser (the audiobook made that experience slightly less painful - lol!)

I enjoyed Marble Hall Murders, though it dragged a bit in the middle. It was longer than I expected. I had downloaded it from Audible as a whole instead of in parts, and often when you get past 12 hours or so, it glitches, so I had to go back and download just the 2nd part.

Dee wrote: "i finished up Payback in Death - listed to about 5hours of it yesterday while trying to assemble an ikea dresser (the audiobook made that experience slightly less painful - lol!)"

I am way behind you in the series, currently reading Visions in Death which is book 19 in the series. I have a long way to go if I will ever catch up (I probably won't ever get current with the pace of the book releases).

Kristie wrote: "I definitely know all those references, Donna! I think I originally took it off my to-read shelf because someone told me it was very repetitive like Life After Life, which I DNF due..."

It is a little repetitive, but each time the day is "relived" it is through a different character's POV, so I think that mixes it up enough to keep it interesting. I have not read Life After Life, but it is on my TBR list. ☺

Oh, that would make a difference, Donna. I may add it back to my TBR.

I've finished The Last Murder at the End of the World. I ended up giving it 3 stars. It was good, but I knew much of the end from the beginning and there were a few parts that didn't really make sense. I think I may have liked this one better if I had read it instead of listening. It is easier to go back and process information when I have the physical book.

I'm starting Great Big Beautiful Life.

Doug wrote: "Dee wrote: "i finished up Payback in Death - listed to about 5hours of it yesterday while trying to assemble an ikea dresser (the audiobook made that experience slightly less painfu..."

this has been a near decade in listening (I listened to the first one in August 2016) - i only do a couple a year because otherwise i get burned out - i did pick up the remaining ones in the series that I didn't own (and pre-ordered the 2 upcoming ones) during the last audible sale

I've started Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives, which I'm liking as much as author's book on solids: Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World. Audio narration is outstanding!

I've finished The Lady by Judy Higgins, which I grabbed in the latest sale at Audible. It was set in 1950s Georgia, USA, and there was some repetition and the mystery wasn't really mysterious, IMO. But the narration was fine.

Still listening to Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World--and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, but almost done.

Just starting the fantasy Thrice by Andrew D. Meredith.

I finished Great Big Beautiful Life and loved it.

I'm now listening to Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls.

The Well of Ascension Brandon Sanderson

I heard about Brandon Sanderson for what seems like forever. Especially in the days I was reading Jim Butcher. I never read/listened though. Someone mentioned him again at book club, so I decided I better sample the goods.

I settled on the Mistborn series and I am on the second book this month. Certainly unique world building. I like this series pretty well so far. Any fantasy readers left in this group?

Bill (Just a) wrote: "The Well of Ascension Brandon Sanderson

I heard about Brandon Sanderson for what seems like forever. Especially in the days I wa..."

I loved the Mistborn series, but stopped after book 3 (as the final books were not complete yet at the time). Now there is a set of books 4 - 7 that I should incorporate back into my TBR mountain. I have read some other Brandon Sanderson, I am a huge fan of the Skyward Flight sci-fi series and I have read the Reckoners series too.

Fantasy is a go-to genre for me and it was Terry Brooks that got me interested in reading for enjoyment, he remains a favorite author of mine because of that. I am trying to expand my reading genres and incorporate others. I like quite a few different genres now but come back to fantasy novels every so often. As George R. R. Martin said in his introduction to his compilation book Warriors, "Books should broaden us, take us to places we have never been and show us things we’ve never seen, expand our horizons and our way of looking at the world. Limiting your reading to a single genre defeats that. It limits us, makes us smaller." I liked that quote.

I am currently reading (and very much enjoying) Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens.