Audiobooks discussion

Starting off the month with a mystery: A Death in the Parish. Second in the trilogy as the first isn't available as an audiobook. I suspect reading that one would help me understand the characters more for backstory. The third one (largely) takes place elsewhere, not sure about it in future. Some reviewers hate the author's narration, but it's okay with me.

I finished Circle of Days by Ken Follett and narrated by Richard Armitage. It's a 3* compared to Ken Follett's other books. Of course Richard Armitage was wonderful.

Now I've started The Address by Fiona Davis. With Fiona's books I learn something new every time. It's nice easy historical fiction.

I just finished Soldiers of Fortune yesterday. It was a great addition to a fun series.

I'm now listening to Dear Debbie.

I blew through The Weight of Blood this past Thursday/Friday, so started White Smoke on Friday, which is carrying me into March. Tiffany D Jackson is a fantastic writer.

finished up Watch Her Fall which was on my started not finished pile - it was different...

started:
Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady
Paddlers, Promises & Poison

Fran wrote: "I finished Circle of Days by Ken Follett and narrated by Richard Armitage. It's a 3* compared to Ken Follett's other books. Of course Richard Armitage was wonderful."

I saw someone with this book and was stunned with how thick it was. Thankfully, I will be listening to the audio rather than trying to hold the hardbound book while reading. After your comment, I'm not as interested in it as I was when I used a credit for it.

I have just two hours left of The Antidote which was a finalist for the National Book Award this year. The characters and the plot are unusual, and the story more complex than I expected.

Dee wrote: "finished up Watch Her Fall which was on my started not finished pile - it was different...

started:
Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy
[book:Curse of the..."

I loved the whole Jacky Faber series, read (and sung!) by the late great Katherine Kellgren.

yes - I listened to the first one way back and have been wanting ot get back to the series - so finally decided it was time

Been off track for a while, but finally finished When Cicadas Cry. Now I am starting on The Escape Artist by one of my favorite writers, Diane Chamberlain.

Kathleen wrote: "Fran wrote: "I finished Circle of Days by Ken Follett and narrated by Richard Armitage. It's a 3* compared to Ken Follett's other books. Of course Richard Armitage was wonderful."

I saw someone with this book and was stunned with how thick it was. Thankfully, I will be listening to the audio rather than trying to hold the hardbound book while reading. After your comment, I'm not as interested in it as I was when I used a credit for it."

I liked it. It wasn't as good as his Kingsbridge series that started with The Pillars of the Earth, but it was a historical novel and not as bad as some of the contemporary thriller types he has tried, the last one being Never which wasn't very good. I rated Circle 5* at the time I read it but I can't remember what about it I especially liked? The part where I finished it in two days was a positive, it was clearly entertaining to me.

I started this month with Annalee Newitz, Automatic Noodle, but it was only 4 hours long so it hardly counts. I picked up a random one out of my library next, Richard Matheson's Earthbound: An Erotic Ghost Story, but it doesn't rate well and it isn't that good. It is short, 6 hours and some change, so I will finish it today.

Doug wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Fran wrote: "I finished Circle of Days by Ken Follett and narrated by Richard Armitage. It's a 3* compared to Ken Follett's other books. Of course Richard Armitage was wonderful."
..."

Exactly Doug. It just wasn't his best and that's how I rated it - against his works. It was enjoyable enough.

I've started this month with Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore by Char Adams and shortly will be starting up More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen.

Fran wrote: "Doug wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Fran wrote: "I finished Circle of Days by Ken Follett and narrated by Richard Armitage. It's a 3* compared to Ken Follett's other books. Of course Richard Armitage was..."

Everyone has variations in rating style, nobody is right or wrong. I rated it compared to similar novels, and against Follett's other 26 novels I have read also, factoring in entertainment value. Not all of his books have been very good, although I generally rated them at least a 3. I would not have read all 27 of his novels if I weren't a fan of him as an author. Anyway, nobody is right or wrong and I respect your opinion; I am not as critical as some people in my ratings I guess. I do think Follett's e-books are highly overpriced upon release (something I have seen him defend) and this one was an immersion read with an Audible credit and a public library e-book.

Earthbound was a 3 star read for me, even though I have read better, it was entertaining enough to finish it. I haven't read very many Richard Matheson novels and based on this one he isn't an author I would revisit right away.

Onward and upward! May our next picks be all worthy of 4 or 5 stars.

I finished Dear Debbie. It was another entertaining quick read.

I am now listening to Death Comes as the End.

If you have Audible, Unexpected Stories by Octavia E. Butler is in the included catalog until the 13th. It is very short, so it would be easy to get through. These are two previously unpublished short stories by Butler. Thought I would put it here in case anyone wants to listen before they leave the included catalog. I suppose it is too much to hope that there will be other unpublished works that are found, but I hold that hope. :)

Starting the month off with Anatomy of an Alibi by, Ashley Elston narrated by, MacLeod Andrews, Saskia Maarleveld, Amanda Stribling, Dan Bittner I picked this one for the narrators but holy cow talk about grabbing you from the beginning!!!

Misty wrote: "If you have Audible, Unexpected Stories by Octavia E. Butler is in the included catalog until the 13th. It is very short, so it would be easy to get through. These ar..."

Thanks, Misty.

I'm reading King of Wrath by Ana Huang

I just started History Matters by David McCullough. It clocks in at a bit less than 6 hours.

Loved Anatomy of an Alibi Highly recommend this one!

Finished Death Row by,Freida McFadden narrated by, Lauryn Allman I read this one because Saskia Maarleveld narrated Anatomy of an Alibi and I wanted to start The Astral Library by Kate Quinn but she also narrated it so figured I needed something different in between. So I am now starting Astral Library.

A couple of hours into There Will Be Bodies, latest in the Flavia Albia (Falco's daughter) series; I'm tempted to give up. Takes place outside Rome, no extended family present, just her bewailing the fate of animals and slaves who died at Pompeii.

MissSusie wrote: "So I am now starting Astral Library...."

I am almost finished with The Astral Library and have really enjoyed it. The narration is excellent.

John wrote: "... latest in the Flavia Albia (Falco's daughter) series; I'm tempted to give up..."

I think I tried the first one or two of this series, but it's never going to be as good as the original.

I finished This Side of Murder by Anna Lee Huber, the first in a historical mystery series starring Verity Kent. Three stars from me.

I finished The Will of the Many and it was just ok - very derivative of many other fantasy books and at times too much like a video game - and very violent. One reason I got it was that the narrator is Euan Morton, and he was excellent. Also the story just sort of ends with lots of mysteries unsolved, so you have to read the next book/books, but I won't be doing that.

I am starting Leonard and Hungry Paul.

Robin P wrote: "I finished The Will of the Many and it was just ok - very derivative of many other fantasy books and at times too much like a video game - and very violent. One reason I got it was ..."

I'm reading the second one - but agree - very derivative

i finished up Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy over the weekend - in true mary roach fashion - i learned more about replacement body parts than I ever wanted to know. Well worth your time.

Currently listening to:
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady (continuing from earlier mention)
Well, That Was Unexpected
Lovely One: A Memoir - egards, even with narration at 1.2, its soo slow...might have to speed up again
Gear, Grills, & Guns - brain palate cleanser

Those interested in biography, history or books by David McCullough, will most likely enjoy History Matters, a collection of a few of his writings and speeches. It is excellently narrated by John Bedford Lloyd.

Dee wrote: "i finished up Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy over the weekend - in true mary roach fashion - i learned more about replacement body parts than I ever wanted to know. W..."

I've been thinking about doing a re-read of the Jacky Faber books love them so much so sad that our Katy (Katherine Kellgren) is no longer with us.

I loved Jacky Faber too! I would never have read them if it wasn't for Audible. The narration was outstanding!

A young child views family life in her Jamaican immigrant family, beginning with her birth, in The Mercy Step. I loved the story, her perceptions and the narration by the author. It was just longlisted for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction. I suspect that it is one of those books where the audio version might be better than the print.

Just finished Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent. Great book that kept my attention and led me places I did not expect. The Irish accents were a great bonus.

Dee wrote: "Currently listening to:
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady (continuing from earlier mention)..."

I have the first one in my Audible library! Looking forward to it.

I just finished The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough, another excellent recounting with lots of fascinating details. Narrated by the late, great Edward Herrmann.

I'm wrapping up Leonard and Hungry Paul today and starting Extinction.

I read several books and some were ok, some were less than I hoped. A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson was better than I expected for a YA fantasy, but the sequel A War of Wyverns was disappointing. Then I read The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz and I thought the premise was good but the execution lacked something. I switched gears and read The Lily Pond by Annika Thor, a YA World War II novel about a relocated Jewish girl in Sweden, that one was ok (it was the second book in a set). P. T. Deutermann's Trial by Fire was the eighth in a World War II Navy set of standalone novels and it was about the aircraft carrier USS Franklin in a sea battle, that one I liked.

Now I am starting I, Medusa by Ayana Gray.

Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits was excellent. It's the first 5* of the year. What I loved about the biography was how the author put Lange's life in historical context. Everything I thought I knew about Migrant Mother, her iconic photograph, was wrong. I learned something new throughout the novel, much of it resonates with current events.

Up next is Pursuit by Thomas Perry.

Jan Mc wrote: "I just finished The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough…

That’s the perfect suggestion for our car audio. We just finished David McCullough’s History Matters and we went through the new canal a few weeks ago.

Jan Mc wrote: "I just finished The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough…

Kathleen wrote: That’s the perfect suggestion for our car audio. We just finished David McCullough’s History Matters and we went through the new canal a few weeks ago..."

That's great! I would love to see the canal in person now. Also, be aware that there are two versions of the audiobook on Audible, one is narrated by Herrmann, the other by Nelson Runger. Have fun!

Fran wrote: "Dorothea Lange: A Life Beyond Limits was excellent. It's the first 5* of the year. What I loved about the biography was how the author put Lange's life in historical context. Everyth..."

That does sound interesting, Fran. I've added it to my list.

Finished up More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen yesterday. I liked it okay, but took a bit for me to get into it with all that was going on and the many characters. Glad I stuck with it, but others enjoyed it more than myself.

Started up two non-fiction books Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond, started yesterday and already half-way through as it's fairly short.

And just an hour into The Elements of Marie Curie: How the Glow of Radium Lit a Path for Women in Science by Dava Sobel.

Jan Mc wrote: "Dee wrote: "Currently listening to:
Curse of the Blue Tattoo: Being an Account of the Misadventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman and Fine Lady (continuing from earlier mention)..."

I have the first ..."

The Panama Canal by McCullough is another one I'm putting on my to listen list. I was in Panama a few years ago and I could have watched the ships going through the canal all day.

MuCullough wrote The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge which was also excellent. I gave it to my brother as a gift and he found a mathematical error in McCullough calculations of some material used for the bridge. My brother was a stone mason for most of his life, so I imagine it must have had to do with concrete or stone. What floored me was my brother writing to the publisher that they should correct the mistake for the next publishing!

Pamela wrote: "Finished up More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen yesterday. I liked it okay, but took a bit for me to get into it with all that was going on and the many characters. Glad I stuck with..."

Both of my daughters have worked or are currently working in the affordable housing lane. When one of my daughters was working for Habitat for Humanity, Matthew Desmond was the keynote speaker for an annual fundraiser a few years ago. He seems to be the only social scientist linking housing to poverty. I thought he was fascinating.

Matthew Desmond got famous for his first book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, which one the Pulitzer and many other prizes. Sadly, it takes place in the state I live in.

Robin P wrote: "Matthew Desmond got famous for his first book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, which one the Pulitzer and many other prizes. Sadly, it takes place in the state I l..."

Sadly, it could have been in any state.

Robin P wrote: "Matthew Desmond got famous for his first book, Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, which one the Pulitzer and many other prizes. Sadly, it takes place in the state I l..."

I read Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City a few years back and gave it 5 stars. So when Poverty, by America came out, I knew I'd eventually read that one too. I've already finished it, another 5 stars. Dion Graham does an excellent job narrating.

Currently listening to “Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone” by Benjamin Stevenson.

So far really enjoying the humour and 4th wall breaks in this!

Just finished Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris narrated by Georgia Maquire.

This is a psychological thriller with focus on domestic abuse. I found it hard to finish the first time I tried reading it; however, I tried again this past week and I think since I had already read the first part it was less distressing to me and I was able to finish it. I rated it a 3 but it is probably more a 3.5 because the author did a great job the ending was satisfactory although I was left wanting more—what happened next? More details on Esther and her husband’s role in the end. Information on Jack’s past.

Currently listening to Accidental Rebel: My Story of Interracial Love and Loss. What a compelling book! There is racism, sexism, identity exploration, struggles with morality, and of course, love. It's a deep book and will make you think hard about life choices and what it means to stand up for what you believe is right. Great book!

Finished My Brilliant Friend

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/8378633027

Dem wrote: "Finished My Brilliant Friend

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/8378633027"

I didn't like to too much either. Nice review.