Audiobooks discussion

Starting the month off with a memoir: Leading Lady: A Memoir of a Most Unusual Boy read by the author, so far okay as a library book. Also working on a The Stolen Crown: Treachery, Deceit, and the Death of the Tudor Dynasty - did QE1 really name James I as her "heir"?

Finished Discontent by Beatriz Serrano and quite enjoyed it.

Starting July with working slowly through We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution by Jill Lepore.

For my audible reading I'm listening to The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss.

And today started Cleanup on Aisle Five: Essential Work, Poverty Wages, and the View from Behind the Supermarket Register by Ann Larson. This should be a quick one.

Pamela wrote: "Starting July with working slowly through We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution by Jill ..."

We listened to 20% in the car when running errands, etc, and gave up, for now, as it had more detailed information than we wanted. Now we’re listening to A People’s History of the United States: 1492 - Present. We just discovered that we’d both forgotten about the Mexican-American War!

Pamela wrote: "...For my audible reading I'm listening to The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. ..."

I'm very interested in your thoughts on this one, Pamela. I've had it on my TBR mountain for a while.

I just finished The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson and enjoyed it more than I expected to. Historical fiction character study of Brits just after WWI.

I'm currently listening to the newly-published historical fiction Days of Sun and Shadow by India Hayford for NetGalley.

Kathleen wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Starting July with working slowly through We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution by Jill Lepore..."

We listened to 20% in the car when running errands, etc, and gave up, for now, as it had more detailed information than we wanted."

Kathleen, it's been way too detailed for me as well. But once it moved into Part II it improved somewhat. I have a print copy as well which I refer to at times, also there are images that relate to text.

Jan Mc wrote: "Pamela wrote: "...For my audible reading I'm listening to The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. ..."

I'm very interested in your thoughts on this one, Pamela. I've had it on my TBR mountain for a whil..."

Jan, I'm enjoying it so far, at around 20% in. I'll say more when I'm done. I seem to remember someone in this group read it and recommended it, but I could be mistaken.

Almost done with Daughters of the Sun and Moon By: Lisa See Narrated by: Jennifer Lim, Quanna Luo Masterson, Emily Woo Zeller Another fascinating period in time I didn't know about. As always with her books so well written.

This has been a good listening week:

Earlier this week I finished Slanting Towards the Sea, a well written and well narrated novel about a woman’s obsession for the man she divorced. It takes place in Croatia.

Now I’m listening to The Art of a Lie, which is a delightful mystery, of sorts, which takes place in eighteenth century London. I’m not sure whether my favorite character will come out on top.

I finished The Women in White, but haven't written my review yet. It was really good though. I think 4 stars.

I'm now listening to The Astral Library. I typically love Kate Quinn's writing, but this won't be a favorite of mine.

Kristie wrote: "I finished The Women in White, but haven't written my review yet. It was really good though. I think 4 stars.

I'm now listening to The Astral Library. I typically..."

I really liked The Women in White. It was quite complex for an early mystery with a couple of unexpected twists.

Robin P wrote: "Kristie wrote: "I finished The Women in White, but haven't written my review yet. It was really good though. I think 4 stars...."

I really liked The Women in White. It was quite complex for an early mystery with a couple of unexpected twists."

I thought it was great too, Robin. I hope to write my review today.

I finished The Astral Library and was pretty disappointed in it. I usually love Kate Quinn's writing. Her HF is great, but this missed the mark.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am now listening to The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It is a very short audio, so I will likely finish it today or tomorrow.

I finally got around to reviewing The Women in White. I really enjoyed this one.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also finished The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It was short, but a good classic. I don't always love classics, but I thought this one was well done.

I am now listening to Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons.

Relistening to A Monster Calls because apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment.

I just finished Fundamentally - I don't normally rave about books but this was one of the more unique books I've listened to this year - the author herself has done policy and repatriation work in Syria and Iraq

First Sign of Danger this was an interesting story.

I am almost done with Miss Percy, but I have also started Carrot Cake Murder.

Diablo Mesa by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child was about par for them, entertaining but 3 stars.

The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier was fantastic, I loved it (like almost everything by her). 5 stars.

Blood Work by Michael Connelly was also very good I thought, for a non-Bosch book from the 1990s. It took place in the "Harry Bosch Universe" which is basically the LA/Hollywood area, featuring a retired FBI agent as the main character. 5 stars.

Whispering Winds of Appalachia by John Ellington was not what I expected, but short, it started out pretty well and I stuck it out, but in the end I gave it only 3 stars.

Since it's included with Audible Plus, I've started Royal Affairs: A Lusty Romp Through the Extramarital Adventures That Rocked the British Monarchy - not bad!

July has been off to a slow start. I started Lonesome Dove at the end of June and have about 8 hrs. left. Thanks go to May, Michelle and Doug for the support to give it another try. My previous effort to read it was a no go. It's definitely better in audio with the stellar narration by Will Patton. It's already a 5* and I'm not finished.

On the annual trek to Canada I listened to Skylark. It was set in two different time periods and while I found it interesting there were two different plots that didn't connect with one another. I liked it, but in general that was strange. 3.0

I also finished another Bloody Jack - In the Belly of the Bloodhound: Being an Account of a Particularly Peculiar Adventure in the Life of Jacky Faber. 4.5 So much fun!

I finished Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons. It was a cute story, but not complete. The story continues in the next book.

I also finished Carrot Cake Murder. It was ok. Many delicious sounding recipes that would be great in print, but aren't that useful in audio. The MC is in a love triangle that made no sense to me jumping in this late in the series. I dislike love triangles anyway.

I'm now listening to Sea of Charms. I enjoyed the first book in the series, so I'm hoping this one is a good read too.

Days of Sun and Shadow by India Hayford is great historical fiction. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished my series about the Roman officer who follows Julius Caesar through his Gaulish campaigns, and what a fun listen! The first book is The Invasion of Gaul by S.J.A. Turney, and there are fifteen total. The narration by Malk Williams was super good.

It's difficult to complete a series I've enjoyed so much, knowing I will miss the characters and time period, etc. That's happened so many times now, but it doesn't get easier. Some of my favorite series have been:
--The Marcus Didius Falco series of Roman historical mysteries by Lindsey Davis
--The Trail series of western historical fiction by David R. Lewis
--The Chronicles of St. Mary's series of fantasies by Jodi Taylor
--The All Creatures Great and Small series by James Herriot
--The Thursday Next series of fantasies by Jasper Fforde
--The Lieutenant Bak series of Egyptian historical mysteries by Lauren Haney

Jan Mc wrote: "Days of Sun and Shadow by India Hayford is great historical fiction. "

ohhh this sounds good - off to see if library has it

Jan Mc wrote: "Days of Sun and Shadow by India Hayford is great historical fiction. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished my series about the Roman officer who f..."

The Gaius Petreus Russo series by Ruth Downie is also very good. He is a doctor in the Roman army who solves mysteries on the side. And a humorous mystery series set in ancient Greece stars Nico, an investigator by Gary Corby.

Dee wrote: "ohhh this sounds good - off to see if library has it"

I doubt they will, Dee, because it's newly published. But it's definitely worth adding to your list.

Robin P wrote: "The Gaius Petreus Russo series by Ruth Downie... in ancient Greece stars Nico, an investigator by Gary Corby.

Oh, the Downie books are terrific, too, but I haven't been able to find the Corby books yet. (sad face) There are many histmys books and series like these; some are in this list: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Jan Mc wrote: "Dee wrote: "ohhh this sounds good - off to see if library has it"

I doubt they will, Dee, because it's newly published. But it's definitely worth adding to your list."

I tagged it as notify me - thankfully my libraries are really good about getting new books in Libby

Earlier this week I finished The Mountains We Call Home. It is the third of Kim Michele Richardson books about the blue women she introduced in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. It was just so so.

I’ve almost finished Lisa Sees’ newest book, Daughters of the Sun and Moon, which tells a fascinating story of the first Chinese women being brought to Los Angeles - 1870.

Jan Mc wrote: "Dee wrote: "ohhh this sounds good - off to see if library has it"

I doubt they will, Dee, because it's newly published. But it's definitely worth adding to your list.

Robin P wrote: "The Gaius Pe..."

The Corby books might not be in audio, I read them in print. But they would be great, as they are first-person narration with plenty of humor.

The Corby books are perfect for me as I keep Kindle copies on my phone for downtime reading!

Lonesome Dove is finished. 5*.

I thought I would start something shorter but the next Bloody Jack is 17hrs. So here goes - Mississippi Jack: Being an Account of the Further Waterborne Adventures of Jacky Faber, Midshipman, Fine Lady, and Lily of the West. Funness isn't a word (maybe it should be) but perfectly describes how enjoyable this series is.

Just bought the first Corby ebook on Kindle! Thanks, Robin and John.

Fran wrote: "Funness isn't a word (maybe it should be)..."

It definitely should be. I use "funner" quite a bit. You're twisting my arm to start the Bloody Jack series!

Jan Mc wrote: "Just bought the first Corby ebook on Kindle! Thanks, Robin and John.

Fran wrote: "Funness isn't a word (maybe it should be)..."

It definitely should be. I use "funner" quite a bit. You're twistin..."

The series is like a palate cleanser after listening to something more serious or sinister. Katherine Kellgren is an amazing narrator.

Earlier this week I finished listening to The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. It was hard for me to stop listening at times. My only dissatisfaction was it tended to go a bit long about the trading of shares and banks about to be established. But that was very minor compared to the rest of the book. I did quite enjoy it, and the narrator Christopher Lane did an excellent job. I wouldn't mind reading another book by David Liss.

Coincidentally I started up a new book with Christopher Lane as a narrator along with Laura Jennings for Interference by Brad Parks. I didn't realize that until writing this post.

Pamela wrote: "Earlier this week I finished listening to The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. It was hard for me to stop listening at times. My only dissatisfaction was it tended to go a bit long abou..."

I really liked that one too. At the beginning the hero is such an out-and-out scoundrel but he has his good points too. It did sort of seem like a couple of books stuck together but the narration was great.

I have been catching up on series - Lethal Pursuit, Platform Decay, and now The Brothers McKay. If George Guidall ever retires from being Walt Longmire, I'll have to switch to print. I can't imagine any other voice.

There was an interview with Guidall on Audible's website some years ago. An early book he recorded was a Western and he sort of got typecast that way (though he has read tons of other stuff, including mysteries and classics). Tony Hillerman told Craig Johnson, "You have to get George to read your books", so he did.

I have a fondness for Guidall because he was one of the first narrators I listened to back in the '90's on cassettes from the library. Also Barbara Rosenblatt, Davina Porter, and the late Frank Mueller.

Robin P wrote: "I have been catching up on series - Lethal Pursuit, Platform Decay, and now The Brothers McKay. If George Guidall ever retires from being Walt Long..."

Guidall will always be Jim Chee to me!

Starting The Moonshine Women by, Michelle Collins Anderson narrated by, Libby McKnight & Graham Winton

Started Home Sweet Home by J.R. Mathews, narrated by John Pirhalla

I’ve almost finished listening to the latest Oprah book club book, Little Wonder, which I’m enjoying. Presumably, most of it takes place in Beijing, but I think you could substitute almost any big city for that one, such as NYC or Paris.

Now that I’ve finished Little Wonder, I need to take back my comment that it could have taken place in any big city. The last fourth is definitely China. Do you regularly listen to author’s notes, etc at the end? I do, and this author’s notes answered questions that I had about the text.

Kathleen wrote: "Do you regularly listen to author’s notes, etc at the end?"

I always listen to the author's notes, yes. They often explain the process of writing and the author's research and add to my knowledge and enjoyment of the topic. However, when the acknowlegements drag on, it does become a chore in the audio format. :-)

I finished Sea of Charms and really enjoyed it, except for the overly repetitive inner monologue. I'll be back with a review soon.

I'm now listening to Heart of Glass.

Unique story...I See You've Called in Dead

Kathleen wrote: "Now that I’ve finished Little Wonder, I need to take back my comment that it could have taken place in any big city. The last fourth is definitely China. Do you regularly listen to..."

I mostly listen or read the author's notes. There have been times when I wish they were more of an introduction - when they add context without spoilers.

Halfway through The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession, solid narration by Eduardo Ballerini, but the thief is a real narcissist - ugh!

I finished up London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth today - it was interesting like PRK's books always are - but I was left still wnating something because I still had unanswered questions but he is going to be National Book Festival in August - so I can't wait to see him

I started Murder in the Crypt, but it’s a bit odd that a book with 2 male leads is read by a woman.

John wrote: "Halfway through The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession, solid narration by Eduardo Ballerini, but the thief is a real narcissist - ugh!"

I liked this book enough. He's not just narcisstic, but pathological! I enjoyed The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century more. Obsession is interesting because it's so destructive.

Finished up Vagabond - I tend to be leery of actor memoirs but I’m also a huge Tim curry fan - overall solid listen, you can hear the speaking issues he has from his stroke in 2012 but it wasn’t too distracting (I typically listen at 1.25)