Audiobooks discussion

Finishing up a Golden Age mystery The Piccadilly Murder, which isn't bad, but ready to move on.
Started Cotton Comes to Harlem, solid writing with outstanding narration!

I am in the middle of Cory Doctorow's enlightening non-fiction horror book Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It. It is about tech giant companies and the nightmare we have all gotten into inside their walled prisons that we can't leave (Apple, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Now that the author has presented the problem I wonder if he has any solutions to propose other than a mass exodus from the grid? The book sort of makes me want to go join the Amish community...

Doug, I hate leaving a nonfiction book with that feeling of - yes, it's awful, I see how we got here, but what can we do about it? I hope the author has at least some suggestions.

I am wrapping up The Writer and starting a re-read of These Silent Woods. I read the Kindle last time and am listening to the audio this time.

I finished reading Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. I enjoyed it, it was quite thought provoking. I've too many thoughts about it and am actually unable to summarize them in a few words.

Kathleen wrote: "Last night I finished listening to The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the author of The Help..."

I just purchased this one and can't wait!

Doug wrote: "I am in the middle of Cory Doctorow's enlightening non-fiction horror book Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It...."

I, too, hope to read this and that there are some actual solutions given (other than joining the Amish). Please update us when you are finished, Doug, and thanks.

Kathleen wrote: "A few days ago the NYT wrote an article on the author [Beth Brower] and how her series is a family project."

There's also an article about author Beth Brower in Woman's World that I think is free to read (https://www.womansworld.com/entertain...).

One more note about Emma M. Lion - the ebooks are free to read on Kindle Unlimited. However, I can't imagine getting the same amount of enjoyment as I get from the audiobooks, narrated so well by Genevieve Gaunt.

Jan Mc wrote: "Doug wrote: "I am in the middle of Cory Doctorow's enlightening non-fiction horror book Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It...."

I, too, hope to read this and that there are some actual solutions given (other than joining the Amish). Please update us when you are finished, Doug, and thanks."

I appreciated the author's wit, and he is very obviously a Gen X'er (like myself) who grew up in a time when the internet didn't suck. He offers some solutions to these problems in the second half of the book, and some of them are very good: a social media platform framework where you can choose to leave without losing your "people", joining a different board and importing the data from the one you just left for instance (such a service does exist). Many of his solutions would require a major change in the status quo though, which I don't see happening in my lifetime... and a lot more regulation/monopoly busting. I am interested in Cory Doctorow's other fictional works (even though I think they must be dystopian) and I will be reading more by this author.

For a change to something completely different I am now reading Harry Bosch book 6, Angels Flight by Michael Connelly. I have enjoyed this dated series so far, the storylines are good even if I have to excuse the dial-up internet references as part of the aging of the novels.

how is it august already? today is first day of new student cohort where I teach - it feels like the last group just graduated (early June)...and its hotter than satan's (insert explitive) here

i'm working through 4 books (in true fashion) - 2 from pre-August and 2 I started this weekend

Woodworking - queer fiction - set in south dakota - its intriguing but as I approach the end has maybe started going off the rails a bit
The Sorority Murder - thriller/murder mystery - I'm loving this - I picked it up because I needed a book with a podcast element for a reading challenge and I just don't want to stop listening
The Paradox Hotel - time travel sci-fi - just started this but I'm intrigued - the main character is hotel security at a hotel where time travelers stay
Bonded in Death - in death - what more can I say?

Jan Mc wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Last night I finished listening to The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett, the author of The Help..."

I just purchased this one and can't wait!

Doug wrote: "I am in the middle of ..."

Bought the rest of Emma Lion audios cheap with current sale prices.

I'm listening to Eclipsed by Dominic Holland, a father of Tom Holland, the beloved Spider-Man. The main body of the book was written in 2013 after Tom's role in The Impossible, but there are updates from 2016 and 2021. Dialogues between Tom and Dom are at the end of almost all chapters

John wrote: "ought the rest of Emma Lion audios cheap with current sale prices. "

Thanks for the reminder, so many people have raved about this series, especially on audio, so I am getting them all.

I bought the entire set of Stephen Fry's Mythos series this week on sale at Chirp (for under $20!), and have been listening to the first volume, Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined.

I'm also listening to the eighth book in the Below Stairs historical mystery series by Jennifer Ashley, A Silence in Belgrave Square: Below Stairs Mysteries, Book 8.

This week started three different titles:

Fictional book, liked his vampire-type series books, but this one is just regular fiction: The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin

A book of short stories: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

And a very long non-fiction book that will take me a while. Own on audible so this will be my daily listen: The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Familyby Annette Gordon-Reed

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by, Jesse Q. Sutanto narrated by Eunice Wong It's cute so far

Pamela wrote: "This week started three different titles:

Fictional book, liked his vampire-type series books, but this one is just regular fiction: The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin

A book of short..."

I went through The Hemmingses with a class where we read it over about 10 weeks. It's not as readable as I would have liked. The main thing is that this author wrote it before there was DNA proof that she was right about the relationship, but all her other info was very convincing.

Finished Cotton Comes to Harlem, second one these detective stories I've read. The Crazy Kill was a bit ... sillier, though a good introduction to the series for me. Got a couple more cheap in the sale - Dion Graham's narration truly outstanding!

John wrote: "Finished Cotton Comes to Harlem, second one these detective stories I've read. The Crazy Kill was a bit ... sillier, though a good introduction to the series for me. Got..."

I love Dion Graham as a narrator. He narrated a biography of Miles Davis that was wonderful.

I read the Bosch Universe book #9, Void Moon by Michael Connelly. I don't know how these books weave together so I am reading them in publication order according to the list here at Goodreads. I think the character from book #7 occurs in the Harry Bosch series book #7, so I am trying to keep the order of the "universe" straight. Void Moon was pretty good.

I chose for my next read a rather random one, Daikon by Samuel Hawley. It's a World War II novel with a sort of alt. universe plot, so I guess it's speculative sci-fi? I am half finished and it is okay, not spectacular. Narrated by Brian Nishii.

Summer of the Monkeys is a charming upper grade book by the author of Where the Red Fern Grows. The narrator does a good job with the 14-year-old main character as well as many others.

John wrote: "Finished Cotton Comes to Harlem, second one these detective stories I've read. The Crazy Kill was a bit ... sillier, though a good introduction to the series for me. Got..."

Himes + Graham? i’ll buy all of them then.

I'm considering either listening, reading or whispersyncing Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It's 1088 pages or 64+ hours. So I'm looking for a little help from friends.

1. Is it worth giving this a try?

2. How did you like it?

3. Sean Pratt is the narrator - anyone familiar with him?

Fran wrote: "I'm considering either listening, reading or whispersyncing Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It's 1088 pages or 64+ hours. So I'm looking for a little help from friends.."

Google’s AI lists multiple reasons why the physical copy is important, such as the formatting and the footnotes, so I would suggest whisper sync. It’s on my someday list.

Kathleen wrote: "Fran wrote: "I'm considering either listening, reading or whispersyncing Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It's 1088 pages or 64+ hours. So I'm looking for a little help from frien..."

Thank you! I think it's rising to the top of my someday list. I'd love to know if anyone has read it.

Dee wrote: "how is it august already? today is first day of new student cohort where I teach - it feels like the last group just graduated (early June)...and its hotter than satan's (insert explitive) here"

Working on my syllabus today.... ugh. LOL. It's super hot here, too. I am NOT ready for school to start! I have a conference at the end of July every year, so that really feels like the end of summer for me because it's non-stop when I get back.

I just finished The Tapestry of Fate by S.A. Chakraborty, and the author is so good. I really enjoy listening to her. There's another narrator (or two? yes, I just finished today, but I've been to the dentist since then! LOL.), but the main narrator does the bulk of the book. A swashbuckling, middle-aged, Muslim, woman pirate - what's not to love? :) Apparently, Chakraborty has said the next book will not take so long to be released, so yay!

@Dee and Misty - as a retired teacher I feel your pain. Wishing you both a good and SAFE school year!

I finally finished The Hallmarked Man: A Cormoran Strike Novel. Galbraith/Rowling can truly create complicated plots with soooo many complicated characters. I actually had to google the list of characters for reference. The narration as always was stellar. 4*

Fellowship of Fear by Allen Eskins has been on my TBR/L for a long time. I knocked it off the list and found it be more enjoyable to read than to listen to. The anthropology lessons were entertaining. 3.5*

Now I'm listening to Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson and I'm whispersyncing Song of the Exile.

Misty wrote: Working on my syllabus today.... ugh. LOL. It's super hot here, too. I am NOT ready for school to start! I have a conference at the end of July every year, so that really feels like the end of summer for me because it's non-stop when I get back."

ahh the joys of writing syllabi - i'm working on the one for the class that starts in October (in person) and then I teach the same one via asynch distance in Spring/Summer - so I have to make all those tweaks

i'm waiting on tapestry of fate to come in at the library - i really enjoyed the first one in the series

I finished Open Season. The book is 25 years old and felt aged, but it was still a good start to a series. I'm guessing the newer books are even better since book #27 is expected in 2027.

I'm now listening to Suspect. It's another older one and a start to a series. I'm hoping the story is good. I'm about 10% in. The sound of the audio is not great though.

its always fun reading books that were written 20-40+ years ago - I remember listening to the first V.I Warshawski book Indemnity Only that was first released in 1982 and both the technology and clothing - ditto with the first Kinsey Malone - A Is for Alibi (released 1982)

I am really enjoying Run for the Hills, a road trip book with a misfit group, read by Marin Ireland.

Dee wrote: "its always fun reading books that were written 20-40+ years ago - I remember listening to the first V.I Warshawski book Indemnity Only that was first released in 1982 and both the tec..."

I love reading books set in the 70s & 80s as well as before and after. The problem with this book for me is that many other authors have written books that I have read with similar themes since then, so the overall story was very much expected. Fortunately, the details were unique to the book, so there were still some little surprises along the way.

Someday, I will start listening to and enjoying thrillers. Then I'll be able to discuss those here on GR with you all! (wink) Meanwhile, I am listening to stories like the swashbuckling, middle-aged, Muslim, woman pirate.

I am now in the middle of the fantasy The Tower of Beggars: Stormfell Academy, Book 1 by Torsten Weitze, which is turning into a familiar story about an orphan who goes to an exclusive school, blah, blah, blah. Sigh.

Jan Mc wrote: "Someday, I will start listening to and enjoying thrillers. Then I'll be able to discuss those here on GR with you all! (wink) Meanwhile, I am listening to stories like the swashbuckling, middle-age..."

I'm not a thriller person myself, but an exception I enjoyed: The Fine Art of Invisible Detection.

I finished Suspect and was happy with the way it played out. I wasn't so sure about it early on.

Now I'm starting Where the Forest Meets the Stars .

I finished Where the Forest Meets the Stars. Really enjoyed this story. 4★

I started a short story in the Orphan X series, The Damage Man. So far, so good. I expect to finish tomorrow.

I had to pause my race through the Michael Connelly "Harry Bosch Universe" series after book 11 to read something else so I don't get burnout. I am really enjoying Connelly and intend to continue soon, but some other genres are enjoyable as well.

I am currently reading Juliet Marillier's third book in the Warrior Bards trilogy, A Song of Flight. I haven't read a book by her that I didn't really love. I am running out of new material, I have not read The Shadowfell trilogy yet and there is some new audio called the Heartwood series that is not finished yet, I just picked up book #1 in the last Audible sale.

11 books in a single series is a lot to get through at one time. I'm sure I would have needed to change it up before then even if I was enjoying it.

Kristie wrote: "11 books in a single series is a lot to get through at one time. I'm sure I would have needed to change it up before then even if I was enjoying it."

seriously! i find 3-4 is about my limit for a series before I need ot take a break and even then i spread those out too

I’ve been listening to A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams, by the duo Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. I think Kamoie does most of the research and Dray the writing.

It’s long, seventeen hours, and drags a bit, but still a worthwhile listen for those truly interested. Although I usually like Cassandra Campbell as a narrator, she is not enhancing the slow parts.

I have to space out series also. Currently, I'm picking up where I left off with the Jacky Faber series - My Bonny Light Horseman: Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, in Love and War.

I just finished Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson. It was a well done political/legal 'mystery' about the gun debate. It's the third and last in the Kerry Kilcannon series by Patterson. 4*

Someone in this group recommended The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 and I have to say - that was an enjoyable listen. So I've now purchased the next in that series.

I love series as you can see from my recent listening streak.

Kathleen wrote: "I’ve been listening to A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams, by the duo Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. I think Kamoie does most of the r..."

Interesting as I listened to Louisa: The Extraordinary Life of Mrs. Adams, bio of her daughter-in-law. Louisa was rather daunted by Abigail, getting along better with John.

I've started
Mexican Gothic, not really fond of the main character, but the book itself is going along okay for my limited expectations

The Louisa Adams book is great. Her life was amazing, traveling across Europe in winter in the wake of Napoleon's army, being an ambassador's wife in several countries - and having Abigail as a mother in law. John Quincy's life was fascinating too. His parents expected so much of him, when he was a teenager and accompanied his father abroad, Abigail wrote that if he couldn't keep to the high moral standards they set, it would be better if his ship sank!

(I do talks on historical women and I did one on Louisa some years back, based on this book.)