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Showing posts with label Audiobooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Audiobooks. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Top Ten Tuesday: The One With the Silky-Smooth Audiobook Narrators
It's been a couple weeks since I did a Top Ten Tuesday. Since these are about the only posts I've been making this year, it's really good to be back! Today's topic—Top Ten Favorite Audiobook Narrators—is one that won't appeal to everyone. I, myself, wouldn't have had much to say about it just a few years ago. Now, though, I've gotten into the habit of having an audiobook going always so that I can listen while I drive and do housework. Not only does it make tedious chores more entertaining, but it multiplies the amount of time I get to spend reading. A win-win for sure.
As always, TTT is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Click on over to her blog to read all about this fun weekly event.
Top Ten Favorite Audiobook Narrators
- in no particular order -
1. Katherine Kellgren—Kellgren narrated one of my favorite YA series, an ongoing tale of swashbuckling sensation "Bloody" Jack Faber. Her animated readings are the best! Unfortunately, she passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2018. The author of the Bloody Jack books is also deceased, which is incredibly sad as Kellgren and Meyer made a wonderful team. Hopefully, they're still making books together in heaven.
Kellgren books I've enjoyed: The Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer
2. Jim Dale—Everybody loves this versatile narrator who's so entertaining with his immense skill at creating unique voices. Listening to him read the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling is an absolute delight.
Dale books I've enjoyed: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
3. Guy Lockard—Jason Reynolds is one of my favorite middle grade authors. Lockard is a long-time friend of the author and comes from the same inner-city background as Reynolds. His voice rings with authenticity when he narrates his buddy's work. Plus, he does some super fun voices (Coach Brody from the Track series is my favorite).
Lockard books I've enjoyed: Track series by Jason Reynolds
4. Julia Whelan—I've listened to several books read by Whelan, whose smooth voice makes characters seem so alive that you almost forget they're not real.
Whelan books I've enjoyed: Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation by Rosemary Sullivan
5. Karissa Vacker—Some of the first books I listened to on audio were read by Vacker. She does an excellent job.
Vacker books I've enjoyed: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling, Momentuous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
6. Bethan Rose Young—Young brings Myrtle Hardcastle, one of my favorite MG sleuths, to life so well. I love listening to the series on audio.
Young books I've enjoyed: Myrtle Hardcastle series by Elizabeth C. Bunce
7. Sophie Roberts—Roberts has another voice that's so smooth it melts into the background and lets the story she's narrating really come alive.
Robert books I've enjoyed: The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan
8. Celebrities reading their own books—I'm not much into celebs, so I don't read many of these, but I've enjoyed the few that I've listened to.
Celebrity-read books I've enjoyed: The Answer Is... by Alex Trebek (co-narrated with Ken Jennings), Surrender by Bono (The husband and I are in the middle of this one right now. It's 20 hours long!)
9. Saskia Maarleveld—I've listened to one book read by Maarlevald and she narrates several more that I'd like to read.
Maarleveld books I've enjoyed: The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
10. Keylor Leigh—I've only listened to one book read by Leigh, but I would definitely listen to more!
Leigh books I've enjoyed: The Renegade Reporters by Elissa Brent Weissman
I'm still a bit of a newbie to the world of audiobooks. Which narrators should I be searching out? Who are your favorites? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments here, so check back.
Happy TTT!
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Upbeat MG Novel Entertaining and Empowering
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Ashley Simon-Hockheimer loves reporting the news. She's been on her school's news crew since she was in second grade. Now that she's in sixth, she should be the undisputed star of The News at Nine. If it weren't for that unfortunate decision to film a teacher doing something embarrassing, she would be the lead anchor, not cringe-y Harry E. Levin. Ugh.
Tired of watching from the sidelines, Ash and two of her friends decide to create their own show, The Underground News. They don't have a fancy sponsor to gift them sophisticated equipment like the school does, but that doesn't mean they can't make a quality program that will attract lots of viewers. All they need to make their little homemade show go viral is a big, juicy story...
When the girls stumble across a story that could have a potentially huge impact on their school and community, they can't wait to break it. While they race to verify their information, they have to contend with dodgy sources, friendship drama, and fending off Harry, who's about to steal their scoop for himself. Who will break the story first? Will Ashley finally get the chance to shine as lead anchor? Or will her nemesis steal her glory once again?
Elissa Brent Weissman's The Length of a String was one of my favorite reads of 2021. I wanted to read more from her, so I picked up The Renegade Reporters since it looked like a fun book. It is both of those things; it's also a timely story about the hot-button issue of online privacy. The novel looks at the pros and cons of tracking people's movements online, providing a perfect springboard for thoughtful discussion in a classroom or at home. It also shows the benefits of teamwork, learning from one's mistakes, and using your voice for good. While it does get a little far-fetched, overall The Renegade Reporters is a warm, upbeat read that is entertaining and empowering. I enjoyed it.
Note: I listened to this book on audio, an experience I highly recommend. The narrator, Keylor Leigh, does an excellent job. Her voice is smooth and easy on the ear. I'll definitely look for more books with her as the reader.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, July 23, 2021
MG Murder Mystery A Delightful, Entertaining Romp
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Young Ladies of Quality do not snoop. Nor do they spy on their neighbors. Or study masculine subjects like science, law, and forensics. And they certainly do not express a morbid interest in something as vulgar as murder. In fact—in the opinion of 12-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle—Young Ladies of Quality do not do anything of interest. Why would she want to be one of them? Although "Morbid Myrtle" is shunned by the other girls, she's not about to give up reading her father's law books and peering through her late mother's microscope. Everyone else might despair of her antics, but Myrtle knows she will be far happier pursuing her unique studies than sipping tea in a frilly dress in someone's stifling parlor.
When Myrtle's 79-year-old neighbor, a cross old woman who grew prize-winning flowers, is found dead in her sprawling home, no one thinks much about it. Only Myrtle thinks there's something fishy about Minerva Wodehouse's death. Then, relatives the dead woman never once mentioned start coming out of the woodwork with greed glinting in their eyes. All of them are acting shifty, which just confirms Myrtle's suspicions—Mrs. Wodehouse was murdered! Since no one takes her accusations and observations seriously, the young sleuth knows it's up to her to bring Minerva's killer to justice. Can Myrtle solve the mystery? Is there even a case to investigate, or is Myrtle letting her imagination run amok once again?
I listened to Premeditated Myrtle, the first book in Elizabeth C. Bunce's Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series, on audio and was totally charmed by the experience! Myrtle is a delightful heroine. Not only is she whip smart, but she's also perpetually curious and dangerously impulsive, two traits that get her into scrape after scrape. Her warm relationship with her faithful governess, Ada Judson, is one of the loveliest parts of the novel. The plot is also exciting, with plenty of twists to keep the reader/listener engaged. Bethan Rose Young does an excellent job with the audiobook narration, which makes the story come alive even more. Needless to say, I very much enjoyed this funny, entertaining, classic-feeling mystery novel. I will absolutely be reading (or listening to) the sequels.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scary scenes
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, June 28, 2021
What Is...A Wonderful Memoir By the One and Only Alex Trebek
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
The death of Alex Trebek—long-time host of the trivia game show Jeopardy!—saddened all of his fans, including me. I'm not the kind of person who cares much about celebrity gossip or Hollywood tell-alls, but I have wanted to read Trebek's memoir, The Answer Is..., ever since I first heard about it. Since I'm always looking for entertaining audiobooks, I decided to listen to this one. I'm glad I did, as it made me smile to listen to Trebek's antics told in his own voice, which is so familiar and soothing. While the majority of the book is narrated by Ken Jennings, Jeopardy! champion and Trebek's successor on the show, I most enjoyed the portions voiced by Trebek himself.
Because Trebek has always projected such a serious, straight-laced persona on television and because he was dying as he wrote The Answer Is..., I expected the book to be a somber text full of deep, philosophical reflections on life and death. It's not. With an "It's all good" vibe throughout, the memoir is actually quite light and funny. Told in short vignettes taken from Trebek's career and personal life, it's a fast read (or listen, in my case) full of humor and simple, down-home wisdom like these nuggets:
- If you're not ten minutes early, you're late.
- If it's a good idea, it doesn't matter if it came from the CEO of a company or the guy who mops the floors.
- You're never as important as you think you are—just ask the queen!
- A good education and a kind heart will serve you well throughout your life.
- Always give back, even if your contribution is small. (Note: Trebek was a philanthropist who contributed to many charities. All profits from the sale of The Answer Is..., in fact, will go to charity.)
Like Trebek himself, his book is charming, entertaining, and uplifting. Although it's lightly peppered with F-bombs (Surprise! Trebek had a bit of a potty mouth), it's a mostly clean read that exudes the television host's "warm bath outlook on life." Hearing the author talk about his impending death gives The Answer Is... a poignant aspect as well. Although I did shed a tear or two, mostly I smiled and laughed my way through this enjoyable listen. If you're a Jeopardy! fan (or even if you're not), I highly recommend this book, especially in audio format.
(Readalikes: I'm not a celebrity memoir person, so I'm not sure what to compare this one to. Suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, February 01, 2021
Middle Grade Historical a Beautiful, Illuminating Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Esperanza Ortega lives a luxurious life in Mexico. Her father is a wealthy landowner, which allows her to live in a spacious home with servants to tend to her every need. On the eve of her 13th birthday, Esperanza is thinking only about her upcoming fiesta and all the fine presents she will receive from her loving family and friends. When her beloved father is killed by bandits, however, everything changes. Grief settles like a pall over the family's ranch. With their brother out of the way, Esperanza's greedy uncles threaten to kick Esperanza and her mother off the property. Before she knows it, they are being smuggled out of the country, headed to the United States to find their own way as migrant farm workers.
Her shocking reversal of fortune makes Esperanza's head spin. Once, she had her own bedroom filled with expensive toys and fancy dresses. Now, she shares a cramped shanty with two other families. Once, servants cleaned up after her. Now, she does her own sweeping and washing. Once, her father paid serfs to work in his fields. Now, Esperanza and her mother are competing with other desperate workers to labor for pennies on someone else's farm. As she becomes used to her shabby new life in California, Esperanza's eyes are opened to the harsh realities of life as a poverty-stricken immigrant struggling to get ahead in a foreign country already devastated by the Great Depression. When Esperanza's mother falls desperately ill and rumors of a massive workers' strike threaten the family's only source of income, Esperanza is ready to give up. She's already overcome so many hardships and struggles. How can she rise above them? Will she ever be happy again?
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan tells an unforgettable riches-to-rags story set against a memorable Great Depression backdrop. With its focus on Mexican immigrants, the book has a unique angle that feels timely even though it's set in the past. An atmospheric setting coupled with a cast of sympathetic characters and an engaging storytelling style make the novel an engrossing, empathy-inducing read that is as affecting as it is heartfelt. Esperanza's growth as a character is the best part of the story as it shows her realistic progression from spoiled princess to pragmatic peasant. While Ryan's depiction of Mexican migrant life during the Depression might not be entirely realistic (Esperanza's ability to save a large chunk of money in a short amount of time with her meager earnings seems inauthentic, for instance), it's grim enough to get her point across while remaining upbeat enough for a children's book. Overall, Esperanza Rising is a story about hope, hard work, and finding joy in the things that really matter—family, friendship, traditions, etc.—even in the bleakest of circumstances. It's a beautiful novel that I very much enjoyed.
A note: I listened to Esperanza Rising on audio, with Trini Alvarado reading the book. Her voice is smooth, soothing, and authentic as she seamlessly narrates using both Spanish and English to bring the characters and story to life. If you're looking for a new book to listen to an audio, I would absolutely recommend this one.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, although it's an adult book and much bleaker than Esperanza Rising. The Land of the Cranes by Aida Salazar and Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros are also great middle-grade reads about the plight of Mexican immigrants in modern America)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scenes of peril, and difficult subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Upbeat MG Novel More About Capability Than Disability
(Image from Amazon)
Aven Green was born with no arms. The 12-year-old is used to getting stares when she's in unfamiliar places, but she's lived in the same town for so long that no one at school or in her community gives her a second glance anymore. Her classmates see her use her feet to do all kinds of ordinary tasks—eat, turn pages in her textbooks, write, even play the guitar. No big deal. They know she can do pretty much anything they can do, even without arms.
When her dad announces that he's taken a new job as the manager of an amusement park in Arizona, Aven is not thrilled. She doesn't want to move to the desert, leave her friends behind, and start over at a new school. Doing so is just as awful as she thinks it will be. Stagecoach Pass is a grungy, derelict old place; her family's new apartment is teensy; her classmates gape at her torso and make rude comments; and Aven's taken to hiding out in the school bathroom to avoid their stares. Things start to improve when she meets two boys who feel just as outcast as Aven—Connor has Tourette Syndrome and Zion is overweight. With her friends by her side, she sets out to prove anew that challenges or no, they can do anything, even solve the mystery of Stagecoach Pass's missing owners!
A note: I listened to Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus on audio. The book is read by Karissa Vacker, whose performance I didn't love. She tended toward a Valley Girl/mean girl accent when voicing Aven and other young females, while employing a mopey/dopey tone for Aven's male pals. Thus, the girls all sounded like snots while the boys just sounded dumb. I'm an audiobook novice, so perhaps I'm way too picky about narrators, but Vacker drove me a little nuts. I got used to her after awhile, but I came close to abandoning the audio version because her voice grated on my ears, especially at first. Just sayin'.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Riches-to-Rags Memoir Funny, Poignant
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
English teacher Jennifer McGaha was casually going about her happy upper-middle-class life when she got the shock of a lifetime—she and her husband were bankrupt. Not only that but they owed over $100,000 in back taxes. Having always left the handling of family finances up to her accountant spouse, McGaha had no idea just how bad their money situation had gotten. Feeling betrayed, angry, and worried, she realized with alarm that she and her husband could go to jail, even though she had had no clue their yearly taxes weren't being paid. Although that didn't end up happening, the couple did have to make some major adjustments. And fast.
After acknowledging the part her own ignorance played in the situation and forgiving her husband, McGaha pressed on. Foreclosing on their dream home, the couple moved to the cheapest rental they could find—a ramshackle, 100-year-old farmhouse deep in a remote Appalachian holler. Even though it was infested with mice and falling down around their heads, at $250 a month, they would have to make do. With zero homesteading skills between the two of them, the McGahas set about learning how to do things they never could have imagined themselves doing: wrestling snakes, making their own yogurt, breeding goats, raising chickens, etc. In the middle of all their adventures and misadventures, the couple made an incredible discovery. Living closer to the land had brought them closer to each other, teaching them invaluable lessons about contentment, endurance, self-reliance, and the true meaning of home.
Flat Broke With Two Goats is a funny and poignant memoir about everything McGaha has learned from her riches-to-rags experience. While it deals with some heavy themes, on the whole, the book is upbeat and entertaining. It does ramble on a bit, making for some dull patches. It even takes an odd turn into a jarring section on the author's abusive first marriage, which doesn't seem to quite fit with the rest of the narrative. On the whole, though, Flat Broke With Two Goats is an engrossing, empowering memoir. Although I could have done without all the animal mating stories, overall, I liked this one, even if I didn't love it.
P.S. I listened to the book on audio and thought Pam Ward did an excellent job with the narration.
(Readalikes: Coop by Michael Perry)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, and sexual innuendo/content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, April 06, 2020
With Irresistible Jacky Faber, the High Seas Are Always Exciting!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for The Wake of the Lorelei Lee, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from previous Bloody Jack adventures. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
I've talked a lot about the Bloody Jack books by L.A. Meyer on my blog because it's long been one of my favorite YA series. Reading it is like listening to a skilled storyteller recalling highly entertaining, obviously embellished tales full of adventure, romance, danger, and derring-do. It matters little that the books are all basically plotless (other than Jacky needing to get out of whatever scrape she's currently gotten herself into) because they're just so darn fun! I've especially enjoyed listening to the tales on audio. Katherine Kellgren is an exceptional narrator. Sadly, both Meyer and Kellgren have passed away—they were a brilliantly talented duo and I miss the perfection of their combined genius.
The Wake of the Lorelei Lee is the eighth installment in the Bloody Jack series. The novel starts with a very happy Jacky Faber in command of the ship she purchased with the Spanish gold she pocketed after her deep-sea diving adventures in Rapture of the Deep. Under the false belief that she has been pardoned by her homeland's government, she is excitedly making her way toward England and her true love, Jamie Fletcher. Of course, life is never that simple for ole Jacky. Almost before she knows what's happening, she's a prisoner on her own ship, headed for a penal colony in New South Wales, Australia. Scrappy Jacky never goes down without a fight, however, and this time will be no exception. From riding an elephant to saving an island people from a tyrant to charming a powerful Chinese pirate, her latest adventure is another thrilling episode in the life of the inconquerable Jacky Faber.
As you can tell, Jacky's crazy adventures are always entertaining. She's a spunky, irresistible heroine who's fierce, funny, and loyal. It's impossible not to be drawn in by her engaging voice and her colorful, exciting escapades. Although The Wake of the Lorelei Lee is a little more graphic than its predecessors, I still very much enjoyed listening to this engrossing tale.
(Readalikes: Other books in the series, including Bloody Jack, Curse of the Blue Tattoo, Under the Jolly Roger, In the Belly of the Bloodhound, Mississippi Jack, My Bonny Light Horseman, Rapture of the Deep, The Mark of the Golden Dragon, Viva Jacquelina!, Boston Jacky, and Wild Rover No More)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a couple F-bombs [unless I heard wrong], plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, sexual innuendo/content, and references to prostitution/rape
To the FTC, with love: I bought an audio copy of The Wake of the Lorelei Lee from Audible with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, January 27, 2020
MG Novel Straightforward, Thought-Provoking, and Entertaining
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Twins are rare enough, but 11-year-old Minni King and her sister, Keira, are more unusual still. Children of a Black mother and a white father, Minnie's skin matches her dad's while Keira's is the same shade as their mom's. Their parents have always assured them that what matters most is that they're all part of the strong, tight-knit King Family, but that doesn't mean their unique family doesn't attract plenty of stares and ignorant comments from people in their mostly white Pacific Northwest community.
When the girls' overbearing grandmother calls, insisting Minni and Keira come stay with her in Raleigh, North Carolina, in order to compete in the Miss Black Pearl contest, Keira's over the moon. She's vivacious and gorgeous, the perfect candidate for a
Mingling in a mostly Black society for the first time in her life, Minni feels very, very white. While she struggles to define her own Blackness, she also bristles at her grandmother's constant criticism of Keira. As the sisters each experience racism, prejudice, and confusion about their mixed ethnicities, they will both learn valuable lessons about identity, understanding, sisterhood, and family.
As the white adoptive mother of a bi-racial child, I'm always glad to find books like The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Frazier (who is the daughter of a Black father and a white mother). They open my eyes to issues my daughter will likely face in her life and aid me in knowing how to help her through them. While The Other Half of My Heart tackles issues like race and identity in a blunt, straightforward way, the story is also funny and entertaining enough to keep middle graders reading. The plot's a bit loosey-goosey, but the story moves fast enough to prevent it from getting dull. While the tale is predictable, I still found it enjoyable overall. I listened to this one as an audiobook and especially liked the narrator, Bahni Turpin.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other novels about being Black (or bi-racial) in a white world, including The Blossoming Universe of Violet Diamond by Brenda Woods; Black Boy, White School by Brian F. Walker; Sell-Out by Ebony Joy Wilkins; SLAY by Brittney Morris; etc.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received a free audiobook of The Other Half of My Heart through a promotion at Audible.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
My First Audiobook a Slow, Gory Slog
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As an aspiring journalist, 16-year-old Nathalie Baudin is thrilled to be writing a column for Le Petite Journal. Even if the editor, an old family friend, hired her only as a favor to her unemployed mother and away-at-sea father. Even if she has to dress as a boy to do her reporting. Even if the job means spending her days studying corpses at Paris' public morgue. Despite her unladylike interest in the macabre, she's as horrified as everyone else when a serial killer begins preying on the city's young women. She's even more aghast when, while viewing the victims' bodies at the morgue, she begins having nauseating visions of them being brutalized. Most confusing of all, the scenes are from the perspective of the killer. Why is she having these strange visions? What could they possibly mean?
Soon Nathalie realizes that her gruesome waking dreams are a weird gift that could help the police find the killer who has been dubbed "The Dark Artist." But that means opening herself to more violent visions, which leave her frightened and disgusted. Is it worth her sanity to encourage the blood-soaked visions? As Nathalie searches for answers, she stumbles across shocking secrets about her family and herself. Her sleuthing soon attracts the attention of the murderer. With a killer on her own tail, she must find answers—and fast—before she becomes the next corpse lying on a slab for all of Paris to view.
Spectacle, a debut novel by Jodie Lynn Zdrok, has an intriguing premise and a creepy, atmospheric Jack the Ripper feel. While neither of these elements is all that original, the combination presents a compelling jumping-off point. Unfortunately, the story Zdrok spins from it is slow, with a lot of meandering around before it gets anywhere. The tale gets repetitious and dull, making its 368 pages feel like double that. Add in a lot of bloody, gory scenes, some of which made me feel physically ill, and Spectacle became a tough tale to get through. I did become invested enough in the story to finish it, but in the end, I just didn't find the book all that enjoyable or satisfying. Needless to say, I won't be bothering with the sequel, Sensational, which comes out in February.
I should mention that I listened to Spectacle as an audiobook—my first one ever. The narrator, Laurie Catherine Winkel, is okay. Her narration is a little stiff, with her French sounding more natural than her English. My daughter says she sounds like the Google Translate voice. I don't know if listening to Spectacle as opposed to reading it altered my experience with the book or not. I think I would have felt the same way, no matter what, but I'm still a noob when it comes to audiobooks, so who knows?
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting [The Body Finder; Desires of the Dead; The Last Echo; and Dead Silence] as well as various books about Jack the Ripper)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language; violence; disturbing subject matter; and blood/gore
To the FTC, with love: I received a free finished audio copy of Spectacle as part of a promotion offered by Audible.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
My Top ONE Tuesday Discovery
It's Tuesday! You know what that means—it's time for my favorite weekly meme. Top Ten Tuesday is always a good time. You should really join in the fun. All you have to do is click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl, read a few instructions, create your own list, and hop around the book blogosphere to visit other people's lists. It truly is a great way to find new book blogs to read, add intriguing titles to your TBR mountain chains, and just spread the love throughout this wonderful online community of ours.
The topic du jour is Top Ten Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2019. I did find some new authors and blogs last year, but I feel like I've already talked about them. So, I'm going to talk about a bookish discovery I've made this year. Since there's only one, this won't be a list, but more of a discussion. I really do value your advice and recommendations, so please leave a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on yours.
I know I'm late to the party on this one, but my big discovery of 2020 is ... wait for it ... audiobooks. I'm sure I'm the last person on Earth to jump on this particular bandwagon. However, in reading lots of 2019 wrap-up posts, I realized something—bloggers that read a heck ton of books last year often attributed their astounding numbers to, you guessed it, audiobooks. So, I decided to give them a try. Audible had a New Year's sale that offered a free trial membership, some free books, and an easy reading (listening) challenge that will net me a $20 Amazon gift card to boot. Serendipity! I signed up.
For my first audiobook, I decided on a book I've been eyeing for awhile—Spectacle by Jodi Lynn Zdrok. It's a YA novel about a 16-year-old Parisian girl who visits the city's public morgue, which prompts her to have strange visions about a string of grisly murders. It sounded interesting, so I downloaded the book and started listening. The narrator, Laurie Catherine Winkel, seemed a little stiff, her French words sounding more natural than her English ones, but she sounded even weirder at higher speeds, so I listened to the story at normal speed. I kept the audio running while I ran errands in the car, scrubbed my kitchen, folded laundry, worked on the computer, etc. and was surprised at how well I could multi-task. In the past when I've tried to listen to books I've either fallen asleep or gotten so distracted by other things that I missed half of what the narrator was saying. The only problem with Spectacle was the tale seemed to go on and on and on and on. When I downloaded the book, I hadn't paid any attention to its length. I actually gasped when I finally realized it was ELEVEN HOURS long. Needless to say, it was an interesting first-time listening experience.
Now, I'm listening to a MG novel called The Other Half of My Heart by Sundee T. Frazier. The Audie Award-winning narrator, Bahni Turpin, is much more animated than the last one and the book is much shorter. I'm enjoying it.
All in all, my audiobook experiment is going well so far. I'm curious, though, as to how the rest of you use this resource. Do you listen to audiobooks? Why or why not? How often do you "read" them? Which books have been your favorite to listen to? Who are the best narrators? Any other tips for me from you audiobook lovers? I'd love any advice on how to use audiobooks most effectively and enjoyably.
Happy TTT!
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