Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading? - Page 245

kennyc · 01-31-2010, 06:55 AM

Finished "Fireflies in December" by Jennifer Erin Valent. Wonderful book I pretty much couldn't put it down once I really got into the story. 3 or 4 out of 5.

DixieGal · 01-31-2010, 08:12 AM

I downloaded "Disappearance of the Universe" in audiobook from my library. The only time I've ever heard anything stupider was at family reunions with the in-laws. I probably stuck it out 10 minutes before the stupidity level made me mad. PLEASE take a tip from me and don't waste even 10 minutes of your time on this crap.

DixieGal · 01-31-2010, 08:14 AM

Now will be listening to a non-fiction audiobook in my workshop while I'm cutting stones called "Love and Louis XIV." It was in the biography category, and supposed to be about the women in his life, including his mother.

HarryT · 01-31-2010, 10:24 AM

Currently reading "The Legacy of Gird", by Elizabeth Moon, bought from Baen. This is a huge volume, and the "prequel" to "The Deed of Paksenarrion". Classic fantasy - a farmer leads a peasant revolt against wicked "magelords". I'm only about half way through it, but thoroughly enjoying it. If you enjoyed "Deed", you'll love this!

JSWolf · 01-31-2010, 10:32 AM

I am about to start Storm Front by Jim Butcher. It's book #1 in the Dresden Files series.

Fledchen · 01-31-2010, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I am about to start Storm Front by Jim Butcher. It's book #1 in the Dresden Files series.

I hope you enjoy it! I think the first three books are weaker than the rest of the series, but they are still fun.

mikemck · 01-31-2010, 04:24 PM

I just started a re-read of "The Name of the Wind", and downloaded "Animal Farm" (which I have never read), and the whole "Sherlock Holmes" and "Professor Challenger" collections from this website.......

kainne · 01-31-2010, 09:04 PM

Had to read Animal Farm in grade 11. I liked it. It was very interesting with it's similarities to Russian history.

neilmarr · 02-01-2010, 05:32 AM

Hi DixieGal: Do you listen to many audio books? If so, do you judge on reading skill or actual book content (likely both)? Interested to know because we're just experimenting with our first -- excellent professional actor with many years experience in audio work and a professional technician and studio. So far, the samples sound great to my own unpracticed ear, but I'd be happy to hear your views on audio books and what you think makes 'quality'. Maybe, though, this 'reading recommendations' thread isn't the right place for this exchange. Cheers. Neil

DixieGal · 02-01-2010, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilmarr

Hi DixieGal: Do you listen to many audio books? If so, do you judge on reading skill or actual book content (likely both)? Interested to know because we're just experimenting with our first -- excellent professional actor with many years experience in audio work and a professional technician and studio. So far, the samples sound great to my own unpracticed ear, but I'd be happy to hear your views on audio books and what you think makes 'quality'. Maybe, though, this 'reading recommendations' thread isn't the right place for this exchange. Cheers. Neil

Well, you remember that I started listening to audiobooks back in the autumn, when my vision situation made reading on the 505 too difficult. I've only just recently been able to read on it again, and still just for short periods of time before the strain becomes exhausting.

I can only tell you what I'm discovering about my own tastes in audiobooks, both good and bad and mixed:

Good

Mystery/Thrillers - The stories progress from A to Z, so it is easy to follow. Lots of dialog also, which makes the story more interesting to listen to.

Biographies - I enjoy these because it is just like someone gossiping about somebody else, which I love.

Humor - Of course.

General Fiction - Generally good, except for scifi.

Bad

General Non-Fiction - Generally hard to follow because often there is dependence on charts and references.

Mixed

Fantasy/Scifi - Some good, some bad. I seem to all boil down to whether the story is easy to follow.

For example, I downloaded "Anathem." Never read it, but had it on my TBR list. It was torture as an audiobook because there is a long list of things that you have to remember, such as unusual use of English language for everyday things, superfluous things like that. I endured it for maybe 1/2 hour before deciding that life is too short for something like that.

However, I recently listened to the Hyperion novels, and they were terrific. Lots of story, lots of dialog.

I hope this helps you. Good luck!

neilmarr · 02-01-2010, 11:31 AM

Sure it helps, Dixie. Many thanks. Rather than clog up this thread with our off-subject conversation, though, I'll try to get some first takes (un-edited and without effects) to you to see what you think. I reckon I have your email address from some book-swaps. Your opinion will be highly regarded.

My feeling, by the way, is if the narrator can capture the spirit of the book and present character voices without obvious intrusion of his own personality, it works pretty well.

I'm well chuffed with what I've heard so far. Compared to my old stand-by when I was in foreign countries (The BBC World Service's Book at Bedtime) it really shines.

Best. Neil

pilotbob · 02-01-2010, 12:51 PM

Just finished _World with End_ by Ken Follett. Phew.. that is a long book. It took me about a month to read it since I don't spend a lot of time reading every day. I rated this one 4 stars on my LibraryThing account. Just .5 star lower than _The Pillars of the Earth_.

This one had the great settings of the first and also good character development. I did like that it the characters are not as clear cut as in TPOTE... the protagonists weren't perfect and the antagonists weren't pure evil.

I know I will be reading more of Ken Follett now.

Next though I think might be _The Stand_ by Steve King. I have read some books by King but never this one. A lot of people I talk to tell me this is one of the best if not his best.

Yes, it is another LONG book. What do i have with these?

BOb

kennyc · 02-01-2010, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the followup Bob! I'm still "on hold" on POTE for now...

neilmarr · 02-01-2010, 01:56 PM

You're a sucker for extended punishment, BOb. But those are two terrific books. Glad you liked *World Without End* and I think many here will be betting that you find *The Stand* King's greatest -- especially if you go for the re-released author's cut at full length. Second time around, he had the big-name clout to demand no pruning. Cheers. Neil

kennyc · 02-01-2010, 02:14 PM

But he's got to work Gone With the Wind in there somewhere!

01-31-2010, 09:04 PM	#3668
kainne Connoisseur Posts: 50 Karma: 51520 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Device: PRS-700	Had to read Animal Farm in grade 11. I liked it. It was very interesting with it's similarities to Russian history. Last edited by kainne; 01-31-2010 at 09:05 PM. Reason: spelling

02-01-2010, 12:51 PM	#3672
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Just finished _World with End_ by Ken Follett. Phew.. that is a long book. It took me about a month to read it since I don't spend a lot of time reading every day. I rated this one 4 stars on my LibraryThing account. Just .5 star lower than _The Pillars of the Earth_. This one had the great settings of the first and also good character development. I did like that it the characters are not as clear cut as in TPOTE... the protagonists weren't perfect and the antagonists weren't pure evil. I know I will be reading more of Ken Follett now. Next though I think might be _The Stand_ by Steve King. I have read some books by King but never this one. A lot of people I talk to tell me this is one of the best if not his best. Yes, it is another LONG book. What do i have with these? BOb Last edited by pilotbob; 02-01-2010 at 02:58 PM.

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01-31-2010, 06:55 AM	#3661
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,907 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Finished "Fireflies in December" by Jennifer Erin Valent. Wonderful book I pretty much couldn't put it down once I really got into the story. 3 or 4 out of 5.

01-31-2010, 08:12 AM	#3662
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	I downloaded "Disappearance of the Universe" in audiobook from my library. The only time I've ever heard anything stupider was at family reunions with the in-laws. I probably stuck it out 10 minutes before the stupidity level made me mad. PLEASE take a tip from me and don't waste even 10 minutes of your time on this crap.

01-31-2010, 08:14 AM	#3663
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	Now will be listening to a non-fiction audiobook in my workshop while I'm cutting stones called "Love and Louis XIV." It was in the biography category, and supposed to be about the women in his life, including his mother.

01-31-2010, 10:24 AM	#3664
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,556 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Currently reading "The Legacy of Gird", by Elizabeth Moon, bought from Baen. This is a huge volume, and the "prequel" to "The Deed of Paksenarrion". Classic fantasy - a farmer leads a peasant revolt against wicked "magelords". I'm only about half way through it, but thoroughly enjoying it. If you enjoyed "Deed", you'll love this!

01-31-2010, 10:32 AM	#3665
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,798 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	I am about to start Storm Front by Jim Butcher. It's book #1 in the Dresden Files series.

01-31-2010, 04:24 PM	#3667
mikemck Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 112976 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Device: Kindle, Sony PRS 300, IPod Touch (Stanza)	I just started a re-read of "The Name of the Wind", and downloaded "Animal Farm" (which I have never read), and the whole "Sherlock Holmes" and "Professor Challenger" collections from this website.......

02-01-2010, 05:32 AM	#3669
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Hi DixieGal: Do you listen to many audio books? If so, do you judge on reading skill or actual book content (likely both)? Interested to know because we're just experimenting with our first -- excellent professional actor with many years experience in audio work and a professional technician and studio. So far, the samples sound great to my own unpracticed ear, but I'd be happy to hear your views on audio books and what you think makes 'quality'. Maybe, though, this 'reading recommendations' thread isn't the right place for this exchange. Cheers. Neil

02-01-2010, 11:31 AM	#3671
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	Sure it helps, Dixie. Many thanks. Rather than clog up this thread with our off-subject conversation, though, I'll try to get some first takes (un-edited and without effects) to you to see what you think. I reckon I have your email address from some book-swaps. Your opinion will be highly regarded. My feeling, by the way, is if the narrator can capture the spirit of the book and present character voices without obvious intrusion of his own personality, it works pretty well. I'm well chuffed with what I've heard so far. Compared to my old stand-by when I was in foreign countries (The BBC World Service's Book at Bedtime) it really shines. Best. Neil

02-01-2010, 01:01 PM	#3673
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,907 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Thanks for the followup Bob! I'm still "on hold" on POTE for now...

02-01-2010, 01:56 PM	#3674
neilmarr neilmarr Posts: 7,215 Karma: 6000059 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Monaco-Menton, France Device: sony	You're a sucker for extended punishment, BOb. But those are two terrific books. Glad you liked World Without End and I think many here will be betting that you find The Stand King's greatest -- especially if you go for the re-released author's cut at full length. Second time around, he had the big-name clout to demand no pruning. Cheers. Neil

02-01-2010, 02:14 PM	#3675
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,907 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	But he's got to work Gone With the Wind in there somewhere!