What are we listening to? (audiobooks)

[CRussel]

I've been slowly working my way through the Lynley/Havers books from Elizabeth George. They're mostly narrated by Donada Peters (aka, Nadia May, real name Wanda McCaddon). The books themselves are really longer than absolutely necessary, but Donada Peters is my absolute favourite narrator, so I just keep plugging on.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm listening to Ten Low by Stark Holborn. "Space Western," comments and "Firefly meets..." comparisons were mentioned repeatedly in reviews and comments. And while that's not at all the vibe I get from the story, I'm still liking it well enough!

I must say, this wasn't my cup of tea, though I was engaged enough to finish it, unlike many other audiobooks I've tried in the last month.
I definitely see where the Firefly comparisons came from, but, indeed, it's totally NOT the same vibe. Comparing this and Firefly is about like comparing "Beach Blanket Bingo" and "On the Beach."

After starting and stopping several books from my backlog, I've started re-listening to the Vorkosigan saga. Thankfully it's as awesome as I remember, and I've forgotten enough detail by now to have some of it feel new again.

[Catlady]

Having read Michael Capuzzo's excellent Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 (nonfiction) some ten or so years ago, I was quite excited to start listening to a new novel about that same series of shark attacks: Silent Came the Monster by Amy Hill Hearth, narrated by David Marantz.

But, alas, it may be one of the worst-written books I've read this century. The writing is amateurish, pedestrian, and boring as hell; how could someone take such exciting material and turn it into drivel? Initially, I was thinking it read like YA fiction, but that is an insult to YA fiction. It's more like something an unskilled wannabe writer self-publishes. Although it seems to have grammatical and understandable sentences, and probably has correct punctuation, it's lackluster and devoid of any real excitement or genuine emotion--quite the feat, when one is writing about such horrific attacks.

I really cannot believe how bad this book is.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Catlady

I really cannot believe how bad this book is.

I know you don't DNF books, but perhaps make an exception? Life it too short, etc.

I'm listening to Turgenev's Fathers and Sons read by David Horovitch which I'm enjoying.

[CRussel]

I've DNF'd a few audio books, but I've only returned a couple. Usually because the narrator was simply intolerable. If I DNF because the story just isn't catching my interest? I'll just not finish and won't ask for a refund.

[neil_swann80]

Notes From a Small Island
By: Bill Bryson
Narrated by: William Roberts

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by issybird

I know you don't DNF books, but perhaps make an exception? Life it too short, etc.

Originally Posted by CRussel

I've DNF'd a few audio books, but I've only returned a couple. Usually because the narrator was simply intolerable. If I DNF because the story just isn't catching my interest? I'll just not finish and won't ask for a refund.

I never considered not finishing, and not just because of stubbornness. The historical event is fascinating and really scary--this shark didn't even remain in the ocean but swam inland! I stayed with the novel for the factual elements.

It was a library book, thank goodness. The narrator didn't impress me one way or the other. Early on, I thought perhaps the narrator was the problem, but then realized it was the writing; no narrator could have saved it, and a dramatic narration of dull material would have made it worse. Female voices were bad, but male narrators seem almost uniformly bad at female voices.

I am staying with the same topic, now listening to Twelve Days of Terror: Inside the Shocking 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks by Richard G. Fernicola, narrated by Jonathan Yen. I'd forgotten picking this up from Audible when I needed to use up credits, and it's a good way to cancel out the poorly written novel.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Female voices were bad, but male narrators seem almost uniformly bad at female voices.

I'm just finishing "The Vor Game" read by my main man Grover Gardner.
I was just last night musing on how impressed I am by the way he handles female characters. He doesn't do 'voices' per se, just slight variations for the various characters in a scene. Very subtle, very effective, and, unless you're one to muse over narration skills, as we here in this forum tend to be, it could be totally transparent.

I listened to a version of "Shards of Honor," the first book in the Vorkosigan saga, which features a male and female protagonist in equal parts, that was narrated by a man and a woman narrator performing the two main roles. It was not bad, they both did a fine job, but I prefer Grover Gardner doing all the parts.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Female voices were bad, but male narrators seem almost uniformly bad at female voices.

I agree with this. Female narrators are better overall at suggesting male voices, IMO. I suspect it's easier to lower your voice a little than verging on the falsetto.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by issybird

I agree with this. Female narrators are better overall at suggesting male voices, IMO. I suspect it's easier to lower your voice a little than verging on the falsetto.

I'll third that notion. In fact, I'd wager to say that in my relatively short experience with audiobooks, I've preferred female narrators in general.

I'm not listening to anything right now as I'm out of Audible credits. I'm not used to new credits not showing up by noon of the day they're scheduled to arrive. I'll have to see if I can find something free and relatively short to tide me over. I sincerely hope there's no issue I need to remedy.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Female voices were bad, but male narrators seem almost uniformly bad at female voices.

Originally Posted by ApK

I'm just finishing "The Vor Game" read by my main man Grover Gardner.
I was just last night musing on how impressed I am by the way he handles female characters. He doesn't do 'voices' per se, just slight variations for the various characters in a scene. Very subtle, very effective, and, unless you're one to muse over narration skills, as we here in this forum tend to be, it could be totally transparent.

I listened to a version of "Shards of Honor," the first book in the Vorkosigan saga, which features a male and female protagonist in equal parts, that was narrated by a man and a woman narrator performing the two main roles. It was not bad, they both did a fine job, but I prefer Grover Gardner doing all the parts.

Originally Posted by issybird

I agree with this. Female narrators are better overall at suggesting male voices, IMO. I suspect it's easier to lower your voice a little than verging on the falsetto.

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'll third that notion. In fact, I'd wager to say that in my relatively short experience with audiobooks, I've preferred female narrators in general.

I think there are both good and bad narrators of every gender. That being said, I would say there's a slight advantage to the female narrators. But I much prefer the subtle approach of a Grover Gardner rather than those who try to completely change their voice for each character. (And I especially hate really BAD "American" accents from English narrators, who just don't get it right!)

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm not listening to anything right now as I'm out of Audible credits. I'm not used to new credits not showing up by noon of the day they're scheduled to arrive. I'll have to see if I can find something free and relatively short to tide me over. I sincerely hope there's no issue I need to remedy.

It is for times like this that the "buy 3 credits" are my salvation. I used to be on a 2 credits a month subscription, but I've scaled back to 1 credit a month, but allow myself to occasionally grab 3 extra credits which I save for an immediate need. Or, alternatively, perhaps start a re-read of a favourite series? Especially if you know a new book is coming in that series.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by CRussel

It is for times like this that the "buy 3 credits" are my salvation. I used to be on a 2 credits a month subscription, but I've scaled back to 1 credit a month, but allow myself to occasionally grab 3 extra credits which I save for an immediate need. Or, alternatively, perhaps start a re-read of a favourite series? Especially if you know a new book is coming in that series.

I bought 3 extra credits this past month, myself. Unfortunately I made a mistake and purchased the first book of a series (which I'd already read) instead of the second. So instead of having a spare credit to hold me over, I find myself credit poor.

I finished a book this morning and was counting on my subscription credit today. That doesn't seem to be happening. I'll find something, though!

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I bought 3 extra credits this past month, myself. Unfortunately I made a mistake and purchased the first book of a series (which I'd already read) instead of the second. So instead of having a spare credit to hold me over, I find myself credit poor.

Doesn't audible still let you return or exchange books, particularly if you bought by mistake?

[issybird]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm not listening to anything right now as I'm out of Audible credits. I'm not used to new credits not showing up by noon of the day they're scheduled to arrive. I'll have to see if I can find something free and relatively short to tide me over. I sincerely hope there's no issue I need to remedy.

Hoopla is your friend.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by PlatinumWarlock

The voice makes a huge difference. I listened to an audiobook a while back with a narrator named Xe Sands and I loved her voice. Then I started another recently without knowing who the narrator would be, and the minute she opened her mouth, I knew it was her. Totally drew me in. Going forth, I'll look for her.

Originally Posted by ApK

I like Grover Gardner. (it maybe time for a Vorkosigan saga re-listen.)

You're probably aware that narrators often record under different names, so you should be aware of their pseudonyms if you want to seek them out.

Like Tom Parker and Alexander Adams.

Xe Sands is on my all-time worst narrators list, so it's very individual.