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I'm starting off the month in the midst of a nonfiction with decent narration: The President and the Assassin: McKinley, Terror, and Empire at the Dawn of the American Century.

I’m alternating between 1861: The Civil War Awakening - interesting NF about lead up to civil war but holy long chapters (avg 1-2hrs each)

Alternating with Furies of Calderon

I'm doing a re-read of The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold. This one has never been my favorite in the World of the Five Gods, but after reading and re-reading the Penric and Desdemona series, I wanted to get re-acquainted with the Shamens and their lore. Plus, I started it on Halloween, which seemed appropriate.

Starting and

As expected, several holds arrived this morning. I set Dorian Gray aside in favor of NK Jemisin's latest, The World We Make. I read the first book earlier this year and loved it; Robin Miles's narration is stellar.

Tossing between that and The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11. Helpful that World We Make is also NYC-centric for when Only Plane gets too heavy.

Finished up Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain. A good story about Molly - an attorney in California trying to adopt a baby with her husband - with flashbacks to her growing up in North Carolina with a unusual family situation. Well narrated and engaging to listen to.

Next up is Beautiful World, Where Are You

Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah - 4* - My Review

This book covers many obstacles and issues common to Native American communities. It is told from multiple generational perspectives, with each chapter narrated by a different character. This novel portrays how community and culture can be helpful in overcoming individual problems. The author highlights many Cherokee and Kiowa traditions. It includes stomp dances, the titular blanket dance, and powwows. I particularly enjoyed the way the novel is structured, gradually providing more information as the story progresses. It is an impressive debut.

Unfortunately, the audio narration is uneven. It is narrated by a cast, and some are better than others. I recommend reading it in text format, if possible.

I'm listening to a book I loved as a young adult (I'm now in my 60's).

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

Sometimes older books that charmed you once don't work again later in life. But this one still has the magic. I'm loving the narration by Derek Perkins.

I'm starting the month with a book by Philip K. Dick: Time Out Of Joint.

I also had a library hold come in: Gilded Mountain by Kate Manning. Going to keep that on hold a little while longer until I finish the PKD book.

Ny review of Aku-Aku: The Secret of Easter Island by Thor Heyerdahl follows here:
/review/show...
I gave up on this book after half.

Now I am reading the classic Penrod by Booth Tarkington

I finished my re-read of The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold. It still isn't my favorite but I felt I understood it better this time. It sometimes seems Bujold wants readers to like her Shamens more... the Penric and Desdemona series has 12 books so far and while only 2 of them involve Penric interacting with Shamens, somehow they get mentioned in nearly every book no matter how far away they are and unlikely to be where Penric is.

Jeanie wrote: "I finished my re-read of The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold. It still isn't my favorite but I felt I understood it better this time. It sometimes seems Bujold wants readers to like her Shame..."

I just started Penric's Demon, a short book I got from a recent sale. I have read several of the Miles books, but none of this series. I like Grover Gardener who narrates both series.

I had to give up on Beautiful World, Where Are You, 12% in and I was not invested and lost. Am glad I have finally learned to just let.it.go

So I have grabbed All the Light We Cannot See - it is my oldest "to read" book on my list and I'm trying to work it down!

Having changed books, I immediately get in a better mood. Penrod by Tarkington is fun. It makes me smile, despite that quite a few of my friends did not like it.

Oh, I forgot to say that [[book:Penrod|601107]is free for Audible-UK-Plus members. It has a good narrator--Stefan Rudnicki.

The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather - 4* - My Review

Published in 1915, this is a beautifully written novel about the life of Thea Kronberg, a feisty female protagonist who overcomes the social restrictions of the time and eventually makes her mark as an opera singer. This book is the second in the Great Plains trilogy, but it can easily be read as a standalone. One of Cather’s strengths is the ability to vividly depict the landscapes of the places Thea visits. It is an early example of relationships in which the men in the story admire the woman for her ambition and talents and help her achieve her goals. It has aged well. I can see why it is considered a classic.

The audio is nicely narrated by Christine Williams.

I have 3 1/2 hours left on Wrong Place Wrong Time by, Gillian McAllister narrated by, Lesley Sharp this is a twisty time travel mystery and I'm really curious how it turns out.

Joy D wrote: "The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather - 4* - My Review

Published in 1915, this is a beautifully written novel about the life of Thea Kronberg, a feisty female protag..."

I am a huge Willa Cather fan, just a mention and I wish I had the time to re-read some of her works!

MissSusie wrote: "I am a huge Willa Cather fan, just a mention and I wish I had the time to re-read some of her works!.."
She was definitely ahead of her time, writing this feminist-oriented book even before the country had officially approved suffrage for women!

Robin P wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "I finished my re-read of The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold. It still isn't my favorite but I felt I understood it better this time. It sometimes seems Bujold wants readers to..."

Since I began The World of the Five Gods in publication order, my bias is that The Curse of Chalion should be read first and then Paladin of Souls. I don't know if the Penric and Desdemona series is as understandable without these two more in depth stories as a foundation but, as I said, I read them first so my bias is with them... even though they fall later in the chronology. I love the P&D series--anyone heard of a new releas?--and enjoy its much more humorous tone... not that there isn't humor in the other books, but they get pretty dark and heavy towards the end.

Robin, I hope you enjoy Penric's Demon and go on to follow their very interesting adventures. Keep us posted.

I finished State of the Terror by Hilary Clinton and it was a page turner and fun read.

Next up is Thanks for Listening which is a fiction about an audiobook narrator.

Kaoru wrote: "I finished State of the Terror by Hilary Clinton and it was a page turner and fun read. ."

I def cackled out loud a few times while listening to this

I definitely enjoyed Penrod by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Booth Tarkington. I liked it more than his The Magnificent Ambersons.

My review: /review/show...

If you are an Audible-UK-Plus member it's free. It is read by the talented Stefan Rudnicki. Don't miss it. I explain in my review who I believe it will appeal to. Not necessarily everyone.

Now I am doing another one by Nevil Shute. This time it's Marazan. Eventually I will have read all of his. I do like his writing.

Chrissie wrote: "I definitely enjoyed Penrod by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Booth Tarkington. I liked it more than his The Magnificent Ambersons.

My review: ..."

I checked on Audible US and Penrod is also available on Audible Plus for us and with the same narrator.

Jeanie, great! Have you grabbed it? I hope you saw the warning in my review--about the section that might turn readers away. I know it did for me, years and years ago, when I first tried to read Penrod. Glad you have Rudnicki as your narrator.

Chrissie wrote: "Jeanie, great! Have you grabbed it? I hope you saw the warning in my review--about the section that might turn readers away. I know it did for me, years and years ago, when I first tried to read [b..."

I didn't put it in my Library yet, but it's on my Want to Read list... I have over 300 unread books in my Audible Library and hope to whittle that down before adding any more. I reserve the right to impulsively pick it up when I'm in the mood for it though. ;)

Jeanie, the thing is, sometimes Audible Plus books disappear. Don't let that happen!

Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson - 4.5* - My Review

Neil deGrasse Tyson addresses how science, rational thought, and evidence-based decision making can improve our civilization in significant ways. He addresses both sides of the existing political divide, trying to find common ground. Tyson backs everything up with evidence. If any of these passages sound interesting, you will likely enjoy this book. I applaud him for attempting to heal our large gaps in critical thinking, which have become increasingly evident in recent times.

The audiobook is nicely narrated by the author.

Finished Wrong Place Wrong Time Gillian McAllister narrated by, Lesley Sharp-I liked this twisty time travel mystery, it did slow down a bit in the middle but I still enjoyed the story and the ending.

Started a comfort read Going Rogue: Rise and Shine Twenty-Nine by Janet Evanovich narrated by Lorelei King

4 stars to The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11. I ended up not using the NK Jemisin book the way I thought I would, so I'm hoping it's fairly easier to digest than this. This was intense and heavy.

Jan wrote: "I'm listening to a book I loved as a young adult (I'm now in my 60's).

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

Sometimes older books that charmed you once don't work again l..."

I loved that one too when I was younger. Good to know some things still hold up.

Listening to Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution a much better fantasy story than the boring title implies.

I am running out of books to read by Nevil Shute. I finished today Marazan. It was the first novel he published.

My review: /review/show...

Now I have started a novella that I have been told is good--Rock Crystal by Adalbert Stifter. Don't know what I think yet. It is so short, I will finish it tomorrow.

Michelle wrote: "Listening to Babel, or the Necessity of Violence: an Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution a much better fantasy story than the boring title implies."

I LOVED this book!! Top 5 of the year for sure. I read the print copy though, I may try the audio on an eventual reread. I hope you're enjoying it Michelle!

Finished Time Out Of Joint by Philip K. Dick. This felt like classic PKD, where the main character is not sure what is real or not, questions his sanity. It was decent enough.

Started up Gilded Mountain by Kate Manning and already enjoying it. Started it yesterday and already a quarter the way through. It's a slightly long book (for me) at 16 hours. Last 16-hour book took me two months...this one definitely will be quicker!

I listened to Lies in Bone which got very good ratings. .5 off the 4.5 would work for me. It was a decent mystery with a lot of themes. Themes that circle around poverty, mental illness, family and friendship. It was definitely a bit different.

I also listened to The Old Woman with the Knife. and now you don't have to! It was short listen, 6.30 hours, and felt like 18 hours. It took hours to get to the actual mystery. Parts are still oblique because the old woman reminisces about I don't know what! Even relistening didn't help.

The Good Wife of Bath is now queued up. I bought it off the Daily Deal the other day. It has started off well and a bit bawdy which I would have expected. The narration by Fran Burgoyne is well done.

Michelle wrote: "Jan wrote: "I'm listening to a book I loved as a young adult (I'm now in my 60's).

The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart

Sometimes older books that charmed you once don't ..."

Me too!

I'm listening to Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Not sure about it. So I went to check the reviews. It seems about half are 5 stars and the other half are 1 star. I guess you either love it or hate it! I'm finding the main character, a precocious 9-yr-old boy, somewhat annoying. But, the premise is interesting, so I guess I will keep listening to it, for now. If it gets to the point where I'm not looking forward to putting those earbuds in my ears, I will stop. Used to be a personal rule that, once I started a book, I had to finish it. But I've changed my rule. I figure there are so many wonderful books out that that I will LOVE, I shouldn't waste any time on a book I'm not enjoying! Right?

Katharine wrote: "I'm listening to Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. Not sure about it. So I went to check the reviews. It seems about half are 5 stars and the othe..."

Right! My New Year's Resolution for 2022 was not to finish any book I'm not enjoying, even if it is for a group. I might skim ahead so that I can have an idea of the plot and still discuss it, but life is too short (literally for some of us!)

I Iistened to Extremely Loud on audio and liked it, although of course the subject matter of 9/11 is rather grim.

I have completed the novella Rock Crystal by Adalbert Stifter. Many of my friends praised it and it had been sitting on my GR shelves for ages, so I figured I should give it a try. It is available free at Librivox, and is well read there by Roger Melin.

My review: /review/show...

Now I have begun Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brown. More satisfying for me. It's long which I do like.

Joy D wrote: "Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson - 4.5* - My Review

Neil deGrasse Tyson addresses how science, rational thought, and evid..."

Nice review. I like Tyson too. I have read other books of his. I am pessimistic about healing the gap but glad he is trying to do so. Science in my part of the world is now considered the enemy by many. I fear if we ever have another catastrophic event we won't come out of any next dark ages.

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Agatha Christie

It is someone's fault. Someone in this group. I was asking about cozy and they said Agatha Christie and then someone said this one was the best one. Thanks.

This book was published in 1926 so in the minds eye one has to see that world. And in that world, very entertaining. Retired Detective Hercule Poirot is assisted by the local Doctor, James Sheppard in his attempt to solve a murder in a closed room. Everyone is under suspicion. Sort of a Sherlock/Watson duo but different. Clue by clue we learn it was not Col. Mustard with a candle stick. I liked it. I did have to look up what a "marrot" is.

Bill (Just a) wrote: "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd Agatha Christie

It is someone's fault. Someone in this group. I was asking about cozy a..."

If you read Agatha Christie in published order it paintes a remarkable social history as to how things were changed by the events of the day... not that Christie addressed these in particular. The social evolution from the 1920s to the 1970s gets laid out in subtly shifting ways. I noticed the same thing when reading the Nero Wolfe series in order.

Bill (Just a) wrote: "Nice review. I like Tyson too. I have read other books of his. I am pessimistic about healing the gap but glad he is trying to do so. Science in my part of the world is now considered the enemy by many. I fear if we ever have another catastrophic event we won't come out of any next dark ages..."

I share your concerns. We need science and denying it doesn't help anything. In fact, quite the opposite. I have read another work with a similar message if you're interested:
The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan, written many years ago but more relevant now than ever before IMO.

The Revolution of the Moon by Andrea Camilleri - 3* - My Review

Set in Sicily in the 1677, this book is historical fiction based on a real woman who ruled for 27 days. This story is filled with intrigue, exploitation, and corruption. It a farcical story containing both comedic antics and serious topics. The Spanish Inquisition makes an appearance. I particularly liked that it is based on a little-known episode in history. I found it entertaining but a little on the crude side for my taste.

It is competently read by Grover Gardner.

Joy D wrote: "Bill (Just a) wrote: "Nice review. I like Tyson too. I have read other books of his. I am pessimistic about healing the gap but glad he is trying to do so. Science in my part of the world is now co..."

Thanks Joy. Science has literally saved my life. Multiple stints, 2 heart attacks, a stroke of the posture brain, carotid arteries blocked, X4 bypass surgery, and then the pandemic buffered by the amazing mRNA research. I should have been dead 3 times over but to look at me you would never know. No residual effects - at least that can be seen.

I would love to read/listen to Sagan.

Bill (Just a) wrote: "JThanks Joy. Science has literally saved my life. Multiple stints, 2 heart attacks, a stroke of the posture brain, carotid arteries blocked, X4 bypass surgery, and then the pandemic buffered by the amazing mRNA research. I should have been dead 3 times over but to look at me you would never know. No residual effects - at least that can be seen.

Wow! Glad to hear there are no residual effects. My mom has a similar experience with stints. She's been with us many more years as a result.

I read Sagan's book in e-format, but just checked and there is an audio narrated by Cary Elwes & Seth MacFarlane

Bill (Just a) wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Bill (Just a) wrote: "Nice review. I like Tyson too. I have read other books of his. I am pessimistic about healing the gap but glad he is trying to do so. Science in my part of the w..."

If not for modern medicine, I would have died in great pain at age 29 , leaving a toddler. I try to remember that when I get to a milestone birthday like 50, 60, etc. These are all bonus years, so I should make the most of them!

Neil deGrasse Tyson is always delightful when I have seen him on talk shows. He purposefully has taken on the role Carl Sagan used to have as a popularizer of amazing science. He was thrilled to meet Sagan when he was a gawky, nerdy (and of course Black) teenager. So cool that he got to live his dream of being a public astronomer.

Robin P wrote: "Bill (Just a) wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Bill (Just a) wrote: "Nice review. I like Tyson too. I have read other books of his. I am pessimistic about healing the gap but glad he is trying to do so. Scien..."

Glad your still here rocking, Robin.

I listened to The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell, and enjoyed the beautiful writing. I'm sure our book club will get plenty of mileage out of this one.

Touch by Olaf Olafsson - 4* - My Review

Set during the initial days of the recent pandemic, Kristófer, a seventy-five-year-old widower living in Iceland closes his restaurant and goes off in search of his first love, Miko, whom he has not seen in fifty years. The narrative follows his journey to London and Hiroshima. The reader gradually becomes aware that Kristófer may be unreliable, not due to deception but to difficulties in recalling the past. The author writes in an elegant, yet understated manner. We get to know the protagonist in two stages of life � his youth and his later life. The primary theme is memory, loss of it, gaps in it, and how people remember the same events differently. It is not for anyone looking for “action.� It is for those who like quiet novels with emphasis on deeply drawn believable characters and their thoughts.

The audio is nicely narrated by Peter Noble.