Iceblossom

I put News of the World on my wish list, several available copies so didn't put it on full hold. I'll have to check into Rick Bragg, I think I have read maybe magazine articles by him? I put the book about his mother on my wish list as well.

I used to make myself finish all books I started, even if there was something I really didn't like I will admit that I have never succeeded getting more than halfway through the first of the Titus Groan/Gormenghast series -- one of the early fantasy series. Started that back in... oh... 1978? in college... book one remains unread much less two and three, but I do have it on my audio list for when I have nothing else (like this thread) to choose from!

With audio, it gives you a whole set of different reasons not to like a book. If I want to "listen" to tv or radio dramas, I can do that, but for a book I want it unabridged, narrated (not acted) as the author wrote it word by word. When audio first started becoming popular back in the days of cassettes, it was common to abridge the books.

Now, I try and keep an open mind and will give up to an hour to decide whether or not I continue it. I have quit books after 10 minutes as well. Or I get halfway through and decide I don't really care about any character or theme and feel no desire to go on. With quilting too, sometimes we get everything we are going to get prior to completion!

For the slumps you can always try a different format -- podcast if you've never done them, or ebook, or audio, or maybe a paperback you can take with you.

Different genres, maybe something completely different than your usual.

Lately I've been listening to some audio poetry for my something different. I did make it all the way through Dante's Divine Comedy but my eyes and ears are still glazed over! LOL but some of the other poetry readings have been great.

And I was thinking about this thread and you other readers today while I was in the car, Barbara Kingsolver was on NPR talking supporting an addiction recovery center and about her book, Demon Copperhead.

SusieQOH

Iceblossom, yes he writes ( or did) for Southern Living.
I don't know how I discovered him but he's wonderful. I have his books in hard cover and audio. I adore his Southern drawl lol.
He's comical as well. Very self deprecating. And he sure has a way with words. You feel like you're right there experiencing what he's talking about.

I'm with your on audiobooks. Never abridged!!!

Iceblossom

I am still in one of my gluts of books. Is a nice thing!

My current book (Asylum Hotel by Juliet Blackwell) is enjoyable but made even more so by the narration of Xe Sands. She is one of my favorite narrators. Sometimes in my searching for books I pick out something by the narrators

I saw that one of my favorite "urban fantasy" series, Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, has been re-released by Graphic Audio as full-cast recordings. Urban fantasy still involves dragons and magic but takes place in the modern world. In this case, the Tri-cities area of Eastern Washington. Jim Butcher and the Dresden Files is another urban fantasy series. I am still working through my other urban fantasy series, the Fred the Vampire Accountant books in-between new releases.

I don't know what the specific genre name is, but maybe we can call them adult fairy tales? So, if you liked Princess Bride the Apprentice to the Villain series by Hannah Nicole Maehrer is a lot of fun. I've just recently discovered the Waldo Rabbit series by Nelsen Chereta, book one was The (sort of) Dark Mage. Waldo himself is not a rabbit.

I am keeping up with my various authors. Sigh, I can read so much faster than they can write! One of my new finds is The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland. Cozy mystery with characters I find relatable and lots of little chuckles. One of the characters is a dog named Simon Le Bon who is always referred to as the full name... if that sounds familiar, the real Simon was the lead vocals of Duran Duran. Anyway, in a real life not-quite-coincidence I just met one of the dog walkers in my neighborhood, whose dog is named Stevie Nicks. Again, always referred as Stevie Nicks. I am easily amused.

KalamaQuilts

I'd guess at least 1/2 of the books on Amazon are self published these days. the authors that have been successful enough to pull fans usually have a prereading group, but they all could use a good editor.
With AI covers can be a lot more interesting than the books sometimes

Stitchnripper

I am a third of the way through the audiobook of Suleika Jaouad "Between Two Kingdoms" about her first diagnosis of leukemia. She is a beautiful writer and she reads it so well. It is hard to get through because of the topic. I can't remember if I said my book club is discussing today "Fifth Avenue Glamour Girl" - a fiction story about Estee Lauder. But, on checking more, the story of her success is pretty close to the book. The fictionalized "friend" narrates the story.

Also have read Remarkably Bright Creatures, enjoyed, and The Four Winds, also enjoyed.

SusieQOH

I'm currently listening to Wally Lamb's latest- The River is Waiting. It's good so far. I like his writing.
Another recent listen is The Idaho Four by James Patterson and Vicky Ward. Very respectful of those beautiful kids who were killed in Idaho at school. It came out before the trial that didn't happen after all. What a horrible event.

Blueridgebeverly

My summer reading/listening list has included The Tainted Cup (book 1) and A Drop of Corruption (book 2) by Robert Jackson Bennett. Great characters and really good other world building.

Also started reading the Anna Pigeon series by Nevada Barr. I’m listening to book 2 now. Really liked Track of the Cat (book 1).

I’m a fan of the Ruth Galloway series so gave a try to Elly Griffiths books The Frozen People (book 1) and The Killing Time (book 2). very happy I did.

Also this summer listened to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. Stuck with me after I finished it.

I started but didn’t stick with A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow.I am going to give it another try.

just finished today the 20th book in the Cork O’Connor series. Apostle’s Cove. I like the characters in the series and it’s just super comfortable listening to what they are all up to as they solve a mystery/crime. I particularly like his grandson, “little rabbit.”

Mkotch

Blueridgebeverly, I just finished Frozen People (Elly Griffiths) and loved it, too. Can't wait for Killing Time. Do you think there will be more in this series?

Iceblossom

@Blueridgebeverly Wow, we have a lot of cross connections on our book lists! It looks like new audio editions of the early Ruth Galloway series (Elly Giffiths) is coming out, and I have had the first book in the series on hold since March 25 -- apparently it still won't be released until December. I did put Frozen People on the list, that will probably be available about the same time. What fun, a whole new set of series to start!! I still have a couple of weeks left on hold before I get the Kent Kruger/Cork O'Connor's latest Apostles Cove. Midnight Library sounded good so put that on hold too.

I really enjoyed the Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow. Unfortunately the very first book is not available (for me? for anyone) in audio. Some of the books take place more in Anchorage/city Alaska and most take place more rural. I like the characters and tend to like the more rural books better.

@SusieQOH I lived in Moscow, Idaho my senior year of high school aka the year I made my first quilt! I have followed the story but I am having problems over the last couple of years listening to true crime on audio... don't think I'm quite ready for more just yet. I used to read a LOT of true crime. Still having problems with plagues and dystopian futures too. Nice thing is, there are plenty of cozy mysteries and more for me.

Blueridgebeverly

Mkotch, I do think she will continue it as a series. I hope a long one! It was so easy to get into her characters. There are definite hints of future time traveling stories to tell. 😊