Howdy Howdy Bookworms!
I’ve been reading with both my eyes and my ears this summer. Reading with your ears is totally a thing that counts. I REFUSE to accept that audio books don’t count as reading. Poppycock! Of course, not every book I read (with eyes or ears) is something I feel like writing a whole review about, so today we’re taking audio books in bite sized pieces. Om nom nom!
1. I Still Dream About You
by Fannie Flagg- I normally adore Fannie Flagg, but I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. The main character spends a good portion of the novel plotting out her suicide only to continually put it off to tie up loose ends in the land of the living. The story was cute, I guess, but I worry that it was a little too flippant with some really heavy issues.
2. The Magician’s Land
by Lev Grossman- Well thank heaven they finally explored the niffin situation! That has been bothering me since The Magicians
(review). I thought this final installment of the series tied things up rather nicely, without being too neat about it. I’m still worried about Lev Grossman’s fox fixation, though. Dude. For real.
3. Mirror Mirror
by Gregory Maguire- You know how when you read original fairy tales they’re way creepier than you remember the Disney-fied versions being? Multiply that factor by 5 when Gregory Maguire gets his mits on Snow White, and you’ll have Mirror Mirror. In Maguire’s version of events, historical figure Lucrezia Borgia is cast in the role of the wicked queen with some gratuitous sexualization thrown in for good measure. I can’t help but think poor Lucrezia’s legacy has been getting the Cleopatra treatment for far too long. Stacy Schiff, will you rectify this for me please? (Cleopatra: A Life
by Stacy Schiff was most enlightening! Anybody have a recommendation for a good Lucrezia Borgia biography?)
Talk to me, Bookworms! What have y’all been reading lately? Eye reading and ear reading both count here!
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Megan M.
My MIL gave me her copy of “Unlucky 13”, which is a Women’s Murder Club book by James Patterson and… someone. I’ve read almost half of it and I don’t care at all what happens, but I feel like I still need to finish it because it was nice of her to think to give it to me. I’m also reading “The Explosive Child” which, now that my oldest can read, causes her to ask me a lot of nosy questions about WHY I want to read that book. Umm… research? It’s definitely absolutely NOT about your younger sister. Nope! Not at all.
Words For Worms
Haaaaaaaaaa! See I’d have been a big horrible liar and told her it had to do with spontaneous human combustion. I fear for my future children.
Just me, Vee
I’ve just started listening to Ruth Reichl’s novel “Delicious” and if ever a book was meant to be listened to, it’s this one. When I read a book, I can get distracted. Ruth’s book is lovely, and I am enjoying hearing every word of the book.
Vee
Words For Worms
Delicious was such a sweet book, I wish I’d listened to it instead of eye reading it now. Although, since you bring it up, I just finished a book (I think it’s going to be released the 25th, I’ll have a review up soon) called The Coincidence of Coconut Cake. If you like Delicious, it should be next on your list.
Just me, Vee
These food-centric books are making me hungry!
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
I’m glad to see Mirror, Mirror. I’ve had mixed luck with Maguire’s books over the years, but I’m SO DOWN with the Oz series. Maybe I’ll try this one, too!
Words For Worms
I liked Wicked and Son of a Witch, but I quit halfway through Lion Among Men. Maybe I’ll revisit. It might work better for me aurally.
Jennine G.
As you know, I’m reading Outlander. I just hit the scene where they’re back at the rocks, and if she goes back to her time, I’m not finishing it! (I mean, there are more books, so obviously, but still, I feel that strongly about it!)
Words For Worms
“The scene when they’re back at the rocks” is not enough information for me to accurately respond LOL. When you start book 2, let me know. You might need a sounding board.
Jennine G.
Didn’t want to give too much info and spoil it for anyone. Lol. I’m getting nervous about this second book. I’m going to have to hole up somewhere and read 24/7.
Sarah Says Read
Katie, HOOWWWW are you so good at listening to fiction on audio? It never works out for me, I don’t have the focus for it. I need the nonfiction. (Also, where do you get the time to listen to all these??? I listen on my 15-20 minute commute and a relatively short one can still take me at least 2 weeks or so.
Words For Worms
Depending on the task I’m doing I can listen at work. Usually I’m working with numbers and in solitude so it works out. If I have to do anything language-y like write an email or explain something or think extra hard, I’ve got to pause, but I’ve been in the midst of a giant and repetitive project so I’ve been able to get some good listening in. I find fiction easier audio wise than non! With fiction I feel like I can keep up with the thread of the story without feeling super guilty if I miss something. Non fiction I feel like I need to have school brain on!
thatashgirl
I’ve been listening to the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness (Discovery of Witches, Shadow of Night, Book of Life). Loving it so far. It’s been my knitting reading.
I’ve realized that I can NEVER NEVER listen to a Janet Evanovitch book in Audio. The lady that narrates all her older stuff, I just can’t even listen to her voice.
Leah @ Books Speak Volumes
I haven’t read any of the Magicians books because I haven’t been quite interested enough, but now I kind of want to try them on audio.
Amy @ Read a Latte
Your ability to listen to so many audio books is AMAZING
Samantha
Okay, that makes me EXTREMELY curious about Mirror, Mirror. I loved Wicked by Gregory Maguire, but I couldn’t even finish Son of a Witch. I wouldn’t mind giving his writing another try though if Mirror Mirror is really good 🙂
I am also thinking of reading Cleopatra and the one that Stacy Schiff is coming out with about the Salem Witch Trials, as well. 🙂