Do you like to spend time in your
yard, fixing up your house, house work, tinker on the car or how about
knitting? My husband used to tease me
and tell me some day I would figure out how to read, crochet and watch the
baseball game all at the same time. I
did. It was actually a surprise
discovery. My sojourn in to audiobooks was very limited as I love the process
of reading the printed word. I had
listened to a few audios but not many.
Then I volunteered to serve on the AAYA (Amazing Audios for Young
Adults) Committee which reviews and critiques audios for teen and young adult librarians. The committee did not issue any awards for
the audios but created a list of thirty to fifty audios with the top ten
starred. Members of the committee would
receive between 250 to 500 titles. We
did a LOT of listening. I served on the
committee for three years. I can’t
believe how many books I was able to listen to while doing practically
everything. Plus, the joy a good
narrator and editor can really bring a story and its characters to the forefront. My favorite example of this is Jayne
Entwistle’s narrations of the Flavia de Luce mysteries by Alan Bradley. The personality she infuses into the characters
defines each one distinctly. I have
enjoyed everything she has narrated. She
has also won awards for her narrations.
Another favorite of mine is Kirby Heyborne. Heyborne records from his home. He has recorded so many titles from children’s
novels to adult. He is a natural when it comes to narrations. You would think that an author would be the
perfect narrator for their book. Not
so. I can only think of two that I can
personally recommend. One is Neal
Gaiman. He truly reflects the
personalities of his characters and knows what atmosphere to submerge his narration
to bring to the forefront the characteristics of his work. Another is Libba Bray who will have you
rolling on the floor with her narration of Beauty Queens. Bray doesn’t narrate all
her work. The very talented January
LaVoy narrates her Diviners series. If you are interested in trying out some
audiobooks but don’t want to listen to teen or young adult titles, I would
suggest looking up the Odyssey award for audios or when you search for a title,
look at where the reviews of the audio come from. Is it a professional journal, website or is
it a personal review? I would take a
personal review lightly. If you are apprehensive
and there is no professional review, some sales sites will allow you a sound
bite to listen to the narration. Another
good place to find out about audio titles, your library. Many librarians don’t have time to sit and
read and will listen on their commute. I would also recommend listening as a
family. Car trips are a perfect time to
enjoy a book together and have great discussions. I hope you’ll give listening
a try.
My babble about books here are entirely my own opinion, as any review should be viewed. I will never be snarky or rude. I believe there is a person for every book. I also encourage all who visit here to shop at your local bookstore and support your community.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
A
Word About ARCs
Please do not sell or purchase these from
booksellers. If you are lucky enough to
have a printed Advanced Reader’s Copy sent to you from the publisher, please
don’t abuse this privilege by selling it. I understand why many of the
publishers are relying on electronic ARCs as the print is costly and often
winds up on some bookseller’s shelf. I
personally prefer the printed ARCs. I
tend to get more into the story with a printed volume than the electronic one.
I prefer a bound book and will take breaks reading on my reader. I realize many bloggers, authors and
librarians get a lot of printed ARCs. I
know we did at the library. We used them
for prizes, reading programs, and reviews. When I was working with teens, we
used them for our book club. Often we use
them as incentives to get kids reading. I get upset when I see booksellers
selling these on Abebooks and other sites.
Please don’t purchase them. If
you don’t want to keep the copy, give it to a neighbor, a local library (they
don’t add them to the collection) or a local shelter. Shelters can always use
books. Be sure to advise them that the book is not to be sold. If push comes to shove, recycle it. Perhaps
it will become another ARC.
Though This Be Madness
by Penny Richards
Lilly Long strives to prove herself
at the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her
acting background has been beneficial but posing as a married working couple
with Cade McShane is not the direction she was hoping for. Since McShane is on thin ice with his
employers, he doesn’t express his displeasure being paired with the former
actress. However, the two soon put their
differences aside to figure out why the matriarch of the wealthy Fortenot
family suspects her granddaughter’s husband is up to no good. As the pair go about their day-to-day duties,
they begin to piece together a dark picture of voodoo, infidelity, and deceit.
Richards creates a realistic look at the
power men held over women, well into the late 19th century and the
deep seated traditions that drove the south.
Into the ugly realism of fabricated illness she adds the hierarchy the
privileged held over the less fortunate in their employ. To spice up the story
and break the intensity, Richards tosses in a little added spice of romantic
tension and adolescent shenanigans that bring this second installment of the
Lilly Long series to a nice simmer. A
good one to put on your To Read list.
ISBN:
978161496706041 Pub:
Kensington Pub Date:
Apr. 25, 2017
What the Dead Leave Behind
by Rosemary Simpson
Prudence McKenzie is no weak,
shrinking violet even though the death of her father left her grief stricken.
Now with the death of her fiancé she should be devastated but she is more
concerned with her stepmother’s attempts to ply her with laudanum. Prudence
knows Victoria’s after her father’s money but at what cost? What disturbs her more, is why her father
married Victoria in the first place? An
event as big as a blizzard and as small as a playing card will be the turning
point which will seal the path that young Prudence will set out on. With help
from her deceased fiancée’s friend and a beloved family friend, Prudence hopes
to bring Victoria’s true face to the society Victoria covets.
The practice of caregivers overstepping
their bounds is a well-known fact that is often told in tales of the late 19th,
early 20th centuries and let’s face it, 21st too. Women
often found themselves the victims to be legally removed from the picture by
schemers. Simpson takes the theme and
turns it around by giving Prudence a mind and steely disposition to take
matters into her own hands. Filled with
plot twists, nasty characters and a few heroes this book has some surprising
turns that many mystery lovers will not be able to predict. I was often
surprised by the direction Simpson took her story and was pleasantly surprised
to find myself thinking about this story. I hope we get to read more of
Prudence’s adventures.
I wish to thank the publisher for
their generosity of providing an advanced reader’s copy for my honest review.
ISBN: 9781496709080 Pub:
Kensington Pub Date: Apr. 25, 2017
Monday, April 24, 2017
Ararat
by Christopher Golden
An earthquake uncovers a cave on
Ararat. Visible within that cave are the remains of what many believe to be
Noah’s ark. Meryam and Adam are determined to be the first team in the cave
regardless of the horrid conditions on the mountain. As they begin the excavations they are not
prepared for what they find and soon discover they are not alone on the
mountain.
Don’t start this late at night or
during a blizzard. If you want to be up all night, ignore this warning. Golden has given us a white-knuckle ride
complete with a fully defined, diverse cast. This is
a quick read because you just can’t put it down. Leave yourself plenty of time,
not only to read but to reflect on what happens on that mountain.
ISBN: 9781250117052 Publisher: St Martins Pub Date:
April 18, 2017
Sherlock, anyone?
I know there are many fans of the
traditional adventures of Sherlock.
However, one of my favorite contemporary authors of the much beloved
character is Laurie R. King. However, bringing up Sherlock is a little misleading. The books are actually about someone else
with Sherlock as a secondary character. She starts her series of books with The
Beekeeper's Apprentice, and a happily retired Sherlock. King introduces us to
young Mary Russell. A very bright, inquisitive young woman who is living with
relatives after her parents have been killed. King's novels actually are a
study of young Mary and her tutorship conducted by Sherlock and look a their
building relationship. King takes great
care in her research and each novel has something different to offer. Never
believe that since Sherlock is older and retired and a secondary character that
he is slowing down. Their adventures are
exciting and dangerous. King's novels
will delight and entertain. She allows
us to accompany Mary and Sherlock all around the world in disguise and as known.
Her latest installment gives us a little background on dear Mrs. Hudson. For
me, The Murder of Mary Russell allows us a better look into the beloved
housekeeper and how she came to be such an important mainstay in their lives. As with all series, I have favorite titles and not so favorites. I encourage anyone who loves good literary
novels that include a little suspense to please pick up these books. I don't
think you will be disappointed.
Tightening the Threads
by Lea Wait
by Lea Wait
Sarah Byrne has asked her friend,
Angie Curtis, to help at a family gathering at the home of her friend and newly
discovered uncle, Ted Lawrence. The moral support will be much needed when Ted
announces to the family changes he has made to his will with inclusion of his
new niece. Tempers rise faster than the tide and so does the body count. Angie
has her hands full when she is approached by one of the suspects to
investigate.
There are some series that feel
comfortable from the first installment. That is the way I felt when I read
Twisted Threads, the first in this series.
Wait’s characters are a delight and could be neighbors or family, all
members of the Mainely Needelpoint group, you are able to quickly bond with
them making you care about their well-being.
She gives each one a rich back story from the author of erotica to the
high school teacher with the poison garden. The storylines are suspenseful and
well plotted. This is the fifth in the series and it just gets stronger and
more intriguing. Each installment has
been a delight and this one doesn’t disappoint.
I thank the publisher for generously
providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.
ISBN:
9781496706287 Pub: Kensington Books Pub Date:
03/28/2017
Kale to the Queen
by Nell HamptonSuffering from jetlag, Chef Carrie Ann Cole begins her second day as personal family chef to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor a bit early. Already on edge from moving to a different country, leaving her boyfriend of six years, and working for the royal family, Chef Cole’s life is about to get more challenging when she discovers a body in the greenhouse. Chef Cole is about to be tested beyond her cooking skills.
Though not personally familiar with
the workings of the royal residence, this book feels well researched and
authentic. Hampton has created a
likeable protagonist in Chef Cole and you easily sympathize with the challenges
she faces as she makes her way in a new job, in a new country. Carrie Ann’s
efforts to succeed and to fit in will be embraced by readers. The other characters are together likable and
dislikable. The addition of a few
recipes at the end is a bonus. This is a delightful first installment and I, as
well as many others, will be waiting for the next one. Well done!
I wish to thank the generosity of the
publisher for providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy for my honest review.
ISBN: 9781683311041 PUB:
Crooked Lane Books PUB
DATE: April 11, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
Mister Memory
by Marcus Sedgwick
At the heart of this marvelous tale we are introduced to Marcel Després. Marcel remembers every detail of every day of his life. Every detail. So why are the details of the murder of his wife different than the details of the police reports? After all, he should remember, he was the shooter. Why did the Prefect have Marcel moved to the asylum? He admitted to the shooting. He should be going to the guillotine or at least to one of the prison islands to spend his life doing ‘hard time’ and die there.
by Marcus Sedgwick
At the heart of this marvelous tale we are introduced to Marcel Després. Marcel remembers every detail of every day of his life. Every detail. So why are the details of the murder of his wife different than the details of the police reports? After all, he should remember, he was the shooter. Why did the Prefect have Marcel moved to the asylum? He admitted to the shooting. He should be going to the guillotine or at least to one of the prison islands to spend his life doing ‘hard time’ and die there.
Wow! This is a very complex tapestry using many threads to complete the whole story. Often you may wonder where each thread is leading. As you wonder about these threads, you suddenly realize they have wrapped you up so tightly you cannot put the book down until you can stand back and see the entire tapestry his words have created. This novel is a literary wonder of suspense that will take you back to the bawdy, wild days of Paris at the turn of the 19th century. I would highly recommend this book to any reader who loves a deep detailed suspense. Sedgwick has authored several titles for teens. He is the winner of YALSA’s 2014 Printz Award for Midwinterblood. This title would be appropriate for the older teens or New Adult. If you have teens who are more mature and tend to read up this might just fit the bill for them. There is a reason this is for adult readers.
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 9781681773407 PUB: Pegasus Books Book BD: 03/07/20
Sunday, April 16, 2017
A Word About Seth Grahame-Smith
Any of you out there actually read
Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Slayer or Pride Prejudice and Zombies? I’m not talking about seeing the movies. Everyone knows that if there was a book
before the movie, the book is better.
Now granted, many die hard Jane Austen fans were a bit putout with Grahame-Smith’s
mash up of Pride and Prejudice. However,
if you read the book, you know he stayed true to Austen’s novel and just moved
a few things around to fit in the zombies.
He does a wonderful job of mixing in the elements of supernatural into
the realistic realm. These elements are
not aggrandized nor take over the story.
They are artfully woven into the story and blend in as if these events
happened, these beings actually existed.
As you read about the life of Abraham Lincoln, the way Grahame-Smith
weaves in the paranormal elements into Lincoln’s life you begin to feel that
perhaps this could have happened. In his
newest venture in the life of the vampires, his latest tells Henry Sturges’s
story. I like Henry. He is a vampire
with a heart and morals. Odd mix for a monster. The Last American Vampire is an
artful look at how these supernatural creatures could be an asset to a
government. It is a very interesting look at history as Grahame-Smith writes
it. I recommend picking them up.
Genre: Historical/Supernatural
Friday, April 14, 2017
Book Talkin'
Readers know what they like and most know how to get
it. However, there are times when you
are talking with friends or strangers that a possible new discovery can
surface. Whether it is a great stand alone or a possible, yet undiscovered
series, I am always ready for a recommended title. I always appreciate finding
a series with characters I can relate to and become interested. I really miss
sitting outside the library’s story time room and talking with the moms. I have discovered some great reads in the
weekly exchange of book talks. As it
happens, often we read and have read many of the same titles and spend the thirty
minutes having a great time talking about the story, protagonist, and
author. One of my favorite
recommendations from a mom is the Sebastian St. Cyr mysteries by C. S.
Harris. The first title in the series is
What Angels Fear. The setting is during Regency England and Sebastian is the
unlikely heir of the St. Cyr family. He
is, of course, a bit of a rogue but he is extremely intelligent and quick
witted. As a rule, I don’t usually read
books that delve into the politics of court or governments. However, I have
found that Harris is amazingly talented in weaving the politics around a more
detailed plot which, at its heart, is more important. Harris is one of those
authors not afraid of throwing a wrench in the works and shuffling the
cards. I am never disappointed in the
additions to this series and look forward to each installment. This series certainly does not fit into the
cozy genre of mysteries.
Harris is releasing a new stand alone on December 1st. Good Time Coming is a coming of age story, of
loss and survival and the hardships the women and children suffered when left
alone during the hardships of the Civil War.
It touches on the good and evil that is within us all and often shows
itself when we are put dire situations.
I haven’t read this yet. At my
age I have difficulty reading about man’s inhumanity to man. We see so much of
it on television and read about it in the newspaper that when it comes to me
sitting down to read I often want something softer. (I know, murder mysteries?
Right?) From the reviews I have read,
Harris does a great job telling this story. At some point, I will make myself
pick it up. If you’ve read it, let me
know. I would like to hear what you
think of it.
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