Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Sound Recommendations

Happy Monday! I hope your part of the world had the same turn in the weather as mine did. My heat is finally completely turned off, I planted some seeds, I cleaned up part of the yard, and I started to set up the deck. Yeah, I'm pretty much wiped out!

Oh and we're now officially eating outside again! Lunch and dinner on the deck or porch from now until it gets too cold in the fall. Well, maybe not tonight (Sunday), because it's raining and blowing like crazy, and even the porch is wet. Sigh.

As for television, at this moment we're all about The Game of Thrones finale, which will have already aired by the time you read this.

What I'm Reading Now

Because I traveled last Monday and then did all those chores getting ready for summer, I didn't have a lot of print reading time. I am, however, currently in the middle of two really good books.

• The first is The Book of Jeremiah by Julie Zuckerman (Press 53, May 3). I'm enjoying this novel, told in stories, which explores the life of a Jewish man over the course of 80 years, starting in the early 1930s. Thus the book, in turn, focuses on what it meant to be Jewish in the twentieth century. Each story is a snapshot in Jeremiah's life, but there are connecting threads. I'll have more on this book next Monday, if all goes well and I have time to finish it. (copy provided by the publicist)
• The second is W. Michael Gear's Pariah (Daw, May 14). This is the third entry in the science-fiction Donovan series, which is about a group of people from Earth who are trying to establish an outpost on a distant planet. The story has themes of colonization, new beginnings, changing cultural and social rules, and interplanetary contact. In this installment, new characters have been introduced and familiar characters have grown and changed. I'm still enjoying the action and the premise. Again, hope to have a review next Monday. (copy provided by the publisher)

What I Listened to Last Week

Last week was so full of chores and catch-up that, as I said, I didn't really have much time to sit down and read. Once again, I'm so grateful for audiobooks. I finished three audiobooks last week, one of which kept us company on our long car trip to see my mom for Mother's Day Weekend. More on first two auidobooks will be available through AudioFile magazine.

• Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson (Harper Audio; May 5, 10 hr, 15 min) is narrated almost entirely by Sophie Amoss, but Graham Halstead performs three chapters. I enjoyed this thriller, which involves a bipolar artist who thinks she's solved a cold case murder, but because of her illness, she is not taken very seriously. Is she mentally stable or is undergoing a manic episode? This was a twisty thriller, which fooled me almost to the very end. Amoss's characterizations and pacing held my interest, and Halstead provided an added creepy dimension. (audio copy for a freelance assignment; print copy from the publisher)
• Inheritance Tracks by Catherine Aird (Blackstone Audio; April 16; 6 hr, 48 min) is narrated by Derek Perkins. This is the 25th installment in the Sloan and Crosby series, and though I'm sure I would have picked up on more inside jokes if I had listened to this series from the beginning, I truly didn't feel lost or that I was missing out. A surprise inheritance for a group of strangers, a missing person, several murders, and too many fingers in the pie made for a fun mystery that is mostly cozy, though stars a British police detective and his not-too-bright sidekick. Perkins nailed the characters' personalities, kept the dialogue flowing, and made the humor shine. (copy for a freelance assignment)

The Thicket by Joe R. Landsdale (Hachette Audio; 10 hr, 20 min; Sept. 2013) is narrated by Will Collyer. If you can believe it, I've been staring at an ARC of this book since 2013 (provided by Mulholland). I knew from the cover (yes, I'm shallow) and from the premise that this would be my kind of book. When I heard the novel was being made into a movie starring Peter Dinklage, I decided I'd better read it quick. As it turned out, Mr. BFR had the same thought and snagged my print copy. But, thanks to Hachette Audio, I was able to download the audiobook, and our marriage was saved (ha, ha).

Set in turn-of-the-twentieth-century rural east Texas, this engrossing coming-of-age story shines a light on the dying days of the Old West: men can still be shot down at high noon, but the sheriff now has a telephone on his desk, the whore house has electricity, and the bad guys can steal a car as easily as they can steal a horse. When their preacher grandfather decides to take 17-year-old Jack and his younger sister, Lula, to Kansas to live with their aunt, the trip goes wrong almost from the beginning. Jack, a farmer at heart, finds himself on a desperate mission to rescue Lula, who's been kidnapped by bank robbers. With no one else to turn to, he relies on a black gravedigger, a well-read bounty-hunter dwarf, and an ex-prostitute. As the group tracks the outlaws, Jack sees the way of the world and the dark hearts of humankind, but he also discovers his own character.

This was my first experience with Will Collyer (I think), and I was completely drawn in by his performance. His solid characterizations, his respect for the author's style and word choice, and his good sense of timing added to my connection to this novel. Highly recommended in print or audio.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Sound Recommendations

Last week started out lazily but ended up being full of errands and appointments. We did manage to get in a longish hike on Saturday and a good walk on Sunday, taking advantage of the cooler weather.

The farmers' markets are bursting with all kinds of wonderful fruits and vegetables as we get into the peak of the growing season. The peaches are outstanding this year and I've made peach cake and peach cobbler already (sharing most with neighbors and family) and plan to make some jam or chutney this coming week. I also hope to put up some brandy peaches to enjoy at Christmas.

I finished Lockdown by Laurie R. King (Bantam, June13). The novel interweaves the characters' background stories with a minute-by-minute account of how a routine career day at a California middle school went horribly wrong. We know from the start that the day isn't going to turn out pretty, but we don't know the details or the perpetrator of violence: Everyone, it seems, has a secret past or is harboring a grudge. While this wasn't my favorite King novel, I liked the structure and pacing of the story, and it wasn't all that easy to figure out how it was going to end. The unabridged audiobook (Recorded Books; 10 hr, 43 min) was read by Pilar Witherspoon. Although she kept my attention, I was not a fan of her style of delivery (odd pauses, for example) and her characterizations could have been stronger. On the other hand, her Spanish accent seemed authentic. If you're curious about the book, I suggest reading it in print. (My full audiobook review will be available at AudioFile magazine.)

I also listened to The Address by Fiona Davis (Dutton, August 1). One of the principal characters in this novel is the famous Dakota apartment building in New York City. The book is told in two time periods: first in the late 1800s, when the building was built, and second in the 1980s, a few years after John Lennon's assassination. Each story line features a troubled but smart woman trying to make her own way in the world. I really liked the way Davis connected the two woman, presented the details about the Dakota and its history, and brought each time period alive. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 11 hr, 42 min) was read by Saskia Maarleveld and Brittany Pressley. Each narrator took a different time period, and I was impressed with how smoothly their performances blended together. They were equally skilled at characterizations, accents, and pacing. Recommended audiobook. (My full audiobook review will be available at AudioFile magazine.)

I also finished Caitlin Hamilton Summie's story collection To Lay to Rest Our Ghosts and the audiobook of What She Ate by Laura Shapiro. I'll be writing about these books later in the week.

What I Watched

If you get HBO and aren't watching their documentaries, you are missing out on some of the best viewing available on television. This week, we watched the HBO documentary Diana, Our Mother: Her Life and Legacy, in which her sons and others close to her (no Charles or the queen), reminisce about her personality, her life as a mother, and her work with charities and other causes. I thought it was very well done, with little overblown emotionalism and lots of focus on Diana's connection with everyday people in the UK and around the world and especially her work with AIDS patients and the victims of land mines. This is well worth your time. (65 minutes; produced and directed by Ashley Gething, with HBO)

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Sound Recommendations: 3 Great Audiobooks

Sam Shepard's novel The One Inside (with a foreword by Patti Smith; Knopf) is definitely not for everyone. I am a big Shepard fan and have enjoyed his short stories and plays. His novel is mostly the musings of an aging actor, whose thoughts often take him to three women who were instrumental in his life (one from his childhood, his ex-wife, and a more recent questionable relationship) but also to his dogs, his father, and the desert southwest. There isn't much plot, but the language is sparse and vivid, often reminiscent of stage directions. I'm not quite sure what I think of the book as a whole, but it was interesting and different (mostly in a good way). The unabridged audiobook (Random House Audio; 4 hr, 31 min) was brilliantly read by Bill Pullman. His expression, emotional level, and pacing were a perfect match for the book, and I was especially impressed at his ability to emphasize the poetry of the prose. Patti Smith reads her own foreword. A highly recommended audiobook, but I'm not sure the book itself is for everyone. I'm also not crazy about the cover. For more on the audiobook, see my review at AudioFile magazine.

Michael J. Sullivan's Heir of Novron (Orbit) was a great ending to the Riyria Revelations trilogy. Sullivan got stronger as the series progressed, with more complex plotting and deeper history to his world. I really love the characters and could barely stop listening. The story has a lot of action plus betrayals, love, friendships, death, and a few twists. These books are (if I have my subgenres correct) high fantasy, and while there are elves, dwarves, and magic, the themes are universal: power struggles, prejudice, politics, organized religion vs. other beliefs, class differences, and war. I would be extra sad about finishing the trilogy, but Sullivan also wrote the Riyria Chronicles (three books and three novellas) and is publishing (at good clip) a new series, Legends of the First Empire. Many hours of great listening ahead! I was so taken with these books, I also bought them in print so I can reread sections and study the maps. The unabridged audiobook (Recorded Books; 31 hr, 49 min) was read by Tim Gerard Reynolds, who narrated the previous books. He is fabulous at characterizations, keeps the tension going, and brings just the right amount of drama -- and humor -- to his performance. I recommend this series.

Elizabeth Strout's Anything Is Possible (Random House) won't be published until later this month, but I've already listened to the audiobook. The book is billed as a novel, but is, as you might expect, really a series of linked stories that take us back to the same world as My Name Is Lucy Barton, which is small-town Illinois. The overriding themes are family -- marriage, parenthood, childhood, adulthood -- and the human experience, which includes love, insecurities, struggles, friendship, loss, and self-doubt. The smallest of encounters can change the course of a life, and no matter your circumstances, don't stop dreaming, because anything is, indeed, possible. You don't have to have read Lucy Barton to read Strout's newest. The two books don't make up a series or a continuation in a strict sense; and Anything Is Possible is a solid standalone. The unabridged audiobook (Random House Audio; 8 hr, 25 min) is sensitively read by Kimberly Farr. Farr's understated performance melts into the background, allowing the strength of Strout's writing take center stage. This is an audiobook you can get lost in. My full audiobook review will be available from AudioFile magazine, but here's the spoiler: put this on your wish list.

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Sound Recommendations: 3 Fantasies for Fall Listening

If you follow me on Litsy, then you already know I've been listening up a storm these days. Here are three fantasies that came to me through my earbuds.

N. K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season belongs in that category called: Why the heck didn't I listen to this one sooner? On the other hand, perhaps my timing is perfect seeing as book 2 is already available. I almost passed this by because I heard it described as science fiction, which doesn't always sit well with me. And, yeah, okay, it does have sci-fi elements, but there is also fantasy, deep history, a unique world, and interesting beings, some of whom eat stones and others who can control energy (called orogenes). The story is told in three linked threads: a young girl who is taken from her home so her gifts for manipulating energy can be trained by the government; a young adult who is ordered to breed with a man who is one of the strongest orogenes; and a slightly older woman who is in search of her daughter who was kidnapped. How their stories intertwine and what they have to do with the future of earth lured me in, but the deeper themes -- such as prejudice, gender roles, parenting, and government authority -- and the unique universe are what completely won me over. Audiobook: Narrator Robin Miles does a brilliant job with the wide range of emotions and excellent pacing. One of Miles's talents is her ability to fade into the background, so the performance immerses you in the story seamlessly. I found it very difficult to turn off the book. (Hachette Audio; 15 hr, 31 min)

 Frostborn by Lou Anders is the first in the Thrones & Bones series, geared to a middle grade audience. This world consists of giants, dragons, trolls, humans, and other beings and seems to have a kind of Scandinavian feel to it. There are good guys and bad guys and family issues and friendships and a little magic. In the human realm, the ability to play board games, including one called Thrones & Bones, is a highly regarded skill and one of our young heroes wants to leave his family farm to become a game player. In the giant realm, a young girl is having trouble fitting in because her mother was human and others tease her for her mixed heritage. There is good humor and a promise of action and adventure. I can't tell you more because I had to bail on the audiobook. I think younger listeners would really enjoy Fabio Tassone's narration, but for me it was too over the top, too theatrical. I could have lived with that, but Tassone's performance didn't allow me to form my own opinions; his voice heavily signaled emotional cues, such as this is funny, this is scary, and this is sad. While I enjoy and, in fact, appreciate an expressive performance, I want to decide for myself when it's time to laugh. I'm going to pick this book up again in print. (Listening Library; 8 hr, 40 min)

Kendare Blake's Three Dark Crowns takes place in an island nation, hidden by the mists from the mainland (which is what the people call the rest of the world). Every generation the reigning queen gives birth to triplet girls, who each shine in a particular form of deep magic. When the sisters are about six, they are separated and raised by foster families who can help the girls develop their unique skills. On their sixteenth birthdays, the triplets are reunited in ceremony that sets them on the path to murder; only one of the girls will survive to become the next queen. I loved this world and the stories of these sisters, each with her own talent (controlling the elements, poisons, and nature). The girls are raised to accept their fate, but they don't all have the same attitude. One seems to be reluctant to kill; two think their powers aren't strong enough; one tries to run away. They all have friends (boys and girls), mentors, and some kind of relationship with the ruling church and powerful families. There is quite a lot to like here and a couple of surprises (some of which you may figure out early, but that won't hurt the story). Audiobook: Narrator Amy Landon kept my attention throughout with her thoughtful characterizations, nice pacing, and sensitive level of drama. My only issue with the audiobook is that sometimes it took me a moment to register that the point of view had switched to a different sister. But this was minor, and I can still recommend the audiobook without hesitation. (Harper Audio; 9 hr, 52 min)

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Sound Recommendations: 4 Summer Audiobooks

Catching up with some short reviews today, all in my current summer favorites of fantasy and thriller.

Parents, Watch Your Children

• What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan: I'm not sure why I held off on reading this much-buzzed book. It is a very well done thriller about a young boy who goes missing after getting permission from his mom to run ahead to a playground. The story is told from multiple viewpoints and different times. Macmillan did a good job with how both traditional media and social media can quickly move from sympathetic to vicious. I was particularly drawn to the male detective and how the case affected him. The audiobook was read by Penelope Rawlins and Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, who kept my attention throughout; I had a hard time turning off the book! (Harper Audio; 12 h, 2 min; print: William Morrow, December 2015)
• The Couple Next Door by Shari Lepena: I didn't realize when I started this audiobook that it was going to be another missing child story, although the circumstances here are different. When Anne and Marco's baby-sitter cancels last minute, the couple decides to have dinner with the neighbors anyway. They set up the baby monitor and take turns checking on the baby every half hour, but when they get home at 1:00 a.m., their daughter's crib is empty. This is a good twisty thriller with a small cast. I was completely caught up in working out exactly who did what and why. I didn't really like any of the characters (except maybe the detective), but I don't think we are meant to like them. The audiobook was read by Kirsten Potter, who set the mood and picked up on the characters' personalities. (Penguin Audio, 8 hr, 40 min; Pamela Dorman, August 23, 2016)

Visit a Fantasy World

• Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson: I loved Pearson's Jenna Fox dystopian books, so decided it was a safe bet to try her fantasy series (the third installment is out this fall). The story features Lia, a princess who doesn't want either the position or the arranged marriage that goes with it. She runs away to start a new life as a peasant girl, but two boys are tracking her. One an assassin and the other her intended husband. For the first two-thirds of the book, neither Lia nor we know which boy is which--very clever.  I give the book 4 stars for characters and world building, but the audiobook, read by Emily Rankin, was only so-so. I have no real complaints, I just wasn't wowed. (Listening Library, 13 hr, 31 min; Henry Holt, July 2014) 
• Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan: Why oh why haven't I read Sullivan before? I loved, loved, loved this book and its creatures, people, and politics. The story has many familiar epic fantasy elements, but there are enough twists so not everything is predictable. Excellent world building and relatable, flawed characters plus a terrific mix of fantasy and reality (including war and racial tensions). I can't wait for the next book, but in the meantime I'm going to read Sullivan's other books set in the same world but in a different time period. It took me a little bit to get into Tim Gerard Reynolds's performance of the audiobook, but then it clicked, and I devoured it, enjoying his pacing and expressive narration. (Recorded Books, 16 hr, 35 min; Del Rey, June 2016)

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Sound Recommendations: 4 Audiobooks for Summer Listening

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler: This novel is a frank and sometimes graphic look at the life of a woman backwaiter in an upscale Manhattan restaurant. I loved this book, which earns its authenticity from the author's own work experiences in New York. Alex McKenna's performance was brilliant, picking up on the lead character's complex personality and the loss of her Midwestern naivete after being immersed in the tough restaurant culture. (Random House Audio; 12 hr, 24 min)

Everybody's Fool by Richard Russo: I'm stealing part of this brief review from my Litsy post: Author Richard Russo + narrator Mark Bramhall = marriage made in auidobook heaven. I loved revisiting North Bath, New York, and seeing how Sully and friends were getting on. Russo's spot-on humor and amazing ability to draw us into his characters' stories makes him one of my favorite authors. Bramhall's work on this novel is not to be missed. (Random House Audio; 18 hr, 52 min)

Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater: Thank God Will Patton was able to return to narrate the final installment in the Raven Cycle series. I can't imagine anyone could do a better job on these books. As for the book itself . . . sob that we're saying good-bye to Blue, Gansey, and the rest, but put me in the camp of loving this series and this conclusion. Stiefvater pulled at our emotions as we rooted for the relationships among the friends and the future of their dream worlds. (Scholastic Audio; 11 hr, 51 min)

The Girl in the Well Is Me by Karen Rivers: This is a contemporary story of what happens to an eleven-year-old girl after she falls down a well and must count on the class mean girls to go for help. I loved Kammie's thoughts and the ultimate positive messages of the book. Narrator Michele O. Medlin is fantastic. Her voice was believably youthful and so engaging that I couldn't stop listening. This would make a great family listen for a road trip. (Recorded Books; 4 hr, 30 min)

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Sound Recommendations: Audiobook Hits & Misses

I Was Really Very Hungry: A Portrait of M. F. K. Fisher is a collection of Fisher's writings that was adapted for the theater by Kelly Nespor for L.A. Theatre Works. Fisher, if you don't know, was one of the original food writers, and if you are familiar with her work, you'll recognize many of the scenes compiled here. The audiobook is a recording of the theater production and is read by a full cast, headed by Anne Archer as Fisher. All the actors, and especially Archer, captured the personalities of characters, giving the production a believable emotional depth. The pieces making up this audiobook are linked by their focus on the many types of appetites, such as hunger, sex, love, and ambition. The audiobook production is well done and maintains the theater feel by retaining the audience's reaction to the stage play. Probably best suited for Fisher's fans.

Love, Loss, and What We Ate is a memoir written and narrated by Padma Lakshmi. I normally shy away from author-read audiobooks, but I had confidence that Lakshmi's television experience would make her a good narrator. I was right, and it was pleasure to hear her read her own story. I was interested in her journey from India to America and from model to food television fame. And, of course, I was curious about her marriage to Salman Rushdie. Lakshmi's performance is relaxed and conversational, making you feel as if you were listening to a friend talk about her life. Besides a little celebrity gossip, Lakshmi frankly shares her issues with infertility and endometriosis, giving this memoir broad appeal.

Reign of Shadows by Sophie Jordan is a sort of mashup of dystopian fiction and the fairy tale "Rapunzel." I know, sounds really weird, but the story kind of worked. The characters were good, the love story had some depth, and the action scenes were vivid, but the overall world-building was lacking. In addition, the characters sometimes acted in unbelievable ways (a blind girl found her way through an unfamiliar forest, for example). Still, the performances by Phoebe Strole and James Fouhey were well done and emphasized the differences between the two main characters. Listen to this if you are a fan of fairy tale retellings or zombie stories, otherwise I think you'll be safe to pass on it.

I like Roy Blount Jr. and I like food writing, so Save Room for Pie seemed like a good match for me. The audiobook is a compilation of essays in which Blount talks about dishes from his childhood, eating local, raising chickens, and going fishing, among other topics. The stories are mostly amusing and are read by Blount himself, who has years of experience behind the mic. I particularly liked the contrasts between his Southern upbringing and his current New England life, especially in terms of how he eats. Although the subtitle of the book is "Food Songs and Chewy Ruminations," there is no singing. Unfortunately I can't quite recommend this wholeheartedly. The performance was fine, but I began to tire of the stories by the end of the audiobook. If you're curious, I suggest listening to this a piece or two at time, perhaps on your commute.

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Sound Recommendations: Audiobooks for Spring Listening

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben: Coben is known for creating tense and twisty thrillers, and fans will like this standalone novel about the investigation of a high-profile New York City murder. Iraq War veteran Maya Burkett, already suffering from PTSD, was the only witness to her husband's death. Despite her frail psyche, she seems determined to help find the shooter. The deeper she digs, however, the more secrets she uncovers, making her question how well she knew her husband. I had a few issues with the way the clues were revealed, but otherwise I enjoyed the book. Audiobook: January LaVoy's expressive performance and good pacing make this a recommended audiobook (Brilliance; 10 hr, 5 min).

The Widow by Fiona Barton: This multilayered mystery/thriller involves the investigation of the disappearance of a little girl from her suburban London garden. Told from several viewpoints, the story touches on issues of marriage, ambition, parenthood, the press, and child pornography. Despite the difficult subject, I liked this novel all the way up to the end. To avoid spoilers, I'll just say I thought there were some unrealistic aspects to the last chapter. Audiobook: Narrators Hannah Curtis and Nicholas Guy Smith head the cast of this audiobook. Each performer captured the personality of his or her character, keeping my attention throughout. Don't hesitate to listen (Penguin Audio; 10 hr, 24 min).

The Madwoman Upstairs by Catherine Lowell: I can't say enough good things about this novel centered on a kind of literary treasure hunt trough modern-day Oxford and the books of the Bronte family. It was just plain fun to read about the trials and tribulations of Samantha Whipple, last surviving Bronte descendant. Between rising above her unconventional upbringing, dealing with people from her late-father's past, and discovering her own passions, Samantha has one heck of a first year at college. Audiobook: Narrator Katie Koster couldn't have done a better job portraying Samantha and tapping into the soul of this novel. Truly a don't-miss audiobook (Blackstone; 11 hr, 52 min).

NOTE: My full audiobook reviews of these titles will be available through AudioFile magazine.

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Sound Recommendations: 3 Late Winter Novels

I'm sure Julia Claiborne Johnson's Be Frank with Me would be great in print, but it is absolutely fabulous in audio. Basic plot & thoughts: A reclusive single-book author is forced to churn out another best-seller before her money runs out. Her New York editor sends Alice, a recent college graduate, to California to be her personal assistant and help out with her son, Frank, who has a form of Asperger syndrome. Alice rarely sees her boss, but becomes 9-year-old Frank's constant companion and gets to know the handyman/piano teacher as well. Much charm and mayhem ensues. Audio: In narrator Tavia Gilbert's expert hands, Frank is the runaway star of the audiobook (Harper Audio; 8 hr, 37 min). Her performance is completely brilliant, and you'll soon forget that there's only one narrator. Recommendation: Do not miss this audiobook; I see many awards in its future.

Even an admirable performance couldn't save Alexander Chee's The Queen of the Night for me. Basic plot & thoughts: World-famous opera singer Lilliet Berne has a secret past that is getting more and more difficult to hide and a controlling ex-lover who is getting harder and harder to escape. The plot was almost painfully slow, and I didn't care enough about any of the characters to either hate or love them. The late-19th-century period details were lovely but not enough to keep me interested. On the other hand, opera buffs will probably like the parts that focus on composers, the life of a professional singer, and the operas themselves. Audio: Narrator Lisa Flanagan handled the many needed European accents with good skill, and her performance was expressive and engaging (Blackstone Audio; 19 hr, 6 min). Recommendation: Unless you are a true opera fan, I'd pass on this one.

I could barely bring myself to stop listening to Sonya Hartnett's brilliant Golden Boys. Basic plot & thoughts: This is a coming-of-age story set in a small Australian town in the early 1980s about two 12-year-olds--Freya Kiley from a large, struggling Catholic family, and Colt Jenson, the well-off new kid on the block--and their families and friends. There is so much to love about this disturbingly authentic look at what happens when adolescents begin to see their parents for who they really are, flaws and all. In particular, Harnett nails children's neighborhood friendships, the one's formed more by proximity than by true commonalities. The novel sheds light on a couple of tough issues and their effects on families. My only complaint is the ambiguous ending. Audio: I was impressed with narrator David Vatousios's ability to tap in to the characters' personalities and to keep the tension humming right to the end (Bolinda; 7 hr, 2 min). Recommendation: Highly recommended in either print or audio.

Note: My full audiobook reviews of these titles are available through AudioFile magazine.

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Sound Recommendations: An Eclectic Trio

In The Lost Landscape, a series of interlinked essays, Joyce Carol Oates recalls her family, childhood, and youth and the pivotal events that influenced her worldview and development as an author. Many pieces are set in rural upstate New York, where Oates grew up, revealing not only the charm of such a life (Oates attended a one-room elementary school) but the ugly side as well (such as a neighbor's abusive father). The essays embrace a broad emotional range, including the wonderment at obtaining her first library card, the almost unbearable stress of graduate school, and the devastation of losing a parent. Narrator Cassandra Campbell puts in a near-flawless performance, creating an intimacy between the listener and Oates's carefully crafted prose. Although I'm sure The Lost Landscape is wonderful in print, I highly recommend reading it with your ears. (Ecco, 2015, ISBN: 9780062408679)

The Girl from the Garden by Parnaz Foroutan is a multilayered novel about three generations of women in a well-to-do Jewish Iranian family living in Karmanshah in the early twentieth century. The story focuses on the interplay of family dynamics, cultural and religious expectations, and the women's personalities and dreams. The primary drama involves power struggles within the household and the women's conflicted feelings about fulfilling (or not) their duties to their husbands and to God. With its beautiful descriptions of a bygone era and its additional themes of jealousy, motherhood, fertility, self-identity, and independence (or lack thereof), Foroutan's thought-provoking novel would be a terrific book club selection. Narrator Lameece Issaq's animated performance and native-sounding accents enrich the novel; however, periodic unexpected pauses pull the listener out of the story. (Ecco, 2015, ISBN: 9780062388384)

The stories collected in Tatiana de Rosnay's A Paris Affair are linked only by theme: Each is set in Paris and explores marriage, cheating, and getting caught. The affairs and their ramifications run the gamut of emotions, such as revenge, anger, humor, pragmatism, remorse, and surprise. The bulk of the stories are told from a woman's perspective, and the collection explores both sides; sometimes the protagonist is the cheater and sometimes he or she is the victim. Despite the focus on adultery, the collection is entertaining, although some of the pieces seemed slightly underdeveloped and even predictable. Polly Stone is the primary narrator for the audiobook. Her French accents are spot-on, and she nicely captures the characters' personalities. Simon Vance reads the few stories told from a male viewpoint, and his performance projects the mood and pace of de Rosnay's prose. (St. Martin's, 2015, ISBN: 9781250068804)

Note: The original versions of these reviews--which specifically address the narrators' performances--can be found on the AudioFile magazine website. Reworked and posted with permission.

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Sound Recommendations: A Mixed Pair

In her most recent collection of personal essays, Anchor & Flares, Kate Braestrup talks about the emotional roller coaster of watching her children become young adults and choose their own life paths. Along with thoughts on her personal life and a variety of related topics, Braestrup takes us into her professional world, where she is a chaplain to the Maine [game] Warden Service. Although her faith informs her worldview, Braestrup is not a proselytizer, and her musings cover a wide range, including the exemplary record of the Danes during World War II, talking with the families of accident victims, and her anticipation of the birth of her first grandchild. This is one of the rare cases in which I can wholeheartedly recommend an author-narrated audiobook. As I said in AudioFile magazine, "Braestrup's sincere compassion for others, love and respect for her family, and easy sense of humor color her delivery, inviting listeners into her world." (Hachette Audio; 8 hr, 55 min)

Sarah Vaughan's The Art of Baking Blind introduces us to the five finalist in a British national baking contest. The winner will become the new Mrs. Eaden (think: Betty Crocker), the face of a popular supermarket chain. The chapters alternate among the main characters, each of whom has entered the contest for a unique reason. Woven throughout the modern-day story are diary entries written in the 1960s by the original Mrs. Eaden, who was the wife of the supermarket's founder. All the contestants are facing a personal crisis or a turning point in their lives, the resolution of which hinges on how well they do in the bake-off. Narrator Julie Barrie captures each character's personality and her pronunciation of the many cooking terms gives her performance an authentic feel. Listeners who are very sensitive to swallowing and breathing noises may be bothered, but the rest of us will find the audiobook to be a light, enjoyable escape. Warning: You may start craving a Victoria sponge or perhaps some scones. (Macmillan audio; 13 hr, 18 min)

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Sound Recommendations: Year-End Blitz, Part II

This is part two of a year-end Sound Recommendations blitz. Check out Friday's post for part one.

Set in the Scottish Highlands, M. C. Beaton's Hamish Macbeth series makes for fun, light escape reading. In Death of an Addict, the fifteenth installment, Hamish is investigating both a sea monster sighting and the alleged murder of a recovering drug addict. Worried that his beloved Highlands are becoming a staging point for a European drug cartel, Hamish goes undercover to get at the heart of the matter. Although he still has enemies in the police force in Strathbane, he accepts help from Detective Inspector Olivia Chater who is currently stationed in Glasgow. This adventure gives Hamish new experiences, including a trip to Amsterdam. Through it all, Hamish remains steadily unambitious, although he might be turning the corner in the love department. The unabridged audiobook edition I listened to (Recorded Books; 6 hr, 7 min) was read by the wonderful Davina Porter. I love her characterizations and Scottish accent. Frankly, I'd listen to almost anything she narrated. I noticed that there's another production of this book. I can't speak for that one, but I can wholeheartedly recommend Porter's version.

Heir of Fire, by Sarah J. Maas, takes the Throne of Glass series to a new level. Although I had mixed feelings about the first book, Maas gets stronger with each installment of her fantasy series. (I'm going to assume you've read the first two books.) Celaena, still grieving over the death of her friend, has been sent across the sea to murder the king's enemies. While there, she learns some surprising things about herself, her family, and the true nature of her sovereign. Meanwhile, back at Wendlyn, Chaol and Dorian are still at odds with each other and especially with their fathers (for different reasons); each must make a tough, life-altering decision. Heir of Fire introduces new characters, puts familiar faces on new paths, and fills in some of the gaps of the deeper history of Celaena's world. Lots of action and surprises. I could barely stop listening at some points. The unabridged audiobook (Audible Studios for Bloomsbury; 20 hr, 18 min) was read by Elizabeth Evans. She does a fine job setting the pace, building the tension, and maintaining her characterizations. I hope she returns for the final three books in the series.

Brian Morton's Florence Gordon made many people's best-of-2014 lists. Tough-as-nails, feminist writer Florence Gordon has always lived her life on her own terms. She does not suffer fools gladly. In the summer of her seventy-fifth year, her son (now a Seattle policeman of all things), his wife (an academic psychologist), and their daughter (taking a year off college) are temporarily in New York and in Florence's life. Told from different viewpoints, the novel examines aging, independence, marriage, fame, family, and secrets. Smart, sharp, and beautifully written, this a book that you won't soon forget. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Blackstone Audio; 7 hr, 15 min) read by Dawn Harvey. As I said in my AudioFile magazine review, Harvey's performance felt intrusive, heavily signaling sarcasm and humor, for example, preventing listeners from making their own decisions. Furthermore, her characterizations and accents were inconsistent. Read this one in print; it deserves to be savored.

Although I had some issues with the plotting of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, I've always loved Maggie Stiefvater's writing, her characters, and her imagined worlds. I'm not sure why I waited so long to listen to the Raven Cycle--The Raven Boys; The Dream Thieves; and Lily Blue, Blue Lily--but I'm glad I'm caught up, even if I now have to wait for the final installment. This fantasy (paranormal) series takes place in Virginia and in modern times. Local teen Blue Sargent has grown up in a house full of women, all of whom (except her) are psychic and make their living giving readings of various sorts. The town is fairly ordinary, expect that it houses a prep school for rich boys and is located close to powerful ley lines. When Blue breaks her cardinal rule of never getting involved with a boy from Aglionby Academy, her sheltered life begins to crumble. Each character is driven by different motive: Blue is cursed to kill her true love, perhaps with kiss; Gansey is obsessed with finding the resting place of an ancient Welsh king; Adam and Ronan are struggling with individual family issues; and Noah is coming to terms with an event in his past. As all gather around Gansey to help him on his quest, they and the world will never be the same. The Raven Cycle is complex, exciting, emotional, and sometimes unpredictable--put it on your reading list. All three unabridged audiobooks (Scholastic Audio; 11 hr, 8 min [Raven], 12 hr, 45 min [Dream], 10 hr, 3 min [Lily]) were read by actor Will Patton. Patton's native South Carolina accent is a perfect complement to these books. He injects his performance with a touch of appropriate creepiness, excellent characterizations, and sensitive pacing.

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Sound Recommendations: Year-End Blitz, Part I

This is part one of a year-end Sound Recommendations blitz. Come back Monday for part two.

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling) is the second installment in the Cormoran Strike series. The plot is particularly fun because it involves an author, a scandalous manuscript, infidelity, murder, and revenge. The foundations of the mystery are solidly built and the clues are well placed. As with any good series, however, this one gives us more than the current crime. Cormoran and his assistant, Robin, are sympathetic characters with a complicated relationship, and we learn more about each one's personal life. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them, both together and separately. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio, 17 hr, 22 min) was read by Robert Glenister, who also narrated the first book in the series. Glenister's performance is perfect for Galbraith's prose: he enhances the tension, has a good sense of pacing, creates consistent and believable characterizations, and helps listeners tell the difference between narrative prose, dialogue, and interior thoughts.

When everyone was reading and talking about Jill Lepore's The Secret History of Wonder Woman, I thought I'd give it a try. Despite the title, the book is really about the early feminist movement as well as the secret life of William Moulton Marston, creator of the superhero. Based on primary sources, Lepore discusses, among other things, Marston's unconventional home life, his development of the lie detector, and his connection with Margaret Sanger and how all these experiences influenced Wonder Woman's character, deep history, and even her costume. Although I remained interested, I was not as wowed by the book as others. My bad reaction is almost entirely the result of the audiobook production (Random House Audio; 9 hr, 5 min). The unabridged edition is read by author Jill Lepore, who is way too dramatic, with almost comical characterizations (no pun intended). Unfortunately, she pretty much ruined her own book. If you have any interest in the women's rights movement or in comics, add this to your reading list--just be sure to pick up the print or eBook version.

When I first started this blog, I often wrote about books I DNF'd (did not finish). Now I rarely do. But I picked up City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte based on some positive reviews from trusted bloggers when the book first came out (in 2012) and because it was an Indie Next pick. I bought the paperback but never got to it. Last month, I decided to try the audiobook. I'm so so sorry I wasted an Audible credit on this. The story had all the right elements for me: a bit of mystery, music, time travel, and a little paranormal. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance, but I felt it was a little too . . . I don't know . . . commercial(?) for me. I like escape reading as much as the next person, but this book never drew me in. The audiobook (Penguin Audio; 13 hr, 33 min) was read by Natalie Gold. Although Gold's accents could have been more believable, her narration (the parts I heard) was at least adequate. Either I wasn't in the mood or this book wasn't for me.

One of my top nonfiction reads this year was Eula Biss's On Immunity, a collection of interlinked essays on inoculation. Based on thorough research and personal experience, Biss presents many perspectives on vaccination and protecting our children and society from disease. She examines the veracity of popular opinion, the individual's responsibility to society, medical evidence, research results, and historical facts. I liked the mix of sources, which included not only the expected medical journals but also parents, social commentators (Rachel Carson, Susan Sontag), and her father (a practicing physician). This is an extremely accessible and easy-to-read account of a controversial subject. The audiobook (HighBridge; 6 hr, 23 min), was read by Tamara Marston, who found that magical place where listeners forget that the narrator is not the author. She managed to maintain the personal, conversational tone of the book without detracting from the scholarship. For my full audiobook review, see AudioFile magazine.

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Sound Recommendations: Eclectic Trio

I've been going through a ton of audiobooks lately and thought this would be a good time to catch up on some titles I listened to and reviewed for AudioFile magazine. For my full audio review of each of these books, click on over to the magazine's website.

First up is Louise Penny's latest installment in her Armand Gamache series, The Long Way Home, which is set in Québec. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I've read Penny's multi-award-winning work, and I've started with the tenth book. Fortunately, it wasn't difficult to be pulled right into the world of the former chief inspector of homicide. When the book opens, Gamache has settled in the small town of Three Pines to enjoy his retirement, surrounded by his wife and dear friends. But before he can fully adjust to being an ordinary civilian, his neighbor Clara asks him to help her track down her estranged husband. The story takes us from the village into the wilderness along the St. Lawrence Seaway and deep into the world of art. Despite coming late to the game, I didn't feel lost, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The unabridged audiobook (Macmillan Audio; 12 hr, 8 min) was read by Ralph Cosham, who was absolutely fantastic. Among Cosham's many talents was his ability to switch seamlessly from male to female and from English to French. I cannot wait to start listening to this series from the beginning. On a sad note, Cosham died last month, and the audiobook world lost a great star.

A couple of years ago, I reviewed the first two books in Ken Follett's Century Trilogy, which focuses on a handful of families from the Soviet Union, Germany, the UK, and the United States as they face the major political, sociocultural, technological, and economic changes of the twentieth century. Edge of Eternity, stars the third generation of the original families and covers the post-World War II years up to the fall of the Berlin Wall. (The epilogue mentions Obama's election.) Although the novel is complex, it's easy to follow, and we see the significant European and American events take place on a personal scale, through the eyes of the characters. What I particularly liked about this last entry in the trilogy was that there were so many historical events that I remember happening and historical figures whom I saw on TV or in the newspapers. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 36 hr, 55 min) was read by the wonderful John Lee, who managed the many needed accents and kept all the characters distinct. True he is no impersonator, but his rendition of the famous men and women who appear in the novel were nonetheless believable. Despite it's length, this sweeping family saga is well worth the listen.

The final audiobook is Wayne Harrison's The Spark and the Drive, which grew out of a short story. This coming-of-age novel, set in Connecticut, opens as seventeen-year-old Justin Bailey begins an apprenticeship with one of the best car mechanics in the East. Because it's the dawn of the computer age, Justin is part of the last generation to have learned how to diagnose car problems without the aid of modern technology. As the young teen strives to emulate his mentor, both in and out of the garage, Justin learns much more than just how to repair an engine. Although the story is not really about cars, it was difficult for me to become fully invested in Justin's transition to young manhood, his family's issues, his mentor's marriage, and the relationships among the mechanics. Maybe it's because I didn't relate to much of Justin's behavior or perhaps it was because of the audiobook itself (Recorded Books; 9 hr, 2 min), which was read by Quincy Dunn Baker. Baker's characterizations and his handling of the dialogue were fine, but I thought his voice was too mature for a teenager. What's more, the rhythm of his performance didn't match the flow of the plot, and that began to bother me. If the premise of the novel appeals to you, then I suggest you listen to an audio sample before you commit to reading with your ears.

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Sound Recommendations: A Summer Quartet

Kelly Armstrong is starting a new young adult series (Age of Legends) with her Sea of Shadows. At the center of the story are twins Moria and Ashyn, who were tapped from birth to become the Keeper and the Seeker, respectively, of their village on their 16th birthday. Now that they've come of age, their principal duties involve protecting the people from the evils that live in the surrounding Forest of the Dead by performing very specific rites. Despite their training, something goes horribly wrong on their first try, setting off a series of events that ripple throughout the land. Much to love here, from the strong female characters to the complex world (with its underlying Japanese feel). Yes, there is some romance, but it doesn't take center stage; the girls' quest and the larger political issues are more important. Genre: high fantasy Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook (Harper Audio; 12 h, 31 min) was nicely read by Jennifer Ikeda. She varied her pacing, inflection, and volume to match the action and tension, and her characterizations were consistent.

Life Drawing by Robin Black is an introspective look at a modern marriage. Artist Augusta (Gus) and her writer husband, Owen, have moved to an old farmhouse to revive their marriage and immerse themselves in their art. After a couple of years living in near isolation, the couple is surprised when Alison, a British ex-pat who is also an painter, rents the farmhouse across the field. An innocent walk around the pond and a few shared secrets between Gus and Alison entangle the two families in unexpected ways. I was surprised by how much I was invested in Gus's story, even though I didn't always like her or the choices she made. The book touches on several complex issues, making it a good choice for book clubs: aging, marriage, friendships, alternative lifestyles, family duty, death, and parenthood. Genre: contemporary fiction Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook (Random House; 9 h, 55 min) was read by Cassandra Campbell. Campbell is at her best on this audiobook. Her silky smooth narration seems to wrap around the words, bringing out the depth of the emotions without ever straying into dramatization.

Set in the 1940s, Amy Bloom's Lucky Us explores the art of self-reinvention as a means of survival for two half-sisters who have few resources and fewer opportunities. The story is mostly told from Eva's perspective, who matures from a fairly naive 12-year-old into a world-weary but tough young lady about a decade later The older Iris is the ambitious one, and her dreams of stardom take the girls to Hollywood. When their fortunes shift again, the sisters, with a friend and their father in tow, decide to start over in Great Neck, New York. My heart went out to Eva, and I admired her spunk and determination to keep the wolf from the door. As other reviewers have noted, the story is bittersweet: it takes some dark turns, but the well-timed humor lightens the mood. This is another good book club pick, with its themes of sexuality, family, and honesty. Genre: historical fiction Audiobook: The unabridged audiobook (Random House; 7 h, 18 min) was read by Alicyn Packard. Although Packard did a fine job bringing the emotional aspects of the book to life, she was less skilled with her characterizations. Regardless, this is an enjoyable listen.

Yes, I know, you've had it up to here with zombie stories. That's what I thought before I listened to M. R. Carey's The Girl with All the Gifts. After a fungus has jumped from its insect host to humans, the world is divided into three groups: the Hungries (zombies), the Junkers (survivalists), and everyone else. This is the surprisingly moving story of how smart, curious 10-year-old Melanie discovers that she's no ordinary girl attending an ordinary school. She is instead a Hungry who is being observed by scientists hoping to find a cure to the fungal infection. Although the plot seems stereotypical--a small group of humans is forced into the wilds to battle its way to the safety of the next enclave--the story has plenty that is new and fresh. It's part coming-of-age story and part an exploration of what it means to be human. Genre: dystopian / zombie apocalypse Audiobook: The unbridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 13 h, 14 min) was read by Finty Williams. Williams's sensitive performance makes this an outstanding audiobook experience. Her pacing is perfect and her characterizations are spot-on. Don't miss this one.

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Sound Recommendations: Strong Stories, Strong Performances

If you haven't yet read Emma Donoghue's Frog Music, or even if you have, rush right out and get a copy of the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio, 12 hr, 47 min) read by Kristine Hvam.

Based on a true, unsolved murder that took place in 1876 San Fransisco during a heat wave and smallpox epidemic, Frog Music introduces us to gambling trapeze artists; a cross-dressing frog hunter; and a horseback-riding, dancer/prostitute. Chance meetings, jealousy, greed, lust, love, and betrayal drive the story, which is much less mystery than it is a tale of self-discovery.

Hvam puts her theatrical background to good use with her believable characterizations and accents and expressive reading. Especially impressive is how easily she slips into song, adding a wonderful layer to Donoghue's emotional novel. Frog Music is meant to be listened to and the unabridged audiobook is unforgettable.

Although the subject matter is often rough (prison life, murder, child abuse), Rene Denfeld's The Enchanted is a haunting novel that makes you think about what happens to children who have no protectors. Set in a penitentiary for the worst offenders, the story is told through the eyes of one of the institution's most heinous criminals. Pretty boys, well-meaning parole officers, naive prison guards, and fallen priests must face the dark side of humanity on a daily basis.

The audiobook (Harper Audio; 7 hr, 4 min) is read by Jim Frangione, whose storytelling abilities shine in this production. He takes a nonjudgmental tone with just a hint of creepiness that leaves us with the responsibility to judge the principal protagonist. Frangione's characterizations are subtle but the emotional intensity of his narration is spellbinding, making us feel sympathy for individuals we should abhor.

Is there a clear division between good and evil? Can the unthinkable ever be forgiven? There are no easy answers, and the characters will remain with listeners for a long time after Frangione has finished the story.

Note: The original versions of these reviews were published by AudioFile magazine.

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