Oh, the books I've read...
My reading of books has fallen off quite a bit the last few years. Never thought that would happen. *blinks*
I have, however, found the wonder of audiobooks, made all the better by being able to download
them to my iPod. Makes for fun driving times. :D
So now shall try and copy those on my flist that do the book list things, though not sure how well I'll stick with it.
1)Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith, read by Scott Holst. Downloaded this at the end of December, so most of it was listened to in January. I liked it. In some ways quite a bit, but in others...
The Good: the intertwining of fantasy with history was well done and it really kept my interest. The narrator was pretty decent; there were some voices that it was hard to tell who was speaking, but for the most part it wasn't confusing.
The Not-so Good: it bugged me, perhaps more than it should, that so much of what led to the Civil War and slavery in general, was blamed on vampires. Yes, Vampire Hunter and all that but...*shrug* It just seemed to let plain old humans off the hook too much. Guess I just couldn't divorce the real horrors from the imagined enough to just enjoy the book without that eating at me.
As for a book specific that bugged me: SPOILER! Major SPOILER! Highlight to read.
I did not like that Henry changed Abe, or more to the point that Abe went along with it. For a guy who detested vampires, who more than once refused to allow Henry to change those whom Abe loved that had died, it seemed unlikely to the extreme that Abe would allow it and not find a way to die for real.
2)The Fiery Trial by Eric Foner, read by Norman Dietz. Non-fiction.
This is about Abraham Lincoln and slavery and how it came to an end, as well as how his views evolved as more time passed. Really quite enjoyed it and found it all fascinating - and yet sad and depressing too. Just in that, well, people suck ya know? This time period was not all that long ago all things considered and added to that all the things that stayed wrong and abhorrent for the next 100 years. Hell, plus the things that have yet to change enough. People still suck. *sighs*
But, anyway, did like the book and it was well written. I also thought the narrator did a terrific job. He did really well making it clear when he was reading the 'main' narrative and when he was reading quotes or footnotes or things like that.
3)Vision in White: The Bride Quartet, Book 1 by Nora Roberts, read by Emily Durante. It was good, nothing spectacular, but well written and enjoyable enough. Still really like Roberts writing and she fleshes out characters well, even those that aren't the main ones, but...it was just a lite/quick/easy listen. Enjoyable but not spectacular.
The narrator...was pretty good. Not one of my favorites, but decent enough.
4)Small Favor: The Dresden Files, Book 10 by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters. Yes, that James Marsters. :D
It's a Harry Dresden novel and I swear they just get better and better. In this one Queen Mab of the Winter Court of the Sidhe asks for a favor. Just a wee little favor...things go downhill for Harry from there. hee!
And hells bells! Marsters is an awesome narrator. He just does an excellent job of bringing the story to life and his Harry is just spifftastic. I don't even hear Spike all that much, even with characters that have English accents. Sometimes with certain words, but it's not distracting at all when it happens.
It wont happen right away, as my money tree has yet to go, but am planning to download all Dresden books just to listen to Marsters read them. Even though my sister owns up through book 9. He really is that good.
5)Turn Coat: The Dresden Files, Book 11 by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters.
Have about an hour, maybe a little more, to go until this is finished but am including it in this list anyway.
Warden Morgan has been accused of treason of the White Council and has come to Harry for help. Surprise surprise, things go downhill from there. But oh, what a ride.
There's only one quibble I have with it. SPOILER, for this book and Small Favor. Highlight to read.
Michael was hurt really badly in Small Favor and it's not mentioned how he's doing. *pouts* I wanna know, damn it! So that's a bit annoying.
Still totally loving the book, though. And as soon as I'm done posting will listen to the rest of the book.
I have, however, found the wonder of audiobooks, made all the better by being able to download
them to my iPod. Makes for fun driving times. :D
So now shall try and copy those on my flist that do the book list things, though not sure how well I'll stick with it.
1)Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith, read by Scott Holst. Downloaded this at the end of December, so most of it was listened to in January. I liked it. In some ways quite a bit, but in others...
The Good: the intertwining of fantasy with history was well done and it really kept my interest. The narrator was pretty decent; there were some voices that it was hard to tell who was speaking, but for the most part it wasn't confusing.
The Not-so Good: it bugged me, perhaps more than it should, that so much of what led to the Civil War and slavery in general, was blamed on vampires. Yes, Vampire Hunter and all that but...*shrug* It just seemed to let plain old humans off the hook too much. Guess I just couldn't divorce the real horrors from the imagined enough to just enjoy the book without that eating at me.
As for a book specific that bugged me: SPOILER! Major SPOILER! Highlight to read.
I did not like that Henry changed Abe, or more to the point that Abe went along with it. For a guy who detested vampires, who more than once refused to allow Henry to change those whom Abe loved that had died, it seemed unlikely to the extreme that Abe would allow it and not find a way to die for real.
2)The Fiery Trial by Eric Foner, read by Norman Dietz. Non-fiction.
This is about Abraham Lincoln and slavery and how it came to an end, as well as how his views evolved as more time passed. Really quite enjoyed it and found it all fascinating - and yet sad and depressing too. Just in that, well, people suck ya know? This time period was not all that long ago all things considered and added to that all the things that stayed wrong and abhorrent for the next 100 years. Hell, plus the things that have yet to change enough. People still suck. *sighs*
But, anyway, did like the book and it was well written. I also thought the narrator did a terrific job. He did really well making it clear when he was reading the 'main' narrative and when he was reading quotes or footnotes or things like that.
3)Vision in White: The Bride Quartet, Book 1 by Nora Roberts, read by Emily Durante. It was good, nothing spectacular, but well written and enjoyable enough. Still really like Roberts writing and she fleshes out characters well, even those that aren't the main ones, but...it was just a lite/quick/easy listen. Enjoyable but not spectacular.
The narrator...was pretty good. Not one of my favorites, but decent enough.
4)Small Favor: The Dresden Files, Book 10 by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters. Yes, that James Marsters. :D
It's a Harry Dresden novel and I swear they just get better and better. In this one Queen Mab of the Winter Court of the Sidhe asks for a favor. Just a wee little favor...things go downhill for Harry from there. hee!
And hells bells! Marsters is an awesome narrator. He just does an excellent job of bringing the story to life and his Harry is just spifftastic. I don't even hear Spike all that much, even with characters that have English accents. Sometimes with certain words, but it's not distracting at all when it happens.
It wont happen right away, as my money tree has yet to go, but am planning to download all Dresden books just to listen to Marsters read them. Even though my sister owns up through book 9. He really is that good.
5)Turn Coat: The Dresden Files, Book 11 by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters.
Have about an hour, maybe a little more, to go until this is finished but am including it in this list anyway.
Warden Morgan has been accused of treason of the White Council and has come to Harry for help. Surprise surprise, things go downhill from there. But oh, what a ride.
There's only one quibble I have with it. SPOILER, for this book and Small Favor. Highlight to read.
Michael was hurt really badly in Small Favor and it's not mentioned how he's doing. *pouts* I wanna know, damn it! So that's a bit annoying.
Still totally loving the book, though. And as soon as I'm done posting will listen to the rest of the book.