Rosegarden's Read and To Be Read List 2007 (Audio Books)

[rosegarden]

I don't 'read' books very often - I mostly listen to audio books, either on my ipod when I'm travelling or walking to work or I download them to my laptop and listen to them while in the house, washing up or doing similar boring jobs. It does make the time pass

Books I have either LISTENED to or READ so far this year

1. Janet Evanovich - One For The Money 9/10 :D
2. Helen Dunne - Trixie Trader 7/10
3. Erica James - Hidden Talents 7/10
4. Daniel Defoe - Robinson Crusoe 6/10
5. Patrick Suskind - Perfume 8/10
6. Josephine Cox - The Beachcomber 4/10
7. John Grisham - A Time to Kill 8/10
8. Harlan Coben - Gone For Good 9/10 :D
9. Joanna Trollope - Girl From The South 4/10
10. Frances Hodgson Burnett - The Secret Garden 7/10
11. Rebecca Shaw - A Country Affair 6/10
12. Sue Monk Kidd - The Secret Life of Bees 9/10 :D
13. Tony Hawks - Round Ireland with a Fridge 7/10
14. Kathy Reichs - Deja Dead 7/10
15. Barbara Comyns - The Vet's Daughter 7/10
16. Brian Sibley - Shadowlands: The True Story of C.S. Lewis & Joy Davidman 6/10
17. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - The Hound of the Baskervilles 6/10
18. Marina Lewycka - A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian 7/10
19. Salley Vickers - Miss Garnett's Angel 7/10
20. Anchee Min - Empress Orchid 9/10 :D *BOOK*
21. Felicity Kendal - White Cargo 8/10
22. Janet Evanovich - Two for the Dough 8/10
23. JK Rowling - Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban 8/10
24. Maeve Binchy - Circle of Friends 6/10
25. Cecilia Ahern - P.S. I Love You 8/10 *BOOK*
26. Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The Shadow of the Wind 6/10
27. Bernard Cornwell - Stonehenge 7/10
28. Victoria Hislop - The Island 8/10 *BOOK*
29. Salley Vickers - Mr Golightly's Holiday 7/10
30. Willy Russell - The Wrong Boy 0/10 *DIDN'T FINISH IT*
31. Allison Pearson - I don't know how she does it 7/10
32. John Connolly - The Book of Lost Things 8/10
33. Audrey Niffenegger - The Time-Travellers Wife 7/10
34. Catherine Aird - Amendment of Life 8/10
35. Michael J. Fox - Lucky Man 7/10
36. Sue Grafton - A is for Alibi 7/10
37. Mark Haddon - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 7/10
38. Ken Follett - The Pillars of the Earth 9/10 *BOOK* :D
39. Irene Dische - Between Two Seasons of Happiness 8/10 *BOOK*
40. Louis Sachar - Holes 8/10
41. Maureen Lee - Lime Street Blues 8/10
42. Kerry Jamieson - The Golden Door 8/10
43. John Grisham - The Pelican Brief 8/10
44. Margaret Atwood - The Blind Assassin 8/10
45. Graham Swift - Last Orders 6/10
46. Kate Moss - Labyrinth


BOOKS I AM CURRENTLY LISTENING TO

Marion Keyes - Sushi for Beginners
Philip Pullman - Northern Lights


BOOK I AM CURRENTLY READING

Kate Mosse - Labyrinth



Books on my to be Listened To/Read List

Janet Evanovich - Three To Get Deadly
Ian McEwan - Amsterdam
James Patterson - Kiss The Girls
Allison Dubois - Don't Kiss Them Goodbye
Leo Tolstoy - War and Peace (abridged)
Martina Cole - Dangerous Lady
Sue Grafton - B is for Burglar
Zadie Smith - On Beauty
Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl
Karen Joy Fowler - The Jane Austen Book Club
Charles Dickens - A Tale of Two Cities
Jodi Picoult - Perfect Match
Jodi Picoult - My Sister's Keeper
Diane Setterfield - The Thirteenth Tale
Jonathan Kellerman - Gone
Jed Rubenfeld - The Interpretation of Murder *BOOK*
Lee Child - Die Trying *BOOK*
Heather Graham - The Island
Margaret Atwood - Oryx and Crake
Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner *BOOK*
MC Beaton - Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House *BOOK*
Harlan Coben - No Second Chance *BOOK*
Pete McCarthy - McCarthy's Bar *BOOK*
Pete McCarthy - The Road to McCarthy
Nora Roberts - Dance Upon The Air
JD Robb - Naked in Death
Jesse Kellerman - Sunstroke
Theresa Monsour - Dark House
Michelle Lovric - The Remedy *BOOK*
David Mitchell - Cloud Atlas
Val McDermid - The Grave Tattoo
Zoe Heller - Notes On A Scandal *BOOK*




Carole
:jump:

[Maureen]

Wow you listen to a lot of your books! How did you start "reading" this way?

[Kell]

As I'm someone who's relatively new to audio books, I'd love to have some recommendations of particularly good ones - I've downloaded a few free ones onto my ipod, as I think it's a great way of getting in extra reading while it's not feasible to be holding a book, and I'm going to be on the lookout for more...

[Louiseog]

Agatha Christie written by the actor who plays Hastings are good. Harry Potter with Stephen Fry and Artemis Fowl are all good!
I listened to all the Alex Rider ones on CD.
I don't count audio books as books I've read which maybe I should.
Have never listened to an audio book that I didn't like but am more careful than I would be with ordinary books.

[madcow]

I've never tried audio books, I remember my grandma used to have them because she was almost blind and couldn't managed even the large print books. Might have to look into it.

[Angel]

The only time I have listened to audio books is when I was studying for my O level English Literature - especially Macbeth

[Purple Poppy]

I recently listened to a Rosamunde Pilcher novel which was nice and over the years I have listened to poetry collections etc. and Tarka the Otter LOL. Recently I decided that loading one into the computer, or downloading one and listening while you surf is a good way of getting to know books, as is listening to them being read on the radio.
PP

[rosegarden]

I've only been listening to audio books for about a year. I've listened to about 35 books so far since I started.
I spend a lot of my day staring at a computer screen :typing: which can make my eyes ache, so listening to an audio book gives my eyes a rest.

I've downloaded books onto my computer and my ipod (last summer in Spain I was relaxing on my sunbed listening to Jim Dale reading Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone! Wonderful. :cool:)

There's also a great digital radio station (Oneword) www.oneword.co.uk (http://www.oneword.co.uk/) which serialises lots of different books every day, (from classic books like Frankenstein to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time....both starting this month) which I then record and listen to at my leisure. At the moment, there are about 13 different books being serialised every day.

I also borrow a lot of audio books from my local library....only 60p for cassettes and 90p for cd's for 3 weeks...which I think is great value. They have a good and varied selection.
Charity Shops and Car Boots are also good and cheap sources.

I think they're perfect for listening to while doing those mundane tasks like washing up, ironing etc. And also for long train/bus journeys...they do help to pass the time.

Carole

:jump:

[Maureen]

I have never tried audio books Carole, but after your explanation, I can understand their allure and versatility. I will definately look out for one to try.

[Lilywhite]

You will have to let me know what you think of Perfume on audio. I read the book last year and thought it was awful but I have read so many reviews from people who love it, I am obviously missing something.

[rosegarden]

I have only just started listening to Perfume but my first thoughts are favourable :).

I'm enjoying the narration by Sean Barrett (I've never heard of him but he is, apparently, an actor). He's very clear and doesn't speak too fast.

Carole

:jump:

[Purple Poppy]

You've convinced me that I'm on the right track Rosegarden. I looked at online sites last night. Most seem to charge for downloads, so maybe I should go to the library.

PP

[rosegarden]

Have you looked at www.librivox.org? You can download the books for free on there. I downloaded The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I haven't got round to listening to it yet. The books are read by volunteers and they are all in the public domain so they're mostly the classic books not modern ones.

I'd be interested to know if other local libraries have many audio books and how much they are.

Carole

:jump:

[Purple Poppy]

Carole said...
Have you looked at www.librivox.org (http://www.librivox.org/)? You can download the books for free on there. I downloaded The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I haven't got round to listening to it yet. The books are read by volunteers and they are all in the public domain so they're mostly the classic books not modern ones.

I'd be interested to know if other local libraries have many audio books and how much they are.

Carole

:jump:


Carole, thats great. I've just had a peep and it looks great Goning to download something later. I'll let you know about the library if and when I go.
Thanks, PP

[rosegarden]

Carole said...


Carole, thats great. I've just had a peep and it looks great Goning to download something later. I'll let you know about the library if and when I go.
Thanks, PP
You're welcome :smile2:

Carole

[rosegarden]

I've just finished listening to Hidden Talents by Erica James (read very well by Jenny Agutter) and enjoyed it very much.

It's the story of a newly-formed creative writing class, about the lives and loves of the members, of how their lives intertwine with each other, and how their friendships change and develop. When crises (is that how it's spelt? :blush:) occur everyone rallies round. All their lives are changed in some way.

Overall, I thought it was a lovely feel-good easy to read (or listen to) story. :)

Carole
:jump:

[rosegarden]

I've just finished listening to Perfume by Patrick Suskind. It's one of those books that has stayed with me for a few days, I keep going over the ending, the incredible life of the main character and the wonderful narration by Sean Barratt whose dark and rich tones were perfect for this engrossing, brutal and very unnusual story.

Not for the squeamish :eek:

After that, I need some light reading so I've just started The Beachcomber by Josephine Cox.

Carole
:jump:

[rosegarden]

If you enjoy reading or listening to childrens books (which I do, I've never grown up :D) I would recommend The Secret Garden.

Synopsis

After the death of her parents, Mary is brought back from India as a forlorn and unwanted child, to live in her uncle's great lonely house on the moors. Then one day she discovers the key to a secret garden and, like magic, her life begins to brighten in so many ways.

Its a wonderfully happy story of how a little girl's life changes due to tragic circumstances and of how her love of life and the secret garden she discovers also gradually transforms her little cousin's life. It's also about the power of positive thinking.

Carole
:jump:

[Liz]

I've got The Secret Garden waiting on my TBR mountain.

[rosegarden]

I've got The Secret Garden waiting on my TBR mountain.

I'd love to know what you think of it when you get round to reading it.

Carole
:jump:

[Liz]

Yep, I'll let you know - but it could be a while before I get to it.

[Icecream]

The Secret Garden, my all time favourite film. I should dig the book out of my children's collection and add it to the list.

[JudyB]

There's also a great digital radio station (Oneword) www.oneword.co.uk (http://www.oneword.co.uk/) which serialises lots of different books every day, (from classic books like Frankenstein to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time....both starting this month) which I then record and listen to at my leisure. At the moment, there are about 13 different books being serialised every day.

:jump:

I used to listen to Oneword and thought it was brilliant - must get back into it again as I've got out of the habit - it's lovely having a story read to you.

[rosegarden]

I used to listen to Oneword and thought it was brilliant - must get back into it again as I've got out of the habit - it's lovely having a story read to you.

I love Oneword.........I record one chapter of a book every day till it's ended then I listen to it all at my leisure.

I've discovered authors I've never heard of and if I've enjoyed it I'll look out for more of their books. It's a great way to try some new genres which I probably wouldn't try normally.

Carole
:jump:

[JudyB]

I love Oneword.........I record one chapter of a book every day till it's ended then I listen to it all at my leisure.


:jump:

Is it easy to do that?

[rosegarden]

Is it easy to do that?

If you have Sky+ it is! That's how I do it anyway. I can't get digital radio where I live but I can get all the digital radio stations on Sky. I just set it to record every chapter every day and it does....it's brill.

If you don't have Sky+ I presume you can just record it off the radio or your computer.

Carole
:jump:

[Liz]

I love the film of The Secret Garden - I though Maggie Smith was good.

[rosegarden]

The Secret Life of Bees - what a wonderful sweet book. I listened to the audio book version read by a lady with a lovely Southern accent, it added to the story for me.
A nice, feel good story. I really cared about the characters, especially Lily, the main heroine.

Carole
:jump:

[Purple Poppy]

I have The Secret Life of Bees almost at the top of my TBR list. I am really looking forward to reading it.

[rosegarden]

I've just finished reading Princess Orchid by Anchee Min. Has anyone else read it? I found it absolutely fascinating. Not only was it an interesting story but it was an amazing insight into the peoples lives inside the Forbidden City in China in the middle of the 19th Century.

I had no idea of Chinese history so it was a real eye-opener :icon_eek:

I enjoyed the writer's attention to detail in everything from the wonderful clothes they wore to the poverty of the peasants.

It's also given me a real interest in learning more about Chinese history and how Great Britain shaped their history.

Definitely one of my favourites books of this year. :D

Carole
:jump:

[Michelle]

I've just finished reading Princess Orchid by Anchee Min.

It was one of our Reading Circle books (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1399). :D

[rosegarden]

It was one of our Reading Circle books (http://bookclubforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1399). :D

Oooh thanks Michelle :D I hadn't seen that thread, I'll go and have a look at it now.

Carole
:jump:

[Icecream]

And it was called Empress Orchid.. It was an excellant book, and as you say, very insightful into the culture.

[rosegarden]

And it was called Empress Orchid.. It was an excellant book, and as you say, very insightful into the culture.
Whooooops :banghead: Doh!

Carole
:jump:

[rosegarden]

Just finished listening to the audiobook and wondered if anyone else had read it?

It's basically the story of Mr Golightly who is trying to write a book and decides to stay in a cottage in a little village in order to get some peace and quiet....but in doing so he learns quite a lot about the other villagers and has an influence on each and every one of them.
He also has a sad incident to deal with from his past.

As the story unfolds slowly, we begin to realise that Mr Golightly is not who we think he is.

Even though I didn't really like the narrator (Derek Jacobi) very much, I tried not to let it spoil my enjoyment and would recommend this book. :D


Carole
:jump:

[JudyB]

I've seen this in the library - it looks good and it's good to read your review - thanks.

[rosegarden]

I've seen this in the library - it looks good and it's good to read your review - thanks.

You're welcome :D

It has an unexpected twist which I didn't see coming....but then I never do! :blush:

Carole
:jump:

[rosegarden]

"1930, New York. In the unbearable heat of summer, Irish immigrant Will Carthy works as a riveter on the tallest skyscraper in the world, spending his days above the clouds and his nights fighting loneliness. When his half-sister, Isobel, sails out to join him, Will hurries to meet her at Ellis Island, only to find that she seems to have vanished before passing through immigration control. And so begins Will's quest, scouring the teeming tenements for a red-haired girl who now haunts his dreams. Desperate for help, Will becomes involved with the charismatic but lethal union agitator, Foxy Nolan, and the Trichardts - a wealthy, socialite couple with a disturbing agenda of their own. Little by little, though, Will realises that something deeply sinister is at play in Isobel's disappearance and that the answer might rest in an altogether wider arena of social and political ambition...The Golden Door captures brilliantly the mood of Prohibition-era New York, when the glittering towers of modern Manhattan were rising from every street corner as the American Dream came crashing down."

What a little gem of a book! If you like your missing persons thrillers to be all action then I don't recommend this BUT if you like a book that's very slow to reveal the surprising answers, while giving a unique taste of New York in 1930 then this is the book for you. :D
A wonderfully descriptive tale of Will's search for his sister, the people he meets along the way and the places he goes to.

Carole
:jump:

[rosegarden]

Just finished listening to this audiobook - it's the second John Grisham novel I've listened to (the first was A Time To Kill) and I thought it was very gripping - a good political thriller. :mrgreen:

Next I'm going to listen to Northern Lights by Philip Pullman. :D

Carole
:jump:

[rosegarden]

"1989, South London. Jack, an ebullient butcher, has died, and his last orders are to cast his ashes off Margate Pier. His wife of 50 years, Amy, stays home, with the excuse of a visit to their mentally-disabled daughter. Jack's three closest friends, Ray, Vic, and Lenny - along with Jack's son Vince - head for Margate. Each has memories of Jack and of friendships, family, and conflicts. It's Vince's relationship with his dad that's the most complex, and Ray's long friendship with both Jack and Amy that holds things together. The last orders - to go to Margate and strew the ashes - become an invitation to recall what's done, what's left, and what's important."

This is a book about ordinary people with ordinary lives looking back and we learn about the secrets and lies that they've been harbouring over the years.

It's an interesting story, but I did find some of it a bit boring in the middle. Overall, I did enjoy it. I give it 6/10.

Carole
:jump: