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Where the Crawdads Sing cover

Review: Where the Crawdads Sing

By Jan
 on February 10, 2019

Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing coverAuthor: Delia Owens;
Genre: Literary Fiction (Novel);
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Cassandra Campbell;
Publisher: Penguin Audio (2018);
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars (3 / 5).

I was not swept away by this book as so many others seem to have been, and therefore was a little disappointed. That’s my problem with highly-praised books and so-called “bestsellers;” I’m obviously not the target audience for most of them.

The time period is the 1950s and 1960s; the story jumps back and forth between the coming-of-age of a poor swamp girl who has had to hide from townsfolk after being abandoned by her family and a later murder mystery for which she is a prime suspect. The story itself was drawn out, in my opinion, to include the romantic tragedies that befell this young girl as she learned to be self-sufficient but yearned for companionship; that method certainly had the effect of slowing down the read, just like a southern drawl.

The book is actually a combination of biology, romance, and mystery. It is filled with a naturalist’s wonderful descriptions of a vast waterway and swamp on the North Carolina coast. Major themes are the appreciation of the natural world and loneliness and trust (or lack thereof). The protagonist makes poor decisions, but those are based on her ignorance in most cases. She receives help from a local black family, who are my heroes in this story. Certainly, the townspeople are mostly unlikeable.

Campbell’s narration was fine but slow; I listened to the second half at 1.25x speed. The main character’s voice was a little grating to my ears.

I seldom read modern fiction, and this was a case of “everyone’s raving about it”—fool me once, etc. Mature themes: attempted rape; racial prejudice.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Modern Fiction
Once Upon a River cover

Review: Once Upon a River

By Jan
 on February 1, 2019

Once Upon a River

Once Upon a River coverAuthor: Diane Setterfield;
Genre: Literary fiction (Novel) with Magical Realism;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Juliet Stevenson;
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (2018);
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

This was a highly-anticipated work of fiction from the author of “The Thirteenth Tale,” a very popular gothic novel from 2006. That work has always been a favorite of mine, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. That was also the case because Juliet Stevenson is a fabulous narrator, and I knew she wouldn’t disappoint.

The description reads, in part: “Once Upon a River is a glorious tapestry of a book that combines folklore and science, magic and myth. Suspenseful, romantic, and richly atmospheric, the beginning of this novel will sweep you away on a powerful current of storytelling, transporting you through worlds both real and imagined, to the triumphant conclusion whose depths will continue to give up their treasures long after the last page is turned.” I agree with all of this and could never come up with a better description.

This is, above all, a very British novel; it hasn’t been “translated” for Americans and that is the way it should be. It’s also a slow read, meaning there isn’t much action and certainly no adventure. The characters are varied and most are interesting, although not all are likable. The way the several stories flow together (like a river) is clever, and the ending is very satisfactory while leaving enough for your imagination to think about afterward.

I am very glad to have listened to this story as read by Stevenson, who voices the characters in distinct accents and tones, and whose pacing is impeccable.

This is a novel for adults. Not because there is excessive violence, sex, or foul language, but the nuances of the story are definitely targeted to those with experience in life and love.

©2019 Jan McClintock
In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Modern Fiction Tagged with ,
The Cuckoo's Calling cover

Review: The Cuckoo’s Calling

By Jan
 on January 14, 2019

The Cuckoo’s Calling

The Cuckoo's Calling coverAuthor: Robert Galbraith;
Genre: Mystery, Detective fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Robert Glenister;
Publisher: Hachette Audio;
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

An excellent mystery involving the death of a famous model in London. The main character, Cormoran Strike, is a private investigator on the downside of luck, interesting and flawed, and the reader is definitely invested in him after the first few chapters. His backstory is slowly revealed but there is plenty left to learn in future volumes.

There are quite a few characters (mostly suspects), but they are separated by believable stories and the skill of the narrator. Robert Glenister does an outstanding job with the narration. There are many different UK accents and he nails them (as far as this American can tell). His pacing was terrific, too.

This is not a usual genre for me (I prefer historical fiction) but I enjoyed the story. There is plenty of bad language in this one, so beware if that offends you.

This is the first of a series (currently, four) of Cormoran Strike books.

©2019 Jan McClintock
In categories Audiobooks, Book Review
King Arthur-Keira Knightly

“Best Of” War Movies

By Jan
 on January 13, 2019

Here I present a few special awards for the “best of” films about war. This is not an all-inclusive list, of course, but some of the highlights. Enjoy, and if you don’t agree with my choices, let me know.

Best use of animals in combat scenes: “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” (2003) – the oliphants (Mumakil), the horses, the eagles, and of course, the moth. 🙂

Most cinematic battle scene: Tough one…there are so many, but the final battle scene from “We Were Soldiers” is at the top (also for the music). Alternatives: Ride of the Valkyries from “Apocalypse Now” (1979); Attack on Aqaba from “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962)

Most realistic battle scene: “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) on Omaha Beach is the absolute winner [not for the faint of heart]; Alternate: Little Round Top from “Gettysburg” (1993)

Best one-to-one battle in a war movie: Hector vs Achilles in “Troy” (2004);

Best chase scene in a war movie: Steve McQueen on a motorcycle in “The Great Escape” (1963); Alternate: Frank Sinatra running for the train in “Von Ryan’s Express” (1965)

Best use of music for a war movie: “Schindler’s List” (1993); Alternates:”Enemy at the Gates” (2001),”Bridge on the River Kwai” (1957)

Best war movie costumes: You wouldn’t normally think war movies would be in the running for best costumes at all, but in this case, it would have to be the Picts in “King Arthur,” (2004) especially Keira Knightley in the leather straps and blue paint. Alternates: “The Last Samurai” (2003) and “Ran” (1985)

King Arthur-Keira Knightly

Photo by Jonathan Hession – © 2004 Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. All rights reserved.

Most poignant scene in a war film: The Death of Sgt. Elias in “Platoon” (1986); Alternate: The Russian Roulette scene from “The Deer Hunter.”

Made you jump moment:  The cannonball from “The Patriot” (2000) at the Battle of Camden

Most difficult war movie to watch: “Restrepo” (2010), because it’s not fiction.

In categories List, Movies Tagged with ,
Pickpocket's Apprentice cover

Review: Pickpocket’s Apprentice

By Jan
 on January 7, 2019

Pickpocket’s Apprentice

Pickpocket's Apprentice coverAuthor and Publisher: Sheri Cobb South;
Genre: Historical fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Joel Froomkin;
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

This novella introduces the reader to teenager John Pickett, left behind to fend for himself on the streets of Regency London after his criminal father is sentenced to transportation to Australia. It’s a fun story about a young man who gets a break and takes advantage of his fortune to work hard and try to stay honest.

There were many lovely turns of phrases and some lighthearted amusements along the way. The characters are likable, if somewhat stereotypical: the caring magistrate, the corrupt cop, the newly rich merchant, and the snobby servants, etc. The length of the audiobook was just right to get us started with John. Froomkin does a wonderful job with the narration: timing and accents were great.

I definitely want to continue with this series and look forward to the first full-length book, “In Milady’s Chamber.”

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Historical Mystery Tagged with , ,
A Land Remembered cover

Review: A Land Remembered

By Jan
 on January 7, 2019

A Land Remembered

A Land Remembered coverAuthor: Patrick D. Smith;
Genre: Historical Fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: George Guidall;
Publisher: Recorded Books (2011);
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (4 / 5).

This is truly enjoyable historical fiction story about a couple who moved from Georgia to Florida in the 1850s and literally cut a living out of the wilderness. Dirt poor, the MacIveys found a way to exploit the wild around them by capturing wild cattle, driving them across the state, and starting a small empire. Bit by bit, they fought nature, the Civil War, competitors, and fate to make a living.

The story continues in the second generation as their son carries on that way of life as long as he’s able. The third generation, however, doesn’t appreciate the wilderness that meant so much to the family.

That extended family includes interesting characters, even the not-so-good ones. The easygoing relationships between whites, blacks, and Native Americans seemed like a bit of wishful thinking on the part of the author, but I wanted to believe it.

The story contains blood, sweat, and tears, but almost no sex, no foul language, and only applicable violence. It also contains interesting bits of history about the settling of the Sunshine State.

The pacing was great and I had a difficult time choosing when to take a break. George Guidall did his normal fantastic narration and his timing was perfect.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Historical Novel
audiobook

All About Audiobooks

By Jan
 on December 31, 2018

audiobookAll About Audiobooks

Listening to a book read by someone else is quite a different experience than reading it yourself. I’ll tell you why I love audiobooks, why you should try one, and how to do it. UPDATED 2-2-19

 

A few years ago, my older brother, Dennis, died quite suddenly. I handled it well, I think, but internalized some of the feelings and had a lot of trouble sleeping. That is when I really started depending on audiobooks. They kept my mind occupied and entertained instead of dwelling too much on my sorrow.

I had listened to audiobooks before and enjoyed most of them. They are especially helpful during a migraine, when my eyes need a break but my mind still wants to stay active. Reading has always been a huge part of my life, and I grew tired of “wasting” the time when my eyes couldn’t help me.

But I really went ‘whole hog’ after that. I spent most of every night with my iPad or iPhone, listening to one story after another. Sometimes I played an easy card game at the same time or browsed Pinterest—visual-only pastimes that didn’t take my attention from the book. And that leads to the next section…

THE QUESTION OF COMPREHENSION

Do you benefit as much from reading or listening to a book? Some people might think light fiction is the ideal genre for audiobooks because they either don’t want to work while listening or they are afraid they wouldn’t comprehend heavier material. I would suggest you try an audiobook in the same genre as you would normally read. After all, how else can you compare what’s normal for you?

I have listened to quite a few non-fiction audiobooks and haven’t had any trouble understanding and/or remembering the material. There have been studies, especially with children, that insist some people are visual learners while others are auditory learners. But I found just as much research saying that it seldom matters; most people tend to comprehend at the same level regardless of the input medium. This is a lively point of contention and not all readers will enjoy audio versions. (But how will you know unless you try?)

“People who say they can’t concentrate on an audio book as well as a paper one are likely overlooking the fact that we are more likely to multitask while listening to audio books than while reading regular books.”
~Olga Khazan, “Is Listening to Audio Books Really the Same as Reading?” Forbes.com, September 12, 2011

“Reading a physical book and listening to the audiobook are two different paths that lead to the same destination. Each creates differing experiences and memories, but neither is better or worse than the other.”
~Dana Lee, “Audiobooks vs Reading: The Rules Are, There Are No Rules“

“… As far as the mental processes are concerned, there really isn’t much difference between reading and listening to a book.”
~Melissa Dahl, “To Your Brain, Listening to a Book Is Pretty Much the Same As Reading It“

I do have several of The Teaching Company’s The Great Courses in audio, and a recent one included a lot of historical names that I would have had to research in order to pronounce them correctly. In this case, I didn’t have to; the professor did it for me, which was an added benefit.

NARRATION

Needless to say, I listen to quite a few audiobooks. Most are excellent, but just like print or e-books, some were flops. It’s no exaggeration to say that no matter the quality of the writing itself, the narrator can make or break the enjoyment of an audiobook. That’s also why it’s imperative that you listen to a sample of the audiobook before you purchase it.

The narrator can make or break the enjoyment of an audiobook.

If you don’t like the narration within those few sample minutes, skip that book or read it instead. Sometimes there are other versions of the same work (especially classics); see if you like a different narrator better. Subscription services allow you to return a book, too; one of the main reasons I’ve returned audiobooks to Audible is poor narration.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT

When you read text to yourself, you are using your own voice (See “prosody”), including the pitch, emphasis, and rhythm. While listening to the same text being read, however, you hear someone else’s prosody—their interpretation of that text using their voice. That includes character accents, of course, which can be great or, occasionally, awful.

Trained actors can be very creative and their use of accents for different characters is usually delightful. Some authors insist on narrating their own work; this can be excellent because the author certainly knows the material, but it can also be a case of an amateur effort. Narrating a book is hard work, and trained voices make a big difference.

Pacing, too, is different than your own reading speed. When a narrator reads slowly, it gives your brain more time to soak up the meaning of the words and create feelings from that experience. Most audiobook software allows some adjustment for speed; turn it up a tad if the story is going too slowly for you. Also, you can easily “rewind” a digital audiobook if you need to repeat a particular passage.

WHERE TO GET THEM

PAID SERVICES

There are several great sources of audiobooks that I have used a lot. The “big guy” is AudibleAudible logo, now a part of Amazon. The main methods I obtain audiobooks from Audible are:

  • Whispersync for Voice on Amazon.com
  • Audible Daily Deal
  • Audible membership

Whispersync combines Kindle ebooks and Audible audiobooks into one package. You can read the ebook and switch to the audiobook and back again, never losing your place in the book.Whispersync for Voice

Many (but not all) Kindle ebooks include this option. You purchase the Kindle ebook at Amazon.com and check the Whispersync for Voice box to add the audiobook. Prices for the narrations range from about $2 to $15. However, that is much less expensive than purchasing the audiobook alone at Audible, thus can be a great way to try some audiobooks.

The Audible Daily Deal Daily Deal at Audible.comis a wonderful feature. Sign up for a (FREE) account at Audible and then choose to receive the Daily Deal email message in your account preferences. These are full versions of books on sale for one day from $1.95 to $5.95 each and they offer quite a variety.

Memberships at Audible.com come with some nice benefits. I get one audiobook per month for my $14.95 membership fee, but also have taken advantage of some wonderful sales. Additionally, member prices to purchase more audiobooks are 30 percent lower. There’s a free trial, too.

Using the above methods, I have acquired quite a collection of audiobooks. Currently, there are about 630 audiobooks in my library at Audible.

Other membership sites like Audible:

  • Audiobooks.com – very similar to Audible; $14.95 a month for one book credit, and the ability to purchase more credits when you wish
  • Scribd – $8.99 monthly membership with a good selection, especially new and best-sellers
  • Apple iTunes Audiobooks – no monthly subscription; a great selection and comparable prices
  • Audiobooks Now – $4.99 a month and discounts on selections
  • BookLender.com – rents audiobooks on CD (and paperbacks)
  • Simply Audiobooks – rents audiobooks on CD

Another way to get audiobooks—this time for FREE—is from LibriVoxLibriVox. These are books in the public domain that are read and recorded by volunteers. Obviously, you won’t see any new bestsellers here, but I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the benefits of the classics. I have found some wonderful reads here that I would not normally have seen. However, the quality of the narrators varies widely; use that caveat wisely

LENDING LIBRARIES

And don’t forget about your library. Just like borrowing a physical book or an ebook, you can borrow audiobooks. Many of my fellow audiobook readers on Goodreads use this method for free listening, even for best-sellers. As with all loans, you may have to wait in a virtual line to borrow a popular book, and selection varies based on the size of the library.

Borrowing Apps:

  • OverDrive – works with all lending libraries
  • Libby – works with public libraries
  • Hoopla – from a provider of books and media for libraries

HOW TO LISTEN

I distinctly remember the first time I listened to a book recording. About 1980 (yes, I’m that old) I was living with my boyfriend’s elderly grandmother for a few months. Mrs. W was legally blind and the only way she could read was using a service that mailed her LPs—vinyl records—of audiobooks. She would happily sit for hours, listening to a novel, a romance, or a history book. I was a big reader even then, and I was glad she could still enjoy reading.

Skip ahead to 2019, and instant gratification is the norm. Digital is the word, and it’s easier and cheaper than ever to be an audiobook listener. Search, choose, buy, download, and listen within a few minutes.

DEVICES & FORMATS

Historically, the format of the audio file dictated which device you could use to listen. This presented some confusion when you visited BestBuy (“Will this one play my Lynyrd Skynyrd album?”). Of course, you can still buy old cassette tape audiobooks at yard sales and used book stores, and CDs are available from some major producers.

Fortunately, digital files are pretty interchangeable these days, so the file format isn’t quite as important. We might call it an “MP3 player,” but now our gadgets play quite a few additional file formats: AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), WAV, and WMA (Windows Media Audio), for instance. Of course, there is still a divide in the Android vs iOS and Windows vs Mac arenas, but this is more about the app you use than the file format.

  • Use your pc, a cell phone, a tablet, or a Kindle as an audiobook reader.
  • Have an old iPod in a drawer? That’ll work.
  • Does your GPS device in the car have a feature to play audio files? Let it rip as you drive to work.
  • Did you get an Amazon Echo or a Google Home for Christmas? Let them read aloud to you!

Instead of duplicating perfectly good advice, I’ll just point you to these “roundup” articles that will give you an idea of what apps are available:

8 best audiobook apps you can use on your Android phone or tablet

Best Audiobook Apps (for iPhone and Android)

9 Best Audiobook Apps for iPhone Users (Paid & Free)

COMMUNITY

There are some great online resources for audiobook readers. Topics for discussion include acquiring books, narrators, genres, specials and promotions, free review copies, and technical aspects; they can help with enjoyment and lead to recommendations.

ADDITIONAL READING

A short history of the audiobook, 20 years after the first portable digital audio device

 

Please let me know if you enjoyed this article and/or have something to add to it.

Copyright © 2018 Jan McClintock
In categories Audiobooks, Reading Tagged with ,
Into Africa cover

My TBR Challenge 2019

By Jan
 on December 26, 2018

I’ve been reading (ahem…) about book challenges this week and remembering my previous attempts to keep up with them. I’m fairly sure I failed 90 percent of the time. Regardless, I’m ready to take one on again!A Journey Through Texas cover

What’s that you ask? “Why would you do that again, given your track record?” I enjoyed the 2018 Reading Challenge at Goodreads, and I did well, for a change. Maybe I’m flushed with my success and ready to repeat it.

Whatever the reason, I’m doing something a little different—at least, for me.

One of the (many) things I love about reading is actually the acquisition of the books. I love buying books of all kinds and keeping track of them. I have hundreds of unread books in my Kindle Library and quite a few in my Audible library. For 2019, I want to read books I ALREADY OWN. Thus, I’m borrowing the To-Be-Read (TBR) Challenge from other sources for myself.

The following books I have already acquired are on my reading list for 2019:

  1. Quite Ready To Be Sent Somewhere: The Civil War Letters Of Aldace Freeman Walker by Thomas Ledoux [ebook]
  2. Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah [audiobook] [COMPLETE]
  3. The Forever Life (The Forever Series Book 1) by Craig Robertson [ebook]
  4. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick [audiobook] [COMPLETE]
  5. The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt [ebook]
  6. A Journey Through Texas, Or, A Saddle-trip on the Southwestern Frontier (1857) by Frederick Law Olmsted [ebook and paperback]
  7. Dread Nation by Justina Ireland [audiobook] [COMPLETE]
  8. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: A Novel by Robert Dugoni [ebook]
  9. Then She Was Gone: A Novel by Lisa Jewell [audiobook] [COMPLETE]
  10. Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone by Martin Duga [ebook]
  11. Forsaken Kingdom (The Last Prince Book 1) by J.R. Rasmussen  [ebook]
  12. Crow Hollow by Michael Wallace [audiobook]

Updates to come…

In categories List, Reading Tagged with ,
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