Total for 2011:
- 16 audio books completed
- 2 bought but abandoned due to dislike
.
Audio consumed, approximately:
- 459 hours, or
- 19 days, or
- 5.2 percent of the 365-day year
.
Listed in order from most recent to least:
The Mote in God’s Eye (Larry Niven, Jerry Pournelle) – Audible link
Old-school sci fi, which naturally makes its themes a little played and trite. The alien species and its unique society is interesting, however.
Black Out/All Clear (Connie Willis) – Audible link 1 and link 2
I’ve read most of the other time-travel books in Willis’ series, and the concept of historians going back in time to study the past is so creative and fascinating, all the possible problems and complications. These linked books take on the entire World War II era, which makes them both interesting and pretty dense at points. I would recommend it highly if the main characters didn’t sit around for pages/minutes pondering “what if”s. (What if we’re stuck here? What if X affected Y? What if Z was a sign? What if I stopped thinking ‘what if’ all the time and JUST MOVED THE PLOT FORWARD?!) As is, I do recommend it, but also think you should try one of the shorter books in the series first.
The Eye of the World: Book One of the Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan) – Audible link
Way too Lord of the Rings derivative, in my opinion. A rag-tag group on a quest against the forces of darkness. I finished it but won’t be pursuing the series.
Devil in the White City (Erik Larson) – Audible link
Brilliant. I’ve been meaning to read this best-seller for years, and I’m so glad I finally did. Larson weaves together the story of the World’s Fair and the story of mass murderer operating in its midst, making the most fascinating parallels between the two and painting a picture of the American experience/spirit at that time in place. Did I say brilliant?
From the series The Song of Ice and Fire (George R. R. Martin):
A Game of Thrones – Audible link
A Clash of Kings – Audible link
A Storm of Swords – Audible link
A Feast for Crows – Audible link
A Dance with Dragons – Audible link
I’m not going to say that the Song of Fire and Ice series isn’t problematic. I mean, it’s a rape-fest, just for starters. That said, I think the plot line is riveting (once you get past the exposition of the first book), and I find the dark, unfair, mean world Martin paints to be almost refreshing compared to so many “white hats always win” stories. The author is not afraid to make beloved characters go through truly awful things/nasty deaths, and so he always keeps you guessing. The fantastical/magical elements of the story emerge slowly, creeping in like rising water. Hence, “winter is coming.” Therefore, the magic seems all the more a real part of the world because he doesn’t beat you over the head with it. I think my favorite characters are the pretty common ones: Tyrion Lanaster, John Snow and Sansa Stark.
A Discover of Witches (Deborah Harkness) – Audible link
Amusing. This is obviously a book crafted for the new vampire obsession, and it offers nothing new to that prevalent genre. Know how to piss me off, though? Build toward a climax that’s obviously unresolvable in the remaining time, trusting that you can make readers buy a sequel. All I see is dollar signs in your eyes, and you’re serving yourself, not readers. Screw that.
Oryx and Crake (Margaret Atwood) – Audible link
I read this as a book years ago, but I love the story and wanted to revisit the book. I’m a sucker for post-apocalyptic and plague stories. Bingo on both!
Prince of Ireland: Edward Rutherfurd – Audible link
A nice piece of historical fiction about Irish history, which I picked up because I was headed to Ireland. I probably wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise, but it was entertaining.
The Way We Live Now (Anthony Trolloppe) – Audible link
I haven’t read any Victorian novels (a la Vanity Fair) for a while, and this was a great example of the genre. Lots of conversation with deep subtext, rich characters, fascinating settings and parties. Of course there’s a drunkard, dissolute young aristocrat who gambles with his family’s entire fortune. I love dissolute, handsome drunkards.
Dancing at the Rascal Fair (Ivan Doig) – Audible link
Historical fiction of Irish immigrants settling in the frontier of Montana, and it sounds like a lovely frontier. It’s a slow, contemplative book, and I enjoyed it. I haven’t though about continuing the series, though.
The Passage (Justin Cronin) – Audible link
READ THIS BOOK NOW! Yes, it’s another that fits into the category of vampire fiction, but Cronin’s take on the subject is really unique and adds both post-apocalyptic and plague elements. (I’m a sucker for both, see above.) Before any other books in the series have been written, all of them have been optioned for movies, and I can understand why. I was hooked. This book scared the crap out of me, my heart beating faster in my chest, and I had to stop whatever I was doing while listening (walking the dog, cooking, etc.) multiple times so I could breathlessly listen to what would happen next. In addition to suspense, however, I found the characters to be rich and complex, not at all types, and there were a lot of strong female characters. I can’t wait for the second book. Write, Cronin, write!
I have a love-hate relationship with World War II. On the one hand, I hate how pervasively popular it is, as if it’s the ONLY field of history worthy of interest or study. Other side of the coin, it’s a genuinely fascinating time period that I like reading about. I may have even had an unhealthy obsession with holocaust historical fiction in my morbid youth, but that’s neither here nor there. What’s here is Winds of War, which is an old-fashioned, multi-generational epic of the Henry family’s varied and exciting experiences throughout the war. (Actually, this book goes up to Pearl Harbor. The sequel War and Remembrance covers the remainder.)
