Bookworms 2020

elsien

I want to read Hamnet but my county library doesn't have it either in real book or ebook format.
I'm dithering about a prime audible trial as it's on offer at the moment but previous experience (with the grand total of 1 book) has shown that I don't get engrossed in the same way as when I'm reading. Not sure if this was the book or the experience generally.
I'd be curious to see other people's experience with audiobooks.

LuckyLondonLucy

elsien said:

I want to read Hamnet but my county library doesn't have it either in real book or ebook format.
I'm dithering about a prime audible trial as it's on offer at the moment but previous experience (with the grand total of 1 book) has shown that I don't get engrossed in the same way as when I'm reading. Not sure if this was the book or the experience generally.
I'd be curious to see other people's experience with audiobooks.

I would really recommend Audible - especially if you haven't had it before and can get the free trial.  I used to be such a snob about it, "it wasn't real reading" blah blah blah... but honestly, during this lockdown it's been amazing company on my long walks and has made me walk for longer!  I know some friends that think it's too expensive at £7.99 a month, but I love the fact that it's zero waste and for me it's genuine entertainment.  They also do a daily deal where they sell a different book for £1.99 / £2.99 and I've picked up lots of these.  I'd go for it - I really would!

ruby_eskimo

I used to be really into audio books when I had to drive everywhere for work and had an audible subscription which was great.  Have paused it though while we're on lock down and still prefer a physical book to read.

Finished How to be an Anti-racist last night and started A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas.  It's just a novella to follow on from the previous book in the series so quite short for her at about 250 pages.  Already halfway through as it's so easy to read so should be done with it tonight.  

[Deleted User]

I have just finished reading The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray. 

I really enjoyed this book.  It is very well written - tackling difficult subjects with great insight.  The author skillfully communicates complex ideas and theories into a very readable book.  The book looks at identity, gender, race and current social attitudes and why ideas around these issues have been changing so rapidly recently.

Not a lightweight read, but worth the extra brain power and attention required.

ruby_eskimo

That does sound interesting @Spider_In_The_Bath might have to see if the library has a copy I can borrow.

Finished A Court of Frost and Starlight yesterday; a nice easy read which definitely felt like a filler book.  Now to wait till January for the next one to come out!  Have started Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo.  Only about 30 pages in but enjoying it so far.

elsien

So what do you folks listen to your audio books on?
I was planning to download to my phone then bluetooth to headphones but have just discovered that audible on Amazon and iphones don't mix.    Any suggestions for a cheap work round?  Wondering if I can buy then somehow transfer it over?

Finally finished Ducks, Newburyport which is 1000 pages of stream of consciousness.   Only taken me since the start of lockdown,  on and off.  One of those books where sometimes you are noticing the writing rather than really getting into it. I'm glad I stuck with it, the pace got quicker towards the end and I was on a roll then it finished and I was thinking really?  You're ending like that??
And I still have no idea what the lion bit was all about. 

jwil

elsien said:

So what do you folks listen to your audio books on?
I was planning to download to my phone then bluetooth to headphones but have just discovered that audible on Amazon and iphones don't mix.    Any suggestions for a cheap work round?  Wondering if I can buy then somehow transfer it over?

Finally finished Ducks, Newburyport which is 1000 pages of stream of consciousness.   Only taken me since the start of lockdown,  on and off.  One of those books where sometimes you are noticing the writing rather than really getting into it. I'm glad I stuck with it, the pace got quicker towards the end and I was on a roll then it finished and I was thinking really?  You're ending like that??
And I still have no idea what the lion bit was all about. 

I listen to audible on my iphone - there's an audible app.  I also put them into itunes so I can listen to them on an ipod.

hanert

@elsien can I just add my two pennyworth with regard to Audible.  Check the sample before you buy as some of the narrators are not too good and I could not listen to the end of the sample let alone the whole book, although you can return them.

elsien

jwil said:

elsien said:

So what do you folks listen to your audio books on?
I was planning to download to my phone then bluetooth to headphones but have just discovered that audible on Amazon and iphones don't mix.    Any suggestions for a cheap work round?  Wondering if I can buy then somehow transfer it over?

Finally finished Ducks, Newburyport which is 1000 pages of stream of consciousness.   Only taken me since the start of lockdown,  on and off.  One of those books where sometimes you are noticing the writing rather than really getting into it. I'm glad I stuck with it, the pace got quicker towards the end and I was on a roll then it finished and I was thinking really?  You're ending like that??
And I still have no idea what the lion bit was all about. 

I listen to audible on my iphone - there's an audible app.  I also put them into itunes so I can listen to them on an ipod.

Yes but the booK is much more expensive on those whereas at the moment it's on Amazon's free trIan but Amazon won't let me download to Apple.  That's what I'm trying to find a work round for. 

LuckyLondonLucy

Audible and iphones most certainly do work (thank goodness!). As said above - just download the app and you’ll have many hours of happy listening!  I agree about the narrators too - a couple I have read have just been dreadful... I tend to have a flick through the comments as they can grade the narrators.

As for my books - I’m finishing off IT by Stephen King... am getting a bit tired of it now so have made it faster (one of the great things with Audible!) - I’ll probably give it a 3* but I don’t think it’s had as much impact on me as if I had read it as a teenager! Am really enjoying Magpie Murders - it has an old school Agatha Christie feel about it! Am also reading a non fiction (I’m so much more a novel reader) - Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. It’s fascinating actually!

Bye for now and Have a happy and hopefully cool weekend! Lucy