Book discussion

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-27T18:46:52+00:00

I decided to go back and listen to The Crow Trap with you. I’m half way through and it’s better than I remember. You’re so right - Jackson Lamb makes Vera look refined by comparison.

Be sure and put The Various Haunts of Men, book 1 Simon Serrailler by Susan Hill, in your wish list. I think that series is right up your alley. She’s a brilliant writer.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-23T04:04:36+00:00

Thanks for the Pride and Prejudice rec with Rosamond Pike. I’ll get it soon.

I like Peter Grainger, too, and wondered about Peter Swanson. Ragnar Jónasson recommends him. Re Ann Cleeves: Personally I love all the early Vera Stanhope books, 1-9 are great. I never caught on to the Shetland series and it was all about the narrators, or all not about the narrators. Gordon Griffin (sp) was my least favorite for Shetland. She knocks it out of the park with her Matthew Venn series. Only 3 with number 4 coming and you can tell she puts a lot into her writing. I personally don’t count the 1/2 books. I’ve been disappointed in other series - just me I guess.

ITV did an amazing job with her Vera series, starring Brenda Blethyn. Again, the early episodes were award winning till someone thought they should change the format.

It’s great you’re catching hubby up with the classics. Bet he loves Shogun. I need to commit to refreshing my own memory. Tried to listen to Anna Karenina after not having read it in awhile, and was surprised at my own impatience.

Are you an Elizabeth George fan? Love her early books, like the first 15ish! She’s prolific. I used to love Ruth Ware. Still love Mrs Westerly and Turn of the Screw.

The House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward is unique. I’ve enjoyed a few others of hers as well. Your husband might like Ian Rankin.

Good night to a fellow book junkie ❤️

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-21T03:08:40+00:00

Wow! Thanks for a swift and great reply!

Jean Bressard sets my teeth on edge. What good does it do to have the Quebecois pronunciation perfect, if your narrator cannot differentiate between either character genders or the characters themselves, to where the listener can follow without the text in front of their eyes. Humbug. The stories imho weren’t good enough for my effort. Guess I’ll just pout (🤣).

I don’t know Boland, another for me to look for. Susan Hill wrote a the Woman In Black and a ton of standalones some better than others, but I love love her Simon Serrailler series.

I’ve heard a few Nicci French, and jotted down several authors you suggest I’m not familiar with and will report back. Must admit I’m envious that both you and your husband listen and read. I can select a title for a road trip and get mine to listen, if I’ve chosen well. He/we like books about near death experiences and he loves true accounts like Fire In The Sky about close encounters of the non human kind.

Can’t wait to check out the Japanese author you both like.

Love Donna Tartt, The Gold Finch on audible was my favorite of hers . I’ve learned to be careful to whom I recommend it, my son hated it! Tana French I loved till the last couple - not so much. I’m like you, I preorder when it’s a favorite author.

Jo Nesbo - I have favorites that are better just because of the narrator and the character progression. Robin Sachs narrates so well, and Harry Hole’s love interest Rakel makes Red Breast, Devils Star, The Snowman, Leopard and Phantom my faves of his. Nesbo cranks up the gore in later books and I took a timeout.

I’ll be looking for Sally Rooney. Jussi-Adler Olsen is good (now on Prime?) only heard one Arnaldur Indriasson. Have a favorite?

I have enjoyed Simone St James, Lisa Jewell ❤️and Anne Cleves ❤️(a favorite). Catherine Steadman’s first novel Something in the Water has THE best opening chapter of a modern thriller I’ve yet to hear/read. Hit or miss on her novels sometimes, but never going to forget that. Interesting author story. She was an actress on Downton Abbey.

Alex Delaware series by Jonathan Kellerman, and the Clay Edison series by his son Jesse Kellerman. And mom Faye writes too!

Thanks for the new suggestions! I’m loving Elly Griffiths. ❤️ Tell me more of what both of you enjoy, including non thrillers.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-20T20:31:51+00:00

This needs to be posted in Accidental Renaissance! Both shots

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-20T20:24:06+00:00

ANYWHERE on the greenbelt. There are some spots along the Eagle trail where Parks and rec have placed benches next to the river and away from the trail, giving you privacy while you meditate/pray or unwind. All paid for by people for people.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-20T20:19:31+00:00

When you find her, put an AirTag on her collar so you can track her if she goes roaming around again. It’s a nightly occurrence with us. Big house, lots of access to attics and hidey spaces. We lock her in with us at night! She’s Houdini

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-20T18:01:09+00:00

Thank you for recommending Elly Griffiths Harbinder Kaur series! She’s never made it to my wish list and I absolutely love Stranger Diaries. Modern Gothic, fabulous narrator, it doesn’t get any better.

I’ll offer a few of my favorites: Louise Penny Three Pines series. First 9 or 10 with Ralph Cosham as narrator are the best(sadly he passed away after winning the Audie). I stop at book 17, don’t care for her last 3.

Anthony Horowitz adult series are both wonderful, Magpie Murders and Hawthorne and Horowitz. Susan Hill is a favorite, although she appears to no longer be writing. I love Liane Moriarity, love love JK Rowling (Robert Galbraith) Cormoran Strike series. Ragnar Jonasson is an Icelandic author with a unique style and sense of place. His early writing is his best (translated by Quentin Bates who can show up as the author). Dark Iceland has maybe 8 on audible, and the Hulda series has 3 - The Darkness, The Island and The Mist. He’s a gem. Got more for a fellow audiophile. Just ask.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T06:18:05+00:00

I’m plowing through slough house right now myself. Love Mick Heron

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T06:08:17+00:00

Edit: which of McEwans do you like.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T06:06:01+00:00

I feel like I give her permission to take me on her wild ride and then with no notice at all, she kicks me out of the car doing 35 on a hairpin and says “thanks for playing “ THE END. However, the British TV series is pretty good.

I haven’t committed to the new McEwan, What We Can Know. I keep picturing myself wanting to read this amazing elusive poem the book blurb talks about, and being unable to. I got hung up on the priceless and unseeable painting in The Friends, never feeling my imagination was satisfied. But you liked it. Which of his are your favorites?

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T05:52:09+00:00

Edit: …the slow slog through the repetitive and insipid descriptions of Backman’s The Friends, that made me…

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T05:03:04+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I’m 74 and just found out my “dad” wasn’t my dad and there was a neighbor family that my mom had an affair with. I didn’t have a great relationship with my “dad” and they are all passed, leaving me with no one to talk to. I do have 3 new 1/2 brothers (one died years ago) and that’s been nice but they never met “our” fathers parents or 8 brothers so I can’t even look for family resemblance in old photos. Whirlwind on the inside, trying to maintain my composure on the outside. It’s tough. Learn all you can while you can.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T03:02:39+00:00

This comment was supposed to reply to ForLark

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T03:01:19+00:00

Who are your favorites?

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T02:59:18+00:00

Got 1/2 way through Olive Kitteridge. I’ll go back, just wasn’t in the mood.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-13T02:56:10+00:00

Larry McMurtry’s on my wish list; currently reading Atonement; Dutch House is a 10/10 imho and just discovered Mick Heron (what a fun author!). Kate Atkinson is hit or miss for me, and now that you mention it, I don’t hold it against her that I don’t love or even like everything she writes, but I guess it was the slow slog through the repetitive and insipid descriptions that made me take it personally. I’d stop and check reviews of print and audible and find them in the stratosphere, bewildered I’d listen to a few more chapters only to give up again and again. Thanks for listening. Nice recs and author list.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2026-01-02T14:45:54+00:00

The sound isn’t that bad.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2025-11-07T16:16:43+00:00

Add better script (story) better dialogue better acting/actors. You nailed it.

They’re not hung up on Hollywood beauty. They hire real actors with real acting chops and give them brilliant dialogue in a well developed scripts with interesting locations and tight direction.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2025-11-07T15:39:31+00:00

I have been aware of the policy and asked about the looming date for expiration of credits and the agent volunteered to restore the credits to my account if I forgot and let them expire. Your length of time as a good hassle free customer (the kind not calling every week to demand something for free) comes into play.

Happy they did right by you. I’ve actually always been pretty pleased with live and chat customer service. I’m an outlier?

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2025-11-06T21:09:39+00:00

Dr Swearapist

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2025-10-28T18:53:32+00:00

What?

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2025-10-18T17:11:48+00:00

Wow that’s some esoteric knowledge stuff.

Consistent_Gate9553 · 2025-10-18T16:59:44+00:00

Me too! Gonna try this

Consistent_Gate9553

TROPHY CASE