Current read: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Current listen: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Hey all! Finished some things, but they weren't all that exciting. I'm trying to be consistent.
First, I finished Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass. This was a series of novellas and extra scenes from the Selection series. I read it in an afternoon pretty easily. I did find them very enjoyable even though it has been several months since I read the first three books of that series. It was a good combination of things that could be called prequels, some that were other perspectives of events from the books, and some that took place after the first three. That whole series is just SLIGHTLY trashy. Which is not to say that I don't love them. I definitely love them. Don't let anyone ever tell you that trashy books aren't worth your time. You do you.
Second, I finished the audio book version of The Plantagenets by Dan Jones. Whoa. What a journey this book was. I contemplated stopping several times and picking it up later, but not because it wasn't interesting. There was just A LOT packed into this book. It begins with the circumstances that led up to the crowning of Henry II and ends after the deposition of Richard II. That's 300ish years of English royal history, which I knew next to nothing about going in. I learned a WHOLE lot (not that it is really relevant knowledge to my life, but whatever), but it was almost overwhelming with no context at all. I had heard of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart, but other than that, I had nothing. NOT ANYMORE. Lots of fun drama and scandal in addition to, you know, wars with France and Scotland and whatnot. I will eventually read the sequel, The War of the Roses, but it will be awhile before I take that plunge. I wouldn't recommend this book in the audio book format, since it is one of those where you might want to go back and reference things. Lots of different people named Henry and Richard and Edward and John. Overall, though, a very worthwhile read if you are into history.
I also wanted to catch you all up on what's been going on in my audio book life during my little hiatus. Here are some favorite audio books I've listened to on Audible in the past several months:
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin
A bitter widower runs a bookstore on a small, close knit island. His life is turned upside down when a young girl is left helpless in his store and he decides to take her in. LOVED this. Great for book lovers, but also really just for everyone. Many feels.
The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart
Another one that I wouldn't recommend on audio book, but it was on sale. An in depth guide to all the plants used to make alcohol, mixers, and other ingredients/garnishes. Lots of fun tidbits and trivia in addition to the basics. I will never be able to drink cheap tequila again.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Great performance by reader Cassandra Campbell. The story of a Chinese American family (Chinese dad, white mom) and their struggles in 1970s small-town Ohio. At the beginning of the story, their golden child, Lydia, is found dead in the town's lake. The story of this death and its aftermath is told very well through the perspectives of father, mother, sister, and brother. Great dramatic read, but very sad.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Narrated by the author. WHAT A READ. Will listen to again. Amazing, amazing, amazing stuff.
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
A very interesting look at the town of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where most of the material used in the first atomic bombs was enriched--mostly by young women who had know idea that the small, repetitive tasks they did each day would change the course of history. Not as good as The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, but a similar style.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Again, narrated by the author. I love Mindy Kaling with all of my soul. Just under the great Amy and Tina on my list of favorite female celebrities. I really appreciate her honesty and her perspective as a woman who looks more like the average American woman.
The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien
Narrated by the great Bryan Cranston. This is one of the best books about Vietnam ever written, and Bryan Cranston made me feel like I was there. Another amazing book.
Lock In by John Scalzi
I highly recommend any audio book narrated by Wil Wheaton. The man has a gift. He did both of Ernest Cline's books (Armada and Ready Player One), and this one was also great. A detective novel, but set in a time when millions of people have contracted a disease known as Hayden's Syndrome, which causes people with fully functional minds to be locked into their paralyzed bodies. A really cool premise, interesting characters, and a decent mystery.
WOW. I've been busy. If you want anymore details about a particular audio book, please let me know. For now, that's all she read!
