Let’s get right to it, shall we? Here’s what I’ve been reading…

 

Nobody’s Fool
by Richard Russo (fiction) – skip?

I originally had a different book – Everybody’s Fool –  on my to-read list as well as on hold at the library. I’m not sure where or how this book was recommended to me, but there was a dog on the cover, so that probably clinched it. 🙂 However, before I picked the book up at the library, I noticed that it was the second book in a series. So instead, I picked up this book – #1 in the series.

To be honest, I didn’t really like this book so much. About half-way in, I had to push my way through it because I had invested so much time in the characters. While I did like the characters, I kept thinking that something was going happen. That there’d be a turning point. But there was no definite climax, in my opinion. And while it’s not a major part of the book, something that happened to a dog really upset me. Once I finished the book, I was more relieved to be done with it than anything, but also a bit peeved that I put so much time into those all of those pages. I was kind of surprised that it got such high ratings. Maybe because the author is a Pulitzer Prize winner?

Still, I did look up reviews of the sequel, Everybody’s Fool, that features a {different} dog. Some people said that the dog was their favorite character in the book. DAMN! Just when I swore I wouldn’t invest any more time in this series, it just might reel me back with the dog… as long as nothing horrible happens to him.

~

Dawn
by Elie Wiesel (fiction) – worth a read

This is the second book in a series that started with the non-fiction Holocaust story Night. {My thoughts on that book, here.} I’m not sure why they call this a series, because it’s not really a sequel. It’s also fiction, where the first book was his own personal real-life story. But Elie Wiesel created another work of art. It’s a quick read that kept my attention. I finished it in a day, but I’m a slow reader. So many would probably finish it in a couple of hours. Now I need to read the last book of the series – Day.

~

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo (audio)
by Amy Schumer (non-fiction) – must read

I haven’t been much of an audio book person, but now that my five-minute commute {poor me!} has turned into a 30-minute one, I decided I needed something to pass the time and not so much on an unhealthy focus and heightened awareness of a potential accident.

I chose Amy’s book to cheer me up during this stupid commute. First off, I am a huge fan of Amy. I think she is a hilarious as a comedian, but also a strong woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes. I personally love this video – a hysterically funny sketch, but with also a message.

 

Listening to her book on audio was strange at first. It felt like she was just reading the book. It wasn’t the normal Amy spunk and voice I’m used to. But it soon changed and I fell in love with this book, which is not a collection of her jokes. And while she states that this is not a memoir because she is not old yet old enough for that, it really is a story of her life and how she came to be where she is today – both personally and professionally.

Even if you don’t care about what her life was or is like, I think it is book that showcases a strong, independent woman, even if that was not her intention. She touches on topics such as introversion, self-discovery, body image and abuse. My favorite chapter was Letter to the Editor. I liked it so much that I went back and listened to it again. Amy is often labeled as a sex comic, but that isn’t her entire persona. You’d be surprised with the truth she shares.

 

~

A Short History of Nearly Everything (audio)
by Bill Bryson (non-fiction) – DNF

After finishing The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, I picked up this audio book because I wanted something else funny to listen to on my commute. One of my favorite books is Neither Here Nor There by Bill Bryson. I remember returning from Europe and reading this book on the recumbent bike at the gym and laughing hysterically out loud, turning heads. I’ve read a couple of his other books and thought this might be a good one to pass the time.

IT WAS NOT!

I hit play and the voice that came out of the speakers was one with a British accent. Not only that but his style of reading was so dull and dry. I’d prefer to tread this book imaging Bryson’s voice instead. Maybe it was decided that he should not read his own book on audio; however, the person that was chosen did not suit me. I promptly took it back to the library.

~

When I first decided to try out audio books, I  was trying to decide if I would get the same thing out of the book if I were reading it. I kind of felt like I was cheating. But then I read a couple of great articles that explain why it’s not. Like this one. Sure, you may be using a different part of your brain to concentrate, but you really do have to focus. It’s not just passive listening. I had to back up a few times listening to the first book just because I realized that my mind was wondering. I remember this, too, the first time I tried listening to a podcast.

Still, my lesson learned is that not all audio books are created equal. How do you choose whether to read or listen? So I’m looking for suggestions. Suggestions of books that are great on audio, maybe even better that reading the book! I found a list online that I’m starting with, but would love some more ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Name books that you think are great on audio.

Cheers~
Carrie