If you have been reading my blog for a while, you may remember that while I cut and sew away, I listen to audiobooks. Late last spring, I listened to 61 Hours, a Jack Reacher book by Lee Child. My parents recommended it because it takes place in South Dakota (our home state.) I really enjoyed it and so I spent the summer listening/reading all the Jack Reacher books. I finished the last of what our library has a few weeks ago and am on the list for the newest one. I like to say that I spent my summer with Reacher. It seems that I have been spending the last few summers getting to know other characters. There was my summer with Lizbeth Salander, and another with Katniss Everdeen. I think it is great discovering a new series and being able to immerse oneself in that "world" instead of waiting all your life for the next installment, like with Claire and Jamie Fraser, etc., although I am VERY patient in that regard, too.
At any rate, once I finished with Reacher, I am finally able to indulge myself in the book that I have been "hoarding" a bit. To continue the "suspense," I listened to a few of the previous books, but now I'm part way through the new one. Do you know Three Pines? Have you "met" Chief Inspector Gamache?
Louise Penny has written a series of lovely mysteries set mostly in the fictional village of Three Pines in Quebec. The village is full of great characters that seem so real and fun that you wish you could visit, too. Art, good food, parties, and crime solving--what more could you want? Good writing? You've got it. I love this "quote" (remember I'm listening, not reading so I may not have it quite exact) "They set out walking together, one man tall and straight, and the other short and round, looking like a broken exclamation point." And then this quip, "I used to be as pure as the driven snow, but then I drifted."
Meanwhile, I still can't decide what major project to begin, so I'm spending the time finishing up a few things. It isn't as exciting, but it is good to get those things off the pile!
I'm always looking for new books to read, how about you?
Have a great day!
JoAnne
Lizbeth Salander: The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larsson (plus the next two books)
Katniss Everdeen: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (plus the next two books)
Claire and Jamie Fraser: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (plus the next 6--nearly 7! books)
Thanks for the reading list, JoAnne! I'm always interested in books others have enjoyed. I'm heading to my library tomorrow to see if they have any of these on tape. It's a very small library, and the last time I checked, the only thing that even remotely interested me on tape, was a series of university lectures given on fables and fairy tales and the meaning and history behind them. It was pretty interesting, but difficult to sew to, so I ended up with them in the car on a couple of trips. I'm hoping I can find something more 'story like' instead of a lecture! LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm a big reader but have never been able to get into the recordings. As a result, I can't read and quilt at the same time; it is one or the other for me. I recently found a new author I like a lot, Beatriz Williams.
ReplyDeleteGood post. We've posted a similar Barbados profile here: http://traveleam.ca/barbados/
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered that our local library system has a devise called a Play-Away. It's a small little box about half the size of a deck of cards. It has a recorded book in it and all you do is supply the head phones and you're off! My hubs is a big Jack Reacher fan. Have you read any Vince Flynn or Brad Meltzer? Great books.
ReplyDeleteI love Louise Penny, Three Pines, and Inspector Gamache! Read them all and have even started rereading them because I love them so much. Her writing is great, isn't it. I'm currently listening to the second in the David Baldacci series featuring Will Robie. I have also liked his King & Maxwell series and his Camel Club series.
ReplyDeleteDo you use head phones and listen while you sew or just when cutting & pressing? I haven't tried using head phones yet so only listening while cutting & pressing. Used to listen to books while driving to and from work but now I'm retired. And we haven't taken any trips for a couple of years. That was such a good time to listen. I don't have a quilting blog but I do have a reading blog, A Readers Journal. Stop by sometime for a visit.
I listen to books on tape on long drives...I haven't had any since picking up daughter number 5 from her senior year in college... I will have to try it while quilting and sewing!
ReplyDeleteWow ... reading is my SECOND addiction ... the first being quilting. Combine the two and I'm in deep trouble! LOL Haven't tried listening to books while I quilt ... I seem to need to concentrate but will be giving it a try. A HUGE Gabaldon fan and also like Marie Bostwick and her Cobbled Court series. Recently read a couple of "dog" books by Susan Wilson (One Good Dog and the Dog Who Danced) ... EXCELLENT books. Liked the Earlene Fowler mystery series, too! Books are like all the quilts we want to make ... so many books/patterns ... so little time! Great topic! Linda
ReplyDeleteI usually listen to music while quilting, but will have to try books. I will look at the library for audio books. Also, "I used to be Snow White, but then I drifted" is an old Mae West quote. Another of hers that I like: "You are never too old to become younger!"
ReplyDeleteLOL, I'm listening to World War Z as I write this. I love audio books. My hubby can't believe I don't want a radio or TV in my sewing room...I have my audio books.
ReplyDeleteIf you have not yet listened to the Silo Series, you're in for a treat. Check out Wool, Shift and Dust by Hugh Howey. It's not something I would have listened to but I downloaded it because of the great reviews. Glad I did!
I loved all of the Jack Reacher books too. I have an author recommendation for you -- John Sandford. He writes two series: Lucas Davenport (Prey Series) is the main character in his older series and Virgil Flowers in his newer one. I think both characters are irreverant, daring and smart law enforcement officials reminiscient of Reacher. I'm able to get them at my library. I couldn't find the oldest Prey books so I started at book 13 (Mortal Prey). They don't have to be read in order but there are sometimes quick references to cases from previous books. The narrator in the Prey series is great.
ReplyDeleteI've never tried an audio book, but am an avid reader. I loved the Steiger Larsson books and have tried some other Scandinavian authors since. I've just read The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg. Loved it!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried an audio book, but am an avid reader. I loved the Steiger Larsson books and have tried some other Scandinavian authors since. I've just read The Ice Princess by Camilla Lackberg. Loved it!
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