GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,298
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 28, 2014 14:58:09 GMT
This week I read Dark Witch by Nora Roberts. It's the first in her Cousins O'Dwyer trilogy. Of course it's the same as her other trilogys (think Key, Garden, etc) just different names and settings.
On audio I'm more than half way through Taylor Stevens' The Catch . Action packed as expected. Should finish this week.
Started the last HP book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . I'll be glad to be finished with the series.
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Post by kckckc on Jul 28, 2014 15:22:40 GMT
I finished two books this week.
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling). I really enjoy the characters in this series - I think Rowling is excellent at character development. But, I thought the storyline in this one moved really slow - I felt like I was slogging my way through a good part of the book. I only gave it a 3/5, but I will definitely read the next in the series.
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes. I know this book has been immensely popular, but I didn't just love it. It was a cute and very quick read, but I thought it was just way too far fetched and way too predictable - after reading the first two chapters, I knew exactly how it was going to end. 3/5
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Post by GamGam on Jul 28, 2014 17:06:08 GMT
It's been a bit since I've posted. I've read a couple of really good books, and one I really disliked! First the good ones: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd was a pleasure to read although a difficult subject (slavery). The characters were resourceful and mostly believable, and the pace of the novel was excellent. This is listed, I think, as historical fiction because the protagonist was a 19th century woman from South Carolina. Next came: An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris. Also listed as historical fiction, but very well researched and based on true events. This details what is known as The Dreyfuss Affair which took place in France in the late 1800's. Alfred Dreyfuss was accused of spying for Gremany in 1895; convicted; and imprisioned for several years. He was innocent. Georges Picquart was an officer in the Intelligence Division of the French Army. He became involved with the case and pursued it--to the detriment of his career. This is a fascinating book. I really recomment it. I couldn't put it down.
And then I read The Glass Castle. I did not like this. At. All. The events recalled really stretched what I could accept as factual, and the actions of the parents went waaaaay beyond mental illness to child abuse, in my opinion. I do not enjoy reading about a family as dysfunctional as this one, no matter if the author overcame everything she described. It was not my kind of book.
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Post by powderhorngreen on Jul 28, 2014 17:51:34 GMT
Glad I found this board and thank you to leannec for stepping onto Batya's shoes. Here is what I have read the let few weeks:
The things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley - It is the story of a family that endures a pandemic. It was good, not great. It kept my interest and was a respectable read.
Bird Box by Josh Malerman - a very interesting premise if you like suspense, horror, and end of world scenarios. THere are "things" that, if seen, will cause you to go mad and kill yourself and.or others. It was at times oddly melodic and there were gaps in the plot, but overall and ok book. I suggest listening rather than reading this one.
Five Days At Memorial by Sheri Fink - I am a little late to the party on this one. It was interesting and kept my interest. I was left wondering if a hospital (or any organization) truly be prepared for a severe disaster (natural or manmade) and what I would have done in the situation. At times, a bit repetitive. Overall, glad I read it.
The Bees by Laline Paull - so not my normal genre, but I really enjoyed this one. It is a story of bee named Flora and her adventures in the hive. THe hierarchy of the hive is both comforting and cult like. Reminded me a bit of THe Handmaiden's Tale.
The Book Of Unknown Americans by Christina Henriquez - I loved this one! It tells the story of an immigrant family that moves to Delaware to find a suitable school for their brain injured daughter. Learning about the immigrant experience from a new viewpoint was wonderful. I have not read it so richly detailed and nuanced before. Certainly not alight, easy read - but very satisfying. I thoroughly recommend it.
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Post by heartland on Jul 28, 2014 17:53:34 GMT
I have a stack of books all recommended by the peas, but am not making much progress getting through them. I'm beginning to realize that I'm pretty content to just have this fabulous pile of books here just waiting for "the perfect time" to read them. ? I guess that's better than the alternative of having plenty of time to read and no books at home?
lol - I'm much the same...too many books and not near enough time to read them all!
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Post by annabella on Jul 28, 2014 17:57:35 GMT
I just finished Wild - Cheryl Strayed and went hiking on Saturday and had to tell everyone about it! I started reading Hyperbole and a Half - Allie Brosh but hated it after 2 chapters and am now returning it to the library. Right now I'm reading this book, afraid to name it as it appears the author must get notifications whenever her name is mentioned online.
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Post by annabella on Jul 28, 2014 17:59:29 GMT
I have a stack of books all recommended by the peas, but am not making much progress getting through them. I'm beginning to realize that I'm pretty content to just have this fabulous pile of books here just waiting for "the perfect time" to read them. ? My problem is I find so many interesting books and put them on hold at the library. I don't know if I changed genres but in the past my holds would take a long time so I thought nothing but putting a bunch on hold, but now I'm getting them so quickly I do have a stack at home to read in 3 weeks! Though I can extend them but I just feel so rushed.
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Post by GamGam on Jul 28, 2014 18:07:58 GMT
I have a stack of books all recommended by the peas, but am not making much progress getting through them. I'm beginning to realize that I'm pretty content to just have this fabulous pile of books here just waiting for "the perfect time" to read them. ? My problem is I find so many interesting books and put them on hold at the library. I don't know if I changed genres but in the past my holds would take a long time so I thought nothing but putting a bunch on hold, but now I'm getting them so quickly I do have a stack at home to read in 3 weeks! Though I can extend them but I just feel so rushed. Annabella, My library will let me put a vacation stop on any book I put on hold, and this enables me to keep them from all be available at the same time. Check and see--it is such a great feature.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,760
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Jul 28, 2014 18:23:34 GMT
I have to read my pile at home for a while. Then I get a stack from the library. Then I read at home. I haven't even touched my free Kindle books.... Ugg! I have a huge stack at home, too, and love to look at them all as well. Lisa
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Post by heartland on Jul 28, 2014 18:27:00 GMT
A couple of finishes for me this week:
First up was Fallen by Lauren Kate. This has been on my list to read forever, so glad that I can finally cross it off. This was a good enough story that I'm reading the next book in the series, but not great. YA paranormal. You know it's paranormal and something is going on, but they take about 2/3 of the book before the really introduce what that is. (fallen angels). Very slow start, but I guess they have 3 other books to flesh it out in. The heroine is awfully passive for me too, I'm much more used to a kickass heroine in these type stories. So far Luce just lets everyone move her around and "here, do this..." "go here" type of things. Very annoying. We'll see if it gets any better.
Up next was Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Just can't say enough good things about this book. She has a very unique style of writing, it that its very flowy and conversational, - very easy to just get lost in the story. I also caught the post last week about the kindle special on Attachments, so I downloaded that, its on tap for this week.
Next were two stories by Donna Kauffman, Pelican Point and Half Moon Harbor. Trilogy with a third book out later this month I think. Very similar style to Robyn Carr or Kristan Higgans. Small town, salt of the earth people, everybody's looking for love saga lol. Except this one is set in Maine, so lighthouses and the ocean. Good reads.
Just started The Marriage Pact by Linda Lael Miller this morning. Typical read from her, small towns and hot cowboys.
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Post by sues on Jul 28, 2014 18:52:54 GMT
Pjaye- it's so funny that our book choices are often the same, around the same time. I just finished Wicked Girls over the weekend. I hadn't heard about it at all, and found it when I was browsing the e-stacks at my library's site. The story was intriguing. The vocabulary tripped me up occasionally- but it was interesting all on its own.
I really liked the story. It really pulled me in. I liked how they gave you the back story a little at a time and the differences in how the two characters grew up was fascinating. At the end, the momentum was really building- lots of imagery, lots of suspense. I really couldn't see how it was going to end up. And that's all I'll say about it until you finish, Pjaye- because I don't want to ruin anything. Also- I'm really looking forward to your opinion on the ending.
I also finished Worthy. I wasn't as fond of this one. It was sometimes dry, sometimes a little too feel-your-feeeeelings-sister. I liked reading about different people and their experiences in childhood/young adulthood and how it impacted their behavior as adults. It was all buried in the dry, feel-ey stuff though. I started skimming by the end.
Now I'm reading I Was Told There'd be Cake by Sloane Crosley. It's a book of humorous essays. So far, so good. I'm not sure if she's a well known NY writer or what- but she's good.
Also still working through The Starter Wife. It picked up a lot since I first started it. It's a fluffy read, for sure though.
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valleyview
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,816
Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Jul 28, 2014 19:04:48 GMT
This week I am reading Serena by Ron Rash. It is about logging in North Carolina and the creation of the Smoky Mountain National Park. It has been filmed recently, but the release date is unknown. Okay so far, but I can see how there might have been difficulties turning it into a movie - "Southern" does not always translate well.
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Post by johna on Jul 28, 2014 21:07:47 GMT
I just finished Defending Jacob. I realize I am probably the last pea to read it. LOL!! I LOVED it. I put it off because I burned myself out on courtroom thrillers years ago reading too many John Grisham books in a row. This was not at all a typical courtroom thriller, and it was great to read and very easy to read. I am now reading Secret Bond. It's not bad.
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Post by tampascrapper on Jul 29, 2014 0:28:41 GMT
Love, love, love this thread!!
3 books for me: Bird Box - I agree with what the other poster said and I enjoyed it. I give this one 4/5 stars
Elizabeth is missing - I listened to the audio book. Did not like this book much. It is about a woman that has Alzheimer’s. Her best friend Elizabeth is missing, kind of. I found this very repetitive and sad. - I give it 2/5 stars
Save Yourself - Patrick Cusimano’s father killed a boy while driving drunk. Now Patrick is working at a grubby convenience store, and he and his brother, Mike, are the town pariahs. Caro, Mike’s girlfriend, is running from her own painful past, with no idea what she’s running toward. Layla Elshere is a goth teenager who befriends Patrick for reasons he doesn’t understand and doesn’t trust. And Layla’s little sister, Verna, tortured by her classmates, finds unlikely solace with Layla’s dark tribe of outcasts. As their fates become entwined, everyone is set down a terrifying and twisted path—leading them all toward a collision where loyalties will be betrayed, fears exposed, and lives shattered. - I liked this even though I didn't really like the characters. 4/5 stars
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QueenoftheSloths
Drama Llama
Member Since January 2004, 2,698 forum posts PeaNut Number: 122614 PeaBoard Title: StuckOnPeas
Posts: 5,955
Jun 26, 2014 0:29:24 GMT
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Post by QueenoftheSloths on Jul 29, 2014 0:28:58 GMT
Last week I finished City of Heavenly Fire to end the Mortal Instruments series. I really liked this final book, as it tied in the author's other series and also set up an upcoming series she is beginning. Now I am reading a book about Nell Gwynn, mistress of King Charles II. I started reading it at work on my break, but quickly discovered it has some pretty graphic sex scenes best enjoyed in the privacy of my own home! I read the first three and didn't realize it was continuing. Is it worth reading the rest of the series? I thought the fourth book was a little slow, but the last 2 were much better. In the final book she ties in characters from the Infernal Devices series, and I enjoyed that.
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Post by SockMonkey on Jul 29, 2014 1:08:24 GMT
I'm reading Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein, which is part of the Code Name Verity "series.'" Set in WWII, it follows the story of a female pilot who is captured and taken to a Nazi concentration camp.
I'm listening to Landline by Rainbow Rowell. I just started this one, so not much to say about it just yet except that it's good so far (2 chapters in).
I just finished Casebook by Mona Simpson, about a young boy who spies on his mom's relationship with a somewhat shady character via a phone hookup, snooping, and eventually, a private investigator. It was a little tough to get into, but wound up being okay.
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Post by Annie on Jul 29, 2014 1:27:50 GMT
I haven't read at all the last couple weeks. I opened the thread tonight because I am loading up my kindle for vacation. I'm flying standby, and will have at least one connection, so I should have plenty to report on when I get back. Love hearing all of your suggestions!
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Post by zoeybug on Jul 29, 2014 1:53:54 GMT
Hi Refupeas Who Read, i read two this past week, gave up on a third and reading a new one for this week.
First up was Crazy Rich Asians which is a satire/romantic comedy about two young Asian professors in Manhattan who have a had serious relationship for two years when Nick asks Rachel to come home to Singapore with him for the summer....he just leaves out the part that he belongs to an ultra-rich Chinese family that will have a hard time accepting a girl whose family may be from Mainland China. I really enjoyed this one and blew through it in a day.
Next was John Green's Paper Towns. It's different from The a Fault in Our Stars but very similar to some of his other books. Despite that, I really liked it.
Then I tried to read The Castaways that some peas were talking about last week and I just not get into it.
Now I'm reading California, a dystopian novel but it's not (surprise!) a YA book. Apparently the United States has gone to Hell in a hand basket because of gas and oil shortages which has caused the economy to completely implode and most of the country is in very bad shape because of increasing environmental disasters (sound familiar ?) It's a little uncomfortable to read because this is the first dystopian book I've read that I can actually see this as realistic. The story centers on a young couple, Cal and Frida who escaped Los Angeles two years earlier into the wilderness and are just trying to survive. I really like this book, it's well-written and very interesting.
I have All the Light We Cannot See on my Kindle App so I'm glad to hear so many of you have liked this book !
Have ve a good week!
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notime2
Shy Member
Posts: 22
Jun 26, 2014 12:32:55 GMT
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Post by notime2 on Jul 29, 2014 2:00:11 GMT
We just got back from vacation and I managed two books while there.
First I read The Silkworm and I really enjoyed it! I cannot wait for more books in this series, Rowling really bring these char haters to life.
The other book I read was The Giver, which I had never read before. It was a very quick read, I managed it on the flight home/drive from the airport. This was the first book that I borrow through Kindle Unlimited. I just downloaded the second book in this series, also through Kindle Unlimited.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,376
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Jul 29, 2014 2:06:50 GMT
Hey everyone! I'm on vacation and managing to read on the beach everyday So far I've finished Sous Chef by Michael Gibney ... a non-fiction about life in a New York kitchen ... for a Food Network junkie like me it was enjoyable Now I'm reading Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead ... it revolves around the ballet world but isn't as interesting as I thought it would be ... I'll still finish it though What are you reading? Still trying to finish my Rick Warren book - The Daniel Plan. The problem hasn't been the book, it's been me. With the weather, I've only been in the mood to read at night, and I've been having problems with my good light in the bedroom. I just keep procrastinating re: talking to my landlord to see what is going on. It's an overhead light. Thought the bulbs were burnt out. Two or three days later the light worked again, for a few days. Wait a few days, worked again. So something is wonky.
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Post by kaycee on Jul 29, 2014 3:24:29 GMT
I have a really dumb question for Pjaye. I saw on another thread where you said you listen to a lot of audio books. I know nothing about audio books but have to travel 30 - 40 minutes each way to work and I think I would be able to get through a lot of books this way. Can I ask how you do it? As in, what format? I found an Australian audio book website where a Harlan Coban book was $47.00 for 10 CDs. Is that how you do it? Seems a bit expensive for one book. Is there somewhere I can go to download an audio copy? What do I download it to that I can play in my car? Is there an iPhone app? I am clueless. Thanks for any information you can give me!
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Post by honeyb on Jul 29, 2014 4:25:11 GMT
I read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper for my book club. It's actually a teen/tween book. It's about a girl with cerebral palsy that is brilliant, only no one knows it since she can't speak. It was a great read. Loved every page! My 11 year old daughter just finished this book. She has mild ataxic cerebral palsy (a very different form and certainly a much milder case). We talk constantly about how lucky we are that her case is so mild. If you didn't know something was wrong with her, you might just suspect she is an extremely clumsy kid. She never quite understood why we would call her lucky. After reading this book, she gets it. She's lucky.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on Jul 29, 2014 5:02:14 GMT
So my (18 y/o) son and I had a long drive this week so I thought hey, why don't we listen to an audio book together. Since you'd normally find me listening to chick lit, I thought back to these threads and thought, hmmm, Mr. Mercedes seems to be well like. Might as well introduce him to Stephan King. It's been awhile since I read a Stephen King book so I figure, let's try it. It started off good, pretty easy to get into...BUT, my god, I think I have forever scarred my son. Just a warning to others, Mr. Mercedes IS NOT and good book for mother son bonding :-p. We got through a couple of the uncomfortable scenes between the mother and son before he slipped on his headphones and cranked up his music. I don't think I can convince him to ever give Stephan King another shot. I ended up finishing it on my own and really did enjoy it :-p. Preordered Big Little Lies and supposed to be released tomorrow. Plan to start as soon as I wake up!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 6:24:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 7:25:19 GMT
Kaycee, do you have books on CD at your library?
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Post by kaycee on Jul 29, 2014 7:41:04 GMT
Kaycee, do you have books on CD at your library?
I haven't been to our local library for many years. I didn't even think of the library for audio books, duh! Thanks for the suggestion elaynef, I will start there.
I look forward to the reading thread every week and have a list of books I want to read based on the recommendations here, however my list of books is longer than my spare time, so I thought I could put my 5 hours in the car every week to good use.
Thanks again!
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Post by pjaye on Jul 29, 2014 11:52:04 GMT
Pjaye- it's so funny that our book choices are often the same, around the same time. I just finished Wicked Girls over the weekend. I hadn't heard about it at all, and found it when I was browsing the e-stacks at my library's site. The story was intriguing. The vocabulary tripped me up occasionally- but it was interesting all on its own. I really liked the story. It really pulled me in. I liked how they gave you the back story a little at a time and the differences in how the two characters grew up was fascinating. At the end, the momentum was really building- lots of imagery, lots of suspense. I really couldn't see how it was going to end up. And that's all I'll say about it until you finish, Pjaye- because I don't want to ruin anything. Also- I'm really looking forward to your opinion on the ending. Yes,I've noticed that too! Although I 'found' this book because it was one of Audible's daily deals a few weeks ago, I listened to a sample, liked the narrator, so figured for $3.95 for a 14hr book it was hard to go wrong. If it wasn't a daily deal, I doubt I would have discovered it either. Being an Aussie, and of the generation where our TV shows were mainly British, the language was second nature to me, but if you haven't been exposed to much of the British jargon, I can see how it might be puzzling in places. I realised today I speak 3 languages - Australian, British and American...lol I agree that it's suspenseful and even though I'm over half way, I still have no clear idea of what really happened in the past or where the current story is heading. I love it when I find such an original, and unpredictable book.
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Post by pjaye on Jul 29, 2014 12:24:06 GMT
I have a really dumb question for Pjaye. I saw on another thread where you said you listen to a lot of audio books. I know nothing about audio books but have to travel 30 - 40 minutes each way to work and I think I would be able to get through a lot of books this way. Can I ask how you do it? As in, what format? I found an Australian audio book website where a Harlan Coban book was $47.00 for 10 CDs. Is that how you do it? Seems a bit expensive for one book. Is there somewhere I can go to download an audio copy? What do I download it to that I can play in my car? Is there an iPhone app? I am clueless. Thanks for any information you can give me! Not a dumb question at all...I learnt a lot of what I know now from asking other audiobook listeners on Goodreads as well. I have yearly subscriptions at both Audible and Downpour. Both are digital downloads (no CDs) At Audible you "buy" credits and 1 credit = 1 book (no matter what price it is) You can sign up for a monthly subscription or you can buy 12 or 24 credits all at once. I get the 12 all at once option, which is $149.00 Officially that entitles me to buy 12 books, which means they are about $12.50 each, but being a member they have lots of sales and often there are deals to get two books for one credit (then they are only $6 each), or they have other sales where all the books are $4.95 or $5.95. Then I don't use my credits for those, but pay by credit card. They also have a daily deal...a different book each day that is usually $3.95 So I check that out each day too and buy what interests me (at $4 it's hard to go wrong!) if you want to buy other books, you can buy them any time as a member at the 'members price' which can be anywhere between $5 to $25 but never as much as what you saw. I've also bought some books through Audible/Amazon 'whispersync' deals. Recently I bought Wuthering Heights, the Kindle book was $0.99 and you buy and pay for that first, then you get a link to buy the Audible audiobook and that was and extra $1.49, so a 14hr book for $2.50. Downpour is slightly different, I have a monthly subscription there as well, but it's $12.99 a month for one book, however at any time during the month you can buy as many books as you want and they still only charge you $12.99 each. They also have lots of specials, ranging from $4.99-$9.99 each week. So basically I've never paid more than $12.99 for any audiobook and often it's much less than that. My 12 credits at Audible often gets me close to 18 books if I wait for the specials and deals to come up. I'm finding it cheaper than when I used to buy paperback books. Being in the Audiobook group on Goodreads also alerts me to deals and specials I otherwise wouldn't hear about as other ,members all post their 'finds' and recommendations. Audible has their own app and you can download and play books directly through their app, or you can import them into iTunes and play them through the iTunes app - or any other audiobook player that you download (just do a search for audiobook apps and quite a few come up) Downpour have an app too - but I've heard it's crap, so I just put their books directly into iTunes, then drag them onto my phone and play them through a free player I like. Audible have a free trial offer where you get your first book free, you can always sign up and get your first book and see if you like audiobooks before committing to more credits or to a monthly subscription. That was long...but I hope it helps, happy to answer nore questions if you have them.
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lovemy4js
Junior Member
Posts: 76
Jul 4, 2014 5:12:51 GMT
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Post by lovemy4js on Jul 29, 2014 13:52:17 GMT
I finished Hopeless by Colleen Hoover. It's a YA novel about a teenage girl who has been homeschooled her entire life, but is going to public school for her senior year. She meets a handsome, mysterious boy who she just can't figure out. Turns out he knows an awful lot about her...and here's where the mystery kicks in. The first half of the book was kind of slow to start, but once the mystery starts to unravel it gets really good. 4/5 stars
Next up was In The Blood by Lisa Unger. It was a thriller that explored abnormal psychology, specifically the minds of psychopaths, and genetic predisposition to mental illness and violence...but it was so much more than that! Lots of twists and turns in this one and I couldn't put it down. 5/5 ststars
My husband I are listening to 11/22/63 by Stephen King in the car while our family takes a 24 day road trip from western NY to the pacific coast. We aren't too far into it yet, but so far we are both liking it!
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,738
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Jul 29, 2014 14:24:07 GMT
Still working on The Interestings. I am about 25% in and it is finally getting "interesting". Yeah, lambchop, that one took a while to catch my attention, but it was good. Finished The 19th Wife last week, very interesting book based on the life of Brigham Young's 19th wife with a concurrent story of a young man who is ousted from a modern-day polygamist cult. Next up is The Hurricane Sisters by Dorothea Benton Frank. I need a beach read.....
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 2, 2024 6:24:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2014 22:40:55 GMT
I'm not sure why I even picked this book up,because I do not read dystopian fiction at all, but I really enjoyed this one: Red Hill by Jaime McGuire. I really liked the characters and I couldn't put it down.
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