Tag: Linda Castillo

Catch-Up Quick Takes: A Handful February and March Books

Celeste was right, and I don’t have to write about everything—but I have a hard time convincing myself of that. I’m far overdue on saying something about these six listens and one read. So, let’s do a little catch-up (if only so I can feel better about myself). As always, the point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.


The Devotion of Suspect XThe Devotion of Suspect X

by Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith (Translator), David Pittu (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Detective Galileo, #1 (in English, anyway)
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2011 
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hr., 2 min.
Read Date: March 7-9, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
A homicide detective consults with his friend, a genius and physicist about a tricky murder. His friend may be a college professor and not a detective, but there’s something about the way his mind works that helps Detective Kusanagi think better, and consulting his friend has worked in the past.

This is the murder of a seemingly odious man and it seems tied to his ex-wife, who’d been avoiding his abusive presence for years. Kusanagi can’t tie her to the killing, but there’s something going on that makes him want to. So he keeps investigating and then his pal gets involved, too.

This was a perfectly satisfying read, but I wasn’t as wowed by it as I expected to be. Sorry, Jeff, still appreciate the recommendation.

3 Stars

The Dead Will TellThe Dead Will Tell

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Kate Burkholder, #6
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: July 8, 2014
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs., 37 min.
Read Date: March 10-14, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
A pair of apparent suicides gets Kate Burkholder to dive into their pasts, and she discovers a common tie—to a 35-year-old murder of an Amish family. This puts her in a race against time to discover what’s (or who has) caused their deaths now, and if she can stop anyone else from dying while maybe solving this old horror.

The cold-case nature of this is a nice change of pace, but at the end of the day, it’s a brutal crime against the Amish. I’d just like to see someone else in her community the victim of a crime.

That came out wrongly. But it’d be nice to let this community have even some fictional relief.
3 Stars

Profiles in IgnoranceProfiles in Ignorance:
How America’s Politicians Got Dumb and Dumber

by Andy Borowitz

DETAILS:
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: September 13, 2022
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs., 51 min.
Read Date: March 13-14, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
Borowitz traces how mass media and the political parties (particularly one) have worked to dumb down politics, the electorate, and our elected officials since Reagan’s initial run for governor and ending in the present. It’s insightful, it’s depressing, but it leaves a little room for hope.

I really wish he’d done a better job of making this bi-partisan. While he might be right that one party is guilty of more of what he’s talking about, I refuse to believe they’re alone—which makes this feel like too much of a partisan attack, rather than an exploration of the topic. Both have their place—I’d just have preferred a little more of the latter.

I initially assumed that this would be typical Borowitz humor—which I appreciate. But no, this was serious in intent and execution. Earnest Andy Borowitz is an interesting concept. A little humor crept in, but not much. I prefer him when he’s trying to be funny, but I’d read/listen to more like this from him, too.
3 Stars

Space: 1969Space: 1969

by Bill Oakley, starring Natasha Lyonne and too many others to list.

DETAILS:
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication Date: 2022
Format: Audible Original
Length: 5 hr., 35 min.
Read Date: March 29, 2023

(the official blurb)
This is more like an audio play than a book (with all the clunky dialogue that implies). Oh well.

So the premise is that Kennedy survived the Dallas shooting and the space race kicked into overdrive—and by 1969, we have a Moon Colony and a space station. Nancy Kranich is a nurse on the station (with an interesting past), and is pretty miserable, oddly enough. Nancy stumbles into a conspiracy involving an intergalactic threat and former vice-president Nixon (a largely forgotten figure by this time).

Without Natasha Lyonne (and most of the voice cast), I don’t know if I’d have finished this. But because of Lyonne, I’d enjoy relistening to it. It was amusing and strange—feeling like a classic radio SF drama but with some really contemporary sensibilities. I’m not sure it’s the best of both of those worlds, but it was a fun combination.

3 Stars

Hunting Fiends for the Ill-EquippedHunting Fiends for the Ill-Equipped

by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Guild Codex: Demonized, #3
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication Date: June 23, 2020
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs., 28 min.
Read Date: February 1-2, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
I’m having trouble remembering just what happened in this one—that’s the case for the entire Demonized arc so far, it’s all one story (which is great for the series, a pain when you’re trying to say “this is the one where…”).

I did enjoy the overall plot of this one, but my favorite parts are where this series overlaps with the other series in The Guild Codex—and I found myself increasingly impatient with Robin as she was off doing her own thing.

I am really tired of the will-they-won’t-they between Zylas and Robin—which is really a how-long-can-Marie-stretch-this-out.

3 Stars

Finlay Donovan Jumps the GunFinlay Donovan Jumps the Gun

by Elle Cosimano, Angela Dawe (Narration)

DETAILS:
Series: Finlay Donovan, #3
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: January 31, 2023
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs., 38 min.
Read Date: February 9-13, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
I am continuing to enjoy this series—but I’m not sure for how long. It’s getting harder and harder to accept the antics that Finlay and Vero get up to—and the way Finlay treats those around her. This book in particular stretched credulity. I fear that Cosimano is learning the wrong lessons from Evanovich.

I’d also like to see Finlay actually do some more parenting—it’s hard to sympathize with her plight when it comes to custody, etc. when she’s always handing off her children’s care to someone else (although, it does keep them safe).

Dawe’s narration is so good that I will put up with a little more zaniness. But without some changes to the series, I’m not sure how long I’ll stick around.
3 Stars

Anna and the Vampire PrinceAnna and the Vampire Prince

by Jeanne C. Stein

DETAILS:
Series: Anna Strong, #9.5
Publisher: Hex Publishers LLC
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Format: Paperback
Length: 92
Read Date: February 17, 2023
Buy from Bookshop.org!

(the official blurb)
Anna’s in France dealing with her mother’s death, and her niece’s death is kidnapped. So she has to reach out to her local allies to try to rescue the girl.

The action bits were Stein at her best but the story felt rushed—but this was largely an excuse to revisit the characters, so it didn’t need to be too involved. As a bit of nostalgia, it was nice—but Stein did a good enough job wrapping up the series that I didn’t feel a giant need for something like this (as demonstrated by the fact that it took me 6 years to get around to reading it).

It was just fun enough to justify my time.
3 StarsThis post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, my opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: A Few Remaining August Titles

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. Except for the two books that I want to do full posts on, this wraps up August. I’m in danger of catching up. (insert the obligatory “Narrator: He will not” joke here)


The Alchemist and an AmarettoThe Alchemist and an Amaretto

by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound Series, #5
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication Date: January 27, 2020
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length:  6 hrs., 55 min.
Read Date: August 24-25, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
This series is the trunk that the others branch out from, it’s the anchor for the whole thing—and I’m just about at an end with it. It feels like Marie’s discovered a template and is just following it.

That said…I’m not leaving this because I want to see how the others unfold, I really like Tori, I want to see how things turn out with her brother, and the books are entertaining enough, while still being exasperating (to illustrate, Cobra Kai Season 5 is just on the other side of that line). But man…I’m tired of the non-romance romantic story and I’m fed up with the Ezra storyline (that I think is what the whole series is going to be ultimately about, so I’d better get used to it).

Putting my gripes aside—the alchemy stuff here is great, and I really liked the way all of it developed. This approach to werewolves is great and I’d really like to see more (but am pretty sure we won’t because of the whole template thing…but maybe in the Warped series?)

Also, I’m really hoping that at one point the protagonists from these series will figure out they should be allies and friends for one final, climactic battle before living a life of relative peace and routine.
3 Stars

Her Last BreathHer Last Breath

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Kate Burkholder, #5
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: June 17, 2013
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hr., 46 min.
Read Date: August 25-26, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
I truly had a hard time with this one because so much of the book is about this police chief that we’re supposed to be rooting for going around and manipulating a case, lying to other law enforcement officers, and pressuring her siblings into lying to cover up what will be a clear case of self-defense so that she can keep her job.

The other storyline about the hit and run that turns out to be vehicular homicide? That was pretty good—a touch predictable, sure. But only because Castillo did everything but name the killer McMurderer, because this one needed to be about Kate figuring it out and the reader seeing what that put her through.

If we can put the self-defense cover-up story behind us now, I can keep going. Otherwise, this series becomes Dexter with a really low body count, and I’m just not going with that.

3 Stars

The HeronThe Heron

by Don Winslow, Ed Harris (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Audible OriginalsT
Publication Date: July 28, 2022
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 1 hr., 6 min.
Read Date: August 12, 2022

(the official blurb)
This is only an hour long, so it’s really difficult to talk about. But that’s a shame because I want to go paragraph by paragraph and talk about it—a live-blog running commentary seems to be the best way to talk about it, but who has the time for that?

I’m going to start with Ed Harris rocking this one—the dude is perfect and I want nothing else out of life than a new Winslow story every month or so read by Harris. That’s hyperbole to make a point, but it feels like one of the most honest sentences I’ve uttered recently.

This is short fiction at its best—a great premise, some good twists, a great conclusion, and a perfect ending. It just made me happy. I was about to say that there’s a great villain, but I’m not sure which character I’d attribute that to. There are a good number of great criminal characters running around committing crimes against each other—it’s just a matter of who comes out on top and how they do so. Grab some popcorn and enjoy.

Also, as I look back at what I noted when I listened—only 4 stars? I remember it better than that. Maybe it was the length? I’m going to trust my initial reaction, but as I write this, 4 seems like I’m underselling it.
4 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

Quick Take Catch-Ups: Some July 2022 Audiobooks

Some quick thoughts on some audiobooks from July—and one I forgot to write about in June. The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.


Deep HoleDeep Hole

by Don Winslow, Ed Harris (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: Audible Originals
Publication Date: May 26, 2022
Format: Audible Original
Length: 1 hr., 4 min.
Read Date: June 9, 2022

(the official blurb)
I don’t know about this. I mean, it’s a short story, so I shouldn’t expect much from this. And it’s a decent story, but…eh. It left me wanting more on just about every front.

But it wasn’t a bad story—which makes sense, Winslow can’t write a bad story—and Harris sells it.
3 Stars

Long LostLong Lost

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Kate Burkholder, #4.5
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: September 5, 2016
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 1 hr., 25 min.
Read Date: July 7, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
I wasn’t paying attention when I saw that this was the next entry for this series and checked it out of the library and was more than a little surprised when this wrapped up as quickly as it did. I was relieved, though, I didn’t think I could handle an entire novel where the setup was Kate and Tomasetti on a romantic weekend where they got distracted by a cold case.

As a short story, the concept and execution are just what you want. A nice way to tide the reader over between novels. I liked the resolution, too—sure, I saw it coming a few miles away, but Castillo ended it well.
3 Stars

My Mess Is a Bit of a LifeMy Mess Is a Bit of a Life:
Adventures in Anxiety

by Georgia Pritchett, Katherine Parkinson (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: September 5, 2016
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 4 hrs., 15 min.
Read Date: June 28, 2021
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)

This is a very amusingly told memoir, and you can see how Pritchett succeeded in comedy writing for TV. At the same time, that’s where it gets tripped up—the memories told are very brief, and almost always seem to be leading to a punchline (not necessarily a funny punchline, but a punchline). The result isn’t so much a memoir as loosely-associated scenes. There is a narrative throughout, but it’s subtle—the effect is like reading a sudden fiction collection that happens to be made up of true stories.

There are some really funny bits, some touching bits, and some good emotional moments. But…ugh. It’s like having a skeleton laid out on a table (I’m thinking of a shot from Bones or CSI: Wherever)—and I’d prefer to see some connective tissue between the bones—and maybe some organs and flesh to cover them, so that it’s an actual memoir, not the rough draft of one.
2 Stars

How the Penguins Saved VeronicaHow the Penguins Saved Veronica

by Hazel Prior, read by Helen Lloyd, Andrew Fallaize, Mandy Williams

DETAILS:
Series: Veronica McCreedy, #X
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publication Date: June 16, 2020
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 10 hrs., 44 min.
Read Date: July 7-13, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
A sweet, almost-paint-by-numbers story of an elderly curmudgeon finding hope, kindness, and family thanks to time spent on a penguin research base in Antarctica.

There’s one scene at the end that serves to answer the reader’s questions that would be better left unanswered. We’d have been better served if we’d been left with ambiguity. Still, for a bittersweet and unnecessary scene, it was effective.

I’m not sure three narrators were necessary—I think any one of the three could’ve handled the whole thing judging by what I heard, but it wasn’t overly-distracting as multiple-narrator audiobooks can be.

I enjoyed the book, it was a perfectly charming and entertaining novel, as negative as I sound to myself—and am glad I finally indulged my curiosity about the book. But…meh. I’ve seen this story before and done better.
3 Stars

The Diary of a BooksellerThe Diary of a Bookseller

by Shaun Bythell, Robin Laing (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: The Diary of a Bookseller, #1
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Publication Date: September 4, 2018
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 9 hrs., 42 min.
Read Date: July 15-19, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
I guess this would be the cure to any dreams/hopes/aspirations the reader might have to opening/buying a bookstore of their own. And the author certainly makes it clear that no one should do what he does—but it’s not like the book ends with him selling/closing down, in fact, he’s working to keep his store going.

The overall effect was like a James Herriott book—but with used books and readers in place of animals and their owners. Some pretty repetitive stories, just different enough to distinguish them—generally mildly amusing and engaging.

I had fun with it—would’ve enjoyed it a bit more if it were 20% shorter, I think. I do see that this is the beginning of a series. I’ll likely get the next installment, too. But I’m not rushing to do so.
3 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: I Don’t Have Much to Say About these Recent Books

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.


The Sentence Is DeathThe Sentence is Death

by Anthony Horowitz, Rory Kinnear (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, #2
Publisher: HarperAudio
Publication Date: May 27, 2019
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs., 36 min.
Read Date: December 22-23, 2021
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
A notorious divorce lawyer is bludgeoned with an expensive bottle of wine and Horowitz finds himself dragged away from his day job by Hawthorne to chronicle the investigation.

Hawthorne seems to be more disagreeable this time out—almost like he was trying to be off-putting. Horowitz (the character) is a decent source of comic relief as he struggles to prove himself.

The mystery was pretty compelling—and while I think I got it before the duo (well, before Horowitz, anyway), it was a bit trickier than the first. All in all, it’s a fun listen.
3 Stars

The Iggy Chronicles, Volume OneThe Iggy Chronicles, Volume One

by Spencer Quinn

DETAILS:
Series: Chet and Bernie
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition
Length: 49 pg.
Read Date: December 30, 2021

(the official blurb)
I’ve had this short Chet & Bernie story on my Kindle for ages, I think I started it a few times but got distracted quickly. Which makes no sense, because it’s not like it took too long to read.

It’s a fast read featuring Chet’s buddy, Iggy, and Bernie’s neighbor, Mr. Parsons. Bernie’s sharper than ever and he makes quick work of the mystery the duo literally stumbles into. It’s not a must-read, but it’s a fun one.
3 Stars

Zoth-Avarex's Escape PlanZoth-Avarex’s Escape Plan: A Pick-Your-Own-Path Experience

by K.R.R. Lockhaven

DETAILS:
Series: Zoth-Avarex, #2
Publication Date: June 13, 2021
Format: Kindle Edition
Length: 43 pg.
Read Date: December 31, 2021

(the official blurb)
Not surprisingly, Zoth-Avarex, was not happy being thwarted The Conjuring of Zoth-Avarex, and he wants revenge. Lockhaven presents this quest in a Choose-Your-Own-Adventure style. Without, it should be stressed, being so close to the style as to infringe on any trademarks or anything.

I laughed at this, it was truly ridiculous. I don’t know that this is the sequel I wanted/expected, but I’m glad we got it.
3 Stars

DogtologyDogtology: Live. Bark. Believe.

by Jeff Lazarus

DETAILS:
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Length: 189 pg.
Read Date: December 30-31, 2021
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
The central conceit here is that humans are so obsessed with their dogs, have devoted so much time, energy, and work that it’s become a religion, with humans worshipping canines. This book is a look at that devotion and the rituals and beliefs that accompany it.

When this book sticks to poking fun at the obsessive nature of dog owners, and having fun with the nature of dogs, it’s pretty amusing. But it treads a little too close to mocking actual religion for me to get excited about it.

I’m not sure I laughed at all, but it’s frequently funny.
3 Stars

Gone MissingGone Missing

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: Kate Burkholder, #4
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: June 18, 2012
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length:10 hrs., 8 min.
Read Date: January 3-5, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
Hey, Castillo found a way to get Kate out of town to investigate a crime involving the Amish. This has been my biggest (or one of my biggest) concerns with the series, that at the rate things were going, the Amish in her community would all die before we got to book 10.

There is a string of Amish youth going missing—enough that it’s got the attention of the state to assemble a Task Force—Kate Burkholder and John Tomasetti are recruited to be part of it.

What they end up finding is pretty disturbing, but a little less disturbing than the last couple. I like where the series is finding itself and can see me sticking around for a little longer than I feared I might have.
3 Stars

Two Witches and a WhiskeyTwo Witches and a Whiskey

by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)

DETAILS:
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound Series, #3
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Publication Date: February 27, 2019
Format: Unabridged Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs., 9 min.
Read Date: January 11-12, 2022
Support Independent Bookstores - Visit IndieBound.org

(the official blurb)
Okay, this is more like it, a very good way to bounce back from the last book which was a bit of a disappointment to me. I wasn’t terribly worried about the series—I have a friend who’s further ahead of me (I think she’s done), and I assume she wouldn’t have recommended it if there was a problem.

Tori and her friends get themselves tied up in a big ol’ mess that will result in Tori dying unless they can pull off the impossible, or at least the incredibly unlikely.

The police (both real and supernatural) are lurking around the edges, the druid she met last time is back, and we learn a bit about Kai’s past and background. A fun story and some good character growth.
3 Stars

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: The Case of the Missing Marquess; Dark Arts and a Daiquiri; Breaking Silence; Everything Happens; Based on a True Story: A Memoir; How to Resist Amazon and Why; Nothing Like I Imagined

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. This time, I’ve got a handful of 3 Star reads/listens (I don’t think I planned it that way, it just worked out).


The Case of the Missing Marquess

The Case of the Missing Marquess

by Nancy Springer, Katherine Kellgren (Narrator)
Series: Enola Holmes, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 4 hrs., 31 min.
Recorded Books, 2008
Read: November 1, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This is a cute read for people who like the idea of Sherlock Holmes, but aren’t that interested (or ready) in the real thing. Which may sound dismissive, but it’s not supposed to be. I can easily see why the people behind the movie(s) latched onto this character. I can also easily see why they tweaked the content of this book and expanded it for the first movie (does the second book some/all of what they used to expand?).

I don’t know that I’m going to go the distance with this series, but I can easily see going for one more dip in the pool.

Fast, amusing and pretty clever. This look at Sherlock and Mycroft’s little sister is a pleasant little book.

3 Stars

Dark Arts and a Daiquiri

Dark Arts and a Daiquiri

by Annette Marie, Cris Dukehart (Narrator)
Series: The Guild Codex: Spellbound, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs., 39 min.
Tantor Audio, 2018
Read: October 22-25, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
For book 2 to remove our non-magical bartender to a guild of Magic Users from the Guild Members for the majority of the book is a pretty gutsy move. I’m not sure it was the right way to go, and I’m not sure it was successful. But it was gutsy.

The story was…okay, I guess. It really didn’t do a lot for me, but the last few chapters—pretty much when Tori reunites with her friends made the whole thing worth it. And the Dresden File hat-tip was fantastic.

I’m still in on this series/group of series, but I bet when all is said and done, this’ll be the one to forget.

3 Stars

Breaking Silence

Breaking Silence

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
Series: Kate Burkholder, #3
Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 21 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2011
Read: October 20-21, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
Another horrific murder in Amish country. I’d love for a few books to involve other crimes in this community. I realize it’s her shtick, but a little variety could help things.

That aside—the villain of this piece is horrible and creepy, and you can feel the evil. Watching Kate and Agent Tomasetti try to figure out the motive behind the killing and the identity of the killer was a fun ride. I really do like these individually—even if I wonder about the series as a whole.

3 Stars

Everything Happens

Everything Happens

by Jo Perry
Kindle Edition, 119 pg.
Fahrenheit Press, 2019
Read: October 18-19, 2021

(the official blurb)
This starts as the story of a nurse trying to get a quickie divorce from a loser and then turns into a story of carjacking, kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, robbery, vengence, betrayal, and car chases.

Basically: just another weekend in Vegas.

I was riveted throughout, but…I couldn’t stop asking, “Why?” I’m not sure I saw the point of the whole thing—but you know what? I didn’t care, I enjoyed it too much to bother with things like that.

3 Stars

Based on a True Story: A Memoir

Based on a True Story: A Memoir

by Norm Macdonald, Tim O’Halloran (Narrators)
Unabridged Audiobook, 7 hrs., 18 min.
Random House Audio, 2016
Read: October 12-14, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
A fictionalized version of MacDonald’s memoir, it’s hard to tell what’s memoir, what’s a joke, what’s a mixture. The more obviously genuine moments are marred by their vicinity to the clearly fictional. As a book? This is a mess—a self-indulgent, erratic, mess.

But wow. This was funny—even most of what I didn’t like was funny.

Don’t go into this thinking you’ll understand MacDonald’s life, career, or humor better. Go into it expecting a strange performance art-like experience with some giant laughs and you’ll be set.

3 Stars

How to Resist Amazon and Why

How to Resist Amazon and Why:
The Fight for Local Economics,
Data Privacy, Fair Labor,
Independent Bookstores,
and a People-Powered Future!

by Danny Caine
Paperback, 113 pg.
Microcosm Publishing, 2021
Read: October 6, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This is a no-holds barred critique (screed?) against Amazon—their business practices, the way they treat employees, the way they deal with governments, their security products…and just about everything else. It’s also a call to arms against the giant.

I have a lot of sympathies for Caine’s positions and desires—and agree with most of them. I also follow some of the practices he espouses (not as many as I want, but hey…I’m on a budget).

Still, I’m not sure the megastore is a super-villain—it may resemble one, very closely. As much as we might want it to be.

Read this—blanch at some of it—but take it with a grain of salt.

3 Stars

Nothing Like I Imagined

Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes)

by Mindy Kaling
Unabridged Audiobook., 2 hrs., 19 min.
Brilliance Publishing, 2020
Read: October 1, 2021

(the official blurb)
I really enjoyed Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and Why Not Me?—this has the same kind of humor—and the audio versions of all three are equally charming.

But I don’t know, this seemed lifeless? Sweet and genuinely funny, but it left me wanting a bit more. I don’t think it was just the length, either.

3 Stars


This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

Catch-Up Quick Takes: The Treadstone Exile, Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors, In a Sunburned Country, Pray for Silence

The point of these quick takes posts is to catch up on my “To Write About” stack—emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness. Here are some recent-ish audiobooks.


The Treadstone Exile

by Joshua Hood, Ron Butler (Narrator)
Series: Treadstone, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 9 hrs., 1 min.
Penguin Audio, 2021
Read: September 2-3, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I thought the first novel in the series was a heckuva thrill ride, but a little thin on character and believability. Still, the follow-up sounded fun.

Wow, was I wrong. The characters were just as thin (maybe thinner), I didn’t ever get invested in—or even mildly curious about—the plot. The action scenes were great, though.

Still, I think I’m done with the series.
2 Stars

Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors

Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors

by Annette Marie, Rob Jacobson, Iggy Toma (Narrator)
Series: Guild Codex: Warped, #1
Unabridged Audiobook, 6 hrs., 34 min.
Tantor Audio, 2020
Read: August 26, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
This book (and series, I guess) kicks off in the aftermath of Three Mages and a Margarita—and I love the idea of multiple series that are interwoven yet independent. It’s going to get difficult to track at some point, I bet, but that’s on me.

When the officials sweep in to clean up after 3 Mages one of the mages arrested is a low-powered psychic, Kit Morris. Really, the MPD is more interested in who Kit can lead them to than him—and they’re playing hardball with him to get to his higher-powered pals.

What ensues is Kit trying to play the Agent who’s trying to get him to flip and looking for a chance to escape (and neither working too well). A strange alliance forms between them.

I had a lot of fun with this one, maybe more than I did with its predecessor. Iggy Toma sold me on the characters, too, I really enjoyed the narration. I’m looking forward to spending more time in this world.
3 Stars

In a Sunburned Country

In a Sunburned Country

by Bill Bryson
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 54 min.
Random House, 2000
Read: August 24-25, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
I remember reading Bryson’s The Mother Tongue back in the ’90s and have often thought about trying him again—but anytime the thought occurred to me, I couldn’t find one of his books available. So when I saw this as available from the library I jumped on it. Not the best move.

This is a travelogue of a trip or two that Bryson took around Australia. It’s fairly amusing, mildly interesting, and not a complete waste of time. That’s about all I can say for it—the few pages/minutes he spends on Cricket were laugh-out-loud funny. The rest of the book barely maintained my interest.

Your results may vary, but this just didn’t do it for me.
2 Stars

Pray for Silence

Pray for Silence

by Linda Castillo, Kathleen McInerney (Narrator)
Series: Kate Burkholder, #2
Unabridged Audiobook, 11 hrs., 27 min.
Macmillan Audio, 2010
Read: August 16-17, 2021
Grab a copy from your local indie bookstore!

(the official blurb)
At the rate these books are going, by the time this book reaches book 14 (expected next year), I don’t see how anyone is going to be left alive in Painters Mill. A small town like this just can’t take a lot of mass murders, can it?

But for now, Book 2 still has a nice, bustling community full of people. In fact, an Amish family moved to town about a year ago. But when we meet them, they’re the victims of murder. Chief Kate Burkholder comes across one of the most disturbing crime scenes I’ve seen in fiction—and that’s saying something. But as Kate digs into the family’s past trying to find a motive for the butchery, it seems that the gruesome murders weren’t the worse expression of evil in the novel.

Gripping story, solid narration by Kathleen McInerney, but I could use a little more growth in Kate. Still, I’m going to be back for more pretty soon.
3 Stars

2021 Library Love Challenge 2021 Audiobook Challenge

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase from any of them, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, opinions are my own.

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