Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel Author: Susanna Clarke Reader: Simon Prebble Short Review: A gorgeously read version of a Hugo Award winning modern epic I absolutely love. Clarke’s novel is part Harry Potter, part Tolkein, part comedy of manners, and part historical fiction of the Napoleonic Wars. It’s long, detailed, engaging, and by […]

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl

Author: Shannon Hale

Reader: Full Cast Audio

Short Review: A magical fairy tale brought to life by an amazing cast of readers. This modern retelling of a Grimm’s tale follows Ani, Princess of Kildenree, as she finds her own inner strength and true path in life. It is officially listed for Grades 6-9, but I am here to tell you that it is a fine choice for any adult interested in getting swept along by a well told tale of magic and strength.

Spook Country by William Gibson

Spook Country

Author: William Gibson
Reader: Robertson Dean

Short Review: A good listen. Likable characters and diverse perspectives carry us through a story set in the here. The author who coined the term cyberspace delivers a carefully wrought tale of high tech intrigue. Robertson Dean reads well – not a performance I would gush about, but it gets the job done without any mannerisms that I found annoying. He faded into the background in the telling – and in my book that is just fine.

Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

Brokeback Mountain

Author: Annie Proulx

Reader: Campbell Scott

Short Review: A ground-breaking story about the nature of love and sexuality, beautifully-read by one of my favorite audio book narrators.

Mostly Harmless by Douglas Adams

Mostly Harmless Author: Douglas Adams Reader: Martin Freeman Short Review: A good reading of my least favorite book in the series. Long Review: The disappearance of Fenchurch, the appearance of Random, the multiple Trillians–it’s all too much, and too dark to fit well into the series. Adams himself was open about his disappointment in the […]

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams

So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish Author: Douglas Adams Reader: Martin Freeman Short Review: Another decent reading of a book I love, which suffers by comparison to the Stephen Frye reading of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Long Review: Er, fourth verse, same as the second? Thankfully, no. I love this series, […]

Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams

Life, the Universe and Everything Author: Douglas Adams Reader: Martin Freeman Short Review: Another decent reading of a book I love, which suffers by comparison to the Stephen Frye reading of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Long Review: My opinions on this audiobook are, sensibly, quite similar to my opinions on The Restaurant at […]

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe Author: Douglas Adams Reader: Martin Freeman Short Review: A decent reading of a book I love, which suffers by comparison to the Stephen Frye reading of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Long Review: I love this series, as I mentioned in my review of The Hitchhiker’s […]

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Short Review: A great reading of one of my favorite goofy novels.

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

Short Review: Margaret Atwood’s retelling of a portion of The Odyssey in Penelope’s voice, her contribution to the Canongate Myth Series, read by Laurel Merlington.

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

Short Review: The third and final book in a wonderful trilogy, well-read by the author and a full cast.

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

Reader: Lloyd James

Short Review: Amazing storyteller + multiple fabulous characters + a rollicking fantasy adventure + the perfect voice to pull it all together = one darn good fantasy audio book experience.