I finished the third section of Les Misérables this week. Finally. I feel really guilty saying this, but I'm not really in love with Hugo's masterpiece. At least right now. I am in serious like, but whenever I feel a bout of true endearment coming on he quenches the feeling by going off on tangents that may well last thirty pages or more. I'm sure it's all very important to the story, but it does slow things down rather abruptly just when I've gotten on a bit of a roll. So I've finished with "Marius" and am now embarking on "Saint-Denis". But first, a little lesson on the Revolution of 1830, and the changing of rulers and maybe a little something on Louis-Phillipe and we'll see what else. I love historical fiction, so I am not sure why I am dragging my feet so much with this book. Now that I've made it through three of the five sections and am well past the halfway mark, there is no turning back. I can see this is just the sort of book that is going to have painful moments as I go, but in the end it will have all been worth it and I'll forget the pain. Right?!
After really enjoying listening to Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, I'm struggling to find something else equally as entertaining. The biggest factor for me in liking an audio book is having a good reader. A good reader reading a mediocre book can still be a pleasant experience, but a so-so reader will just ruin it for me no matter how good the book might be. I'm probably too picky, but I am very sensitive to how a voice sounds. I started listening to Sepulchre by Kate Mosse. For a while I was really enjoying it, but after a scene where the mother of one of the protagonists (the story flips back and forth in time, so really there are two main characters) was brutally murdered and well, other things were done to her as well, I started losing interest. As I have several books loaded on my player, I decided to give Stephenie Meyer's Eclipse a try. I really liked her fist book, but thought her second book was just okay. I think I may skip the third book altogether. I was surprised to discover that there is a man and woman reading this book. It's a strange set up, though. The woman seems to read all the parts except for one male character (the part of Jacob). The thing is she really doesn't change her voice at all to differentiate the 
parts and that started to grate on me. And I'm thinking that maybe the novelty of a teenage vampire has worn off no matter how beautiful Edward Cullan may be. So I'm not sure what to listen to. Maybe I should go back to podcasts again for a while.
Since I'll be returning The Sister to the library this week, I get to choose another library book to read. I've got it narrowed down to The Island of Eternal Love by Daina Chaviano, The Spiritualist by Megan Chance and The Aviary Gate by Katie Hickman. I can't quite decide what I'm in the mood for. When you read something really good, sometimes it's hard to choose a book to follow it. Has anyone read any of these three? I know I seem to see Katie Hickman's novel popping up all over the place. While I decide I'll be reading Jane Austen (I was feeling a little tepid about it, but now that I am into the story again, I'm really enjoying it) and Bibi Gaston. I also need to choose a short story, which I haven't given much thought to this week. What will you be reading this weekend?
You might want to consider "Lotter" by Patricia Wood as an audio book possibility. It's the story of a man with a 76 IQ who wins the Washington State lottery to the tune of $12 million and what he experiences as a result.
It's read by Paul Michael, an excellent reader who really captures the personality of the guy. I'm on disc 5 of 8 right now and I've really enjoyed the story - kind of light and "feel good" stuff.
Posted by: Sam Houston | July 19, 2008 at 07:54 PM
Sorry, that's "Lottery."
Posted by: Sam Houston | July 19, 2008 at 07:55 PM
Did you know that there's a movie for Twilight coming out. Have you seen the trailer? Can't say that it looked very appealing (to me).
Posted by: Imani | July 19, 2008 at 09:12 PM
The best audio book I've listened to in a very long time is The Stolen Child, by Keith Donohue. I found the story intriguing and the two narrators were fantastic. If your library has it, that might be the way to go!
Posted by: Andi | July 20, 2008 at 08:20 AM
This weekend I'm continuing with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I'm loving it and trying to read it slowly rather than gobble it all up at once. I've also just started Gentlemen and Players by Joanne Harris - it's a crime/thriller type of thing rather than her usual fare. For short stories I'm still reading an anthology of Father Brown stories by G.K. Chesterton and am trying to resist a new one I just bought - Scenes of Clerical Life by George Eliot - because I already have too many books short story books half started!
And oh gosh yes, it's so hard to choose another book when you've just finished something brilliant. I nearly always can't concentrate so have started to spend a day or two after a superb read just reading a few short stories and not committing myself to anything long.
Posted by: Cath | July 20, 2008 at 08:43 AM
If it's any consolation, I feel exactly the same about Victor Hugo. And I know that serious like will not sustain me through the 1,000+ pages of Les Mis. But I am impressed as ever by your commitment to the chunksters, Danielle. I've just finished another Josipovici, which was as wonderful as everything else I've read by him, and I think I might read another memoir of childhood next, but not sure which. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: litlove | July 20, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I think you are right, the reader has to do a lot with the enjoyment of the audio book. Perhaps that's why my two tries with audio books haven't gone well. I think I'm going to look for a David Sedaris book - now that can't be a bad thing at all :)
I also just added The Spirtualist to my wish list. That sounds very good. Have fun selecting which book next!
Posted by: iliana | July 20, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I finished reading F451 last week and hopefully will write the review this week.
Rent the movie if you can. It veers off the plot, but I love anything with Obi Wan Kenobi (AKA Alec Guiness.)
Posted by: Isabel | July 21, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Sam--This book was one of the recent nominees for the Orange Prize. Actually this sounds like exactly what I would like to listen to--thanks for the idea. I'll check to see if my library has it!
Imani--I've only seen stills of the actors. I've never really been much into vampire stories (except for Stoker's Dracula), but I did find this first book entertaining. My interest has waned with each succeeding book it seems. I rarely go to movies, but I will likely get this from Netflix when it comes out as I am a little curious about it. I think I will definitely give the audio book a miss, though.
Andi--I'll look for that as well. This is great to get audio book suggestions--I never thought to ask for them before!
Cath--I loved Gentleman and Players and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (both so different, but really good!). I have too many books of short stories started as well!! And I still haven't chosen a library book, and now I have three more waiting for me to go and pick up. Maybe one of those will really grab me instead.
Litlove--Now that I'm this far into Les Mis I don't think I can abandon it, but I have my moments of frustration. I'm glad you know where I'm coming from! And I really need to read something by Josipovici--I keep hearing wonderful things!
Iliana--I wonder if David Sedaris reads his own work? I think I'd enjoy it either way. And I am really picky about readers of audio books--it's good I am getting them free from thelibrary and don't feel guilty about deleting them without listening!
Isabel--I did see the movie after I read the book, too. It was great, but yes, it was different. I sort of liked the ending a little bit better--not so apocalyptic!
Posted by: Danielle | July 21, 2008 at 02:25 PM
A bad reader can ruin even the best stories. Congrats on getting through another section of Les Mis!
Posted by: Stefanie | July 21, 2008 at 08:00 PM
I think I might get frustrated with Les Mis too -- I mean I would probably like it but be dragging my feet through the slow bits just like you -- I sympathize! You'll get through it, though, eventually ... :)
Posted by: Dorothy W. | July 21, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Stefanie--I'm much more apt to give up on an audio book over a reader I don't like. It does make an experience you might otherwise have enjoyed cringe-worthy. Three sections down and two more to go! :)
Dorothy--I am enjoying Les Mis, but Hugo is so different than Alexandre Dumas (where the story is one fun ride!). I know I'll apreciate it when I finish, but he does go on about things sometimes! :)
Posted by: Danielle | July 22, 2008 at 12:33 PM