Last Words by Michael Koryta

Markus Novak just wants to come home. An investigator for a Florida-based Death Row defense firm, Novak’s life derailed when his wife, Lauren, was killed in the midst of a case the two were working together. Two years later, her murderer is still at large, and Novak’s attempts to learn the truth about her death through less-than-legal means and jailhouse bargaining have put his job on the line. Now he’s been all but banished, sent to Garrison, Indiana to assess a cold case that he’s certain his boss has no intention of taking.

As Novak knows all too well, some crimes never do get solved. But it’s not often that the man who many believe got away with murder is the one calling for the case to be reopened. Ten years ago, a teenaged girl disappeared inside an elaborate cave system beneath rural farmland. Days later, Ridley Barnes emerged carrying Sarah Martin’s lifeless body. Barnes has claimed all along that he has no memory of exactly where — or how — he found Sarah. His memory of whether she was dead or alive at the time is equally foggy. Tired of living under a cloud of suspicion, he says he wants answers — even if they mean he’ll end up in the electric chair.

But what’s he really up to? And Novak knows why he’s so unhappy to be in Garrison – but why are the locals so hostile towards him? The answers lie in the fiendish brain of a dangerous man, the real identity of a mysterious woman, and deep beneath them all, in the network of ancient, stony passages that hold secrets deadlier than he can imagine. Soon Novak is made painfully aware that if he has any chance of returning to the life and career he left behind in Florida, he’ll need to find the truth in Garrison first.

This was my first book by Michael Koryta and I am now a fan! I plan on requesting his previous books to read as he is a master story teller. "Last Words" drew me in from the start and from that point forward I could not get enough! There were so many twists and turns that kept you guessing and on the edge of your seat for resolution until the very end. The characters are well developed and create in the reader a sense of alliance with some and enemies of others. I hope the main character becomes a series of books that Koryta is planning on doing as there are stories left untold! I listened to this book while I was driving to and from work and there were times where I just wanted to keep driving around so I could hear more of the story. This book was absolutely riveting to listen to! Robert Petkoff is hands down one of the BEST readers I have heard. He altered his voice just enough to give each character a distinct quality so you knew without a doubt who was speaking without going too overboard. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an outstanding read with the caution that once they start reading they won't be able to stop.  

Reviewed by Courtney (my daughter)

*Thank you to Hachette Audio and Mitch for this review copy*

Audiobook Week Mid-Week Meme

Mid-Week Meme











Current/most recent audiobook:

Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter

The Hit by David Baldacci

Impressions:
The Hit is narrated by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy, both do an excellet job. Both protaginsts are top government assassins.  Will Robie is tasked with bringing in (dead or alive) Jessica Reel.  He soon learns that all is not as he as been told.

Last Kiss Goodnight is narrated by George Newbern.  This is my first time listening to this author and narrator.  It is a paranormal with an interesting plot.


Current/most recent favorite audiobook:

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green  and superbly narrated by Kate Rudd.  Do not miss this gem!

Favorite narrator you’ve discovered recently:

Susan Duerden - does a fantastic job narrating regency/historicals

One title from your TBL (to be listened) stack, or your audio wishlist:

 

 Blood Money By James Grippando - A Jack Swyteck novel narrated by Jonathan Davis

 

Audiobook Week

June is Audiobook month and Jen at Devourer of Books is hosting Audiobook Week for the 4th year.

 I am an avid listener of audiobooks and love this yearly event. Due to my home renovations and daughter's wedding preparations, my participating will be minimal this year.

Tuesday asks: How do You Choose Your Audiobooks?  How do you decide what you’ll listen to? Do you mostly listen, or split time between listening and reading? Particularly if you split time, how do you decide what you’ll consume in audio and what in print?
I choose many audiobooks based on narrators.  There are a few narrators that I will listen to no matter the genre of book.  If a book sounds like it will translate well, I will give it a try on audio  Books that alternate between past and present take concentration so I find that they are better listened to when I can give complete attention to them.  I always have about 3-4 audiobooks going at one time.  One in the bathroom, kitchen, car and on my iPod. Sometimes, when I have a complicated plot audiobook, I will get the book in print too.  I would not recommend a new to audiobook listener to have more than 1 audiobook going at a time.  It took a bit to be able to keep the books I listen to straight in my head! 


Thursday asks: Audiobook Tasks What do you do while you listen? Any particular tasks or games that you find amazing for audio time?   I always listen while getting ready for the day in the bathroom.  I usually have something lighter in the bathroom.  I listen in the kitchen.  I listen in the car. I have a book or two on the iPod that I listen to as I exercise, clean, do yard work, laundry, and yes I even listen at work! 

Last year some of my favorite audiobooks were:

Game of Thrones and Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin narrated by Roy Dotrice
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash narrated by Lorna Raver, Mark Bramhall, and Nick Sullivan
Defending Jacob by William Landy narrated by Grover Gardner
The Invisible Ones by Stef Penny narrated by Dan Stevens
The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach narrated by Holter Graham
I also listened to four books historical/regency narrated by Susan Duerden that I absolutely loved.

So far this year I have listened to 17 audiobooks. 

Listen Up!

 Thanks to Jen of  Devourer of Books for hosting Audiobook Week.

Where do you learn about great audiobook titles? Find reviews? Buy your audiobooks? Share your secrets with the rest of us!

I get quite a few emails from audiobook publishers about upcoming releases.  I also get a monthly email from my library letting me know the newest additions to the audiobook selection.

 Most of the audiobooks I listen to are from the library either on CD or e-audiobook through OverDrive, which I really like because it is one download and it is on my iPod, no changing discs needed!

Bloggers are, of course, a great resource for audiobook reviews and recommendations.    Audiobook Jukebox is another great resource.

What Makes a Good Narrator?

Devourer of Books hosts Audiobook Week

Who are your favorite narrators and why? What do you look for in a narrator? Have a preference between male or female narrators?

I have not formed a preference between male or female.  I am amazed when a male does a good job of narrating a female character and vice versa.  I don't mind multiple narrators. 

I look for a voice that does not distract from the story, one that oozes the character(s) and compels me to find reasons to keep listening. 

The longer I listen my favorite narrator list grows. Davina Porter is so fantastic reading the Outlander series.  I was reluctant to listen to other titles that she read, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I was able to separate her voice from Jamie and Claire and enjoy the book.  The same was true for Katherine Kellgren and the Bloody Jack series.  I will pick up anything that either of these talented women read.

Any book with romance or that has a character with an accent that is read by Phil Gigante is to die for! I would listen to him read the phone book. One of my favorite character he reads is Jericho Barrons.

A couple of my newly discovered favorites are Dan Stevens, Lorelei King and Kate Reading.

Mid-week Audiobook Week Meme

Devourer of Books hosts Audiobook Week.

Here’s something quick and easy for the middle of the week, just a short meme.

  Current audiobook: The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani narrated by Annabella Sciorra

  Impressions: I am so glad that I am listening to this on audio with the Italian names/places and accents.  I would never have gotten the pronuciation correct.

Current audiobook:  True Sisters by Sandra Dallas narrated by Christina Moore

Impressions:  Wow what early settlers did/endured for their beliefs. There are a couple of characters I want to smack.

Current/most recent favorite audiobook: This is hard to answer as I have listened to some great audios lately, but The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach narrated by Holter Graham is on my favorite list.  The Invisible Ones by Stef Penny narrated by Dan Stevens will also be on my list due to Dan's outstanding job with the book.

Favorite narrator you’ve discovered recently: Lorelei King  and Kate Reading - How in the heck have I missed these awesome narrators?

One title from your TBL (to be listened) stack, or your audio wishlist: A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash  

Your audio dream team (what book or author would you LOVE to see paired with a certain narrator, can already exist or not): There is a paranormal romance series that I would have loved, loved more if Phil Gigante was the narrator. 


There is time yet to enter my giveaways for Gone by Linda Castillo and Summerland by Elin Hilderbrand

So You Want to Review Audiobooks

Devourer of Books is hosting Audiobook Week 2012.

Discuss the essentials of audiobook reviewing. What do you make sure to include? What do you want to see when you read other people’s reviews?

I want to know did the narrator do a good job with the character's voices?  Did they get the accents/pronunciation correct? Did you lose yourself in the story because the narration was not distracting, or annoying?  How well did a female narrator translate a male voice and vice versa?   Were you looking for excuses to keep listening? If an audiobook compelled you to do more of your least favorite things, tell me!

I am currently listening to an audiobook that does not let me know, "this is the end of disc 3, please insert disc 4".  If find that annoying especially when I am listening in the car.  The disc will begin to repeat itself, at about track 4 I realize it and make the change.  Just a pet peeve I have. 

What do you want to know about an audiobook?

Your Audiobook Year

Devourer of Books hosts Audiobook Week. Today's questions/topics:
Are you new to audiobooks in the last year?
Have you been listening to them forever but discovered something new this year? Favorite titles? New times/places to listen?

I am in love with audiobooks!  I rediscovered audiobooks three years ago when it was time to reread the Outlander series, after reading a rave review about the narrator,  I decided to listen.  Am I glad that I did, Davina Porter does a fantastic job and I listened to all eight books over the course of a year.

This year I have listened to 17 audiobooks so far.  I have three or four audiobooks going at one time.  Always one on  in the car, always one on the iPod when I walk/exercise, one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen.  I find that I have a hard time listening when at work, unless what I am doing does not require any reading.

I discovered not to listen to a book read by the same narrator back to back, unless it is part of a series.  It was too easy to get the characters/books mixed up. 

Please enter my giveaway for Gone Missing by Linda Castillo and Summerland by Erin Hilderbrand.  They are print books not audio.

Audiobook Resources

Today is the last day of Audiobook week hosted by Jen of Devourer of Books. 

Where do you learn about great audiobook titles? Find reviews? Buy your audiobooks? Share your secrets with the rest of us!

Many of my recommendations come from other blogger's reviews. My librarian buddy is a great resource too.

I like to browse around and listen to  "new to me" narrators before I commit to the entire book.  Most sites offer that opportunity.

My library has a huge selection of audiobooks as well as utilizing Overdrive which makes the transfer to my iPod a breeze. They also have a nice selection of MP3s that make that transition easier than single discs. 

My local used book store has a large selection of audiobooks, many of them have never been opened.  Which is a reminder not to buy audiobooks as gifts unless you know the receiver is a listener!

As Jenn featured today, Audiobook Jukebox is a place I check frequently.

Thanks Jenn for hosting this week's fun. Today is the last day to enter my audiobook giveaway for Don't Blink (see sidebar).

Audiobooks for the Uninitiated

Whether you just started listening or have a long history with audiobooks, you probably have some suggestions for those new to audio whether for narrators, titles, or ways to experience the medium.

Starting with a familiar favorite will help you to get acclimated to listening to audiobooks.   Choose any book that you've reread a few times as long as it is not a 36 disc audiobook, unless you are really committed.

Also a young adult or middle grade book that is shorter in length may be a place to start. To Kill A Mockingbird, Number the Stars,  An Abundance of Katherines are a few that I really enjoyed.

Your local library should have a nice selection to choose from.  Bring them home and start listening to see which one appeals to you and then keep listening!

When you first begin to listen have another activity going (cleaning, cooking, scrapbooking, folding laundry, etc.) instead of just sitting or laying down to listen. 

Happy Listening!

Audiobook Mid-Week Meme

Here’s something quick and easy for the middle of the week, just a short meme.

Current/most recent audiobook: Silent Mercy by Linda Fairstein narrated by Barbara Rosenblat (in the car) and Bloodfever by Karen Moning narrated by Joyce Bean (on the iPod), Three Seconds by Roslund and Hellstrom narrated by Christopher Lane (in the kitchen)

Impressions: I am having a bit of trouble with Three Seconds, I have to listen carefully to know which character is speaking.  Silent Mercy and Bloodfever are both great so far, both narrators are doing a fantastic job.

Current favorite audiobook: Thus far it has been the Outlander series and the Bloody Jack series, but I did just recently finish These Things Hidden with multiple narrators that was very good.

One narrator who always makes you choose audio over print: If I see that Davina Porter, Katherine Kellgren, Simon Vance or John Lee narrates, I will most likely grab that title.  Joyce Bean and Justine Eyre are quickly finding themselves on that list as well. .

Genre you most often choose to listen to: No specific genre. I am willing to try anything.

If given the choice, you will always choose audio when: A new book comes out in the Bloody Jack series and Katherine Kellgren keeps narrating and in the Outlander series and Davina Porter is narrating.

If given the choice, you will always choose print when: I really want to read that book NOW! ( I read faster than I listen). I will also go to print if there is a lot of information or jumping around from past to present that requires extra concentration.

Hosted by Jenn of Devourer of Books.

Sounds Effects in Audiobooks + Giveaway

Jen of Devourer of Books is hosting this week's celebration of Audiobooks.

Today's topic is: Sound Effects in Audiobooks - Love them? Hate them? Take them or leave them? How do you feel about sound effects in audiobooks? How about single narrator vs. multiple narrators vs. full cast, audio dramatizations, etc.

I do not mind music that plays at the beginning or ending of a disc, but do not want it to be overpowering.  I do not want to hear a car revving its engine or a doorbell ringing, I don't need it, especially if it will distract me from the story, just read the book to me. 

If there are multiple narrators, I want to know which character is speaking.  The audiobooks that I've listened to with multiple narrators made it clear who was speaking.  The others were man and a woman, so there was no need for clarification.  I am listening to Three Seconds by Anders Roslund and Borge Hellstrom (read by Christopher Lane right now and it has been a bit difficult to figure out whose POV I am hearing. One of the main characters has a lot of unspoken thoughts (in print they are in italics). When they are read it is confusing.

My son wanted me to get him The Lord of the Rings on audio and the first one I brought home was the dramatization.  He hated it.  I have not listened to a full cast dramatization so I cannot offer my opinion.

Some enjoyable multiple narrated books are: The Historian, Thirteen Reason Why, Testimony, These Things Hidden and Live to Tell.  What are ones you recommend?

GIVEAWAY:

 Brand New Don't Blink by James Patterson and Howard Roughan

Narrated by David Patrick Kelly

The good:

New York's Lombardo's Steak House is famous for three reasons—the menu, the clientele, and now, the gruesome murder of an infamous mob lawyer. Effortlessly, the assassin slips through the police's fingers, and his absence sparks a blaze of accusations about who ordered the hit.

The bad:

Seated at a nearby table, reporter Nick Daniels is conducting a once-in-a-lifetime interview with a legendary baseball bad boy. In the chaos, he accidentally captures a key piece of evidence that lands him in the middle of an all-out war between Italian and Russian mafia forces. NYPD captains, district attorneys, mayoral candidates, media kingpins, and one shockingly beautiful magazine editor are all pushing their own agendas—on both sides of the law.

And the dead:

Back off—or die—is the clear message Nick receives as he investigates for a story of his own. Heedless, and perhaps in love with his beautiful editor, Nick endures humiliation, threats, violence, and worse in a thriller that overturns every expectation and finishes with the kind of flourish only James Patterson knows.

Open to all.  To enter leave me a comment with your email and tell me one of your favorite narrators and how you like your steak cooked.  I'll randomly draw a winner on Friday, June 10th.

Audiobook Year

June is Audiobook month and this week is audiobook week over at Devourer of Book's. Today's topic is Your Audiobook Year.

Are you new to audiobooks in the last year? Have you been listening to them forever but discovered something new this year? Favorite titles? New times/places to listen? This is your chance to introduce yourself and your general listening experience.

I've become a consistent audiobook listener in the last 2 years.  I love to discover new narrators. Lately I've been both listening to and reading new releases, especially if the reader is new to me. It has helped to continue to be involved in the book no matter what I am doing.

Last year I listened to 22 audiobooks. An Echo in the Bone (Davina Porter narrates) and the Bloody Jack (Katherine Kellgren narrates) series were among my favorites as well as The Historian (Justine Eyre & Paul Michael narrates).

I just recently discovered LibriVox, and have enjoyed many narrators reading War and Peace. It  is free and there are many titles available.

I also discovered that my library has a feature that allows me to download the audiobook directly onto my iPod instead of having to upload all the discs into iTunes and then put them on my iPod.  It makes it easier. 

My local used book store, Booked For The Season, has a great selection of audiobooks for great prices.  Many of them have been listened to once (a couple of them never)!

Audiobook Recommendation

Today's question is What Audio Books do you recommend?

Of course, my favorite is The Outlander series narrated by Davina Porter, but you know that as I can't stop raving about it.  However, this is a huge time commitment.  If you are new to audiobooks, I would not start out with that one.  Begin with The Apothecary's Daughter or Shadow Music or one of her many other ones!

Anything narrated by Katherine Kelgren is fantastic:  The Bloody Jack Series, Austenland, Alchemy and Meggy Swan.  I just found out she has also narrates Jane Bites Back and other Austen spin offs (P & P and Zombies, S & S and Seamonsters), I am so excited!

I highly recommend To Kill A Mockingbird narrated by Sissy Spacek.  It is wonderful.

I laughed my way through An Abundance of Katherines by John Green narrated by Jeff Woodman.

Thanks to Jen of Devourere of Books for hosting Audiobook Week.

What is a must listen to audiobook?

When Do You Listen

Today's subject for audiobook week hosted by Jen of Devourer of Books is:

When do you listen to audiobooks?

I listen on my iPod every day while I workout (mostly walking when the weather cooperates).  I am hit or miss when I clean and do other chores around the house and yard.  I need to be more consistant about reaching for the iPod.

There is always an audiobook going in my car.  I have not listened to the radio in years.  There are times when my sons or husband use my car and I notice that the disc is further along than I remember.  They end up listening instead of turning off the disc. ;o)  In fact, my son borrowed LOTRs from the library and put it on his iPod for when he mows lawns.

I tried to listen while falling asleep, but found I had to go back and re-listen so I gave that up. If I could read a book and listen to an audiobook, I would do it! LOL

Where do you listen?

AudioBook Meme

Devourer of Books is hosting AudioBook Week and today is a meme:

Audiobook are you currently reading/you read most recently:
I am half way through Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander series #6) by Diana Gabaldoon read by Davina Porter on my iPod.  In the car I am just about finished with In The Belly of the Bloodhound (Bloody Jack series #4) by LA Meyer read by Katherine Kelgren.

Impressions?:
What is not to like about Jamie and Claire?  Seriously, I have loved this series for years and have fallen in love all over again because of the fantastic job Davina Porter does narrating.  The narration of the Jacky Faber series is what has me hooked on the audiobooks as well. I read the first book and could not get the second in print, but was able to get the audio.  Katherine Kelgren is fantastic! 

How long you’ve been listening to audiobooks:
Off and on for years.  I am definitely back on.

First audiobook you ever listened to:
Something Disney I am sure.

Favorite audiobook title:
It is way too hard to pick a favorite, besides the two that I've gushed over,  I do love To Kill A Mockingbird read by Sissy Spacek.

Favorite narrator:
Again besides the two that I've mentioned, I really enjoy Susan Ericksen who narrates the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb.

How do you choose what to listen to versus read?
Since I am listening to three lengthy series it is an easy choice.  But sometimes I will peruse the shelves and snag something that jumps out at me.

Audio Reviews

Today is day two of Audio Book Week hosted by Devourer of Books. 

Today's subject is "How to write an audiobook review"


I don't make any big changes from my normal routine.  I do disclose that I listened to the audio book.  I include my feelings about the narrator and overall production of the audio version.  An audio book that I listened to last year contained music and it was such a distraction! 
 
 
 

Why Audio Books?

Jen of Devourer of Books is hosting Audio Book Week with discussions daily. 

Today's question is Why audio books?

I remember sitting with a book on my lap a record on the turntable listening to the book being read and turning the pages at the ping.  I thought I was reading!  When I could read, I still loved those audio books.  Most of those early audio books were Disney stories.

When I began taking my kids to the library, I introduced them to audio books and they loved them.  Their fighting got so bad I got each of them an inexpensive cassette player to listen to their books.  I would say that they did prefer being read to and I loved the bonding that it provided. We listened to many audio books in the car on family road trips.

For some unexplainable reason, I did not listen to audio books for quite a few years, but I am back now!
I love that technology has progress over the years that now I can download an entire book or three on my iPod and listen without having to change the disc, just recharge every week or so.  I still read more print books than listen to audio books, but I do count them(audio) in my books read tally.