Weekend Reads: The Minstrel's Song series by Jenelle Leanne Schmidt

We made it to Friday, friends! And I have not only a book, but an entire series to recommend for your weekend reading! I had the opportunity to meet Jenelle Leanne Schmidt at a writing conference several years ago, and I could tell right from the start that she was my kind of person. So I left the conference eager to maintain our authorly connection and to read her books, but I had a slight hang-up. Her Minstrel's Song series is epic fantasy.

Now, before you start waving your beloved copies of The Lord of the Rings at me, hear me out. There's nothing wrong with epic fantasy. It's quite epic, after all, and can make for very exciting, inspirational adventures. But I have a few qualms with epic fantasy stories that cause it to not be my favorite genre. There tend to be so many characters it can be hard to feel close to any one person, and the larger-than-life heroes can be particularly difficult to relate to. I like to think I have a pretty good handle on the English language, so I get frustrated by names and places I find entirely unpronounceable. Too many battle scenes cause me to start skimming, because I just get so much more out of emotion and dialogue than pure action. And epic fantasy romances happen so quickly or almost entirely off-screen, which just isn't as satisfying for my reader's heart that enjoys a sweet, drawn out love story.

So as a matter of personal preference, I don't always get excited about epic fantasy, and I typically don't devour it like I do other books. But when Jenelle released audiobooks of her series, I made a fun discovery - epic fantasy is ideal to listen to! The storytelling style works perfectly for being read aloud, not to mention those crazy names that would frustrate me on paper just roll off the narrator's tongue :) And between Jenelle's engaging writing style and Benjamin Fife's lilting accent and variety of character voices, The Minstrel's Song series on audiobook has been an absolute delight so far! I should be clear that they would be excellent reads in written form as well - the author has an entertaining sense of humor, a knack for building excitement and tension over the course of each book, a creative, vividly-described fantasy world to explore, and a grand battle between light and dark building with undercurrents of hope even in the most desperate moments. So it's a fantastic series no matter how you experience it! But I do have to put in one last plug for the audiobook narrator, Benjamin Fife. He is a superb storyteller who even sings and plays mandolin for the songs, adds cool clicking sounds to the gryfons' voices, and makes the dragons sound so wise and fierce. I can't wait to listen to the books again as a family someday once my kids are a little older! (Aside from the scariness and violence of the battle scenes, these books are very clean.)

I haven't yet listened to the conclusion of the series, Minstrel's Call, but here are my mini-reviews of the first three installments:

King's Warrior (Book 1)

When a foreign kingdom known as the Dark Country threatens peaceful Aom-igh, knight-in-training Oraeyn is tasked with taking Princess Kamarie to find the retired King's Warrior. Their journey brings many surprises, including new travel companions and discoveries of the truth behind some of their people's oldest legends. Not to mention the friendship that eventually arises despite their initial distaste for each other :) But when warriors from the Dark Country flood their shores, will all their preparations and the re-emergence of the King's Warrior be enough to save Aom-igh?

I'll admit it took me a little while to get into this book, but as more characters were introduced and the stakes became higher, I enjoyed it more and more! Kamarie felt a bit like a stereotypical tomboy princess confined to her needlework at first, but as her courage and vulnerability showed through I came to appreciate her as her own distinct character. Oraeyn made me smile throughout, and I absolutely fell in love with their young friend Yole! The end was just the right combination of satisfying and heartbreaking, and the author did a great job tying together all the story threads while also hinting at more conflict to come.

Second Son (Book 2)

In this prequel to King's Warrior, two princes grow up enjoying dreams of brave feats and grand adventures, blissfully ignorant of the prophecy that will eventually tear their family apart. As they age, whispers of a second son who will save the country from destruction set them on opposite paths. Older Ky tightens his stranglehold on his birthright as the heir to the throne, confused and tempted by the advice of manipulative counselors. Younger Rhoyan is sent off to learn through quests and experiences abroad, never guessing his eventual attempt to return home will force him to flee for his life.

I actually listened to this book first, which totally worked since it's a prequel! In some ways I think I appreciated the central conflict of King's Warrior more with this backstory in mind, though it also spoiled some of the aspects of Rhoyan's / Brant's character that otherwise would've been a slowly revealed mystery. This book had the least cohesive plot of the series, since it took place over many years and sidetracked into many of Rhoyan's adventures that weren't critical to the primary conflict building between the two princes. But I felt very drawn to the tragic separation of the brothers as they grew apart, which made me feel more emotionally invested in the story. And Rhoyan's adventures certainly are exciting!

Yorien's Hand (Book 3)

Disappearances, nightmares, and disturbing missives from faraway lands indicate that the peaceful start to Oraeyn's rule of Aom-igh has come to an end. A prophecy drives him, along with a band of familiar companions, to seek Yorien's Hand, a rumored piece of a star with untold power. Their journey requires courage and sacrifice, and gives the travelers a new understanding of the seemingly goofy, awkward minstrel, Kiernan Kane. In the end, not everyone's role in driving back the evil threatening to cover the land plays out as expected, and each is tested in what they're willing to give - and give up - in the battle of good versus evil.

It was fun to see this band of traveling companions reunited after years of growth and changes to their perspectives and relationships. Yorien's Hand didn't feel like quite as exciting an adventure in some ways, since most of the places traveled were already explored in past books. But I liked the way that different players and pieces of the battle came together, often in unexpected ways, and seeing how each country approached the coming attack by making the most of it's strengths. I also loved getting to know the wizardesses better - they've definitely become favorite characters! Despite so much of the romances taking place prior to the start of the book, they were still sweet to follow along the way. And I'm so curious about the minstrel now! I'm looking forward to all being revealed in Minstrel's Call :)

 So there you have it! Are you a fan of epic fantasy? Do you have any audiobook recommendations?

See you next time!

Laurie

Audiobook Basics—Getting one produced is not as hard as you’d think

There’s been a good bit of buzz the last few years about audiobooks and how the market is growing and how indie authors should get audiobooks made. But before you throw your hands up and say there’s no way you can afford it or do it on your own, read on. It can actually be quite affordable—as in no upfront capital to get a professional narrator to do your audiobook. And depending on your distribution and production payment  choices, your royalty rate can be up to 40% of the retail price (20% if doing royalty share). And since many audiobooks are $15.00 or up, that’s a nice way to increase your income and provide great stories to people who prefer or rely on that format.

I’ve been thinking about getting an audiobook done for my first novel, The Rose and the Wand, for some time, so a few weeks ago I started the process, and I hope to have a completed audiobook soon. The process has been a blast so far, and I’m already planning to get my second novel made into an audiobook as well.

A lot of audiobook narrators are also theater and film actors, and since theaters are closed because of Covid-19 right now, now is a good time to get an audiobook done. The narrators have more time and could probably use the extra cash.

Here’s a brief run down of audiobook production basics and my own experience. (I know I said brief and this post is anything but brief, but I wanted to give enough information for a good background—you can visit the websites and other blogs for more in-depth information.)

 

I created this temporary audiobook cover to use
until my designer reformats the book's cover for me.

Audiobook 101: An outline of the process

1) Upload book information to ACX or Findaway Voices

2) Decide on method of payment and whether you want to go exclusive or non-exclusive with the distribution

3) Upload audition script

4) Listen to narrator auditions and choose a narrator. Then work with the narrator to set a timeline for completion and decide on rates, if paying upfront

5) Sign the contract, send the manuscript, and wait

6) Review the first 15 minutes of audio. Once you accept it (or reject, if needed), then additional chapters can be uploaded

7) Be patient as narrator produces and uploads each chapter, one chapter at a time.

8) Upload an audiobook cover

9) Accept the finished product, pay and/or sign final papers

10) Market

Audiobook 101: In a little more detail

1) Decided who to partner with for your audiobook production and distribution

Right now, I know of ACX (acx.com) and Findaway Voices (https://findawayvoices.com/). These two companies act as a go-between for authors and narrators and as distribution companies.

Working with ACX

ACX (connected to Audible and Amazon) offers several options to help connect authors and narrators and get audiobooks produced. Narrators can create profiles on ACX, and authors can search this database for a narrator of their choice and then approach the narrator via ACX message system. Or the author can upload an audition script with information about the book and production payment choices, and narrators can audition for the book.

If you use ACX, you have two distribution options: Exclusive (Audible, Amazon, and iTunes; 40% royalty) and Non-exclusive (can sell anywhere; 25% royalty). If you plan to go wide with your audiobook and can afford at least half of the upfront cost, you should consider Findaway Voices as well.

ACX offers three options for paying for the audiobook: 

Pay for Production 

Author pays the narrator (who is also the producer) upfront. Narrators charge a set price for each finished hour of the audiobook. This is call the Per Finished Hour (PFH) rate. A narrator’s PFH rate depends on their experience. Consequently, the rate can vary greatly. Some newer narrators may only charge $50-100 PFR while the more experienced narrators charge several hundred per hour. If you choose Pay for Production, you can choose Exclusive (Audible, amazon, iTunes; 40% royalties)  or Non-exclusive distribution (you can set up wide; 25% royalties).

How do you know how long your audiobook will be to help you calculate the cost? ACX will give you an estimate of how long your audiobook will be once you tell them your book’s word count. My ~90,000 word novel has an estimated length of 9.3 hrs. So if I did Pay Per Production for this book with a less experienced narrator (say one new to audiobooks but with theater and film experience and so still a great narrator) at the $100 PFH rate, that would be about $930. Findaway Voices has a very nice tool that gives you an estimate of the final cost based on your word count; however, their tool’s lowest PFH rate is $150. (https://findawayvoices.com/pricing/)

Royalty Share and Royalty Share Plus

In this option, the author doesn’t pay anything upfront. They must choose the exclusive distribution option. This is the 40% royalty. This royalty is split between the author and narrator, 20% to each. Check out ACX’s webpage and other blogs for more information on how you might buy out of this eventually, if desired.

In Royalty Share Plus, the author pays some of the production cost upfront and splits royalties.

As you’ve probably guessed, the more experienced narrators generally prefer Pay for Production, as it’s less of a gamble for them getting paid, but you can still get good narrators in the Royalty Share option. Of course, if you choose the latter, it’s especially important to work hard marketing to make sure your narrator gets paid back for their hard work.

Also, when exclusive with ACX, retailers set the price of your audiobook (and I think your royalty is from that retail price). ACX has a general estimate for retail prices here (https://audible-acx.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6656)

Working with Findaway Voices 

Findaway Voices offers Pay for Production and also Voices Share, where you pay half up-front and then split royalties. If using Findaway, you can distribute through 40 audiobook retailers and library platforms (so you can go wide), set your own price, and keep an 80% royalty. But note that this 80% is after the retailer’s ~50% cut, so it works out to about 40% of the list price (the same as ACX’s exclusive rate). So say you set a $10 list cost for retailers, e.g. for iTunes or Audible. The retailer (in this case iTunes) keeps 50% ($5) and sends the remaining 50% ($5) to Findaway; Findaway keeps 20% of that $5 ($1) for handling distribution and sends you the remaining 40% ($4). In Voices Share, it’s 60% to the author and 20% to the narrator; this requires some exclusivity (so Findaway can handle splitting the royalties, but it is still wide) and comes with a buy-out option. https://blog.findawayvoices.com/voices-share/

2) Choose a narrator

Audiobooks are basically theatrical productions for the ear alone, which means your narrator needs to be able to do a lot of voices and emotions. To gauge whether a narrator is right for your project, you upload an audition script for narrators to perform. You only have 2-3 pages for your audition script (so about 5 minutes of audio), so choose your script carefully. Don’t just take the first few pages of your book. Choose two to three scenes that include your main characters and any other characters who are particularly important. Choose scenes with a range of emotions portrayed. You need to get a feel for how well the narrator “acts.”

When you set up your project, ACX will ask you about your narrator preferences.

a) Do you want a male or female narrator? Or both?

b) What kind of accent? General American? Scottish? Cockney? Southern US? There are a whole host of accents to choose from, and this can be intimidating. If you need help, you can open another browser tab, go to ACX’s narrators page and do a narrator search using the different options (different accent or voice style, for example). Narrator voice samples will come up, and you can listen to those to get an idea of what that accent type sounds like. You might also find a narrator you really like.  https://www.acx.com/ss

c) Voice style and age? What kind of voice do you want? A refined voice? A rough voice? Flirty? Cynical? Very young? Old?

Once you’ve made those decisions and posted your audition script (for ACX, Findaway will suggest narrators), wait while narrator create and upload auditions. Listen to those and contact the narrator you want to work with. Finalize details, including the Per Finished Hour rate, then sign the contract. I started out on ACX Royalty Share, but decided to ask the narrator I wanted to work with what her PFH rate was. While she was very talented, she was new to audiobooks and so had a lower rate. I offered to pay her upfront, and she agreed, and the book was switched to Per for Production. So you can switch methods from what you originally said, if your narrator agrees.

3) Set a timeline and be patient and wait for uploads

You will need to set a date for the narrator to upload the first 15 minutes for your approval. Talk with them about how long it takes. Don’t rush them, since you want a quality product. Once you’re approved the first 15 minutes, the narrator will start working on the rest and upload it chapter by chapter.

4) Be flexible and considerate of  your narrator’s time and effort

Have you ever written out a speech word for word and practiced and practiced it, and when you delivered it, you ended up speaking freely and changing up the words a bit? Well, some audiobook narrators will do that too. As I’ve listened to my chapters while reading along in my book, I’ve noticed some of those little words editors tend to cut but that we use in speech tend to get put back in. The meaning hasn’t changed, but it isn’t exactly word-for-word. Sometimes, narrators may accidently switch a word or two to something else, especially if they are working quickly for a fast turn-around time. Before you get upset, ask if it’s worth mentioning. Does it change the meaning substantially? If not, then it might be best to ignore.

Some narrators may be able to go in and change a word or two without re-recording, others might not without it sounding unnatural. Forcing them to re-record a twenty-five chapter over one word or two may not be worth it in the long run. Be gracious, but also be firm on what is really important. Look up the policies for what you can expect in the way of redos if you have significant issues. But do make sure you listen to all the chapters and make that the chapters uploaded in order.

5) Upload an audiobook cover 

This is not the same as your ebook or print cover. These are square covers about 2400 by 2400 pixels. Check the cover requirements and talk to your cover designer about getting your ebook/print book cover formatted for audiobook. If you can’t get that done, you might consider using a place like fiverr to get a cheap cover done. It won’t match, but not all do. ACX doesn’t like you to just put your vertically designed ebook cover on top of a square background either.

6) Finalize 

When you have all the chapters and the cover, accept the finished product, and pay and/or sign final papers.

7) Market

ACX and Findaway have advice on how to market. Check those out and get to work (especially if you used a Royalty Share option).

Do you like listening to audiobooks? I’ve only listened to a few, mostly non-fiction, but I am loving my narrator’s production of The Rose and the Wand. So I might have to start listening to more fiction audiobooks. Do you think you’ll get one done? If you have an audiobook? How was your experience? Any tips?

Weekend Reads: The Winternight Trilogy Audiobooks (Heather)

What will you be listening to this weekend?

Oh, wait.

READING. Yeah, that.

These days my book consumption is a steady diet of audiobooks, though there's usually one actual book I'm slowly reading with my eyeballs. As a writer, I try to actually write whenever I have time to sit still. Thanks to audiobook apps like Libby, I can read several books a week as I multitask with chores or driving.

But, when someone asks if I've read a certain book, and I have actually listened to it, I'm not sure what to say. Is "yes" a truthful answer? I'd love your input on this moral dilemma!

So! Back to the question at hand...what will you be reading OR listening to this weekend? If you're turning to this post to help answer that question, I have a suggestion that may keep you busy for the next several weekends.

The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden is a magical, intimate, beautifully written retelling of Russian Folklore set in medieval Russia. Though I'm not familiar with Russian folklore myself, listening to these books has piqued my interest to learn more. Interestingly, Ms. Arden has a degree in Russian from Middlebury College and also lived there twice. These experiences have masterfully imbued her books with everything from the harshness of the Russian winters to the heavy-handed presence of the Catholic church.

I would rate these stories as PG/PG-13. There is some violence described (there are brutal wars and skirmishes) and sexuality implied, (though nothing is gratuitous or explicit). Arden's prose are rich and evoke a sense of the mysterious time in history when superstitions, folklore, and the powerful Catholic church are mingling, clashing, and shifting around to find their place. Is there room for both?

The clash between these beliefs begins in the first book The Bear and the Nightingale, as we are introduced to the teenage Vasilisa who's grandmother has taught her to honor and fear the spirits in the forest, and yet is forbidden to do so by her staunchly religious stepmother. To make things more complicated, Vasilisa has become aware of her own magical DNA.

In the second book, The Girl in the Tower, Vasilisa (now called Vasya) is being forced to either marry or join a convent. Instead, she runs away, only to find her new home--Moscow--is under siege, and she is called upon to defend the city with her newly discovered abilities.

The dramatic, exhausting conclusion comes in The Winter of the Witch. Blamed for Moscow's disasters, Vasya must run for her life while also battling enemies, both mortal and magical, to save the land that she loves.

For me, the audiobooks provided an immersion experience into the Russian culture, thanks to the incredibly talented narrator Kathleen Gati. Her accents, pronunciations, voices, and inflections brought the book to life so vividly. Where I may have stumbled over many of the words and names if I were to read the book on my own, Gati handled them with ease. I may be as impressed with her narration skills as I am with Arden's writing abilities!

Though there are elements of magic and reference to witches and demons, this is not a book about witchcraft or the occult. Folklore, at its core, is the way past generations tried to understand and explain the world around them. The mysterious and the tangible. This book simply peels back the veil to peek into how the unseen and the seen might work together, might disdain, mistrust, or deny the existence of the other. In Vasya, we find the existence of both and her struggle to fit into either dimension.

This trilogy is truly an epic retelling that is a worthwhile investment of your time! Are you familiar with Russian folklore? Have you read any of Arden's books?

Weekend Reads: The Last Days of Lady Cordelia: A Beaumont and Beasley Story by Kyle Robert Shultz (Gretchen)

 Last weekend I went from football mom to soccer mom. My son traded his pads for a keeper jersey and filled in on a local travel team. I was so excited. Not only would we get to watch him play soccer again, we got to cheer with fellow soccer parents, who happen to be some of our closest friends. Oh, the tournament was in Tucson, so 70F in February. Sorry, not sorry for those of you in the Groundhog's shadow. I live in the mountainous, cold part of Arizona, so it was a treat for our family.

What is the best way to pass a car ride that includes hairpin curves through a canyon?

Listing to an audiobook of course!

The Last Days of Lady Cordelia by Kyle Robert Shultz is a great choice for a quick listen. The novella is a sequel to The Beast of Talesend and occurs between Book 2, The Tomb of the Sea Witch, and Book 3 The Stroke of Eleven.

What did I like about The Last Days of Lady Cordelia?
1. It's a gaslamp story set in the Roaring '20s
2. There's a good dose of humor
3. It's nice and twisty

Lady Cordelia has magic ability that accidentally turned private detective and magic skeptic, Nick Beaseley into a beast in The Beast of Talesend. Since then, the two along have been looking for a cure for Nick's "condition."
Cordelia finds herself dying in a hospital. But there's something not quite right about this world. Some things are better, and other things are worse, much worse. Like there is no magic in this world. It means that her father isn't a diabolical magician. It also means she and the fully human Nick have never met until they encounter each other in the hospital. The worst part is that in a world without magic, Cordelia doesn't have any powers, and she strongly suspects magic is what she needs to escape.
The story twists and turns with the reader not sure if her memories of a world with magic are the reality or if this unmagical world, that is suspiciously like our world with places named America and London is reality.
While the reader knows what "reality" is, the story is not predictable.
If you've read The Beast of Talesend and The Tomb of the Sea Witch, I recommend giving The Last Days of Lady Cordelia a read (or listen). And if you haven't, check out Lizzie's  January 3 Weekend Reads for reviews of Books 1 and 2 to get started on this magically humorous series.

The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder (Laurie)

Remember back in May when I shared my Top 3 Man-Made Characters, with Dominic from The Electrical Menagerie at the top of my list? Here's the full review I promised!


The Electrical Menagerie by Mollie E. Reeder centers around the circus-like show of Sylvester Carthage, filled with technology, illusions, and personality. But despite the show's charm, Huxley, Carthage's business manager, announces they're running out of funds to continue their tour. An opportunity to audition to perform at the Celestial Palace seems like the perfect opportunity to get more attention for the Electrical Menagerie and raise the money they need to keep the show going. But when they arrive for the auditions, the competition is tougher than they could've imagined. Worse, someone seems out to sabotage the top performers, putting them all in danger from an unknown source. As they progress in the competition, Carthage and Huxley must not only expand their creativity and showmanship to take their spectacle to new heights, they must find the courage to put a stop to the violence before it can reach the Celestial Isles' royal family.


This book was a delightful combination of fun, humor, life lessons, and all the feels. I loved the vivid descriptions of the Electrical Menagerie and other acts, which felt a bit reminiscent of The Night Circus. Carthage and Huxley were such interesting characters to get to know as more and more was revealed about their pasts and family dynamics. And as a pair, they had so many humorous interactions due to their opposing personalities and touching moments of increased understanding. The puzzle of the mysterious "accidental" deaths surrounding the competition really kept me intrigued, and I couldn't get enough of the cool world-building, especially the electricals (yay Dominic!) and the awesome trains that ran on invisible rails between floating islands.

I was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary copy of the new audiobook version of The Electrical Menagerie, and it was fabulous! The narrator absolutely brings the story to life with tons of personality and distinctive voices for each character. I think Carthage's accent was my favorite :) His engaging portrayal kept me on the edge of my seat - sometimes nervous, sometimes laughing, occasionally tearing up... For you audiobook fans out there, this one should definitely go on your list!


I would highly recommend The Electrical Menagerie for anyone who would enjoy a fun, big top-centered adventure with dynamic characters and a new world to explore. And the best news? Mollie is releasing the second book in her Celestial Isles series soon!


Have you read any books involving a circus or other show? What cool world-building have you seen lately?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie

Top Three Reading Resolutions for the New Year (KaLyn)

The 2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge has ended! How did you do?

After adjusting my goal half-way through the year, I managed to squeak by in the end with twenty-four books. Twenty-four books is a realistic goal for me, and I'll be sticking with it again this year. But I will be changing some reading tactics.

More Focus

Oh, how the marvels of technology have influenced the flow of information and the formats in which we consume it. Don't get me wrong. I love tech. It's part of what drew me into the world of coding and software development before I left the workforce to homeschool our youngest child who is both gifted and challenged in some of the same ways I am. But it is those same tech changes that continue to impact my attention span through overstimulation.

So, this year, I aim to reign-in my screen time and use of technology by doing more work the old fashioned way - books and paper - and to set boundaries for when and how long I do fire up a computer, pick up a smartphone, or even read on an e-reader.

More Audiobooks

Sometimes it's nice to have someone else read to you, especially after you've been staring at words on a screen all day. Even with a nice set of glasses to reduce blue light exposure it can be taxing. Plus, audiobooks are great for road trips.

More Fiction

Only a third of the books from my Goodreads challenge last year was non-fiction, but it doesn't reflect the amount of time I spent reading non-fiction. I often combed over passages, materials from professional development classes, and various articles multiple times.

Honestly, learning is somewhat of a compulsion for me so my consumption of non-fiction will not change. However, I do plan to spend more time reading fiction. Starting with two books releasing this month that I've been looking forward to reading: Black Blood, the conclusion of the Children of the Blood Moon series by S.D. Grimm and Flare, the second book in the Firebrand Chronicles by J.M. Hackman.

Do you have any reading goals for the new year?

Top 3 Audiobooks (Laurie)

My love for audiobooks has recently been revived thanks to an app I discovered on my local library's website called Libby. Hooray for a huge selection of free audiobooks! So today I thought it would be fitting to share my top 3 audiobooks...so far, at least :)

3. The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness

These were some of the first audiobooks I listened to, and they absolutely blew me away! The entire concept behind this series is so fascinating - a world where men's thoughts can be heard aloud, but women's can't. I loved the way it explored so many facets of human nature through both individuals and groups with complex characters, challenging situations, and a balanced perspective. And the way the audiobooks were executed did such a great job bringing the story to life. Each of the three point-of-view characters is narrated by a different actor, which really helped set apart each distinct perspective. After writing all this, now I want to go back and re-listen!

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This is one of those books I recommended to so many people after listening to it. The story is just beautiful, giving the insights of a young girl as she experiences life in Nazi Germany. I laughed and cried over and over again (which was a bit of a problem, because I mostly listened to it on a bus to and from work!) because it was so real. The characters were flawed but trying to do the right thing, and I could relate to so many of the situations despite living in such a different time and place. What I enjoyed specifically about the audiobook narration is the actor put so much personality into each character and easily wove in the German words that I would've stumbled over if I'd been reading on my own. This is one of those unforgettable books that will continue to stay with me for years to come.

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Let me just start by saying that narrating the entire Harry Potter series was no small task! But despite the length, the actor chosen for the job, Jim Dale, never wavered in his enthusiastic performance. He gave every character a distinct voice and brought out every moment of humor and heart throughout the series. I loved that even though I'd already read the books, listening to this interpretation made them fresh again and just as enjoyable as my first time through. My husband and I actually got started listening to these audiobooks after my sister made him promise to read the Harry Potter series, and she succeeded in making a fan out of him as well :) I don't think our 12-hour drives to and from Wyoming have ever passed so quickly or pleasantly than the times Harry Potter came with us!

I also want to give honorable mentions to The Help by Kathryn Stockett (another audiobook where each POV character gets a separate narrator, and they all did a fabulous job!) and any of Melanie Dickerson's books narrated by Jude Mason (the narrator has a gorgeous British accent and does wonderful voices for each character).

How about you? Are you a fan of audiobooks? If so, what are some of your favorites?

Thanks for reading!

Laurie

Sea Clocks and Reading Non-Fiction (Lizzie)

Lately, I've been enjoying listening to audio books on my commute to work. I've listened to Stephen Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist, and, most recently, Dava Sobel's Longitude. I'd heard enough about Covey's book to know it would be fantastic and helpful for personal growth, and I knew Dickens's would be entertaining, albeit a bit slow in places from excessive conversation between unlikable characters showcasing flaws in society needing addressing (mistreatment of the poor, for instance). But I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable Dava Sobel's Longitude was, despite being non-fiction. I write the last semi-jokingly. Growing up, I didn't care to read non-fiction beyond my school textbooks, but now I find it not only beneficial for personal and spiritual growth, but often fascinating and entertaining.

John Harrison's first sea clock, known as H1.

Before listening to Longitude (read by a marvelous Bristish actress), for instance, I had no idea the accurate determination of longitude (a seemingly dry measurement learned about in school days) had such history and consequences. Countless sailors died in wrecks when ships unable to accurately determine their position (latitude and longitude) ran into reefs or into enemy territory, or died from scurvy because they couldn't find an island to gather fresh supplies soon enough. The struggle to accurately determine longitude resulted in many advances in astronomy and clock making, and, ultimately, lead to technologies we take for granted today. A few hundred years ago, even the best clocks could lose several minutes each day.

So what?, you may say. It's still facts and facts are boring. Only when told merely as facts. Any discovery or seemingly dry fact came about through the adventures of people. All people have stories, so all discoveries, technologies, and bland lines in textbooks, have stories. And those stories can be as entertaining as fiction, and more remarkable, if well told. Who would have guessed today that an accurate way to tell your position (best found either by using the heavens or by an accurate clock [not a common thing at the time]) would be rewarded by a king's ransom? But several kingdoms offered large prizes to anyone who could solve the "longitude problem." John Harrison, a self-taught carpenter and clock-maker, is a part of the story of longitude, and such famous people as Sir Issac Newton, Edward Haley, and Captain James Cook are intertwined in it.

Harrison's marine chronometer H5

So in addition to being entertained and informed on history and science through Sobel's Longitude, I came to a greater appreciation of today's technology, of our seemingly simple ability to tell accurate time and know exactly where we are and how to get where we're going. Hopefully, you're not like I was, disregarding non-fiction in favor of fiction. If you are, however, I encourage you to give non-fiction a try.

What non-fiction have you read lately? Or what would you like to read?

Dragon's Curse & Beggar Magic by H.L.Burke (Laurie)

Back in December, Erin did a fun twist on our usual "What We're Reading" posts to write about what she'd watched instead. Today I'm doing a different variation, which I'll call "What I'm Listening To."

Back before I had kids, I worked in downtown Minneapolis where the traffic is chaotic and parking is expensive. So most days I rode the bus. During that time I got really into audiobooks, because they were the perfect way to use my commute to enjoy literature (without feeling ill like when I try to read). But for some reason, after my oldest son was born, I just kind of forgot about audiobooks.

Until now. Recently I was fortunate enough to get two codes for free audiobooks from the amazing H.L. Burke, and it completely rekindled my love for them. While I don't ride the bus anymore, I have been listening during all my mindless chores - cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. And the funniest part is, I've actually been seeking out more mindless chores to do so I can keep listening! Anyone who knows me can tell you that I typically avoid cleaning like the plague :)

Okay, enough about me! Let's talk about these wonderful audiobooks (which, as I mentioned, I received for free from the author)!

First, I listened to Dragon's Curse (Book 1 of The Dragon and the Scholar). I am so glad to have discovered H.L. Burke recently, because her stories are just SO my type of books! Humor, light fantasy, romance, adventure - everything I want in a fun, enjoyable read. In Dragon's Curse, Shannon has finished up her studies at the Academy and is ready to see more of the world. She talks her way into an assignment in the kingdom of Regone to heal the king from wounds resulting from a dragon hunt. While there, she learns the country's tragic history and the source of the king's desire for vengeance against all dragons. She also meets the local dragon, in an attempt to convince him to leave so that a certain burly knight (basically the Gaston of Regone) will quit threatening to slay the dragon in return for her hand in marriage. Instead of leaving, the dragon becomes Shannon's friend, intriguing her with his quick wit and love of books. Shannon's friendship with the dragon turns up more of the kingdom's complex past, secrets that must be unraveled before the true villain has the chance to bring their plotting full circle.

I really enjoyed the world-building in this book, complete with one of my new favorite literary dragon characters. Shannon was a fun protagonist, flawed but loyal to the core. The shifting relationships in the story kept me guessing, and I liked seeing Shannon and her Academy friend move beyond their comfort zones as scholars and exhibit spunk and courage, though there were a few times I thought they were a bit slow to figure things out. The narrator's style took a little getting used to, but once I was drawn into the story I thought she really did the book justice. I'll admit I found the ending pretty disappointing, up until I realized that this book is the first in a series! Now I can't wait to read the rest :)

The other book I listened to was Beggar Magic, also by H.L. Burke. Leilani, a commoner, forms an unusual friendship with Zeb, a Highmost, due to their mutual reverence for the Strains, magic that flows through their land in the form of music or voices. Together Leilani and Zeb face the challenges of growing up and dealing with boys and career decisions, but their friendship truly gets tested when the Strains start disappearing and the responsible party is willing to kill to make their plan succeed. The girls must rely on each other and determine whom they can really trust before the Strains' beauty is weaponized or worse, vanishes forever.

It was fun watching the friendship develop between Leilani and Zeb over the course of the book, though the action was a little slow at first as they met and formed a basis for their relationship. I appreciated how realistic their squabbles were, especially when Leilani took a position working for Zeb that added extra tension. The love interests were sweet side plots but didn't take the spotlight from the girls' central friendship, and the mystery of the disappearing Strains was fascinating as it unfolded and various suspects were implicated or exonerated. At times the narrator's style fell a little flat for me, but I really liked the way she differentiated Leilani and Zeb's voices. What stood out to me most about this book was the world-building. The Strains were such a cool concept, playing a key role throughout the book, and it was interesting to see how they could be used and how the social classes formed around them. This was a stand-alone book, and I found the ending very satisfying :)


So there you have it! Do you listen to audiobooks? Have you read any books lately with noteworthy world-building (or cool dragons)?


Thanks for reading!
Laurie


P.S. Here are links to buy the books in ebook or paperback form: Dragon's Curse; Beggar Magic