I've also been enjoying some great podcasts.
(And in related news, I never listen to music anymore, unless it's classical or kiddy stuff with the girls in the car.)
But, back to the podcasts and audiobooks. Here's a roundup of the things I've been enjoying.
Audiobooks
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty, narrated by Caroline Lee
Moriarty is such a fun writer. She does a superb job of mixing dark topics (abuse, divorce, miscarriage) with humor. And Caroline Lee's narration is spot-on: she makes me want to visit Australia so badly!
The Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb, narrated by James Langton
I read the first one (Fool's Errand) about 3 years ago, but when I tried to pick up book 2 I couldn't remember enough of the plot. So I bought all 3 titles on Audible, and really enjoyed listening to them all. I particularly enjoyed Golden Fool I think - but Fool's Fate was great too. Golden Fool just had the widest span of different accents, and Langton was really convincing at all of them. And Hobb's writing is always gorgeous - these are epic, high fantasy at their finest.
The Martian by Andy Weir, narrated by R.C. Bray
This one made me laugh out loud several times. And in spite of all the math/technical details, I was completely engaged. Mark Watney, the astronaut who gets stranded on Mars, is very funny and self-deprecating, and Bray does a great job of getting that across in his narration. For example, when Watney tries to work out how long it will take something to evaporate, and is having difficulty with the exact math, he says, "Chemistry, being the sloppy bitch that it is..." Oh man, so many little moments like that, which cracked me up!
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, narrated by Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra
I read the book in 2013, and reread it this month for the YA Book and Movie Club. I really enjoyed most of the audio production. Lowman narrates all of Rowell's other books, and does a great job. Malhotra was good as Park's voice, but I didn't like the parts where Malhotra was being Eleanor. (The book is told alternately from Park and Eleanor's perspectives, so Lowman does both voices in her chapters, and Malhotra does both voices in his chapters.) I think I might've liked this one better in print, but on audio you do notice each character's little verbal tics more clearly.
Podcasts
Sorta Awesome
Sorta Awesome is my new favorite. It's so fun. I've been bloggy friends with Megan for several years (she guest posted here back in 2012), and it's a blast to see her new venture thriving. She has rotating cohosts, and they share their "Awesome of the Week", plus talk about different themes ranging from friendship to reality tv to parenting to summer plans, and everything in between.
Mystery Show
Mystery Show is my even newer favorite. Host Starlee Kine goes on small quests, to solve a mystery in each one - ranging from tracking down an old video store, to finding out if Britney Spears ever read a certain book. The first episode bothered me a bit, because Starlee has a slight lisp, and her "sss" was a teensy bit annoying. But by episode 2, I didn't even notice anymore. My favorite so far is episode #3, Belt Buckle, which totally made me cry at the end.
America's Test Kitchen
I've always loved the tv show, but I never seem to catch Test Kitchen when it's actually on. So quite often lately I've been listening to episodes of the podcast while I make dinner. I really liked the Rick Bayless episode.
The Inspired to Action Podcast
I've mentioned Inspired to Action before. It's an excellent podcast if you're a mom in need of some inspiration. Kat is really encouraging, and funny, and challenges her listeners to be the mom God has created them to be.
I listen to Coffee Break French when I get worried that my French skills are too, too rusty. And it really does help! If you're a beginner, you can go back to the very beginning. I'm listening to season 4, which is probably advanced-intermediate.
What have YOU been listening to?
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