Friday Fiction Fiend #9- Meet my Favorite Audiobooks

Until I met Scott I had never listened to audiobooks. Thank goodness for that devilishly handsome fellow introducing me to them. Without audiobooks, I don't think my house would get clean. Or you know livable.

The first audiobook I listened to with him was Harry Potter &, I'll be honest, there aren't many audiobooks that can live up to the fantastic-ness that is Jim Dale's reading of these books, but as I've enjoyed more & more, there are some that come close.

So, whether you are a seasoned audiobook listener or a novice here are a couple of my favorites (and let's also enjoy a couple cute old school pictures of Miss Sydney):

1. Harry Potter-

I know, I know, everyone knows Harry Potter rocks (we are diehard fans). But I'm surprised by how many people I've talked to that have never heard the audiobooks. They are FANTASTIC, hands down the best I've heard. The reader Jim Dale has every voice down to perfection. His timing, his accent, his pauses. Amazing.

2. The Help -

There are four readers on this audiobook, reading each of the womens stories, & they are all such good actresses. The story itself is so well written and I really liked it but it took these readers to really bring the story to life.

3. Anna Dressed in Blood & Girl of Nightmares-

I love being scared, horror, & monsters. The "Anna Dressed in Blood series" has all these & more. I read the first one but I just finished listening to "Girl of Nightmares" & the reader has a perfect voice for Cas (the main character) & perfect timing to absolutely freak the pants off you. You'll sleep with the lights on after this.

4. Austenland-

I've been meaning to blog about how much I loved this book (soon to be a movie) by Shannon Hale (one of my very favorite local authors). It's about a woman obsessed with Mr. Darcy her visit to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women. The writing is so funny, but there is just something about the reader that makes it laugh-out-loud hilarious.

5. Bossypants-

Okay guys, this is the funniest audiobook I have ever listened to. Ever. It's written and read by Tina Fey (who I love) & it is inspiring and hilarious and a breath of fresh air. It also has a fair bit of launguage & is therefore maybe not for everyone but I was actually sad when I was done listening to it.

There are all sorts of ways to get some great audiobooks (our library has a ton, bookstores are betting a way bigger selection, & there are lots of online sites), but one of my new favorites is AudioGo. They have fast downloads or CDs at great prices.

Get thee forth & enjoy some audiobooks. 
Anybody out there have some favorites?

Friday Fiction Fiend #8- Meet Heather

If you've read my blog for a while you probably already know my friend Heather (ie: Smithy). She is an amazing friend for a million & one reasons, but for our book purposes here, I'll mention a couple very important characteristics of a best friend:

1. A willingness to read any book I ask her to, but especially her willingness to read crappy books, just so I have someone to talk to about it.
2. She is also always willing to camp out with me at book signings & other such awesome authorial events.
3. And, last but not least, Heather is one of the biggest supporters of my writing & I could not be more grateful for her her encouragement, her reading of my TERRIBLE first drafts, & her prophetic dreams about my future.  

So, in short, she rocks.

Here are her picks & I think you're gonna like them!

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I'm anti-favorites these days.  A shirt that I loved yesterday just doesn't seem to fit quite right today.  I saw Titanic four times in the movie theater when it came out, but have no interest in watching it again now.  Not only do my tastes change, but I would much rather read a new book, even if it's bad, than re-read an old book that I really liked at the time I read it.

So, I can't say that these are my all-time favorites, but I remember I really enjoyed them when I read them:

1.  A Fine Balance, Rohinton Mistry

I really like historical fiction...maybe because I feel like I'm also learning something while I'm reading.  Prior to reading A Fine Balance, I knew nothing about India.  I actually only picked up this book because it was fifty cents at a thrift store and had the O (Oprah) stamp on it.  You know when you're reading an Oprah pick that it can't be THAT bad.  Negative reviews on the book say it's a downer and doesn't have a happy ending.  Even though it's a work of fiction, I enjoy reading books like this because it very well could have been someone's reality and it helps keeps my own life in perspective.  

Of course having said that, lately I have been leaning toward quick reads that are simply for pure entertainment.  At law school, I read hundreds of pages a week from casebooks.  It was exhausting.  Whenever I had the chance to read for enjoyment, I wanted something light-hearted, and preferably short.  So that lead me to young adult fiction...

2.  Curse Worker Trilogy, Holly Black

I don't often buy books, but I pre-ordered these!  I loved that these books were from a male's point of view, that it involved magic but no vampires or werewolves, and that there was a good love story. This is also rare a trilogy where I equally loved all three books.  

3.  Dearly, Departed: A Zombie Novel, Lia Habel

I only read this book because it was available electronically from the county library for me to read on my e-reader. The beginning was a little slow for me, but I finished it in two days (while working full-time and juggling a 14 month old).  I think it's hard to pull of a good Zombie book, but Lia Habel has taken a new spin on the walking dead and manages to make you fall in love with a dead man.  The sequel comes out next week.

I swear there are a ton of other books that I would recommend (Liv previously posted about  Anna Dressed in Blood and the sequel, Girl of Nightmares does not disappoint), but quite frankly, it's my bedtime.  

Friday Fiction Fiend #7- Meet Kristal

Everyone let's give a warm welcome to my lovely & talented sister-in-law Kristal! Guys, she is just fantastic! Here's just a smidgin of the times I've mentioned her here: she takes out family pictures, she makes pretty earrings, she teaches me new skillz, & she sews fantastically.

I could sing the lauds of Kristal all the day long but instead I'll have her speak for herself & share some really great & new book recommendations:

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Hi everyone! The thought of guest posting on the blog of the lady I get all my book recommendations from left me wondering what I could possibly add. I love YA books, but most of my favorites in that genre have already been covered, so I won’t repeat and I’ll suggest a few of my favs that you possibly haven’t read. 
 

Quality Concealed,Image of Deception,and Challange of Choice- YA
I first read Quality Concealed when the author, Betty Briggs, came to my middle school English class to speak. I re-read the trilogy all the time and book 2 is my go to comfort novel. It has a fantastic love triangle, the characters feel real and likable and there is something just so relatable about it that makes me feel like I’m there. It’s a coming of age story and has a little bit of everything. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a light, fun love story. I have to admit, I have read Quality Concealed a few times, but Image of Deception and Challenge of Choice are by far my favorites, so if you find yourself not really getting into the first book, persevere! I think you’ll like the next two. Remember, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

The Count of Monte Cristo- Classic
Ah, the classics. I used to be very anti anything that could have been assigned reading in high school, but then came a time when all I had access to was classical literature and I found myself becoming converted. If you’ve seen the movie, you know it’s an awesome story. But, as we all know, the book is ALWAYS better, especially in this case. It’s the story of the ‘Count’ whose life was essentially ruined after being wrongfully imprisoned and how he plans and executes his revenge on those who were responsible. It was amazing. If you find yourself, like I did, hating on the classics, I would give this one a try. I promise it won’t feel like homework.

Not Without My Daughter- Non-fiction
This book is also one that I’ve read several times. It’s narrative of a woman who is married to an Iranian doctor who lives in the United States. He convinces her to go to Iran with him to meet his family, then, when they are there he goes totally crazy and basically traps her in his family’s house. She has no rights, and no way to leave unless she leaves her daughter there with him. It was a really amazing read and I like books that give me insight to people whose lives and stories are totally different from my own.

Friday Fiction Fiend #6- Meet Karrigan

I count myself very lucky to know Kerrigan Byrne. She is a fabulous friend & when we get together, which is not often enough, we talk for hours & hours. And about everything- superficial stuff like dying our hair & kids schedules, all the way down to the deep stuff like religion and life philosophies.

She is also any AMAZING writer of romance & her books, for Kindle, are doing exceptionally well on Amazon. Her first book is Unspoken, her second is Unwilling , & if you are looking for a spot-on well written, sexy, steamy historical romance you can't get any better than Kerrigan Byrne.

And here she is to share with us some of her personal favorite books:

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So here’s my website and a little bit about myself:

www.kerriganbyrne.com

I’ve often been heard complaining that I was born in the wrong century. Flowing skirts, coifed hair, horse-drawn carriages, and dangerous historic political intrigue? YES PLEASE!

Only, I’d need my iphone (aptly named iPhan the Terrible), my laptop (named Bathory, but I call her “the Countess” behind her back), Pandora radio, and my coffee maker/espresso machine.

I stole my first Romance Novel from my sister at 13 and have been obsessed ever since. I do come up for air to appreciate some classic literature i.e. Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and Alexander Dumas, but I’m never without my latest paperback to keep me company.

I write mostly historical romances and I have some contemporary suspense percolating. But my characters always have one thing in common. They’re Celtic and proud of it!

Some amazing escapist fiction:

The Fever Seriesby Karen Marie Moning – This is a series of 5 books and I’d say that they were somewhere in the large spectrum of paranormal/dystopic/urban fantasy/ mythology/. I was leery of this series, at first, because I was already an avid (See: rabid) fan of KMM’s Highlander series and, as I cracked open the first chapter I scrunched my nose at a couple things.

a. First – it’s in first person point of view. I almost exclusively read 3^rd person omniscient. The only authors I’ve broken this rule for, so far, is KMM, Charlaine Harris, and Mary Janice Davidson.

b. The heroine is a 20-something bit o’ fluff that I was certain I would NEVER come to identify with.

c. It was initially set in the South and I suffer from a rampant bible-belt/hillbilly phobia. (Don’t worry, most of it occurs in Ireland)

However, because I am incredibly loyal to my authors, I stuck with it, and let me TELL you. It fast became my favorite series of all time. KMM has a fantastic voice. Her pacing is flawless and her characterizations are unbelievable. The main character, MacKayla Lane, goes through the most intense character arc I’ve ever seen and yet still stays true to herself. The men who impact her life, Vlaine, and Christian MacKeltar Jericho Barrons, *fan girl squee* are all dynamic, mysterious, and sexy. MacKayla ends up being a kick ass heroine who you’re rooting for the whole time. This series has everything you look for in good fiction. A murder mystery, a “chosen one to save the world” trope that is truly unique, love, sacrifice, action, comedy, loss, surprising twists, poignant depth, and (most importantly) IRELAND! I would recommend it to almost anyone.

NOTE: Characters from her other works have some wonderful cameos in this series. You might consider enjoying her earlier books before this one, but it’s not necessary.

A book that makes you think and feeds your soul:

~ Eat, Pray, LoveBy Elizabeth Gilbert -- I almost exclusively read fiction. Also, I tend to avoid books that have burgeoning notoriety because I’m almost always disappointed by them. (See: Twilight series, Harry Potter, Etc… I’m not hatin’ they’re just not my bag). So, someone bought me this book as a gift and I picked it up to read out of a begrudging sense of obligation. Let me tell you, it changed my life. If you’re a writer, a woman, someone who’s ever been married, depressed, anxious, divorced, in love, confused, traveled, religious, non-religious, made a tough decision, loved Italian food, Indian food, asian food, exotic locations— Hell, if you’re part of the human condition, there is something in this book for you. Ms. Gilbert’s voice is pure poetry and she flays open her entire psyche with wry, self deprecating humor and aching honesty. Reading this book is like having an intimate conversation with the most interesting person you’ve ever met. I guarantee you won’t regret going on this trip of self-discovery with her because, inevitably, you’ll also discover something about yourself and it will bring you hope.

NOTE: After you read this, pick up her follow-up: Committed. It’s likewise amazing.

Something obscure that you should definitely try:

The Eightby Katherine Neville – You’ll be really interested in this series if you were ever a fan of Dan Brown a la Da Vinci Code or Indiana Jones. I read this book some years ago and it has stuck with me this entire time. I can still remember character names, places, and the fantastical plot line that ASTOUNDED me. This is a book that, I’m sure, will become a classic. It follows two women (One in 1972 and one in 1792) who’s destinies are entwined by a mystical chess set once owned by fate-favored leaders like Charlemagne. Some of the incredible cameos in this book are the likes of: The Marquis De Sade, Napoleon and his sister, and Anais Nin, to name a few. I’ve oversimplified the plot, and there isn’t any time travel, if you were worried about that. But, this read, while a bit meaty and will take you time to chew, is such a treasure.

Friday Fiction Fiend #5- Meet Jenni

It's Friday again! Which means three awesome things 1) Scott gets to be home to hang out with me ALL WEEKEND, 2) no getting up with the kids for school & 3) It's Friday Fiction Fiend!

I'd like you guys to meet Jenni! I met her through an excellent book club my friend Rachel adopted me into. They often host amazing local authors & spectacular parties. I'm lucky to know these ladies. Jenni is a great reader friend to have- she is always posting reviews on her blog & is always down for any book signing.

Stop on by her blog & say HI and I hope you enjoy her picks!

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Until five years ago, I wasn't much of a reader. I read a few things here and there, but I read maybe two books a year at the most (unless it was a Harry Potter release year; then I reread each of the previously released books to get ready for the new book). But, about five years ago, I was introduced to Twilight (say what you want, but I still love the stories) and it was like a whole new world opened up to me and I wanted to experience it again and again with other books.

In these last five years, I've tried to broaden my horizons because I missed out on a lot of good books growing up, books I refused to read when the opportunities presented themselves. I've read classics, fantasy, science fiction, contemporary, basically any genre except LDS/Christian fiction (although I read a few of those in my youth). I've discovered that any book that takes me out of this world, or adds to this world with some form of fantasy or sci-fi element, is my favorite. And, when it comes to a book, story and characters are much more important to me than prose. It can be the most beautiful writing in the world, but if the story and characters aren't compelling enough, I won't like it. The best books, however, are those with a good story and good prose, but I'll admit that Twilight (great story, awful prose) is still one of my favorite books.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)by JK Rowling. I've already mentioned Harry Potter, but what you don't know is how much I love this story. All seven Harry Potter books are my all-time favorite books. They'd be the books I'd choose to have with me on a deserted island if I could have no others. Nothing can touch them as far as I'm concerned. But, Deathly Hallows stands above the rest for me because I love how everything, and I mean everything, is tied together. JK Rowling left no loose ends. Not everything was tied up in a neat bow, but there were questions I had in Sorcerer's Stone that were answered in Deathly Hallows. I haven't read many series that have been able to pull that off and if they did, it wasn't done quite as well as it was done in Deathly Hallows.

2. Duneby Frank Herbert. I first read this book in high school. It was one of the only books I read while I was in high school. I read it for my science fiction class and I immediately fell in love with it. I love the detail in this book. There's so much going on that the first time you read it, it's a little difficult to follow along, but when everything comes together in the end, it's just awesome! The world, characters, and culture Herbert created are so intriguing. I even find the politics in Dune interesting and I don't find politics interesting at all!

3. Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1)by Stephenie Meyer. I have to include this because it's what started my love of reading. And, as I said above, the prose isn't great, but I love the story and characters. I love how I felt the first time I read it. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It had everything I wanted in a book--adventure, intrigue, fantasy, and romance. After I read it, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was so obsessed with it that I joined an online fandom, something I hadn't even done for Harry Potter. And, every time I read a romance now, I always compare the feelings to Twilight. If I feel like I did when I first read Twilight, then it's a pretty sure bet that I'll love the book I'm reading.

4. Clockwork Princeby Cassandra Clare. One thing you have to know about me is that I hate, HATE love triangles. I always want the third wheel to die a horrible death. But, Clare did something right in Clockwork Prince. As I read it for the first time, I found myself just as torn as Tessa was. And, in the end, the only thing that matters to me was not who'll get Tessa, but whether or not Will and Jem will remain good friends, brothers, parabatai through all of this. I don't care if either one of them ends up with Tessa. All I want is for their relationship to remain intact. That's not like me at all.

5. The Hunger Gamesby Suzanne Collins. I'll admit that I was a little trepidatious about reading The Hunger Games. Violence and gore, especially in books, don't bother me, but it sounded very Lord of the Flies-ish. Not my cup of tea. But, when I read it the first time (only 3.5 months after it was released), I remember feeling for Katniss and Peeta. I remember just falling in love with Peeta. And, I remember wanting something to happen so that both Katniss and Peeta could survive, but it seemed too much to ask, too much to hope for. And, when I finished it, it was the first book that I actively promoted to others to read. I talked about it with my friends and family. I kept telling people on Goodreads and Shelfari to read it. I talked about it on my blog. I'm so glad it caught on because the story is so fantastic!

Friday Fiction Fiend #4- Meet Katie

My cousin Katie & I have lived on opposite sides of the county our whole lives, still do. Luckily, summers & family reunions have brought us together again and again, picking up right where we left off. I adore her. She is honest, giving, & such an interesting person. I am endlessly grateful for Facebook & blogs so I can constantly reconnect with & live vicariously through her.

Speaking of her blog, you'll love it. I look forward to every post she does. She's always honest. Always real. And always has amazing pictures of her life & adorable babies.

And speaking of photography, she is an unbelievable photographer who will take family/ individual pictures & all her proceeds goes to charity. Yeah, she's awesome like that.

And speaking of awesome, here she is share a couple of her favorite books with us. Check out her picks & stop on by her blog to say hi!

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Welcome to my bedroom. This is where I get my best reading done – lamp on, snuggled under the blankets, ceiling fan blowing overhead. It is my luxury after a long day, a treat to look forward to before sleep comes and brings a new day and all the responsibilities that go with it.

Some of my favorite books over the last year or so have been books that lift me up at the end of a long day – books that give me that little boost to believe that I live in a beautiful world and that I am going to make that world even better when I wake up.

1. 1 Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery

My blog is called “Ingleside,” my daughter’s middle name is Anne, and my hometown is Blythe, CA. I had to give a shout out to this book, right? Once every year or two I reread this classic, and it is has shaped my life just as much as any dear childhood friend. About far more than Gilbert and Anne’s love-hate relationship, this book is full of poignantly human characters and achingly gorgeous scenery. You will breathe Prince Edward Island air and stroll down Lover’s Lane and wrap yourself in Anne’s dream to have a place in the world where she is loved and understood.

Read this book before bed and you will fall asleep believing you that will find kindred spirits where you least expect them, and that tomorrow is a brand new day, with no mistakes in it.

2. 2 Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall

Let’s get something straight. I am not a runner. I have never made a little bucket list with “run a marathon” on it. I have zip, zero, NO desire to run anything more than a few miles at a time. This is a book about ultrarunners – runners who go for 25, 50, 100 mile jaunts across deserts and up mountains –and I loved it. The author weaves story after story together into an entertaining and epic tale of the human body and spirit.

Read this book before bed and you will fall asleep believing that you are strong, that your body is an incredible creation, and that you are capable of so much more. You may even dream about running a marathon.

3. 3 Palace of Stone, by Shannon Hale

This is a just-released sequel to Princess Academy, which I definitely recommend you read before picking up this one. Don’t be fooled by the titles – these aren’t your typical wear-a-tiara and learn-to-dance princess stories. There is romance, but it is patient, and is buffeted by a much larger theme of looking at the world around you and using your talents and situation to better it. Shannon Hale’s writing felt a little too simplistic to me in the beginning of this book, but I found a purpose and depth to the writing as the story progressed, and by the end, I was awed by how beautifully she crafted the whole story.

Read this book before bed and you will want to wake your daughter up to read it aloud to her. You will fall asleep thinking of all the great things you are going to do tomorrow.

4. 4 Heaven Is Here, by Stephanie Nielson

I have followed Stephanie Nielson’s blog The Nie Nie Dialouges for 4 ½ years. When I was nine months pregnant with my son Oliver, I was up late one night, unable to sleep, and I hopped on her blog to find a post written by her sister telling us all that Stephanie had been in a plane crash. Like many of you, I followed the story of her recovery closely. When she wrote a book about her experience, I didn’t expect to read anything new. I was wrong. Stephanie tells her story simply, and there is nothing artistic or memorable about the writing itself, but the story is remarkable, touching, and for me, faith-promoting.

Read this book before bed and you will say a prayer to thank God for all you have, you will sneak into your kids’ rooms to whisper “I love you” in their ear, and you will fall asleep curled up next to your husband, remembering that he is the love of your life.

5. 5 Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, by Nicolas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

This is a book that I want to hand to every person I know. It undertakes a heavy task – telling the story of oppression of women and girls across the globe. It is depressing and heartbreaking and shocking, and most important, it is provoking. It will provoke your heart and your mind, and you will find yourself looking for solutions right along with the authors.

Read this book before bed and you might lose a little sleep, but sometimes that is a good thing, right?

Friday Fiction Fiend #3- Meet Rachel

I'd like you all to meet the lovely Rachel. She is in my writing group & I can not help but be endlessly grateful that get to associate with & be a part of her genius. You guys, the novel she is working on is unbelievable & I read a lot so I know what I'm talking about (and I'm not bias at all). I can not wait for it to be published so you all can read, sob, laugh, & fall in love like I have.

You all should stop by her blog- one read & you'll be hooked too. She does posts on writing, and life, and her music recommendations are fabulous. I implicitly trust her taste in books & so I was excited to see what she could pick for her "Friday Fiction Fiend" post.

I hope you guys enjoy her picks as much as I did (& you can read the past posts here).

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i read all genres of books. novels, non-ficiton, biographies, young-adult, picture books. i love them all. but to be a favorite, i am like lady gaga. i want your ugly, i want your disease, i want your psycho. what i mean is i want to see a real struggle, something i can really root for. all my favorite books have this in common.

also, i want beautiful writing. the story must be gripping, but if the writing is not artful and subtle and filled with well-placed phrases that make me sigh then it won't be a favorite.

i'm demanding like that.

that being said, i'm thrilled to share a few favorites with you.

1. DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONEby Laini Taylor

Set in Prague, intricately plotted, well-crafted prose, themes of belonging and changing your fate and making your own magic, achingly romantic. This one will stop your heart. At least it did mine.

2. THE FAULT IN OUR STARSby John Green

Perfect capture of the teenage voice. The absolute right way to write about hard things without a touch of melodrama. Read if you're in the mood for the perfect mix of quirky characters, hilarity and mix of cry-your-tears-dry tragedy. Stunning.

3. ARCHANGELby Sharon Shinn

If my book publisher presented this cover, I would cry and then in a spoiled-brat rage cancel my contract. Horrible cover aside, It's rare to find a book that has everything I love in it. This one does. Epic and grand world building, with a sweeping, rich love story that left me with a warm, satisfied glow as I closed the book. Lyrical, subtle, emotional, suspenseful, and above all, uplifting, this is one to add to my own personal library. I end with a favorite quote from the book: Only the strongest are put through the fire...And the forge creates things of great strength and beauty.

4. FROI OF THE EXILESby Melina Marchetta

You can read this without reading the first in the series, FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK, but why in the world would you? Two excellent books that rekindled my love of epic fantasy and left me only wanting to read that genre for the rest of my life. This book is wondrous strange, VERY dark, epic and heart-wrenching. It's long, but it felt like there wasn't a single wasted word. If I were to pick any book that I WISH I had written, it would be this one.

5. BEAUTIFUL BOYby David Sheff

Intensely emotional memoir of a father's unconditional love for his son. I could not put it down. It was raw, yet tender and achingly familiar. I loved Sheff's use of words, as well as all the many quotes from Shakespeare to Cobain and the way he weaved them into his story. I grieved for Sheff as I grieve for my family and every family whose lives are ripped apart by the insidiousness of addiction.