The Casual Vacancy

Oh, jeez, I've completely neglected this blog, haven't I? Shameful. And it's not as though I've reduced my audiobook intake. I will throw another one out, although I'm sure there's no one left reading.

This one, I finished a few weeks ago. It took me a good deal of time, because to be honest, I thought the book started out glacially. And then...it continued that way. I had a hard time maintaining interest in the story, even though I thought the writing was quite good. But I was pretty caught up in it by the last third or so, and ended up liking the whole of it better than I thought. Perhaps it's just the strangeness of going from a series of children's books to one very, very grim book for adults that took some getting used to.

The Hunger Games

I gave this series another listen in the last few weeks, and was slightly taken aback by how thoroughly I enjoyed it. I think it had been long enough since my first reading/hearing of the books that I'd forgotten just how good they are. What caught me most by surprise was the emotional punch they packed. I spent most of Catching Fire and Mockingjay tearing up and sniffling.

I chose not to listen to The Hunger Games again before seeing the movie, because I thought it could affect my enjoyment and make me more critical of the movie than I would otherwise be, with all the details fresh in my mind. I can say, however, having listened to it shortly after seeing the movie, that it's one of the most faithful--probably THE most--adaptations I've seen. Details were tweaked, of course, but overall, I found the movie to be nearly flawless. I'll say what I often say about books: I don't necessarily think these are perfect, but again, I find them to be incredibly gripping. I couldn't have enjoyed them much more.

L'Engle and Green

I just recently listened to this, read by Jennifer Ehle. I've been a Madeleine L'Engle fan since childhood and I knew I'd read this one, but all I could remember about it was Charles Wallace being ill, and something about mitochondria. Verdict: It is bizarre and absolutely beautiful. I adore L'Engle's characters, especially Charles Wallace, and I love how Meg and Calvin interact. Revisit this one if you haven't in awhile--or visit it if you never have, but read A Wrinkle in Time first. I have that one on audiobook read by the author, and while I think incredibly highly of L'Engle's writing, as a narrator she is....not so good. So I'm thrilled to have A Wind in the Door read by someone else. I intend to listen to the rest of the quintet in good time; I don't recall every reading A Swiftly Tilting Planet or Many Waters, though I have read An Acceptable Time, and loved it as well. I'm looking forward to hearing it on audio.

Currently listening to:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. (from audible.com)


This. Whew. This one is a bit of sledgehammer to the heart, but it, too, is gorgeous. It's a very recent release and I'd heard rave reviews about it. I'm only about halfway through, but it is wonderfully written, and I think I will be sad to finish it. This is yet another book to which I'd point detractors of young adult literature. Sure, there's plenty that's not great, but there's an endless selection of marvelous novels as well, and as far as I'm concerned, they can be enjoyed by adults young and not-so-young alike.