Audiobooks. I’ve always had an odd relationship with them. I’ve listened to a few over the years but I’m always suspicious about them. I never trust my attention span and always worry that I’ll miss something important. I listened to Good Omens a few years ago and would fill my daily commute with Neil Gaiman’s voice. Except that I always missed important sections and it ruined the experience for me. Good Omens is one of my favourite books but listening to the audiobook was not fun. I have toyed with Audible over the years too. I had an account but realised that I wasn’t making use of it. It didn’t make sense to waste my money. So I’d stop for a bit before starting again the minute I got a deal. Last weekend, I wanted to make sure that I’d finish a book in time to post a review so I decided to finally listen to some of my previous purchases. I loved it and it kickstarted a week of audiobooks. I finished 3 during the week and have got through another one this afternoon. It’s like a revelation. Although, I’ve not tried anything above about 8 hours yet so we’ll see what a longer book is like.

Weekly Blog Posts

• BOOK REVIEW – Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

This was the audiobook that started my current obsession. It’s an Audible Original dramatisation with an amazing cast of British actors. Starring the likes of Cathrine Tate, Daniel Mays, and Phillip Glenister, the cast are all perfect. This dramatisation does a great job of bringing the adventure story to life and that’s without any Muppets. Who would have thought it? Read my review to discover more about this adaptation.

• TUESDAY REVIEW – The Aeronauts (2019)

Ready Edmayne and Felicity Jones are back together again in a film about the weather. Okay, it’s not really about the weather but it is based on the work by scientist James Glaisher and his attempts to find out more about the Earth’s atmosphere. See the pair go higher in a balloon than anyone had ever gone before. With life or death situations, there is quite a lot of drama above the clouds. Shame about life on solid ground. Go check out my review to find why this film didn’t completely do it for me.

• BOOK REVIEW – Jeff Waynes’ The War of the Worlds: The Musical Drama

I love Jeff Waynes’ The War of the Worlds. It is such a triumphant musical and literary mash-up. So, I was super excited to see what the Audible adaptation of the story would be like. It’s the thing that got me to sign back up to the site. It had almost got me when it was released and every time I saw/heard an advert for it. I couldn’t wait any longer. Not with Michael Sheen’s amazing voice coming through my earholes along with the amazing soundtrack. If you’ve ever wondered what this would be like, read my review to find out more.

• T.HROWBACK THURSDAY – The Theory of Everything (2014)

The last time Ready Edmayne worked with Felicity Jones he won an Oscar. It’s highly unlikely that will happen this time but, if there’s any justice, Jones will get nominated. She was the stand-out of The Aeronauts and it would make up for her missing out on the win that year. It’s a shame that she came up against Juliane Moore because her performance as Stephen Hawking’s first wife was incredible. Watching the pair take off in their balloon filled me with a desire to revisit their first outing together. If you’re also feeling a bit nostalgic then head over to my review.

• FRIDAY FAVOURITES – Audiobook Edition

I told you that last week was an audiobook week. It felt like my life had changed. I got through so many extra books so the pressure to actually read was lifted. Is this how people on Bookstagram get through so many? I feel like an idiot for not pushing myself sooner. Anyway, in this week’s favourites list, I picked some of my favourite audiobooks. This mostly came down to the narrator. That’s the thing that really matters. Get a terrible narrator and it doesn’t matter how much you love a book. It’ll be a hard listen. Head over to my post to see my favourites.

Just Finished

• Jeff Waynes’ The War of the World: The Musical Drama

I started this on Sunday night and finished it on Monday evening. In hindsight, not the best thing to read before bed as the music really does get you a bit amped up. Still, it was highly entertaining and really well performed. A great cast and a great reworking of a classic science-fiction tale.

• Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell

My family and I have visited this bookshop so many times over the years. We would go on holiday to Dumfries and Galloway every year and Wigtown was always a highlight of our visit. When I was last up there (too long ago now), we visited the shop just after this book had been published. My sister bought a copy and both she and my mother loved it. I never got round to reading it. Now that he’s brought out a second one, I decided it was time. So, I spent most of my Tuesday at work listening to this book.

• Coraline by Neil Gaiman

I decided to try and make it a habit to finish an audiobook on a Sunday. It’s not something I’ll definitely be able to keep going every week but on weekends when I don’t have plans I might as well try. This week, I revisited an old favourite. I was busy this morning and new I had a lot to write tonight, so I needed something quick. Plus, I’m always down for listening to Neil Gaiman read one of his stories.

Currently Reading

• The Wall by John Lanchester

I bought this a while ago and finally decided to start reading it. I’m making pretty slow progress because of the all of the audiobooks but I’ll get there. Hopefully, I’ll get it done by the end of the month.

• Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson

Not got any further with this for obvious reasons. It’ll be my next read I’m sure. Am I lying? Definitely.

• Supper Club by Lara Williams

I think I’m going to try the audiobook with this one. It might be easier to get through.

• The Sky Is Yours by Chandler Klang Smith

I’ve set this aside for the time being. It feels like it’s going to be a very dense read so I think I’ll leave it for a better time. A time when I’m in the right mood.

Recently Purchased

I’ve got a few new books this week. Well, I say new. They were charity shop books so it’s okay. Kind of. Listening to Diary of a Bookseller really made me want to go to a secondhand bookshop. The only ones in my town are charity shops. So, one lunchtime I went along to Oxfam books and came out with 4.

• The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma – I have wanted to read this for so long but, for some reason, never got a copy. Although, I have a niggling feeling that I do actually own this book and I’ve just misplaced it. It happens when you have such a vast personal library I guess. Still, when the old man who served me asked me what it was about I’d forgotten. It meant I stood there silently waiting for the ground to swallow me up. Another successful interaction with a stranger.
• Sunburn by Laura Lippman – Really wanted to read this when it first came out but I heard some contradictory things about it. Still not sure I’ll love it but it was super cheap. And I helped out a charity.
• Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby – Love Nick Hornby. Love this book. I already own it at least once. However, when you find a copy in the old triband style you gotta do what you gotta do.
• Little by Edward Carey – I don’t know anything about this but I loved the cover. The likelihood is that it will be good though. It is Edward Carey after all.

Recently Watched

• TV:
  • The Office – I’ve had a really busy week so I haven’t watched a great deal of TV. I have still been watching this series again. It’s so comforting.
  • Parks and Red – I got a bit bored of The Office so I’m having a break with this show. Again, I’ve seen it too much but it’s so lovely. I want to be Leslie.
• Films
  • Hot Rod – I had the urge to watch a film this week and this seemed just silly enough to fit the bill. It’s not big or clever but it sure is entertaining.