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1DisassemblyOfReason
Hmm. I think I can do this, if I don't get distracted partway through too many audio recordings and switch to different works that seem more shiny at the time...
Read (and completed) since 1 January 2013:
Read (and completed) since 1 January 2013:
-
Pretender by C.J. Cherryh (first reading, completed 6 January)
-
Lord of the Red Sun by William T. Silent (first reading, completed 16 January)
This one I encountered through LibraryThing, specifically via a question someone else asked in Name That Book. It sounded interesting, so I acquired a copy. The questioner had remembered a scene at the beginning of the book - a space opera in which dueling is legal and common - in which someone tries to hire a noted duelist to kill someone. Sadly, the culture as a whole doesn't seem particularly interesting, although I don't know that I'd say the book is *bad*. I am doubtful about re-reading or keeping this one. -
Conspirator by C. J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May (first reading, completed 21 January)
I was put off by the Foreigner series when it first began coming out, years ago - as best I can recall, it was some combination of the fact that it *wasn't* in her Alliance-Union universe, and (possibly) being put in mind of something else I'd read around that time that I hadn't taken to.
I began sampling this series late last year, and have drastically revised my opinion; I like it. As you can see, I am not reading it in its proper order. - Deliverer by C. J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May (first reading, completed 23 January)
-
Fire: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson (completed 25 January)
As a rule, I enjoy McKinley's contributions to the short stories in this series more than Dickinson's, and this volume isn't an exception. However, I enjoyed his contributions to this volume more than those he wrote for its predecessor, so the fact that he wrote more stories for this volume than she did isn't a problem. (That's in terms of story count; word count might be a different issue, since her two stories in this volume are relatively long.) -
The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, read by Diane Warren (first time through recording, completed 26 January)
I've read this book before, but this is the first time I've tried the audio version. Diane Warren is on the whole a pretty good narrator, but she does have a couple of problems with pronunciation. The most notable is that there's supposed to be a difference in sound between 'Harry', as pronounced by speakers of Homelander, and 'Hari', the closest Hillfolk equivalent. The two words sound pretty much identical as pronounced by the narrator. Since they're the names for the main character, this may be a little distracting, especially in scenes where the pronunciations are being contrasted in the text.
I ought to re-read Peter Dickinson's The Blue Hawk sometime this year just for balance. :) -
Plan B by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Andy Caploe (first time through recording, completed 29 January)
I've read Plan B before - the first time would've been around the time of its initial publication - but this is the first time I've listened to the audiobook. I was initially a bit put off the Caploe recordings because they had picked up some unfavourable reviews on audible.com, but after trying them out myself I find the bad press unjustified. He's pretty good at this. My main difficulty with the Liaden audiobooks is nothing to do with their narrators, but with the fact that the authors' pronunciation guide to the narrators has revealed the fact that for years I've been internally mispronouncing various words. :) - Coraline by Neil Gaiman, read by Neil Gaiman (completed 30 January)
- Eric by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs (completed 30 January)
-
Speaking From Among the Bones by C. Alan Bradley, read by Jayne Entwhistle (first reading and first time through recording, completed 1 February)
While this is a murder mystery, I found myself not very much interested in the victim, but was interested mainly in how life was going on at Buckshaw, the main character's family home, and how she was getting on. A good read; I just wasn't all that interested in the mystery for this one.
3DisassemblyOfReason
Books read during February:
11. Charon: A Dragon at the Gate by Jack L. Chalker
This is the 3rd volume of The Four Lords of the Diamond, a tetralogy I have owned for years but haven't read cover to cover; this is my first complete read-through of this volume, as best I recall. It's good, and can function as a stand-alone story, in my opinion, thanks to Chalker's structure for telling the overall story, but is definitely part of a larger whole.
I chose to read this out of order (note the absence of volumes 1 and 2 on this list so far) because the title, without the subtitle, satisfied one of the TIOLI challenges for January; however, I finished it on 2 February, so instead it is listed as satisfying one of the February challenges, as the subtitle contains the 2 SFF keywords 'dragon' and 'gate'.
12. No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer
This is one of Heyer's mysteries rather than her better known romantic historical fiction. This is my first complete readthrough. I particularly enjoy the last chapter or so, as the police team works out the solution. Note that this satisfies the 'missing vowel' challenge (the title contains AEIO but not U.)
13. Asta's Book by Barbara Vine, read by Harriet Walter
Harriet Walter is a very fine actress; her unabridged recording of this book is excellent. I counted this for the SFF keyword TIOLI challenge ('book'), although it is a historical mystery rather than SFF. (I considered counting it for the family saga TIOLI challenge instead.)
14. Deceiver by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
May, as always, is a fine and consistent reader for this series.
15. Two-Bit Heroes by Doris Egan
This is my first complete reading of this book, because *this* time I forced myself not to skip ahead after Theo and Ran first get in trouble in Shaskala (I usually skip to the point not long afterward where they get into even *more* trouble). It's excellent.
16. Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe that Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign by Stephan Talty, read by John H. Mayer
Very good. It is finally off the TBR pile thanks to the TIOLI SFF keywords challenge ('blue'); note the irony that this is a non-fiction book with no SFF elements. :)
17. Brother Against Brother: The War Begins by William C. Davis
This is the first volume of the Time-Life American Civil War series, which I consider excellent. The team that produced the series has a knack for coming up with illuminating sidebars and images to illustrate them. In this volume, for instance, one of the photo essays in the book is the first set of class photographs of a graduating class at West Point - 1857 - separated into 2 groups, those who went for the Confederacy, and those who stayed with the Union. They're all predictable by state of origin. Each photo is briefly annotated with the name, state of origin, rank, position, and in cases of capture or death, fate in the war.
While this is another case of a book title ironically containing an SFF keyword ('war') while not being SFF, I instead counted it for the American history TIOLI challenge. (It also satisfies the 'missing vowel' challenge, as the title contains AEIO but not U.)
18. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, read by Gerard Doyle
This satisfies at least two TIOLI challenges: SFF keyword ('dragon') and missing vowel (AIOU, missing E).
19. Guilt-Edged Ivory by Doris Egan (this also completes the omnibus The Complete Ivory, which contains this book)
Note that this satisfies the missing vowel TIOLI challenge (EIOU).
20. Lord Darcy by Randall Garrett (omnibus)
Alternate history with magic - the split point is that Richard the Lionheart didn't die when he did in our timeline, and was succeeded by Arthur instead of John. I particularly enjoyed Too Many Magicians, and its take on Nero Wolfe (the Marquis of London) and Archie Goodwin (Lord Bontriomphe).
21. "Alice Holds the Cards" by Carole Nelson Douglas
This is an e-book/short story. I am not counting the book extract by another author with which it is bound. This satisfies TIOLI missing vowel challenge (AEIO).
22. "Beekeeping for Beginners" (novella) by Laurie R. King
Another e-book/short story; in time, it overlaps the beginning of The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I am not counting the extract from The Pirate King included at the end.
(This satisfies TIOLI challenge #7 for February, since bees belong to class Arthropoda, according to Wikipedia.)
23. Ancient Egypt by Lionel Casson
This is one of the Time-Life Great Ages of Man series. I recommend Barbara Mertz's Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt which I read last year. The two authors discuss the same works of literature, for instance, but Mertz gives a more detailed treatment. This satisfies the ancient classical civilization TIOLI challenge.
24. Kitty's Greatest Hits by Carrie Vaughn, specifically the audiobook read by Marguerite Gavin. Previously, I've read various stories within it, but never the entire collection.
25. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson, read by Melba Sibrel (first time through recording)
26. First Blood: Fort Sumter to Bull Run by William C. Davis (first time through)
Some of the interesting sidebars in this volume include step-by-step instructions, with diagrams, of how muskets of the time were loaded, to show as well as tell why the rates of fire (and the biases of the commanders about tactics) were what they were, as well as photos of the various muskets, and muskets modified to rifles, and rifles, of the time were. (Swords are also included in a different sidebar.)
This is title contains the SFF keyword ('blood') while not being SFF, but I counted it for the American history TIOLI challenge instead.
27. The Big Meow by Diane Duane (first time through)
28. The proud tower by Barbara W. Tuchman, read by Nadia May (first reading/listening)
I appreciate Nadia May (that's her name on this recording, at least) as a narrator, as well as appreciating Tuchman's history for itself. This is yet another title (subtitle, in this case) containing 2 SFF keywords ('world' and 'war') while not being SFF.
29. The Age of Progress by Samuel C. Burchell
Yet another volume of Time-Life's Great Ages of Man series.
30. Thraxas by Martin Scott
This is the first volume of the series; that is, not the omnibus of the same name (which consists of the first and second volumes together). The title character/narrator calls himself the 'finest sorcerous investigator in the city of Turai' (at least, on the sign on his door), but he's let himself go to seed since his wife left him, he turned to drink, and lost his old job at the palace. In this one, he's hocked even his sword by the opening of the story, and since he also owes a serious gambling debt to a local hood, he ends up taking on three clients at once.
I enjoyed this story, and I like the setting. The story is told in the first person and present tense by the title character, who admits he's not a top-flight sorcerer but considers himself a good fighter (and thinks of his overweight as somewhat useful in a fight). The setting - the city of Turai - has interesting problems, among them: serious drug issues, as the expensive dwa not only turns people into addicts but into criminals looking to pay for their next fix; corrupt government; women's rights agitation (the Association of Gentlewomen is a factor).
31. Thraxas and the Warrior Monks by Martin Scott
This is the 2nd volume of the Thraxas series.
32. Good Night, Mr. Holmes by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
In the audio recordings for this series, Virginia Leishman reads the majority - the sections narrated by Penelope Huxleigh - while Tull handles the excerpts from John Watson's POV (or Sherlock Holmes', when he narrates, as in Good Morning, Irene.)
33. Thraxas at the Races by Martin Scott
This is the 3rd volume of the Thraxas series, and the first half of the omnibus Death and Thraxas.
34. A Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane, read by Christina Moore
35. Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
11. Charon: A Dragon at the Gate by Jack L. Chalker
This is the 3rd volume of The Four Lords of the Diamond, a tetralogy I have owned for years but haven't read cover to cover; this is my first complete read-through of this volume, as best I recall. It's good, and can function as a stand-alone story, in my opinion, thanks to Chalker's structure for telling the overall story, but is definitely part of a larger whole.
I chose to read this out of order (note the absence of volumes 1 and 2 on this list so far) because the title, without the subtitle, satisfied one of the TIOLI challenges for January; however, I finished it on 2 February, so instead it is listed as satisfying one of the February challenges, as the subtitle contains the 2 SFF keywords 'dragon' and 'gate'.
12. No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer
This is one of Heyer's mysteries rather than her better known romantic historical fiction. This is my first complete readthrough. I particularly enjoy the last chapter or so, as the police team works out the solution. Note that this satisfies the 'missing vowel' challenge (the title contains AEIO but not U.)
13. Asta's Book by Barbara Vine, read by Harriet Walter
Harriet Walter is a very fine actress; her unabridged recording of this book is excellent. I counted this for the SFF keyword TIOLI challenge ('book'), although it is a historical mystery rather than SFF. (I considered counting it for the family saga TIOLI challenge instead.)
14. Deceiver by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
May, as always, is a fine and consistent reader for this series.
15. Two-Bit Heroes by Doris Egan
This is my first complete reading of this book, because *this* time I forced myself not to skip ahead after Theo and Ran first get in trouble in Shaskala (I usually skip to the point not long afterward where they get into even *more* trouble). It's excellent.
16. Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgan's Great Pirate Army, the Epic Battle for the Americas, and the Catastrophe that Ended the Outlaws' Bloody Reign by Stephan Talty, read by John H. Mayer
Very good. It is finally off the TBR pile thanks to the TIOLI SFF keywords challenge ('blue'); note the irony that this is a non-fiction book with no SFF elements. :)
17. Brother Against Brother: The War Begins by William C. Davis
This is the first volume of the Time-Life American Civil War series, which I consider excellent. The team that produced the series has a knack for coming up with illuminating sidebars and images to illustrate them. In this volume, for instance, one of the photo essays in the book is the first set of class photographs of a graduating class at West Point - 1857 - separated into 2 groups, those who went for the Confederacy, and those who stayed with the Union. They're all predictable by state of origin. Each photo is briefly annotated with the name, state of origin, rank, position, and in cases of capture or death, fate in the war.
While this is another case of a book title ironically containing an SFF keyword ('war') while not being SFF, I instead counted it for the American history TIOLI challenge. (It also satisfies the 'missing vowel' challenge, as the title contains AEIO but not U.)
18. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, read by Gerard Doyle
This satisfies at least two TIOLI challenges: SFF keyword ('dragon') and missing vowel (AIOU, missing E).
19. Guilt-Edged Ivory by Doris Egan (this also completes the omnibus The Complete Ivory, which contains this book)
Note that this satisfies the missing vowel TIOLI challenge (EIOU).
20. Lord Darcy by Randall Garrett (omnibus)
Alternate history with magic - the split point is that Richard the Lionheart didn't die when he did in our timeline, and was succeeded by Arthur instead of John. I particularly enjoyed Too Many Magicians, and its take on Nero Wolfe (the Marquis of London) and Archie Goodwin (Lord Bontriomphe).
21. "Alice Holds the Cards" by Carole Nelson Douglas
This is an e-book/short story. I am not counting the book extract by another author with which it is bound. This satisfies TIOLI missing vowel challenge (AEIO).
22. "Beekeeping for Beginners" (novella) by Laurie R. King
Another e-book/short story; in time, it overlaps the beginning of The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I am not counting the extract from The Pirate King included at the end.
(This satisfies TIOLI challenge #7 for February, since bees belong to class Arthropoda, according to Wikipedia.)
23. Ancient Egypt by Lionel Casson
This is one of the Time-Life Great Ages of Man series. I recommend Barbara Mertz's Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt which I read last year. The two authors discuss the same works of literature, for instance, but Mertz gives a more detailed treatment. This satisfies the ancient classical civilization TIOLI challenge.
24. Kitty's Greatest Hits by Carrie Vaughn, specifically the audiobook read by Marguerite Gavin. Previously, I've read various stories within it, but never the entire collection.
25. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson, read by Melba Sibrel (first time through recording)
26. First Blood: Fort Sumter to Bull Run by William C. Davis (first time through)
Some of the interesting sidebars in this volume include step-by-step instructions, with diagrams, of how muskets of the time were loaded, to show as well as tell why the rates of fire (and the biases of the commanders about tactics) were what they were, as well as photos of the various muskets, and muskets modified to rifles, and rifles, of the time were. (Swords are also included in a different sidebar.)
This is title contains the SFF keyword ('blood') while not being SFF, but I counted it for the American history TIOLI challenge instead.
27. The Big Meow by Diane Duane (first time through)
28. The proud tower by Barbara W. Tuchman, read by Nadia May (first reading/listening)
I appreciate Nadia May (that's her name on this recording, at least) as a narrator, as well as appreciating Tuchman's history for itself. This is yet another title (subtitle, in this case) containing 2 SFF keywords ('world' and 'war') while not being SFF.
29. The Age of Progress by Samuel C. Burchell
Yet another volume of Time-Life's Great Ages of Man series.
30. Thraxas by Martin Scott
This is the first volume of the series; that is, not the omnibus of the same name (which consists of the first and second volumes together). The title character/narrator calls himself the 'finest sorcerous investigator in the city of Turai' (at least, on the sign on his door), but he's let himself go to seed since his wife left him, he turned to drink, and lost his old job at the palace. In this one, he's hocked even his sword by the opening of the story, and since he also owes a serious gambling debt to a local hood, he ends up taking on three clients at once.
I enjoyed this story, and I like the setting. The story is told in the first person and present tense by the title character, who admits he's not a top-flight sorcerer but considers himself a good fighter (and thinks of his overweight as somewhat useful in a fight). The setting - the city of Turai - has interesting problems, among them: serious drug issues, as the expensive dwa not only turns people into addicts but into criminals looking to pay for their next fix; corrupt government; women's rights agitation (the Association of Gentlewomen is a factor).
31. Thraxas and the Warrior Monks by Martin Scott
This is the 2nd volume of the Thraxas series.
32. Good Night, Mr. Holmes by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
In the audio recordings for this series, Virginia Leishman reads the majority - the sections narrated by Penelope Huxleigh - while Tull handles the excerpts from John Watson's POV (or Sherlock Holmes', when he narrates, as in Good Morning, Irene.)
33. Thraxas at the Races by Martin Scott
This is the 3rd volume of the Thraxas series, and the first half of the omnibus Death and Thraxas.
34. A Wizard Abroad by Diane Duane, read by Christina Moore
35. Kitty's House of Horrors by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
4DisassemblyOfReason
Books read during March:
36. Thraxas and the Elvish Isles by Martin Scott
The 4th volume of the Thraxas series, which also completes the omnibus Death and Thraxas.
37. The Struggle for Tennessee: Tupelo to Stones River by James Street
Yet another volume of Time-Life's American Civil War series. This one includes step-by-step diagrams of loading and firing cannon artillery of the time.
38. Cerberus: A Wolf in the Fold by Jack L. Chalker
As previously noted, I've been reading The Four Lords of the Diamond out of order; last month it was volume 3, while this is volume 2.
39. The Rise and Fall of Alexandria by Justin Pollard and Howard Reid, read by Simon Vance
This was very good. It's largely a history of science and mathematics, as well as a history of the city itself.
40. Thraxas and the Sorcerers by Martin Scott
41. Pegasus by Robin McKinley
42. Queen Without a Crown by Fiona Buckley
43. Gold by Gemini by Jonathan Gash, read by Christopher Kay
I think this is the first time I've gone straight through this book. I now realize that I would've had a shot at solving the mystery - or at any rate, figuring out some of what was going on - if I'd thought to Google some of the relevant information. (That wasn't an issue when the book was first written, of course, and isn't a slight to the book; I'm just chagrined that I didn't think of it before.)
44. Good Morning, Irene by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
The 2nd of the adventures of Irene Adler, set mostly in Monte Carlo.
45. Blood Maidens by Barbara Hambly
The 3rd volume of the Ysidro and Asher series.
46. The Magistrates of Hell by Barbara Hambly
The 4th volume of the Ysidro and Asher series.
47. Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, read by Jim Dale
48. Star Hunter by Andre Norton
49. The Pratchett portfolio : a compendium of characters from the Discworld by Terry Pratchett and Paul Kidby
50. Castle Rouge by Carole Nelson Douglas
51. Paratime! by H. Beam Piper, read by Craig Allen
This contains all the stories in Paratime, with the addition of "Genesis".
52. The Worlds of H. Beam Piper by H. Beam Piper and John J. McGuire
John J. McGuire co-wrote "Hunter Patrol", which is contained in this collection. This collection overlaps Paratime!, as both collections contain "Genesis", but they have no other overlap.
This short story collection, like Paratime, was part of a set of Ace reprints of Piper's stories in the 1980s; those short story collections do not overlap. The other two were Empire and Federation, which I'll be getting to later on.
53. Invader by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
I'm still working my way at random through the Foreigner series; this is the second book. Note that I have *still* not read the first book in the series, Foreigner itself.
54. The Compleat McAndrew by Charles Sheffield
This is an e-copy of the actual book. I suspect it of a very few spots of bad digitization, involving mathematical equations, but on the whole the e-book works fine. This is a short story collection involving the adventures of McAndrew, a theoretical physicist who likes to tinker with sometimes dangerous experiments, and his partner, long-suffering spaceship captain Jeanie Roker.
I'm sorry to say that Audible went with a male narrator, who doesn't gibe very well for me with the character of Jeanie Roker, the female first person narrator. For this reason, I have so far not acquired the Audible edition.
55. The Beast Master by Andre Norton, read by Richard J. Brewer
Pretty good reader, although he sometimes mispronounces words.
56. Kitty Rocks the House by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
57. Sherman's March: Atlanta to the Sea by David Nevin
58. Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon, read by Jennifer Van Dyck
Good narrator. First time through this recording, although not the first time I've read the book.
36. Thraxas and the Elvish Isles by Martin Scott
The 4th volume of the Thraxas series, which also completes the omnibus Death and Thraxas.
37. The Struggle for Tennessee: Tupelo to Stones River by James Street
Yet another volume of Time-Life's American Civil War series. This one includes step-by-step diagrams of loading and firing cannon artillery of the time.
38. Cerberus: A Wolf in the Fold by Jack L. Chalker
As previously noted, I've been reading The Four Lords of the Diamond out of order; last month it was volume 3, while this is volume 2.
39. The Rise and Fall of Alexandria by Justin Pollard and Howard Reid, read by Simon Vance
This was very good. It's largely a history of science and mathematics, as well as a history of the city itself.
40. Thraxas and the Sorcerers by Martin Scott
41. Pegasus by Robin McKinley
42. Queen Without a Crown by Fiona Buckley
43. Gold by Gemini by Jonathan Gash, read by Christopher Kay
I think this is the first time I've gone straight through this book. I now realize that I would've had a shot at solving the mystery - or at any rate, figuring out some of what was going on - if I'd thought to Google some of the relevant information. (That wasn't an issue when the book was first written, of course, and isn't a slight to the book; I'm just chagrined that I didn't think of it before.)
44. Good Morning, Irene by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
The 2nd of the adventures of Irene Adler, set mostly in Monte Carlo.
45. Blood Maidens by Barbara Hambly
The 3rd volume of the Ysidro and Asher series.
46. The Magistrates of Hell by Barbara Hambly
The 4th volume of the Ysidro and Asher series.
47. Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne, read by Jim Dale
48. Star Hunter by Andre Norton
49. The Pratchett portfolio : a compendium of characters from the Discworld by Terry Pratchett and Paul Kidby
50. Castle Rouge by Carole Nelson Douglas
51. Paratime! by H. Beam Piper, read by Craig Allen
This contains all the stories in Paratime, with the addition of "Genesis".
52. The Worlds of H. Beam Piper by H. Beam Piper and John J. McGuire
John J. McGuire co-wrote "Hunter Patrol", which is contained in this collection. This collection overlaps Paratime!, as both collections contain "Genesis", but they have no other overlap.
This short story collection, like Paratime, was part of a set of Ace reprints of Piper's stories in the 1980s; those short story collections do not overlap. The other two were Empire and Federation, which I'll be getting to later on.
53. Invader by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
I'm still working my way at random through the Foreigner series; this is the second book. Note that I have *still* not read the first book in the series, Foreigner itself.
54. The Compleat McAndrew by Charles Sheffield
This is an e-copy of the actual book. I suspect it of a very few spots of bad digitization, involving mathematical equations, but on the whole the e-book works fine. This is a short story collection involving the adventures of McAndrew, a theoretical physicist who likes to tinker with sometimes dangerous experiments, and his partner, long-suffering spaceship captain Jeanie Roker.
I'm sorry to say that Audible went with a male narrator, who doesn't gibe very well for me with the character of Jeanie Roker, the female first person narrator. For this reason, I have so far not acquired the Audible edition.
55. The Beast Master by Andre Norton, read by Richard J. Brewer
Pretty good reader, although he sometimes mispronounces words.
56. Kitty Rocks the House by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
57. Sherman's March: Atlanta to the Sea by David Nevin
58. Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon, read by Jennifer Van Dyck
Good narrator. First time through this recording, although not the first time I've read the book.
5DisassemblyOfReason
Books read during April:
59. Lord of Thunder by Andre Norton, read by Richard J. Brewer
Again, pretty good reader. This is the first time I've been through this recording. It's been a long time since I'd read the book.
60. Catseye by Andre Norton
The first half of Masks of the Outcasts. This can be used as an existence disproof of a contention I've sometimes seen that Norton didn't write humor, in my opinion. Not that the story isn't serious, but I enjoy seeing how Kyger's shop operates as a business on several levels - selling special food for exotic pets (who don't really need it) and selling ahorrible unique specimen to a *really* enthusiastic collector.
62. Intruder by C.J. Cherryh
Read this one on paper rather than via audio recording, for once. Fortunately I waited until its immediate successor, Protector had come out before tackling it, so I've now proceeded to that one to find out what happens next.
63. Protector by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
The drawback of reading this near the time of publication is that I now need to settle in for the long wait before the next installment to find out what happens next...
64. Injury Time by Catherine Aird
Short story collection. Some of the stories are available on audio, but as yet I haven't found a complete audio version of the entire collection.
65. The Princess and The Lion by Elizabeth Coatsworth
I enjoyed this as a child and made an effort to acquire my own copy so that I can now re-read it from time to time. The princess needs to save the prince (her brother) in this one.
66. Destroyer by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
This should be read back-to-back with its immediate sequel, Protector, since Destroyer sort of pauses in the middle of things.
67. The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz
This is the Baen e-book edition; I've never seen any other edition, so I don't know what edits were made by Eric Flint. I enjoy the book a good deal.
68. Behold, Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer
As with Heyer's other mysteries, I enjoy the endgame (the final wrap-up) particularly.
69. Pretender by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
Yes, I read this earlier this year, but this is the audiobook. It's effectively the second half of the portion of the story begun in Destroyer; the two together relate the tale of the events taking place upon the return of the 2-year mission to Reunion Station.
70. Divided Allegiance by Elizabeth Moon
I read the version of this book that's part of the omnibus The Deed of Paksenarrion. The omnibus omits the prologue found in the original paperback, for what that's worth.
71. The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, read by Patrick Tull
I've been working my way through the audiobook for what seems like an eternity, partly because I restarted it a few times. On the whole, I enjoy it, although I dislike some of the downer stories-within-a-story, which tended to be stumbling blocks.
59. Lord of Thunder by Andre Norton, read by Richard J. Brewer
Again, pretty good reader. This is the first time I've been through this recording. It's been a long time since I'd read the book.
60. Catseye by Andre Norton
The first half of Masks of the Outcasts. This can be used as an existence disproof of a contention I've sometimes seen that Norton didn't write humor, in my opinion. Not that the story isn't serious, but I enjoy seeing how Kyger's shop operates as a business on several levels - selling special food for exotic pets (who don't really need it) and selling a
62. Intruder by C.J. Cherryh
Read this one on paper rather than via audio recording, for once. Fortunately I waited until its immediate successor, Protector had come out before tackling it, so I've now proceeded to that one to find out what happens next.
63. Protector by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
The drawback of reading this near the time of publication is that I now need to settle in for the long wait before the next installment to find out what happens next...
64. Injury Time by Catherine Aird
Short story collection. Some of the stories are available on audio, but as yet I haven't found a complete audio version of the entire collection.
65. The Princess and The Lion by Elizabeth Coatsworth
I enjoyed this as a child and made an effort to acquire my own copy so that I can now re-read it from time to time. The princess needs to save the prince (her brother) in this one.
66. Destroyer by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
This should be read back-to-back with its immediate sequel, Protector, since Destroyer sort of pauses in the middle of things.
67. The Witches of Karres by James Schmitz
This is the Baen e-book edition; I've never seen any other edition, so I don't know what edits were made by Eric Flint. I enjoy the book a good deal.
68. Behold, Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer
As with Heyer's other mysteries, I enjoy the endgame (the final wrap-up) particularly.
69. Pretender by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
Yes, I read this earlier this year, but this is the audiobook. It's effectively the second half of the portion of the story begun in Destroyer; the two together relate the tale of the events taking place upon the return of the 2-year mission to Reunion Station.
70. Divided Allegiance by Elizabeth Moon
I read the version of this book that's part of the omnibus The Deed of Paksenarrion. The omnibus omits the prologue found in the original paperback, for what that's worth.
71. The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, read by Patrick Tull
I've been working my way through the audiobook for what seems like an eternity, partly because I restarted it a few times. On the whole, I enjoy it, although I dislike some of the downer stories-within-a-story, which tended to be stumbling blocks.
6LizzieD
DoR, I'm fascinated that you're not reading the *Foreigner* series in order! I am and will dive into #7 next - (Pretender, maybe?). So how is this working for you? A great part of my pleasure has been the revelation about the Atevi or some of the Atevi in each installment... I wasn't caught up in them until the third one, but I've loved them from that point.
I don't listen to audio books as a general rule, but you make me wonder whether I should since you seem to get through them so quickly.
I don't listen to audio books as a general rule, but you make me wonder whether I should since you seem to get through them so quickly.
7DisassemblyOfReason
>6 LizzieD:
I recommend the audiobooks of the Foreigner series highly; the narrator (Daniel Thomas May) is very good.
I admit, it's not really logical that I'm skipping around so much in the series. It helps that I've skimmed through e-copies of several of the books previously, which keeps me from getting lost.
I recommend the audiobooks of the Foreigner series highly; the narrator (Daniel Thomas May) is very good.
I admit, it's not really logical that I'm skipping around so much in the series. It helps that I've skimmed through e-copies of several of the books previously, which keeps me from getting lost.
8DisassemblyOfReason
Books/stories read during May
72. Oath of Gold by Elizabeth Moon
I recall reading this when it first came out. Since then I've tended to skip around in the text, but did a straight read-through this time.
The version in the omnibus edition omits the epigraph, but the song being quoted appears later in the story proper. Finishing this also completes The Deed of Paksenarrion.
73. Artists in crime (abridged) by Ngaio Marsh, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
74. Death in a white tie (abridged) by Ngaio Marsh, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
75. Scales of justice (abridged) by Ngaio Marsh, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
76. Night of Masks by Andre Norton
This also completes the omnibus Masks of the Outcasts.
77. Fog Magic by Julia Sauer, read by Jennifer VanDyck
78. Cause and Effects (short story collection) by Catherine Aird, read by Edward Raleigh
This is a set of 3 stories taken from the collection Injury Time.
79. Uptown Local and other interventions by Diane Duane
Only one Young Wizards story as such - the title story - but other stories are set in the same universe.
80. Eridahn by Robert F. Young
81. The Elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, read by Aasne Vigesaa
82. Elvenblood by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, read by Aasne Vigesaa
83. "Voodoo Planet" by Andre Norton
84. Sargasso of Space by Andre Norton
85. Orca by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
Clark reads the sections narrated by Vlad, while his female co-narrator reads those sections narrated by Kiera the Thief. Well done.
86. Plague Ship by Andre Norton, read by Michael Warner
87. Lone Star Planet by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
88. The Stars Are Ours! by Andre Norton
89. "Firemaggot" by Barbara Hambly
This is a Joanna Sheraton and Antryg Windrose short story; the author has opted to keep the stories in the 1990s, without any time jumps from the time in which the original books were written and set.
The story is set mostly on the former estate of the late Emily Violet - readers may recall her as the ingenue in She-Devil of Babylon, the film being made in Bride of the Rat God. We find out here, in general terms, how the rest of her life and career went.
90. "Quest for Glory" by Barbara Hambly
This is written in script form, as the author interviews characters for Sisters of the Raven.
91. "Plus-One" by Barbara Hambly
This is a Joanna Sheraton and Antryg Windrose short story, set in Las Vegas - they're attending a martial arts convention / competition.
92."Corridor" by Barbara Hambly
This is a Joanna Sheraton and Antryg Windrose short story. Somebody is up to no good with the Void.
93. For Love of Mother-Not by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Rudnicki is good, as always.
94. The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly
95. The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly, read by Nicole Poole
Good narrator.
96. Sherlock Holmes: The Rediscovered Railway Mysteries and other stories by John Taylor, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
Cumberbatch doesn't use the same voice for Holmes here that he does for Sherlock in Sherlock. It's interesting to hear him narrating as Watson, who is clearly an older gentleman in this.
97. "All Cats Are Gray" by Andre Norton, read by Cindy Hardin Killvey
This short story is also part of The Book of Andre Norton.
98. Daybreak 2250 A.D. by Andre Norton
99. Sea Siege by Andre Norton
100. Space Viking by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
101. Star Gate by Andre Norton (also completes From the Sea to the Stars)
This is the version in From the Sea to the Stars, which omits the prologue I seem to recall from the old paperback edition. Otherwise it doesn't seem to have been edited.
72. Oath of Gold by Elizabeth Moon
I recall reading this when it first came out. Since then I've tended to skip around in the text, but did a straight read-through this time.
The version in the omnibus edition omits the epigraph, but the song being quoted appears later in the story proper. Finishing this also completes The Deed of Paksenarrion.
73. Artists in crime (abridged) by Ngaio Marsh, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
74. Death in a white tie (abridged) by Ngaio Marsh, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
75. Scales of justice (abridged) by Ngaio Marsh, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
76. Night of Masks by Andre Norton
This also completes the omnibus Masks of the Outcasts.
77. Fog Magic by Julia Sauer, read by Jennifer VanDyck
78. Cause and Effects (short story collection) by Catherine Aird, read by Edward Raleigh
This is a set of 3 stories taken from the collection Injury Time.
79. Uptown Local and other interventions by Diane Duane
Only one Young Wizards story as such - the title story - but other stories are set in the same universe.
80. Eridahn by Robert F. Young
81. The Elvenbane by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, read by Aasne Vigesaa
82. Elvenblood by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey, read by Aasne Vigesaa
83. "Voodoo Planet" by Andre Norton
84. Sargasso of Space by Andre Norton
85. Orca by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
Clark reads the sections narrated by Vlad, while his female co-narrator reads those sections narrated by Kiera the Thief. Well done.
86. Plague Ship by Andre Norton, read by Michael Warner
87. Lone Star Planet by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
88. The Stars Are Ours! by Andre Norton
89. "Firemaggot" by Barbara Hambly
This is a Joanna Sheraton and Antryg Windrose short story; the author has opted to keep the stories in the 1990s, without any time jumps from the time in which the original books were written and set.
The story is set mostly on the former estate of the late Emily Violet - readers may recall her as the ingenue in She-Devil of Babylon, the film being made in Bride of the Rat God. We find out here, in general terms, how the rest of her life and career went.
90. "Quest for Glory" by Barbara Hambly
This is written in script form, as the author interviews characters for Sisters of the Raven.
91. "Plus-One" by Barbara Hambly
This is a Joanna Sheraton and Antryg Windrose short story, set in Las Vegas - they're attending a martial arts convention / competition.
92."Corridor" by Barbara Hambly
This is a Joanna Sheraton and Antryg Windrose short story. Somebody is up to no good with the Void.
93. For Love of Mother-Not by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Rudnicki is good, as always.
94. The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly
95. The Silicon Mage by Barbara Hambly, read by Nicole Poole
Good narrator.
96. Sherlock Holmes: The Rediscovered Railway Mysteries and other stories by John Taylor, read by Benedict Cumberbatch
Cumberbatch doesn't use the same voice for Holmes here that he does for Sherlock in Sherlock. It's interesting to hear him narrating as Watson, who is clearly an older gentleman in this.
97. "All Cats Are Gray" by Andre Norton, read by Cindy Hardin Killvey
This short story is also part of The Book of Andre Norton.
98. Daybreak 2250 A.D. by Andre Norton
99. Sea Siege by Andre Norton
100. Space Viking by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
101. Star Gate by Andre Norton (also completes From the Sea to the Stars)
This is the version in From the Sea to the Stars, which omits the prologue I seem to recall from the old paperback edition. Otherwise it doesn't seem to have been edited.
9DisassemblyOfReason
Works read/completed during June
102. Dog Wizard by Barbara Hambly, read by Nicole Poole
First time all the way through this work, and first time listening to this recording. (In the past I've tended to skip sections in the midst of it, I think.) Most of it is from Antryg's viewpoint, unlike the previous two books which were mostly from Joanna Sheraton's viewpoint.
103. The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey
Beauty and the Beast, set in pre-Earthquake 1905 - 1906 San Francisco. This is the first of the Elemental Masters series, although with a different publisher than the later books. Male Fire Master trying to undo the results of some badly thought out magical experimentation hires a female scholar to help him research possible solutions; she has potential to be an Air Master.
104. The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly, read by Nicole Poole
Already read earlier this year, but this is the first time through this audio recording. The performance is good on the whole, with occasional mispronunciations but not many.
105. Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey
Adaptation of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", set in 1901 Brighton, England. The soldier lost a leg in the Boer wars, and now works as backstage doorkeeper at a music hall in Brighton; he's a Fire Magician but not a Master. The dancer is a former circus acrobat, on the run from an abusive husband whom she's trying to save up enough money to divorce; she has potential to be a Fire Magician but no training.
It always seems to be the woman in these things who has potential but no training, and the men who have the knowledge and experience.
106. The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, translated by Robert van Gulik, read by Mark Bramhall, Lorna Raver, and Stefan Rudnicki
In point of fact, Bramhall does almost all the reading for the recording. The other actors only participate in a kind of intermission halfway through the story. The author's afterword explains that such an intermission is typical of such works.
107. The Book of Andre Norton by Andre Norton
Actually this work was edited by Roger Elwood; almost all of it, but not all of it, consists of short pieces by Norton (one essay and a collection of short stories).
108. Lore of the Witch World by Andre Norton
109. Garan the Eternal by Andre Norton
110. Three Act Tragedy BBC adaptation by Enyd Williams
111. Crystal Soldier by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
112. Crystal Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
113. Balance of Trade by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
114. Towards Zero BBC adaptation by Mary Peate
115. At Swords' Points by Andre Norton
116. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Patrick Tull
117. Brother to Shadows by Andre Norton
118. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Alexander Spencer
119. Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly, read by Marguerite Gavin
120. Ice Crown by Andre Norton (also completes Ice and Shadows)
121. Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A. Heinlein, read by Lloyd James
122. A Dreamer's Tales by Lord Dunsany
102. Dog Wizard by Barbara Hambly, read by Nicole Poole
First time all the way through this work, and first time listening to this recording. (In the past I've tended to skip sections in the midst of it, I think.) Most of it is from Antryg's viewpoint, unlike the previous two books which were mostly from Joanna Sheraton's viewpoint.
103. The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey
Beauty and the Beast, set in pre-Earthquake 1905 - 1906 San Francisco. This is the first of the Elemental Masters series, although with a different publisher than the later books. Male Fire Master trying to undo the results of some badly thought out magical experimentation hires a female scholar to help him research possible solutions; she has potential to be an Air Master.
104. The Silent Tower by Barbara Hambly, read by Nicole Poole
Already read earlier this year, but this is the first time through this audio recording. The performance is good on the whole, with occasional mispronunciations but not many.
105. Steadfast by Mercedes Lackey
Adaptation of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", set in 1901 Brighton, England. The soldier lost a leg in the Boer wars, and now works as backstage doorkeeper at a music hall in Brighton; he's a Fire Magician but not a Master. The dancer is a former circus acrobat, on the run from an abusive husband whom she's trying to save up enough money to divorce; she has potential to be a Fire Magician but no training.
It always seems to be the woman in these things who has potential but no training, and the men who have the knowledge and experience.
106. The Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee, translated by Robert van Gulik, read by Mark Bramhall, Lorna Raver, and Stefan Rudnicki
In point of fact, Bramhall does almost all the reading for the recording. The other actors only participate in a kind of intermission halfway through the story. The author's afterword explains that such an intermission is typical of such works.
107. The Book of Andre Norton by Andre Norton
Actually this work was edited by Roger Elwood; almost all of it, but not all of it, consists of short pieces by Norton (one essay and a collection of short stories).
108. Lore of the Witch World by Andre Norton
109. Garan the Eternal by Andre Norton
110. Three Act Tragedy BBC adaptation by Enyd Williams
111. Crystal Soldier by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
112. Crystal Dragon by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
113. Balance of Trade by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
114. Towards Zero BBC adaptation by Mary Peate
115. At Swords' Points by Andre Norton
116. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Patrick Tull
117. Brother to Shadows by Andre Norton
118. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Alexander Spencer
119. Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly, read by Marguerite Gavin
120. Ice Crown by Andre Norton (also completes Ice and Shadows)
121. Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert A. Heinlein, read by Lloyd James
122. A Dreamer's Tales by Lord Dunsany
10DisassemblyOfReason
Works read/completed during July
123. Stealing the Elf-King's Roses: the author's cut by Diane Duane
The changes in the story mostly involved changing the dates and adding a set of appendices. The appendices describe the individual worlds, including those not properly visited during the story and including potted historical backgrounds describing where they branched off from our world's history.
124. The Book of Wonder by Lord Dunsany
125. Jhereg by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
126. The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett
127. Miss Bianca in the Orient by Margery Sharp
128. The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories by Lord Dunsany
129. Tales of Wonder (a.k.a. The Last Book of Wonder) by Lord Dunsany
130. Time and the Gods by Lord Dunsany
131. Barbarian Europe by Gerald Simons
Covers the period from the very late Roman Empire through the reign of Charlemagne.
132. Betrayer by C.J. Cherryh
133. The Dreaming : beyond the shores of night
134. Too Many Magicians by Randall Garrett, read by Victor Villar-Hauser
I read this earlier this year, but this is the first time I've listened to this recording. (I actually went through it twice this month.)
135. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, read by Will Paton
136. Adventures in Far-Off Places by Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Rudyard Kipling, read by Frank Muller, Alexander Spencer, and Flo Gibson
137. Tucker's Countryside by George Selden
138. No Night Without Stars by Andre Norton (also completes Darkness and Dawn)
Pretty good post-apocalyptic story. The apocalypse in question seems to have been a tremendous natural disaster rather than a nuclear war, as far as I can make out. It might also make interesting reading paired with Night of Masks, although they are not set on the same world; both settings feature ancient seabeds that the main characters have to travel through.
139. Tiassa by Steven Brust
A collection of short pieces from various viewpoints and set at different times within the series, roughly centered around a magical artifact in the shape of a silver tiassa. One piece, for example, is set between the events of Jhereg and Yendi, while others take place after the events of Phoenix. The collection includes a piece from the viewpoint of Khaavren of the House of the Tiassa (in Paarfi of Roundwood's style), as well as another around about the Countess of Whitecrest.
140. Iorich by Steven Brust
141. Scarface by Andre Norton
142. Yendi by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
143. Discworld's Ankh-Morpork City Watch Diary 1999 by Terry Pratchett
144. The Discworld (Reformed) Vampyre's Diary by Terry Pratchett
Don't forget to carefully read the individual vampires featured throughout the later pages of the calendar. The one based on Bela Lugosi is pretty obvious; the one based on Tom Cruise (a la Interview with a Vampire) less so. The vampire who had the misfortune to encounter Greebo in Witches Abroad is also included.
145. The shirt on his back by Barbara Hambly
146. Give Me Liberty edited by Mark Tier and Martin Harry Greenberg
147. Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper, read by Eric Stuart
148. The Gondola Scam by Jonathan Gash
149. A Christmas Carol and other Christmas stories by Charles Dickens
As part of reading this, I also listened to A Christmas Carol, read by Simon Prebble; it's a pretty good recording. A Christmas Carol and other Christmas stories also includes chapters 28 and 29 of The Pickwick Papers, for which I recommend the audiobook read by Patrick Tull.
150. Witch World by Andre Norton, read by Nick Podehl
151. Interstellar Patrol by Christopher Anvil
152. The Santaroga Barrier by Frank Herbert, read by Scott Brick
123. Stealing the Elf-King's Roses: the author's cut by Diane Duane
The changes in the story mostly involved changing the dates and adding a set of appendices. The appendices describe the individual worlds, including those not properly visited during the story and including potted historical backgrounds describing where they branched off from our world's history.
124. The Book of Wonder by Lord Dunsany
125. Jhereg by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
126. The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett
127. Miss Bianca in the Orient by Margery Sharp
128. The Sword of Welleran and Other Stories by Lord Dunsany
129. Tales of Wonder (a.k.a. The Last Book of Wonder) by Lord Dunsany
130. Time and the Gods by Lord Dunsany
131. Barbarian Europe by Gerald Simons
Covers the period from the very late Roman Empire through the reign of Charlemagne.
132. Betrayer by C.J. Cherryh
133. The Dreaming : beyond the shores of night
134. Too Many Magicians by Randall Garrett, read by Victor Villar-Hauser
I read this earlier this year, but this is the first time I've listened to this recording. (I actually went through it twice this month.)
135. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, read by Will Paton
136. Adventures in Far-Off Places by Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Rudyard Kipling, read by Frank Muller, Alexander Spencer, and Flo Gibson
137. Tucker's Countryside by George Selden
138. No Night Without Stars by Andre Norton (also completes Darkness and Dawn)
Pretty good post-apocalyptic story. The apocalypse in question seems to have been a tremendous natural disaster rather than a nuclear war, as far as I can make out. It might also make interesting reading paired with Night of Masks, although they are not set on the same world; both settings feature ancient seabeds that the main characters have to travel through.
139. Tiassa by Steven Brust
A collection of short pieces from various viewpoints and set at different times within the series, roughly centered around a magical artifact in the shape of a silver tiassa. One piece, for example, is set between the events of Jhereg and Yendi, while others take place after the events of Phoenix. The collection includes a piece from the viewpoint of Khaavren of the House of the Tiassa (in Paarfi of Roundwood's style), as well as another around about the Countess of Whitecrest.
140. Iorich by Steven Brust
141. Scarface by Andre Norton
142. Yendi by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
143. Discworld's Ankh-Morpork City Watch Diary 1999 by Terry Pratchett
144. The Discworld (Reformed) Vampyre's Diary by Terry Pratchett
Don't forget to carefully read the individual vampires featured throughout the later pages of the calendar. The one based on Bela Lugosi is pretty obvious; the one based on Tom Cruise (a la Interview with a Vampire) less so. The vampire who had the misfortune to encounter Greebo in Witches Abroad is also included.
145. The shirt on his back by Barbara Hambly
146. Give Me Liberty edited by Mark Tier and Martin Harry Greenberg
147. Four-Day Planet by H. Beam Piper, read by Eric Stuart
148. The Gondola Scam by Jonathan Gash
149. A Christmas Carol and other Christmas stories by Charles Dickens
As part of reading this, I also listened to A Christmas Carol, read by Simon Prebble; it's a pretty good recording. A Christmas Carol and other Christmas stories also includes chapters 28 and 29 of The Pickwick Papers, for which I recommend the audiobook read by Patrick Tull.
150. Witch World by Andre Norton, read by Nick Podehl
151. Interstellar Patrol by Christopher Anvil
152. The Santaroga Barrier by Frank Herbert, read by Scott Brick
11DisassemblyOfReason
Works read/completed during August
153. Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton
The first sequel to Witch World; they should be read back-to-back if possible.
154. Kitty in the Underworld by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
155. The Cosmic Computer by H. Beam Piper, read by Jeffrey Kafer
Also known as Junkyard Planet. The planet in question has a *lot* of abandoned military gear from an interstellar war that ended about 40 years ago, and as a result, there hasn't been a lot of manufacture there in a long time, since people can salvage a lot of equipment, and even clothing, from stockpiles and such. It's had a bad effect...
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam').
156. In the Teeth of the Evidence and other stories by Dorothy L. Sayers
Contains only 2 Lord Peter stories, including the title story.
157. A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Contains 6 stories based on various classical myths.
158. The Little Mermaid from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Charles Santore, translated by Mary Howitt
Adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
This satisfies the 'big or small' challenge for August ('little').
159. Trust the Saint by Leslie Charteris
160. Lord Peter: The Complete Short Stories by Dorothy L. Sayers
This contains 2 pieces by other authors (including the parody "Greedy Night" by E.C. Bentley), which I could do without. If you want audiobooks for some of these, I read and recommend Striding Folly, read by Ian Carmichael (which contains the other two late short stories, in addition to the title story) and Lord Peter Views the Body: nine complete stories, read by Ian Carmichael.
161. The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
162. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Rob Inglis
I've been stalled on this book for no good reason for several months; it didn't help that I restarted it a couple of times. The same thing happened with The Pickwick Papers, earlier this year.
Every once in a while Inglis will mix up the voices for the characters - read one of Aragorn's lines in Legolas' voice, for example, when both are in the same scene - but that's rare. (It happened at one point when Aragorn made a remark about no longer being young even in the reckoning of the men of the ancient houses, when he said the line before identifying himself.) Sometimes I had to replay a line a few times to understand a word, or look it up in the physical text. Still, it's a very good performance on the whole.
163. This Alien Shore by C.S. Friedman, read by Kathleen McInerney
Very good narrator.
164. The Gods of Pegana by Lord Dunsany
165. The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie, read by Hugh Fraser
This satisfies the 'book with murder in its heart' challenge.
166. English country house murders : tales of perfidious Albion, edited by Thomas Godfrey
This satisfies the 'book with murder in its heart' challenge.
167. PartnerShip by Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball
This is part of the omnibus Brain Ships; it should appear first in that collection, in order of occurrence, but appears second, despite the fact that The Ship Who Searched refers to its events as the legal reason for a given regulation.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Ball').
168. Empire by H. Beam Piper and John J. McGuire
As part of reading this collection, I listened to the LibriVox recordings for "The edge of the knife", "The return", and "A slave is a slave". (The other two stories don't currently have LibriVox recordings).
The narrator for "The edge of the knife" was occasionally tripped up by the pronunciation of slightly unusual words, e.g. "lunacy".
The narrator for "The return" was OK with ordinary vocabulary but was tripped up by some U.S. place names, e.g. "Arkansas", "Monongahela". Given the context of the story - an expedition to explore part of the former U.S., 200 years post-nuclear war - one could argue that the lead characters were using names they'd read but didn't know how to pronounce either. (However, changes in the language tend to be flagged deliberately as a plot point when they occur, so I don't think that's it.)
The narrator for "A slave is a slave" didn't have any pronunciation issues that I recall.
The physical book had some sloppy editing issues, mostly transpose errors in spelling. There's one slip-up in "The edge of the knife" that appears to be in the original text that's separate, however. It's a plot point that the story starts in October of 1973, and stressed because that means that there are at most 2 months left before something happens. There's a slip later in the text where it's suddenly April of 1973, which doesn't work in the context of the story. The LibriVox recording simply repeated the error from the Gutenberg text.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam').
169. The Tar-Aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Foster').
170. Federation by H. Beam Piper
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam').
171. Blandings Castle by P.G. Wodehouse, read by James Saxon
It's a pity that Saxon doesn't seem to have narrated more of Wodehouse's work.
172. Lord Emsworth Acts for the Best: the Blandings short stories by P.G. Wodehouse
173. The Sorcerer's Academy edited by Denise Little
This satisfies the 'big or small' challenge for August ('little').
174. The Ship Who Searched by Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey
This is the other half of the omnibus Brain Ships (see also PartnerShip above).
Unfortunately, some errors have crept into the text of the Baen e-book of Brain Ships, which are particularly obvious in this section of the omnibus. Much of this is just missing italics, which in the original separate physical book The Ship Who Searched were used consistently rather than intermittently to set off interior monologue, but the errors sometimes show up as odd wrong words (e.g., 'dog' (D-O-G) where it should say 'clog' (C-L-O-G), 'SWOT' where it should have an italicized 'Sinor'). Automated grammar check isn't always enough...
175. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Rob Inglis
This recording includes the preface from the authorized edition of The Lord of the Rings, moved to the end of the story, just before appendix A begins. (This makes sense in terms of presenting the material together, although it doesn't follow the original order of presentation in the book proper.)
The family tree of the House of Durin is omitted from Inglis' reading of Appendix A. The remaining appendices were also omitted from the recording. (Appendix B presents the Chronology of the Westlands, appendix C various hobbit family trees, appendix D various calendars, while appendices E and F deal with various fine points of words, names, and languages).
After completing the recording, I read the appendices in the text proper, so this finally completes my readthrough of The Lord of the Rings, begun a bit over a year ago.
176. A night to remember by Walter Lord, read by Martin Jarvis
A very good work of non-fiction about the sinking of the Titanic. It omits only the diagrams (naturally) and the passenger-and-crew list at the end. (The latter would have required some adaptation if read, since italics/non-italics were used to distinguish those saved from those lost.)
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Lord').
177. Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper, read by Jim Roberts
The narrator is not the Jim Roberts who narrated "The Most Dangerous Game" and Uller Uprising. On the whole I prefer the Peter Ganim recording of this book.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam') and the 'big or small' challenge for August ('little').
178. The end of the matter by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Despite being billed as 'unabridged', the recording omitted the prologue. Otherwise it's a very good recording.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Foster').
179. Miss Seeton paints the town by Hamilton Crane
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Crane').
This is part of a follow-on series to the original Miss Seeton series by Heron Carvic; Crane (a.k.a. Sarah Mason) is actually the 2nd author to write sequels to that series. If you're not familiar with the original books, you may get a bit lost. (I read the originals first, so that doesn't bother me.)
180. Lirael : daughter of the Clayr by Garth Nix, read by Tim Curry
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Nix').
Curry's a very good reader. Warning: the book sort of ends with a cliffhanger, so be prepared to proceed to Abhorsen afterward.
181. The sword in the stone by Terence Hanbury White, read by Neville Jason
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('White').
182. Open prison by James White
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('White').
183. A question of death by Kerry Greenwood
A collection of Phryne Fisher short stories. Mostly *not* murder mysteries, as it happens, so I'm not counting it for the 'murder in its heart' challenge for this month.
--
(The touchstones for The Return of the King and The Lord of the Rings appear to be hosed today.)
153. Web of the Witch World by Andre Norton
The first sequel to Witch World; they should be read back-to-back if possible.
154. Kitty in the Underworld by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
155. The Cosmic Computer by H. Beam Piper, read by Jeffrey Kafer
Also known as Junkyard Planet. The planet in question has a *lot* of abandoned military gear from an interstellar war that ended about 40 years ago, and as a result, there hasn't been a lot of manufacture there in a long time, since people can salvage a lot of equipment, and even clothing, from stockpiles and such. It's had a bad effect...
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam').
156. In the Teeth of the Evidence and other stories by Dorothy L. Sayers
Contains only 2 Lord Peter stories, including the title story.
157. A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Contains 6 stories based on various classical myths.
158. The Little Mermaid from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, illustrated by Charles Santore, translated by Mary Howitt
Adaptation of The Little Mermaid.
This satisfies the 'big or small' challenge for August ('little').
159. Trust the Saint by Leslie Charteris
160. Lord Peter: The Complete Short Stories by Dorothy L. Sayers
This contains 2 pieces by other authors (including the parody "Greedy Night" by E.C. Bentley), which I could do without. If you want audiobooks for some of these, I read and recommend Striding Folly, read by Ian Carmichael (which contains the other two late short stories, in addition to the title story) and Lord Peter Views the Body: nine complete stories, read by Ian Carmichael.
161. The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
162. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Rob Inglis
I've been stalled on this book for no good reason for several months; it didn't help that I restarted it a couple of times. The same thing happened with The Pickwick Papers, earlier this year.
Every once in a while Inglis will mix up the voices for the characters - read one of Aragorn's lines in Legolas' voice, for example, when both are in the same scene - but that's rare. (It happened at one point when Aragorn made a remark about no longer being young even in the reckoning of the men of the ancient houses, when he said the line before identifying himself.) Sometimes I had to replay a line a few times to understand a word, or look it up in the physical text. Still, it's a very good performance on the whole.
163. This Alien Shore by C.S. Friedman, read by Kathleen McInerney
Very good narrator.
164. The Gods of Pegana by Lord Dunsany
165. The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie, read by Hugh Fraser
This satisfies the 'book with murder in its heart' challenge.
166. English country house murders : tales of perfidious Albion, edited by Thomas Godfrey
This satisfies the 'book with murder in its heart' challenge.
167. PartnerShip by Anne McCaffrey and Margaret Ball
This is part of the omnibus Brain Ships; it should appear first in that collection, in order of occurrence, but appears second, despite the fact that The Ship Who Searched refers to its events as the legal reason for a given regulation.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Ball').
168. Empire by H. Beam Piper and John J. McGuire
As part of reading this collection, I listened to the LibriVox recordings for "The edge of the knife", "The return", and "A slave is a slave". (The other two stories don't currently have LibriVox recordings).
The narrator for "The edge of the knife" was occasionally tripped up by the pronunciation of slightly unusual words, e.g. "lunacy".
The narrator for "The return" was OK with ordinary vocabulary but was tripped up by some U.S. place names, e.g. "Arkansas", "Monongahela". Given the context of the story - an expedition to explore part of the former U.S., 200 years post-nuclear war - one could argue that the lead characters were using names they'd read but didn't know how to pronounce either. (However, changes in the language tend to be flagged deliberately as a plot point when they occur, so I don't think that's it.)
The narrator for "A slave is a slave" didn't have any pronunciation issues that I recall.
The physical book had some sloppy editing issues, mostly transpose errors in spelling. There's one slip-up in "The edge of the knife" that appears to be in the original text that's separate, however. It's a plot point that the story starts in October of 1973, and stressed because that means that there are at most 2 months left before something happens. There's a slip later in the text where it's suddenly April of 1973, which doesn't work in the context of the story. The LibriVox recording simply repeated the error from the Gutenberg text.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam').
169. The Tar-Aiym Krang by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Foster').
170. Federation by H. Beam Piper
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam').
171. Blandings Castle by P.G. Wodehouse, read by James Saxon
It's a pity that Saxon doesn't seem to have narrated more of Wodehouse's work.
172. Lord Emsworth Acts for the Best: the Blandings short stories by P.G. Wodehouse
173. The Sorcerer's Academy edited by Denise Little
This satisfies the 'big or small' challenge for August ('little').
174. The Ship Who Searched by Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey
This is the other half of the omnibus Brain Ships (see also PartnerShip above).
Unfortunately, some errors have crept into the text of the Baen e-book of Brain Ships, which are particularly obvious in this section of the omnibus. Much of this is just missing italics, which in the original separate physical book The Ship Who Searched were used consistently rather than intermittently to set off interior monologue, but the errors sometimes show up as odd wrong words (e.g., 'dog' (D-O-G) where it should say 'clog' (C-L-O-G), 'SWOT' where it should have an italicized 'Sinor'). Automated grammar check isn't always enough...
175. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Rob Inglis
This recording includes the preface from the authorized edition of The Lord of the Rings, moved to the end of the story, just before appendix A begins. (This makes sense in terms of presenting the material together, although it doesn't follow the original order of presentation in the book proper.)
The family tree of the House of Durin is omitted from Inglis' reading of Appendix A. The remaining appendices were also omitted from the recording. (Appendix B presents the Chronology of the Westlands, appendix C various hobbit family trees, appendix D various calendars, while appendices E and F deal with various fine points of words, names, and languages).
After completing the recording, I read the appendices in the text proper, so this finally completes my readthrough of The Lord of the Rings, begun a bit over a year ago.
176. A night to remember by Walter Lord, read by Martin Jarvis
A very good work of non-fiction about the sinking of the Titanic. It omits only the diagrams (naturally) and the passenger-and-crew list at the end. (The latter would have required some adaptation if read, since italics/non-italics were used to distinguish those saved from those lost.)
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Lord').
177. Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper, read by Jim Roberts
The narrator is not the Jim Roberts who narrated "The Most Dangerous Game" and Uller Uprising. On the whole I prefer the Peter Ganim recording of this book.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Beam') and the 'big or small' challenge for August ('little').
178. The end of the matter by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Despite being billed as 'unabridged', the recording omitted the prologue. Otherwise it's a very good recording.
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Foster').
179. Miss Seeton paints the town by Hamilton Crane
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Crane').
This is part of a follow-on series to the original Miss Seeton series by Heron Carvic; Crane (a.k.a. Sarah Mason) is actually the 2nd author to write sequels to that series. If you're not familiar with the original books, you may get a bit lost. (I read the originals first, so that doesn't bother me.)
180. Lirael : daughter of the Clayr by Garth Nix, read by Tim Curry
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('Nix').
Curry's a very good reader. Warning: the book sort of ends with a cliffhanger, so be prepared to proceed to Abhorsen afterward.
181. The sword in the stone by Terence Hanbury White, read by Neville Jason
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('White').
182. Open prison by James White
This satisfies the author's-name-contains-a-verb challenge for August ('White').
183. A question of death by Kerry Greenwood
A collection of Phryne Fisher short stories. Mostly *not* murder mysteries, as it happens, so I'm not counting it for the 'murder in its heart' challenge for this month.
--
(The touchstones for The Return of the King and The Lord of the Rings appear to be hosed today.)
12DisassemblyOfReason
Works read/completed during September
Between the various sequels and series challenges and the 'atypical setting' historical novel challenge, let's see where I can get with this. I'm also curious as to what I can do with apple varieties and landforms.
184. The light-years beneath my feet by Alan Dean Foster
This is the 2nd volume of the Taken trilogy, and satisfies challenge #10 for September (volume of a series that I've had since 2012 or earlier).
I enjoyed this one. The main characters were abducted by alien slavers in the first volume, then rescued but left without a way home. They're still engaged in their necessarily roundabout efforts to try to find a way home, which in this case means excepting a job offer on a planet they know nothing about but which happens to lie, possibly, in the correct galactic arm.
They really should have found out more about their prospective employers first...
185. Orphan star by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Good recording.
I'm not counting it for challenge #10 because I haven't had the audiobook long enough to qualify, although the audiobook replaced a paperback which I *had* had long enough to qualify.
186. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
Satisfies the serendipity challenge for September.
187. The voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, read by Derek Jacobi
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge for September (Dawn apple). It also satisfies challenge #10 for September (volume of a series that I've had since 2012 or earlier).
188. Foreigner by C. J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
Satisfies challenge #10 for September.
189. A Christmas carol (1843) by Charles Dickens, read by Tim Curry
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge for September (Christmas apple), and the 'published before 1950' challenge.
Yes, I have 2 audio recordings of this story; this is the one Audible was giving away a couple of years ago. Curry's a very good narrator.
190. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
First of the Phryne Fisher mysteries, so it satisfies challenge #10 for September.
191. Liaden Universe Companion Volume One by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
This satisfies challenges #9 and #10 for September. (It's a short story collection in the Liaden universe; the characters range from Er Thom and Daav as 14-year-olds, to Val Con and Miri in some imaginary time after Carpe Diem and before Plan B.)
192. Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge, and challenge #10 for September.
193. The witch in the wood (1939) by Terence Hanbury White, read by Neville Jason
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge, and also challenge #10 for September.
194. Queen of the Flowers by Kerry Greenwood, read by Stephanie Daniel
Satisfies the odd letter challenge (Q), challenge #10, and sequel/series book #9 or greater challenges for September (it's volume 11 in the Phryne Fisher series).
Some interesting local characters are introduced in this one - Mr. Walker, who runs a local gambling establishment on a yacht, which is a tight ship in more than one sense of the word, and the Professor, who runs a brothel called 'the University'. Both are approached as possible sources of information about a missing person who turned up badly hurt on the beach partway through the story. There's also a flashback set just after World War I, in which Phryne helps settle an acquaintance - a badly hurt veteran - in his new home in the Orkneys after he's rejected by his family.
195. The Crossroads of Time by Andre Norton
Satisfies challenge #10. Good story; if you like Piper's Paratime stories, try this.
196. The Sioux spaceman by Andre Norton
Satisfies the odd letter challenge (X).
197. The ill-made knight (1940) by Terence Hanbury White, read by Neville Jason
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge, and also challenge #10 for September.
198. Five Sci-Fi Short Stories by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
199. Time Crime (novella) by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
This is a LibriVox recording. The same story is also available as part of the collection Paratime!; I prefer the Paratime! version, although this recording isn't bad.
200. Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn, read by Marc Thompson
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Empire apple). Also satisfies the odd letter challenge (Z) as well as challenge #10 (first book in series).
201. The hermit of Eyton Forest by Ellis Peters, read by Patrick Tull
Satisfies challenges #9 and #10 (volume 14 of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael). I particularly like the ending.
202. Quest crosstime by Andre Norton
Satisfies the odd letter challenge (Q) as well as challenge #10.
203. Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood, read by Stephanie Daniel
Satisfies challenges #9 and #10 (volume 17 of the Phryne Fisher mysteries).
204. The Swiss Family Robinson (1812) by Johann David Wyss, read by George Guidall
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge.
205. Defender by C.J. Cherryh, by Daniel Thomas May
Satisfies challenge #10.
206. Child of Saturn by Teresa Edgerton
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Saturn apple) as well as challenge #10. Ends on a cliffhanger, so have The Moon in Hiding handy after finishing this one.
207. Trojan Gold by Elizabeth Peters, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Satisfies challenge #10. I prefer this to Silhouette in Scarlet, so I finished this recording first, although the series order is reversed this way.
208. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Simon Prebble
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge (1892) and challenge #10. I prefer the Patrick Tull recording, but this is good if you don't mind Holmes being read in a somewhat high, nasal tenor. (Not that that's Prebble's own voice, just his choice of characterization.
209. Silhouette in Scarlet by Elizabeth Peters, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Satisfies the fabric challenge as well as challenge #10. Set mostly in Sweden.
210. Irene at Large by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
Satisfies challenge #10. Set in Afghanistan, France (Neuilly and Paris), and London.
211. A Little Princess (1905) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, read by Virginia Leishman
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Princess apple) and the pre-1950 challenge.
212. The Moon in Hiding by Teresa Edgerton
Satisfies challenge #10.
213. Irene's Last Waltz by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Waltz apple). Also satisfies challenge #10, the unusual letter challenge (Z), and the atypical setting historical fiction challenge (late 19th century, France and Prague).
214. The X Factor by Andre Norton
Satisfies the unusual letter challenge.
215. "Last Enemy" by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
This novella is one of the Paratime stories; I prefer the recording that is part of Paratime!. (This is the LibriVox recording.)
216. Dream Park by Larry Niven and Steven Barnes, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Satisfies challenge #10, as the first of the Dream Park stories. The narrator is very good.
217. Betrayer by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
218. The Iliad by Homer, read by Patrick Cullen
Satisfies the pre-1950 challenge. :)
219. Five-twelfths of heaven by Melissa Scott, read by Arielle DeLisle
Satisfies challenge #10.
220. Voorloper by Andre Norton
Part of the omnibus The Game of Stars and Comets, which I have gradually been working through.
221. The secret garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, read by Johanna Ward
Satisfies the pre-1950 challenge.
222. Eye of the monster by Andre Norton
This completes the omnibus The Game of Stars and Comets.
223. The work of the sun by Teresa Edgerton
Satisfies challenge #10.
224. The beekeeper's apprentice by Laurie R. King, read by Jenny Sterlin
Satisfies challenge #10.
Between the various sequels and series challenges and the 'atypical setting' historical novel challenge, let's see where I can get with this. I'm also curious as to what I can do with apple varieties and landforms.
184. The light-years beneath my feet by Alan Dean Foster
This is the 2nd volume of the Taken trilogy, and satisfies challenge #10 for September (volume of a series that I've had since 2012 or earlier).
I enjoyed this one. The main characters were abducted by alien slavers in the first volume, then rescued but left without a way home. They're still engaged in their necessarily roundabout efforts to try to find a way home, which in this case means excepting a job offer on a planet they know nothing about but which happens to lie, possibly, in the correct galactic arm.
They really should have found out more about their prospective employers first...
185. Orphan star by Alan Dean Foster, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Good recording.
I'm not counting it for challenge #10 because I haven't had the audiobook long enough to qualify, although the audiobook replaced a paperback which I *had* had long enough to qualify.
186. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
Satisfies the serendipity challenge for September.
187. The voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, read by Derek Jacobi
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge for September (Dawn apple). It also satisfies challenge #10 for September (volume of a series that I've had since 2012 or earlier).
188. Foreigner by C. J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
Satisfies challenge #10 for September.
189. A Christmas carol (1843) by Charles Dickens, read by Tim Curry
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge for September (Christmas apple), and the 'published before 1950' challenge.
Yes, I have 2 audio recordings of this story; this is the one Audible was giving away a couple of years ago. Curry's a very good narrator.
190. Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood
First of the Phryne Fisher mysteries, so it satisfies challenge #10 for September.
191. Liaden Universe Companion Volume One by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
This satisfies challenges #9 and #10 for September. (It's a short story collection in the Liaden universe; the characters range from Er Thom and Daav as 14-year-olds, to Val Con and Miri in some imaginary time after Carpe Diem and before Plan B.)
192. Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn, read by Marguerite Gavin
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge, and challenge #10 for September.
193. The witch in the wood (1939) by Terence Hanbury White, read by Neville Jason
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge, and also challenge #10 for September.
194. Queen of the Flowers by Kerry Greenwood, read by Stephanie Daniel
Satisfies the odd letter challenge (Q), challenge #10, and sequel/series book #9 or greater challenges for September (it's volume 11 in the Phryne Fisher series).
Some interesting local characters are introduced in this one - Mr. Walker, who runs a local gambling establishment on a yacht, which is a tight ship in more than one sense of the word, and the Professor, who runs a brothel called 'the University'. Both are approached as possible sources of information about a missing person who turned up badly hurt on the beach partway through the story. There's also a flashback set just after World War I, in which Phryne helps settle an acquaintance - a badly hurt veteran - in his new home in the Orkneys after he's rejected by his family.
195. The Crossroads of Time by Andre Norton
Satisfies challenge #10. Good story; if you like Piper's Paratime stories, try this.
196. The Sioux spaceman by Andre Norton
Satisfies the odd letter challenge (X).
197. The ill-made knight (1940) by Terence Hanbury White, read by Neville Jason
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge, and also challenge #10 for September.
198. Five Sci-Fi Short Stories by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
199. Time Crime (novella) by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
This is a LibriVox recording. The same story is also available as part of the collection Paratime!; I prefer the Paratime! version, although this recording isn't bad.
200. Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn, read by Marc Thompson
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Empire apple). Also satisfies the odd letter challenge (Z) as well as challenge #10 (first book in series).
201. The hermit of Eyton Forest by Ellis Peters, read by Patrick Tull
Satisfies challenges #9 and #10 (volume 14 of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael). I particularly like the ending.
202. Quest crosstime by Andre Norton
Satisfies the odd letter challenge (Q) as well as challenge #10.
203. Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood, read by Stephanie Daniel
Satisfies challenges #9 and #10 (volume 17 of the Phryne Fisher mysteries).
204. The Swiss Family Robinson (1812) by Johann David Wyss, read by George Guidall
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge.
205. Defender by C.J. Cherryh, by Daniel Thomas May
Satisfies challenge #10.
206. Child of Saturn by Teresa Edgerton
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Saturn apple) as well as challenge #10. Ends on a cliffhanger, so have The Moon in Hiding handy after finishing this one.
207. Trojan Gold by Elizabeth Peters, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Satisfies challenge #10. I prefer this to Silhouette in Scarlet, so I finished this recording first, although the series order is reversed this way.
208. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Simon Prebble
Satisfies pre-1950 challenge (1892) and challenge #10. I prefer the Patrick Tull recording, but this is good if you don't mind Holmes being read in a somewhat high, nasal tenor. (Not that that's Prebble's own voice, just his choice of characterization.
209. Silhouette in Scarlet by Elizabeth Peters, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Satisfies the fabric challenge as well as challenge #10. Set mostly in Sweden.
210. Irene at Large by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
Satisfies challenge #10. Set in Afghanistan, France (Neuilly and Paris), and London.
211. A Little Princess (1905) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, read by Virginia Leishman
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Princess apple) and the pre-1950 challenge.
212. The Moon in Hiding by Teresa Edgerton
Satisfies challenge #10.
213. Irene's Last Waltz by Carole Nelson Douglas, read by Virginia Leishman and Patrick Tull
Satisfies the apple varieties challenge (Waltz apple). Also satisfies challenge #10, the unusual letter challenge (Z), and the atypical setting historical fiction challenge (late 19th century, France and Prague).
214. The X Factor by Andre Norton
Satisfies the unusual letter challenge.
215. "Last Enemy" by H. Beam Piper, read by Mark Douglas Nelson
This novella is one of the Paratime stories; I prefer the recording that is part of Paratime!. (This is the LibriVox recording.)
216. Dream Park by Larry Niven and Steven Barnes, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Satisfies challenge #10, as the first of the Dream Park stories. The narrator is very good.
217. Betrayer by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
218. The Iliad by Homer, read by Patrick Cullen
Satisfies the pre-1950 challenge. :)
219. Five-twelfths of heaven by Melissa Scott, read by Arielle DeLisle
Satisfies challenge #10.
220. Voorloper by Andre Norton
Part of the omnibus The Game of Stars and Comets, which I have gradually been working through.
221. The secret garden (1911) by Frances Hodgson Burnett, read by Johanna Ward
Satisfies the pre-1950 challenge.
222. Eye of the monster by Andre Norton
This completes the omnibus The Game of Stars and Comets.
223. The work of the sun by Teresa Edgerton
Satisfies challenge #10.
224. The beekeeper's apprentice by Laurie R. King, read by Jenny Sterlin
Satisfies challenge #10.
13DisassemblyOfReason
Works read/completed during October
225. Murder in the Gunroom by H. Beam Piper, read by Anthony Wilson
226. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
Satisfies the top 75 authors challenge for October.
227. Storm Front by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters
Satisfies the top 75 authors challenge for October.
228. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters, read by Patrick Tull
229. The Candle of Distant Earth by Alan Dean Foster
230. A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne
231. Living in Threes by Judith Tarr
232. Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Eileen Stevens
233. Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Eileen Stevens
234. A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
Satisfies the top 75 authors challenge for October.
235. Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters, read by Patrick Tull
236. The Magic Shop, edited by Denise Little
237. Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett, read by ensemble cast
238. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters, read by Barbara Rosenblat
239. Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper (LibriVox recording)
240. Across the Wall and Other Stories by Garth Nix
241. Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane, read by Christina Moore
242. Last Call by Tim Powers, read by Bronson Pinchot
243. Medusa: A Tiger By the Tail by Jack L. Chalker
244. The Pirates of Ersatz by Murray Leinster
245. Abhorsen by Garth Nix, read by Tim Curry
246. Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams, read by Martin Freeman
247. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (abridged) by Lilian Jackson Braun, read by Theodore Bikel
248. The Empress of Earth by Melissa Scott
249. To Say Nothing of the Dog, or How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last by Connie Willis, read by Steven Crossley
250. The Time Traders by Andre Norton (original edition)
251. The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers, read by Simon Vance
252. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester, read by Christian Rodska
253. 1633 by Eric Flint and David Weber, read by George Guidall
254. A Logic Named Joe (collection) by Murray Leinster
255. Black Cherry Blues by James Lee Burke, read by Mark Hammer
225. Murder in the Gunroom by H. Beam Piper, read by Anthony Wilson
226. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
Satisfies the top 75 authors challenge for October.
227. Storm Front by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters
Satisfies the top 75 authors challenge for October.
228. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters, read by Patrick Tull
229. The Candle of Distant Earth by Alan Dean Foster
230. A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy by Laurence Sterne
231. Living in Threes by Judith Tarr
232. Fledgling by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Eileen Stevens
233. Saltation by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Eileen Stevens
234. A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
Satisfies the top 75 authors challenge for October.
235. Monk's Hood by Ellis Peters, read by Patrick Tull
236. The Magic Shop, edited by Denise Little
237. Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett, read by ensemble cast
238. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters, read by Barbara Rosenblat
239. Uller Uprising by H. Beam Piper (LibriVox recording)
240. Across the Wall and Other Stories by Garth Nix
241. Deep Wizardry by Diane Duane, read by Christina Moore
242. Last Call by Tim Powers, read by Bronson Pinchot
243. Medusa: A Tiger By the Tail by Jack L. Chalker
244. The Pirates of Ersatz by Murray Leinster
245. Abhorsen by Garth Nix, read by Tim Curry
246. Life, the Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams, read by Martin Freeman
247. The Cat Who Knew a Cardinal (abridged) by Lilian Jackson Braun, read by Theodore Bikel
248. The Empress of Earth by Melissa Scott
249. To Say Nothing of the Dog, or How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last by Connie Willis, read by Steven Crossley
250. The Time Traders by Andre Norton (original edition)
251. The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers, read by Simon Vance
252. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester, read by Christian Rodska
253. 1633 by Eric Flint and David Weber, read by George Guidall
254. A Logic Named Joe (collection) by Murray Leinster
255. Black Cherry Blues by James Lee Burke, read by Mark Hammer
14DisassemblyOfReason
Works read/completed during November/December
256. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, read by Graeme Malcolm
257. The wizard of Karres by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, and David Freer
258. Sunset Limited by James Lee Burke, read by Mark Hammer
259. Trade Secret by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
260. The Sorceress of Karres by Eric Flint and Dave Freer
261. Festival Moon edited by C.J. Cherryh
262. Fever Season edited by C.J. Cherryh
263. The black arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson, read by Ron Keith
264. To shield the queen by Fiona Buckley, read by Nadia May
265. 1632 by Eric Flint
266. A rescue for a queen by Fiona Buckley, read by Wanda McCaddon
267. Dodger by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
268. Queen of ambition by Fiona Buckley
269. Ring of Fire edited by Eric Flint
270. Belgarath the Sorcerer by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings, read by J.P. Linton
271. Sorceress of Darshiva by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
272. Polgara the Sorceress by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings
273. The Seeress of Kell by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
274. Star Guard by Andre Norton
275. The Birth of Britain by Winston S. Churchill, read by Christian Rodska
276. Hornblower in the West Indies by C.S. Forester, read by Christian Rodska
277. Iorich by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
278. The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster by Winston S. Churchill, read by Christian Rodska
279. Star Rangers by Andre Norton
This is the original book rather than the edited version in the omnibus Star Soldiers.
280. "Deliberations: a Foreigner short story" by C.J. Cherryh
281. The Franchise affair by Josephine Tey, read by Carole Boyd
282. "Invitations: a Foreigner short story" by C.J. Cherryh
283. His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Simon Prebble
284. A journey to the western islands of Scotland (abridged) by Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, read by Patrick Tull and Alexander Spencer
285. Precursor by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
286. Cork of the Colonies by S.S. Rafferty
287. Telzey Amberdon by James Schmitz
288. The happy return by C.S. Forester, read by Christian Rodska
289. Inheritor by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
290. T'n'T: Telzey & Trigger by James Schmitz
291. King of the Murgos by David Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
292. Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
293. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde, read by Simon Prebble
256. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham, read by Graeme Malcolm
257. The wizard of Karres by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint, and David Freer
258. Sunset Limited by James Lee Burke, read by Mark Hammer
259. Trade Secret by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, read by Kevin T. Collins
260. The Sorceress of Karres by Eric Flint and Dave Freer
261. Festival Moon edited by C.J. Cherryh
262. Fever Season edited by C.J. Cherryh
263. The black arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson, read by Ron Keith
264. To shield the queen by Fiona Buckley, read by Nadia May
265. 1632 by Eric Flint
266. A rescue for a queen by Fiona Buckley, read by Wanda McCaddon
267. Dodger by Terry Pratchett, read by Stephen Briggs
268. Queen of ambition by Fiona Buckley
269. Ring of Fire edited by Eric Flint
270. Belgarath the Sorcerer by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings, read by J.P. Linton
271. Sorceress of Darshiva by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
272. Polgara the Sorceress by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings
273. The Seeress of Kell by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
274. Star Guard by Andre Norton
275. The Birth of Britain by Winston S. Churchill, read by Christian Rodska
276. Hornblower in the West Indies by C.S. Forester, read by Christian Rodska
277. Iorich by Steven Brust, read by Bernard Setaro Clark
278. The Second World War: Milestones to Disaster by Winston S. Churchill, read by Christian Rodska
279. Star Rangers by Andre Norton
This is the original book rather than the edited version in the omnibus Star Soldiers.
280. "Deliberations: a Foreigner short story" by C.J. Cherryh
281. The Franchise affair by Josephine Tey, read by Carole Boyd
282. "Invitations: a Foreigner short story" by C.J. Cherryh
283. His Last Bow by Arthur Conan Doyle, read by Simon Prebble
284. A journey to the western islands of Scotland (abridged) by Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, read by Patrick Tull and Alexander Spencer
285. Precursor by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
286. Cork of the Colonies by S.S. Rafferty
287. Telzey Amberdon by James Schmitz
288. The happy return by C.S. Forester, read by Christian Rodska
289. Inheritor by C.J. Cherryh, read by Daniel Thomas May
290. T'n'T: Telzey & Trigger by James Schmitz
291. King of the Murgos by David Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
292. Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings, read by Cameron Beierle
293. The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde, read by Simon Prebble
