I always have a ton of volumes going at once, but at the moment, I'm on huge kicks of Agatha Christie and Wodehouse (such security blankets for me). But last night I started The Red House, by A.A. Milne (yes, he of Winnie-the-Pooh fame). So far, it's of the typical 1920s/30s English Country House Murder genre, but there's something of the same delightful, lighthearted, bedtime story tone of the WTP books about it. Plus, I'm listening to it on audiobook, and there's something comforting about being read to.

Well, I'm looking for something new and that Milne sounds fabulous!

My budget has no room for new books, but I think I'll hit the library!

I wonder if it's sort of obscure? I'd never heard of it; just stumbled across it on audible.com. It had sort of bad reviews/star rankings, but I suspect that they're probably from snotty people who consider themselves Classic Crime Scholars. (Well, I stick to the period stuff, so I suppose in a way I'm snotty too, but heck, you really can't beat any between-the-Wars-Country-House-Murder actually written during the era.)

I used to be a snob about audiobooks and thought they were just for people who couldn't read. Then I had a kid. Poof! Just like that all those hours and hours of personal time vanished. Unfortunately my list of library holds did not shrink accordingly. I used to be able to get away with reading two or three books a week (at least) but now if I get fifteen minutes her and there, I'm lucky.

So I did it.

I borrowed an AUDIOBOOK! (Dun dun DUUUUUN!) And I played it during my 45 minute commute to work every day!

And it was GOOD.

Well, I've always liked audiobooks, because, as I said, I like being read to -- and it's a concept that was always around in my house, because my older sister is blind, so I used to listen to her Talking Books with her when I was a kid, as well as her regular audiobooks. The bad thing is that until recently (save for services for the blind) most audiobooks were abridged. But not so, these days. (Or sometimes there's a choice between the two, with different narrators.)

Lately, for me, they've been a godsend, because due so a yet-to-be-diagnosed illness, I literally am unable to read Actual Books, which is absolute torture. Without audiobooks, I'd seriously be Up The Creek.

Incidently, Talking Books are now available not only to the blind, but to those who have learning disabilities, especially helpful for dyslexia. Of course, you have to have documentation, and all that, but it's made a world of difference to several people I know. (You can request to have your textbooks and such recorded)

Hi all,

Well, count me the feast or famine side. I got three library holds in last week, so now I'm swamped....and darn it, why do I have to sleep? I get all set up with my book and BAM! I wake up at 2:30 in the morning wondering what happened!

In any event, here's my hot list:

The Archer Files by Ross MacDonald.

A compilation of Lew Archer, private investigator. I've heard so much about this author I thought I would give it a shot.

The Black Lizard Big Book of Pulps

Reprints from golden era, including illustrations. Marlowe, if you see this, have you read this one yet? The one story I've read is just super.

I am almost done with Watership Down by Richard Adams. I will probably start The Plague Dogs nest but I have some Non Fiction I would like to read. Just finished Kurt Vonnegut's A Man Without A Country and want to read it about 10 more times.

I'm not reading anything vintage at the moment.

Hopscotch & Handbags by Lucy Mangan
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

I'm re-reading TOM SAWYER right now. I thought my son might enjoy reading it for school since it's so fantastically boyish and he's nearly 10. But now a few chapters in I realize the school might have an issue with some of the words. Strike might. They definitely would.

I'm also about to start on MADEMOISELLE BOLEYN which is a (fictional) account of Anne Boleyn's time at the French court. I'll read absolutely anything about her.

I'm babysitting 9 month old twin girls during the days so I dont have too much time to read but I squeeze it in where I can (usually while they're sleeping!).

As far as audio books, I love them! I used to have an hour and a half commute each way and listening to Harry Potter was the only thing that got me through it!!

I've been reading "romances" from the late 20s. Butterfly and The Seagull.

The local libraries are very small (as befits a small state, I suppose), but their interlibrary loan system is superb.

I just go to the Providence Public Library site & do searches for authors, etc., and request lots of things.

On Friday I picked up some Kathleen Norris books. Sappy as can be, but very amusing. She was a talented writer.

I'm reading The Good Earth right now. I can't believe I never had to read it in school, but there you go. Mostly I just wanted to know if what people said about it was true; that it didn't deserve a Pulitzer. So far, I think they're right, but its entertaining anyhow, and Pearl Buck lived just a few miles away from here. It's also something I've always been interested in- rural China.

[quote="lindydiva"]

BygoneKnits wrote:

I am also reading a John Dickson Carr (under Carter Dickson) which I'm finding very amusing. Honore, you'd love it. It was written in the 30s, and yes--there's a country house. Of course it opens in London. I'll have to get the title when I get home, and post it.

Thanks, that would be great -- I've never actually read him, although I keep meaning to.

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Forgot to take a look at the book last night; I'll try to remember tonight.

Last night I picked up (and finished) a Stephanie Plum between-the-numbers (author: Janet Evanovich). Pure New Jersey camp, as usual!

Also, The Lost Equation, about the mathematics of symetry.