Why is it so good?

  • @[email protected]
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    210 months ago

    Robert Caro’s “The Power Broker.”

    There’s also a 50-year anniversary, 12-part, 99% Invisible series diving into it. Looking forward to listening to those alongside each section.

  • Admiral Patrick
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    410 months ago

    Not listening to it at the moment, but I listened-through my Alastair Reynolds audiobook collection recently.

    Aside from the quality of the stories (love me some good hard sci-fi), all of the audiobooks were narrated by the same guy. Several of the books are part of a series, and the narrator did a pretty good job, though not perfect, of using the same voices between books for all of the recurring characters.

  • @[email protected]
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    1310 months ago

    I’m listening to the Bobiverse again because the fifth book came out recently. The universe, pun intended, was really interesting and the entire idea of digital people is fun to think about while doing chores.

      • @[email protected]
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        310 months ago

        Just finished book three myself and found myself really relating to the bobs and their feelings of loss.

        • @[email protected]
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          210 months ago

          Every time I relisten I a gutted around that point. Very impactful character development, such a painful loss to move through and explored so well. Honestly one of the most emotionally impactful novels I have read possibly because of how much I enjoyed the differing Bobs bouncing of each other and finding equilibrium. I’ve listened to the first 4 around 5 times through and book 5 twice now, honestly on the edge of my seat for book 6.

  • Lovable Sidekick
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    310 months ago

    Confederacy of Dunces, read by Artie Johnson. I’ve read and listened to it at least a dozen times. Johnson really puts a lot into his reading of it.

  • @[email protected]
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    910 months ago

    I’m currently listening to Livesuit by James SA Corey. It’s part of their new series that released this year called The Captives War. It’s a Novella/Interquel pretty typical of their release style.

    It takes place in an incredibly unknowably distant future for humanity. We follow a squad of Livesuit infantry who have fused their bodies with technology to fight an unfathomable legion of alien conquerors. An enemy that has never lost a war then uses the best traits of conquered races to continue their war.

    Why it’s so good is because the author(s) have an incredible way of describing people and the world they interact with. Images are vivd and believable. While being so alien, and futuristic Corey manages to write a world you can imagine yourself in.

    Additionally, their novellas always take place in the same world, but are completely stand alone stories from the main series so the depth of world building is just… chef’s kiss

    Both writers were originally working on writing RPGs and TTRPGs so their style just brings me back to sitting at a table with friends, some drinks and a Character Sheet for a hopeful lvl 3 wizard.

    • @[email protected]
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      110 months ago

      Read the first book, wasn’t impressed yet, I think it’s just so different than the expanse.

      Also not a lot of room for setting, they’re kind of stuck until the plot shifts. Overall depressing too.

  • @[email protected]
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    1310 months ago

    11-22-63 by myself and The Hail Mary Project with my wife.

    I just finished listening to all 14 Honor Harrington novels.

    • @[email protected]
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      610 months ago

      I’ve listened to 11-22-63 three or four times now, such a great book! I like most of Kings work though.

    • @[email protected]
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      210 months ago

      Does the Hail Mary narration get better? I listened to a sample and the child’s voice in the beginning was like nails on a chalkboard to me.

      • @[email protected]
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        610 months ago

        Yeah, the children are only for setting some of the scene, but they come back for a few short (like less than 5 minute) scenes. The easiest solution is double speed, it is extremely listenable with that small change and well worth the effort.

  • @[email protected]
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    210 months ago

    Not currently listening but thinking about going back for a third time around soon to Mike Bennett’s Underwood and Finch books.

    They are a modern day vampire tale that now has a prequel book covering origins back in the 1800’s of the main character as well as a couple of sequels that continue the story on. When I first got into it there was only the first book and then my second listen through I followed it with a prequel then a sequel so this time I’d like to do it a bit more in order chronologically.

    It is basically about a guy whose family have always been this vampires guardian / helpers but he was never aware, his brother dies who was the person that should be taking over the position upon the vampire awaking from a 50 year sleep and so he inherits the position and is dragged into this world he knew nothing about.

    It is really well written and read by the author himself, I dont think it is very well known but if you like the whole nosferatu schtick I can highly recommend it!

  • @[email protected]
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    710 months ago

    Dungeon Crawler Carl 4, The Gate of the Feral Gods by Matthew Dinniman. Its just good fun and the sound effects are amazing. Though I think Carl sounds too old for a 27 year old.

    It has also been a good break after Pet Sematary by Stephen King.

  • @[email protected]
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    810 months ago

    Best audio book I’ve listened to… Dungeon Crawler Carl. Great story. Amazing audio book production.

    • @[email protected]
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      510 months ago

      God that series it’s so good, I love the growth the characters have and the voice actor is great.

      Another amazing one is The wandering Inn. Similar genres and a fucking amazing voice actress. The world building is top notch and they do something that not a lot of books do, they account for time really well. Lots of series just sorta skim through and you find yourself not being sure what the time line looks like. It’s pretty easy to follow the time line in this.

  • @[email protected]
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    310 months ago

    Mariette Lindsteins “Pako Kultista” (or Lång väg hem Mina 25 år i sekten) that tells of her life in the scientology cult, almost finished it. Couldn’t find if it had an English translation. It’s chilling to listen to how the members are thoroughly abused, controlled and forced to become husks of themselves.

  • @[email protected]
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    210 months ago

    I’m reading James Michener’Alaska, and it’s a fantastic story. It is a very well crafted character drama and it has excellent pacing.

    I just read Cormac McCarthy’The Road and it was also an incredible read, though it kind of crushed me emotionally for a while afterwards!

    • @[email protected]
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      410 months ago

      I think everyone that wishes for the fall of civilization should have to read The Road - That was a bleak story.

  • slazer2au
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    310 months ago

    Currently listening to Starter Villain

    Guy inherited his “billionaire” estranged uncles “parking garage” business, only for his ancillary businesses to be more interesting.

  • @[email protected]
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    210 months ago

    I’m relistening to Max Brooks’ “Zombie Survival Guide” while commuting and High Howey’s “Dust” (from the Silo trilogy) when I can focus. I managed to listen to 15 books this year so far, and I am really proud of myself for that. :)

  • SybilVane
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    410 months ago

    Someone You Can Build a Nest In.

    A funny little romance as told from the point of view of the monster terrorizing a town. She tries her best to woo a human and actually is a pretty supportive partner. It’s so weird and I love it.

  • @[email protected]
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    410 months ago

    There’s a podcast done by a well known Tolkien nerd in which he reads The Silmarillion and explains it along the way. I’ve been slowly making my way through it while driving to work and falling asleep.