Tag: audio books

Clockwork Angel and City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

May 16, 2011 YA Books , ,

I finished the audio book of City of Fallen Angels, the 4th book in The Mortal Instruments series, 3 weeks after I posted about it’s release. That’s because I was still finishing up the first book in Cassandra Clare’s new series The Infernal Devices, Clockwork Angel. And I’m really glad I finished them in that order. I was actually working on Clockwork Angel and City of Glass (the 3rd Mortal Instruments book) at the same time. It got a little confusing keeping everything straight at times, but since there are some crossover references I’m glad to say I have now finished all of Ms. Clare’s books. And I love them.
Clockwork Angel takes place in Victorian London, about a decade after the much talked about peace treaties between Shadowhunters and Downworlders in The Mortal Instruments series. This story focuses on Tessa Gray, an orphan girl lured from New York to London to live with her ne’er-do-well brother after the death of her aunt. When she arrives in London, however, she is captured and tortured by the Dark Sisters, who reveal to her that she is a shapeshifter (an “Eidolon”). They answer to The Magister, a mysterious figure who apparently wants to marry her.

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Beastly Vs. Beastly

March 9, 2011 Movies and TV, YA Books , , , , , , ,

Last spring, trailers for the movie adaptation of Alex Finn’s Beastly started making the rounds, and I thought it looked like a fun girly summer movie. A guilty pleasure, mainly because of how much I love Beauty and the Beast. So I was looking forward to it. Then it was pushed back to March of this year, and I was so disappointed I’d have to wait 8 months! A couple of weeks ago, when it was finally getting close to its March 4th release, I listened to the audiobook so I’d really know the story and be able to compare.

I was a little underwhelmed.

It’s possible this is because of the sad realization that I am not a gooey, romanticizing teenager any more. The truth is, this book made me feel old. I know it’s for teens, yes, but good YA books transcend age groups. So do good adult books and even good children’s books (some picture books are far more relevant to adults than munchkins). But to me this one seemed stuck at an 8th grade fantasy level. Chris Patton did a great job with the narration given the circumstances, but it was tough material. The gorgeous, rich, popular boy at school realizes that looks aren’t everything and the only truly worthy girl is the shy, bookish one on scholarship. And they even get to live together in a 5-story Brooklyn brownstone free of parents in quite possibly the most improbable setup I’ve ever read. Ever. This is all so he can learn to feel and she can learn to see through the ugly to the beautiful soul underneath.

Are you rolling your eyes yet? Because I’m amazed I didn’t crash my car with all the time my eyes spent aimed at the heavens during my commute with this one. Obviously this is a modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but all it made me realize is that some fairy tales cannot be modernized. The stories are too far-fetched to be believed in this day and age. What parent turns his daughter over to a hairy monster in Brooklyn? Do news anchor fathers really make enough money to pay for swanky Manhattan apartments, lake-front summer homes, castle-sized Brooklyn brownstones, and endless credit card charges for hobbies and tutors? Shouldn’t the beast’s dad start saving for his retirement or something?

See, I’m too old.

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

February 18, 2010 Thoughts, YA Books , , ,

shiverIf I had to pick a side in the whole werewolves-vs-vampires supernatural love affair that’s taken over YA lit in the past few years, I’d have to go with werewolves. I’d rather not choose either, to be honest. Bestiality vs. necrophilia? ICK. But when it comes down to it, vampires are dead no matter what the moon’s cycle. With werewolves, at least it’s just a certain time of the month that they are an altogether different creature to steer clear of. And frankly, how many of us ladies can’t say the same thing? Plus, I know I married an Englishman, but there is such a thing as being TOO pale. And in my opinion, immortality makes those vamps awfully smug. All they do is stand around being poetic and tortured. Werewolves get stuff done. If I had a daughter who wanted to date a vampire, I’d be afraid that she’d die of ennui. If she was dating a werewolf, I’d be confident that at the very least he could change a tire.

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Richard Hammond’s Books

April 3, 2009 Grownup Books, Movies and TV , , , ,

ontheedgeThe past week or so I’ve taken a break from listening to YA audio books and reading children’s books to try something different. I listened to the audio books for On the Edge and As You Do by Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond. He reads both of the books (and his wife reads part of one), and they were quick and fantastic listens.

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Audio Book Problems

July 1, 2008 Thoughts , ,

I have a 60 mile round trip commute every day, so I listen to a great number of audio books in the car. I love them, and they help me use my time to stay frosty with the books that are out there. But lately I’ve been incredibly frustrated because almost every one I check out from the library skips. At first I thought it was just Listening Library books, but now I’ve had problems with Recorded Books, too. I check the books out from work, and they skip like crazy. And not just those at my branch. Any branch.

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