little chickadee Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 As many of you will know from previous posts, I suffer from M.E and am unable to read books as my eyes get incredibly tired and I get terrible headaches. I am, however a real bookworm and listen to a lot of unabridged audio books. My problem is that if I ever see a book I like the look of, I search the local library website and often find out that it is not available as an audio book (has to be cd too, as I find the hiss of tapes very destracting and tiring) I wondered if you good folk could help me out, by posting any really good books you've read which happen to be available at my local library!! I get tired searching through to see if they are available. The website is here http://sld.suffolkcc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/vps2.5_viewpoint.sh?session_no=&enqtype=PHRASE As long as it's available in Suffolk, I can order it. Thankyou in advance for your kindness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Hi, What style of book do you like ? Have you tried Alex McCall Smith ? I did a search and it looks like most/all his books are on CD at your library. There's the 1st Ladies Detective Agency set of books but also 44 Scotland Street. I haven't read any others of his but I would expect the style of book to work well as spoken word. As I think of other books I'll take a look. Patricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I love Patricia Cornwell, if you are into forensic science. There are a couple of hers on CD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 The kite runner by Khaled Hosseini, two caravans byMarina Lewycka, The Birthday Boys by Beryl Bainbridge There you go 3 for starters. All very different but I have enjoyed reading them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I have just read Chocolat by Joanne Harris which I enjoyed. That's available on CD. They also seem to have a few Marian Keyes books available on CD, I have enjoyed reading most of her books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Yes, Chocolat is fab I am re reading all of Phillipa Gregorys Tudor Court books, in historical order rather than published order at the moment - fantastic Are you on Facebook? If so,if we are not friends already,look me up (pm me for my full name if you like), & on my page I have a huge long list of my favourite books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KateP Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I am re reading all of Phillipa Gregorys Tudor Court books, in historical order rather than published order at the moment - fantastic I'm reading The Other Boleyn Girl at the moment which is really good, I think I will buy more of her books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clash City Rocker Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I listened to Nick Hornby "a long way down" on audio book while on holiday, a very funny book, (though I no longer have a copy). I also have on my ipod "Round Ireland with a fridge" by Tony Hawkes and "Grumpy Old Men" from the TV series. If you want copies of them on CD's PM me your address and I'll send you them clash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrishY Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 I did a search and there are lots of Terry Pratchetts discworld series on audio such as witches abroad, mort, carpe jugulum, lords and ladies, etc. I have read them and really enjoyed them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrishY Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 just did another search and there are the agatha raisin books too. It was a serial on radio 4 and I then read the books - I enjoyed them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Dodie Smith I Capture the Castle is available on cassette. Anything by Daphne du Maurier - I put her in the author search and nothing came up but Rebecca is on CD. I have a few more suggestions but am working at the moment and can't think of the titles. (I have got your pm - will reply when have had a chance to speak to OH....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Whoops just saw that you don't like tapes....I should read more carefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Have sussed out the search now - you have to put the surname first Wilkie Collins The Woman in White and the Moonstone Some of the books/authors I want to recommend are not available on CD (Zola, Mary Webb, Edith Wharton) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scary Mary Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Mark Gimenez, is a little like an early John Grisham, the colour of Law was his first book and really good - almost worth persevering with tapes for..but his second one is on CD on your list My usual taste is for murder/thrillers - but not too nasty (especially with children) -if that's your style I'll hunt out some more authors on the list Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 13, 2008 Author Share Posted April 13, 2008 OOh - Thanks everyone keep them coming! I like most types of books and like to "read" varied styles - anything from Historical, thrillers, chick lit, classics, horror etc etc. I'll keep a note of everything suggested and get ordering from the library. Luckily I get them free, or I'd end up spending sooooo much money! recently I've listened to Pride and Prejudice (fabulous audio version from naxos) The Time Traveler's wife (I can't recommend this highly enough) Just finished "Labyrinth" by Kate Mosse and have just started "The Island" by Victoria Hislop I've been looking up the Richard and Judy reading lists, as these are such big sellers that they have often been made into audio books Thanks again. I'm finding the Omlet Book club really interesting, and luckily everything from the list has been available so far on cd from the library. I thought I had Bel Canto on the computer, but have just found out I havn't so have had to re-order it. Hopefully I'll be able to listen again before the end of the month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 I've already read a fair few on the list so that shows we're on the same track!!! I've already read "The moonstone", Chocolat, all the Marian Keyes books, round Ireland with a fridge, Agatha Raisin & I capture the castle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 Don't dismiss some childrens fiction of which there are quite a few in audio book form available from libraries. All of the Harry Potter books are well read by Stephen Fry. Michael Murpurgo (sp) has a good selection of older fiction including War Horse which is a good long book and a really moving story, we told our neighbours about it when they were off on a long drive and they said they were in tears at the end of it and they are both nearly 80. We listen to quite a few audio books when we are travelling. The book people do a few good boxed sets like the Penguin Classics both adult and childrens ones and all of the Alex Ryder series which are pretty good light adventure entertainment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 14, 2008 Author Share Posted April 14, 2008 Don't dismiss some childrens fiction of which there are quite a few in audio book form available from libraries. All of the Harry Potter books are well read by Stephen Fry. quote] I've listened to the whole Harry Potter series from start to finish with my daughter. It was a wonderful time we shared while we were doing that. I'd actually "read" the first 4 before, but it was lovely revisiting them. I do often get kids stuff out tto share with her. I've also recently listened to all the Roald Dahl stories (book people!) with my son. He absolutely loves them and I've had a lovely time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I quite like Cecelia Ahern books, they're a bit better than standard chick lit! Jeeves and Wooster are quite entertaining when on tape-better than actually reading them! Sue Townsend books are good too-I especially like Queen Camilla Hope that helps a little bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 How about Maeve Binchy or Rosamund Pilcher? Gervaise Phinn also reads his own books exceedingly well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 If you like historical, how about Georgette Heyer? Her books are often dismissed as 'period romance' but in fact they are very well-written, with great characters and were very thoroughly researched so the language and detail is historically accurate. I'm a big GH fan - I've never heard one of hers read out loud but I should think it would be very entertaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 17, 2008 Author Share Posted April 17, 2008 Due to this thread and the one about people's favourite books, I've got waiting for me at the library............... Rebecca - Daphe Du maurier (Tina C) Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold Three Men in a Boat - Jerome K Jerome Two caravans - Marina Lewycka and on order............ Five people you meet in heaven Country Child - Alison Utley Other Boleyn girl - Philippa Gregory (Cinnamon I think) I also got through the post a load of cds from Clash City Rocker - cheers! I've kept a list of all the recommendations, keep them coming if you think of something else. I'm "reading" Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones at the moment I've enjoyed everything I've read from the Richard and Judy list so far Looking forward to my new books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 what was the one by alan bennett about the queen and the library bus.. It's excellent, and he reads it too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 The Uncommon Reader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 18, 2008 Author Share Posted April 18, 2008 what was the one by alan bennett about the queen and the library bus.. It's excellent, and he reads it too Oh yes, I've listened to that Freddie (The Uncommon Reader) It was brilliant. It felt like it was much longer than 2 cds as it was so well rounded to fit within that time frame. I guess that's what you get for being a playwright! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
