Read To Me | Mid-Columbia Libraries

Thunderhead

Preston, Douglas J.

From the Publisher

On an abandoned Santa Fe ranch a young archaeologist finds a letter written sixteen years earlier yet, mysteriously, mailed only recently. In it her father, long believed dead, hints at a lost city of gold that will make him famous-and rich. Now Nora Kelly is leading an expedition into a harsh, remote corner of Utah's canyon country. Searching for her father and his discovery, Nora begins to unravel one of archaeology's greatest mysteries.

My Thoughts

The reader for this book–and many of their earlier titles–is Scott Brick. I haven’t found a book yet that isn’t made better when read by Scott. He really shines with mystery adventures such as this one. With a mysterious treasure hunt, a charismatic New York reporter, and enough history lessons to leave you questioning what’s real and fiction, this story is one that draws you in and doesn’t let go.

Artemis Fowl

Colfer, Eoin.

From the Publisher

From a strikingly original voice in fiction comes the story of Artemis Fowl, a very unusual hero. Artemis combines the astuteness of Sherlock Holmes with the sangfroid of James Bond and the attitude of Attila the Hun. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories. These fairies are armed and they're dangerous. Artemis thinks he's got them just where he wants them, but then they stop...

My Thoughts

This has been one of my favorite audiobooks for a long time. I'm pretty sure my family wore out a copy of it once. Nathaniel Parker makes these characters larger than life, even though the majority of them are smaller than the twelve year old leading boy. The play on leprechauns, and their pot of gold, made this book a winner from the start.

A discovery of witches

Harkness, Deborah E., 1965-

From the Publisher

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery, so she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library.

My Thoughts

I’m not generally a fan of audiobooks read by women; they tend to force their voices too deep when pretending to be men, and it takes me out of the story. Jennifer Ikeda does not do that. She can flow between male and female characters with ease, and does a lovely French accent. This book is all about magic and the power of love in all its forms. Featuring witches, vampires, and a fair amount of history, there is something new I appreciate from it every time I listen.

Skipping Christmas

Grisham, John.

From the Publisher

Imagine a year without Christmas. No crowded malls, no corny office parties, no fruitcakes, no unwanted presents. That's just what Luther and Nora Krank have in mind when they decide that, just this once, they'll skip the holiday altogether. Theirs will be the only house on Hemlock Street without a rooftop Frosty; they won't be hosting their annual Christmas Eve bash; they aren't even going to have a tree. They won't need one, because come December 25 they're setting sail on a Caribbean cruise....

My Thoughts

A very quick audiobook, I get this one every November to help get me in the holiday spirit. Dennis Boutsikaris is just the right reader for this book. There are no frills or excitement, but all the characters come to life. With a good old fashioned rivalry helping to spur conflict along, some classic Christmas carols and the magic of a first snowfall, there’s a little something for everyone in this holiday tale.

The Lost World

Crichton, Michael.

From the Publisher

It is now six years since the secret disaster at Jurassic Park, six years since the extraordinary dream of science and imagination came to a crashing end?the dinosaurs destroyed, the park dismantled, the island indefinitely closed to the public. There are rumors that something has survived. . . .

My Thoughts

Another one read by Scott Brick, I was curious just how this would hold up to the movie. While book Malcolm isn't Jeff Goldblum, he's still a very entertaining character that certainly deserved having this book written. With a larger and more dynamic cast than the movie, and far more dinosaurs, it's a must read for everyone who ever wondered what John Hammond's park would really be like.

The case of the one-eyed killer stud horse

Erickson, John R., 1943-

From the Publisher

Things aren't going very well for Hank when Tuerto the Killer Stud Horse breaks free. When Tuerto charges Little Alfred's cousins, Amy and Ashley, Hank knows that he has to protect the girls, even if it means risking his own life.

My Thoughts

This is another holiday favorite of mine and my family. Read by the author, he brings all the characters to life wonderfully. This particular tale takes place at Thanksgiving, and, when just about everything that could go wrong seems to happen, a few more things fall apart before a happy ending. "Hank the Cowdog” stories also feature songs!

Better than Fiction

Martin, Alexa

From the Publisher

One of Buzzfeed’s New Romances to Read This Fall! Love isn’t always by the book in this charming romantic comedy about a bookseller discovering how to be the main character in her story. As a self-proclaimed book hater and a firm believer that the movie is always better, Drew Young didn’t anticipate inheriting her grandma’s bookstore, the Book Nook. She’s in way over her head even before the shop’s resident book club, comprising seven of the naughtiest old ladies ever, begin to do...

My Thoughts

Alexa Martin is becoming a top author for me, especially for her audiobooks. Despite every book having a different reader, her voice still comes through so strong and is a complete delight to listen to. They're cute, low stakes drama, and fun books with guaranteed happy endings. This one added in a book theme, which was so wonderful.

Twisted Games

Huang, Ana

From the Publisher

Stoic, broody, and arrogant, elite bodyguard Rhys Larsen has two rules: 1) Protect his clients at all costs 2) Do not become emotionally involved. Ever. He has never once been tempted to break those rules . . . until her. Bridget von Ascheberg. A princess with a stubborn streak and a hidden fire that reduces his rules to ash. She's nothing he expected and everything he never knew he needed. Day by day, inch by inch, she breaks down his defenses until he's faced with a truth he can no longer...

My Thoughts

Rhys Larsen, a tortured soul of a bodyguard, is everything I love in a book boyfriend. This is an updated take on the classic pairing of knight and princess. Step aside Genovia, the princess of Eldorra is in town.

A Merry Little Meet Cute

Murphy, Julie

From the Publisher

Cowritten by #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone—a steamy plus-size holiday rom-com about an adult film star who is semi-accidentally cast as a lead in a family-friendly Christmas movie, and the former bad-boy pop star she falls in love with. Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn't ask for more. But when Bee's favorite...

My Thoughts

This book nearly made me blush a few times as I listened. Sierra Simone brings her signature filthy notes and pushes boundaries, while Julie Murphy guarantees it stays light enough. This book is sex positive, body positive, all kinds of positive. I cannot get the sequels soon enough.