REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - full cast audio

 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: JK Rowling

Leading into spooky season, I decided to revisit Hogwarts through this full-cast audio book series. While Harry Potter isn't scary, there are some horror elements. I mean.....he-who-shall-not-be-named is pretty creepy. 

This series has so much nostalgic and happy feelings for me. I read the first few books outloud to my son in the late 90s. Watched all the movies. Stood in line at midnight to get the last two books on release day just for the experience. :) 

I don't much like some of the author's personal opinions....but I love these characters. 

The full cast and sound effects enrich the story. These audio books are also unabridged, so nothing is missing. 

Hugh Laurie is amazing as Dumbledore!  

Goblet of Fire is my favorite book out of the series, so I really enjoyed listening!  

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - full cast audio

 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - full cast audio
Author: JK Rowling

I am loving the full-cast audio books for this series. Hugh Laurie makes a great Dumbledore! And, the rest of the cast is also superb. I also like the added sound effects. Very immersive!

The story is unabridged, so nothing is missing.  

I listen while I do housework. While I knit. On breaks at work. Anytime I can! So I'm finding myself listening my way through this series faster than I thought I would. 

I always enjoy revisiting books that have a feel-good, nostalgic vibe for me. 

I highly recommend the full-cast audio! It's well done, and a very enjoyable listening experience.  

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - full cast audio

 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - full cast audio
Author: JK Rowling

I'm enjoying my re-visit to Hogwarts. 

The full-cast audio versions are wonderful! Great casting and the sound effects really add to the story. 

I'm finding myself binge listening. I can't help it!

These are very nostalgic, feel-good stories for me, even when the books start getting really dark towards the end of the series. 

Very enjoyable listening! Highly recommended! 

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Full Cast audio

 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Full cast audio
Author: JK Rowling

I'm revisiting this series on audio book, mostly because I really wanted to hear Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore. 

I don't much care for some of the author's opinions, but the book series still has a nostalgia vibe for me. I remember reading the first books out loud to my oldest son back in the late 90s. And standing in line at midnight on release day to get the final two books. :) 

So, while I don't really like JK Rowling, I love her characters. 

I'm listening to this series again ahead of the upcoming TV series and I just felt like re-visiting old friends at Hogwarts.  

The full cast version is amazing! I really enjoyed this!

It is also unabridged, so none of the story or narration is missing in this full-cast audio version. 

 

REVIEW: The Skeleton Takes a Bow

 The Skeleton Takes a Bow
Author: Leigh Perry

I love this series. 

The premise isn't believable....but I don't care. It's just too much fun!  

Adjunct Professor Georgia Thackery's best friend is dead. Well, dead and not dead at the same time. Sid is a skeleton. A skeleton that can walk and talk. And, he's been her bestie since she was a little girl and first met him. 

Georgia, her daughter Madison, and Sid seem to always end up in strange situations. How can you not with a living skeleton as a buddy? 

This time, Sid finally gets out of the house and is playing a part in Madison's high school production of Hamlet. He plays....the skull, of course. 

But then......there's a murder. 

And, they are on the case! 

I started reading this book again ages ago so put it on my Currently Reading list at Goodreads. But it kept getting sidelined by other things ..... new releases, trying to finish my Agatha Christie Reading Challenge (which I finally did this year!), etc etc. 

I checked out the audio book version from my local library (Hoopla is awesome sauce!) and finally can check this book off my Currently Reading list! 

I'm not a big fan of the audio book narrator. For me, she has a very nasally voice and reads at an odd pace. But once I got into the story, I found my listening groove. 

Great story. Love these characters and the premise. 

And, this book officially kicks off my spooky reading season. There is a skeleton in it -- it counts! 

I'm moving on to book 3 in this series! This is part of my quest to read / re-read the physical books on my shelves and then donate them to charity. Making shelf space!!  

REVIEW: A Parade of Horribles

 A Parade of Horribles
Author: Matt Dinniman

I will just admit it.

I love this series. 

I have read my way through the books and listened to the audio books several times. 

I'm on a couple online groups. 

I make Dungeon Crawler Carl jokes.

I have pulled multiple people into the fandom. 

I say Hi Zevvvvvv to anybody I see reading one of the books. 

Yes. I am a DCC fan. 

[I may have even ordered a sticker for my car, and I am usually a NO-stickers-on-my-car person. "Carl, you know how I feel about stickers...."] 

Why? 

This series is fun. It's got comedy, adventure, sci-fi, pop culture references.....I just like it.  

In this day and age where everything just seems to turn to shit and everybody is bashing everyone else.....

I needed this. 

Off with the news. On with Carl and Princess Donut. 

I even bought matching hardbacks. And I have all the audiobooks on my phone within easy distance at all times. 

It's a cult. It has to be. :) 

I need some deco for my Carl bookshelf now.....

Read it. You know you want to. 

Read it already?  Let's talk! :)  

As for this 8th book in the series, I had my copy delivered on release day. I had Shirley Temple powdered drink mix ready and chilled 7Up. I put my phone on do-not-disturb. Told everyone to leave me alone. And binge read this puppy. 

Loved it!  Can't wait to find out what happens next! 

 

 

REVIEW: Campfire Stories - Vol 1 - Things that Go Bump in the Night

 Campfire Stories Vol. 1 - Things that Go Bump in the Night
Author: William Forgey

I bought this book years ago at a library sale. And, when I moved in 2022, it packed up in a box with other used books I had on hand. It stayed there. 

Until a couple months ago. 

I found a box in the closet that had been forgotten. Books. Lots of books. 

I love creepy ghost stories. The kind you tell around a campfire. The kind that make you leave your tent at 2 am and go sleep in the truck because you are too creeped out to sleep outside. :) 

This book had a different set up than I expected. 

Forgey includes tips/tricks and basic instructions for scout / camp leaders who are going to entertain campers with spooky tales. As a storyteller myself, I loved his insights and wisdom. It added some fun to reading the stories. 

The tales aren't all spooky...some are more mysteries or interesting. None are age inappropriate for scouts or middle school age campers. 

Or, an adult snuggled up on her couch with the dog and a cup of tea. 

Fun book! 

This one may be out of print. I got mine at a library sale. 

As a physician, Forgey also writes Wilderness Survival and Medicine handbooks. Very cool!