We are right up against the official kickoff of summer. And you know what that means? That’s right. ROAD TRIPS!!! Woohoo! I don’t particularly love driving long distances, but if I do, I find it ever so much more enjoyable to pass the time with an audio book. See if one of these will keep you on the road.
One of my favorite things in audio books is when a good reader can share a new language with me. While I know a lot of words in many languages, I do not consider myself multi-lingual. Also, most of my learning comes from reading, so I have no idea how to pronounce things in Chinese, for example. This is a coming of age story, set in the pop culture of 90’s New York of Young Wang, first born of Chinese immigrant parents. I was in high school in the 90’s (don’t judge), so I appreciated that part of it. The print version didn’t work for me, but the audio was great. It helped me get into the story more. Check it out today and see what you think.
This is the first book in the Las Leonas trilogy (so far) that sees powerful Caribbean women taking Europe by storm. The first book features Santa Domingan Luz Alana visiting the Exposition Universelle in Paris to sell her family’s rum - Cana Brava. Tempers flair when Scottish whiskey distiller, James Sinclair, tries to take over her table. This was a fun story about a time period that I am not the most familiar with. The reader on this book was great - she had to do a Santa Domingan accent as well as a Scottish brogue and she did them with seeming ease. Like I mentioned, this is part of a trilogy, so I can’t wait to see where it goes next. Hopefully we’ll get to keep this same reader because she was awesome. The second title is An Island Princess Starts a Scandal and the third is A Tropical Rebel Get the Duke. That way if you have a really long trip, these three will get you through.
This is the second book in the Dark Olympus series by Katee Robert. It reimagines what life is like when Olympus resides in the real world. This is the story of Eros and Psyche - both of whom I thought were great characters. Is this book a little spicy? Yes - so probably not family friendly. It is also well written and captivating? Also yes. If you’re a completist (like me), start with the first book - Neon Gods, which features Hades and Persephone. But I thought this second one was better. Also, there are lots more that follow (that I haven’t read yet), so let’s get this new series started.
I was not ready for this one. I thought it was going to be a fun story about the art world, but ended up with more ghosts than I was ready for. When Cuban artist, Anita de Monte, outshines her artist husband at his own show, she mysteriously falls out of their apartment window (or gets pushed) and her art disappears into the past. That is until college student Raquel discovers her works and opens the world back up to Anita. There were a couple places in this one that got a little dark for me, but I couldn’t help but root for Anita and I very much enjoyed the part where she attacks her husband and his new lover as a bat. The reader did great and this one really pulled me into the story.
I would totally remiss if I didn’t mention my husband’s favorite audio book of all time. He doesn’t want to listen to this one on every road trip, but it’s on the docket for a majority. Basic premise: Gamer Kid faces evil multinational corporation in the ultimate online Easter egg hunt. This one also has a sequel (Ready Player Two), but the first book is the best.
Ok friends. Those are my picks for this summer season. Gas up the car. Fill up the cooler and let’s head out to parts unknown (or known, whatever). Just be sure to check out a great audio book to get you there and back. Drive safe!
Happy listening…
:) Amanda
