I Can’t Keep These
Audiobooks to Myself – Authors Whose Last Names Begin With “I”
Author's note: A couple of years ago, my library system added blog posts to our website. Many of the posts were short collections of book reviews, often following a theme. I tried writing a few of these, but never felt like I could keep up with the thought-provoking themes of my librarian colleagues. It was a good challenge, a growth opportunity, and I was honored to have been selected to write for our site. After a few successes, and several wadded-up-and-thrown-in-the-trashcan failures, I realized that what I needed was my old writing partner to get me going again. Enter Polo!
All of the books reviewed here are available as downloadable audiobooks.
Thanks to our current socially distant and economically uncertain situation, Polo and I have become even more particular about the kinds of audiobooks we choose. Escapism is our current jam. We hope you enjoy these suggestions.
William Inge
This is an LA Radio Works full-cast recording. These productions are well done, reminiscent of old-time radio drama but without the distraction of scratchy analog technology. (Listen also to Seven Days in May, by Charles W. Bailey II – another LARW production featuring Ed Asner.) Everything about these shows puts you right into their settings. Fun listening!
Polo’s reaction: There’s a snowstorm
raging outside. I hurt my paws once by staying in snow too long. I’d be next to
these people, stuck in the diner, for sure – especially with food!
Greg Iles
There’s sex, significant violence, racism, but good suspense. Racism, set in the Deep South (with a visit to Wyoming), story unearths old secrets with ongoing consequences.
Polo’s thoughts: This was
scary and too hot and also too cold. Many people who were not nice. I’m glad I
live right here.
Catherine Isaac
Again, there's sex, but real-life feel to the characters’ moral dilemmas. Opening scene is boyfriend not making it to his son’s birth. Grandma has HD, and this develops into bigger story arc. Well done. If you like Jojo Moyes, you’ll relate to this book.
Polo’s response: I would like
to take the boy home with me. He could use the love of a good dog, but he does
have some great family behind him.
Clare Mackintosh
(We were running out of author names beginning with “I” so we looked at titles. I considered doing a whole post on books with this specific title, but that would just be overly confusing.)
Gripping psychological thriller read by British-accented narrator. Something we could sink our teeth into! Britain's CCTV is meant to help fight crime, but what happens if someone hacks the system to commit crime? The victims are easy targets if the villain can see them.
Polo’s take: I will not live
in a big city, ever. I will not ride in a subway, ever. No wonder these people
had fear!
