Gather 'Round the Sound

Book 75 is Gather 'Round the Sound by Audible.

With the byline "Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe" and a price tag of free, this was an enjoyable listen of just over an hour.

My favourites were An Aussie Night Before Christmas read by Magda Szubanski and The Signal-man by Charles Dickens.

If you have the time then do listen to this.

4 improv carols out of 5.

Should I read this? Read it just for the two I mentioned and everything else is a bonus.
What did I learn? Charles Dickens was scary.

Daughters of Dragons

Book 41 of 2017 is Daughter of Dragons from The Legacy of Dragons series by Jack Campbell.

Consumed this as an audio book, read by the always enjoyable MacLeod Andrews. Yes, I'm now following him on Instagram. Must be something to do with being read to bed each night.

Didn't realise that this was about the daughter of the protagonist from The Dragons of Dorcastle which I read in mid-2015 and didn't love. This is about her whiny daughter who I can compliment on growing up faster than her mother did.

The one reason I like this more is the Earth connection. It's like reading a meta version of the previous series.

Don't go out of your way for this but if you like Young Adult novels, you may enjoy it.

3.5 stamp collections out of 5.

Should I read this? Maybe if you like young adult lit and dragons.
What did I learn? Writers have a voice and accent.

The Butterfly Effect

Book 40 of 2017 is The Butterfly Effect by Jon Ronson.

Still working on my audio book journey. I usually get distracted while doing other things and have to keep going back to listen multiple times. This book kept me interested through the whole three hours.

Something that I thought would be seedy and one-sided took a path of discovery and naturally resulted in no conclusion other than that tech changed the world.

This is very much worth the listen. Seven seasons in the style of Serial, executed with respect.

5 stamp collections out of 5.

Should I read this? Absolutely.
What did I learn? You may change the world and never realise how much is beyond just making money.

A Brief History of Holiday Music

Book 69 of 2015 is an audible book called A Brief History of Holiday Music by Professor Robert Greenberg.

I am starting on the Audible Great Courses and decided to start with this. The narrator is enthusiastic to the point of obnoxious but he kept me engaged the whole time.

This was only 45 minutes and was in the form of my dreaded audio book but it was worth the listen. Christmas music may never be quite the same again.

4 carols out of 5.

Should I read this? Listen away. This is not a waste of 45 minutes.
What did I learn? There is much more depth to Christmas carols and chants than I realised.

The Maltese Falcon

Book 1 of 2015 is the audio book dramatisation of The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.

Sam Spade is a likable guy. He's a misogynist but it was that time and the film noir style requires it. The whole story is enjoyable and I can say that I now want to watch the Bogart movie. That isn't my usual stance after reading and liking a book.

I do love the witty repartee, like...

Gutman: "You always have, I must say, a smooth explanation ready."
Spade; "What do you want me to do? Learn to stutter?”"

It is full of good lines.

4 men-taken-by-a-beautiful-woman out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes, for sure.
What did I learn? "Once a chump, always a chump."