Audiobook Challenge Update - #7 On the List

A short update on the 2019 Audiobook Challenge

I'm now listening to a second book by a narrator I haven't listened to before, #7.   

The book is The Stranger by Harlan Coben, narrated by George Newbern.  First time listening to Mr. Newbern.  I like his narration, I find he's more of a "reader" than a "performer".  But his voice fits the scenes and he knows how to keep the suspense of the plot.  I'm enjoying The Stranger, my first book by Harlan Coben. 

Will I be able to stop and not read the last two chapters, as Richard Armitage has suggested? Time will tell, I'm on chapter 32.  I'm very curious how they will transfer the setting of the book from New Jersey, US to Manchester, UK.  And yes, I can see Richard as Adam Price.  

The Stranger, starring Richard Armitage, will begin filming March 5.  See link below for more about the series based on Coben's book.

https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/richard-armitage-starring-stranger/

Next up I'll tackle #6 on the challenge, once I finish the two books I'm listening to now, The Stranger, and the new Jackman and Evans (Joy Ellis, narrated by Richard Armitage).  

The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor, narrated by Richard Armitage

Yes, I like mysteries and thrillers, but horror-thrillers are not usually my genre.  Once again, RA is leading me to read a book I would not have selected on my own.  

Listening to Audiobook Challenge #1 and #7

So I am now balancing two of the Audiobook Challenge challenges.  

I am counting The Other Queen as my challenge #1 with a cast of three. (See my previous post). I have the audiobook in CD's since it's not available on Audible with Richard Armitage as one of the cast. Luckily I have an old car that has a CD player. (That's how I first started to listen to audiobooks in my car many years ago, before Audible).  

But at home, with my Audible app, I've also been listening to The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths, narrated by a narrator whose work I haven't heard previously, Jane McDowell.

I like her narration very much so far, and can relate very much to the main protagonist of this book, Ruth Galloway.  I'm just a few chapters in, but there are are moments I feel Ruth Galloway is me 😊 especially at parties!


This is not that common with me, as I may like and admire many female characters in fiction, but not that frequently do I relate to them as much as I am now to Ruth as a person.  I'm sure that will change as I read/listen to more books in the series, but so far Ruth is #1.

Now Mysteries are my favorite genre, but I have a confession that I started listening to The Crossing Place  again because of my book guru, Richard Armitage.   No, he's not narrating any of the Galloway books, but the author, Elly Griffiths, has mentioned several times that she wouldn't mind if Armitage played the police detective in the book,  DCI Harry Nelson.  So I reached a moment when I just had to find out who is DCI Nelson. 

It seems the Galloway books have been "optioned" by the BBC or some other TV company for a series.  How about it BBC?

Listen to us BBC, Richard Armitage needs to play either Jackman (Joy Ellis' series) or Nelson. Make it happen.  Or why not both! 

Just to prove I'm not making this up, here is a link to an interview with author Elly Griffiths:


https://promotingcrime.blogspot.com/2015/07/elly-griffiths.html

Lynne:  If the series was ever picked up for TV, who would you like to see playing Ruth and Nelson? And maybe Cathbad?

Elly:  A TV company has an option but everything is moving extremely slowly, it’s even slower than archaeology. But, of course, I’ve thought about the casting. Ruth Jones or Eva Myles as Ruth. She would have to become Welsh but it would be worth it. I’ve always thought Richard Armitage for Nelson (I can dream can’t I?). Cathbad is the most difficult. Maybe David Tennant with long hair?

The 2019 Audiobook Challenge from AudioFile Magazine and Challenge #1

Here we are first day of 2019.  I think I'll give this new Audiobook Challenge a try.  No promises that I will get to #12 by the end of this year.  (And I might skip around!).

I have my own personal audiobook challenge I've followed now for several years, and that is listening to all the books narrated/performed by my favorite actor, Richard Armitage.   Armitage is always goal #1.

Tomorrow,  January 2, I go back to work from my holiday break 😒and I know just what I will be listening to for Challenge #1.