Delightful Listens

I drive a lot, 80+ miles a day back and forth from my job.  Its not pretty.  I don’t like it.  I don’t like putting all those miles on Sheldon.  Sheldon, for his part, doesn’t seem to mind.  Shellie is my second Mini, and most likely not my last, this year they brought out the four-door Hardtop and it might be my next car.  Coopers are just tiny, cheeper BMW’s and thusly have some of the perks, namely the Harmon-Kardon sound system.  LET ME TELL YOU! No seriously, if you have a car with a crap sound system safe up the money and get yourself something nice.  Just do it.  I could just blare hours and hours of music through the fine-ass sound system in Sheldon, but I don’t, I make full use of that drive time and consume audiobooks at an alarming rate.  Lots and lots of books! If like me you are trapped in a car and need something to entertain your brain, I suggest a subscription to Audible. These are some of my favorites, read them or listen to them.

Devil in the White City- Two great stories in one! The Chicago words fair and a serial killer, both true stories happening at the same time. Larson’s parallel style is delightful. 

The Demon Under the Microscope- Science Warning! I am almost always listening to or reading one non-fiction book (sometimes 2, I read one book at work, listen to one and third before bed).  This was one of my first science books from back when I was driving to and from the hospital.  Its an amazing look at the discovery and development of Sulfa drugs.

The Thirteenth Tale- This one is pretty good, a little strange, but worth it. 

All three of the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, this is because the narrator pronounces the city names for you and you don’t have to think about it.

King of Hearts- All about the pioneering doctors who brought us open heart surgery, by a great writer.

The works of Philip Kerr- Almost all his books are set in 1930-1950 Germany and are an interesting take on the noir genera.  Plus you’ll find yourself with an strange and sudden knowledge of Berlin streets.

The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons- Another science nerd non fiction about the working of the brain and the many players in our understanding.

Dr. Mutters Marvels- A look into the man who brought us the Mutter Museum in Philly. 

High Rise- I will warn you about this novel, it’s a mess.  A total mess.  Unless you are completely comfortable with the works of JG Ballard, do not let the dulcet tones of Tom Hiddleston pull you in to this a gruesome novel.   Read Empire of the Sun first than you understand this book.  It will soon be a movie, I am curious how they will handle the really rough bits, the really- really rough bits.  Ballard is a great writer and I am glad this long out print book which I last read when I was high school junior, has been released again.  Tom Hiddleston as the narrator is almost too much to ask for.  He is a fantastic narrator, trust me a bad narrator will ruin a book, and if he ever gives up acting he can just read to people for a living  That lovely skinny Brit has a darkness which is perfect for a Ballard novel.