September: What I Read/ Listened To

Of the 13 books I encountered in September, I listened to 8 of them and only read 5.  And I almost never listen to podcasts at all anymore, so there's that.  But does this mean I'm getting even dumber?  Because I'd rather have someone read to me than look at words on a page?  Because you guys, I don't feel like I have many brain cells left to lose.

13. Babyville by Jane Green:  I would not recommend this book.  I was just desperate for something to listen to and none of the stuff on my holds list had come in. Total predictable chick lit.

12. The Last Original Wife by Dorthea Benton Frank:  This was also predictable chick lit, but the narrator is 60, and there are some great scenes of divorced old men acting like high school girls, plus everyone is rich and has an enviable lifestyle-- worth a read.  I listened to this one, too.

11. Where There's Smoke by Jodi Picoult:  A novella prequel to Leaving Time-- worth your time if you decide to read the novel.  Another audio book.

10. Larger Than Life by Jodi Picoult:  Same as above.

9. Wit's End by Karen Joy Fowler:  This was funny, but I listened to it, and it didn't always keep my attention

8. A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson:  I just discovered this author, and she narrates her own audiobooks and is wonderful.

7. Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson:  A really engaging story to listen to.  Unabashed chick lit.

6. Rich and Pretty by Rumaan Alam:  OMG-- a book I actually READ.  About childhood friends who become middle aged women-- I loved it, as a middle-aged woman who still knows some of her childhood friends.

5. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult:  I never think I like Picoult, but her books are always entertaining.  This one is sad and gripping and really interesting (lots of stuff about elephants).  Another audiobook.

4. The Book That Matters Most by Ann Hood:  Stick around for the wonderful ending.

3. It's Okay to Laugh by Nora Purmort McInerny:  This book!  I laughed!  I cried! It was better than Cats.

2. Those Who Stay and Those Who Leave by Elena Ferrante:  I am hooked on this series.  This is my least favorite book of the 4 (I am listening to the final one right now, but I read books 2 and 3 last month), but it's still wonderful.

1. The Story of a New Name by Elena Ferrante:  Definitely my favorite book of the quartet-- you should really read all of them.  And then join me in wondering who the hell Elena Ferrante is.