I joined Audible some three months ago, around the end of August, mostly because I was jonesing for Hornblower books, which I became familiar with on youtube but which had all vanished. Since, I've considered using the service — since I've become less and less interested in youtube this last year — to reacquaint myself with books I read decades ago ... both good and bad. There are many books in my recollection which I haven't read since my teens, and many others I never finished; there are books that I've "read," but in some expurgated version, or at a speed commensurate with the needs of university. As I expect I have several decades of time ahead of me, I thought perhaps this might be the best way to sustain a part of my education which, I'll admit, has lapsed. I read far more new books in my teens and twenties than I have since turning 40; and there are many, many classic books that I've never read — though in many of those cases, I could describe the plot and even the theme of those books quite easily.
For the blog, I thought it might interest some readers what those books have been these last three months. I thought I might even include the embarrassing ones, since after all I read quite a lot of second-rate books in ancient times, and there's nothing wrong with revisiting such works to see how one has changed in viewpoint and tastes. With an audio book, there's no trouble in finishing something; there's always some opportunity to listen to something while doing the dishes, walking to the store, exercising or waiting at the doctor's office. One definite reality with getting older is there always seems to be an enormous amount of available time in doing things that keep one from doing something more enjoyable.
So, here's a list of books now fresh in my mind, for anyone to comment on, or anything someone might like to talk about if they so desire. Do not hesitate to roll your eyes at some titles; as I say, the process is a journey through time. I'm not, after all, trying to obtain an academic degree. Included is an estimate of the last time I read the book (in quite a lot of cases, I've read the book more than once before).
Around the World in 80 Days, Jules Verne — 1998
Captive of Gor, John Norman — 1989
Foundation Trilogy, Isaac Asimov — 1983
The Good Earth, Pearl S. Buck — 2004
The Happy Return, C.S. Forester — 2021
Lieutenant Hornblower, C.S. Forester — 2021
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Howard Pyle — never
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower, C.S. Forester — 2021
The Puppet Masters, Robert Heinlein — 2015
Roughing It, Mark Twain — never
Ship of the Line, C.S. Forester — 2022
The Stand (1989 version), Stephen King — 1995
A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens — 2001
The worst of these was unquestionably Robin Hood. Far, far worse than the John Norman book.
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