"What I listen to while at my sewing machine" is today's blog writing prompt. In case you missed it, I'm participating in Cheryl Sleboda's December blog challenge.
Check out the link below to learn more.
I'm a huge audiobook junkie, although I am slowly expanding my podcast collections as well. On the audiobooks side, I listen to a lot of fantasy, sci-fi fiction. However, I mix it up occasionally with a healthy dose of self- improvement. My podcasts reflect the health conscious side of me mostly; but there's a couple of quilting podcast too. Below are some of my favorites.
Favorite authors:
#1 My number one is Patricia Briggs who has two series I'm addicted to: Mercy Thompson series and Alpha and Omega series. Both are from the same alternate modern-day universe with characters that frequently cross-over from one series to the other. Check out her website below and listen to the first book, Moon Called to get addicted too! There's a added bonus in the Mercy series; one of my favorite VO actresses does the series. Lorelei King is amazing, and I've picked up other books to listen simply because she was reading them.
#2 Closely following Briggs, is Jim Butcher's Harry Dresdan books. They're narrated by James Marsters (you know, ... Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer series) and he's INCREDIBLE. The series is about Chicago's only wizard for hire, and follows Harry's adventures with the city police, local mobsters, and supernatural world - complete with Fae, vampires, werewolves, wizards, and so much more.
#3 The third author I'll mention is a recent find for me, and I believe audiobooks.com recommended her to me. Annette Marie has three series (and a fourth started in 2021) based off her alternate modern-day world called the Guild Codex. They all center around Vancouver, British Columbia. And my favorite of the 3 series is the Spellbound series which follows a bartender who stumbles upon a magic guild and gets caught up in a world she never knew existed. This series also has all the fantasy suspects as above: fae, witches, mages, vampires, demons.
#4 To prove that I enjoy something other than fantasy, I submit to you The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, which is actually two writes using the one name. (And the TV show adaptation is great too!) I'm about halfway through the series, and I slowly picking up the one-off's for each character. The thing I love the most about this series is how real the science around being in space feels; how it affects the body, real-time space travel, zero-gravity life. I also love how dynamic the characters are; they truly evolve with each book in positive and negative ways.
#5 And for my curveball series, I give you Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire books. I first discovered these while watching the Netflix TV show, Longmire. The books were updated to present time and culture for the show, but are still amazing and engaging as they are. Plus, they're read by my second favorite VO actor, the incomparable George Guidall. (Seriously, this guy could read the dictionary and I would listen, he's that good!)
I've also been adding some multi-cultural books - both fiction and non-fiction - to broaden my horizon and expose myself to cultures and realities that I don't see on a daily basis. I'm trying to listen to at least one non-white and/or non-American author a month. Here are the ones I've listened to so far and recommend:
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo (Great read! Recommend to everyone who's exploring racism and how to be a better advocate to the disadvantaged and marginalized.)
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (This was tough to listen to at times, but the author creates a future world that seems very possible.)
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (In the middle of this one; good so far and the narrator is awesome!)
Podcasts:
As I hinted to above, the world of podcasts is still a bit new to me. I've only started exploring this auditory adventure-scape within the past couple of years. Most of the podcasts I listen to are self-help, educational, and/or inspirational, but there's a couple sewing centered podcasts too. Here are my favorite:
Kwik Brain by Jim Kwik 15 minute or less episodes that focus on improving your brain, whether through nutrition, habits, or lifestyle choices. I like to listen to these while I ride the stationary bike too because the 15 minutes is a perfect warm up for me. https://kwikbrain.com/podcast
Mindvalley Podcast with Vishen Lakhiani Tons of great speakers that touch upon every corner of life issues. This podcasts prides itself on being the best place to get quality, usable education (unlike today's university experience - their words). I've discovered many interesting authors through this podcast. It led me to ... https://www.mindvalley.com/
The Model Health Show by Shawn Stevenson Everything about health and fitness under the sun can be found here! (Fav episodes include the history of Coca-Cola -- go check it out!) The thing I love about Shawn is how thoroughly he researches his topics and his guest speakers. I believe I'm a healthier person because of this podcast. https://themodelhealthshow.com/
American Patchwork & Quilting Podcast Hosted by the staff of the magazines by the same company, this podcast not only showcases what's in their magazines but also includes interviews of designers and sewlebrities, and is filled with tips and tricks. https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/magazines-more/quilting-podcast
Hip to be a Square Podcast The host, Pam, was one of the co-hosts of The Stitch TV Show on YouTube, which sadly ended earlier this year. Pam still does podcasts occasionally and all of The Stitch in audio version can be found here too. (I miss you, Pam and Lynn!!) http://www.hiptobeasquarepodcast.com/
Well, there's a little look into my literary side. I hope you found some new favorites. If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments below. Until next time, I gotta get back to my quilt lab!
Cynthia
For more information about the blog challenge, click here: http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2020-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/
The above image was found on Pixabay.com; taken by the talented, Felix Lichtenfeld. Learn more about him at:
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