At Bertram’s Hotel: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Dramatisation by Agatha Christie, adapted by Michael Bakewell, and narrated by a full cast

This was a radio play instead of the audiobooks we had been listening to. It was abridged as a result. I did not want to listen to the whole novel as I read it 16 years ago but did not remember the ending. We listened to it after watching the ITV Marple of the episode and there were some changes. The ITV episode was better than this radio play which was really heavy on the exposition through dialogue. Marple was even more of a busybody than usual in this version since she was eavesdropping everywhere. At least we now know these radioplays are not great for us and will avoid them.

June 9-16, 2026.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was excellent as usual from Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her novels are easy to read but not shallow or insipid. They always offer interesting characters and relationships. I like her lead characters even if I do not relate to them. This was a very well done sapphic love story. I became invested in Joan and Vanessa’s relationship. I liked the space plot. I preferred this protagonist to the one in Project Hail Mary. The ending made me wish I had more time with the characters.

June 14-16, 2026. Partially on Kobo Libra 2.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

I wanted to like this more and there was some very good writing here. I do not think it was as good as the hype let me believe. Then again, it was still better written than most modern day thrillers. I liked the literary focus on the characters and the 1970s camp setting was done well. It was tense which is why I am not a big fan of thrillers and there was lots of sexism. A lot of the characters were sketched out well but I only wish there had been a more emotionally from certain characters like Tracey, Judyta, and Louise. Overall, it was a well written novel and I would consider reading more from the author.

June 17-20, 2026. Partially on Kobo Clara BW.

Turning to Birds: A Memoir in Essays by Lili Taylor (Narrator)

This was a nice birding book to listen to as I walked and gardened. It was reflective of the author’s experience as a birder. I did learn about the controversy about house sparrows from this book which made me really wonder what I would have done in Taylor’s point of view. She actively actually tried to kill them. The world of birding becomes more and more nuanced and complex as I read more about it.

June 12-21, 2026.