I recently signed up for Audible membership, the Amazon Kindle section that sells audible versions of books. Sorry, obvious really! It was during the recovery period following my prostate cancer surgery when I was finding it very difficult to concentrate on reading anything, so I thought I’d give Audible a try. It’s £7.99 each month for which you get one credit for one book. It sounds like a lot compared with Kindle Unlimited, but many books cost £20+ on audible so using your credit for one of these is good value. Also however there are monthly members offers with books costing only a fraction of the normal cost. So, don’t use your credits for these!
In addition I’m a regular user of Goodreads and have now signed up to their annual reading challenge of meeting a self imposed goal of so many books across the year. I’ve chosen 52, but that won’t be too difficult for a book addict like myself, so the real goal is to review EVERY book I read here on my blog and try to engage with fellow bookaholics through following each others blog. Perhaps you can help?
Anyway, here’s my first review of the year The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared
It’s the story of Allan Karlsson who, on the day of his 100th birthday, decides to “escape” from the care home where he now lives. A special party has been arranged for him, but he dislikes parties and REALLY dislikes the boss of the place, Alice. So, he climbs out of his bedroom window and starts walking nowhere in particular, reasonably dressed except for the fact that he’s still wearing slippers.
You need to know that it’s initially set in Sweden, only because of the place names and the names of some of the people he meets. I’ll tell you a little of the beginning to warm you up, but I promise there will be no “spoilers”!
He arrives at the bus station, and decides that a bus ride would be nice, no particular place, just to get out and about for some time. While he is waiting for the bus to arrive at the deserted bus station, he has a bit of an altercation with an uncouth young thug! After an exchange of “verbals” the thug instructs Allan to look after his large, heavy suitcase while he goes to the toilet. Allan agrees, but within a few seconds his bus arrives and …… rather mischievously …… he decides to walk off with the suitcase and on to the bus with it! He purchases a ticket and the bus departs!
This is the beginning of one of the funniest books I have ever read. It describes Allan’s adventures in two alternating parts, current time, and Allan’s past life. His current adventure involves a criminal gang, a very large sum of money, a hot dog stand operator, the police, an elephant ……… I think you’re getting it. His past life however is just as funny because Allan is an explosives expert has not only witnessed some of the greatest events in 20th Century history …… he’s been involved in them (!) …. meeting Churchill, Truman, Oppenheimer, Mao, Stalin …. and many others.
The book is written by Jonas Jonasson and narrated by Peter Kenny in the Audible version. The narrator was brilliant with different voices for each character, Allan sounding like a classic 100 year old man with a rather hoarse voice and surprisingly a North of England accent. The opening words describing the book on Goodreads are just perfect:
“A reluctant centenarian much like Forrest Gump (if Gump were an explosives expert with a fondness for vodka) decides it’s not too late to start over…”
So, will you buy it? Do let me know, and what you thought of it.
Categories: books
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It kind of reminds me of “Harold and the Purple Crayon” – I definitely want to read it!
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I have heard good things about this book from a number of people now so I must put it on my list. A great book to start the year.
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I’ve read the book and, you’re right — it’s hilarious. I’m going to give a copy to my uncle who turns 100 this July. He’s not the sort to walk out on a party, especially his.
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A brilliant idea Margaret, go for it. Book or Audible version he can listen to?
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Yes. Loved this book. Gave me hope. Am considering giving Audible a try.
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Audible is good value if you pay for a 12 months contract and get 24 books in advance for the year. If you go on a monthly contract you pay almost the same overall but only get one book per month.
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I have set my target as 50 books on Goodreads, last year it was 40…which I achieved but with a little cheating…some of the books being small novellas….
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Still a good number to go for Jim.
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Great post yet again I must read the book when I find my kindle, I also have kindle unlimited but since losing the kindle haven’t been able to use while I’m still paying for membership.
I could write about it in my blog which by the way has changed from the crazy Brit to http://www.britishbuddhablog.com (free publicity never harms) 😂
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I’ve written to you before, the website as you’ve written it doesn’t seem to exist?
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I found a blog with that name but the url is britishbuddha.com
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