All Ears Audiobooks discussion
General Discussion
>
Which one did you just finish?
Mod
Howdy, newcomer to the group here. :) I just finished up Charlie Bone and the Beast (written by Jenny Nimmo and read by Simon Jones) which is #6 in a Young Adult fantasy series. I enjoyed it, but to be honest, I preferred the reader who did the first five in this series, Simon Russell Beale. Some of that is probably me just getting used to his characterizations, but I think he did the varying voices more skillfully than this reader, too. The story itself was great, though!Two others I've listened to recently that I really enjoyed--Proven Guilty (written by Jim Butcher and read by James Marsters) which is #8 in the Harry Dresden paranormal series, and The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley, read by Jayne Entwhistle. Very well read, both of them.
Cheryl
Cheryl
i treated myself to Alexander's Bridge tonight. Willa Cather is my "stuck on a deserted island" choice and though Alexander's Bridge isn't her best it certainly isn't awful. I've been wanting to try out the mp3 player on my phone and try downloading a book from the NetLibrary resource. Both were very positive experiences :) Come to think of it - that's a good question - if you were stuck on a deserted island what one author's works would you want to have with you?
The Atlantis Revelation by Thomas GreaniasMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have only read this part of Greanias' series on Atlantis and its role in this series is kind of interesting. I am more interested in the previous books in this series; although I did enjoy the read.
The seed bank in Norway is part of this book and Greek Fire and a beautiful linguist from the Vatican. A definite page turner (although I listened to the book). Once again as in many books like this there is this shadowy international cabal filled with Billionaires that is trying to take over the world because they know what is best for all of us.
I will read at least one more of the books in this series since I was entertained.
View all my reviews >>
The Doomsday Key by James RollinsMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Rollins hit all the key fears of my life. Global Warming, Over Population, Pollution, Genetic Manipulation gone wild, Honey Bees disappearing, drought, and war. All the same characters are here, Painter Crow the the rest are fighting "The Guild". With a little science and a great imagination Rollins takes us to a place where "The Guild" uses a rich Norwegian man who wants to save the world from self destruction and shows us one solution to the "Population Bomb"
I enjoyed the book. I listened to the book and the narrator is great. There is a little romance in the book with 2 of the main characters finding comfort in each others arms as the clock tics down toward the end of the world as we know it.
This is the 2nd book in a row that has referred to a seed bank in Norway above the arctic circle. This seed bank is a secure location where all the seeds of the Earth are being stored in case mankind self destructs. Rollins quotes scientist in the beginning of the book which adds credibility to his ideas about the coming "Population Bomb" and the extinction of the Honey Bee.
Here is hoping not all his fears will be fulfilled.
View all my reviews >>
The Adventures of Robin Hood by E. Charles VivianI must be on a streak of classics :) Robin Hood, like King Authur, must have hundreds of biographers who tell the story from various points of view. Personally this is one of my favorites - the story telling is straight forward, the author interjects comments about the historical accuracy of some of the tales, and there's not a lot of fluff.
Of course the story of Robin Hood is one of those tales that never grows old. This telling is particularly kind to the women in the story - Marion is treated with respect and isn't made out to be only a pretty face. The action scenes are well described and exciting and the characters are as well drawn as they are going to be with this kind of tale.
All in all a pleasant way to spend 4 hours :)
Mod
Traditional Chinese people always say a dying person can see passed away family members and friends who come to company he/she going to heaven together. In "For One More Day", it is little bit different. Charles has one more chance to know his mother more and finds out the truth of his parents' marriage secret. I am glad that he has no regret any more. Seeing passed away family members and friends should not be scary, however, is it a good sign for me to see any passed away family members and friends?!
I like this phrase: "Going back to something is harder than you think." (p. 133) Is it a good for me to re-do something and change the history?
Mod
It is lucky for Becky to satisfy both mothers' wishes and to have wedding in US and UK. The attitude of facing problem is a disaster.
It is fun and excited to know how she solve the problem, but it is not that encouraging to avoid and hide the problem and pretend it does not exist.
Mod
The Lost Symbol - Ok, unless you have been hiding in a cave (without internet access) you know that after a 6 year wait, Dan Brown has released another book, a much anticipated sequel to The Da Vinci Code. Was the book exciting? Definitely! Did it have plot twists that you will never guess? Yes!! Did it keep me up late at night listening when I should have been sleeping? Absolutely! Was it as good as his other books? Uhh... not quite. The plot is exciting, the bad guys are despicable, Robert Langdon is as smart as he always has been, but the book took too many diversions with long discussions about Masonic rites, the number 33 and other esoteric facts. At times I felt like screaming at Robert Langdon - "stop being such a know-it-all. Get on with the mystery!" Admittedly, Dan Brown has created a new suspense genre - take an obscure myth that has some factual basis, create a modern day crisis, throw in some evil villains who want to destroy democracy/environment/humankind and voila - you have a Dan Brown like thriller. Usually I love these thrillers - they are fun and fast paced and sometimes I learn something new or my curiosity is piqued enough to google an image of The Last Supper. But in The Lost Symbol, all of the factoids and details about Masonic rites had me yawning. I hope Dan Brown comes out with another book (and not after 6 years), but next time, more plot, less talk. 
The Split Second by John Hulme - This second book in The Seems series features Becker Drain, a teenage prodigy who works as a 'fixer' in an organization called the Seems. This organization is in charge of... well everything. From sunsets to dreams to making sure thunder follows lightning, the Seems makes the world go round. In this story, time is at risk when a second is split. Get it? Split second? And how do you fix a split second? With a stitch in time of course! The book is filled with cute phrases that will make you laugh out loud. The plot is ok, not stellar, but an entertaining book for children and young adults.[image error] Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. If you are a parent or work with children, then you will enjoy this book. The authors reveal how many well-intentioned parenting strategies are not working. Nurture Shock covers a wide variety of parenting topics including how the self-esteem movement has backfired, how children learn about race, language acquisition and education strategies. Very interesting and some of the results are very surprising. My one complaint is that Bronson narrates this book and can be a bit condescending or monotone in his narration.
The Lost Symbol:Julie, your comments about the book are right on. This is why I listened to the audio book. I found that it did drone on, but because I listened to it in the car, I sort of blanked out on the some of the parts. I also keep thinking, okay am I in the present or future of the plot. It did a lot of back and forth and I was thinking if I were reading the book I would be more confused than I was when listening to it. It was quite wordy, but I did enjoy the plot when it did start rolling along.
Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters.OMG that was sooooo much fun! This is the first Mrs. Kirby story i've read and it was wonderful! Along with a through lampooning of the publishing business, especially Historical Romance writers, the book was full of just about every side comment about the state of the mystery and romance genres. If you like tongue in cheek mysteries this one is a gem!
Mod
OMG that was sooooo much fun! This is the first Mrs. Kirby story i've read and it was wonderful! Along with a through lampooning of the publishing business, ..."
Thanks for the recommendation, Donna! I see that Naked Once More is narrated by Barbara Rosenblat - what a perfect blend of author/narrator! We've ordered the set - can't wait to listen to them!
Julie at All Ears wrote: I see that Naked Once More is narrated by Barbara Rosenblat - what a perfect blend of author/narrator! The one i listened to was narrated by Grace Conlin but I'm willing to bet that Barbara Rosenblat does an outstanding job too. I loved Rosenblat's version of the Vicki Bliss novel i listened to.
Mod
I don't like the narrator even thought the story is funny. What I don't like about the story is Becky never learns any lesson from her crazy shopping habit and continues to be an irresponsible person.
Mod
Graceling by Kristin Cashore - If you feel like getting lost in a fantasy world filled with intrigue, feuding kingdoms, and people who are 'graced' with special powers, then listen to this book. With lots of fast paced action and a bit of romance, this book kept me listening around the clock. This is a Full Cast audiobook. In general, I am not a fan of Full Cast audio productions (anyone out there prefer Full Cast to single narration?), but this one is well done. The main characters are well cast and after awhile, I became completely caught up with the story. People who liked The Hunger Games should give this book a try - definitely a fun listen.
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby - although not a Full Cast production, this story has 3 narrators to go along with the 3 voices and main characters in this book:- Annie who used to love Duncan.
- Duncan who thinks he loves Annie, but is really obsessed with former rock star Tucker Crowe.
- and Tucker Crowe - a washed up former rock star who is trying to find some purpose to his life.
Hornby's magical touch creates 3 very realistic ordinary characters whose lives will make you laugh and also make you stop and reflect on your own life. Although his books often seem like storylines for future Hollywood blockbusters, they are enjoyable and easy to relate to. And, he is the featured lunch speaker at tomorrow's conference for Northern California booksellers - can't wait to meet him!
Against the Tide of Years by S.M. StirlingMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book as Stirling develops this alternate world with the bad guys rising up to dominate 2000 BC. William Walker just keeps getting stronger while the champions of freedom and goodness win battles but seem to be losing the war.
As I listened to this book I keep sort of rooting for Walker. He represents a type of person I wish I could be more alike. He is a driven character. He knows what he wants and he lets nothing get in his way. He wants to be King of the World and he does all in his power through intimidation, treachery, negotiation, innovation, foresight, and absolute ruthlessness. Almost a perfect human force for he doesn't let anything or anyone get in his way.
The good guys of Nantucket are all about freedom and alliances negotiating in good faith. Stirling leaves us hanging as the good guys of Nantucket seem to be about to lose the war for dominance in the Middle East to Walker. It was annoying to leave me hanging and it took so long to get to this point I wanted to scream when he basically just stopped telling the story right in the middle.
I am going to wait a bit before I start the 3rd door in the series.
View all my reviews >>
Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda HowardMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
I listened to this book and I had a good time.
Blair Mallory soon to be married finds herself in the cross hairs of some woman who wants her dead. We get to know Blair and I really like her. Maybe because she is smart, sexy, independent, sassy, and caring that it made her easy to like.
The narration was good if not great. I think the voice should have been a little more southern and deeper maybe with a Lauren Bacall scratchiness. I am not sure I could wade through another of these books. There is only so much shopping I care to go through in my life and Blair is a champion shopper rivaling even my wife. Almost every episode in this book centers around shopping. Shopping for wedding shoes, shopping for black shoes, shopping for just the right fabric, shopping for an arbor, etc.
I also get it that women like foreplay. There are a couple of great sex scenes in the book but there is tons of foreplay. I think I could recommend it as light reading for a woman who likes to shop and loves foreplay.
View all my reviews >>
Mod
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book as Stirling develops this alternate world with the bad guys rising up to dominate 2000 BC. William Walker jus..."
Wayne -
Love your reviews. You expose just the right amount of plot to make me want to run out and listen to the book. And I love the way you reveal a bit about yourself (and Denise - is she reading these???)!
Mod
Julie - very cool! If I don't make it over there let us know how the discussion goes. I'm trying to launch a website for a non-profit right now so i'm kinda swamped, but i'd love to hear any concenses the group reaches. Virtual book clubs can be a real kick. I participated in some through B&N when they first launched them. Eventide, The Origin of Species, Last of the Mohicans, The Queen's Fool and The Namesake were some of the books i read with those groups. I also read Smilia's Sense of Snow with a group i found by googling 'bookclubs' on the internet.
to give a plug for Goodreads - i actually found a "live" bookclub in my area through this site. I looked for clubs based in Northern Colorado and found the NorCO Feed and Read (great name). Since their book list was posted on the site I was able to confirm they were interested in the same kind of books I am. I contacted the moderator, found out they were open to new members, and got to participate in their next meeting. Worked great!
Julie at All Ears wrote: "Wayne wrote: " Against the Tide of Years by S.M. StirlingMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this book as Stirling develops this alternate world with the bad guys rising up to dominate 2000 BC. Wi..."
thanks for the positive feed back. I enjoy reviewing the reads/listens I think it helps set in my mind the feelings I have for the book instead of just shelving it and moving on. So far I have not got Denise to read my reviews nor get into the audio format of listening to books. I think it does take some time to get used to listening to a book. It takes different mind muscles to listen to a book than it takes to read a book. I like both. By the way should I post my the books I read read in this group?
I just finished up with Stephenie Meyer's book 'The Host'. I found myself taking the long way home every day just to hear more and more. It was so interesting and pulled me in so much that I was never really ready to turn it off. Seriously, I just have to wonder where on earth authors come up with their ideas. I honestly thought that was one of the most original stories I have read/listened to in quite some time. Sure we have had stories with the common 'body snatchers' themes, but nothing that addresses the internal struggle like this.
Kate Reading was the reader and she has a mostly pleasant voice that draws you in. She chose a VERY annoying voice for the protagonist which bothered me, but that just made me dislike the character even more. All in all, it was pretty good - I think I'll have to listen to it again, just to catch some of the things I may have missed.
I am just finishing up with Michael Scott's "The Sorceress" which is the third in the 'Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel' YA fantasy series. I've enjoyed it but sometimes the reader annoys me for some reason I can't quite pinpoint.About to start The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman which is narrated by the author, so it will be interesting to see how he does...I think he narrates most of his own books, but this will be my first.
The Time of My LifeI have just finished listening to this book. It was not the tear jerker book I expected. It recounted his life as an actor and how he approached everything in his life. He set out to be the best in whatever his undertook, no matter what. I did not realize he was a ballet dancer and a potential Olympic Gymnast. As an actor, most people think of "Dirty Dancing" and Ghost. However, he talks about his different roles in "Point Break" as a surfer; "City of Joy" as a doctor in India and one that I had completely forgotten "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar" where he plays a drag queen. He is one of the quiet actors that you don't hear a lot of publicity about. He and his wife liked their privacy. In this book he goes through all the challenges he has had in his career, including his battle with cancer.
Coyote Blue by Christopher MooreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The best book I have read this year! If I could give the book more than 5 stars I would. This is like reading a book of mythology set in modern times with a great love story thrown into the mix to create just the right motivation and imagery. Maybe it is the one sixteenth Native American in my genes but learning about Coyote one of the great Gods of the Crow Nation was a delight and a spiritual awakening.
Our main character Sampson Hunts Alone is an insurance sales man in Santa Barbara going by the name Sam Hunter. While leaving his office he sees the most beautiful woman who stirs something he has never felt before. On the sidewalk outside his office is also an Indian in Black Deer Skin trimmed with read feathers who tells Sam to go get her and throws a knife in the girl's orange Datsun Z's tire and then the Indian disappears. He offers her a ride and Sam Hunter's life is never to be the same.
The Indian turns out to be the God Coyote also known as the "Trickster" begins to take Sam's life apart a brick at a time. Sam fights the change the whole way as any great hero in any great undertaking takes on his charge fighting and screaming that he doesn't want to be the hero.
The book is full of parables featuring Coyote. Some of these parables left me laughing out loud and each of them were also full of depth and though funny there were gems in each one.
Towards the end of the book something happens that makes me think the book is going to be a huge disappointment which happens most of the time with books I have read, where the author doesn't stay true to the story but just sort of wraps stuff up in some unbelievable way, but just when I began to suspect some laziness by Mr. Moore he gives me a spiritual experience and leaves me in his debt for showing me a new world to help change mine just a little bit.
One of my all time favorites! What a rare treat to find a book like this in the middle years of my life. I listened to this book on audio and the narrator was not the voice I would have chosen, yet I got past the narrator which proves this story is one that could not be kept from me. I am definitely reading this book again.
View all my reviews >>
Wayne wrote: " Coyote Blue by Christopher MooreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The best book I have read this year! If I could give the book more than 5 stars I would. This is like reading a book of mythology set in mo..."
Thanks for this review. I'll have to look for it. I was wondering which one of his to try next.
Christopher Moore is one of my favorites - a few years ago i read Lamb and then last year i listened to Fluke. I totally adored Lamb. Since I have a degree in Biology, Fluke was hysterical to me but i'm not sure anyone not in the research field would get all the jokes.
Mod
Walden by Henry David ThoreauI'm on a classics binge! And so far it's paying off nicely.
Walden was an interesting listen. I really think Thoreau takes himself way too seriously, but at the same time his thoughts are often beautifully poetic and even inspiring. His descriptions of Walden pond and inhabitants is beautiful. I loved his story about the old Canadian who visits him - I too wanted a visit from him! However Thoreau has the tendency to rant and to make assertions beyond what his mere two years at the pond permit.
When it comes to amazing self sufficiency and living the very simple life in demanding conditions very few can match Richard Pronneke's story. He lived 30 years in a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness, leaving occasionally to visit family. You can see his remarkable story at http://www.aloneinthewilderness.com/i...
Now that's someone who has the right to claim simplicity of life!
Anyway I mostly enjoyed Walden and am glad i listened to it!
Just finished Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, by Richard Matheson. This collection of 20 short stories was read by 12 different narrtors. Was wonderfully creepy to hear. You can go to my site to hear/read a review which includes 6 clips from the audiobook (included with publisher's permission). I think you'd enjoy hearing them.http://www.audiobookdj.com/home/2009/...
so... more fun with classics. Daisy Miller by Henry JamesThis is my first encounter with Henry James other than a few movies based on his books. I was totally enthralled by his writing and his marvelous portrait of this vivacious young woman. Daisy Miller is not a story in the true sense that it has a great plot line, it is more of a study, a portrait, a series of encounters with the narrator that gives us insight into not only Daisy's personality but also the expatriate society in Europe at the time and the flaws and foibles of the narrator. It is rife with the morals of the time and very fascinating.
I found it interesting that while the narrator of the tale is Frederick Winterbourne, the reading is done by Susan O'Malley. I wondered at first how well it would work having a woman tell a man's tale, after all wouldn't you want a man's voice, but amazingly enough she did a great job and it was actually best to have a woman's voice for the many times Daisy spoke in the story.
A very enjoyable, if short listen.
Henry James is someone who's works i will search out again.
The Plague of Doves by Louise ErdrichWhat a tangled web... and Erdrich sure weaves a very tangled web in this tale. However, it is possible to figure it out and put the pieces together. It's like dropping a jigsaw puzzle box, the pieces fly all over the place, under the couch, behind the table, and it takes time and patience to put them all together, but they do eventually fit.
I also learned a bit about stamp collecting - especially that it is not for the faint of heart.
I very much enjoyed this book - I found this story entertaining and thoughtful and very interesting.
Mod
Eldest by Christopher PaoliniMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have been listening to the Inheritance Series with my 11-year old son, Michael. I admit that I initially started it because Paolini wrote these books as a teen ager and I'm trying to motivate my son to write more than the bare minimum for every English assignment. These books are great. I am constantly amazed by the writing in this book - definitely impressive. Paolini has a great vocabulary (I wonder what he scored on the SATs?) and uses it well, without being overly descriptive. Very complex plots with gripping action. Eldest is the second in the series (the firs is Eragon). This book is long - 20 cds - but we were completely drawn in from the beginning all the way to the end. I highly recommend this series to fantasy fans, both young and old.
View all my reviews >>
Mod
Even by Andrew GrantMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Lee Child's brother wrote a fun little book with a nice twist and some scary bad guys but I just couldn't warm to the protagonist, David Trevalian nor did I warm to the narrator. I would compare this book to books by Tedd Bell and Ludlum and Grant falls way short of their bar.
View all my reviews >>
Nation by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre but I would say this alternate universe is very close to our own. The narrator is great the protagonists wonderful and the story just warmed my heart.
Most of the story takes place in a tiny island in the Indian ocean I believe. A tsunami destroys all but one boy on this island and drives a ship carrying an English Lord's daughter onto the island where she is the lone human survivor, a talking parrot is also found safe on board the ship wreck.
Lacking language these 2 young people pull together in amazing ways even as they grieve for the life they left behind. The discoveries they make and the ideas and thoughts the story leaves for me was just a delightful journey.
Entertaining and mind expanding, one could ask for nothing more in a book.
View all my reviews >>
Swimsuit by James PattersonMy rating: 1 of 5 stars
If I could give this book negatives stars I would. This is the worst book I have ever finished. The violent pornographic killing of a young woman left me sick to my stomach and left an image in my mind I wish terribly was not stuck. I should have put the book down (stopped listening) right then but I felt compelled to bring the evil doer to justice.
Do not read or listen to this book. Although I have never seen any of the movies it is probably a Saw like vehicle to shock and awe the reader. I was shocked and wanted to see justice done so I waded though to the end. I think a 5th grader could have written a better more complex ending than is in this book.
Again do not read this book!
View all my reviews >>
For anyone who is on a classics binge (Donna?), might I recommend Frankenstein as read by Simon Vance? I just finished listening to this, and it is beautiful. I was listening to random samples on audible, when I listened to a sample of Dune. I decided that while the book didn't fit my mood at the moment, the narrator did. Tracking him down, he's read many, many works. I chose Frankenstein to fit October and was not let down. This prose itself was lovely and lyrical, only occasionally overwrought, and not at all what you'd expect if you pay attention to pop culture Frankenstein. It was heart-wrenching, thought-inducing, and masterfully narrated. I'm picky; my average rating is 2.96. This, however, goes on my favorites shelf.
Wayne wrote: " Nation by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre but I would say this alterna..."
I'm with you, Wayne. This is one of the great ones, and is not just for children. Because of that, I included it in my essay called "Good Books Are for Everybody" (http://lars4learning.blogspot.com/200...), along with two other "children's books" that deserve a wider audience.
Mod
Hi, Atla. Great review! I agree with you - Simon Vance is a brilliant narrator. I really liked his performance in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (I hear the sequel is also fantastic) where he does these great Swedish accents. He is definitely one of those narrators where you just fall into the book and forget that you are listening to one reader. I'll have to get my nerve up and try out Frankenstein.
Mod
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre but I would ..."
I have to put in a plug for Lars' blogs and book reviews. He reads a phenomenal number of children/young adult titles. Unfortunately, we see only a small sampling of what he reads. Although I've never met Lars, I 'friended' him on goodreads because I like his recommendations and enjoy his well-written reviews. If you want some rec's for children's titles, check out his bookshelf. (Sorry, Lars - I hope you don't get inundated with friend requests...)
Wayne wrote: " Nation by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre but I would say this alterna..."
i love it when someone reviews a book from an author that has many books - that way i get to know which ones are the really good ones :)
Great review Wayne - i'll have to add it to my "to look for" list!
atla wrote: "For anyone who is on a classics binge (Donna?), might I recommend Frankenstein as read by Simon Vance? I just finished listening to this, and it is beautiful. I was listening to random samples on..."Ooooooh, great thought. I haven't listened to anything narrated by Simon Vance yet, but have seen his name on lots of recordings. Frankenstein has been on my "reread list" of books for a long time. When i finish up the one's i'm listening to i'll have to look for it!
Isn't it amazing how pop culture messes with the characters in these classic novels? Frankenstein is not really about a scary monster - he's simply a vehicle to relate the author's feelings about out of control science and how society treats those who are different. But it's easier for people to relate to the concrete rather than the abstract and thus what survives is the scary monster. Dr Jeckle and Mr Hyde is a piece of anti-drinking literature, but what survives is the creepy Mr Hyde. I bet Julie ran into the same thing when reading The Three Musketeers. Pop culture treats us like children rather than thinking adults. That's why reading the classics is so important - what you think you know about them is often very shallow and can be wrong.
Mod
The Shining by Stephen KingMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have to admit that Horror is not my genre - I get way too scared - so much that I have never read a Stephen King novel before. But, I admire the author - he is a huge proponent of independent book stores and new authors. I picked this book up because it was Halloween and this book is on the sacred '1001 books to read before you die' list. As I listened to the book, I kept telling myself that it wasn't that scary. And although there are no grizzly slashing gross scenes, I found that I was having problems sleeping and would wake up with strange dreams. This book was definitely haunting me! Good story and interesting conclusion - just make sure you listen with the lights on!
View all my reviews >>
Julie at All Ears wrote: "Lars wrote: "Wayne wrote: " Nation by Terry PratchettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If I could give this book more stars I would. This was a fantastic story and I guess it falls under the fantasy genre..."
Thanks so much for the kind words, Julie. As far as being inundated with friend requests, I say bring 'em on!
Mod
. The first was Laurie King's A Monstrous Regiment of Women. I really like this series. It doesn't have a plot that will make you stay up all night listening or sinister villains that will creep you out, but it is a good strong mystery with characters that I really enjoy. This book especially had some good background information about the women's rights movement in England. Mary Russell gets involved with a women's religous organization whose wealthy members are mysteriously dying. The plot combines a bit of romance making this a very fun and relaxing book (especially after The Shining...).
A few months ago I had listened to Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. A side story in this book is about a character who survives the Dresden firebombing. The book gave just enough information that I wanted to learn more about that period of history. I have to say, that I was sadly ignorant about the huge loss of life and total destruction of a European cultural center. Was I asleep in history that day?? To learn more about Dresden, I picked up Slaughterhouse Five. I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say that Kurt Vonnegut is brilliant, but bizarre. An interesting anti-war book. What I enjoyed the most was his introduction. Vonnegut was a POW during WWII and was sent to Dresden to do menial labor in a factory. He always intended to write a book about Dresden. When he told the wife of a friend who also survived the firebombing, she was angry because she thought Vonnegut would write yet another book that glorified war. Vonnegut dedicated this book to her, and wrote a clasic that instead depicts the horrors of war. At some points this book is poignantly funny, but overall, very sad. And so it goes.
. The last book is a fun, light, and very short listen, Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants Perfectly narrated by Neil Gaiman (definitely an author who should narrate his own work!), this book features a few of the heroes from Norse mythology, and is a great audiobook for the entire family.
Julie at All Ears wrote: "I've recently finished 3 quick listens. . The first was Laurie King's A Monstrous Regiment of Women. I really like this series. It doesn't h..."
Julie, now I want to get Neil Gaiman's 'Odd!' Another great book about Norse mythology is Padraic Colum's classic 'Children of Odin' (unfortunately not on audio, I don't think). And another great related work (England and Scandanavia during the Viking invasions) is Nancy Farmer's 'Sea of Trolls' trilogy. I've read the first two and they were great fun.
Mod
I just finished:
Street Gang by Michael Davis is the complete history of Sesame Street, from experiment and idea to a worldwide movement celebrating its 40th anniversary. The bulk of the book followed the creators of Sesame Street, also outlining the life of Jim Henson and the muppeteers. One of the parts I loved most about the book was to hear about each of the character developments that went into the Muppets and characters we have today. It was fascinating to learn about the ideas, creativity, passion and serendipity that went into each of the characters and developers of Sesame Street to create what we have today.
However, on a side note, I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I was just a bit older, since a lot of the book talked about pre-Sesame shows like Captain Kangaroo and Ding-Dong Schoolhouse that I was not alive to see. Various magical moments like Christmas episodes, Maria's wedding and even Mr. Hooper's and Jim Henson's deaths were re-lived and experienced through several of the staff's perspectives that many from the older generation will enjoy.
Mod
Spook, by Mary Roach, is a book on science and the afterlife, regarding what has been proven and disproven by science, so far. The book itself, and all of the studies that were talked about were quite fascinating. Almost everything from reincarnation to out of body experiences and astral projections to ghosts, near death experiences and even the existence of the soul within the physical body is examined through a scientific perspective. However, being a hopeful believer in the afterlife and the spiritual realm, this book definitely rubbed me the wrong way. It came off as a skeptical book written for skeptics, and the humor in which Roach writes seemed slightly offensive or off-putting.
Having said that, this was not a book for me, but I would recommend it to any amateur scientists and/or skeptics out there interested in this area.
You may also like: Stiff by Mary Roach, Bonk by Mary Roach.
Believers may enjoy Ghosts Among Us by James Van Praagh.
Julie - oooooh! Slaughterhouse 5! Wonderful book. I read it first in college and then re-read it a couple years ago for a book group discussion. Loved it. When i was in college i was on a Vonnegut jag and read everything of his i could get my hands on. Slaughterhouse was one of my very favorites of the batch. And so it goes.
All Ears Audiobooks
Books mentioned in this topic
Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage (other topics)Adam (other topics)
Caleb's Crossing (other topics)
Caleb's Crossing (other topics)
His Majesty's Dragon (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alfred Lansing (other topics)Xe Sands (other topics)
Jacquelyn Frank (other topics)
Bram Stoker (other topics)
Laura Hillenbrand (other topics)
More...
It quickly diverges from the book plot and has a very different ending, if I remember correctly.
I ...
I found the movie too violent for my tastes. But then again i couldn't han..."
Hi, Donna.
Interesting point that Cooper's style was typical of the era. Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Hardy - I love their novels, and usually I love listening to them in audio. Not sure if it was the narration or just a dislike of Cooper's style.
Is it possible that the men in Last of the Mohicans preferred Alice to Cora because Cora's mother was a mulatto? Was it a race issue? Or, did they prefer that helpless heroine that needed to be rescued? I kept hoping that something would happen between Uncas and Cora.