Skip to main content

August 1, 2018 - September 4, 2018

Kimiko from San Clemente, CA
Mary from Scotland, CT
 
 
 
 
 

Cheryl
I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons by Kevin Hart
Narrator Name: Kevin Hart

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Love this audio book. Kevin Hart is hysterical, but also gives his life story about growing up with a single mother, and drug-addicted father. It's great to hear it in his own words. Loved it!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
The story takes place when Kevin Hart was young and goes through his life with girlfriends, wives, children and how he became a comedian and actually became successful.

Tessa
Love, Life and Elephants: An African Love Story by Daphne Sheldrick
Narrator Name: Virginia McKenna

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Virginia McKenna does a fine job voicing the audio book. She has great pacing and really brought Sheldrick’s voice and point of view to life.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
This is a wonderful memoir that takes the reader from Sheldrick’s birth and childhood through her teen years and first love, on to the love of her life, David Sheldrick, and the work they accomplished together. She writes in a frank and open manner, describing her missteps as openly as her triumphs.

Pat
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Narrator Name: Maggie Hoffman

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Great and engaging!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Such a unique approach which draws the readers into the lives of the four children whose date of death has been revealed to them. We discover how that has influenced their choices.

Kate
Bearskin by James A. McLaughlin
Narrator Name: MacLeod Andrews

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Incredible! MacLeod's voice is so smooth --- I was entranced listening to him!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Great story --- lulls a bit at some points, but a cool story from start to finish.

Richard
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance
Narrator Name: J. D. Vance

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Vance narrates the audiobook himself. He does a fine job. He’s not a trained voice artist, but I cannot imagine anyone else doing a better job telling his story.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Vance is a former Marine and a graduate of Ohio State and Yale Law School. But getting to his current place in life was a struggle, given his family upbringing. He is brutally honest looking at his life and at the culture of the working poor. He reviews government policies, and offers insight into how the working poor, themselves, might take steps to give the next generation a fighting chance. This memoir is both brutally honest and movingly tender.

Mac
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Narrator Name: Sean Crisden and Eisa Davis

Rating the Audio Performance
3
It's hard to rate the narrators since there are two representing the husband and the wife. The female reader is very good. She expresses emotion well and keeps a consistent volume. The male, on the other hand, varies his volume quite a bit. It's very frustrating to try and listen to that when you're in the car. I kept having to adjust the volume to catch everything he was saying. I actually ended up picking up the print book to go back and read what I had missed.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
2
While Jones is a talented writer, I just could not connect with any of the characters in the book. When unforeseen and undeserved hardship hits the couple of the title, they just seem to accept circumstances. I kept waiting for them to take up the fight to turn things around, but instead, they relied on others to fight their battles while they worried about how to cope with day-to-day existence. While I know there are two sides to every marriage, and Jones does a good job presenting both sides, I found one party to be a lot more unsympathetic than the other. If you are a fan of contemporary drama, you'll probably enjoy this much more than I did.

Phyllis
Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict
Narrator Name: Alana Kerr Collins

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Well narrated and voiced.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed learning about Andrew Carnegie's philanthropic efforts. I was disappointed that the history was contrived, but related to the author's family and circumstances. Recommended for anyone interested in Carnegie's free and public libraries.

Debbie
A Dog's Purpose: A Novel For Humans by W. Bruce Cameron
Narrator Name: Josh Gad

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narrator nailed the voice of the dog and was able to relay the humor as well as some sad circumstances throughout the book.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
After reading a lot of psychological thrillers and books focusing on dealing with life's challenges and hardships, it was refreshing to listen to this book about a dog and his experience with humans. I laughed out loud many times and longed for my late border collie throughout the book.

Diane
The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Narrator Name: Amanda Dolan

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Good voice --- gets you into the tale.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Compelling story of young love amidst war and magic!

Ricki
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Narrator Name: Jenny Lawson

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Jenny Lawson is the perfect narrator for her memoir.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I have never laughed out loud as much with any other book than I have with this. Every story rings true, even if I think some might be exaggerated. The end was a tad somber, but luckily the audio book had a bonus chapter to end on a higher note.

Lois
Angels at the Table: A Christmas Novel by Debbie Macomber
Narrator Name: Kimberly Farr

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Easy to listen to.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
As always, Debbie Macomber's books are fun! This is one of her Angel Series, and she adds a new Angel --- Will. I'm a Debbie fan!

Simonne
Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan
Narrator Name: Heather Henderson

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Stellar performance! Totally engaging.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
A difficult subject made very interesting including medical explanations. The author’s journalistic background serves her well as she recounts her terrifying experience with a difficult-to-diagnose brain infection and her long recovery.

Susan
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Narrator Name: Cathleen McCarron

Rating the Audio Performance
5
She was perfect in capturing Eleanor’s quirky spirit.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
What a funny, sad, touching and memorable story.

Helen
Feared by Lisa Scottoline
Narrator Name: Kate Burton

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Kate Burton is the perfect choice for the audio. Her voice reflects the mood and nuances of the text. She helped me picture the actions and thoughts of the characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I am a big Scottoline fan so this was perfect for me. I enjoy thrillers and this hit the target --- a perfect bullseye!

Tessa
A Man of His Own by Susan Wilson
Narrator Name: Fred Berman, Chritina Delaine, Rick Adamson and Jeff Gurner

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Four talented voice artists narrate each take on a different major character, including Pax (the dog). Unfortunately, other than Christina Delaine, the sole woman, I can’t tell which artist is voicing which character. Still, it’s an effective device to use different narrators for each change in point of view.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
Three people connected by one dog; this is a kind of romance novel with a twist. There’s plenty of drama with three characters who are all emotionally fragile, and yet somehow are “guided” by this remarkable animal. That synopsis sounds trite and predictable, and in a sense the book is that, but I have to say that I was entertained and engaged by the story.

Karen
The First Family by Michael and Daniel Palmer
Narrator Name: Fred Berman

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Fred Berman's reading has a good tempo which makes the novel exciting to listen to and keeps the listener's attention as the action unfolds. He does a great job voicing the male voices. He voices each to reflect their role and profession including talented chess player and student, Cam. Karen Ray, Susie Banks and Valarie sound like one would expect, but the first lady, Ellen Hillard, doesn't sound as dignified I thought she should.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Doctor Lee Blackwood, a family practitioner is called to the White House for a second opinion on Cam's health. He has become withdrawn, has trouble sleeping and is losing his edge during his chess games as a result. The White House physician, Dr. Fred Gleason, can find nothing wrong and wants to send him to a psychiatrist, but Cam doesn't want to go. Karen Ray, Secret Service Agent, who guards Cam suggests Lee, who is her former husband, as a good doctor to provide a second opinion. Although a cause isn't evident, Lee thinks there is something wrong. He starts looking into many factors from Cam's training at the True Potential Institute, family history and medical tests. Then there is an attempt on Cam's life...

Karen
The Hellfire Club by Jake Tapper
Narrator Name: Jake Tapper

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Jake Tapper reads this novel smoothly and with fervor. There is a lot of information to deliver to build the story. He voices the characters as one would expect them to sound. The tempo of his reading engages the listeners and keeps their attention.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
World War II veteran, Charlie Marder, who became a history professor at Columbia after the war, is chosen to be a congressman from New York. His predecessor died after being forced out of office. Charlie expects to go to Washington, DC and make a difference, but he discovers that it is not easy to do. When he refuses to vote for an appropriation for Goodstone, maker of defective gas masks, he gets on the bad side of the chairman. Charlie tries to connect with his colleagues by attending card games, parties and secret club meetings. He learns that Washington is filled with intrigue. Wealthy constituents are behind the scenes buying influence. People are not what they seem, and it is hard to know who to trust. Charlie is in danger.

Sherri
Camouflage by Bill Pronzini
Narrator Name: Nick Sullivan

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Seemed to do all the characters voices in a way the made it clear who was who.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Nameless detective tries to solve the mystery of the disappearance of a disgruntled client who had asked him to find an ex-wife so that he can get his previous marriage(s) annulled and marry in the Catholic church. While trying to solve this mystery, a detective on his staff is also trying to help his girlfriend keep her son from being abused by her ex-husband's fiancé. Lots of relationship detail and interesting character development. First I have read by this author and did enjoy listening to it. Well written and keeps you guessing.

Francisca E B
Queen of the Air by Dean Jensen
Narrator Name: Emma Bering

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Emma Bering does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I felt the tension and exhilaration of the daring feats performed by these circus stars.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Subtitle: A True Story of Love & Tragedy at the Circus. This is a love story, a tragedy to rival Shakespeare, a history of early twentieth century America, and a thrilling adventure. Lillian Leitzel and Alfredo Codona were the biggest stars in the early twentieth century Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. I was completed engaged and enthralled by their story.

Barbara
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
Narrator Name: Lisa Genova

Rating the Audio Performance
4
The author pronounced all of the scientific words correctly, which I appreciate. Most narrators use a bit more expression, but she portrayed the main characters very well.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This is the scariest book I have ever read! Every time I am fumbling for a word (like "expression" above), it is terrifying! But the book is beautifully written and portrays a woman with early onset Alzheimer's dementia in a very realistic way. Her family gathers around her as she descends into the confusion associated with dementia, and the book describes some of the difficult decisions the family must make for the affected person. Would highly recommend this one!

Mary
Paris in the Present Tense by Mark Helprin
Narrator Name: Bronson Pinchot

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narrator was perfect for this book!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
A beautifully-written story, powerful storyline, wonderful descriptions...one of the best I've ever read, and I read a lot!

Betty
The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Narrator Name: Dennis Quaid, January LaVoy, Jeremy Davidson, Mozhan Marno and Peter Ganim

Rating the Audio Performance
4
He did a good job of switching between characters. He read with a lot of feeling and emotion. I'd enjoy listening to other audiobooks if he has done any.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Liked it better than I thought I would. It did repeat phrases a little much and the ending was more like a political campaign than a conclusion.

Patricia
The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Narrator Name: Maggie Hoffman

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Does a great job with a heavy assignment and brings the story of each sibling to the reader with careful attention to each person’s narrative.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Book describes four young siblings who in 1969 visit a psychic/fortune teller who reveals to them the date that they will die. Knowing the date changes each one.

Margie
The Reservoir Tapes by Jon McGregor
Narrator Name: Fiona Hardingham, Justine Eyre, Sarah Nichols, Tim Gerard Reynolds, Ralph Lister and Simon Vance

Rating the Audio Performance
5
This was a BBC Radio production. It was excellent. Eerie, evocative, moving, a multi-layered presentation of all the characters. I felt I was in the village with everyone as the search for the missing girl progressed. The actors were wonderful.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This is something of a prequel to RESERVOIR 13, a story of a village where a visiting girl goes missing. In this collection of stories, villagers tell stories that give insight into their lives before and during the search. The stories are varied and moving, some shocking or frightening. I could feel as if I were there in the village, the descriptions were so vivid.

Kimiko
Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber
Narrator Name: Karissa Vacker

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Fairly decent. The narrator has a high voice so trying to do the male voices was a stretch.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
A very quaint read. Tragedy strikes Annie Marlow. After grieving for nearly two years, she moves to a small coastal town where her family took summer vacations. Here she re-finds her purpose, finds new friends, a new love, helps people. NOTE: Improper information given regarding domestic violence. The author and editors should have researched this issue and laws better before introducing it into a book without giving proper information.

Andrea
Death Echo by Elizabeth Lowell
Narrator Name: Beth McDonald

Rating the Audio Performance
4
The narrator does a great job creating believable characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
I liked the book but wasn’t overly thrilled by the storyline. Some of the nuances of the character roles were confusing and I found myself having to repeat sections to make sure I understood what the character’s role was (good guy/bad guy) in the plot. The extensive details about the boat mechanics was hard to picture. I think I needed a graphic to help explain some of those details.

Tessa B C
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Narrator Name: Trevor Noah

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Noah narrates his own story. He’s a talented performer and really brings all these various characters to life. Excellent job.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Trevor Noah had a white Swiss German father, and a black Xhosa mother, at a time when such a relationship was punishable by up to five years in prison. This is his memoir of growing up under Apartheid and the years as it was being dismantled in South Africa. Honest and interesting.

Mary
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Narrator Name: Claire Danes

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Ms. Danes does a great job on the audio.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I read the book years ago, but loved hearing it read.

Susan
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Narrator Name: Julia Whelan

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Right from the beginning I enjoyed listening to this tape. I loved the story.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
So many topics in this book. What it's like to be a POW and its aftereffects. How it affects a relationship dealing with PTSD and spousal abuse. It describes living in the wilderness and adapting to the weather pattern in Alaska.

Dottie
The Innocent Man by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Craig Wasson

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Loved the narration, including the accents and voices used.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Interesting read about how people go to jail, even be on death row, convicted of crimes they are later proven to be innocent of committing.

Carol R
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Narrator Name: Nicholas Guy Smith

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Very interesting and delightful read. It brings to light the years following the Russian Revolution and the changes it brings to Russia. My book group is reading this to discuss when one of our members returns from a trip to Russia and to Moscow. Should be very interesting I plan to bring pictures of the Metropol Hotel to contribute to the discussion.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Excellent information about the changes in Moscow after the Revolution. They keep the Metropol Hotel for visitors to use and show them that Communism is not cruel and cold like most people think of it.

Linda
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Narrator Name: Jeanette Walls

Rating the Audio Performance
5
This autobiography sounds more like a novel because the story of this very dysfunctional family is so unbelievably awful. I liked the author's reading.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Jeanette's parents are so neglectful/abusive that her childhood was a horror story. But yet the siblings truly love them in spite of an awful non-upbringing.

Francisca E B
The Winter Garden Mystery by Carola Dunn
Narrator Name: Bernadette Dunne

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Bernadette Dunne does a fine job voicing the audiobook. She has great pacing and enough skill as a voice artist to give the many characters sufficiently unique voices.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
Book number two in the Daisy Dalrymple series has our heroine traveling to Occles Hall to research her latest article for "Town and Country<" on England’s country manor houses. Lady Valeria is none too pleased at this intrusion, and even less so when Daisy finds a body buried in the winter garden. A satisfying cozy mystery with an intrepid heroine, set in 1920s England.

Heather
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
Narrator Name: Mark Bramhall

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Narrator was very good.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
I had seen this recommended on Facebook as a chain-type feature - name top book every day. I really enjoyed this book as I had never heard of it and saw it was Pulitzer winner.

Tessa B C
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Narrator Name: Jeremy Irons

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Jeremy Irons does a magnificent job performing the audio version. He is a great actor and gives life to these characters. From the innocent boy, to the crystal merchant and the Alchemist, each character comes to life with his performance.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
3.5 stars. This is Coehlo’s international best-selling classic tale of an Andalusian shepherd boy’s quest to find his own Personal Legend. It’s an allegorical fable about finding your true self, wrapped in an adventure tale, with a little romantic interest added. I found it entertaining but not particularly inspiring.

Francisca E B
The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich
Narrator Name: Nicolle Littrell

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Nicolle Littrell does a fine job performing the audio version. She has good pacing and the book is clearly understandable for even younger readers.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
What Laura Ingalls Wilder did for the pioneer families in 19th century plains states, Erdrich has done for the Native Americans in this same time period. Omakayas is a seven-year-old Ojibwa girl living on Lake Superior’s Madeline Island. The novel covers the four seasons of 1847. I was fascinated by this story of the life of the Native Americans during this time period.