August 1, 2016 - September 6, 2016
Gina from Mission Viejo, CA
Nicolette from Portland, OR
Chris
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin
Rating the Audio Performance
THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF HENRIETTA LACKS was the July selection for my book group. It's a great story made even more inviting by the narration: excellent voice quality for "reading with ears". Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
There is so much in this book that leads to discussion that I enthusiastically recommend this book (especially the audio edition) for book group discussion. Enjoy!
Patricia
If Looks Could Kill by Kate White
Narrator Name: Karen White
Rating the Audio Performance
I really liked this audio performance. She had a pleasant tone to her voice and she was able to distinguish between characters without going overboard. I would listen to another book with her narration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This was my first time reading Kate White and I really enjoyed it! The story kept me interested all throughout and I wasn't able to guess who the killer was until close to the end. There was one scene in particular that really had me on the edge of my seat! I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series.
Dawn
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
Narrator Name: Scott Brick
Rating the Audio Performance
Love listening to any book narrated by Scott Brick. Usually reads thrillers and he adds to the suspense. Great character voices! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Janet Evanovich books are fun! And the characters are lovable! Can't get enough of the sexual innuendos and tension between Fox and O'Hare. Love this new series.
Gerry
The Beautiful American by Jeanne Mackin
Narrator Name: Kate Reading
Rating the Audio Performance
Very engaging reader. Used accents appropriately, but didn't overdo it. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Very interesting novel about model/photographer Lee Miller, focusing primarily on her time in France in the 1930s and in England after WWII. Such a different lifestyle back then!
Michael
Die Trying by Lee Child
Narrator Name: Johnathan McClain
Rating the Audio Performance
I loved what the narrator did. He gave the bad guy a high pitched voice. It doesn't indicate anywhere in the text that he had one so I assume this was his idea. He is very good at narration - great with voices. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Jack Reacher series (this is #2) is going strong! The story is very creative --- there are some great action scenes and Jack Reacher is a very memorable, well-written character. I am having a great time with this series on audiobook.
Mary Lou
The Brethren by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Frank Muller
Rating the Audio Performance
I liked the way this performer narrated, kind of a slow, almost cynical drawl to his voice that perfectly matched the outrageousness on the part of the crooks in this tale. Everybody was getting theirs, so to speak, in the story, and this narrator's voice reflected that perfectly. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This little tale came at a perfect time, considering the crazy election cycle going on in summer/fall 2016. In this story, three former judges in a minimum security prison perform an outrageous scam involving a man running for president. The story had a bit of slow start, but was intriguing enough to keep me going. And, as is typical with John Grisham and me, I became hooked as the book went on. This is an older book, and was part of a two book sale at Audible. I really had fun with it. Everybody gets away with something during the telling, and also, each one pays a price. Enjoyable summer fare.
Diane
Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee
Narrator Name: Reese Withersppon
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent job, especially with Scout! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Compelling, thought-provoking.
Barbara
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
Narrator Name: January LaVoy
Rating the Audio Performance
The narration was clear and distinct with appropriate inflection and animation. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
If you love twists and turns as well as suspense, this book will be right up your alley. I went from believing I had things figured out to starting all over again when a twist showed me I was dead wrong. I can't tell you how many trips to the store I made just to listen to the next part of the story!
Rena
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry
Narrator Name: Fiona Hardingham
Rating the Audio Performance
Made the narrator so relatable immediately. Warm, engaging, communicated a range of emotions. Made the book seem better than it is. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Grabbed me immediately.
Ricki
Revenge of the Living Dummy by R. L. Stine
Narrator Name: Alissa Hunnicutt
Rating the Audio Performance
Although the protagonist was a 12-year-old girl, Hunnicutt's narration was a tad too "tweeny." I did really the soundtrack and sound effects, though. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
As one would expect with a Goosebumps book, this is a fun MG thriller with an abrupt ending, but I was confused about the whole HorrorLand part, and why Ethan was not in it.
Tessa B. C.
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
Narrator Name: Orlagh Cassidy and Bahni Turpin
Rating the Audio Performance
Orlagh Cassidy (voicing Lavinia’s chapters) and Bahni Turpin (performing Belle’s) do a fine job on the audio book. They are both accomplished voice artists, with good pacing and an ability to differentiate the various characters. They really bring this story to life with their narrations. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A young Irish orphan is indentured to pay her parents’ debt, living and working alongside the slaves in the kitchen house of a Virginia plantation. I can certainly see why this has become so popular with book clubs. It has an interesting basic story line, some tension-filled scenes, and complex relationships between characters. However, it’s not the best-written book. Still, it held my attention and was a fairly quick read.
Donna
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
Narrator Name: James Langton
Rating the Audio Performance
Narrator sounds like the older gentleman character he is portraying. Love the accent! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Very cute story about a widowed older gentleman who goes in search of the meaning behind a charm bracelet he has found that his wife kept hidden. Reminds me of the characters of Ove and Harold Fry if you enjoyed those books.
Evelyn
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry
Narrator Name: Fiona Hardingham
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent narration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Very surprised at the ending!
Richard N. B.
A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
Narrator Name: Sam Dastor
Rating the Audio Performance
Sam Dastor is barely adequate voicing the audio book. The voices he uses for the women are high pitched to the point of screeching. And several of the Indians don’t sound much better. I suppose he was trying to help differentiate the characters in those long back-and-forth conversations, but it just irritated me. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3.5 stars. This classic explores class differences and the clash of cultures. Every character seems to have a preconceived notion of how “the others” should behave (or have always acted), and each reacts based on these preconceived notions. Even the “good” characters fall victim to their own prejudices, frequently without realizing it. Friendships are broken, and even when a character realizes their mistake there seems no way to undo the damage.
Shirley
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Narrator Name: George Newbern
Rating the Audio Performance
Very good performer. I enjoyed listening to him bring the characters alive. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The story of a crusty, set-in-his-ways widower who has to deal with life after losing his mate and coping with new neighbors.
Linda
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Narrator Name: Robert Petkoff
Rating the Audio Performance
Very nicely done by the narrator. Since the book bounces between present day and background, some kind of vocal transition (giving the previous date) would have helped me. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Before, in the title, refers to the background of the people on a private jet that crashes shortly after take-off. What in the passengers' and crew's backgrounds might give the key to the plane crash. Did someone aboard have reason to kill or was the problem someplace or someone else?
Lori
The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt
Narrator Name: Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt
Rating the Audio Performance
It was great to hear the authors read the book themselves. It was especially helpful to listen to Gloria Vanderbilt read her portions; hearing her voice made the book come alive and made me feel like I could understand her better. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I found the book very interesting. Vanderbilt led such a fascinating life, and it was great to hear her own spin on it. I had some knowledge of her life, but the details in this book filled in a lot of gaps. She has led a long and unique life, and this book brought it all to life.
Sandi
Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf
Narrator Name: Mark Bramhall
Rating the Audio Performance
Narrated with great emotion. Speech inflection --- easy to tell which character was speaking. Good tone that carried you along. 5-star narrator. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I fell in love with Addie and Louis instantly. Two lonely elderly people, reaching out and finding solace with each other. It was obvious that their love was growing daily. They had thrown caution to the wind. Obstacles were then put in the way by very selfish unappreciative family that instead of being happy for them, became intrusive, demanding and manipulative. I was so sad at the end of this book. Addie was still reaching out, Louis, wearily was doing his best. Small but powerful book. Funny and engaging. It had you cheering for Addie and Louis. So much said in so few words.
Linda
Ruthless: Scientology, My Son David Miscavige, and Me by Ron Miscavige with Dan Koon
Narrator Name: Harvey Betancourt
Rating the Audio Performance
Nice voice, good pacing. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The father of the present head of the Church of Scientology was tired of being treated in a condescending way so he left the church --- and his son. The son had become tyrannical overlord --- not the loving man he started out being. Not much new that I haven't read before.
Patricia
Down River by John Hart
Narrator Name: Scott Sowers
Rating the Audio Performance
One of the best narrators I've listened to in some time! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is my second time reading John Hart and he is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! His books just keep getting better and better. Can't wait to read the next one.
Melanie S.
The Children by Ann Leary
Narrator Name: Gretchen Mol
Rating the Audio Performance
Gretchen Mol's performance was excellent. Her voice quality and delivery was engaging and enhanced the story. The reason for the 4 star rating was that she misread the word "microphone" as "microwave"! I rewound three times to make sure I heard this correctly. Then I checked the print copy to make sure I was right that it should have been the word "microphone". I am sure reading a book aloud for hours can make it hard to maintain focus, so I blame the audio editor or the person listening in the booth more than the reader. Someone should have heard this and not allowed it to go onto the recording! I find so many of these errors when I listen to audiobooks. Does anyone want to hire me as an audio editor?? Sigh... Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I would give this book a rating of 3.5. This was a story with interesting family dynamics and characters I cared about. A light read with a bit of a mystery feel to it. It was engaging...until the end. The ending left me scratching my head thinking, "Was that the best this author could come up with?"
Francisca E B
Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar
Narrator Name: Henry Leyva
Rating the Audio Performance
Henry Leyva does an excellent job performing the audiobook. His pacing is good, and his Spanish pronunciation is excellent. I was a little taken aback at the heavily accented English he used for the dialogue, but then I suppose other listeners would have been equally annoyed if he had NOT used the accent. It certainly made it easy to tell when there was dialogue rather than exposition. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Subtitle: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine. What a gripping tale of survival, faith, team work and perseverance. In addition to the harrowing tale of their experiences underground, waiting for a rescue that might or might not happen, the book also relates the difficulties many of the miners had coping with their instant fame, and the aftereffects of the trauma they suffered.
Debbie
And After the Fire by Lauren Belfer
Narrator Name: Xe Sands and Simon Vance
Rating the Audio Performance
I thought most of the narration was very good, although the voice of Sarah was somewhat off-putting. Suzanne's voice was perfect. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I learned a lot about music history, Bach, and Germany. I was a little bit disappointed in the ending. There was a less than genuine feel about it and it did not tie up all the loose ends. Suzanna's romantic life was really not necessary to the storyline and, to some extent, took away from the story. I need to listen to more Bach!
Shelia
Mean Streak by Sandra Brown
Narrator Name: Jonathan Davis
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent, kept my interest all the way through. Couldn't wait to find out what happened next. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The storyline was suspenseful to me, wanted to just sit down and listen to all 10 discs at one time. But I couldn't, so consequently I had to replay some of the parts.
Kristen
A Morning for Flamingos by James Lee Burke
Narrator Name: Mark Hammer
Rating the Audio Performance
A mostly smooth performance. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Great mystery with a lot of psychological feeling, particularly for Vietnam veterans still reeling from war.
Linda
Her Again: Becoming Meryl Streep by Michael Schulman
Narrator Name: Eliza Foss
Rating the Audio Performance
Good job. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Nothing extraordinary, but a decent telling of the beginning of Meryl Streep's life and career. She has always amazed people in the know, be it teachers or directors or producers. Most importantly, she has quietly worked to be true to herself and not get pigeon-holed as an ingenue or a one note actress, something anyone who has followed her career cannot imagine.
Diane
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Narrator Name: Todd Haberkorn
Rating the Audio Performance
Compelling voice. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Great new YA voice.
Kelly Rodriguez
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Narrator Name: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott, and Owen Lindsay
Rating the Audio Performance
The audio performance was wonderful. The narrator helped me to feel like I was really part of the story and could imagine myself relating to the characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I was totally hooked on this book from the moment I started listening to the storyline. Louisa Clark is just an ordinary girl, yet she is so quirky in her own little ways. She has a lot on her plate when it comes to helping to her family out financially. I totally fell in love with Will Traynor's character from the moment Louisa took a much needed job taking care of him. He is a broken man that is so bitter following an accident, but Louisa is just one of those people you can't help falling in love. I was totally hooked on watching their relationship develop. I highly recommend this book.
Mary Lou
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Narrator Name: Caroline Lee
Rating the Audio Performance
Outstanding - I can't say enough about this narrator's performance. She can do young children, old men, and everything in between convincingly and artistically. What a talent! And a bonus after the end of the book - a fifteen minute interview with the author Liane Morarity by the narrator Caroline Lee. They had never spoken before. So interesting. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Another excellent read by this author, raising a gamut of issues from infertility to hoarding. The story is set in the suburbs of Sydney involving a barbecue gathering that ends in a very upsetting and potentially life-threatening way. The character development is outstanding, and the story reads like a mystery with the author dangling clues and unraveling the plot in a way that keeps the reader/listener completely engrossed and making up excuses to listen. i.e.., I think I'll wash the dishes and listen for a bit, or I think I'll sort the laundry and listen for a bit, etc. There are issues for all ages in this one -- children, thirty something adults, senior citizens, and even a millennial or two. Highly recommended.
Richard N B
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Narrator Name: Firdous Bamji
Rating the Audio Performance
Firdous Bamji does a marvelous job narrating the audiobook. He has good pacing and his performance enhances the reader’s impression of Zeitoun as a thoughtful, faithful man, an everyman’s hero. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is a true story of what happened to one family in Post-Katrina New Orleans. I was shocked, stunned, angry, dismayed and completely riveted by the tale. Eggers does a great job putting the reader into the setting – the peace and quiet of no electronics, the heat and humidity, the stench of rotting vegetation, and the unsettling sight of armed men patrolling (?) your once-peaceful neighborhood.
Melanie S.
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Flawless performance. Cassandra Campbell is one of the best. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This story was beautifully written. A housekeeper is placed in the home of a brain-injured professor who can only remember anything that happens in the preceding 80 minutes. The simplicity of the story was juxtaposed against very complex mathematical concepts, which the professor's undamaged long-term memory was able to retrieve. The way the equations, formulas and proofs were presented did leave the reader feeling the beauty of mathematics. The story, however, was so simple and I kept waiting for something to happen. Living in the here and now and the joy of learning were the takeaways from this novella. The character development was minimal.
Debbie
Barkskins by Annie Proulx
Narrator Name: Robert Petkoff
Rating the Audio Performance
Mr. Petkoff, as usual, did a great job at narration. His voice really made the characters come alive. I always enjoy listening to an audiobook when he is the narrator. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
BARKSKINS is truly a masterpiece and a book everyone should read. It is the story of the Douquet (Duke) and Sels families through the generations, and the story of how the white settlers of this country fooled themselves into thinking that the forests were, and continue to be, an endless resource. Charles Douquet, the patriarch of these two families, came from very poor beginnings to build an empire in the lumber industry. This is the story of his white family, adopted and biological sons, down through the ages through the most interesting character of all, Lavinia Duke, and the story of his Native American family, the Sels, part white and part Mi'kma, who struggle to survive to save the forests.
Patricia
The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith
Narrator Name: Robert Glenister
Rating the Audio Performance
Robert Glenister has quickly become one of my all-time favorite narrators! Absolutely love his performance. Can't say enough good things. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I am SO loving this series! It kept me guessing right up until the very end. And I love the characters (although Robin needs to get with it and dump her jerk of a boyfriend.) Can't wait to read the third book -- and I'm really hoping there are more in the works!
Michael
Tripwire by Lee Child
Narrator Name: Dick Hill
Rating the Audio Performance
Dick Hill is a great narrator. (He also narrated Jack Reacher #2.) He makes the characters distinct but not distracting, and he is specially good with the villains. Very well done. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I enjoy this series. This was not as strong as the first two, but it was still very enjoyable. I was a little disappointed with the end. It felt like the book was leading up to a final showdown (so to speak) and it was very quick and not very satisfying. Still loving this series and look forward to #4 and beyond...
Lori
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin
Narrator Name: Kirsten Potter
Rating the Audio Performance
The reader did a great job, especially because of her nice Irish accent. It helped make the book come alive. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I enjoyed the story. It was an interesting look at the life of a young Irish woman going to the US by herself to try to have a better life. It was a very nice period piece that gave me insight into that time period.
Rebecca
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Narrator Name: Atossa Leoni
Rating the Audio Performance
Wonderfully read with much expression to lure us into the moment.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Of the three Hosseini's novels I have read, I find that this is the one that, by far, I like the best. Mariam and Laila are two women brought together by war in Afghanistan. Their fates become interwoven by their unlikely bond, and the suspense builds toward the final moment.
Melanie S.
Miller's Valley by Anna Quindlen
Narrator Name: Brittany Pressley
Rating the Audio Performance
Flawless delivery. Ms. Pressley created a quiet delivery that perfectly conveyed the feel of the rural town of Miller's Valley and its inhabitants. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The writing was good but the story was very sleepy and slow. There were a few good moments of surprise in the plot, but it was a bit boring. Still, I wanted to finish to see how it all wrapped up. This is a story of how the place we grow up in always remains a part of us.
Phyllis
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gali and Kathrin Kana
Rating the Audio Performance
Yes, it took three excellent readers to tell this marvelous WWII story based on Caroline Faraday and Dr. Herta Oberhauser. The third character, Kasha, a" Polish Rabbit", was made up by the author based on true stories, letters, etc .from Ravensbruch Camp. It was a long (14 discs) interwoven story about these three ladies and their involvement in WWII and afterward. Highly recommended if you are a fan of THE NIGHTINGALE! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
It was a long (14 discs) interwoven story about three ladies and their involvement in WWII and afterward. Caroline, US citizen, Kash, Polish citizen, and Dr. Oberhauser, German citizen each played a role in this amazing story! Highly recommended if you are a "Nighingale" fan!
Deborah
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson
Narrator Name: Jenny Lawson
Rating the Audio Performance
This book is well read by the author. Her first book I listened on audio as well, LET'S PRETEND THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN. This is truly her life and her story and she reads it so well. She stated how difficult it was for her at first to be the narrator of her own story, the fear etc., which she has overcome by leaps and bounds. You will love the cadence of her voice as it matches the story she is relating so well. Extremely well done. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This book is well read by the author. The author has had a life-long battle with mental illness. Her books embrace who she is - multiple quirks and all. I'm amazed that she has such a great attitude with all life as swung her way that she must find ways to deal with. Find the "happy" where you can is her motto. Such an enjoyable book.
Francisca E B
The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson
Narrator Name: Nathan Osgood
Rating the Audio Performance
Nathan Osgood does a fine job with the narration on the audiobook. He has good pacing and an expressive voice. The audio also includes some original music or sound effects at the end of chapters; it’s generally pleasant, but I usually fast forward through it. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Bryson clearly loves this landscape, these people, the lovely views, the crazy laws or regulations, and even the food. There were some aspects not to my liking, but on the whole, it’s an entertaining read.
Margaret
Tempting Fate by Jane Green
Narrator Name: Jane Green
Rating the Audio Performance
I really like this narration because the author is performing it. Who better to give a reading than the person who created the characters! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Contemporary content matter and not beyond the realm for any one of us!
Karen
A Lowcountry Wedding by Mary Alice Monroe
Narrator Name: Mary Alice Monroe
Rating the Audio Performance
The reading was relaxing with just the right amount of inflection in her voice where needed. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I am glad that I opted for the audio version of this book. Reading this story would have been difficult for me due to the pace. I thought it was slow-moving in action - it is set in the South. However, this allowed for the characters to fully develop. The storyline was predictable.
Debbie
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Narrator Name: Dominic Hoffman
Rating the Audio Performance
Mr. Hoffman does a wonderful job with the voices of all the characters. His pitch, his accent, and his inflection as he moves back and forth through history is perfect. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is a wonderful book. The prose is beautiful and the interwoven stories of several families from their beginnings in Ghana to present day United States will leave you asking for more. This is a book that everyone should read.
Deborah
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Narrator Name: Robert Petkoff
Rating the Audio Performance
Clear, clean reading of the novel. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A well-written tale of the aftermath of a plane crash and its survivors and victims.
Michael
Stalking the Angel by Robert Crais
Narrator Name: David Stuart
Rating the Audio Performance
David Stuart captures the character of Elvis Cole just right. There is a fair amount of snark and his delivery is spot-on. Great narrator. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I enjoy the character of Elvis Cole, even when the story is a little weak (like the first book), but I found the story to be a lot stronger here. An enjoyable, creative tale of a lost book (very simplistic and no spoilers) with some unpredictable twists and turns. Very enjoyable.
Bobbie
Bullseye by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Narrator Name: Danny Mastrogiorgio
Rating the Audio Performance
Love him as Michael Bennett! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Have gotten tired of many of James Patterson's series, but this one seems to get stronger and stronger. Great main character and his secondary characters, especially his family, keep the storyline moving. Have listened to all of these books, and love them all.
Valerie
The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathan Evison
Narrator Name: Jeff Woodman
Rating the Audio Performance
Listening to Jeff Woodman was a pleasure. His tone, his character voice changes were easy on my ears. Loved getting into my car and being serenaded by Jeff Woodman. Would listen to him anywhere. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Why do we read? Pleasure, knowledge, passes time, lets us forget about our own troubles and get lost in someone else's problems. Makes us think we are not the only people going through sometimes life's grueling lessons. And as I listened to THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING it made me feel that it (life) is going to be okay. Just like Benjamin, after losing everything he loves and almost loses his mind, he finds a way to survive. Life throws us all strikes and curve balls and we have to make it to home. Reading THE REVISED FUNDAMENTALS OF CAREGIVING gave me some highs and lows but definitely hope. Thanks, Jonathan Evison for giving me the light at the end of the tunnel.
Pam
Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly
Narrator Name: Bill O'Reilly
Rating the Audio Performance
Clear, concise and perfectly paced. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A very informative book detailing Patton's career and personality. I would've liked to learn a little more about his personal life but presume that there isn't a lot of recorded details on that part of this famous man.
Laura
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
Narrator Name: Hope Jahren
Rating the Audio Performance
Hope's voice was a little too slow and monotone for me. Since I listened on my phone, I was able to speed up her voice and make her sound more perky. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I enjoyed this book. Every other chapter is mostly about trees and it was surprisingly interesting. I learned tree stuff, whether or not I could repeat it is something else. It's the story of Hope's career and the labs that she built along the way. She was and is able to do what she truly loves. How lucky.
Linda
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
Narrator Name: Mitch Albom
Rating the Audio Performance
Albom does a decent job. No complaints. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
An engaging story, narrated by Music, of a musician's life. Knowing of Albom's musical abilities, despite owning a signed hardback copy, I chose to listen to the tale since I thought the audio would include at least background music of the pieces mentioned in the book. I was quickly deterred from that thought by hearing Albom, the CD narrator, speak the words to the tune "Bill Bailey" followed by another character saying, "You have a nice voice, Frankie." What? I wouldn't dissuade anyone from reading this book. I'm just commenting about my take of the audio version.
Robin
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Narrator Name: Steve West, Emma Bering and Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Absolutely engaging audiobook! So happy that I downloaded via Overdrive so I could listen on my iPhone in the car or when I was walking or cleaning. I wanted to keep listening as much as I didn't want it to end! The French accents were excellent. I really felt like I got to know these characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is the coolest story because it's a love story wrapped inside a buddy adventure story.
Diane
Windfall: The Booming Business of Global Warming by McKenzie Funk
Narrator Name: Sean Runnette
Rating the Audio Performance
Crisp and compelling. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Interesting take on the situation. I learned a lot.
Patricia
The Tombs by Clive Cussler
Narrator Name: Scott Brick
Rating the Audio Performance
I enjoy Scott Brick. This is the fourth book I've listened to in this series and he's narrated them all, so I've grown quite accustomed to his voice. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I've enjoyed reading this Fargo series, but it seems that with each book it becomes harder and harder for me to suspend my disbelief. The storylines are just becoming so outlandish that I find myself disconnecting with the book. And the main characters are so flawless in everything they do that they become two dimensional and are no longer interesting. Disappointing.
Linda
Kick Kennedy The Charmed Life and Tragic Death of the Favorite Kennedy Daughter by Barbara Leaming
Narrator Name: Eliza Foss
Rating the Audio Performance
Competent, easily understandable. Did seem more like a lecture than a reading. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
We've heard about the boys, but nothing about Papa Joe's favorite called "Kick." She fell in love with two men who her parents objected to due to their staunch Catholicism. Even Kathleen questioned before acting on her feelings. Like her brother, Joe, she died tragically in a plane crash.
Tessa B C
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
Narrator Name: Nadia May
Rating the Audio Performance
Nadia May does a fine job performing the audio version. She has good pacing and is able to differentiate the characters, though Spark’s non-linear style is more difficult in audio than on the page. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Miss Jean Brodie is a teacher at conservative girls’ school in 1930s Edinburgh, Scotland. Rather than follow the school curriculum, Miss Brodie prefers to inspire “her girls” with stories of her trips abroad, favorable remarks about Mussolini, comments about sex, and field trips. She is, after all, “in her prime,” and she wants to instill in them passion, independence and ambition. I’ve had this on my TBR list since the movie came out in 1969. I have to wonder what my reaction would have been had I read it back then.
Jane
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Narrator Name: Craig Wasson
Rating the Audio Performance
A bad narrator can ruin a book for me. I am glad to say this narrator is just right for the story. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Having lived through this era, I was really curious about the what ifs as imagined by one of my favorite authors, Stephen King. I was not disappointed. Mr King just gets better and better as time goes on. I was completely caught up in the story and characters. It is thought-provoking and well researched.
Francisca E B
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Narrator Name: Scott Brick
Rating the Audio Performance
Scott Brick does a good job reading the audiobook. His delivery is rather dry, but this is fine for a work of nonfiction. He was still able to lend a sense of the panic and distress of the passengers, Captain and crew of the Lusitania, though this is probably more attributable to Larson’s writing than to Brick’s performance. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The subtitle is all the synopsis you need: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania. Larson uses tidbits found in research materials from a variety of sources to flesh out a narrative tale of a great disaster. Larson shifts perspective from the Lusitania, to the German submarine U-20, to Room 40 (the British Intelligence headquarters.) It’s a compelling story, which completely captured my interest despite my knowing how it.
Aimee
Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Very clear, beautiful voice. I loved the transition to Aunt Lou's mature voice, at the beginning and at the end. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This book just gently sucks you into the story of Lucia and her family. I have enjoyed all of Adriana's books and will continue to search out the ones I haven't read yet.
Deborah Smith
The Guest Room by Chris Bohjalian
Narrator Name: Mozhan Marno and Grace Experience
Rating the Audio Performance
The performance was extremely well done, in my opinion. Pacing and intonation done to the highest degree. I never lost interest. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The was the first book I've read by this author. Very good story pertaining to underage trafficking and the many consequences that may not be considered. I understand the ending; however, I was so saddened by it. Truly a worthwhile listen!
Ricki
One False Note by Gordon Korman
Narrator Name: David Pittu
Rating the Audio Performance
Good narration, but nothing incredibly outstanding. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The action and adventure started immediately in this installment, and while it was still a lot of fun, it just was missing a little of the atmosphere from the first. But then again, different authors do have different writing styles, even when continuing a story.
Heather
The Passenger by Lisa Lutz
Narrator Name: Madeleine Maby
Rating the Audio Performance
Madeleine Maby has great inflection and was very engaging. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
It was an entertaining book, but I found it a bit predictable.
Simonne
All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani
Narrator Name: Blair Brown
Rating the Audio Performance
Great performance, although it is sometimes hard to tell which character is speaking or to discern a thought from dialog. A lot of emotion is put into the narration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Adriana Trigiani is back in fine form after the somewhat disappointing THE SUPREME MACARONI COMPANY. A true novel of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Many details are brought forward and many long-gone stars are brought to life. A terrific read.
Jan
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Narrator Name: Oliver Wyman
Rating the Audio Performance
Flawless! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
There's a good story buried among the 700+ pages. The book felt bloated and in need of a brutal editor. There was too much repetition, too much "misery porn", and characters who were unrealistic. I grew weary and with 11 hours yet to go I was ready for it to be done, but I persevered to the bitter end. The prose is often beautiful and the subject matter worthy, but in the end I learned nothing I didn't already know: childhood abuse and trauma have devastating and lifelong effects. I didn't need to read a 700 page book to drive the point home.
Shirley
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Narrator Name: Caroline Lee
Rating the Audio Performance
Caroline Lee provided a wonderful narration which did a lot to keep me interested without giving away any hints of what was to come. She had good material to work with but also expressed the different characters in a way that made each one unique and added nuances which further identified their uniqueness. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
There were about three or four storylines and each one was well developed, hitting on the individuality of each character and her needs.
Carol
The Road to Little Dribbling by Bill Bryson
Narrator Name: Nathan Osgood
Rating the Audio Performance
Nathan Osgood brings to life the genuine feelings you get from the book. It's almost like the author is narrating it himself. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Nobody does travel books like Bill Bryson. He brings the little villages to life with all their characters and landmarks. His sense of humor is so evident in describing his travels that you feel like you're almost sitting next to him on the bus or train or walking in the rain with him.
Shirley
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Narrator Name: Joan Walker
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent reader. Kept me laughing or crying! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved this storyline as it relates to my age group.
Nicolette
Accused by Lisa Scottoline
Narrator Name: January LaVoy
Rating the Audio Performance
I found the narrator's voices to be, for lack of a more polite way of saying it, annoying. This is the issue I've been having with audiobooks. It's hard to find a narrator that doesn't detract from the story. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The story being strong was the only thing that kept me listening to the end.
Phyllis
Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
Narrator Name: Assaf Cohen
Rating the Audio Performance
Mr. Cohen narrated all the parts with clarity and expression. He also spoke Turkish and Armenian effectively. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Now I understand a little more about the Armenian Genocide and the parts that the Turks and Armenian played in this conflict. The author tells the story by alternating between the Ottoman Empire to 1990s Los Angeles to unravel the mystery of Orhan's family with hidden secrets. Recommended to learn more about this troubled past and unspeakable horrors of the Armenian/Turkish conflict.
shannon
The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Narrator Name: Kathrin Kana, Cassandra Campbell and Kathleen Gati
Rating the Audio Performance
Very well done! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A great story!
Melanie S.
Where the Light Gets In by Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Narrator Name: Kimberly Williams-Paisley
Rating the Audio Performance
Kimberly Williams did an exceptional job reading her story. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
An excellent of account of what a family goes through when one of their members is diagnosed with dementia. Beginning with the subtle, small personality changes and progressing to full-blown dementia, this story will resonate with many who deal with the same situation as a spouse or child of a person who is mentally slipping away. How Kimberly chooses to deal with and love her mother in spite of her not really "being there" any longer is inspiring and would definitely help others and offers a fresh perspective in dealing with this situation. I will be recommending this to my friends who are dealing with this very same issue.
Kim
Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard
Narrator Name: Josh Clark
Rating the Audio Performance
If I could give 100 stars I would. This is the biggest and best audiobook I have ever listened to. I had read the book two times and so decided to try the audiobook. And I don't normally enjoy audios at all. I was locked in for the full 47.5 hours and I had to listen to it every day and night. The story, as you may have heard, is grand. Action-packed, suspenseful and sci-fi to the core. And then you add to that music, sound effects, it's like a watching a movie with your mind. Highly recommend it. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Beyond thorough and complete.
donna
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Narrator Name: Clare Corbett, Louise Brealey, and India Fisher
Rating the Audio Performance
I personally found it a little difficult to distinguish the characters as they sounded a bit alike to me. I had to really listen to distinguish them. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The plot suspense is what I enjoyed most. The main characters are somewhat unlikable. I had to know if the main character, Rachel, was the killer. I was on the edge of my seat until the very end. For this reason, I recommend the book. I can't wait to see new movie version out soon. If you are like me and love mystery and suspense, this is the book for you.
Stephanie Smith
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gati, and Kathrin Kana
Rating the Audio Performance
Each narrator was distinguished and fit my visualization of the each character perfectly. They drew me into the story with their accents and made me feel as if I were part of the time and place. I love audiobooks with multiple narrators when there are distinct storylines. It helps the flow of the book and makes each chapter more enticing. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I'm always a fan of historical fiction; this book was both devastating and empowering. The women all showed such strength when faced with moral, psychological, or physical hardships.
Deborah
Dead Wake by Erik Larson
Narrator Name: Scott Brick
Rating the Audio Performance
Scott Brick is one of my favorite audio narrators. He deep voice is perfect for epic novels and non-fiction. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The history behind a great disaster that is fascinating. This book actually made me think less of Winston Churchill and the British Government. There is always a human cost to war, but how that cost is measured by those in charge still amazes me.
Patricia
The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva
Narrator Name: Phil Gigante
Rating the Audio Performance
I've listened to every book in the Allon series up to this point and Gigante is by far my favorite narrator. I really like the subtle personalization that he gives to the characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This Gabrielle Allon series just keeps getting better and better! I particularly loved this storyline. I love that Silva got back to his "roots" and based the book around the art world. But then I also loved how it tied back in to the holocaust. Really great story. Can't wait to read the next one!
Gina
Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson
Narrator Name: Tavia Gilbert
Rating the Audio Performance
The audio performance was great. The main character of Frank could have come across as very flat but this young boy (possibly autistic) comes alive. You fall in love with his sweetness and quirks because of this audio performance. Each character is defined and at times you wonder if another voice actor has been brought in. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I enjoy classic films and books. This book was up my alley. The young boy, Frank, enjoys films and his mother is a celebrated author of a masterpiece at age 20. Each character is quirky, inspiring and has hidden layers. You find yourself rooting for this little family who is under threat and hope they can make it through.
Linda
Keep Me Posted by Lisa Beazley
Narrator Name: Erin Bennett
Rating the Audio Performance
Ms. Bennett did a good job, even giving different intonations to the male and children characters. I do wish she would have made a bigger distinction between the voices of the two sisters. It would have made keeping track of the story a little easier. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Two sisters exchange letters as a way to both stay and touch and to relearn about each other. One decides the easiest way to "hold" these letters for posterity is to scan them to her computer. Unfortunately, there is a problem with her computer network and what she thought was private has become the trending blog. She then has to clean up a mess that she never saw coming. Very entertaining.
Debbie
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Bejamin
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell and Paul Boehmer
Rating the Audio Performance
I thought the narrators did a very good job with all the voices. I got tired of Truman Capote's voice after a while but I think that this must have been a very difficult voice to do. The narrators were also true to their characters throughout the book. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I thought the book was very well written, but I did not particularly enjoy the story. It was certainly a very interesting era, but it seems that there was a lot of wasted energy on living the life of the rich and famous and not much of a role for women. The women in this book all came across as schemers, gossips, and not very nice people, with the exception of Babe Paley, who was nice and a victim. By the time I finished the story, I was glad that I never knew Truman Capote, as brilliant as he may have been.
Debbie
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
Narrator Name: John Glouchevitch
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator does a wonderful job at bringing this story to life. When Col. Alan Forrester speaks you can hear the anguish in his voice and the hardships he is experiencing. When Sophie speaks, you can hear her sadness, her anxiety and her excitement. It is an excellent narration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is a wonderful book. The story is told through a series of journal entries of Colonel Alan Forrester, who is on an expedition to the unknown territory of Alaska in 1885, and his wife, Sophie Forrester, who is left to fend for herself at the Vancouver Barracks. As the Colonel struggles during the expedition, experiencing hostile natives, unrelenting weather and ice, and near starvation, Sophie struggles with her own losses, but also her pride and happiness in learning how to use a camera to take pictures of her favorite hummingbird. It is a wonderful story.
Gerry
Freeman by Leonard Pitts, Jr.
Narrator Name: Sean Crisden
Rating the Audio Performance
Very good reader, though I was surprised by his mispronunciations of several words (guess he learned those words by reading, not in conversation.) Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Rating this one 3-1/2 stars. I enjoyed it, but parts of it felt a bit too contrived. Overall, though, it was a moving story of the post-Civil War era as black families attempted to reunite and struggled to define freedom in the face of strong resistance from former Confederates.
Gerry
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik
Narrator Name: Andi Arndt
Rating the Audio Performance
Clear, good pacing, a pleasant voice to listen to. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Not especially well-written and oddly organized (by topic rather than chronologically), but quite informative. I learned a lot I had not known about the country's second female Supreme Court Justice, a woman who has accomplished a great deal in her career as she fought against discrimination against women as well as African-Americans.
Gerry
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
Narrator Name: Luke Thompson
Rating the Audio Performance
Beautiful narration of a marvelous book! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Outstanding writing, and the best yet by this author. Cleve paints a detailed and wonderfully evocative portrait of British life during WWII, both at home and in combat zones.
Gail
Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
Narrator Name: Caroline Lee
Rating the Audio Performance
As the author exploited the flaws in each character, the narrator chose just the right tone and emphasis to make that character come to life. She was inside the head of each character with an authentic portrayal of their personalities. I am sure that my feelings about several of the characters had to be due to her excellent characterization of them. She caught the nuances of their individuality and the cadence of their voices. It was like watching a performance in my mind. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
When three couples gather for a barbecue at the home of Vid and Tiffany, they set forth a course of events which will change the arc of all of their lives. The casual atmosphere, liquor, and early stage of their friendship makes each of the characters behave a bit out of character. As they try to impress each other with their stories, drinking and even flirting, they forget their adult responsibilities. Each will have to deal with the consequences of their actions that day, in their own way, when a near tragedy takes place. All had issues with parents or spouses, and it was interesting to watch them, young and old, as they went forward, learning to deal with what life threw at them.
Linda
A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold
Narrator Name: Sue Klebold
Rating the Audio Performance
For a novice (I assume) she did an admirable job. I'm thinking that a seasoned narrator might have put too much polish on voicing this book. Klebold, narrating her own book, supplies the proper amounts of pathos and empathy. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Can you imagine discovering that your child not only died in a school shooting but was a perpetrator? Sue Klebold stills has shuffles this thought and others through her logic and rationalization. She has become a messenger for better understanding of people in general, and especially those with mental anguishes. I applaud Sue Klebold for her soul-searching and sharing it with us.
Richard N B
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Narrator Name: Dan Stevens
Rating the Audio Performance
Dan Stevens is marvelous performing the audio version. He has good pacing and is able to accurately pronounce the Spanish and French phrases/names. His gift for voices is well-suited to this work; he is even successful portraying the women. His Andreas Corelli is appropriately mesmerizing while Martín sounds like the young, self-educated writer he is. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Wow. The plot is intricate and compelling, the characters complex and interesting, and the writing is simply wonderful. And, let's not forget the marvelous Cemetery of Forgotten Books. This is a dark, gothic novel full of mystery and intrigue. At heart it is a story of man’s struggle against his baser instincts. Although there are many twists in the plot, Zafón keeps some major surprises for the ending.
Mary Lou
Trump Revealed by Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher
Narrator Name: Campbell Scott
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent job. This is the kind of book where the narrator should disappear and the object of the story, Trump himself, should take center stage. This is exactly what happened. The essence of Trump was what this narration was all about. I can't say I'm any happier to have Trump potentially holding our country's future in his little starfish hands (to quote Anne Lamott), but I definitely get who he is now. He is no flash in the pan, as he has had his eye on the White House since the 90s. Great job Campbell Scott. I would definitely listen to other books that he has narrated. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
With a team of Washington Post reporters doing the research, and authored by two of the respected and award winning journalists, this book is a thorough and detailed tour through Donald Trump’s story. It begins with his Scottish ancestors, takes us through the German half of his heritage, brings us over the pond to the U.S. with his immigrant grandparents, takes us through his childhood in Queens, boarding school, college, and all the way through the paths to his present day candidacy. A compelling and fascinating story. I learned a great deal about this man, and feel I have achieved a deep understanding of him, his brand, his goals, and why he’s in the place he’s in today. This book, well written and constructed, is highly recommended.
Enid
The Hare With The Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal
Narrator Name: Michael Maloney
Rating the Audio Performance
A better narrator could not have been chosen. The characters and setting come alive through the beautiful narrative. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is a fabulous, beautifully written generational story of the wealthy Jewish Ephrussi family linked by an inherited set of netsuke (small Japanese figurines). The family with roots in Odessa stretch to Paris, Vienna, Japan and the US. The impact of industrialization, multiple wars and and religious intolerance act as a backdrop as the authors brings to life his ancestors with amazing visual clarity.
Gerry
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
Narrator Name: Zach Villa
Rating the Audio Performance
Very engaging reader. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3.5 stars for this mystery/coming-of-age story about a college student struggling to escape the confines of his impoverished and crisis-laden home life. After saving enough for a semester of college, he is assigned to write a biography for his English class, and visits a nearby nursing home in search of a subject to interview for his paper. His interview and research lead him to try to prove that his chosen subject, a convicted murderer, is actually innocent. 
