November 1, 2016 - December 1, 2016
Barbara from Matthews, NC
Irene from Pacifica, CA
Suzanne
I'm Just A Person by Tig Notaro
Narrator Name: Tig Notaro
Rating the Audio Performance
I thoroughly enjoyed Tig's performance. Listening to her, you felt like she is sitting down and talking to you personally. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
An honest account of her life. I think she's a great writer. I read this book after I watched One Mississippi, which I thought was terrific, and hope that she'll write another book, maybe about her marriage and children.
Patricia Miller
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Narrator Name: Bahni Turpin and Robbie Daymond
Rating the Audio Performance
I felt like Turpin did okay with the female characters. But I didn't enjoy when she attempted to do the male voices. It came off like a croak. Otherwise, her reading was good. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
When I first started reading this book, I didn't realize it was considered 'young adult'. I'm not really a huge fan of young adult, so I wouldn't have read it had I realized. But since I'd already started, I decided to give it a go. The book was enjoyable. I struggled a little bit with finding the storyline fully believable. Sometimes I felt like I had to suspend my disbelief a little further than I'm comfortable doing. I think that kept me from really getting into the book. But it wasn't bad.
Tessa B C
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Narrator Name: Steve West and Emma Bering with Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Steve West and Emma Bering (or is it Cassandra Campbell – I couldn’t tell) – do a fine job performing the audio version. Having the female voice for those sections narrated by Manon provided a necessary clue to change in perspective, time and/or place. I almost felt as if I were on the barge with them, navigating the rivers and canals of Southern France. The audio does NOT include the recipes or “literary prescriptions” that are at the end of the text version, however. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I really wanted to love this book. Several people whose opinions I trust have recommended it, and there’s much here to like. But…I never understood why Manon acted as she did. She is such an important part of this book, and yet I feel that I don’t really know her, and never cared about her. And as a result I couldn’t understand why Perdu cared so much. Still, it’s Paris, it’s a love story, and it’s about reading. And I did like the “literary prescriptions” at the end.
Linda
Trump and Me by Mark Singer
Narrator Name: Mark Singer, David Remnick - foreword
Rating the Audio Performance
Good voice. Good intonation. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A combination of a 1997 article written for "The New Yorker" magazine and recent observations of Trump's quotes and actions since declaring his run for the presidency in June, 2015. Not a lot new. Very short. Read in under two hours. Features a foreword by David Remnick, present editor-in-chief of the magazine.
Carol Weigel
Higher Call by Adam Makos with Larry Alexander
Narrator Name: Dean Robertson
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Special read.
Mary
Grave Peril by James Butcher
Narrator Name: James Marsters
Rating the Audio Performance
Perfect voice for all the characters with a laconic voice that is not overdone. Thoroughly enjoyable. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Great series set in Chicago which makes it interesting since I live in the area. Characters come to life and there's always great twists in the plot.
Linda
The Rainbow Comes and Goes by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt
Narrator Name: Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt
Rating the Audio Performance
This autobiography was ideally narrated by both the authors with expressive feeling. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Gloria Vanderbilt's life is fascinating. Although her family tree is rich and famous; she was indeed a "poor little rich girl." She was married to illustrious men. She suffered heart-breaking losses. But she finally grew to appreciate the truly good things in her life and how strong and talented she truly is at 92 years old!
Natalie
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Narrator Name: Wil Wheaton
Rating the Audio Performance
Wil Wheaton delivers a perfect performance. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved this book! It was a wonderful trip back to the '80s. It's loaded with television, movie, music references as well as gaming trivia. And having lived in Columbus Ohio and worked for CompuServe it was fun to catch all of the subtle and not-so-subtle references to all of the above. And the story captured my attention on all levels. This is a must-read for nerds and non-nerds alike.
Marion
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston
Narrator Name: Bryan Cranston
Rating the Audio Performance
As a huge fan of Breaking Bad, I was thrilled to listen to Bryan's voice as he narrated his autobiography. I felt he was in the car with me. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Bryan has led a very interesting life and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to his journeys. He and his brother crossed the United States on motorcycles when they were young and then they went their separate ways - both choosing acting. He was chosen for the part of Walter White based on appearing in one episode of The X Factor. He loves his wife and daughter and his work.
Mary Lou
The Whistler by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Cassandra Campbell did a very good job narrating this one. It was easy to distinguish among all the characters, male and female. Plus her voice is well modulated and thus is an easy listen. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This latest Grisham is set in north Florida, and involves a corrupt judge, an Indian casino, and a mob-type gang. What I like so much about Grisham novels is his interesting characters who get into a decent amount of trouble, giving rise to tension in the plot, without making things so violent and crazy that I can’t listen at night before bed, my favorite time for audibles. In this one, Grisham’s protagonist is a female judicial ethics investigator, Lacey Stoltz. Grisham’s writing is superb, the story beautifully crafted. I am a recovering lawyer, so I love all the legal drama around Grisham’s books. I am giving THE WHISTLER four stars and would do 4 1/2 if it was available. This one was very good and highly recommended.
Robin
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Narrator Name: Anthony Bourdain
Rating the Audio Performance
It's so great listening to Anthony Bourdain tell his story! He has a fast-paced delivery so he reads his story the same way he talks. I read this book when it first came out, but my husband was interested so we put it on during a car ride we took together and it was SO good! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Fascinating inside story about the restaurant business that you should not miss. If you like to cook, you'll pick up some helpful hints from this as well about knives and foodstuffs to get and what to avoid.
Francisca E B
Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides
Narrator Name: James Naughton
Rating the Audio Performance
James Naughton does a fabulous job of narrating the audiobook. I really felt I was in the heart of the action. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Sides crafts a story that is gripping, informative, horrifying and inspiring - the forgotten tale of a harrowing mission to rescue hundreds of American and British POWs from a Japanese camp in the Philippines. I was captured from page one and mesmerized throughout. I felt that I really got to know the men involved – prisoners and rescuers. This is a history that will appeal to fans of Laura Hillenbrand’s UNBROKEN or Doug Stanton’s IN HARM’S WAY.
Susan
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Narrator Name: Audra McDonald, Cassandra Campbell and Ari Fliakos
Rating the Audio Performance
Audra Mc Donald is fabulous as Ruth Jefferson, an African American Labor and Delivery nurse, who is instructed not to attend to her patient, a baby whose parents are White Supremecists. When the baby goes into cardiac arrest and Ruth is the only one in the nursery, she hesitates before administering CPR. Now she is charged with the death of the infant. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Fantastic! This novel is one of Picoult's best! It will make you think about your own attitudes toward racism and is a great book for a discussion group.
Beverlee Abell
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
Narrator Name: Zach VIlla
Rating the Audio Performance
Zach Villa took me to Minnesota and brought to each setting and experience in the book a way to take my breath away! He was so fantastic that I researched other books he has read and downloaded them! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved the pace of the book, the characters, the setting - this was really one of my favorite books of the year!
Tessa B C
The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn
Narrator Name: John H. Mayer
Rating the Audio Performance
John Mayer’s delivery on the audio is ponderous. He gives so much weight to the history lesson that I grew quite bored. I had a text version handy and read several sections myself rather than listen. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This was not the light, fluffy holiday book I thought it would be. It is a history of Western civilization told through the lens of the legend that is today’s Santa Claus. Still, it was fairly interesting.
Patricia Miller
The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey
Narrator Name: Finty Williams
Rating the Audio Performance
I have listened to a LOT of audiobooks and I think this narrator is the best one I've ever heard! I could listen to her all day. Love her accent, love the way she speaks. Love how she does the different voices. Couldn't recommend her enough. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This book was not at all what I expected but it was SO good! When it was recommended to me, I purposely didn't read too much about it beforehand. I wanted to be surprised. It's a great apocalyptic-type story - but it's more than that too. Really interesting. Really kept me engaged all throughout. I highly recommend it.
Kathy Bigelow
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
Narrator Name: Imogen Church
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator does the main character very well. She mostly gets the men's voices, which can be difficult for a woman narrator. She even nails an American accent. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Tense and shifty. Just when you think you have it figured out, another red herring shows up. I never knew what was going on until the reveal at the very end. I love that!
Mary Lou
The Wrong Side of Goodbye by Michael Connelly
Narrator Name: Titus Welliver
Rating the Audio Performance
Titus Welliver IS Harry Bosch. Enough that it is hard to listen to earlier books in the series narrated by other actors, who, by the way, do a fine job. It’s just that Welliver is a perfect Harry. His performance is nuanced, making it easy to transition from one character to another. I liked it so much it was one of those listening experiences that I wound up missing the book when it was finished. And, since I don’t have a commute to take advantage of listening, I had to make up excuses to put in the earbuds. Mostly going to bed early to listen, hoping not to fall asleep too soon. And the book was helpful in breaking the election tension this week. This is a five star performance, and I can’t wait for more from both Connelly and Welliver. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
At this point for me, Harry Bosch feels like a comfortable shoe. And with the addition of Titus Welliver, the actor who plays Harry in the Amazon original series, reading this book felt like visiting an old friend. The book is a classic police procedural, although Harry is retired and is working part-time as a volunteer reserve officer for the San Fernando Police Department, a small town in the valley of the same name. Harry has two cases going, the screen cutter case for SFPD, and a private case generated by a reclusive billionaire looking for any long lost heirs. The story never lags, Harry’s work is precision to the max. There is some tension and suspense, but no gratuitous violence. This is an all around great story that fans will love.
Barbara
Two by Two by Nicholas Sparks
Narrator Name: Ari Fliakos
Rating the Audio Performance
Fantastic performance. He had me disliking Vivian from the beginning and loving London (her little girl voice was darling) and Marge (the raspiness was endearing). Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Nicholas Sparks has captured my attention. I am a romantic at heart and he can be too. You really feel this entire story from beginning to end.
peggy hendrick
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes
Narrator Name: Elizabeth Bower, Ben Elliot, Nicola Stanton and Steven France
Rating the Audio Performance
Four different narrators made the book much more enjoyable to listen to. I will look for more audiobooks by this author and these narrators. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I don't know that I would have finished the book if I was reading a hard copy. I really like to listen to books while I am driving/working and it makes the trip and book much more enjoyable -- the time goes by so fast.
Helen Duncan
Return to Sullivan's Island by Dorothea Benton Frank
Narrator Name: Robin Miles
Rating the Audio Performance
Voice suits the story and is a convincing storyteller. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Not riveting, but a good, solid story with lots of local color and interesting characters.
Tessa B C
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Narrator Name: Toni Morrison
Rating the Audio Performance
3.5 stars. Morrison read the audiobook herself. She obviously has a keen sense of exactly the atmosphere she wanted to convey. Her delivery is breathless, slow, and almost hypnotic; she frequently stops for a breath after every three or four words. I did not like this at first, but over time her delivery grew on me. However, I do think I may have missed some key elements by listening rather than reading the text. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is a challenging book to read (and to listen to) because Morrison uses multiple narrators, switches time frames without notice, and dribbles out clues to what really happened in a way that keeps the reader off balance and unsure where the story is headed. I did think the “atmospheric” writing sometimes got in the way of the storyline. Still, I loved Morrison’s use of language; I felt immersed in the story, the time frame, the magic, and the brutal reality.
Roe
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
Narrator Name: Audra McDonald, Cassandra Campbell, and Ari Fliakos
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent!! Narration was perfect and exactly how I would have expected the characters to be. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Well done. This book should be a book club must. It should be the book chosen for the town read book. The story lends itself to considerable discussion.
Liza
The Jealous Kind by James Lee Burke
Narrator Name: Will Patton
Rating the Audio Performance
Will Patton's narration is fabulous. His southern drawl and voice changes for the different characters was enjoyable, especially that of Saber, the best friend of the main character. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
My first James Lee Burke novel. Wow, what a great book! The story takes place in Louisiana in the 1950s. I loved the main character, Aaron, a "bad boy" with a ethics and a heart of gold. But my heart broke for my favorite character, his best friend, Saber.
Mark
His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet
Narrator Name: Antony Ferguson
Rating the Audio Performance
The narration was just about perfect, with the right Scottish lilt. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A crime study, set in the Highlands of Scotland, 1869, about a young man accused of a triple murder. It is told through documents, letters and journals, including the killer's own, explaining what led up to these killings. Good, solid thriller...a slow-burner.
Elizabeth
Inheriting Edith by Zoe Fishman
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Performance was good, just not extraordinary. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved the book, the interrelationships. Somewhat predictable 'secret', but the volatility of the Alzheimer's disease was beautifully shown, and the way the friendship developed was lovely. Having a three-year-old there provided a marvelous contrast and trigger.
Linda
Wintering by Peter Geye
Narrator Name: Suzanne Toren
Rating the Audio Performance
Toren did a good job of narrating as the elderly lady, but I had trouble understanding her - I'm wondering if I'd had a better sound system than my iPad mini if it might have gone better. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
An elderly woman has been in love with an elderly man since they were teenagers. He and his grandson go "wintering" about the time that a nemesis and his airplane disappear. A lot of past history explains there stories.
Karen
The Widow by Fiona Barton
Narrator Name: Hannah Curtis, Nicholas Smith, Handy Williams, Jayne Entwistle and Steve West
Rating the Audio Performance
All the readers are good at bringing their characters to life. The listener is drawn into the story and can imagine the characters as if they are real people. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Jean Taylor is a a good wife. Her goal is to be supportive and make her husband, Glen, happy.
She shoulders the blame for whatever he claims is her fault. He controls her life so when a child goes missing and he needs an alibi, she gives it. She can't believe he would harm a child. The police investigate, but can't prove that Glen was involved. The accusation costs Jean and Glen their jobs and leads to them being shunned by nearly everyone. The police continue to investigate, but don't make any progress until...
Barbara
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
Narrator Name: Edward Herrmann
Rating the Audio Performance
Couldn't be better. I was thrilled. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I am NOT an athlete and NOT interested in athletic stories, but this grabbed me. This story had the history of WWII, the Dust Bowl, the Depression, individuals, plus much history of boats and rowing.
Robin
The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler
Narrator Name: Ari Fliakos
Rating the Audio Performance
This is a story that captivated me through its content and the narrator's reading and interpreting the characters, so much so that I put my earbuds in upon waking so I could continue listening as I got ready to go to the gym, listening in my car and while exercising! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I had not read a story liked this with strange coincidences and magical realism in quite a while, so it was a lovely change of pace for me.
Kimiko
Running Scared by Lisa Jackson
Narrator Name: Jack Garrett
Rating the Audio Performance
Very good way that the performer was able to change voices to fit the different characters. I listened while driving back and forth to work, and it kept me on the edge of my seat! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was difficult to get out of the car to go about my work and other tasks because I wanted to listen to this book! I found the character of Pam very immature, but I liked the other characters as I felt their lives over a 15-year gap were more believable. Terrific story, however.
Lori
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
Narrator Name: Robert Petkoff
Rating the Audio Performance
For a nonfiction book, the performance was perfectly fine. Since it was primarily a narrative, there was less skill involved than in a work of fiction where there are many characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Although the subject matter was quite depressing, the book made a big impression on me. I found it very educational, thinking about elderly people and terminally ill people and how to make the end of their lives more satisfying and comfortable. It was very thought-provoking and I highly recommend it. Even though it may not seem of immediate concern/interest to some readers, I think the basic concepts are good to have in the back of your mind for when they're needed.
Evelyn
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Hope Davis
Rating the Audio Performance
Very good audio perfromance. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Interesting story.
Richard N B
Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming
Narrator Name: Alan Cumming
Rating the Audio Performance
Cumming narrates the audiobook himself, which is a treat for the listener. I simply cannot imagine anyone else doing it justice. And I just love his Scottish brogue! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
In general I am not a big fan of celebrity memoirs, but Cumming’s memoir of a childhood living with an abusive father, and how he came to terms with the abuse, faced his past and overcame it is well worth reading.
Mary Lou
Blood Defense by Marcia Clark
Narrator Name: Tavia Gilbert
Rating the Audio Performance
Tavia Gilbert does a fairly good job with this narration, although her voice tends to get somewhat screechy when the tension builds in the story. It wasn’t bad enough to make me want to go get a hard copy, but it was close at times. I purchased the book on sale at Audible, and was able to purchase the Kindle version as a companion, and utilize the “whispersync” feature, which allows the reader to switch back and forth from Audible to Kindle, depending on which works better for the reader. I love this feature, and when switching from one device to the other, the story picks up right where I left off. There were definitely some times when I thought Ms. Gilbert could benefit from voice lessons.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is a good, fun read, written by Marcia Clark of O. J. Simpson fame. The writing is good, the pacing fast and engaging. Some parts of the storyline don’t quite cut it, but overall I enjoyed the read and looked forward to listening each chance I got. Samantha Brinkman is a struggling criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles, and the story takes the reader through her defense of a client who has a past. (Don’t they all have them?) As the story unfolds, this particular client has a tie to Sam, and her dealings with this client causes Sam’s past to rise up to confront her. In the process some of Sam’s own demons are laid to rest. I will definitely read more of Ms. Clark’s books.
Katie
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell and Paul Boehmer
Rating the Audio Performance
I enjoyed the performance overall and I liked the male and female narrators, but I did not like the way either of them changed their voices when they were speaking as Truman Capote. I found that part difficult to listen to and many times it detracted from the story. It was unnecessary to make his voice so different when they didn't change their voices for the other characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The story was intriguing. I knew very little about Truman Capote and his life, and it is always fascinating to read about the truly rich and famous and just how completely different, and often times shallow and lonely, their lives can be. I felt sorry for so many of the women, his "swans", who didn't appear to have real friendships and who appeared to be starved for love, attention and praise. Truman's life was also very sad to me. I was fascinated by the real stories of so many of the characters, such as Bill Paley, the head of CBS.
Annette
Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Narrator Name: Holter Graham
Rating the Audio Performance
Very good narration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Fascinating story with intriguing twists and turns.
Laura
Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Narrator Name: Madeleine Maby
Rating the Audio Performance
Really good narrator. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Interesting story. What I thought was the traumatic experience turned out to be something different and I loved that plot twist. Ani's story goes back and forth between present day and 10 years earlier when she was Tiffani in high school. Definitely worth the listen.
Paula
The Trespasser by Tana French
Narrator Name: Hilda Fay
Rating the Audio Performance
This narrator truly captured Irish speech! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This was a fascinating dive into both the murder and the detectives thought process in solving the murder. Tana French always has an interesting personal saga for the detective as well as the solving of the murder in all of her Dublin Murder Squad series, and this one was true to form.
Patricia
Rushing Waters by Danielle Steel
Narrator Name: Dan John Miller
Rating the Audio Performance
His voice was easy to listen to and follow. Enjoyed the variety he managed. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Good for listening to in the car.
Patricia Miller
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Narrator Name: Caroline Lee
Rating the Audio Performance
I absolutely LOVED her audio performance! Her accent (really, accents because she does several throughout the book) are so pleasant to listen to. And she's SO good at giving each of the characters their own distinct voice without going overboard! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This book was oh so good. It can sometimes be difficult when you switch the viewpoint from character to character - especially when you're jumping back and forth in the timeline! But somehow this book pulled it off splendidly. It really kept me guessing all throughout. And you really become immersed in the characters and the settings. I highly recommend this book!
Suzanne
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
Narrator Name: Paul Michael
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator was obviously not from Kentucky (I am). He mispronounced Versailles and the accents he used were from much farther south. Plus, all his females sound the same. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The book is so boring and slow, I couldn't wait for it to be over.
BK
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Narrator Name: Polly Stone
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent delivery.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
1939 France. A rambunctious girl who has been kicked out of various schools for young women is sent home again. Her widower father who is a bookseller and poet is exasperated does not know how to deal with her. She makes her way to her married sister in the country. The ingénue quickly grows up as the war reaches France and she becomes a key person in the Resistance. The narrator did an excellent job of presenting the various voices.
BK
Far From True by Linwood Barclay
Narrator Name: Brian O’Neil and Mark Zeisler
Rating the Audio Performance
Easy to listen to. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The second book in the Promise Falls trilogy. The author does an excellent job of reminding the reader of the first book, BROKEN PROMISE, so it easily ties with the ongoing story and characters. This book begins with the unexpected explosion of the movie screen at the local drive-in theater where some are injured and some killed. The story intertwines with the story from the earlier book. The two narrators did an excellent job. Book 3 is titled THE TWENTY-THREE.
BK
Radiant Angel by Nelson DeMille
Narrator Name: Scott Brick
Rating the Audio Performance
Average delivery. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Unfortunately, I did not find this John Corey novel as captivating as other stories by DeMille. This time Corey is a diplomatic investigator who single-handedly figures out that a threat is approaching NYC. Is it the Arabs? Is it the Russians? Who and how? The narrator did a good job, but the storyline was lacking.
BK
Gray Mountain by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Catherine Taber
Rating the Audio Performance
Very slow-paced to the point it distracted from the story. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I was disappointed in this novel by Grisham. All other Grisham novels have been fast-paced that I could not put down. This novel drags on and on with way too much information about coal country details. The narrator was part of the problem. At the end of every sentence and often in the middle of sentences she took a 1 or 2 second pause. Perhaps she was directed to do that. Her steady, slow pace made the book a snoozer. It was 15 hours long. It would have been much less than that if a narrator had read the book with enthusiasm and a faster pace.
Terry
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
Narrator Name: Anna Wilson-Jones
Rating the Audio Performance
Wonderful job! Her inflections and accents were perfect. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I'm gaga for historical fiction and Ms. Goodwin did not disappoint. This story is written based on Queen Victoria's diaries. What I loved most about this is everything seemed extremely plausible. I could feel Victoria's raw emotions - her pain, anguish, admiration, and strong determination. She goes from being an 18-year-old princess to the great Queen of Great Britain and Ireland in one month. I'm glad I learned how she came to marry her cousin, Albert, because I never knew. I only wish there had been more about him in the book. You do have quite a bit about her domineering and overprotective mother which made Victoria very naive and inexperienced and gave Parliament and others the impression she wasn't fit to be Queen.
Francisca
The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian
Narrator Name: Susan Denaker
Rating the Audio Performance
The audiobook is capably performed by Susan Denaker. She has good pacing and really brought Laurel to life for me. I could understand her hurt and confusion and frustration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Bohjalian crafts a compelling and intricate scenario with layer upon layer of complexity. I loved the way he drew me in, made me believe in Laurel – and Bobbie – and then forced me to reconsider the veracity of their claims. I’m left breathless and drained at the end. And…wanting to start over again to see what clues Bohjalian left that I missed the first time around.
Margaret
Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper
Narrator Name: Robert G. Slade
Rating the Audio Performance
It was a great traditional read, but I truly enjoyed listening to Robert's reading. He thankfully didn't try to sound like a woman. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The plot was surprising. The writing was poetic and the ending was perfect.
Bobbie
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
Narrator Name: J. D. Vance
Rating the Audio Performance
This was read by the author and as a memoir of his life, he was the most qualified to read it. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Fascinating book about the people of the Appalachia from one young man's perspective as he tries to figure out how he succeeded in life while so many of his people have not. This is about white man America who are feeling totally ignored by everyone, but have a mentality that there is nothing they can do about their circumstances. Very introspective and entertaining in light of the recent election.
Kay
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Hope Davis
Rating the Audio Performance
Hope Davis had a beautiful silky voice that I loved listening to. In fact, I would try other audiobooks she narrates just to hear her dulcet sound. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This story was compelling and well written. It spans several generations of two families. However, this is a book that needs to be read rather than listened to. There are so many characters and children from different families I had a hard time keeping track of everybody and the sequencing and the years. If I had read it I would have made a list just to keep everybody straight and who they belonged to who.
Irene
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Narrator Name: Clare Corbett, Louise Brealey, and India Fisher
Rating the Audio Performance
Very well read. Several readers and all good. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Interesting drama. Thrilling ending.
Debbie
The Mothers by Brit Bennett
Narrator Name: Adenrele Ojo
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator did a wonderful job of capturing the voice of "the mothers" as they weaved their story and their experiences as leaders of their church around the story of the main characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Although I was a little disappointed in the ending, I really liked this book. It is a story of friendship, family, loss and, perhaps, redemption. It is a story that demonstrates how our choices -- good and bad -- can haunt and impact our lives and the lives of others for our entire lives.
Debbie
The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo
Narrator Name: John Lee
Rating the Audio Performance
John Lee does a great job at capturing Harry Hole's voice and character in all its phases. Whether Harry is drunk, at the top of his game or somewhere in between, John Lee makes you feel like you know Harry. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I am a Jo Nesbo/Harry Hole fan. Although the stories can be gruesome at times, the character and plot development of all the Harry Hole books are wonderfully tight mysteries, filled with interesting twists and turns and interesting characters.
Sonia
I Will Send Rain by Rae Meadows
Narrator Name: Emily Sutton-Smith
Rating the Audio Performance
The audio was good to listen, but at times it felt dry. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved the story, plot and characters. I especially loved the way the Dust Bowl affected the characters, how they survived and what they did in the process. It was, at times, heartbreaking and yet heartwarming.
Tesa B C
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
Narrator Name: Ralph Cosham
Rating the Audio Performance
Ralph Cosham does a good job of performing the audio version. His pacing is good, and I particularly like how he brings Gamache to life. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
How could CC de Poitiers have been electrocuted in the midst of a curling match in Three Pines – and without anyone seeing a thing? Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has his work cut out for him solving this mystery, and I love the quiet, efficient way he investigates. I figured out the murderer pretty early, but still enjoyed watching how Gamache arrived at the conclusion. I’ll definitely keep reading this series.
Linda
The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close
Narrator Name: Jorjeana Marie
Rating the Audio Performance
This was a first time listening to this narrator. She did an excellent job with voice differences between the main characters - including a married couple from Texas complete with southern drawls. Good pacing. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This book is about married couples who happen to work in politics. The emphasis is on the relationship between the couples. The relationship is so tight that one couple move into the house of the other couple while one husband helps the other run for election. Not always a pretty picture and one that has lasting affects on the relationships among the four.
Janet
The Whistler by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
The audio performance by Cassandra Campbell was excellent and kept my husband completely engaged in this audio novel. Her use of different accents helped to distinguish all the individual characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
John Grisham's THE WHISTLER is an interesting book that gives insight into the judicial system.
It is an interesting story with characters that come alive in this audiobook.
Diana
An Irish Country Doctor at Peace and at War by Patrick Taylor
Narrator Name: John Keating
Rating the Audio Performance
John Keating really brings the characters to life. I believe they picked the perfect narrator for this series. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I love this series, and this book is a great addition to it. I highly recommend this series, especially to people who enjoy James Herriot's All Creatures series or Richard Gordon's Doctor in the House series.
Mary Lou
The Black Ice by Michael Connelly
Narrator Name: Dick Hill
Rating the Audio Performance
The narration was fine, although I found the voice a little unpleasant, and not entirely age-appropriate. He seemed a little old for the part, but let’s face it, Dick Hill is not Titus Welliver, my all time favorite Harry Bosch actor/narrator. Mr. Hill does a good job nonetheless, so he gets 3.5 stars. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This is an early Harry Bosch title, the second in the series. It is 1993 and Harry is assigned to robbery/homicide in the Hollywood division. Harry investigates the death of LAPD Detective Cal Moore. The book is quite noirish, moody with the combination of the dark side of LA with the introspective and jaded free association of the mind of Harry Bosch. The crimes center around the border with Mexico and the drug trade, and there are tedious battlefield descriptions that left me impatient to get back to what I love most about this series, Harry’s take on things. Harry falls a little bit in love in this one as well, which is always fun. And Harry has his usual conflict with the LAPD brass. I’d give this one 3.5 stars, a good, solid read.
Francisca E B
La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith
Narrator Name: Emily Gray
Rating the Audio Performance
Emily Gray was perfect performing the audiobook. Her measured tone and steady pace were ideally suited to this gentle story. I do not normally care for sound effects or embellishments in audiobooks, but I really would have liked to have a little orchestral accompaniment in this one. Still, the lack of a musical score did not detract from the experience or Gray’s narration. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Alexander McCall Smith has a gentle way of introducing the reader to his characters. La and the other residents of the town go about their business in this small Suffolk village during WWII; they worry, rejoice, are fearful, find love, relish friendships, enjoy simple pleasures and take action when they can. I applauded La’s resilience and her ability to maintain her faith in the basic goodness of others. Her scope of influence may have been small, but she was a treasure to those within that circle.
Melanie S.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
Narrator Name: Ari Fliakos
Rating the Audio Performance
I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and I have to say Ari Fliakos' performance of this story was one of the best I've heard. His voice was engaging and the way he changed voices for different characters was never jarring but fluid and believable. I really enjoyed his performance immensely! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3.5 stars. While the performance of Ari Fliakos kept me engaged in this story, it wasn't my cup of tea. From the title I assumed the story would be about books, but it was more like a fantasy/cracking-the-mysterious-code type of story. I think this book would be appreciated by techies more than book lovers. There was a lot of technical description that I didn't really comprehend not being computer savvy. The writing was good and listening to this book rather than reading it did help me stick with it to the end.
Melanie S.
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Narrator Name: Bahni Turpin
Rating the Audio Performance
Bahni Turpin's performance of this audiobook was beautifully done. However, I found that many important events occurred in short paragraphs of a few sentences. Since I listen while driving and have a tendency to zone out from time to time, I missed out on some pivotal moments due to listening rather than reading. Fortunately, I had the book at home and was able to go back and read what I had missed while listening. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4.5 stars. What an incredibly written and very important story. On the level of UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, which I feel should be read by every American. The horrors of slavery and the hope and perseverance of those trying to escape this terrible social construct truly made for an emotional read that everyone in my book group felt was a top-notch book. Certainly well deserving of the National Book Award in the fiction category. The only point I found confusing was that the Railroad was depicted as an actual railroad train, which was not how I was taught the Underground Railroad functioned. I have since learned that the author took artistic liberty in creating an actual railroad in the book. Highly recommend but in written form rather than audio.
Melanie S.
Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance
Narrator Name: J. D. Vance
Rating the Audio Performance
Mr. Vance's performance of his own words certainly gave the audiobook credibility. I enjoyed listening to his engaging tone and was surprised at the lack of a "hillbilly" accent. There were a few words that I heard mispronounced, which was surprising coming from a Yale-educated lawyer, but it could be that he just wasn't familiar with those particular words. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Interesting piece of sociology about growing up in the hills of Kentucky and then the Appalachian area of Ohio. Interesting in light of the recent election results being so influenced by the less populated states and the electoral votes; politics were also touched upon in the book. The takeaway from this, as well as other novels where their are financial and troubling family issues, is that if there is one responsible, supportive adult in a child's life they will believe in themselves and succeed. This was certainly the case for Mr. Vance.
Donna
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines
Narrator Name: Chip and Joanna Gaines
Rating the Audio Performance
Perfect just like the book. A real treat for a busy person like me who doesn't always have the time to read a physical book. I love to listen in my car, too. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I have watched the TV show "Fixer Upper" since it first came out. I never read nonfiction books. However, I was drawn to it because of Chip and Joanna Gaines. Their love for each other and their children is so inspiring. I think they are both so talented and funny, too. This book was a true delight and motivated me more than I ever imagined.
Patricia Miller
Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith
Narrator Name: Robert Glenister
Rating the Audio Performance
Robert Glenister is one of my all-time favorite book narrators. He really brings the book to life! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I've loved this Cormoran Strike series! The main reason that I give this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I found a chunk of the story line is little hard to believe --- the way that Robin constantly misunderstands Cormoran and massively jumps to conclusions. It just doesn't feel believable with the rest of Robin's personality. And Galbraith (Rowling) used this same tactic in the first two books of the series, so it just started to feel a little overdone. Otherwise, I loved the book! I'm hoping there will be a fourth. 
