April 1, 2019 - May 1, 2019
Kathy from Wilkes-Barre, PA
Melanie from Fairport, NY
Richard N B
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Narrator Name: C. M. Hebert
Rating the Audio Performance
C. M. Hebert does a fine job narrating the audiobook. He reads at a fine pace, and his tone is suitable to the material. After listening, however, I also picked up the text and read through several passages. I think I prefer the text so that I can savor Wharton’s writing. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
What I particularly appreciate about Edith Wharton’s writing is the way she explores relationships and unfulfilled desires. The tension is palpable, the yearning almost unendurable. The setting is Starkfield, Massachusetts, in winter; as if the reader needs a reminder of how depressing and lacking in color Ethan’s life is.
Teri
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Narrator Name: Michael C. Hall
Rating the Audio Performance
Absolutely amazing! I think I will listen to anything performed by Michael C. Hall after this one! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Somewhat predictable tale, but again the narrator kept me listening.
Natalie
Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen
Narrator Name: Cary Hite
Rating the Audio Performance
Cary Hite makes it easy to hear and recognize all the different voices of this book. He will be a reader that I look for in the future. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I love time travel books. This ranks high on my list of books that represent this genre in a new and interesting way.
Marianne
The Boy by Tami Hoag
Narrator Name: Hillary Huber
Rating the Audio Performance
Since this is a very long audiobook (14 discs), it helps that this narrator is a very good narrator, with excellent variable tones and clarity. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Excellent mystery, although very haunting since the mystery deals with the murder of a 7-year-old boy. Keeps your attention with a description of the boy's mother as a convicted criminal, and the boy's babysitter's disappearance. Once you start listening, you will find it hard to NOT listen to more!
LouAnn
Tony’s Wife by Adriana Trigiani
Narrator Name: Edouardo Ballerini
Rating the Audio Performance
The audio performance was wonderful. He got the Italian accents down perfectly. Even being a male he was able to do the female voices realistically. I enjoyed this book and enjoyed listening to it. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I enjoyed this story in part because I am Italian American and grew up going to the Jersey Shore, and this book is about an Italian American family who live at the Jersey Shore. But the story is so much more than that. It is the storyline of a marriage/relationship beginning during WWII and going on through the 60s. This was a time when divorce was not as accepted as today. Would definitely recommend.
Laura
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Outstanding! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Wonderful, addictive and interesting from line one.
Francisca E B
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Narrator Name: Kyla Garcia
Rating the Audio Performance
Kyla Garcia does a marvelous job narrating the audiobook. She has great pacing, perfect pronunciation of Spanish, and enough skill as a voice artist to differentiate the characters. I love the way she voices Julia’s friends Lorena and Juanga. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Fifteen-year-old Julia narrates this coming-of-age story set in Chicago. The novel opens shortly after her sister has died. Her mother and father are absorbed in their grief, and Julia feels smothered by their over-protectiveness. I really like Julia; she’s talented, bright, resourceful and tenacious. But she’s also a hurting teenager at risk for major depression.
Eve
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Narrator Name: Michelle Obama
Rating the Audio Performance
Michelle Obama is the perfect narrator to tell her own story. Articulate and heartfelt and I really felt a closeness with her. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A wonderful story of her life in Chicago, growing up with her parents and her brother and her education, marriage and years as first lady. I really enjoyed getting to know her better and understand her love of family. She is one classy lady.
Simonne
Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber
Narrator Name: Karissa Vacker
Rating the Audio Performance
Terrific job including the story’s emotion in her narration. Easy to distinguish between characters and to pick up on their feelings. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Story itself was light, I found the characters too stereotypical. Most were either black or white: evil stepfather, evil father, heroine that is beautiful with a heart of gold who solves every single problem, landlord who is absurdly gruff but finally comes around, etc.
Melanie
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Narrator Name: Barrie Kreinik and Julia Whelan
Rating the Audio Performance
The narration of the psychiatrist was creepy and scary. I had to often pause it while driving because it was making my heart race which I guess was the point. The narration of Jessica was authentic and believable. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
So-so. Every book is trying to be the next GONE GIRL. A little disappointing but overall entertaining.
Patricia
The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
Narrator Name: Laurence Dobiesz
Rating the Audio Performance
Great narration expresses his frustration with sending wounded soldiers back into battle and his appreciation for all the assistance he receives from his nurse assistant. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Compelling story of a young man in medical school who must serve at a makeshift hospital in an old church during WWI. There he discovers that his training has little practical experience as he must face soldiers with massive injuries. He gets a new education from his nurse who had been performing as a doctor.
Kristen
The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell
Rating the Audio Performance
Ms. Campbell is one of my favorite audiobook narrators and she does not disappoint in this one! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The sprawling family saga was interesting and characters well realized.
Pamela
'Til the Well Runs Dry by Lauren Francis-Sharma
Narrator Name: Bonnie Turpin and Ron Buttler
Rating the Audio Performance
The audio performance was excellent. The accents and inflection allowed the listener to feel, see and fully engage in the storyline. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The book spanned a twienty year period in Trinidad, Maryland and New York. The content was relative to life in a third world country and the United States during post-civil rights years. The storyline, with a family struggling to make life, family dynamics, finances, education and strength, was the heart of each twisted plot. The intricacies weaved so well that each situation continued to to be so engaging that it was hard to stop listening.
Candace
Women in Sunlight by Frances Mayes
Narrator Name: Kimberly Farr
Rating the Audio Performance
Well read. Good job with poetry.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Not great literature, but entertaining. Enjoyed listening to it in the car. Something for everybody - art, literature, cooking, gardening. Does provide inspiration for living life to your fullest. We don't have to give up on life just because we reach a certain age.
Lindy
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Narrator Name: Saskia Maarleveld
Rating the Audio Performance
Flawlessly moves from English to French, with elegant accents and gruff tones for multiple characters. Well done! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Intriguing, adventurous, relatable.
Tessa B C
The Terra Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri
Narrator Name: Grover Gardner
Rating the Audio Performance
Grover Gardner does a fine job performing the audios. He really brings these characters to life, and even does a passable job of voicing the female characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3.5 stars. Book Two in the Inspector Montalbano series has him solving a 50-year-old crime. Montalbano is a wonderful lead character. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly, nor sweat the small stuff. He’s intelligent, a loyal friend and is always ready to find the humor in a situation, no matter how dire. Camilleri populates the novel with an assortment of colorful characters that complicate Montalbano’s life. Interesting, engaging and entertaining. I’ll keep reading the series.
Melissa
Bite the Biscuit by Linda O. Johnston
Narrator Name: Carla Mercer-Meyer
Rating the Audio Performance
Fantastic narration! Carla Mercer-Meyer does a beautiful job portraying each character and keeps the listener engaged and smiling. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Great, fun cozy mystery about a sweet little rescue dog named Biscuit and Carrie, her owner. Carrie, a vet tech, has opened a doggy treat bakery and unwittingly becomes embroiled in a murder mystery.
Sherri
A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
Narrator Name: Bahni Turpin
Rating the Audio Performance
I thought she did a good job and varied the character voices enough to keep it moving. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The author had an obvious point of view/bias but managed to use the story of several people caught up in a hostage/shooting at an abortion clinic. The narrative goes from end to beginning through the points of view of all involved. Lots of characters, so sometimes difficult to follow. Might make a good book club choice with close friends? It was a difficult read for me, just because the subject matter hurts my heart, but it was very well written as usual for Picoult. I'll need to take a break before reading the next one, but will read another by this author.
Shelley
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Narrator Name: Michelle Obama
Rating the Audio Performance
Outstanding to hear the author read this exhilarating memoir. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Excellent.
Meggan
The Hit by David Baldacci
Narrator Name: Ron McLarty
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrators both did an excellent job of creating different voices for the many characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I found some of the subplots to be so complex that I almost lost track of the main plot thread.
Lois
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
Narrator Name: Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Milton Bagby, Catherine Taber
Rating the Audio Performance
Easy to listen to with the variety of narrators. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A somewhat predictable plot with an abrupt ending. Character development is good.
pat
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Narrator Name: Sinead Dixon
Rating the Audio Performance
Narrator does such a fun Anne full of curiosity and great expressions of delight! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Anne comes to the Cuthberts as an orphan who was supposed to be a boy who could help Matthew with the farm work. But Anne is quite a surprise, brimming with remarkable declarations, who livens up the quiet life of Green Gables.
pat
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Narrator Name: Sinead Dixon
Rating the Audio Performance
Narrator does such a fun Anne full of curiousity and great expressions of delight! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Anne comes to the Cuthberts as an orphan who was supposed to be a boy who could help Matthew with the farm work. But Anne is quite a surprise brimming with remarkable declarations who livens up the quiet life of Green Gables.
Francisca E B
Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
Narrator Name: Nicola Barber
Rating the Audio Performance
Nicola Barber does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I’m sure that my devotion to the TV series helped, because I clearly pictured the scenes/actresses from the show.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Originally titled: THE MIDWIFE: A Memoir of Birth, Joy and Hard Times. This was renamed to coincide with the popular television series. I think Worth did a good job of honestly relaying her experiences during the 1950s, serving as a midwife in London’s East End. There are some graphic scenes, but I felt they were honestly portrayed.
Mike
Personal by Lee Child
Narrator Name: Dick Hill
Rating the Audio Performance
I love Dick Hill. He is very good at making characters fit their roles...meaning the bad guy has a menacing voice, etc. His narration really heightens the material. He is one of the reasons I listen to the Jack Reacher series rather than read it. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I love this series. This is my least favorite book in the series so far. I thought the initial plot idea was interesting and different. The action scenes felt almost disconnected from the plot somehow. I almost lost interest a couple of times. I will continue with the series and I did like the book - just not as much as usual.
Donna
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrator Name: Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Robinne Lee, Pablo Schreiber and a full cast
Rating the Audio Performance
The awesome cast includes Jennifer Beals and Robinne Lee. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A wonderful exploration and recreation of the '70s rock scene. Excellent as a radio play on audiobook. Daisy reminds me of Stevie Nicks...delightful.
Helen
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda Gates
Narrator Name: Melinda Gates
Rating the Audio Performance
I love listening to an author read her own words. It makes for a more personal experience for me. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
"Inspiring" is the first word that comes to mind. I have always admired Bill and Melinda Gates for their philanthropy outreach. Listening to this book makes me want to contribute to the people. We all can do something.
Donna
Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator Name: Erin Bennett
Rating the Audio Performance
Erin does a good job of telling the story and describing the beautiful scenery. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward (hopefully) to a sequel.
Sherrii
The Library Book by Susan Orlean
Narrator Name: Susan Orlean
Rating the Audio Performance
I think it would be hard in a way to read your own book, but she did a great job. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
One of the best books I've "read" in a long time. The "mystery" is intriguing, and the history is very interesting. She ties many other aspects of life, history and relationships into the story of the 1986 Central Library of Los Angeles fire. Her interest in the fire all started with a library visit in a new city. The author's vocabulary is truly amazing and her research compelling. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author. I love libraries and reading, and I enjoyed all the history and interviews and memories the story brought out, such as the Serengeti words for death: "She lost her library."
Francisca
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
Narrator Name: Caroline Lee
Rating the Audio Performance
Caroline Lee does a fantastic job of voicing the audiobook. She has a lot of characters to handle (most of them female), and I was never confused about who was speaking. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
In 1913, a four-year-old girl is found alone on the wharf in Australia. In 2005, her granddaughter inherits a cottage in Cornwall from her grandmother and sets out to solve the mystery of her grandmother’s origins. What a magical story. The action moves back and forth in time, from the late 1800s to 1913 to 1975 to 2005, and changes perspective from chapter to chapter. I was engaged and interested from beginning to end.
Kathy
Crucible by James Rollins
Narrator Name: Christian Baskous
Rating the Audio Performance
The narration by Christian Baskous was outstanding. My concentration was maintained because of the narrator’s performance. Honestly, it was the best thing about the audiobook. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A contest winner, I received this book from Bookreporter.com to review. It took me a few weeks to complete. The storyline was great --- actually more fact than science fiction --- but the complex subject matter and attention to technical details bored me at times. I loved the characters, but felt the story was repetitive from chapter to chapter. If someone asked me to recommend this book, I would say it was okay.
Pat
An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Narrator Name: Barrie Kreinik
Rating the Audio Performance
The narration is so good and really creepy at times, which is so perfect! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Jessica sees a way to earn some extra money by becoming a part of an online survey on morality. But the survey becomes very personal and downright creepy when the voice of the surveyor directs Jessica to do some things to get revenge on her ex-husband.
Jennie
Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce
Narrator Name: Anna Popplewell
Rating the Audio Performance
Ms. Popplewell’s reading brought the story to life. Having a British accent certainly helped, but she gave each character the degree of charm and personality needed. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The setting is during the London Blitz. It’s a well-told story about love and friendship. I came away with more knowledge of wartime London. My admiration for those who lived joyously during those dark years has grown.
Joy
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Narrator Name: Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey
Rating the Audio Performance
Really good. The narrators' voices were clear and easy to understand. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I loved this story!
Mary
Testimony by Robbie Robertson
Narrator Name: MacLeod Andrews
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator did an excellent job of retelling the author's story in a very believable way. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I wanted to love Robbie Robertson's story, but I couldn't help but feel that he was sugar-coating his relationship with some of the band members. I'm curious if his bandmates --- Levon Helm, Ronnie Hawkins, Rick Danko, etc. --- thought that he should be taking as much credit as he did for their success.
Patti
The Christmas Room by Catherine Anderson
Narrator Name: Susan Bennett
Rating the Audio Performance
Good voice and inflection. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The book was okay but predictable.
Cecile
Booked for Murder: An Oceanside Mystery by CeeCee James
Narrator Name: Katie Habib
Rating the Audio Performance
This was the first audiobook that I listened to, so I had nothing to compare it to. But I think Katie Habib did a great job conveying emotion, and I look forward to listening to the rest of the series. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This was my first on a couple of levels: my first CeeCee James book and my first audiobook. I've had this author on my TBR pile for some time, and I'm so glad I was finally able to listen to BOOKED FOR MURDER.
In this first book of the series, Maisie Swenson is starting her new job as manager of the Oceanside Hotel. There is a convention booked, so she's jumping right in. But little does the part-time mystery writer know that she'll be trying to solve a murder. I love the quirky cast of characters, especially Maisie's mom and their basset hound Bingo. There are funny moments, and it'll keep you guessing until the very end.
Tessa
Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell, Kathleen Gati and Kathrin Kana
Rating the Audio Performance
Cassandra Campbell (Caroline), Kathleen Gati (Kasia) and Kathrin Kana (Herta) do a marvelous job narrating the audiobook. Using a different voice artist for each narrator really helped to keep the stories straight. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3.5 stars. Using three different narrators, the novel tells the WWII story of the women prisoners held at the notorious Nazi prison camp Ravensbrück. Kelly used two real-life women: Caroline Ferriday, a New York socialite and Broadway actress, and Dr. Herta Oberheuser, a German physician who became the only female surgeon operating at the prison camp. The third narrator is Kasia Kuzmerick, a Polish teenager who is sent to the camp along with her sister, whose story is loosely based on that of a pair of sisters who survived the operations they underwent at Ravensbrück. It’s good historical fiction and a decent debut. I look forward to reading Kelly’s next book.
Megan
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrator Name: Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Robinne Lee, Pablo Schreiber and a full cast
Rating the Audio Performance
This was probably the most fun I have ever had listening to an audiobook! The narrators were all accomplished actors, and hearing all their different voices for the different characters was a joy. The narrators were so good, their voices perfectly matched the characters, and after listening in the beginning, it was easy to tell them apart. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Great story, great characters. Loosely based on the band Fleetwood Mac of the '70s and early '80s. The author did an excellent job of describing the music scene and musicians of this time. The characters were realistic and vividly drawn. While I thought I would get annoyed with some of the characters, the author portrayed such a well-rounded depiction of them that I found myself rooting for them all.
Kate
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Narrator Name: Michelle Obama
Rating the Audio Performance
Mrs. Obama did an excellent job reading her own book. Her passion for her causes really came out in her voice. And her sadness reading about her father's passing was heartwrenching. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I learned so much about Mrs. Obama from her book. What an incredibly intelligent woman is she! And it turns out while I might really like and admire President Obama as a politician, he's lucky he has the wife he has had to raise his kids and to help with his elections. Not sure he was the best of husbands! That disappointed me. (Probably her too!) 
