February 3, 2020 - March 2, 2020
This contest period's winner was Dianne W. from Statesville, NC, who received an audiobook copy of GOLDEN IN DEATH by J.D. Robb, read by Susan Ericksen, and THE WARSAW PROTOCALL by Steve Berry, read by Scott Brick.
Francisca
The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdrich
Narrator Name: Louise Erdrich
Rating the Audio Performance
2.5 stars. Erdrich narrates the audiobook herself. She does a fine job, but I was very disappointed to discover that it was abridged! Clearly she had to agree to the shortening of her work, but why? Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
I just have to say that Erdrich is one of my favorite writers. Her prose is luminous and poetic. Her use of magical realism seamless. It reminds me of listening to my grandparents, aunts and uncles tell stories of family lore, sitting on a dark porch of a summer evening. The novel weaves history, contemporary urban life, legend, and sacred myth into a marvelous tapestry of a story. There is birth and death, humor and tragedy, betrayal and forgiveness, broken people scattered on the battlefield of life, and others standing tall and moving forward.
Vicki
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
Narrator Name: Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Alan Corduner and Jorjeana Marie
Rating the Audio Performance
Mr. Hoffman's voice is perfect for the strange situations involved in telling of this adventure. I especially liked the change in voices for the fables and stories. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Not a usual reader of fantasy fiction, I find myself addicted to the stories in this book.
Barry
The Warsaw Protocol by Steve Berry
Narrator Name: Scott Brick
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent - well narrated, keeping listener waiting to hear what’s coming next. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Steve Berry is an outstanding author. Readers can’t wait for his next book!
Mike
Fear by Bob Woodward
Narrator Name: Robert Petkoff
Rating the Audio Performance
Robert Petkoff is a good narrator. This is a nonfiction book and a retelling of events that have occurred rather than scenes that require different voices, etc. I thought he did a great job with the material. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Fascinating! And horrifying. If you are a fan of the President after reading/listening to this book, there is something wrong with you.
Anna Servati
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
Narrator Name: Will Damron
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator did an amazing job with the accents and voices of the different characters. It was a long book but it was made more enjoyable by listening to Will Damron's voice. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A very emotional and amazing story about the life of Pino Lella. I learned so much about WWII and the suffering of the Italian people. It's the first book I've read about the war from the Italian viewpoint. I find it remarkable that so little is known about the bravery and life of this hero. A powerful book that I would recommend to anyone interested in the historical events and people during WWII.
Hope
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
Narrator Name: Helen Duff
Rating the Audio Performance
Helen Duff does a remarkable job conveying the emotion of this wonderful novel through all its twists and turns. Her voice inflections make it immediately apparent who is narrating each chapter. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The twists. The turns. The raw emotion. All of it is remarkable. It is a novel I couldn’t wait to know the ending; however, I didn’t want it to end!
Rezina
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Narrator Name: Julia Whelan
Rating the Audio Performance
Great voice, was able to identify all the characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Discovering that we have so much to learn about PTSD and the different degrees of abuse was startlingly to me. We (as a society) continue to grow and make improvements for all in these areas.
Tessa
Murder Most Frothy by Cleo Coyle
Narrator Name: Rebecca Gibel
Rating the Audio Performance
Gibel does a fine job narrating the audiobook. I love the way she voices Madame. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Book four in the Coffeehouse Mystery series has Clare working for the summer in the Hamptons, helping a friend train the staff of his new restaurant. Their first Hamptoms event is marred, however, when one of her employees is shot and killed. It’s a fast read with a great cast of characters. I’ll keep reading the series.
Ricki
Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson
Narrator Name: Joshilyn Jackson
Rating the Audio Performance
I had no clue the author was reading this until after I finished, which speak volumes to her performance. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Great psychological thriller with a lot of twists and very flawed, but a likeable main character.
Dianne
The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner
Narrator Name: Kimberly Farr
Rating the Audio Performance
Such a beautiful book about the round-up of foreign born Americans living in the U.S.A. during WWII. The story is of a young American girl born to German parents being sent to the camps and then deported to Germany during the end of WWII. The story continues to her marriage of a U.S. solider and returning back to the U.S. and continues through her life. A must-read/listen to historical romance fans. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
True friendship will last throughout your life if it’s truly real. Two young girls meet in an internment camp and are separated when they are deported to their home countries.
Kristen
The Gone Dead by Chanelle Benz
Narrator Name: Bahni Turpin
Rating the Audio Performance
As always, Ms. Turpin does an excellent job of inhabiting her characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Pretty powerful message and good debut.
John
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks
Rating the Audio Performance
This Tom Hanks guy is going places! He's so folksy! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A wonderful story about the fun of possessing a massive real estate empire.
Anne
Old Bones by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs
Narrator Name: Cynthia Farell
Rating the Audio Performance
Cynthia did a good job with numerous voices including several make voices. My one quibble is the rather halting voice she used for Corrie. It could have been her way of showing Corrie's in experience, but it put me off. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
An interesting storyline about the Donner party. Made me want to read more about it. It was also the only story by this duo that didn't have any supernatural element. Well, ghosts are mentioned.
Judy
The House Next Door by James Patterson
Narrator Name: Lauren Fortgang, Peter Ganim and Christopher Ryan Grant
Rating the Audio Performance
Narrators were very easy to listen to, with voices that resonated even when driving through heavy traffic or snow. The stories were so good and the audio performance was so strong that it kept me engaged even when I was scared about the weather-related driving conditions. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Sometimes I have an audiobook in the car that doesn't keep me engaged and I find my mind wandering to my mental to-do list. This definitely wasn't the case with this audiobook, which kept me engaged throughout each of the very different short stories. I loved the fact that each story was completely different.
Linda
The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott
Narrator Name: Carlotta Brentan, Cynthia Farrell, Mozhan Marno, Saskia Maarleveld, Jonathan Davis, David Pittu and James Fouhey
Rating the Audio Performance
I think the whole cast of narrators did a good job with this book, EXCEPT that many of them sounded alike. It was difficult to tell sometimes which character was “talking”. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Spy story, historical fiction, chick-lit??? I was expecting a spy story, but I got chick lit. Once I accepted that - it was okay. Just okay - there were so many points of view, and it was hard to keep track of who was who for a while. That said, the descriptions of life in the Soviet Union, for those who did not comply with the Soviet way, were realistic and chilling. I think those were the parts of the book I enjoyed most. Also the depiction of the very male dominated workplace, and sexism in 1950s Washington was very good. If chick lit/historical fiction is what you’re after, this book should work for you - if you want a good spy story — look elsewhere!
Helen
Lift by Kelly Corrigan
Narrator Name: Kelly Corrigan
Rating the Audio Performance
Wonderful stories of her family and children. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved the stories of her children and her comments on life in general.
Lisa
Another Country by James Baldwin
Narrator Name: Dion Graham
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator did a great job of capturing the setting of 1950s New York. He did well in making each character their own, capturing all of their emotions and making you feel as if you were part of the story. I appreciated that the narration wasn't one long monotone and this narrator made sure to give each character their own unique voice which made the story even more interesting. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Baldwin's writing style is lyrical, his characters, even those I didn't care for, were interesting. 1950s NY and love was in the air, different forms of love which Baldwin illustrated to us. Besides "love," Baldwin also takes us through the different forms of racism, different artist and the struggles each of them endured. The storyline was fantastic and engrossing, leaving the reader wanting more from beginning to end. There are some tough issues addressed in this book, some unresolved and complex which were left unanswered for me but still an amazing read.
Francisca
Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart
Narrator Name: Christina Moore
Rating the Audio Performance
Moore does a marvelous job narrating the audiobook. I particularly liked the way she acted Fleurette; she gave her an excited, breathy delivery that really made me believe this was a 16-year-old girl, long sheltered (isolated) on a family farm and eager to experience the world.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Based on the true story of one of America’s first female detectives, Stewart gives us a wonderfully atmospheric historical crime novel set in 1914-1915, and with a great cast of characters. I loved Constance – strong, determined, intelligent, and self-reliant. But also applaud Sheriff Heath, who not only worked to prove the case against the powerful factory owner but was astute enough to recognize the talent in Constance Kopp and offer her that ground-breaking opportunity. Brava to the Kopp sisters, Ms Stewart and narrator Moore. I’ll keep reading this series.
Cheryl
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks
Rating the Audio Performance
Tom Hanks brings this book alive. You truly believe that he is Danny, not Tom Hanks. His reading is flawless. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
The story will resonate with many people who have seen fortunes and families made and lost. The brother/sister bond is a strong one that could not be broken despite the hurt that was inflected on them.
Donna
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks
Rating the Audio Performance
Audio was great with Tom Hanks. He could probably make the phone book read interesting!! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Loved the story. It came alive for me on audio.
Marybeth
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
Narrator Name: Imogen Church
Rating the Audio Performance
Amazing. I could not stop listening. The narrator is so engaging. Her tone perfectly matches what the author intended, I believe. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
So many twists and turns. I feel the character development was also excellent. It kept me guessing and wanting to listen more and more.
Tessa
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
Narrator Name: Orlagh Cassidy
Rating the Audio Performance
Orlagh Cassidy does a marvelous job of performing the audio version. She sets a good pace, and I could follow the plot despite the back-and-forth in time structure. However, I think I would have enjoyed this even more had I read it in text, so I could savor Fowler’s writing. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A chance encounter with a fellow college student causes Rosemary Cooke to briefly abandon the careful facade she’s adopted and has her reflecting on her childhood, and her lost siblings: her sister Fern and her brother Lowell. This is the kind of character-driven literary fiction that I relish. Fowler’s writing brings this wounded family to life.
Allison
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
Narrator Name: Carrie Hope Fletcher and Kwaku Fortune
Rating the Audio Performance
The performers brought the book to life and did a wonderful job with the characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
THE FLATSHARE by Beth O'Leary is exactly what I want from a romantic comedy/dramedy type book. It's got hugely likeable protagonists in the form of Tiffy and Leon, a highly original setup for the meeting of these two characters, a cast of interesting supporting characters and side storylines but most of all...it feels fresh!!! Hallelujah for that. I have found myself getting so jaded when it comes to this genre of book but this one is a veritable diamond in the rough. THE FLATSHARE does not feel like so many of the countless romantic-comedy/dramedy books I've read throughout the years. The setup for this book is a bit bonkers but it really works. Tiffy and Leon seem real.
Catherine
Dead of Winter (A Lily Dale Mystery) by Wendy Corsi Staub
Narrator Name: Melanie Ewbank
Rating the Audio Performance
The narrator did a great job on voices and atmosphere.She made the book come to life. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
A fun winter listen. Likable characters and great atmosphere. Makes you want to visit Lily Dale.
Laura
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Narrator Name: Lauren Woodward
Rating the Audio Performance
Audio performance was easy to listen to, well done. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Listening to this audiobook made me want to make a list of all of C.S. Lewis’s works for a to-be-read list. Joy Davidson’s poetry was also very moving, full of emotion. A great read. I will be recommending this to all my book club friends.
Mike
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
Narrator Name: Ronan Farrow
Rating the Audio Performance
Ronan Farrow, the author, is also a very talented narrator. His imitations of different people are priceless! Having him as the narrator really elevated the material for me. I listened to it on my commute and I loved it so much it made me embrace the traffic so I could listen longer! A testament to the material and the narration! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
This was absolutely fascinating! I am not sure when I turned into a nonfiction fanatic but they have been by far my favorite books the last few years. Timely subject matter (Harvey Weinstein and sexual assault and, more specifically, the investigation - roadblocks and all - of said assault.) I would sit there and hang on every word. I love that in a book. It is still early in the year but this one is a favorite already and will be hard to top.
Cheryl
Me by Elton John
Narrator Name: Taron Egerton
Rating the Audio Performance
Taron Egerton was perfect as the narrator of this book. You can actually believe that he is the younger Elton John. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Elton John wrote this book, warts and all. As he states at the end he was a gay, drug-using musician. He couldn't lie about any of that.
Tessa
Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews
Narrator Name: Moira Driscoll
Rating the Audio Performance
Moira Driscoll did a fine job of performing the audio. Her southern accent was spot-on, and she really brought the large cast of characters alive. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Even before I read the jacket blurb, I knew I was in for a light, fun, fast, chick lit, beach read. And that’s exactly what I got. Mary Kay Andrews knows how to write in this genre and she does a fine job of it.
Tiffany
November Road by Lou Berney
Narrator Name: Johnathan McClain
Rating the Audio Performance
Great audio performance! Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Very good, complex book. The plot was great and I really liked the setting and time period. I’m not the biggest fan of books taking place in the 60s but this one was quite good and you really felt like the people were alive. I felt an overarching tone of sadness with the book throughout that stayed with me awhile after reading it. An example of excellent fiction that makes the next book you read seem pale in comparison. You want to get back into that world.
Helen
The Sum of Our Days by Isabella Allende
Narrator Name: Blair Brown
Rating the Audio Performance
Excellent storytelling. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Wonderful story of the life of celebrated author Isabella Allende.
Judith
The Reckoning by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Michael Beck
Rating the Audio Performance
Michael Beck kept the narration going using many voices for the many different characters. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Long a fan of Grisham, especially audiobooks on a trip, my husband and I were eager to have this companion to Florida. This is the worse Grisham book ever; he had two completely different stories that did not really intersect. The main story is about a man returning from WWII where he was missing/presumed dead for three years. When he returned he thoughtfully planned the execution of the local minister without revealing to anyone why he did it, knowing he would be executed. The second part of the story revolves around his time as a soldier in the Philippines during the death march on Bataan. We kept listening to it thinking there would be a surprise Grisham ending and there was not. His kids got screwed in the end and lost everything.
Richard
The Line Becomes a River by Francisco Cantú
Narrator Name: Francisco Cantú
Rating the Audio Performance
The audiobook is read by the author. He sets a good pace and has a smooth delivery and his Spanish pronunciation is perfect. Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
Cantú studied international relations in college and joined the border patrol because, “I spent four years in college … learning about the border through policy and history. I want to see the realities of the border day in and day out.” In this memoir he writes with brutal honesty about what he experienced, looks at the policies and procedures, and explores the toll on humans – both migrants and native-born Americans. 
