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May 1, 2020 - June 1, 2020

This contest period's winner was Krishna S. from Indian Trail, NC, who received an audiobook copy of FAIR WARNING by Michael Connelly, read by Peter Giles and Zach Villa, and THE LAST TRIAL by Scott Turow, read by John Bedford Lloyd.

Kristen
The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall
Narrator Name: Kathy Keane

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Ms. Keane did an excellent job of narrating the very distinct characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
So glad we're discussing this title later in the year!

Francisca
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Narrator Name: Carolyn McCormick

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Carolyn McCormick does a fine job narrating the audio. She sets a good pace (helped, no doubt, by the way Collins writes the book), and I really like the voice she gives Katniss.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
Book 3 in the Hunger Games Trilogy. I’m not a great fan of dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels in general, and have only tolerated this series. I’m glad that Collins chose to make the central figure a strong female, but in this episode, I find Katniss a bit whiny at times. It is a fast read, though.

Melinda
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
Narrator Name: Sean Pratt

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narrator keeps you easily in the facts of the large Galvin family. Since this is a nonfiction book about a family of 12 children it would be easy to lose track of the story, but the narrator and the author don't let that happen.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This is a nonfiction book about a family of 12 children and 6 of the boys have schizophrenia, and there are so many other things going on with this family. Questions that come to my mind are how can this family ignore so much that is going on with the children, how do they afford raising these children with so many issues, how do they keep going when the father suffers a severe medical problem?

Aimee
The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger
Narrator Name: January LaVoy

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narrator does a great job changing voice and tone with each character, and injecting emotion.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
This is a timely story. It's the college admissions scandal, on the elementary-middle-high school level. It's what we are doing to our kids - pushing, pushing them to excel at any cost. And the parents to do things to get their kids in 'elite', 'best', 'selective' schools and sports clubs at any cost. I lost a bit of interest in the middle, but when things start to unravel, and consequences happen, it gets juicy.

Richard N B
Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
Narrator Name: Chip Gaines, Joanna Gaines, Melinda Paul, Rachel Agee, and Gabe Wicks

Rating the Audio Performance
4
The author narrates the story himself. I can’t imagine anyone else doing a better job.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
2
My wife and I are fans of the HGTV show. One thing that has struck me in the TV show is how immaturely Chip behaves at times. And this book is FULL of his immaturity. I find many of his antics irritating, and I want to take him aside and tell him to GROW UP. On the other hand, his sincere belief in “Go for it,” in taking life by the horns and going all out clearly comes through. I think he’d probably do well on the motivational speaking circuit.

Deborah
Dark Sacred Night by Michael Connelly
Narrator Name: Titus Welliver and Christine Lakin

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narration was steller. Titus Welliver, helped deliver the story. His voice was nuanced and clear.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Excellent story. Lots of tension throughout the story to keep the listener captivated and on the edge of his/her seat.

Joan
Heartland by Sarah Smarsh
Narrator Name: Sarah Smarsh

Rating the Audio Performance
4
The author read her own story and while the narration was good, I wasn’t in love with her story.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
This was a story of her growing up poor in the Kansas Heartland. She was the first women of five generations to graduate high school and go to college without having a baby at age sixteen. While I commend her, I felt her story was not all that interesting and dragged on in places. She overcame a poverty- ridden life and achieved her goal which is commendable but why she felt her family was interesting is beyond my understanding.

Dianne
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Narrator Name: Michelle Obama

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Mrs. Obama's narration of her story is outstanding. No one tells their story better. Such a bright woman, mother, spouse and representative of our nation.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Great story.

Tessa
In the Distance by Hernán Díaz
Narrator Name: Peter Berkrot

Rating the Audio Performance
3
Peter Berkrot narrated the audio version. I did not like his delivery, though I eventually grew used to it. I think I’ll probably re-read this as some point, and I’ll definitely rely on the text version.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
A young Swedish immigrant tries to make his own way in the mid-19th-century American West. This is a Western unlike any other I’ve ever read. The “romance” of the West is nowhere to be found here. This is often a barren, dangerous place with few allies and many enemies. The novel covers decades, taking Håkan from age fourteen to “white-haired” old age. In places the novel takes a philosophical turn as Håkan ponders his fate and occasionally despairs of every achieving his goal. I loved the poetic writing. I think fans of Jose Saramago would like this. Final verdict: Marvelous writing and a fascinating character.

Roxana
Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh
Narrator Name: Cris Dukehart

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The audio performance is fantastic with a seamless transition between characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This book is part of a series. A young mother is kidnapped and being held hostage. A group of private detectives are contracted to find her when the sheriff's department fails to follow any new leads.

Carol
Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon
Narrator Name: Barrie Kreinik

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Very articulate and easy to listen to.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Loved this book. So we’ll researched. The character is heroic and utterly amazing in the lengths she went to get her messages through and the physical and personal hardships she endured.

REGINA
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Love Tom Hanks reading of this story. He reads like I would read aloud - some change in voice but mostly the emotional tone is different. I could listen to his reading all day.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Great read about the relationship between brother and sister and their family history associated with their family homestead, the Dutch House.

Dorothy
The Possible World by Liese O'Halloran Schwarz
Narrator Name: Tandy Cronyn, Morgan Hallett and John Kroft

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narrators are excellent at capturing the three extremely different characters' voices and personalities.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Three stories about three distinct individuals and the incidents in their lives form a compelling story in THE POSSIBLE WORLD.

donna
The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West by David. McCullough
Narrator Name: John Bedford Lloyd

Rating the Audio Performance
4
The narrator was well spoken and easy to listen to as well.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
1
Boring. If I wanted something diary like I would have bought a diary. Too much Ohio and little NW territory. The books content is lacking. The settlers were portrayed as heros, and little attention is given to the Native Americans who were displaced by Americans who treated them shamefully.

Francisca
The Marseille Caper by Peter Mayle
Narrator Name: Robin Sachs

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Sachs does a fine job narrating the audio. I love his French accent.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
This is book two in the Sam Levitt crime caper series. Think James Bond with less danger and more emphasis on enjoying life. Beautiful (and smart) girls, fantastic yachts, private jets, mansions with gorgeous sea views, political intrigue, sumptuous repasts, and good wine. A fast, fun, romp of a comedy crime caper that reminds me how much I will miss Peter Mayle.

Anna Servati
My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman
Narrator Name: Joan Walker

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Audio performance was excellent. Joan Walker made it so easy to follow and so enjoyable.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
I previously read, or rather listened to the audio version of BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE. Britt-Marie was one of the characters in this book as well. Joan Walker, the narrator, was excellent. The main characters were a seven-year old girl and her grandmother. It was very endearing and a little quirky and unlike any book I've read before. I do think I enjoyed it more because I listened to it. Reading it might have been more difficult because of all the characters and the fantasy within the story but I loved listening to it. There were so many themes within the storyline. I think the most important was that it's okay to be different. Also that things aren't always what they seem at first. I loved all the lessons that Elsa learns from her grandma.

Lindy
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Excellent, smooth transitions from one character to another with intriguing inflections.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This book took me right into the marsh! Clear glimpse into the life of a forgotten child. Interesting throughout, beginning to end.

Lucy Felton
The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
Narrator Name: Scott Brick

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Excellent narration keeping the story suspenseful.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Well-told story about a part of history few knew about prior to Lincoln’s inauguration. I was particularly interested because my great great great grandfather, Samuel Felton, was an instrumental participant in the plot to save the president-elect.

Cammie
Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator Name: Erin Bennett

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Erin is such a clear and precise narrator. She makes the listening experience very enjoyable.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Christmas Stroll Weekend for the Quinn family is nearly disastrous. Their lives have been a roller-coaster ride since last Christmas when Mitzi left with George (aka Santa at the Winter Street Inn) and the youngest Quinn child, Bart, was deployed to Afghanistan. Now, Patrick is in jail; Kevin and Isabelle have welcomed their baby; and Ava's dating troubles seem to be sorted out. However, like WINTER STREET, the second book in the series has plenty of Quinn family drama and dysfunction. It's great to know the characters a bit more in this second book, and I look forward to the next two years/books with the Quinn family.

Terry
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Narrator Name: Blair Brown

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Blair Brown's voice is expressive and just a little bit scratchy. She makes this wonderful story come to life and it's been a real treat listening.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Wonderful, colorful characters.

Susan
Hid from Our Eyes by Julia Spencer-Fleming
Narrator Name: Suzanne Toren

Rating the Audio Performance
5
She does a wonderful job of individualizing the characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Another in her series and always enjoyable.

Carol
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Tom Hanks is such a multi-talented artist, his narration of THE DUTCH HOUSE was amazing. He can do anything!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
The house came alive in this book, and the inhabitants lived a crazy life.

Margaret
The Institute by Stephen King
Narrator Name: Santino Fontana

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Amazing how many voices this fantastic actor can do.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I don’t usually read Stephen King novels because he has scared me in the past. This very long book held my interest throughout and was well worth the ride!

Penny
Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
Narrator Name: Jefferson Mays

Rating the Audio Performance
5
The narrator is perfect for this book. He skillfully conveys the emotions and personalities of the characters. He also rocks the accents.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This book is so exciting, creative and clever. Science fiction at its best.

Daniel
On Gold Mountain by Lisa See
Narrator Name: Kate Reading

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Kate is doing an excellent job with the many Chinese names she encounters in this book. I did notice one mistake, her pronunciation of "Willamette", the river in the state of Oregon, was incorrect.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This book provides some more insight to the current (now recent) series on NPR of Asians in America. In addition, a check on Lisa See's web page about this book (https://www.lisasee.com/on-gold-mountain/) provide not only photos, but a short video shortly after it was first published.

Tessa
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Narrator Name: Julia Whelan and Jesse Bernstein

Rating the Audio Performance
4
The audio version is very well performed by Julia Whelan (Jude) and Jesse Bernstein (Noah). Using two voice artists certainly helped keep the timelines/characters straight.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
2
It’s been nominated for a slew of YA awards and I can see the attraction for the target YA audience, but not my cup of tea. I found it over-written and melodramatic. Not a fan of the dual timelines/dual narrators device either, which, in this case, just served to confuse and drag out the storyline.

cherie
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Narrator Name: Bahni Turpin, Sophie Amoss, Robin Miles, Lisa Flannagan and Dominic Hoffman

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Wonderful. Bahni Turpin is a favorite and Sophie is new to me but was excellent as well.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Very interesting, especially since I watched your interview with Lisa before reading it. The interview provided great context to the story. I like the different characters peaking and it all coming together.

Deb
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Narrator Name: Michelle Obama

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Wonderful.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Inspired.

Jill
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abu Dare
Narrator Name: Adjoin Adjoh

Rating the Audio Performance
5
I started listening to this and almost immediately turned it off because of the accent. I reconsidered because it got such great reviews and I am so thrilled I listen to all of it. I was thoroughly captivated by the story and enjoyed the “difficulties” in translation. It was an amazing story, hardly believable that it is told in the current day. The phrases that don’t translate perfectly added a touch of humor to the story. I miss the main character and wish her the best - I want to tell her I am pulling for her!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
The story was so real and the characters were brought to life. It was thoroughly enjoyable.

Barbara
The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell
Narrator Name: Laurie Thompson

Rating the Audio Performance
5
This is my first audio from Henning Mankell, author of Wallander series. I am not a great fan of the TV production of Wallander so I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed this series. I have hearing problems because of my age, but I found Laurie Thompson's narration was enjoyable, both the sound of her voice and her narrative skills. I highly recommend this book.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I loved all the Nordic/Scandanavian settings. I loved the description of the country and how lives are lived there. I loved the inclusion and description of Beijing in the book.

Rebecca
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Tom Hanks beautifully nuanced the characters. He captured Danny’s lack of insight into his wife and sister, and how puzzled he was by their actions.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Not my favorite of her works but vastly enriched by Tom Hanks.

Wendy
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
Narrator Name: Jennifer Lim

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Jennifer Lim did a good job of narrating this book but I sometimes found it difficult to follow the time shifts in the novel because there was not much difference in the characters' voices.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I thought this book was interesting and engaging and so well researched. I was completely unaware of the haenyeo, the Korean women divers the novel focuses on. I also liked the span of time covered in the novel because it took in so many momentous occurrences in the 20th century.

Kimiko
Gathering Prey by John Sandford
Narrator Name: Richard Ferrone

Rating the Audio Performance
4
I think the narrator did a good job, but his voice is so low and gravelly that I had a very hard time with it in the beginning. Lucas is just 50 but this narration makes Lucas sound like he's 105 years old and ladies' voices were equally tough. Everyone was sounding pretty much the same.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I just discovered the Lucas Davenport series; reading them as I can get my hands on them, out of order and really enjoy this character!

Richard N B
Evicted by Matthew Desmond
Narrator Name: Dion Graham

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Marvelous narration. Clear diction, and a good pace gave me time to absorb information.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Subtitle: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Fascinating. Frustrating. Horrifying. Compassionate. Informative. Distressing. Enlightening. Desmond thoroughly explores the effects on impoverished residents of being repeatedly evicted and contrasts the plight of the poor with the profits made at their expense.

Cammie
Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
Narrator Name: Erin Bennett

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Erin relays the story is such a clear and understandable way.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
WINTER SOLSTICE brings the Winter series by Elin Hilderbrand to an end. There were several teary moments in these last 2 books, especially this onem even though I knew how some events would turn out. Saying goodbye to the Quinn family was harder than I expected it to be. The Quinn family is real and relatable at times entertaining and other times completely dysfunctional. I was a bit confused by the importance of Eddie, but his role not only as Allegra's father but also as a realtor on Nantucket became more clear as the story continued. The Quinn family has been through so much in the last four years - an affair with Santa, insider trading and a prison sentence, pharmaceutical addiction, reality TV, broken engagements & a prisoner of war.

Mac
The Silver Gun (Art Deco Mystery, Book #1) by L. A. Chandlar
Narrator Name: Emma Lysy

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Emma Lysy effectively brings the heroine, Lane Sanders, to life, endowing her with just the right amount of confidence and vulnerability. Lysy is also skilled at subtly changing tone to indicate different speakers without sounding cartoonish (not an easy task). I thoroughly enjoyed her performance.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I discovered L.A. Chandlar's Art Deco series at the Left Coast Crime convention early this year. With this first book, I was immediately drawn in to the life of Lane Sanders, assistant to the famed NY mayor, Fiorello La Guardia and erstwhile detective. Set in 1936, the book is full of period details from the costumes to the music to the political climate. Chandlar has not only created a vivid environment but also crafted an interesting and challenging mystery that involves a plot to discredit the mayor, a mole in his office, a link to Lane's own tragic childhood and of course, murder. Add to that a diverse group of interesting characters and you have a recipe for a darn good read.

Dawn
Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich
Narrator Name: Lorelei King

Rating the Audio Performance
5
I purposely listen to the audiobook versions of the Stephanie Plum novels (and other Janet Evanovich's novels) because of Lorelei King. I just love her characterizations of Lulu and Grandma Mazur!!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I love catching up on Stephanie Plum, Lulu, Grandma Mazur and all the other characters in Trenton, New Jersey.

Jeff
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Narrator Name: Kevin T. Collins

Rating the Audio Performance
4
One of the reasons I was drawn to this book is the setting: small-town Southern living. Kevin does a great job of invoking a Southern accent for all of the characters while still being able to give all of them a unique voice.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
I was really drawn in to the story and the setting. One thing I found that really set this book apart from the usual YA teenage romance is that it was told from the guy's point of view. With all of the struggles Lena is going through, trying to tell the book from her point of view would (I think) have let things come off the rails, so to speak. Also, it deepened the mystery as to what was happening as Ethan discovered this world that was entirely new to him (and the readers).

Elise
The Miniaturist by Jesse Burton
Narrator Name: Davina Porter

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Performance was good. I didn't love it, but it didn't distract, either.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
The setting was interesting, but the "Miniaturist" storyline feel flat for me. It was very intriguing at the start, but when you found out who it was, it was a disappointment.

Roxana
Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh
Narrator Name: Cris Dukehart

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Great audio for all the different characters both male and female. The transitions were smooth.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
The book is part of a series. It was a great mystery.

Andrea
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
Narrator Name: Shawn Pratt

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Perfect for the content.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Loved this book, especially the first half. Nice balance between the family storyline and the background information on the disease, treatments, research, etc.

Kara
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Narrator Name: Kathleen Early

Rating the Audio Performance
5
This narrator is a perfect choice for Slaughter, whose stories are always set in GA. As a Southerner, I appreciate that her accent isn't contrived. A subtle, real Southern accent is always better than a ridiculous, over-the-top fake one.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This book gave me all the feels. I felt what the characters were feeling throughout. For example, I was literally uncomfortable at one point because I could feel the deep humiliation that one character must have been feeling during her ordeal. I also cried at the end, which almost never happens. Any book that can make me feel genuine, deep emotions gets 5 stars from me. Warning, though. If you need trigger warnings, research this book before you read or listen to it.

Tessa
The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean
Narrator Name: Sean Runnette

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Sean Runnette did a fine job of performing the audio. However, the sometimes dry subject matter made for a more difficult listening experience. I might have enjoyed this more in text.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
Subtitle: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements. Who could have imagined such a volume written about that chart that hangs in every high school chemistry classroom? Kean’s enthusiasm and fascination for the periodic table comes through. But, it was just too much, even for this admitted science geek. Some parts were far more interesting to me than others.

Peggy
Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
Narrator Name: Macleod Andrews

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Wonderful book with excellent narration. No dramatics here, just a good storyteller.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Leif Enger never disappoints. His characters, even the unsympathetic ones, are believable and well developed. I hope he continues to write and does it more quickly.

Peggy
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Narrator Name: Michelle Obama

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Mrs. Obama is a thoughtful and interesting writer. She tells her story from an early age, helping the reader understand her life and motivation. Additionally, her voice is pleasant and easy to listen to. I truly enjoyed her narration.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Mrs. Obama opens up and tells her story, going back to her childhood and family, her motivation, drive, and her thoughts. It’s a fascinating look into her life.

Jill
Hostile Witness by Rebecca Forster
Narrator Name: Ann Marie Lee

Rating the Audio Performance
1
The reader makes everything so dramatic with the inflections of her voice. It drove me crazy because a simple lunch with a friend was not a dramatic event but her style made it so. I will continue to follow the author but read instead of listen. I have put down books read by her before because of her over dramatics.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
A really great book. I love a good courtroom drama and this fulfilled every bit. Enough legal, but enough personal look into the lives of the characters, too.

Dejah
Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly
Narrator Name: Jayne Entwistle

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Jayne Entwistle is my favorite narrator and I found this book by searching for her in the library's website. Her voice is so dynamic and her accent is charming. Her range of accent and voices is delightful. I can't even imagine reading this book without her voice giving it life.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
This is my favorite retelling of Cinderella ever! Isabelle is so flawed and relatable. No one can live up to a "Cinderella," but Isabelle discovers her worth and man, is she strong and courageous and resilient! Isabelle and her sister and mother are miserable after Cinderella leaves with the prince. And Fate and Chance are fighting over her map and her destiny. Isabelle's journey is hard and as she learns about herself, the reader can also reflect on what is important in our own stories. It is girl-power in its finest form.

Nancy
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Narrator Name: Julia Whelan

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Julia Whalen brought January Andrews to life!
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Not a book I would have typically chosen - I enjoyed it so much! I would listen to it, or read it, again. The characters had so much dimension, and I just liked them. It was funny. It was poignant. It was sweet and sexy. Sometimes I got irritated with January for being a little short-sighted, but honestly it felt like dealing with a friend who just can't, or won't, see the obvious. To other would-be readers I say, 'Don't let the title fool you! It's not what you think!'

Mari-Ella
When You See Me by Lisa Gardner
Narrator Name: Kirsten Potter

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Nice voice, easily distinguishable characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
Already a fan of Lisa Gardner's. This novel was a treat because two investigators were involved, D.D. Warren and Flora Dane. LG's novels tend to be pretty dark, and this is no exception, and her story telling keeps you interested and wondering throughout. Highly recommended.

Francisca
Heist Society by Ally Carter
Narrator Name: Angela Dawe

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Dawe does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She sets a good pace and has enough skill as a voice artist to differentiate the many characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
First in a series featuring Katarina Bishop, born into a family of art thieves, but desperate to get out of the family business. Or is she? This is a fun, fast, young adult novel with a likeable main character and a totally implausible plot. I did like the intricate plotting, and was glad that the romance was kept somewhat on the back burner.

Ricki
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Narrator Name: Nicole Lewis

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Lewis did an amazing job with the female characters, but something just seemed off when the males were talking.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Never have I felt more for a character than I felt for Briar.

Megan
Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera
Narrator Name: Brittany Pressley, Robin Miles and Adenrele Ojo

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Each of the three voices representing the three main characters were amazing. Each of the narrators fully embodied the character they represented.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
I loved this story and I loved how the characters' lives were intertwined. I cared about each one of them and was riveted by their story.

Mary
Janis by Holly George-Warren
Narrator Name: Nina Arianda

Rating the Audio Performance
3
The narration was average, Ms. Arianda voicing all the characters. Multiple voices would have enhanced the story, as would some of Ms. Joplin’s music.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
I was curious about the short, tragic life of the greatest white blues singer. I’ve been fascinated by Janis Joplin my entire adult life. The book satisfied my curiosity by colorfully describing Joplin’s childhood, her choppy rise to fame and her unfortunate death at 27. The author’s message - that money and fame couldn’t fill the void of loneliness and feelings of unworthiness that permeated Janis’ brief life - was abundantly clear. Janis Joplin remains a musical icon 50 years after her death.

Susan
High Five by Joe Ide
Narrator Name: Zeno Robinson

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Character definition was great.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
Premise was questionable and even though the narrrtor was good, I believe this is book would be better read.

Mary Lou
The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
Narrator Name: Titus Welliver

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Titus Welliver plays Harry Bosch in the Amazon Prime series, now in its sixth season. Mr. Welliver narrates this special edition of the first book in Mr. Connelly's Harry Bosch novels. Mr. Welliver is outstanding as Harry, both on the small screen and on this audio version of THE BLACK ECHO.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
For any fan of Harry Bosch, this book is foundational. However, I found it a bit slow, although that may have been due to this being a second read for me. I picked it up again because I wanted to hear Titus Welliver, the actor who plays Harry Bosch in the Amazon Prime series, narrate the story. So glad I did. Despite the slowness from time to time, the writing is superb and well worth the listen.

Mary Lou
Camino Winds by John Grisham
Narrator Name: Michael Beck

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Mr. Beck does a great job with all the southern accents, both male and female.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
3
I'm not sure why this story didn't grab me. I love that the protagonist is a book store owner, but I found that I didn't really care all that much about him, or the others in his orbit. As I was listening, I decided that maybe it was because none of them were very likable and it was hard to identify with them. I'm still not really clear what was going on in the plot line either. So my bottom line thought is that it was not a terrible read, just somewhat dull and plodding. Not up to Grisham's normally great standards.

Patrice
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Narrator Name: Tom Hanks

Rating the Audio Performance
5
One of America's greatest living actors knocks it out of the park with this subtle, yet mesmerizing reading of Ann Patchett's beautiful new novel, THE DUTCH HOUSE. If you love books, you must listen to Hank's audio performance, which will stay with you long after you've finished listening.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
One of the best books I've read in a decade. Not one word is wasted in the telling of the story of an opulent home, a splintered family, and a brother and sister at the center of the maelstrom. Wonderful!

Helen
Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore
Narrator Name: Cassandra Campbell and Jenna Lamia

Rating the Audio Performance
4
Wonderful, riveting. Loved the voices of these incredible women characters.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
5
The story of each of these women and their stories and how they all were woven together is powerful. Loved each one of them.

Tessa
The Arrangement by Sarah Dunn
Narrator Name: Ellen Archer

Rating the Audio Performance
5
Ellen Archer did a wonderful job narrating the audiobook. Her voice for Wyatt was particularly effective with the rapid fire, higher pitch INSISTENCE of a young child. I certainly felt the parents’ stress in dealing with this challenge.
Rating the Book's Content/Storyline
4
Somehow, I had the impression that this was going to be a fun, farcical comedy of manners-type book. It isn’t. There are some scenes that are quite entertaining, but by and large this is a pretty serious look at modern marriage and the work of commitment – to your partner, to your child, to your values. I thought it was interesting that Dunn gave the couple the added responsibility/stress of an autistic child. My sympathies changed through the book as a result of how they interacted with their son and each other.