Discover New Releases Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary

Still Me Audiobook by Jojo Moyes

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jojo Moyes) — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 00:16:55 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Still Me Subtitle: A Novel Author: Jojo Moyes Narrator: Anna Acton Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 19 mins Language: English Release date: 01-30-18 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the sensational number-one New York Times best-selling author Jojo Moyes, a new book featuring her iconic heroine of Me Before You and After You, Louisa Clark Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She is thrown into the world of the super-rich Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world. Before she knows what's happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. In Still Me, as Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets - not all her own - that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places? Members Reviews: This was absolutely perfect. I am so not ready to say bye ... This was absolutely perfect. I am so not ready to say bye to Lou! I hope thereâs more one day, but if not, this was a great end! Not bad Beginning was slow, and after several persisting starts it gets better. So hang in there it does get better for a beach holiday read. Truly amazing, wonderful to have Louisa back! This book was an absolute joy to read & Oh how I loved having Lou Clarke back in my life! She is so upbeat and original and never looses sight of herself regardless the circumstances She finds herself in. âStill Meâ is a story of secrets, lies & misunderstandings, friendships, and forgiveness. Itâs another real rollercoaster full of laughs, tears, frustrations, determination and hope. In this, the 3rd in the series, Louisa has landed a job in New York and her arrival at the airport is plenty eventful; we start off with Lou babbling at an immigration officer... Lou has moved to the big apple to take up a job with the wealthy Agnes Gopnik. As well as adjusting to being away from home, Lou is trying to juggle a long distance relationship when she meets someone who fosters feelings from the past... Jojo's work never fails to bring a smile to my face with her honesty & humour. This book has its hilarious moments but it also has deeply moving ones also. I loved it, just perfect from beginning to end! You could easily read this as as standalone but to really get to know Lou and understand her circumstances, Iâd recommend reading the whole trilogy in order... Jojo Moyesâ writing is fantastic and âStill Meâ is a worthy addition to the Me Before You trilogy. I am a verified purchaser in Australia Jojo crafted another well written journey in Louisaâs many adventures âYou only get one life. Itâs actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.â Still Me by Jojo Moyes follows Louisa âLouâ Clark whom we love from the popular Me Before You and the second installment, After You. Jojo has graced our homes and our minds with the kind, caring female who we love to adventure with and luckily this time around we get to journey with her to New York. Louisa had taken the leap and ventured to the big apple for a new chapter in life.

Big Little Lies Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 15:56:51 GMT

Veronika Decides to Die Audiobook by Paulo Coelho

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Paulo Coelho) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 01:13:10 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Veronika Decides to Die Author: Paulo Coelho Narrator: Fran Tunno Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins Language: English Release date: 03-31-09 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 253 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Inspired by events in Coelho's own life, Veronika Decides to Die questions the meaning of madness and celebrates individuals who do not fit into patterns society considers normal. Bold and illuminating, it is a dazzling portrait of a young woman at the crossroads of despair and liberation, and a poetic, exuberant appreciation of each day as a renewed opportunity. Members Reviews: Different Well, that certainly was original take on ideas of love, death, sanity and finding meaningful purpose in life. It started off intriguing, became quite thought-provoking, veered into bizarre, detoured into WTF!, then back to interesting again. I liked it. Love it This girl thinks like me I can hear myself agreeing with every word she said since the start And the ending is amazing Brilliant doctor Every character in this book is amazing But in real life i thing edwardos are rare I wish to find someone like him in life And the ideas and statements in this book are just what i needed to hear in my life Saving life by intelligence is our only salvation I am in love with this book Can't stand this narrator What did you like best about Veronika Decides to Die? What did you like least? So far, I don't think this is the best Coelho I've read yet. The text gets repetitive and jumps from one point to another. Frankly though, this animosity is largely because of the narrator of this book. I should've stuck with reading it instead of listening. What a disservice to Paulo Coelho. I like the existential questions though and am curious to see how it unfolds. Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Fran Tunno? This narrator sounds like a robot. You know those corporate videos that you have to watch at orientation before you start a new job? That's how the narration and the dialogue sound like here, it has that sing-song lilt that's supposed to keep new hires from falling asleep on their first day. It doesn't work here. Not with Paulo Coelho! Goodness. I am returning this audiobook and just reading the text from the book. I think American female narrators in general need to listen to English narrators, they seem to know what they're doing. I would rather listen to Juliet Stevenson or Susanah Harker. amazing,life lesson was the best one I have reading. I feel myself like a hard person,but this book makes me enjoy and cry,as if I was in it. really loved it and wish lots of people can experience those feelings. Recommend overall Interesting social commentary on finding meaning in the seemingly mundane. The ideas don't seem extremely profound, but they definitely resonate with me and I'm glad to have heard it. I enjoyed the narration. She acted out the characters and flowed in and out of the dialogue well.

Young Skins Audiobook by Colin Barrett

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Colin Barrett) — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:54:19 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Young Skins Subtitle: Stories Author: Colin Barrett Narrator: Jack Reynolds Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 26 mins Language: English Release date: 07-06-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Winner of the Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award Winner of the Guardian First Book Award Winner of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature A stunning introduction to a singular new voice in contemporary fiction. Enter the small, rural town of Glanbeigh - a place whose fate took a downturn with the Celtic Tiger. It's a desolate spot where buffoonery and tension simmer and erupt, and booze-sodden boredom fills the corners of every pub and nightclub. Here, and in the towns beyond, the young live hard and wear the scars. Among them there's jilted Jimmy, whose best friend, Tug, is the terror of the town and Jimmy's sole company in his search for the missing Clancy kid; Bat, a lovesick soul with a face like "a bowl of mashed up spuds" even before Nubbin Tansey's boot kicked it in; and Arm, a young and desperate criminal whose destiny is shaped when he and his partner, Dympna, fail to carry out a job. In each story a local voice delineates the grittiness of postboom Irish society. These are unforgettable characters rendered through silence, humor, and violence. Told in Barrett's vibrant, distinctive prose, Young Skins is an accomplished and irreverent debut from a brilliant writer. Members Reviews: Gritty and terrific...Bennett is a talent to be reckoned with. I'd rate this 4.5 stars. Gritty, sometimes bleak, but full of well-developed characters and emotions, the stories in Colin Barrett's collection Young Skins are tremendously compelling and memorable. Set in the small Irish town of Glanbeigh, Barrett's stories evoke the weariness one feels when they have spent most of their life in one place, with the same people, following the same path they always have. Sometimes his characters are down on their luck, sometimes their facing a major crossroads, and sometimes they're just hoping for a little more out of life. And even when they aren't the most upstanding people (to put it mildly, in some cases), Barrett's respect for his characters makes you care about them anyway. I really enjoyed all seven stories in this collection. Some of my favorites included "Stand Your Skin," about a man whose face was damaged by someone else's act of recklessness, and how he tends to live his life on the margins; "The Moon," about a senior bouncer at a bar, whose infatuation with his boss' college-aged daughter makes him ponder a different life than he has known; "Calm with Horses," which followed Arm, the enforcer for a neighborhood drug dealer, whose life is far more complex and complicated than you'd expect; "The Clancy Kid," about a lovelorn young man and his larger-than-life best friend, who is obsessed with the kidnapping of a young boy from their neighborhood; and "Kindly Forget My Existence," in which two old friends and romantic rivals are reunited when both try to avoid a solemn occasion. While Barrett's writing style reminded me a bit of Roddy Doyle's, he has a voice all his own. I had read about this collection a number of times over the last several months, and it always had been on my to be read list, but I'm so glad I finally picked it up. These stories are rich with character, plot, and introspection, and they definitely leave you marveling.

Spellbinder Audiobook by Harold Robbins

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Harold Robbins) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 17:29:07 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Spellbinder Author: Harold Robbins Narrator: Peter Berkrot Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 06-16-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 2 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the author of The New York Times number one best-selling novel The Carpetbaggers comes a hard-edged look at the seductive, high-stakes and often hypocritical world of religious revivalism and televangelists. Spellbinder is the story of a genuine and charismatic believer simply known as "Preacher", who returns from the foxholes and horrors of Vietnam with a simple goal: to spread the word of peace, love, and charity. He immediately attracts a following as he moves from California communes to small surfing towns. "The Church", as his mobile flock is now known, is a culture that centers as much on sex and drugs as prayers, sacraments, and salvation. Despite a growing following, The Church is bordering on broke. As they reach what is surely the end of the line in Texas, a powerful billionaire witnesses Preacher and likes what he sees. Promising a platform where Preacher can reach millions at once - not dozens - Preacher takes the leap into the new world of mass broadcasting the gospel. Before long, Preacher becomes one of the most powerful televangelists in the country, making influential friends and building a vast empire as the newest religious superstar. He finds his new success and status as "the" rock star entertainer of big-top religion intoxicating. Deep inside, however, he realizes that he's become just another "over-the-airwaves" televangelist selling everlasting salvation for an earthly price. With a burning conscience, he knows that he must make a gut-wrenching decision: preserve his empire to continue to spread the word or make the ultimate sacrifice to expose the hypocrisy that surrounds him. With five weeks on The New York Times best-sellers list, this groundbreaking Harold Robbins novel tackles the culture of televangelism and big-money churches head-on. Members Reviews: Spellbinder Harold Robbins never ceases to amaze me. Writing is his best achievement in this life. I enjoy reading anything he has written because I know it will be a blockbuster. Great Book Harold Robbins is a very good author that writes stories that define complex interactions between human nature and society. They are always entertaining and thought provoking. His stories are raw and depict life as it really is. I've enjoyed four of his books and would recommend him to anyone with an open mind. Not usual Harold Robbins quality I read this book many years ago, and wanted to reread a Harold Robbins book when I got my Kindle. Mr. Robbins was my favorite author for many many years. However, I think this novel was not equal to his usual writing. It just didn't do it for me. A scorcher from the master A book that will always be relevant, 'Spellbinder' hits hard and never apologizes. The climax is undeniably inspired and absolutely unforgettable. A shocker in the truest sense of the word. Like the content but .... I ordered this for my husband who is a Harold Robbins fan. While he likes the book, the construction is of extremely poor quality! The pages are not bound and are falling out of the book!

Seven Ways to Die in Belize Audiobook by Harlan Hague

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Harlan Hague) — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 19:25:15 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Seven Ways to Die in Belize Subtitle: A Novella Author: Harlan Hague Narrator: Tammy Taylor Format: Unabridged Length: 1 hr and 59 mins Language: English Release date: 06-23-17 Publisher: Graycatbird Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: How could a tour to exotic Belize be simple with a guide like this? Think Hercule Poirot, James Bond, and Rick Steves in one body. The guide's considerable talents are displayed when his tour group is targeted by a terrorist group who wants to discredit the government by killing tourists. David is assisted by Winnie, a young Chinese stunner who is always a favorite with his tour groups. She is always hit on by male members and not a few female members. It is rumored that David won her in a poker game in Bangkok. Their relationship is a bit of a mystery. David and Winnie thwart the terrorists while leading the tour group to Mayan ruins, tropical rainforests, and an inviting selection of hotel terrace bars, the focus and gathering place for most tour members. Members Reviews: A group tour of Belize takes an unexpected turn You purchase a group tour of some far off place. You go alone or maybe with a couple of friends. You buy drinks. You make new friends. You have an unexpected adventure along the way. That's the gist. Harlan Hague's book, Belize in My Dreams, moves along at an interesting pace. Less than a hundred pages long, or an hour on my Kindle, I enjoyed Hague's take on the former British colony of Belize. The rich painting of travel hosts and characters propelled a short story of international adventure and intrigue, at times reminding me of a screen play or TV show. Think "The Love Boat," but interject a dose of yearning or desire or regret. The hook for me is that I've been to the area. And on a trip I'll never forget to the Caribbean coast of Honduras, I saw a travel leader lose a couple of teenagers, or so he thought he did, in a dangerous part of town that would have swallowed them forever. Hague's more serious work--he's a retired historian, with masters and doctoral degrees and an absolutely outstanding book on the search for a southern route to California--is good stuff, too. Extremely good stuff. I gave this book four stars, because he nailed the nature of group travel, as I've experienced it anyway. And made me want to read and see more. Another nice journey Harlan Hague's novella is a fun read, good for a cold winter's night. There is a bit of intrigue and an interesting cast of characters.

Antéchrista Livre Audio par Amélie Nothomb

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Amélie Nothomb) — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 15:33:15 GMT

Écoutez ce livre audio dans son intégralité gratuitement sur https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> Titre: Antéchrista Auteur: Amélie Nothomb Narrateur: Véronique Groux de Miéri Format: Unabridged Durée: 2 hrs and 53 mins Langue: Français Date de publication: 11-01-16 Éditeur: Audible Studios Evaluation: 5 sur 5 sur 2 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Résumé de l'éditeur: "J'avais seize ans. Je ne possédais rien, ni biens matériels, ni confort spirituel. Je n'avais pas d'ami, pas d'amour, je n'avais rien vécu. Je n'avais pas d'idée, je n'étais pas sûre d'avoir une âme. Mon corps, c'était tout ce que j'avais." >> Ce livre audio en version intégrale vous est proposé en exclusivité par Audible et est uniquement disponible en téléchargement. ©2003 Éditions Albin Michel (P)2004 Éditions VDB Avis des membres: intelligent reading as all Amelie Nothomb's books this too is beautifuly written, ironic and entertaining,devoid of the superfluous as I hope this review is. Changement de style Amélie Nothomb s'est assagie, ce qui ne me plat pas. Où sont passés son humour cynique, ses personnages aux idées malsaines, le contrastes entre la pureté et l'impureté des gens? Elle a complétement changé de style. Antéchrista n'est qu'une histoire d'adolescence exagérée, on dirait qu'elle écrivait le scénario d'un film pour adolescents. Je me sentais trahi en lisant ce livre, moi qui avais lu ses autres romans si rapidement, j'ai perdu la soif de lires ses autres livres. Je n'ai rien contre une évolution de style, mais je sais que je ne serais pas l'unique à tre déu, par contre certains lecteurs seront contents.

The Paris Review No. 209 Audiobook by Lorin Stein (editor)

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Lorin Stein (editor)) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 21:46:01 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Paris Review No. 209 Author: Lorin Stein (editor) Narrator: Jill Melancon, Steve Coulter Format: Highlights Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins Language: English Release date: 12-17-14 Publisher: The Paris Review Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this issue, stories by Orange Prize winner Zadie Smith, Plimpton Prize winner Ottessa Moshfegh, and J. D. Daniels; an essay by Pulitzer Prize finalist Andrea Barrett; and poetry by United States Poet Laureate Charles Simic, Whiting Writers' Award winner Thomas Sayers Ellis, and Rowan Ricardo Phillips.

Rider on the Storm Audiobook by Robert G. Barrett

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Robert G. Barrett) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 15:35:47 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Rider on the Storm Author: Robert G. Barrett Narrator: David Tredinnick Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins Language: English Release date: 10-29-08 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: For more than a decade now, Robert G. Barrett has been entertaining Australians with the cocky Queenslander Les Norton and his outrageous exploits. In this collection, as well as more great Les Norton stories, Robert G. Barrett offers his views on getting published, getting famous, getting the dole and getting a date. Barrett on acting: 'You get instant fame and recognition: drunks want to fight you everywhere you go.' On getting published: 'If you are seriously thinking of making a living out of writing in Australia, make sure the people in your local dole office read your books. And hope to Christ they like them. Rider on the Storm and Other Bits is Les Norton at his worst and Robert G. Barrett at his best - as a columnist, feature writer and short-story teller. Editorial Reviews: Rider on the Storm collects stories and magazine articles by one of Australias most popular writers, Robert G. Barrett, who voices his own no-nonsense, politically incorrect prose in this audiobook. The stories feature Barretts most famous fictional creation and alter ego, Les Norton, a hard-living Sydney night-club bouncer. In articles originally published in Penthouse and Playboy, Barrett offers his unvarnished opinions on acting, fine dining, and getting published. Although those unfamiliar with Australian slang might find him hard to understand at first, Barretts gruff, blustery performance of his work, delivered as though from a bar stool, allows the warmth and humanity of his writing to shine.

The Paris Review No. 210 Audiobook by Lorin Stein (editor)

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Lorin Stein (editor)) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 17:18:44 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Paris Review No. 210 Author: Lorin Stein (editor) Narrator: Steve Coulter, Jill Melancon Format: Highlights Length: 3 hrs and 49 mins Language: English Release date: 12-17-14 Publisher: The Paris Review Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this issue, stories by Chilean novelist Alejandro Zambra, David Gates, and Atticus Lish; an essay by David Searcy; and poetry by Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Dunn, Karen Solie, and National Book Award finalist Ben Lerner.

The Paris Review No. 208 Audiobook by Lorin Stein (editor)

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Lorin Stein (editor)) — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 19:47:29 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Paris Review No. 208 Author: Lorin Stein (editor) Narrator: Jill Melancon, Steve Coulter Format: Highlights Length: 5 hrs and 23 mins Language: English Release date: 12-17-14 Publisher: The Paris Review Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this issue, stories by Orange Prize winner Zadie Smith, National Book Award finalist Ben Lerner, and New York Times journalist Luke Mogelson; poetry by Pulitzer Prize winner John Ashbery, Frederick Seidel, and Dorothea Lasky.

Little Fires Everywhere Audiobook by Celeste Ng

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Celeste Ng) — Tue, 12 Sep 2017 21:34:18 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Little Fires Everywhere Author: Celeste Ng Narrator: Jennifer Lim Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins Language: English Release date: 09-12-17 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5170 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the best-selling author of Everything I Never Told You, a riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned - from the layout of the winding roads to the colors of the houses to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules. Enter Mia Warren - an enigmatic artist and single mother - who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenage daughter, Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants - all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community. When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town - and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides. Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia's past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs. Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, and the ferocious pull of motherhood - and the danger of believing that following the rules can avert disaster. Critic Reviews: "Witty, wise, and tender. It's a marvel." (Paula Hawkins, New York Times best-selling author of The Girl on the Train and Into the Water) Members Reviews: Boring and Drawn Out!!! Kept falling asleep while listening, but was determined to finish it, especially due to all the hype over this audiobook. The story never got any better, and the ending was ridiculous! Really wish I could understand why there are so many great reviews. What are people seeing, that I just don't? As for the narration, J.L. did a pretty good job of performing each of the characters, though she did not use different voices or inflections for them. She basically used the same voice during the whole story. Sadly, I would definitely recommend passing this one up, and not wasting your time on it. Let Me Stop You Right There To me, this book was written by an author who believes that her listeners are as thick as two planks. Further, the tone of the narrator adds to the unbelievably slick and condescending flavor of the whole package. Everything is so slowly drawn out and hammered down that there is no room for any personal thought or feelings the reader might dare to have. I'm bored. Are we there yet? Out of Focus Reminded me much of The Nest. Where the entire book talk about random life facts of the characters without much passion or meaning. True, characters go thru traumatic experiences, but nothing reliable or meant to connect with the reader/listener. The story (or many different stories) did not touch my heart, or made me smile, or cry, nor excite. It was simply a story of the life of different families and their struggles. Not even sure why this is a best seller. Good books are supposed to ignite unexpected feelings for its reader, keep you excited and passionate about its characters, and leave you wanting more. little epiphanies everywhere Another thoughtful and thought-provoking book by Celeste Ng.

Gather Round the Sound Audiobook by Paulo Coelho, Yvonne Morrison, Charles Dickens

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Paulo Coelho) — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 06:27:20 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Gather Round the Sound Subtitle: Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe Author: Paulo Coelho, Yvonne Morrison, Charles Dickens Narrator: Angele Masters, Daniel Frances Berenson, Magda Szubanski, Simon Callow, Dan Starkey, John Banks, Vern Format: Unabridged Length: 1 hr and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 12-08-17 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 4040 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Gather 'Round the Sound: Holiday Stories from Beloved Authors and Great Performers Across the Globe 2017 has been a monumental year for Audible, having just celebrated our 20th anniversary, a milestone that would have never been possible without our wonderful and loyal listeners. One of our major commitments is bringing new and diverse audio experiences to our members, so this year, as our gift to you, we pulled together a collection that reflects a little bit of everything we've been up to recently: a surprising and heartwarming documentary, a selection of stories from our partners around the world, and even some improvised comedic carols we hope will make you laugh as much as they did us. Zip Code 12345 This mini-documentary centers around a peculiar holiday tradition at General Electric's headquarters in Schenectady, NY. For two decades, GE has been receiving thousands of letters from kids - children who think they're reaching Santa Claus. And every year, a handful of GE employees give up their December lunchbreaks to respond to each and every letter. An Aussie Night Before Christmas, by Yvonne Morrison, performed by Magda Szubanksi This rollicking rewrite of the famous old poem 'Twas The Night Before Christmas gives the original version a hilarious Aussie twist. Magda Szubanski, Australia's most trusted personality, caries this incredibly fun romp. Kangaroos pulling the sleigh, a beer for Santa, and all the over-the-top Australian lingo, it's everything you'd expect. The Music Coming from the House, by Paulo Coehlo, performed by Daniel Frances-Berenson In this magical story from the author of The Alchemist - the master of the modern parable - a disguised king visits a poor village, and what he sees through the window of a house changes his life, and those of the occupants. The Signal-man, by Charles Dickens, performed by Simon Callow, Dan Starkey, and John Banks For literature lovers, the holiday season needs a little Dickens. We dug up a story of his that you may not be familiar with, originally published in the Christmas edition of a Victorian short story periodical. Of course, ghosts are involved in this 19th century work told by Simon Callow (Outlander) and Dan Starkey (Dr. Who). A Very Improvised Holiday Musical What would the holidays be without some carols? Vern, a New York City-based improv troupe, performs a few improvised holiday songs.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Audiobook by Gail Honeyman

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Gail Honeyman) — Tue, 09 May 2017 23:21:33 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Subtitle: A Novel Author: Gail Honeyman Narrator: Cathleen McCarron Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 1 min Language: English Release date: 05-09-17 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 9325 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: No one's ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine. Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she's thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy. But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond's big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one. Smart, warm, uplifting, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is the story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes... The only way to survive is to open your heart. Critic Reviews: "Move over, Ove (in Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove) - there's a new curmudgeon to love." ( Booklist ) "Eleanor Oliphant is a truly original literary creation: funny, touching, and unpredictable. Her journey out of dark shadows is absolutely gripping." (Jojo Moyes, New York Times best-selling author of Me Before You) "Narrator Cathleen McCarron's articulated British accent and studied pacing lend weight to Eleanor's apparent alienation from the world - and her immediate charm to listeners.... While supporting characters are well defined with distinct voices and accents, McCarron especially shines in setting the story's emotional tone." ( AudioFile) Members Reviews: Completely fine? No... Completely AWESOME I wasn't sure about this book at first. Started a bit slow for me. However, it turned out to be completely engaging. You find yourself rooting for Eleanor, laughing at her faux pas and being completely enamored with her. I found myself tearing up more than once during this story. This is a wonderful story of how a person with a difficult past can evolve, grow and become who they are truly meant to be. Raymond is a solid character who guides Eleanor on her path to being who she has always wanted and needed to be. This is an absolutely excellent book. I listen to my audio books while commuting and found myself not wanting to get out of the car on several occasions. Close To Perfection--A Definite Thumbs Up! The publisher gives a great summary. Most of the other reviewers concur with my judgment that this is a must-read story that you just won't ever forget. Truly delightful but with a big dab of the bittersweet. Yes, it has some tough emotional moments but that is what makes it multi-dimensional and wonderful. Who is Eleanor Oliphant? She keeps to herself, preferring her own company in all situations. She is prim and proper, has strong beliefs about good manners and such. She dresses a bit oddly, probably looks like your dowdy old aunt, but is in fact, a young lady. Eleanor has experienced very little of life, at least, its good parts. Her childhood has been very dark and she is still dominated by Mommy, whom she talks with every week.

The Alchemist Audiobook by Paulo Coelho

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Paulo Coelho) — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 05:26:28 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Alchemist Subtitle: A Fable About Following Your Dream Author: Paulo Coelho Narrator: Jeremy Irons Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs Language: English Release date: 10-05-05 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 25642 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its simplicity and wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an Alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a meditation on the treasures found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is art eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts. ©1988 Paulo Coelho; (P)2005 HarperCollins Publishers Critic Reviews: "The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it's full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in dreams." (Publishers Weekly) "Yareli Arizmendi spins this marvelous tale of exotic adventure....[He] makes us feel the pain and joy of Santiago, the poor shepherd boy, as he tries to decide whether to seek a larger fortune or stay in the security of his job. Exuding softness and pathos, the narrator reminds that us most people who are unhappy failed to follow their dreams when young." [AudioFile] Members Reviews: A Superb Tale of Finding Your Personal Legend! Where does The Alchemist rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? Through four audiobooks, this one was amongst the top of all of them. What did you like best about this story? What I liked best was the main character's interactions with the different characters he met along his journey. Which scene was your favorite? My favorite scene was when the boy tried to tell Fatima the reason why he loved her and she stopped him and told him he didn't need to. If you could rename The Alchemist, what would you call it? Realizing Your Legacy. Any additional comments? The narration was perfect. A Timeless Tale I've been listening to Audible books for years, but this is the first one that, after finishing it, I immediately bought a hard copy. In fact, I bought TWO!! One for me to (re)read and mark up with highlights and notes, and one to pass around to my family and friends! This story is an amazing parable, richly layered with insights for finding and living a richer, more grounded, more meaningful life. Never "preachy", this is an allegorical story written in lyrical language that stands beautifully on its own. Add the richness that Jeremy Irons's delivery brings to this Audible edition, and it becomes a transcendent experience. Marvelous Book & Expressive Reader No better choice to read this magnificent book by Paul Coelho than Jeremy Irons. It is exceptionally well read, with great expression, and wonderful adaption of voice to characters. I have had it on audio cassette since it was first released in that format and was delighted to find it available in audio-book format at CD quality. It's truly a must have and is suitable for all ages. The book is also most profound yet told simply with grace and depth. A must for every young person I really enjoyed this book.

Big Little Lies Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 04:13:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Big Little Lies Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Caroline Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs Language: English Release date: 07-29-14 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 38903 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Coming July 29, 2014, the new novel from Liane Moriarty, number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Husband's Secret. "What a wonderful writer - smart, wise, funny." (Anne Lamott) Pirriwee Public's annual school Trivia Night has ended in a shocking riot. One parent is dead. The school principal is horrified. As police investigate what appears to have been a tragic accident, signs begin to indicate that this devastating death might have been cold-blooded murder. In this thought-provoking novel, number-one New York Times best-selling author Liane Moriarty deftly explores the reality of parenting and playground politics, ex-husbands and ex-wives, and fractured families. And in her pitch-perfect way, she shows us the truth about what really goes on behind closed suburban doors. Members Reviews: Oh, Calamity! Kindergarten Politics. I never had children, but I imagine that those two words strike heart-stopping fear in any parent with a child entering elementary school. Liane Moriarty took me through the experience with all the irony, hilarity, fear and poignancy possible. I loved the format of the story-telling. It was clear who was talking at each point of the story, but the story was written to allow each witness to say a paragraph or so about how they saw the event. As you can imagine, lots of differing viewpoints. For the main characters, Madeline, Celeste and Jane, their stories alternated from chapter to chapter. I would love to meet them for coffee anytime. The narrator was outstanding in every way. I always knew who was talking, but the emotions generated by these stories were clear to the listener. I have no complaints with this narrator. There is a death and an investigation, but it is actually minor to the rest of the story. Just the setting for the death, a Kindergarten Trivia Night in which everyone dressed as Elvis or Audry Hepburn, makes it funny to me. If this book sounds like something you would never want to hear, let me tell you, I resisted my many friends begging me to read this story. Boy, am I glad I got away from my comfort zone to listen to this excellent story. I will go to Liane Moriarty again!! Great story. Genius writing I've never experienced a book quite like this one. I'm exhausted from listening to it. I was on the edge of my seat through the entire story. As each new fact was revealed I was impatient to see what happened next. I laughed and laughed dozens of times. And I cried once, standing in the grocery store holding my breath waiting to see what happened. I was totally invested in the character and story development. What makes the writing truly genius was that all of the reactions I listed above came from small, simple things that happened in the story. There weren't big, unbelievable action scenes or sweeping romances, just daily, simple, life-happenings that added up in just the right (or wrong) way. And the ending...perfect. It was worthy of the rest of the story. The ending was long and satisfying. I loved the narrator. I think she really added to it. Her voice squeaked and cracked and felt very real. I loved, loved, and enthusiastically recommend this book. Loved the book, not the reading Would you try another book from Liane Moriarty and/or Caroline Lee? I loved this book, and so I picked it to listen to while I was treadmill walking.

Small Great Things Audiobook by Jodi Picoult

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jodi Picoult) — Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:08:56 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Small Great Things Subtitle: A Novel Author: Jodi Picoult Narrator: Ari Fliakos, Cassandra Campbell, Audra McDonald Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins Language: English Release date: 10-11-16 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 18702 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Winner, 2017 APA Audie Awards - Multi-Voiced Performance This stunning new novel is Jodi Picoult at her finest - complete with unflinching insights, richly layered characters, and a pause-resisting plot with a gripping moral dilemma at its heart. Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than 20 years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders, or does she intervene? Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and as a result is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy's counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family - especially her teenage son - as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other's trust and come to see that what they've been taught their whole lives about others - and themselves - might be wrong. With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion - and doesn't offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game. Members Reviews: Must Read Must read for everyone! I was a little hesitant to read at first being a black woman and doubting our represtation by a non black author. To my pleasant surprise Picoult hit the mark and truly embodied Ruth. The obstacle and fears Ruth expressed are truly daily concerns that plagues us. Loved this book. Hard to read for several reasons Picoult almost always makes me think. And Small Great Things is no exception. It's "ripped from the headlines" and fairly well done. The setup and development of the plot were well done but the big "plot twist" was manipulative. I'm not going to provide any spoilers, but as soon as I saw it coming, I was annoyed with the author. The main characters (Ruth; her son; her sister; Turk and Brittany, her accusers; and Kennedy, her public defender) were well drawn if painfully close to stereotypes - or maybe archetypes. This bothered me. She also had some very preachy moments in that she put lots and lots of words in the characters' minds so that lessons could be conveyed. These factors detracted from what was otherwise a pretty good book. On the other hand, Picoult really made me think about some painful truths about race relations in America. One of the best things seemed to be her successful attempt to let her readers at least come close to understanding how "the other" feels. For this I am grateful. I recommend the book. WOW! Great book. A must read. I honestly have never read a book that isn't a mystery or thriller. Yet this book was highly recommended. This book has left me truly thinking & feeling all the pain with Ruth & Kennedy. I was haunted for days of how she educated us without trying .

A Treacherous Curse Audiobook by Deanna Raybourn

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Deanna Raybourn) — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 06:59:15 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Treacherous Curse Author: Deanna Raybourn Narrator: Angele Masters Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins Language: English Release date: 01-16-18 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 144 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Members of an Egyptian expedition fall victim to an ancient mummy's curse in a thrilling Veronica Speedwell novel from the New York Times best-selling author of the Lady Julia Grey mysteries. London, 1888. As colorful and unfettered as the butterflies she collects, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell can't resist the allure of an exotic mystery - particularly one involving her enigmatic colleague, Stoker. His former expedition partner has vanished from an archaeological dig with a priceless diadem unearthed from the newly discovered tomb of an Egyptian princess. This disappearance is just the latest in a string of unfortunate events that have plagued the controversial expedition, and rumors abound that the curse of the vengeful princess has been unleashed as the shadowy figure of Anubis himself stalks the streets of London. But the perils of an ancient curse are not the only challenges Veronica must face as sordid details and malevolent enemies emerge from Stoker's past. Caught in a tangle of conspiracies and threats - and thrust into the public eye by an enterprising new foe - Veronica must separate facts from fantasy to unravel a web of duplicity that threatens to cost Stoker everything.... Members Reviews: Heavenly partnerships Ive always enjoyed Deanna Raybourns writing, but this series is by far my favorite. Her characters are smart, funny and so vibrantly real that I cannot wait to discover what happens next, while at the same time wanting to slow down so that their story will last forever. Veronica and Stoker are my favorite creations of a favorite author. Ive opted for the audiobook first in every installment in this series so far because Angele Masters IS Veronica Speedwell. She brings so much life and strength to Veronica, while also giving breath to Stoker. Each character has been expertly acted, not just voiced, throughout the series . So thank you, my dears, for being the heavenly partnership that has brought my favorite heavenly partnership to life. Veronica and Stoker are quite a pair These characters do not fail to intrigue. I love the uniqueness of the two prime ones. The audio is great. Cant wait for the next one! Great 3rd book With the way this one ended I am so glad there is another one in the works. The dynamics between these two characters is wonderful. They are so alike and compliment each other even in their darkest places. I am hoping they can heal with each other (even more than they already have). The banter is so much fun to listen to. They are both like very damaged, very worldly infants. Very excited to see where life takes them!! excellent story This series has captivated my imagination. I have been waiting for the 2nd book and I am not disappointed. The author has a very descriptive writing style which emersed me in the story. The narrator captures the tone and pace of the story perfectly. Very believable. Now I wait for book 3. Still Good, Felt A Little Short I felt that this one had a different sort of pacing than the previous two books. There wasnt as much action or verbal sparring, which I heartily enjoyed, but in their place were kinder and more deeply felt scenes. Overall it was a very good book, and a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining listen. As always, the narrator is incomparable.

Come Sundown Audiobook by Nora Roberts

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nora Roberts) — Tue, 30 May 2017 01:23:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Come Sundown Author: Nora Roberts Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 17 mins Language: English Release date: 05-30-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7621 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A novel of suspense, family ties, and twisted passions from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Obsession... The Bodine ranch and resort in western Montana is a family business, an idyllic spot for vacationers. A little over thirty thousand acres and home to four generations, it's kept running by Bodine Longbow with the help of a large staff, including new hire Callen Skinner. There was another member of the family once: Bodine's aunt, Alice, who ran off before Bodine was born. She never returned, and the Longbows don't talk about her much. The younger ones, who never met her, quietly presume she's dead. But she isn't. She is not far away, part of a new family, one she never chose - and her mind has been shattered... When a bartender leaves the resort late one night, and Bo and Cal discover her battered body in the snow, it's the first sign that danger lurks in the mountains that surround them. The police suspect Cal, but Bo finds herself trusting him - and turning to him as another woman is murdered and the Longbows are stunned by Alice's sudden reappearance. The twisted story she has to tell about the past - and the threat that follows in her wake - will test the bonds of this strong family, and thrust Bodine into a darkness she could never have imagined. Members Reviews: Heart-rending story... good overcomes misogyny 4.5 - NR can be hit or miss with me but when I love her...I REALLY love her. And I loved this one. With NR you know what you're going to get, and Come Sundown is no exception: light romance, a disturbing mystery, strong and independent female heroine, bull-headed yet kind and sensitive male hero, disgusting excuse for a human being baddie, and the good guys always win, the bad guys always get what's coming to them, and love conquers all. But this one seemed to go deeper than a typical NR novel, she doesn't seem to rely quite so much on the usual plot conveniences, and there is a definite message which borrows on disturbing themes right out of our current climate. At the rate NR pumps out a story, I have to assume she's been influenced by recent turns in the social and political zeitgeist. Anyway, excellent story, plot, characters, setting, and emotional build-up. In fact, I teared up a few times over some breakthrough moments for a very damaged character. A good novel is designed to play with the reader's emotions, but if not done well, it can feel like contrived manipulations unless cleverly arranged to build upon smartly written plot points, world-building, and character development. These moments felt so authentic, it was like I was there experiencing them with the characters. I have a few quibbles, but very few...not enough to expound upon nor ruin my experience. This is a great book for NR fans and also a good choice for a first NR read, especially for those reticent to give her a try. NR is not going to break into any exciting new literary movements, but she is damn good storytelling. Wasn't my cup of tea I started out interested in the abduction of Alice , but I agree with others - too graphic and disturbing . And the rest of the story I struggled through - Grew tired of the perfect family , and the narration - didn't care for so much " acting". Just wasn't for me, but that's ok. wanted to like but ended disappointed. I really wanted to love this book.

The Husband's Secret Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:31:53 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Husband's Secret Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Caroline Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 44 mins Language: English Release date: 07-30-13 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 19218 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: "My darling Cecilia, if youre reading this, then Ive died...." Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret - something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive.... Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all - she's an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia - or each other - but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husbands secret. Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses - and, ultimately, ourselves. Critic Reviews: "In The Husband's Secret,, Liane Moriarty has created a contemporary Pandora whose dilemma is spellbinding. Shocking, complex and thought-provoking, this is a story reading groups will devour. A knockout!" (Emily Giffin, New York Times best-selling author) Members Reviews: Good, but a little too much hand-wringing Liane Moriatry would have had a real winner here if a fourth of the text were edited out. Even with the padding, I was fairly engrossed. We've got soap-opera family dynamics that rise above the genre thanks to original plot elements. Not great literature by any means, but for the purpose of enlivening a dull commute, this is worth a credit. I love the narrator. She can visit my ear anytime. Soap Opera Digest The flower on the book was an omen foreboding me to step away. Romance novel was my gut instinct, and left it at that, until magazine after magazine touted this as one of the year's best. I caved and spent my credit only to find I was correct. Cousins fight over a the same man; jilted lover hooks up with old high school beau; and spoiler alert...husband has a secret! This book isn't complete rubbish, but it's certainly not great lit either. Reminds me of another book given the same distinction, "Life after Life" and after the second time, I wanted to kill the narrator myself. If you're expecting clever twists, witty dialogue, precarious situations, this is not for you. Escape to the land down under... I downloaded this book because it got a great review from a reviewer I follow (thanks, Elizabeth) and I'm glad I did. I'd never heard of Liane Moriarty before, but now I'd compare her to Jennifer Crusie for her writing style and Lisa Lutz for the story. The voices of the characters are distinct and if I had to pick a favorite, there'd be trouble. All three of the female lead characters - plus Felicity - fascinated me. I felt oddly like I knew them very well and yet was constantly caught off guard by their next moves. I have to admit that I guessed the ending. But that only increased my interest because I couldn't be sure. This book, while not literary per se, nor a thriller exactly, hovered somewhere in between - in the genre now known as "a Moriarty." Caroline Lee's performance enhanced the listen. Recommend. Loved It One of the best novels I read this year, and I read about forty of them.

What Alice Forgot Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:15:59 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: What Alice Forgot Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Tamara Lovatt-Smith Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 09-08-11 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 17845 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: What would happen if you were visited by your younger self, and got a chance for a do-over? Alice Love is 29 years old, madly in love with her husband, and pregnant with their first child. So imagine her surprise when, after a fall, she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! she HATES the gym!) and discovers that she's actually 39, has three children, and is in the midst of an acrimonious divorce. A knock on the head has misplaced 10 years of her life, and Alice isn't sure she likes who she's become. It turns out, though, that forgetting might be the most memorable thing that has ever happened to Alice. Members Reviews: Unforgettable! I loved this story! I loved this story! We got the view point from three different people: Alice, her sister and Frannie. I think it was just creatively done and it was a multidimensional story with the three viewpoints and you not only got to know Alice through their eyes, you got to know the other two and what they've gone through in the present and in the past. One negative of the audiobook version which could be overlooked because the story was just beautiful. I didn't love the narrator unfortunately. In fact, in the beginning, I didn't really realize when Alice's viewpoint switched to her sister's viewpoint....the narrator had the same exact voice and tone for both of them. The great do-over! This book made me squirm uncomfortably and put it down occasionally just so I could do a little soul searching. This story is so cleverly told through hindsight and foresight and answers that universal question: if I could go back would I make the same decisions? It brilliantly points out that the obvious choice, the easy choice and the smart choice while easily discernable from the outside, on the inside, with circumstances and issues nagging at you - - the choices are much more difficult. And while the characters and narrators are Australian, the circumstances are universal. I *think* this might be more appealing if you have a few years under your belt, but I sure as heck would have loved to have read it 10-years ago! Loved it. Loved... I read The Husbands Secret ...after it being reviewed in People Magazine. I loved it and then came to look for her other books. I didn't love the concept of this book when I read the preview...but, I really loved it. Loved it as much as The Husbands Secret. So, much so I immediately downloaded the next one, The Hypnotist. It was a very thought prevoking book... great story...interesting concept. Loved the characters, the humor, the emotion. Highly recommend! Clever and Fresh, but Painful This book gave me pause. It made me stop and think about spouses taking each other for granted in the day to day and the long term effect that can have on a marriage. Am I guilty? Though the plot for What Alice Forgot is highly unlikely, Moriarty weaves the tale convincingly and left me tearful in several places. It is painful (but well done) following Alice post injury as she discovers that her marriage has fallen apart, yet she is in the happy mindset of her marriage from 10 years prior.

The Christmas Train Audiobook by David Baldacci

biacuaduc@gmail.com (David Baldacci) — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 02:32:56 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Christmas Train Author: David Baldacci Narrator: Tim Matheson Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 12-03-04 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1996 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Equal parts hilarious, poignant, suspenseful, and thrilling, David Baldacci's The Christmas Train is a delightful journey filled with memorable characters who have packed their bags with as much wisdom as mischief...and a story that shows how we do get second chances to fulfill our deepest hopes and dreams, especially during this season of miracles. Members Reviews: On A Whim For Fun I chose this selection because I was curious about how Tim Matheson would narrate. I knew I enjoyed David Baldacci even though this story was not his usual style. And I was not dissappointed. I have never traveled on a train like this in my adult years, but I really want to now. My sense is that in today's society, this travel mode will dissappear just like families sitting around the radio after dinner time has. And as it was not quite a Miss Marple mystery, the tale was fun. This is a pleasant diversion, which is one very big reason why I have a membership on this site. Sometimes I want serious, sometimes I want depth. Sometimes I just want pleasant and simple. This book reminds me of how to be a good friend and activities that would help us enjoy life together. Great Book I read and listen to books avidly but seldom feel strongly enough about a book to write a review. This one is an exception. I love long distance trains and ride as often as possible. I have ridden the Capital Limited and Southwest Chief many times and I have "met" all the passengers in the book at one time or another. Only someone who rides long distance trains would know how realistic the descriptions and situations are. The Amtrak crews in the book are true to life. The back ground sounds in the Audible book are realistic. They must have been taped at the actual stations and on board the trains. If you have ridden the long distant trains this book should bring back some memories, if not, it may inspire you to take a trip just for the experience. Fun for the Whole Family - Not Just for Christmas Although this story takes place over Christmas, it is not just a Christmas story. I started listening to this book when it was on satellite radio and found myself missing bits and pieces. I decided to purchase it, and I'm glad I did. It has a good storyline (very different from Baldacci's normal storytelling, in my opinion). I also really enjoyed the narration. Tim Matheson made the characters come to life with his different accents. My six year old son even got into the story. I was a little hesitant listening to it in the car with him since it can be difficult to determine age appropriateness from reviews and summaries. However, it is one of those stories that the whole family can listen to. Must-read Christmas story! First published in late 2002, this wonderful story is not what one would expect from Davis Baldacci. I read the book several years ago. Cynical journalist Tom Langdon must get from DC to Los Angeles in time for Christmas when an issue with airport security causes him to have to take a train. There are some weird people and unlikely events on the train topped off by a major snow storm which brings the train to a standstill in the Rockies.

The Good House Audiobook by Ann Leary

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Ann Leary) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 22:22:07 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Good House Subtitle: A Novel Author: Ann Leary Narrator: Mary Beth Hurt Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 01-15-13 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2734 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Audie Award Finalist, Fiction, 2014 A riveting novel in which an engaging and wildly irreverent woman is in complete denial - about herself, her drinking, and her love for a man she's known all her life. The Good House tells the story of Hildy Good, who lives in a small town on Boston's North Shore. Hildy is a successful real-estate broker, good neighbor, mother, and grandmother. She's also a raging alcoholic. Hildy's family held an intervention for her about a year before this story takes place - "if they invite you over for dinner, and it's not a major holiday," she advises "run for your life" - and now she feels lonely and unjustly persecuted. She has also fooled herself into thinking that moderation is the key to her drinking problem. As if battling her demons wasnt enough to keep her busy, Hildy soon finds herself embroiled in the underbelly of her New England town, a craggy little place that harbors secrets. There's a scandal, some mysticism, babies, old houses, drinking, and desire - and a love story between two craggy 60-somethings that's as real and sexy as you get. An exceptional novel that is at turns hilarious and sobering, The Good House asks the question: What will it take to keep Hildy Good from drinking? For good. Members Reviews: What a great book, Hildy is a great character! Would you consider the audio edition of The Good House to be better than the print version? I wanted to read Leary because she is a transplanted New Englander like me (married to actor/comedian Denis Leary) and I loved her story about alchoholic Hildy, Hilda Good descendent of Sarah Good who was hanged in Salem for witchcraft back in the day. Hildy is 60 year old woman, a real successful real estate agent in small town MA who has been a serious drinker for a long time, and even though her daughters have staged an intervention, and Hildy has gone to treatment, she still finds a way to drink, quietly. What follows is a wild ride with a fix-it guy she is attracted to, weathy nutty neighbors and a great story that really pulls you in. Recommend. Smart & funny, even when Hildy's not drinking! I'll admit that I initially downloaded The Good House from Audible because I liked the cover and was semi-desperate for something new/possibly good to listen to, but found out that it is really a worthwhile read. Hildy Good, a 60-year-old realtor and lifelong resident of Wendover, Massachusetts, is a recovering (or not) alcoholic (or not) who narrates her story, along with the changing climate of Wendover and its inhabitants, old and new. Hildy has recently returned from rehab, explaining to the reader that she is not really an alcoholic, it was simply due to the intervention (or "inquisition") by her mildly annoying and interfering daughters. She befriends wealthy newcomer Rebecca McAllister and they share some interesting secrets that really complicate Hildy's life. Through Hildy's eyes, we meet local psychiatrist Peter Newbold, local garbageman Frankie Getchell, and local electrician Patch Dwight, his wife Cassie, and their special needs child, Jake. Hildy excels at making acerbic, insightful, and very funny observations about her neighbors, but may not be quite as skilled at self-evaluation. The excellent narration by Mary Beth Hurt (she is Hildy!) makes this one of those books that may be even better in audio than paper.

Winter Garden Audiobook by Kristin Hannah

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kristin Hannah) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:15:42 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Winter Garden Subtitle: A Novel Author: Kristin Hannah Narrator: Susan Ericksen Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 01-14-10 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3239 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the author of the smash-hit best-seller Firefly Lane and True Colors comes a powerful, heartbreaking novel that illuminates the intricate mother-daughter bond and explores the enduring links between the present and the past. Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard: the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father fails ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time - and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya's life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother's life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are. Editorial Reviews: in Kristin Hannahs Winter Garden, we find three women a mother and two daughters by blood, but strangers in their hearts reeling from the loss of the man who held their fragile family together. Emptiness pervades this story hollowing out what is left of the Whitson family and creeping into the space between narrator Susan Ericksons words. Anya and her daughters Meredith and Nina have already lost their husband and father to death and risk losing each other to pride. Evan Whitson knew of this risk, and on his deathbed asked his wife to tell their daughters her fairy tale from start to finish. And so we find the Whitson women gathered in the dark at their family home, Belye Nochi, night after night. Meredith is the older daughter who stayed home to take care of the family business, and her marriage is falling apart. Younger sister Nina, meanwhile, has traveled the globe as a renowned photographer, but refuses to marry the love of her life. Neither sister has much of a relationship with the other much less with their cold and distant mother, Anya, whose mysterious past in Russia haunts them all. Ericksons Anya is resolute, her Nina bold, and her Meredith lost. Effortlessly, it seems, Erickson captures in one moment the decades of sorrow in Anyas voice and in the next the ready spirit in Ninas. Always we hear the sheer exhaustion in Merediths. Ericksons voice is at times empty and full, icy and warm, sharp and soft. Throughout the book all three women are alternately devastated with loss, isolated by bitterness, and joyous for the love of family, and Erickson lets us hear it all with her honest and gentle delivery. Winter Garden is a story best listened to it is after all a testament to the power of storytelling. What Meredith and Nina hear in their mothers story will cause them to face their grief head on and just might make them a family once again. Members Reviews: I thought I made a mistake After listening to another work by this author that was just outstanding (The Nightingale), I grabbed this one without much research. I thought for the first several hours that I made a mistake.

Truly Madly Guilty Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 18:06:41 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Truly Madly Guilty Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Caroline Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 27 mins Language: English Release date: 07-26-16 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8203 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Heres the best news youve heard all year: Not a single page disappoints....The only difficulty with Truly Madly Guilty? Putting it down." (Miami Herald) The new novel from Liane Moriarty, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Husbands Secret, Big Little Lies, and What Alice Forgot, about how sometimes we dont appreciate how extraordinary our ordinary lives are until its too late. Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. Its just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong? In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty turns her unique, razor-sharp eye towards three seemingly happy families. Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If theres anything they can count on, its each other. Clementine and Erika are each others oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam dont hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vids larger than life personalities there will be a welcome respite. Two months later, it wont stop raining, and Clementine and Sam cant stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadnt gone? In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we dont say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm. Critic Reviews: "Caroline Lee with Liane Moriarty makes one of the great pairings in audio publishing.... Lee's performance is emotionally shrewd and irresistibly entertaining, always fully invested in each character as he or she is by turns touched, puzzled, outraged, or horrified by unfolding events. Before you know it, Lee and Moriarty have you hopelessly hooked until you reach the dense, intricately interlocked heart of this wholly satisfying listen." ( AudioFile) Members Reviews: Not quite enough As many others, I was on the edge of my seat waiting for the release of Moriarty's new book. "Big Little Lies" by her was in my top 10 books of all times. With expectations high, this story was disappointing. 4 stars is generous. I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could. I'm rating it four stars because Caroline Lee as the narrator is inspired. She is amazing. Her accents are fun and bring the characters to life, the emotion she brings added more to the story than was actually there. Moriarty is a master at developing characters, but in this book, there wasn't enough of a story to carry the characters. The drama in this book was almost non-existent which left the characters not doing much at all. When they did respond to situations, they overreacted almost to the point of absurd. The book in audio form made it entertaining. I enjoyed the listen. The story however left me wanting more. Disappointing. I've enjoyed all of Liane Moriarity's books, have listened to quite a few of them twice. I was anxious for the release of this one. This book seemed like Liane was under the gun from her publisher to push out another one using her traditional formula.

The Silent Wife Audiobook by Kerry Fisher

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kerry Fisher) — Tue, 02 May 2017 00:37:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Silent Wife Author: Kerry Fisher Narrator: Emma Spurgin-Hussey Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins Language: English Release date: 05-02-17 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 503 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Lara's life looks perfect on the surface. Gorgeous doting husband Massimo, sweet little son Sandro and the perfect home. Lara knows something about Massimo. Something she can't tell anyone else or everything Massimo has worked so hard for will be destroyed: his job, their reputation, their son. This secret is keeping Lara a prisoner in her marriage. Maggie is married to Massimo's brother Nico. She knows all of Nico's darkest secrets - or so she thinks. The one day she discovers a letter in the attic which reveals a shocking secret about Nico's first wife Caitlin. Will Maggie set the record straight or keep a lie to protect those she loves? For a family held together by lies, the truth will come at a devastating price. Members Reviews: Clever Read Clever story of Italian family set in Brighton England, made all the more enjoyable by the reader Emma Spurgin-Hussein, whose British accent makes the characters come alive. Great story for any woman who has ever married a bully and fun story for anyone trying to understand why women stay with men long past the "due date" Loved it Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? My audio books are usually in the non-fiction category since I prefer to read my fiction, but after the glowing reviews I had seen for this book, I decided to get it. I could not stop listening to it! The narrator was terrific and her English accent was perfect for the setting of the book which was in London. The characters were complex and the plot had some unexpected twist and turns. 5 stars all the way. What did you like best about this story? Complex plot, well-developed characters and unexpected turns Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Yes - but at 9 hours in length - I couldn't! Best Book I has read/listen this year !! This book is great. I usually shy away from novels of female spouse abuse, because I have been there. But a good friend said I would love it. She was so right, completed in one session. The hope , inspiration, joy , and love made this novel great. Best book I have read all year and usually listen/read five books a week. That God for retirement, wish I had time to read more when I was younger. Worth the credit to listen or money to buy digital book, I did both.Thankyou Ms Fisher! Super fun listen I knew nothing about this author but the book looked interesting so I bought it with zero expectations. Well, I already bought another book from this author and I'm looking forward to reading it. The silent wife it's great story. Not too dark but not too light. All the characters are real and relatable, the story has some twists but nothing totally out there and the narrator is great. Wonderful! Enjoyed this so much. Would recommend to my friends. Want to read more by Kerry Fisher.

Orphan Train Audiobook by Christina Baker Kline

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Christina Baker Kline) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:21:23 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Orphan Train Subtitle: A Novel Author: Christina Baker Kline Narrator: Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins Language: English Release date: 04-02-13 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 15694 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Orphan Train is a gripping story of friendship and second chances from Christina Baker Kline, author of Bird in Hand and The Way Life Should Be. Penobscot Indian Molly Ayer is close to "aging out" out of the foster care system. A community-service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvie and worse.... As she helps Vivian sort through her possessions and memories, Molly learns that she and Vivian arent as different as they seem to be. A young Irish immigrant orphaned in New York City, Vivian was put on a train to the Midwest with hundreds of other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and chance. Molly discovers that she has the power to help Vivian find answers to mysteries that have haunted her for her entire life - answers that will ultimately free them both. Rich in detail and epic in scope, Orphan Train is a powerful novel of upheaval and resilience, of unexpected friendship, and of the secrets we carry that keep us from finding out who we are. Critic Reviews: The narrator of Orphan Train, Jessica Almasy, does an incredible read. Listening to Almasys rendition of this book - so vivid and emotional - was as much fun as getting swept away by an Oscar-winning movie. (Parents.com) "Absorbing...a heartfelt page-turner about two women finding a sense of home.... Kline lets us live the characters experiences vividly through their skin.... The growth from instinct to conscious understanding to partnership between the two is the foundation for a moving tale." (Publishers Weekly) Kline's vibrant, sophisticated language comes alive with the sparkling talents of narrators Jessica Almasy and Suzanne Toren. Their finely paced, enthusiastic portrayals of the charming main characters quickly capture the listener. (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Moving story of sharing and transformation. This is a story of emotional, and at times, even physical survival. Two orphans, one who is now 91 and the other 17, cautiously reveal their life experiences to each other and find healing and transformation through the sharing. Each has been wounded by a series of cruel life events that have left them both feeling at times alone and vulnerable in life. Each has gone through childhood experiences that left them feeling at the mercy of others, not daring to trust that they could be loved just for being themselves. 91 year old Vivian was a young girl who was put on the train of orphans taken to be resettled in the Midwest just prior to the Great Depression. She must endure many harrowing events before finding any security in life. 17 year old Molly is in the foster care system and has frequently been victimized by her treatment in various homes. She goes to Vivian's house to help her as a condition of working off community service hours rather than go to "Juvie." In the beginning neither can imagine the transformation that will occur as they start going through Vivian's stored possessions, which both hold and evoke the memories of a life she has largely put behind her. Molly, who is at first a prickly, resentful teen, suspicious of anyone who seems to offer her a kindness is slow to warm to Vivian's genuine generosity.

Two by Two Audiobook by Nicholas Sparks

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nicholas Sparks) — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 00:59:07 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Two by Two Author: Nicholas Sparks Narrator: Ari Fliakos Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins Language: English Release date: 10-04-16 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6730 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: New York Times best-selling author Nicholas Sparks returns with an emotionally powerful story of unconditional love, its challenges, its risks, and, most of all, its rewards. At 32 Russell Green has it all: a stunning wife, a lovable six-year-old daughter, a successful career as an advertising executive, and an expansive home in Charlotte. He is living the dream, and his marriage to the bewitching Vivian is the center of that. But underneath the shiny surface of this perfect existence, fault lines are beginning to appear, and no one is more surprised than Russ when he finds every aspect of the life he took for granted turned upside down. In a matter of months, Russ finds himself without a job or wife, caring for his young daughter while struggling to adapt to a new and baffling reality. Throwing himself into the wilderness of single parenting, Russ embarks on a journey at once terrifying and rewarding - one that will test his abilities and his emotional resources beyond anything he ever imagined. Members Reviews: I Am Stunned At The Good Reviews! This book, was in a word- the worst Nicholas Sparks book I've ever read. It was almost as if someone else wrote the book entirely. Gone was the usual loving characters and the wonderful romance. There was no horrible factor keeping a perfectly 'in love' couple apart. There was no excitement, no 'can't wait to see what happens next.' This is a long, boring story about a couple who are married and have a little girl together. As the wife starts to gain some independence, Dad is left taking care of their daughter. Nothing really happens except tedious, boring things in the day to day life of the couple. This story drags on for 14 hours of eye-rolling numbness and boredom, and although I listened- I really hated this book. I think Nicholas Sparks is a fairly good writer. He's my guilty pleasure. I always get wrapped up in his stories, normally with a box of kleenex so I can cry through his impossible death scenes or terrible tragedies that befall his sweet, loving characters. I couldn't have cared less for any one character in 'Two By Two' and I absolutely detested this book. Hope Nicholas pulls it together for his next book- because this one was just horrific. Urgh. Mundane account of life Marriage, children, divorce, death. The author has selected topics that could have spoken to many readers, but the book is cliche in places and falls flat in others. The foreshadowing, if that was intended, made the plot obvious. I kept listening assuming an unexpected twist was going to happen, but it didn't. Unfortunately, the narrator made all the women sound whiny. Tears... Slow start and very predictable and the end is sad but the book is decent. Wimpy Main Character This book is really frustrating because the main character, the husband, has no backbone. Despite the outrageous behavior of his wife (over and over again), he remains clueless and lets everything slide. He is so seriously whipped that I was not able to enjoy the book. Music not necessary Music distracted me from the story. Not a fan. The music was kind of cheesy. Also, Russ was a little hard to take as a believable character. My husband is "too nice of a guy", but even he breaks every now and then. I wish Russ would have broken at least once so it could have been more believable. Especially with all of the stuff he was dealing with all at once.

The Heart's Invisible Furies Audiobook by John Boyne

biacuaduc@gmail.com (John Boyne) — Tue, 22 Aug 2017 10:11:42 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Heart's Invisible Furies Subtitle: A Novel Author: John Boyne Narrator: Stephen Hogan Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 8 mins Language: English Release date: 08-22-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 762 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the beloved New York Times best-selling author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, a sweeping, heartfelt saga about the course of one man's life, beginning and ending in postwar Ireland. Cyril Avery is not a real Avery - or at least that's what his adoptive parents tell him. And he never will be. But if he isn't a real Avery, then who is he? Born out of wedlock to a teenage girl cast out from her rural Irish community and adopted by a well-to-do if eccentric Dublin couple via the intervention of a hunchbacked Redemptorist nun, Cyril is adrift in the world, anchored only tenuously by his heartfelt friendship with the infinitely more glamourous and dangerous Julian Woodbead. At the mercy of fortune and coincidence, he will spend a lifetime coming to know himself and where he came from - and over his many years, will struggle to discover an identity, a home, a country, and much more. In this, Boyne's most transcendent work to date, we are shown the story of Ireland from the 1940s to today through the eyes of one ordinary man. The Heart's Invisible Furies is a novel to make you laugh and cry while reminding us all of the redemptive power of the human spirit. Critic Reviews: "Boyne, who has a wonderful gift for characterization, does a splendid job of weaving these various lives together in ways that are richly dramatic, sometimes surprising, and always compelling...Often quite funny, the story nevertheless has its sadness, sometimes approaching tragedy. Utterly captivating and not to be missed." ( Booklist) "With quick strokes and bitter humor, Boyne's opening scene encapsulates the Irish church's hypocrisy...Boyne continues his crusading ways with the quiet keening of this painful, affecting novel." ( Kirkus) Members Reviews: By far the best book I have listened to... This was the best book by far that I have listened to since being recently introduced to Audible. I would highly recommend...the story is awesome, the narrator did an excellent job, and it was something I looked forward to listening to. Thank you to all that provided the great reviews if not for those recommendations, I would have missed out on this excellent read! Gorgeous story, masterfully written This story is like so many strands of yarn coming together in masterful hands to create a soft and comforting blanket. Difficult to endure at moments, highly amusing at others, and often so very moving, John Boyne creates a symphony of characters against a fascinating historical background. One of the best books I've listened to this year. Outstanding. A Must listen. The best stories that one might encounter present a combination of imagination, craft, and artistry. I returned a mega-hit best seller which had little of those three and I bought this book. I was instantly rewarded. I see other reviewers provide a recap, so I will not. My words will fail to explain how fine-tuned John Boyne's writing is here. He directly gets to feelings that other authors over-write to achieve, if they get there at all. Even though this is obviously a work of fiction, there is an epic level of truth woven into the soul of this story.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared Audiobook by Jonas Jonasson

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jonas Jonasson) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 03:36:43 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared Author: Jonas Jonasson Narrator: Steven Crossley Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs Language: English Release date: 09-11-12 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6403 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he's still in good health, and in one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn't interested (and he'd like a bit more control over his vodka consumption). So he decides to escape. He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot-dog stand operator, and an elephant (not to mention a death by elephant). Quirky and utterly unique, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared has charmed over 2 million people around the world. Members Reviews: Dared to let the kids listen and they loved it... I started this book and was really enjoying it when I decided to restart it because it would be good for the kids too. They are 11 & 13 and both loved it. They listened to it superficially while my wife and I listened to the rest of the story that is so cleverly interwoven with historical events. We laughed - it is great. Warning, the language was a bit strong for the kids, though I am sure nothing they have not already heard at school. They got a stern warning not to repeat any of it. It is a bit of a shame really, because the book would still be great without the more foul language and then it would be a perfect book to listen to with kids down to about 9 or 10. (There is only a little here and there. F@#k was the bothersome one for me with the kids) Ages Well How far can a story go when the protagonist starts off at 100? The answer is everywhere and anywhere. With a shifting time line, Jonasson weaves an incredible story about a remarkable man, Alan Carlson, an explosives expert with a calm temperament. Alan gets himself into more binds than Houdini, and like the great magician, wiggles his way out. The story is not only funny, but gives the reader a lesson in Twentieth Century history. Jonasson manages to combine "Forrest Gump" with "Zelig" and comes up with an unforgettable character whose exploits manage to effect world history. I could not give a fifth star for story only because Carlson found himself in way too many predicaments. Whimsical Romp Through A Tumultuous Century Allan Karlsson has lived a charmed life and he is in no mood to celebrate an upcoming 100 year party under the thumb of a domineering nursing home employee. So he climbs out a window and embarks on a fantastic adventure. As this tale unfolds we are given flashbacks of his life that involve meeting several pivotal politicians of the last 100 years. Alan has a very refreshing optimism about life while disdaining the worst in politics and religion of all stripes. It turns out that this simple sounding man had a lasting impact on our recent history and instead of sneering at this whimsical romp through the last century I found myself cheering the fantastic encounters with key people at crucial times. Alan's guileless observations and the authors modest descriptions of complicated historical events actually deliver a lot of wisdom. Steven Crossley provides a superb voice to the 100 year old man and to the narration of this story by Jonas Jonasson.

Never Let Me Go Audiobook by Kazuo Ishiguro

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kazuo Ishiguro) — Mon, 11 Apr 2005 08:06:37 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Never Let Me Go Author: Kazuo Ishiguro Narrator: Rosalyn Landor Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins Language: English Release date: 04-11-05 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5012 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Hailsham seems like a pleasant English boarding school, far from the influences of the city. Its students are well tended and supported, trained in art and literature, and become just the sort of people the world wants them to be. But, curiously, they are taught nothing of the outside world and are allowed little contact with it. Within the grounds of Hailsham, Kathy grows from schoolgirl to young woman, but it's only when she and her friends Ruth and Tommy leave the safe grounds of the school (as they always knew they would) that they realize the full truth of what Hailsham is. Never Let Me Go breaks through the boundaries of the literary novel. It is a gripping mystery, a beautiful love story, and also a scathing critique of human arrogance and a moral examination of how we treat the vulnerable and different in our society. In exploring the themes of memory and the impact of the past, Ishiguro takes on the idea of a possible future to create his most moving and powerful book to date. Editorial Reviews: Why we think it's Essential: Listening to Never Let Me Go was like entering a literary dream-state where, bit by bit, reality shifts and the truth is revealed. Rosalyn Landor is less a narrator and more a storyteller who brought me along as the characters uncovered the essential mysteries of their lives. Steve Feldberg Critic Reviews: "Stunningly brilliant fiction....A masterpiece of craftsmanship that offers an unparalleled emotional experience." (Kirkus Reviews) "Ishiguro's elegant prose and masterly ways with characterization make for a lovely tale of memory, self-understanding, and love." (Library Journal) "So exquisitely observed that even the most workaday objects and interactions are infused with a luminous, humming otherworldliness.....Ishiguro spins a stinging cautionary tale of science outpacing ethics." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Nothing short of brilliant I listen to audiobooks everyday. I've really enjoyed many but never have I been so enthralled as with this book. The plot & pace were mesmerizing as was the narrator. If you like an eery mystery with a lot of detail this is for you. If you want something very fast paced that doesn't make you think then don't bother. Ishiguro's McGuffin This writer is truly a genius. He weaves a spell that keeps you bound to the story through much seemingly tedious detail. Whatever else this book is about, it is about the steady erosion of hope, about repressing what you know and, like many of his books (especially "Remains of the Day"), about how many of us can't reach out and grasp the happiness right in front of us. This book will be in my pantheon of classics -- and I never would have read it if our book club hadn't picked it out! Be patient; it will pay off The detail is tedious. Everyone is so terribly sensitive, and trivial interactions take pages. But every few pages there is a "ping," of something not right, or a growing realization that there are large things missing in this detritus of kids at a boarding school fussing about their feelings. Then you slowly realize what is missing, and some of the trivial events reappear with deeper meaning.

See Me Audiobook by Nicholas Sparks

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nicholas Sparks) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:35:04 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: See Me Author: Nicholas Sparks Narrator: Christopher Ryan Grant Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 23 mins Language: English Release date: 10-13-15 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6932 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. At 28, he's focused only on walking a straight line - getting his teaching degree, working out at the gym religiously, and avoiding all the places and people that proved so destructive in his earlier life. The last thing he's looking for is a serious relationship. But when Maria Sanchez crosses paths with him on a rainswept night in North Carolina, his plans are upended in a way that will rattle the foundations of his carefully structured life. As for Maria, the hardworking lawyer and daughter of Mexican immigrants, Colin will challenge every notion she's ever had about herself and her future, making her question what truly makes her happy. Before the couple has a chance to envision what a life together might look like, however, menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface. And as the threat of violence begins to shadow her every step, she and Colin will be tested in increasingly terrifying ways. Will demons from their past destroy the tentative bonds they have forged, or will their love protect them, even in the darkest hour? See Me is a story of obsession, reinvention, and a love that defies every expectation, reminding us that destiny often rests in our own hands - even in matters of the heart. Members Reviews: Good Great narrator! The story started off slow but it really picked up at the end. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the suspense. Seemed more like a mystery/suspense thriller book than Nicholas Sparks' usual love story type of book. It was good. Post Divorce Sparks = Dark Certainly not his typical work. The romantic connections were weak. Never really fell in love with any of the people. Story was okay and although the narrator did a great job, perhaps he wasn't the right fit for this set of characters. Best Book Nicholas Sparks Has Ever Written! Colin Hancock is a young guy with a fairly dark past. He's giving his second chance in life the best he can, but he still has a problem with anger management. When he meets Maria Sanchez, he is completely overwhelmed with her beauty. Yet, he is also totally honest with her about his past mistakes and the things he has done. The two of them carry on what seems to be an unlikely relationship and all the while, ironically it's Maria's past that is most haunting. As things become more intense between Maria and Colin and Maria's family, terror strikes the core of all of the couples' values. The narrator is fantastic, and the book reads like a quick paced mystery. Unlike many of Sparks' sappy love stories with tragic, horrible endings- this book is completely different. I gobbled it up and was mesmerized by the story, and what would happen next. I never thought I'd like a Sparks book so well- but this one is a keeper! 5 stars -Wendi Nail biter This book was great! I had to be listening to it every chance I got. Very intriguing. Sparks fans beware, average book and less than average narration! This book was ok. It wasn't bad, wasn't good. Didn't love the characters, and felt like I didn't "know" them very well from the get go. The little twist of mystery in the second half of the book was fine, but it was def hard to finish since the ending was rather predictable throughout. An average book was pretty much ruined by the narration.

Hawksmoor Audiobook by Peter Ackroyd

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Peter Ackroyd) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:22:28 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Hawksmoor Author: Peter Ackroyd Narrator: Derek Jacobi Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 11-05-10 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 71 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Peter Ackroyd's Hawksmoor was first published in 1985. Alternating between the eighteenth century, when Nicholas Dyer, assistant to Christopher Wren, builds seven London churches that house a terrible secret, and the 1980s, when London detective Nicholas Hawksmoor is investigating a series of gruesome murders on the sight of certain old churches, Hawksmoor is a brilliant tale of darkness and shadow. Members Reviews: unusual structure and style Hawksmoor combines a number of styles and time shifts to paint an unusual tale of the edge of sanity and the darkness that can be found or generated when one leans too far over to stare into the abyss. The detail of the narrative is intense and can transport anyone at all familiar with London to its very soul. That being said, the story feels almost like an avant garde experiment in prose that some may find difficult to follow in spots and the historical alterations may be hard to understand. Everything knits together in the end but the reader must be prepared to elaborate the reality, or lack thereof, for themselves Intellectual yet gimmicky literary novel Hawksmoor appeared on my Audible search results for a mystery. I was intrigued by a NY Times review which said that "this was a novel primarily of ideas", specifically a contrast between the superstitious and mystical beliefs of an earlier time and those coming of age in the 18th century dealing with the "new science of rationalism and experimental method" which "will eventually eradicate superstition". I did not really find much evidence of this debate in the novel. Instead, it seems preoccupied with the debased nature of mankind. Much of the text takes place inside the minds of the two main characters, Nicholas Dyer, a fictional version of the eponymous real life architect, Nicholas Hawksmore and the modern detective, recursively named Nicholas Hawksmore, who is investigating a series of child murders in London. The action takes place in the area of seven churches built by the real architect Hawksmore whose devotion to Christianity is called into question by the numerous pagan symbols he used to decorate his churches. This much is actually true and does add a note of interest to the text. The internal musings of these two characters borders on the paranoid and the delusional. I am not especially drawn to this type of study of the human psyche, with characters speaking internally in an overheated emotional and irrational way, all the while afraid that their irrationality and indeed criminal nature is about to be discovered. I found much of the work repetitious, especially so because the author chose the rather gimmicky device of repeating many of the thoughts and actions of the characters whose lives are separated by some 300 years to create a supernatural aura over his tale. And yet without the atmosphere created by this echo down the centuries, the book would lose much of its interest entirely. One saving grace was to be able to play the reading at 1.5x or even 2.0x time; if I were reading the book, I would have had to skim large sections too. This is not to say that there are not entertaining moments, but they are few and far between.

The Kite Runner Audiobook by Khaled Hosseini

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Khaled Hosseini) — Fri, 01 Aug 2003 12:03:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Kite Runner Author: Khaled Hosseini Narrator: Khaled Hosseini Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 08-01-03 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 11178 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The Kite Runner is a novel about friendship and betrayal, and about the price of loyalty. It is about the bonds between fathers and sons, and the power of fathers over sons - their love, their sacrifices, and their lies. Written against a backdrop of history that has not been told in fiction before, The Kite Runner describes the rich culture and beauty of a land in the process of being destroyed. But through the devastation, Khaled Hosseini offers hope for redemption. Critic Reviews: "A beautiful novel...ranks among the best-written and most provocative stories of the year." (The Denver Post) "Powerful first novel...tells a story of fierce cruelty and fierce yet redeeming love." (The New York Times) Members Reviews: My Goodness, What a Audiobook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are audiobooks and there are GREAT audiobooks. This is a GREAT audiobook!!! After hundereds of audiobooks, only Nelson Demille's "The Gold Coast" is in the same class. I resisted listening to The Kite Runner for a long time due to the fact I thought a setting based in Afganastan just wasn't my cup of tea. I could not have been more wrong. The plight of Amir and Hassan is a story I'll not soon forget. The book is very well written and the pronuciation by the author made the book feel even more alive. It was an emotional rollacoaster I loved and as the book ended I cried. All I can keep saying is "For You a Thousand Times Over". A storyteller's story I never thought, from the descrption of this book, that I would fall in love with it! The characters are so real and every page of the story is captivating! Written like a memoir, but definitely a novel ending in present day. The descriptions of the "old" Afghanistan made it come alive with the smells, sounds, tone, formality of life, family and what it means, and hierarchy of society. I really "rooted for" some of the characters yet there are moments you can hate them, with all their flaws. These, too, are easy to relate to. Now I feel like I understand a little bit more about Isalm and the people who worship this religion. I also have a deeper understanding of the Middle Eastern customs. The story, though.....The Story is what I would recommend this book for. A compelling story This was one of the top ten audio books I've listened to. A compelling story, read by the author, that is not predictable and will have you listening to every word. It gave me an extraordinary sense of what Kabul was like before the Soviet invasion and after the Taliban took over. An absolute must-hear recording. A Worhty Read It might seem a difficult task to stay with a book whose protagonist is so weak, bullying and completely self-absorbed while at the same time thoroughly understandable. Yet, I could not stop; I could not turn it off. Set in the context of recent Afghan history, it describes a relationship of two children contorted by social limitations and a frustrated father-son relationship thwarted in part by the same factors. It is however, beyond all else, a tale of wounds and scars, both self-inflicted and not. Very disturbing and thoght-provoking on many levels.

Doctor Sleep Audiobook by Stephen King

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Stephen King) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 15:18:45 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Doctor Sleep Subtitle: A Novel Author: Stephen King Narrator: Will Patton Format: Unabridged Length: 18 hrs and 35 mins Language: English Release date: 09-24-13 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 15385 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Audie Award Winner, Fiction, 2014 Audie Award Nominee, Solo Narration - Male, 2014 Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The Shining, in this instantly riveting novel about the now middle-aged Dan Torrance (the boy protagonist of The Shining) and the very special 12-year-old girl he must save from a tribe of murderous paranormals. On highways across America, a tribe of people called The True Knot travel in search of sustenance. They look harmless - mostly old, lots of polyester, and married to their RVs. But as Dan Torrance knows, and spunky 12-year-old Abra Stone learns, The True Knot are quasi-immortal, living off the "steam" that children with the "shining" produce when they are slowly tortured to death. Haunted by the inhabitants of the Overlook Hotel where he spent one horrific childhood year, Dan has been drifting for decades, desperate to shed his father's legacy of despair, alcoholism, and violence. Finally, he settles in a New Hampshire town, an AA community that sustains him, and a job at a nursing home where his remnant "shining" power provides the crucial final comfort to the dying. Aided by a prescient cat, he becomes "Doctor Sleep." Then Dan meets the evanescent Abra Stone, and it is her spectacular gift, the brightest shining ever seen, that reignites Dan's own demons and summons him to a battle for Abra's soul and survival. This is an epic war between good and evil, a gory, glorious story that will thrill the millions of hyper-devoted fans of The Shining and wildly satisfy anyone new to the territory of this icon in the King canon. Critic Reviews: "Will Patton's delivery enhances King's prose in ways that make King's work so much more enjoyable in audio than just reading itPatton's narrative voice captures the rhythm of King's words. His character voices, filled with a variety of regional American accents, remain consistent. Most importantly, the sinister aspects that embody characters and moments of this novel are superbly executed and will certainly leave listeners on edge." (AudioFile) "King, not one given to sequels, throws fans a big, bloody bone with this long-drooled-for follow-up to The Shining." (Booklist) "a gripping, taut read that provides a satisfying conclusion to Danny Torrance's story." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: The sequel to the book; not the movie "Doctor Sleep" is the sequel to the book; not the movie.This is an important fact that Stephen King shares in his authors notes. Although, I am a fan of both the movie and the first book, Stephen King makes it clear that if you want the true story of the Torrance family you need to read the Shining, published in 1977, and then you will enjoy the sequel, Doctor Sleep, that much more. Little Danny Torrance was only five when he became an iconic character in one of the scariest books ever written; and the ethereal haunted Overlook hotel, room 217, Redrum, and his possessed and murderous, alcoholic father, Jack, will be forever remember in literary history. In Doctor Sleep, Danny is grown up; he works in a small New England town as a hospice worker and has the special ability to help patients come to terms with their deaths.

The Nix Audiobook by Nathan Hill

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nathan Hill) — Tue, 30 Aug 2016 14:57:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Nix Subtitle: A Novel Author: Nathan Hill Narrator: Ari Fliakos Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 08-30-16 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7891 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A Nix can take many forms. In Norwegian folklore it is a spirit who sometimes appears as a white horse that steals children away. In Nathan Hill's remarkable first novel, a Nix is anything you love that one day disappears, taking with it a piece of your heart. It's 2011, and Samuel Andresen-Anderson - college professor, stalled writer - has a Nix of his own: his mother, Faye. He hasn't seen her in decades, not since she abandoned the family when he was a boy. Now she's reappeared, having committed an absurd crime that electrifies the nightly news, beguiles the Internet, and inflames a politically divided country. The media paints Faye as a radical hippie with a sordid past, but as far as Samuel knows, his mother was an ordinary girl who married her high school sweetheart. Which version of his mother is true? Two facts are certain: She's facing some serious charges, and she needs Samuel's help. To save her, Samuel will have to embark on his own journey, uncovering long-buried secrets about the woman he thought he knew, secrets that stretch across generations and have their origin all the way back in Norway, home of the mysterious Nix. As he does so, Samuel will confront not only Faye's losses but also his own lost love and will relearn everything he thought he knew about his mother and himself. From the suburban Midwest to New York City to the 1968 riots that rocked Chicago and beyond, The Nix explores - with sharp humor and a fierce tenderness - the resilience of love and home, even in times of radical change. Critic Reviews: " The Nix is a mother-son psychodrama with ghosts and politics, but it's also a tragicomedy about anger and sanctimony in America.... Nathan Hill is a maestro." (John Irving) "There is an accidental topicality in Hill's debut, about an estranged mother and son whose fates hinge on two mirror-image political events - the Democratic Convention of 1968 and the Republican Convention of 2004. But beyond that hook lies a high-risk, high-reward playfulness with structure and tone: comic set-pieces, digressions into myth, and formal larks that call to mind Jennifer Egan's A Visit from the Goon Squad." ( New York Magazine) "Once in a while a novel arrives at the perfect moment to reflect, skewer, and provide context for the world as we know it. This - now - is that novel. A satirical, fast-paced romp through time and space, The Nix is ambitious, wide-ranging, and full of surprises. It gathers force and momentum as it speeds toward the end, where all of its pieces fit together as precisely as a puzzle." (Christina Baker Kline, author of Orphan Train) Members Reviews: Nathan Hill is an exceptional storyteller. In an interview about The Nix, Nathan Hill said, "I stuffed it full of every idea I had. It became a repository of things in the world I was mad about, concerned and confused about." Luckily for me as a reader, he was mad, concerned, and confused about college professors and students they have to deal with, plagiarism, MMORPGs, politics, media, mother-son relationships, past deeds that haunt us, and choose-your-own adventure books. At 620 pages it's a big repository, and even though there were times I wished it had been edited down, there were more times that I wished the stories would go on and on.

This Is How It Always Is Audiobook by Laurie Frankel

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Laurie Frankel) — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 12:53:43 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: This Is How It Always Is Subtitle: A Novel Author: Laurie Frankel Narrator: Gabra Zackman Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs Language: English Release date: 01-24-17 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 916 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: This is how a family keeps a secret...and how that secret ends up keeping them. This is how a family lives happily ever after...until happily ever after becomes complicated. This is how children change...and then change the world. When Rosie and Penn and their four boys welcome the newest member of their family, no one is surprised it's another baby boy. At least their large, loving, chaotic family knows what to expect. But Claude is not like his brothers. One day he puts on a dress and refuses to take it off. He wants to bring a purse to kindergarten. He wants hair long enough to sit on. When he grows up, Claude says, he wants to be a girl. Rosie and Penn aren't panicked at first. Kids go through phases, after all, and make-believe is fun. But soon the entire family is keeping Claude's secret. Until one day it explodes. Laurie Frankel's This Is How It Always Is is an audiobook about revelations, transformations, fairy tales, and family. And it's about the ways this is how it always is: Change is always hard and miraculous and hard again; parenting is always a leap into the unknown with crossed fingers and full hearts; children grow but not always according to plan. And families with secrets don't get to keep them forever. Members Reviews: Story mirrors our life -- to a point -- spoilers My transgender daughter transitioned between first grade and kindergarten, just like Claude/Poppy in this book. I couldn't believe someone had written a story about a situation like ours -- although we know many families with trans kids, I had never read a work of fiction like this. So, to Laurie Frankel, thank you. The book rang true on many, many levels. The effects of the transition on siblings, the struggle with secrecy. But in some ways, it was different from our story. For example, my child never said she "wanted" to be a girl. She was adamant from as soon as she could talk that she "is" a girl. "I is a girl, mama." Laurie Frankel hit the nail on the head with the depression and the trepidation of the parents. That's where our stories diverge. My child is 100% a girl. But this book portrays a child who is a little more on the gender spectrum. That is, not 100% girl or 100% boy. Somewhere in the middle. I find that a great number of the kids we've come to know are on that spectrum. So kudos for shedding a light on those who don't fit into a bucket. The characters rang true, and I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what they would do. The Thailand part is a little far-fetched, although also educational. Thank you again, Laurie Frankel, for legitimizing (but not sensationalizing) the world of those who do not quite/yet fit with society's norms. Beautiful story. Beautiful performance. This book has enlightened me and given me courage to stand firm in what I know to be the most important thing I can do in the face of "different," show love.

Heartburn Audiobook by Nora Ephron

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nora Ephron) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 02:09:40 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Heartburn Author: Nora Ephron Narrator: Meryl Streep Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins Language: English Release date: 07-09-13 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1776 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration - Female, 2014 Is it possible to write a sidesplitting novel about the breakup of the perfect marriage? If the writer is Nora Ephron, the answer is a resounding yes. For in this inspired confection of adultery, revenge, group therapy, and pot roast, the creator of Sleepless in Seattle reminds us that comedy depends on anguish as surely as a proper gravy depends on flour and butter. Seven months into her pregnancy, Rachel Samstat discovers that her husband, Mark, is in love with another woman. The fact that the other woman has "a neck as long as an arm and a nose as long as a thumb and you should see her legs" is no consolation. Food sometimes is, though, since Rachel writes cookbooks for a living. And in between trying to win Mark back and loudly wishing him dead, Ephron's irrepressible heroine offers some of her favorite recipes. Heartburn is a sinfully delicious novel, as soul-satisfying as mashed potatoes and as airy as a perfect soufflé. Critic Reviews: "Great fun. . . . Though Heartburn bristles ferociously with wit, it's not lacking in soul." (The New York Times Book Review) "Nora Ephron's first novel is warm, witty and wise." (Harper's Bazaar) Members Reviews: Just a treasure This book being released in audio format is a gift. Having it read by Meryl Streep makes it a priceless gift. The constant and specific 80's references are so much fun. The setting in DC and the political references give such an intimate peek into lives and moments, it feels like you are eavesdropping instead of simply listening to a book. These combine to make the book feel like a purposeful classic instead of feeling dated. Streep's narration is beyond perfect. She takes the whole experience to the next level. Her occasional self-effacing lilt and her chuckle add to that personal feeling, like she's a little embarrassed that she got caught telling such a tale. Narrators are usually best when they can become invisible, not true in this case. Streep adds to the story in a way that only she could, that only a master could. I'll listen to this again. I really enjoyed it and want to catch any little moments I might have missed the first time Be the Heroine , Not the Victim Nora Ephron (1941 -2012) wrote the scripts for "When Harry Met Sally" (1989), "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), and"You've Got Mail" (1998). I love these films, and I've seen them so many times I can say the lines along with the characters. Ephron's New York is a vibrant, colorful place full of native and transplanted New Yorkers who adore the city, from sidewalk trash pickup to astounding views from the tallest skyscrapers. I've seen the movie version of "Heartburn" (1986). Meryl Streep is a true wonder - remember "Sophie's Choice" (1982)? And I truly forgot she wasn't really Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" (2009). I didn't like the movie version of "Heartburn," though - and I never read the 1982 book. I did like the Audible of "Heartburn" very much. I remember that "Heartburn" was reviewed by a lot of critics as whiny and self absorbed when it was published 31 years ago, but today, it is snarkily amusing and a wry slice of the 80's.

Past Perfect Audiobook by Danielle Steel

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Danielle Steel) — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 04:49:05 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Past Perfect Author: Danielle Steel Narrator: Jim Frangione Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins Language: English Release date: 11-28-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 209 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From number one New York Times best-selling author Danielle Steel, Past Perfect is a spellbinding story of two families living 100 years apart who come together in time in a startling moment, opening the doors to rare friendship and major events in early 20th-century history. Sybil and Blake Gregory have established a predictable, well-ordered Manhattan life - she as a cutting-edge design authority and museum consultant, he in high tech investments - raising their teenagers, Andrew and Caroline, and six-year-old Charlie. But everything changes when Blake is offered a dream job he can't resist as CEO of a start-up in San Francisco. He accepts it without consulting his wife and buys a magnificent, irresistibly underpriced historic Pacific Heights mansion as their new home. Shocked by an earthquake the night they arrive, the past and present suddenly collide for them in the elegant mansion filled with tender memories and haunting portraits. The original inhabitants suddenly appear for a few brief minutes. In the ensuing days, they meet the large and lively family who lived there a century ago: distinguished Bertrand Butterfield and his gracious wife, Gwyneth; their sons Josiah and little Magnus; daughters Bettina and Lucy; formidable Scottish matriarch Augusta; and her eccentric brother, Angus. All long since dead. All very much alive in spirit - and visible to the Gregorys and no one else. The two families are delighted to share elegant dinners and warm friendship. They have much to teach each other, as the Gregorys watch the past unfold while living their own modern-day lives. Within these enchanted rooms, it is at once 1917 and a century later, where the Gregorys realize they have been given a perfect gift - beloved friends and the wisdom to shape their own future with gratitude and grace from a fascinating past. Past Perfect is Danielle Steel at her bewitching best, a novel for the ages. Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 650 million copies of her novels in print. Her many international best sellers include Magic, Blue, Undercover, Country, Prodigal Son, Pegasus, A Perfect Life, Power Play, Winners, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's book Pretty Minnie in Paris. Members Reviews: Fascinating! I truly loved this book and the narrator! I wish it was a series! Danielle Steele never lets you down! Boring This was not the typical Danielle Steel book. It was as if someone else wrote it. I kept waiting for the story to take off but it never did. Disappointing Not Danielles typical read. Not as enjoyable as her others. disappointed in this book completely Worst Danielle Steel book I've ever read!!! I really struggled with the book. I've read many of her books and when the ghosts were introduced the story went down hill. I was very disappointed. One of her best! Enjoyed every minute of this story. I loved each of the characters and the transition from yesteryear to current times was very smooth.

The Weight of Lies Audiobook by Emily Carpenter

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Emily Carpenter) — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 17:53:21 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Weight of Lies Subtitle: A Novel Author: Emily Carpenter Narrator: Kate Orsini Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins Language: English Release date: 06-06-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1062 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this gripping, atmospheric family drama, a young woman investigates the forty-year-old murder that inspired her mother's bestselling novel, and uncovers devastating truths - and dangerous lies. Reformed party girl Meg Ashley leads a life of privilege, thanks to a bestselling horror novel her mother wrote decades ago. But Meg knows that the glow of their very public life hides a darker reality of lies, manipulation, and the heartbreak of her own solitary childhood. Desperate to break free of her mother, Meg accepts a proposal to write a scandalous, tell-all memoir. Digging into the past - and her mother's cult classic - draws Meg to Bonny Island, Georgia, and an unusual woman said to be the inspiration for the book. At first island life seems idyllic, but as Meg starts to ask tough questions, disturbing revelations come to light...including some about her mother. Soon Meg's search leads her to question the facts of a decades-old murder. She's warned to leave it alone, but as the lies pile up, Meg knows she's getting close to finding a murderer. When her own life is threatened, Meg realizes the darkness found in her mother's book is nothing compared to the chilling truth that lurks off the page. Members Reviews: Wow. That was pretty bad. Where to begin... This story is incredibly weak and contrived. When you start with a lame story and then add lame, unlikeable, and stupid characters who are constatly doing stupid things it's hard to enjoy the book. It's supposed to be a mystery, but I felt like I was repeatedly being clubbed over the head with ridiculous "hints" that a 3 year old could have picked up on. I suppose some readers might enjoy this book. If you just want to be mindlessly entertained, you might be ok with this story. I just need more in my books. If I want mindless entertainment I will watch TV. Proceed with caution. Interesting plot. Poorly written. Annoying performance. The mystery does draw the listener in but as it ended, I felt the plot wasnt sufficient compensation for the banal prose, repetitive phrases, and merciless annoyance of the lead character. I suppose the point is to show that she truly is her mothers daughter but her constant, melodramatic whining and the voice used to portray it were maddening. Honestly, could none of the editors consider finding another phrase than her breath caught to describe the moment? I offer that one example of the limits of this authors tool bag. The idea for this story deserved better execution. Just terrible First of all, I didn't finish. The premise sounded good and I love a scary mystery. Sadly, almost from the start I could not stand the character or the snarky narrator. Angry, petulant, selfish, bitter, and vengeful are not attributes that form a bond with me, the reader, to a lead character. Add stupid and I'm gone. So glad I wasted as little time and money as I did. Predictable story I am going to use the word, "snarky" to describe the tone of the narrators voice. Snarky. The book is written in first person so the narrator is voicing the main character. The story is an old story line. And a story I've read several times in various stages. Sometimes a bit of a punch is added and it can enhance the story. Not in this case. I couldn't wait for the book to be done. There was not one character that pulled me into the story which is unusual for me.

The Hypnotist's Love Story Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:50:17 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Hypnotist's Love Story Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Tamara Lovatt Smith Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 06-14-12 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5926 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the author of the critically acclaimed What Alice Forgot comes a wonderfully fun, insightful novel about the crazy things we do for love. Ellen OFarrell is a bit unusual. Shes a hypnotherapist. Shes never met her father. And she cant seem to keep a relationship going. (Okay, thats more normal that we want to admit.) When Ellen meets Patrick, shes hopeful nevertheless. But when he says he needs to tell her something, she fears the worst. When Patrick reveals that his ex-girlfriend is stalking him, Ellen thinks, "Is that all? Actually, thats kind of neat." Shes more intrigued than frightened. What makes a supposedly smart, professional woman behave this way? Shed love to meet her. What she doesnt know is that she already has. Members Reviews: a twisted love story...so interesting! Any additional comments? If you are someone who enjoys books about relationships & character studies, then this is the book for you. It's about what happens when a relationship ends, one party refuses to accept it, and how this affects the other persons new relationship. Saskia and Patrick dated for 3 years. When he broke up with her, she simply refused be left and begins stalking him and his son. It's not with any violence--she just refuses to let him forget her, them, what they were. When Patrick falls in love with Ellen, she wants to get to know Ellen, as well and proceeds to, under the guise of a new client at Ellen's hypnotherapy practice. It's a story with lots of layers--Saskia and Patrick, Ellen's burgeoning interest in Saskia, Patrick and his family, Saski and Patrick's son, Ellen and her family, Saskia and her mother, Saskia and her lack of friends......they all play into the why's of how this 3 year stalking begins and ultimately what ends it. It was funny, sad, interesting and insightful. Liane Moriarty really let's you get into the heads of Saskia and Ellen and what drives them and how they view their relationship with Patrick. She somehow made Saskia's stalking seem innocent and funny and a mind-game all at the same time. I felt for her and was appalled by her behavior at the same time. Tamara Lovatt Smith's narration was excellent! She somehow walked the fine line between making Saskia likable and just short of manic. She really captured all of the characters well--so hard to do, especially in a book with many characters of different ages. Loved it! Fabulous! Any additional comments? Loved this book. it is quite the suspenseful love story with the perfect amount of fun woven in! Just as good as What Alice Forgot! not her best but still decent I love Liane Moriarty and I loved the narration by Tamara Lovatt Smith, I also loved, The Husband's Secret and What Alice Forgot. This book was not as good as the other two but not without some entertainment value. The plot was predictable, not all the characters likeable and we had to hear endless psychoanalysis of each character. However, the narration made it all easy to listen to and it wasn't a total waste of my time. I am sure I would NOT have enjoyed reading this book, but to listen on the treadmill, it was fine. I wouldn't rush out and get this one but if you need to use a credit, its not a total waste. Cute story In the process of reading all the books by this author. Read "The Husband's Secret" first, then "What Alice Forgot" and then this one.

Now That You Mention It Audiobook by Kristan Higgins

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kristan Higgins) — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 20:08:03 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Now That You Mention It Author: Kristan Higgins Narrator: Xe Sands Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 12-26-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 131 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Following the success of If You Only Knew and On Second Thought comes the highly anticipated new novel by New York Times best-selling author Higgins - a funny and bittersweet story of a woman who returns to her hometown after a decade's absence hoping to resuscitate her relationship with her family, only to discover that her homecoming is not as welcome as she had imagined. It's been over a decade since Nora left her hometown of Scupper Island, Maine, and very seldom looked back. She's carved out a successful life in Boston, where no one knows her as the awkward girl with the delinquent sister and the dad who left, but a not-as-dramatic-as-it-sounds brush with death has her taking stock of her life. Inspired to reconnect with her prickly mother and snarky teenage niece, Nora returns home for the summer, where she's forced to face the people she's spent the last ten years trying to avoid and where some revelations about her family could either heal her or send her scrambling back to Boston on the next ferry. Members Reviews: Love! Love! Love! Love Kristan Higgins and especially listening to her novels read by Xe Sands. Great story read so lovely by Xe Sands! 10 million stars! Kristan Higgins has already written some of my favorite novels and they are divine. But they keep getting better. Its mind boggling. Maybe its that they are dealing with deeper subjects. This is the first that made me cry. Plus no one delivers better comedic narration than Xe Sands. A wonderful story Once again Kristin Higgins has written a beautiful story with characters you can see and relate too, while feeling their pain and joy. Disappointing I have loved all of Kristan Higgins books and have anxiously awaited each new one. That being said, this one was a disappointment. While it was well written and very professionally read, the story was overly sad and drawn out. Midway thru, I couldnt stand the drama any more and skipped ahead to the last few chapters to see how it turned out. I so hope that her future books are a bit more fun and less heartache. Heart Warming, Funny, Which scene was your favorite? Nora and Sully first date. When They were all laughing because twenty flew into the oven and they thought he was dead, but he wasn't until Nora whacked him with a shovel and killed him for real.... If you could rename Now That You Mention It, what would you call it? Scuffer Island

The Road Audiobook by Cormac McCarthy

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Cormac McCarthy) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 04:04:36 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Road Author: Cormac McCarthy Narrator: Tom Stechschulte Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins Language: English Release date: 03-15-07 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 11677 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Pulitzer Prize, Fiction, 2007 Bleak but brilliant, with glimmers of hope and humor, The Road is a stunning allegory and perhaps Cormac McCarthy's finest novel to date. This remarkable departure from his previous works has been hailed by Kirkus Reviews as a "novel of horrific beauty, where death is the only truth". McCarthy, a New York Times best-selling author, is a past recipient of the National Book Award and National Book Critics Circle Award. He is widely considered one of America's greatest writers. Critic Reviews: "McCarthy's prose retains its ability to seduce...and there are nods to the gentler aspects of the human spirit." (The New Yorker) "One of McCarthy's best novels, probably his most moving and perhaps his most personal...Every moment of The Road is rich with dilemmas that are as shattering as they are unspoken...McCarthy is so accomplished that the reader senses the mysterious and intuitive changes between father and son that can't be articulated, let alone dramatized...Both lyric and savage, both desperate and transcendent, although transcendence is singed around the edges...Tag McCarthy one of the four or five great American novelists of his generation." (Los Angeles Times Book Review) Members Reviews: ARE YOU CARRYING THE FIRE? EVERYTHING COVERED WITH ASH Let me wipe my tears. This is a heart wrenching, moving novel. Decades from now (if we are still here), when they look back and study the period of time when Apocalyptic novels were so popular, they will single this one out as the best. McCormick writes very descriptively, but not overly so. He never mentions Nuclear Winter, but this is as close as you will get. The landscape is a main character. It is always cold, the sun has not been seen in years, ash falls from the sky constantly, their are no animals, no fish, no plants, man is the only thing to survive. THE BOY If you liked "Room" by Emma Donoghue , you will love this. We are not given an age, but he is probably around eight. He is an innocent. He has never seen the sun. You will fall in love with him. THE MAN, also known as Papa One of the most caring, patient fathers you will ever meet. Tom Stechshulte A fantastic narrator which makes this such a moving story with his talent. Spellbinding While it's true this book was, at times, grim, stark, a simple narrative in it's style I did indeed find it spellbinding. Starting slow the story continued to build in it's intensity and desperation and of course, as with all really good stories, I was sad to see it end. I found the narration extremely realistic and believable. I would, however, caution listeners that like a particular genre that this book may not fit into any particular genre or preconceived notion so for sure give the sample a listen prior to purchasing. I have listened to over 250 Audible books and this is the most entertaining book I have heard. Horribly absorbing Listening to this novel is something of an ordeal: McCarthy has created a disturbingly believable vision of the end of civilization. The post-apocalyptic world that he conjures up must be one of the more chilling and frightening ever invented by a novelist. Often, it's the things he doesn't say, or only hints at, that make your imagination run riot and leave you thinking long afterward.

The Hideaway Audiobook by Lauren K. Denton

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Lauren K. Denton) — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 10:55:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Hideaway Author: Lauren K. Denton Narrator: Karthi Masters Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins Language: English Release date: 04-11-17 Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 192 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: When her grandmother's will wrenches Sara back home from New Orleans, she learns more about Margaret Van Buren in the wake of her death than she ever did in life. After her last remaining family member dies, Sara Jenkins goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother Mags' ramshackle B&B in Sweet Bay, Alabama. She intends to quickly tie up loose ends then return to her busy life and thriving antique shop in New Orleans. Instead she learns Mags has willed her The Hideaway and charged her with renovating it - no small task considering Mags' best friends, a motley crew of senior citizens, still live there. Rather than hurrying back to New Orleans, Sara stays in Sweet Bay and begins the biggest house-rehabbing project of her career. Amid Sheetrock dust, old memories, and a charming contractor, she discovers that slipping back into life at The Hideaway is easier than she expected. Then she discovers a box Mags left in the attic, with clues to a life Sara never imagined for her grandmother. With help from Mags' friends, Sara begins to piece together the mysterious life of bravery, passion, and choices that changed Mags' destiny in both marvelous and devastating ways. When an opportunistic land developer threatens to seize The Hideaway, Sara is forced to make a choice - stay in Sweet Bay and fight for the house and the people she's grown to love or leave again and return to her successful but solitary life in New Orleans. Members Reviews: I couldn't get through it... horrible performer This performer was absolutely terrible. I couldn't even get far enough into the book to see if I enjoyed it. I felt like the performer was reading a story to a kindergarten class. However, worse than her giggles (and happy swoons even after the narrator just lost a loved one!), she has NO differentiation between characters. I don't expect performers to nail voices of the opposite gender, but they need to at least try. All of her characters had the exact same voice... the kindergarten teacher happy happy voice. I couldn't stand it. WASTE OF MY MONEY! Cliché made worse by an unskilled audio perfomer Recycled plot: Single woman leaves home after college and doesnt go back much, moves somewhere else and owns shop, has wacky best friend, grandmother (with secrets main character must discover) dies, leaves MC the house that must be renovated, meets man, falls in love, withdraws, comes back, and they all live happily ever after. Ive read a fair number of this type and some were quite good because of the characters, writing, dialogue, description, etc. Also, theres always a few other things added to the bare-bones plot abovelike a central conflict. In this case, by the time the conflict comes very near the end of the book, I was quite bored (well, I was bored from page one). And the conflict was so absurd that I fast forwarded, skimmed, skipped a couple of chapters. I missed nothing. The other addition to this stock plot was all the elderly people who lived with her grandmother. Sadly, the author couldnt make these characters come alive either. The dialogue was not goodby turns awkward, unrealistic, boring, though the author was excellent at description of concrete things (house, objects, setting).

The Godfather Audiobook by Mario Puzo

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Mario Puzo) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:50:21 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Godfather Author: Mario Puzo Narrator: Joe Mantegna Format: Unabridged Length: 18 hrs and 8 mins Language: English Release date: 03-13-12 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 4544 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: More than 40 years ago, Mario Puzo wrote his iconic portrait of the Mafia underworld, as told through the fictional first family of American crime, the Corleones. The leader, Vito Corleone, is the Godfather. He is a benevolent despot who stops at nothing to gain and hold power. His command post is a fortress on Long Island from which he presides over a vast underground empire that includes the rackets, gambling, bookmaking, and unions. His influence runs through all levels of American society, from the cop on the beat to the nation's mighty. Mario Puzo, a master storyteller, introduces us to unforgettable characters, and the elements of this world explode to life in this violent and impassioned chronicle. Members Reviews: Huge fan of the movie, loved this audiobook! I have seen The Godfather movies too many times to count. It's part of the lexicon in my family, we quote lines from it all the time in regular conversation. So, I thought this book might be a little boring, just because I already knew the story so well. Not the case! The book adds so much detail to the story that I think I'll be watching the movie again soon in a whole new light. Joe Mantegna does such a wonderful job narrating this story and I'd absolutely recommend his version as opposed to the other full cast version that's out there, especially for people that are really in tune with the movie. Give it a try! One of a kind. A masterpiece. The book upon which the movie was based, this is an astonishing feat of fiction writing. Most of us have seen the movie, I imagine, but listening to the marvelous Joe Mantegna tell the story lets us know that Mario Puzo wrote all those incredible scenes that Francis Ford Coppola turned into one of the greatest movies of the 20th century. Listening to the book gives us so much more detail about the Corleones and their fellow Mafia families. Of course Coppola had to leave out much of the book in order to make the movie(s). Even through the third movie in the cycle, there is still more enjoyable detail here. It is impossible not to see the faces of Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and the rest of the actors. In my view, the actors enrich the book. Even when you know what is coming, as in the scene where Michael shoots Solozzo and Captain McCluskey, the background and all the planning that lead up to the scene in the book will just grab your attention and hold it. Very few movies are a match for a great book. This book is so monumental in how it taught us the story of immigrant families and their struggles to adjust to life in the United States that it informs our understanding of many other immigrant stories. Joe Mantegna is so great at this that it is really hard to imagine any other narrator reading it. The feel of New York is also a wonder in Puzo's description of it. You see Don Corleone's opposition to joining the Solozzos and the other families in the drug trade, and you think, how principled he is, not what a monstrous gangster he is. This, again, is a feat of fiction writing that may never be surpassed. Sit back and enjoy one of the finest audiobooks you will ever experience. What an enjoyable journey. What made the experience of listening to The Godfather the most enjoyable? Joe Mantegna was the perfect choice for the narrator for THE GODFATHER.

Britt-Marie Was Here Audiobook by Fredrik Backman

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Fredrik Backman) — Tue, 03 May 2016 02:43:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Britt-Marie Was Here Subtitle: A Novel Author: Fredrik Backman Narrator: Joan Walker Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins Language: English Release date: 05-03-16 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5660 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the best-selling author of the "charming debut" (People) A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, a heartwarming and hilarious story of a reluctant outsider who transforms a tiny village and a woman who finds love and second chances in the unlikeliest of places. Britt-Marie can't stand mess. She eats dinner at precisely the right time and starts her day at six in the morning because only lunatics wake up later than that. And she is not passive-aggressive. Not in the least. It's just that sometimes people interpret her helpful suggestions as criticisms, which is certainly not her intention. But at 63, Britt-Marie has had enough. She finally walks out on her loveless 40-year marriage and finds a job in the only place she can: Borg, a small, derelict town devastated by the financial crisis. For the fastidious Britt-Marie, this new world of noisy children, muddy floors, and a roommate who is a rat (literally) is a hard adjustment. As for the citizens of Borg, with everything that they know crumbling around them, the only thing that they have left to hold on to is something Britt-Marie absolutely loathes: their love of soccer. When the village's youth team becomes desperate for a coach, they set their sights on her. She's the least likely candidate, but their need is obvious, and there is no one else to do it. Thus begins a beautiful and unlikely partnership. In her new role as reluctant mentor to these lost young boys and girls, Britt-Marie soon finds herself becoming increasingly vital to the community. And, even more surprisingly, she is the object of romantic desire for a friendly and handsome local policeman named Sven. In this world of oddballs and misfits, can Britt-Marie finally find a place where she belongs? Zany and full of heart, Britt-Marie Was Here is a novel about love and second chances and about the unexpected friendships we make that teach us who we really are and the things we are capable of doing. Critic Reviews: "[Narrator Joan] Walker's engaged, seamless narration combined with the heartwarming story makes for delightful listening." ( AudioFile) Members Reviews: A Gem What a wonderfully odd, engaging and eccentrically off-beat novel. This was the first of Backman's books that I have read. I didn't understand until I finished listening and read some reviews that the character of Britt-Marie actually came from another earlier book written by the author. This wasn't a huge problem because I think this book works well as a stand-alone novel too. However, this is something to consider if you are thinking about trying this title. You might want to read them in order and start with My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry first. The narration was just excellent. I loved Joan Walker's style and ability to voice all the different characters. It was a pleasure to listen to her skilled delivery. She really brought the story to life. Be aware, this isn't a neat and tidy book with all the loose threads wrapped up at the end. Instead it is an often unsettling, thought provoking story about life, love, loss and choices. I really enjoyed it. Ha! (Listen to the book and you will understand!) Terrific book! It was my second Backman book and I can't wait to get to the third one! Britt-Marie is a card...you can't help but fall in love with her.

The Mountain Between Us Audiobook by Charles Martin

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Charles Martin) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:24:08 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Mountain Between Us Subtitle: A Novel Author: Charles Martin Narrator: George Newbern Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins Language: English Release date: 06-01-10 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1763 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: On a stormy winter night, two strangers wait for a flight at the Salt Lake City airport. Ashley Knox is an attractive, successful writer, who is flying East for her much anticipated wedding. Dr. Ben Payne has just wrapped up a medical conference and is also eager to get back East for a slate of surgeries he has scheduled for the following day. When the last outgoing flight is cancelled due to a broken de-icer and a forthcoming storm, Ben finds a charter plane that can take him around the storm and drop him in Denver to catch a connection. And when the pilot says the single engine prop plane can fit one more, if barely, Ben offers the seat to Ashley, knowing that she needs to get back just as urgently. And then the unthinkable happens. The pilot has a heart attack mid-flight, and the plane crashes into the High Uintas Wilderness - one of the largest stretches of harsh and remote land in the United States. Ben, who has broken ribs and Ashley, who suffers a terrible leg fracture, along with the pilot's dog, are faced with an incredibly harrowing battle to survive. Fortunately, Ben is a medical professional and avid climber. With little hope for rescue, he must nurse Ashley back to health and figure out how they are going to get off the mountain, where the temperature hovers in the teens. Meanwhile, Ashley soon realizes that the very private Ben has some serious emotional wounds to heal as well. He explains to Ashley that he is separated from his beloved wife, but in a long standing tradition, he faithfully records messages for her on his voice recorder, reflecting on their love affair. As Ashley eavesdrops on Ben's tender words to his estranged wife she comes to fear that when it comes to her own love story, she's just settling. And what's more: she begins to realize that the man she is really attracted to, the man she may love, is Ben. Members Reviews: Well done. I can't stop thinking about this book which usually means five stars. It was "just another crash story" for a long time, but it took place in the High Uintahs, a range of treacherous mountains in my home state of Utah so my visualizations of the terrain were easy to come up with. They most likely would have been anyway due to Martin's good descriptive writing. Still, it took place in familiar surroundings and I liked that. The protagonist, Ben Payne, just happened to be a doctor which might seem like Martin used his profession as a convenience, and he did, but it was so much more than that. How Martin kept the plot twist so well hidden it s a tribute to his skill as a writer. Even now just thinking about it, it brings emotions to the surface. I loved it. Great narration! I have recommended this book dozens of times What did you love best about The Mountain Between Us? When someone asks me for a book recommendation, I always suggest The Mountain Between Us. I love the story, the development of the characters and interaction between Ben and Ashley, and the unexpected ending. All these add up to a superb novel about what makes us human. And I thought the narrator was excellent. What other book might you compare The Mountain Between Us to and why? A book I read years ago called "The Distant Summer" by Sarah Patterson.

Cien años de soledad Audio Libro por Gabriel García Márquez

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Gabriel García Márquez) — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 04:37:46 GMT

Escuche este audio libro completo gratis en https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> Título: Cien años de soledad Autor: Gabriel García Márquez Narrador: Gustavo Bonfigli Formato: Unabridged Duración: 17 hrs and 28 mins Idioma: Español Fecha de publicación: 12-24-14 Editor: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 897 votos Categorías: Fiction, Contemporary Resumen del editor: "Muchos años después, frente al pelotón de fusilamiento, elcoronel Aureliano Buendía había de recordar aquella tarde remota en que su padrelo llevó a conocer el hielo." Con estas palabras empieza una novela ya legendaria en losanales de la literatura universal, una de las aventuras literarias másfascinantes del siglo veinte. Millones de ejemplares de Cien años de soledad leídos en todas las lenguas y el Premio Nobelde Literatura coronando una obra que se había abierto paso a "boca a boca" - comogusta decir el escritor - son la más palpable demostración de que la aventurafabulosa de la familia Buendía-Iguarán, con sus milagros, fantasías,obsesiones, tragedias, incestos, adulterios, rebeldías, descubrimientos, ycondenas, representaba al mismo tiempo el mito y la historia, la tragedia y elamor del mundo entero. Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish. Opiniones de los miembros: Maravillosa y triste novela Cuando leí el libro durante mi adolecencia, recuerdo la profunda emoción que su prosa casi poética me generaba. Ningún otro autor ha logrado describir con tanta claridad la mezcla de angustia y la dulzura que era el amor en aquellos años. De adulto me sorprende la maestría con que el Realismo Mágico logra que el mito y la leyenda ensartadas en la psique latinoamericana se materialicen en Macondo sin ningún matiz de artificio. En mi opinión, 100 Años de Soledad es la novela más sincera y más triste que haya salido de nuestros trópicos. El abordaje lento del narrador no hace justicia al ritmo acelerado que yo juzgo necesario para esta prosa; sin embargo, aumentando la velocidad de reproducción la narración mejora substancialmente. Amazing Nobel Winning Book! I will be honest. I hate reading. it is boring and makes me sleepy. this is the first time I tried an Audio book because I was extremely bored. I pick this book because it won the Nobel Prize of literature about 20 yrs back and never read it. I'm glad I gave it a try. it took me to every place and showed me a fantastic world, full of realistic and unrealistic moments. It was 17 hrs of listening which I didn't want them to stop. the details, the way it was writing, it's breath taking and amazing. this book makes me wanna start reading for once. I totally love it! Absolutamente increible What did you love best about Cien años de soledad? Esta es la tercera vez que leo este libro (dos veces impreso y la tercera con audible) y es una historia magica llena de vida. Es la historia de latinoamerica en un libro. What other book might you compare Cien años de soledad to and why? Amor en los tiempos del colera Which scene was your favorite? Durante el tiempo de la fundacion. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? El libro es el vivo ejemplo del realismo magico. Muy crudo y lleno de detalles que permiten imaginar absolutamente todo. Any additional comments? no Simplemente bella Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? Esta es una novela que no debes dejar de leer/escuchar. Horas y horas de placer What did you like best about this story? Creativo como los mejores.

The Rosie Project Audiobook by Graeme Simsion

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Graeme Simsion) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 11:48:53 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Rosie Project Subtitle: A Novel Author: Graeme Simsion Narrator: Dan O'Grady Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 10-01-13 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8654 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: An international sensation, this hilarious, feel-good novel is narrated by an oddly charming and socially challenged genetics professor on an unusual quest: to find out if he is capable of true love. Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a "wonderful" husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical - most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver. Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent - and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don's Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie - and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper. The Rosie Project is a moving and hilarious novel for anyone who has ever tenaciously gone after life or love in the face of overwhelming challenges. Members Reviews: Not a typical romance - so much more I fell in love with this story in the first 30 minutes, stayed up late listening, and grabbed every free minute until I finished it. The book mentions the movie "As Good As It Gets," which is the quickest way to provide an idea of its premise; however, I enjoyed it so much more than 'As Good.' A scientific professor, Don Tillman, doesn't recognize Asperger's syndrome in himself, even though he can see it in others. He just knows that he doesn't fit in. The book's main characters are all flawed, but likable, in this humorous, touching story of a man who bravely challenges himself to find happiness. His journey to self-awareness took me on a fun, poignant journey of my own. I didn't notice the narrator until he attempted an American accent (the story takes place in Australia), but it did not bother me - somehow it only added to the charm of the story. I will be listening to this one again - and looking for more Simsion titles. Truly A Comic Novel After so much chick lit, The Rosie Project took me by surprise. It's not chick lit. It reminded me of the Adrian Mole diaries, by Sue Townsend in the 80's and 90's, and is in that much rarer and much more traditional genre - the comic novel. The protagonist, Professor Don Tillman, has a flaw, as all great comic protagonists must, that has prevented him ever getting a second date with a woman. So he embarks on "The Wife Project" to find a compatible woman and instead meets Rosie, a completely incompatible barmaid/Ph.D candidate, on a quest to find the identity of her father. I laughed and winced and rooted for Don as he fell under Rosie's spell, against his own better judgment (which he analyzes in agonizing detail) and the hours flew by. I can't remember the last five star rating I gave a book.

Leaving Time Audiobook by Jodi Picoult

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jodi Picoult) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 12:48:34 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Leaving Time Author: Jodi Picoult Narrator: Rebecca Lowman, Abigail Revasch, Kathe Mazur, Mark Deakins Format: Unabridged Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins Language: English Release date: 10-14-14 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 9596 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Throughout her blockbuster career, number-one New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult has seamlessly blended nuanced characters, riveting plots, and rich prose, brilliantly creating stories that "not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us" (The Boston Globe). Now, in her highly anticipated new book, she has delivered her most affecting novel yet - and one unlike anything she's written before. For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice's old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mothers whereabouts. Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons - only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alices case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they'll have to face even harder answers. As Jenna's memories dovetail with the events in her mother's journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent pause-resister, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers. Members Reviews: Very powerful--definitely will be listening again! What was one of the most memorable moments of Leaving Time? Incredible research into elephant culture was amazing to hear. What about the narratorss performance did you like? Multiple narrator's enhanced the performance. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? Yes, and now I want to start over and listen to it again. Any additional comments? Get this book NOW! Pickiest Reader Would Be Willing to Give 6 Stars Ms. Picoult has always been an average author for me. One that took advantage of current moral issues in society and exacerbated them into novels. This novel is so strong, so raw, and so captivating.. it is almost literature. I have never experienced an author that went from sophomoric to exceptional in one novel. The metaphoric parallels between humans and elephants are mesmerizing...but the book is not about elephants. The parallel between life and death allows us to suspend reality easily and without thinking,.. but the book really isn't about life and death. No matter what your reading preferences are...love story, mystery, suspense, or nature.. you are going to be glad you opened up this book and listened. Narration is stellar. I have nothing negative to say about this novel. Picoult has arrived. First time Jodi reader--this book was excellent Where does Leaving Time rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? One of the best books I have heard on Audible. The narrators were excellent, the story line was tight even though it bounced around in terms of the point of view.

The Unremembered Girl Audiobook by Eliza Maxwell

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Eliza Maxwell) — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 22:36:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Unremembered Girl Author: Eliza Maxwell Narrator: Will Damron Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins Language: English Release date: 11-01-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 291 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In the deep woods of East Texas, Henry supports his family by selling bootleg liquor. It's all he can do to keep his compassionate but ailing mother and his stepfather - a fanatical grassroots minister with a bruising rhetoric - from ruin. But they have no idea they've become the obsession of the girl in the woods. Abandoned and nearly feral, Eve has been watching them, seduced by the notion of family - something she's known only in the most brutal sense. Soon she can't resist the temptation to get close. Where Henry's mother sees a poor girl in need, his father sees only wickedness. When Henry forges an unexpected bond with Eve, he believes he might be able to save her. He doesn't know how wrong he is. Eve is about to take charge of her own destiny - and that of Henry's family. As both their worlds spin violently out of control, Henry must make an impossible choice: protect the broken young woman who's claimed a piece of his soul, or put everyone he loves at risk in order to do the right thing. Members Reviews: Great Characters I almost didnt listen to this book because the narrators voice in the first chapter totally turned me off. But I trudged through because the book sounded interesting... and it was! The narrator used different voices for the characters which helped keep the story straight and he also sounded like he was enjoying the read more as well. Lots of plot twists that kept me coming back to listen to more at every chance I could. Good mix of characters to love and hate; characters were fully developed. Really great storyline - Id already recommended it to 3 other people before even finishing the book! One of the best books I've ever read in my life! Read it on Kindle and listened to it on audio. Just finished it for the second time. This book is unreal. You will be so completely enthralled if you are the kind of person who loves fantastic writing, fantastic character development and a plot that just keeps on delivering surprises even when you think you've predicted what's coming next. Anyone who doesn't feel the same after finishing it needs to just leave the planet. Seriously. I am going to buy this book for my sister and my best friend. Maybe for everyone I've ever met. The author deserves to be rich. Like Oprah rich. J. K. Rowling rich. Elon Musk rich. If she keeps writing like this, I'll give her everything I have and survive on glass clippings, tree bark and whatever I can salvage from McDonald's dumpster. Get this book right now!!! Why are you still reading my stupid review when you could be listening to a novelist who will take you on a life changing journey? I'm kidding. I do write a pretty sweet review. I don't blame you... What a ride! Im not surprised easily but this one got me. I didnt see it coming. Brilliant writing! Good character development. Could have been a tad bit deeper into the characters but somehow the mild vagueness worked for these. Thanks for a great read! God bless. enjoyed it had me talking to the characters sure wished for different ending still good narration and good story though heavy subject Meh This book was "ok" not much good or bad to say about it. As far as the narrator - EVERYTHING was too "epic".

My Brilliant Friend Audiobook by Elena Ferrante

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Elena Ferrante) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 21:01:34 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: My Brilliant Friend Subtitle: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 1 Author: Elena Ferrante Narrator: Hillary Huber Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins Language: English Release date: 03-10-15 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4863 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A modern masterpiece from one of Italy's most acclaimed authors, My Brilliant Friend is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted story about two friends, Elena and Lila, who represent the story of a nation and the nature of friendship. The story begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets, the two girls learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else. As they grow - and as their paths repeatedly diverge and converge - Elena and Lila remain best friends whose respective destinies are reflected and refracted in the other. They are likewise the embodiments of a nation undergoing momentous change. Through the lives of these two women, Ferrante tells the story of a neighborhood, a city, and a country as it is transformed in ways that, in turn, also transform the relationship between her protagonists. With My Brilliant Friend, the first in a series, Ferrante proves herself to be one of Italy's greatest storytellers. She has given her readers a masterfully plotted pause-resister, abundant and generous in its narrative details and characterizations - a stylish work of literary fiction destined to delight her many fans and win new listeners to her work. Critic Reviews: "Hillary Huber's subtly shaded performance couldn't be better as she reveals the complexities that separate and connect the two women.... Huber's delivery of this well-plotted, absorbing story of friendship will leave listeners wanting more." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Parte Uno Dei Quattro--It's Worth it to Keep Goin' I thought I'd chime in on this little novel to say to readers this first part of the so-called Neapolitan novels is worth reading to get to the really good stuff in parts 2, 3 and 4. Do NOT Give Up. I thought about abandoning this about halfway through it. I found books 2-4 addictive. The author considers the 4 parts as just one novel (it was divided by the publisher into 4 parts). As such, it's really hard to rate My Brilliant Friend as a novel on its on. No doubt, one must read this to fully appreciate and enjoy parts 2, 3 and 4. Here, all the characters and conflicts are introduced as is the poor and violent neighborhood on the Naples outskirts, in itself a character as a magnet where the families live and so many things happen over the course of the books, as it stands at the foot of the infamous Mount Vesuvius, the only active volcano on mainland Europe. Think of it like this: can you think of a great lengthy novel that if you read only 1/4 of it as a stand-alone novel, you'd love it and give it 5 stars. This wasn't written, or intended, to be read as a novel. This one, very similar to the first 1/4 of all really good lengthy novels, is mostly setup, introductions, character development up to, well, up to the teen years of the two main characters. Viewed as one novel, it's a bildungsroman following the lives of Elena (called Lenù) Greco (the novel is told in the first person recollections of Elena) and her razor-sharp, but enigmatic, best friend Raffaella (Lila) Cerullo, from childhood, here in My Brilliant Friend, to adulthood. I'd give this 3 stars as a stand-alone.

The Art of Racing in the Rain Audiobook by Garth Stein

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Garth Stein) — Tue, 13 May 2008 21:36:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Art of Racing in the Rain Author: Garth Stein Narrator: Christopher Evan Welch Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 05-13-08 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 13174 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition. He sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoe, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoe at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it. Members Reviews: Enzo (because he's so wize) for president. Of the 125 books I've listened to, this one is my favorite. The human characters were beautifully developed, but Enzo the dog will steal your heart. The story brings out a full range of emotions; I laughed many times, and cried when it was over. My husband is listening to it now, and he thinks it's great too. Don't miss it. A stunning read I'll admit it... I frequently judge books by their covers. As a new owner of a yellow Labrador Retriever, this book screamed at me to pick it up off the table at our local library. I devoured the book, finishing it in just under two days. Then my wife read it at lightning speed. This is where is gets weird... After my wife read the book I read it again (something I have never done with fiction). Not only did I read it a second time, but then I picked it up here on audible. Yes, it simply *is* that good! The story is unique, and the main character's perspective is captivating. The book has really stuck with me, leading me to place a quote from it in my office at work. Give it a listen, I'm certain you'll enjoy it. Artful Surprise What did you love best about The Art of Racing in the Rain? The intelligence of the narrator. I dodged this book for so long because I thought it would be simplistic as just another dog book riding the "Marley & Me" coat tails. I finally listened to this after an Audible sale purchase and was amazed. The depth of the observations made by the narrator about what it's like to be a dog were spot on. All characters were fleshed out well and I felt the whole range of emotions Denny & Enzo. Fantastic book. Who was your favorite character and why? Enzo was insightful and intelligent and well versed in new age theory. He was funny and honest. What about Christopher Evan Welchs performance did you like? Welch's voice emotes all the intelligence and wit possessed by Enzo. He sounds honest, forthright, and strong, just like Enzo. If you could rename The Art of Racing in the Rain, what would you call it? The name is perfect. As with all good titles, it has many meanings.

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things Audiobook by Bryn Greenwood

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Bryn Greenwood) — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 15:54:21 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: All the Ugly and Wonderful Things Subtitle: A Novel Author: Bryn Greenwood Narrator: Jorjeana Marie Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins Language: English Release date: 08-09-16 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4105 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A beautiful and provocative love story between two unlikely people and the hard-won relationship that elevates them above the Midwestern meth lab backdrop of their lives. As the daughter of a drug dealer, Wavy knows not to trust people, not even her own parents. It's safer to keep her mouth shut and stay out of sight. Struggling to raise her little brother, Donal, eight-year-old Wavy is the only responsible adult around. Obsessed with the constellations, she finds peace in the starry night sky above the fields behind her house until one night her stargazing causes an accident. After witnessing his motorcycle wreck, she forms an unusual friendship with one of her father's thugs, Kellen, a tattooed ex-con with a heart of gold. By the time Wavy is a teenager, her relationship with Kellen is the only tender thing in a brutal world of addicts and debauchery. When tragedy rips Wavy's family apart, a well-meaning aunt steps in, and what is beautiful to Wavy looks ugly under the scrutiny of the outside world. A powerful novel you won't soon forget, Bryn Greenwood's All the Ugly and Wonderful Things challenges all we know and believe about love. Critic Reviews: "Jorjeana Marie was meant to narrate this gripping story, which takes place in meth country in the Midwest. Neglected, abused 8-year-old Wavy Quinn is stargazing when she unintentionally causes Jesse Joe Kellen, an ex-con employee of her drug-dealing dad, to crash his motorcycle. Marie grippingly portrays this troubled pair who befriend each other after Wavy saves his life. Things come to a head when their relationship is misunderstood. In addition to deftly presenting the lead characters, Marie perfectly renders Wavy's adorable little brother and beloved grandmother. Some chapters are written from other characters' viewpoints over a period of 15 years, and Marie presents those flawlessly as well. Listeners will be eager to hear what happens next, always rooting for Wavy and Kellen." ( AudioFile Magazine) Members Reviews: So many 'hard to listen to' moments This is difficult to review. I wasn't initially captivated by the provided synopsis, but I got the book because so may reviewers had written to just get it. I read several reviews, and I can go back and check again, but I don't remember any that warned of the extremely graphic and vulgar language used to describe sexual acts. Put that little cherry on top that many are spoken by a girl no older than 14 years, who is experiencing them with a 24 year old man. I'm not sure I can express myself in a way that conveys my sincere distaste for those moments and there were plenty. So, now you know. If you think you can look beyond it, there is a decent story here. But I can definitely say, it wasn't for me. Knowing what I know now, I would have passed on this one. Not a love story everyone will love I say be warned. The writing is beautiful and the story is something everyone would obsess over if it wasn't for the big detail of *when* the love story actually happens. If it wasn't for this detail, I'd probably love the book. But overall I'm just grossed out and not sold. Sex with children being portrayed as a love story isn't for me, no matter the circumstances or justification behind it. I'm In The Minority! Contains some spoilers: This was a hard story for me to rate and review.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Audiobook by Taylor Jenkins Reid

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Taylor Jenkins Reid) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 18:40:59 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Subtitle: A Novel Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid Narrator: Robin Miles, Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins Language: English Release date: 06-13-17 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1038 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From Taylor Jenkins Reid, "a genius when it comes to stories about life and love" (Redbook), comes an unforgettable and sweeping novel about one classic film actress' relentless rise to the top - the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine. Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated. Regardless of why Evelyn has chosen her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jump-start her career. Summoned to Evelyn's Upper East Side apartment, Monique listens as Evelyn unfurls her story: from making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the late '80s and, of course, the seven husbands along the way. As Evelyn's life unfolds - revealing a ruthless ambition, an unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love - Monique begins to feel a very a real connection to the actress. But as Evelyn's story catches up with the present, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique's own in tragic and irreversible ways. Written with Reid's signature talent for "creating complex, likable characters" (Real Simple), this is a fascinating journey through the splendor of Old Hollywood into the harsh realities of the present day as two women struggle with what it means - and what it takes - to face the truth. Members Reviews: Wonderful Read!! Very complicated character with many faults & bad traits yet you can't help but love & feel sorry for her at the same time. Shed a few tears during the course of the story..... First time I've read this author but not the last! Captured once again I have to admit that I'm once captured by a Taylor Jenkins Reid books...the story was captivated and real and strong...i wanna to cry for Evelyn, her life and the ones she loves...Is beautifully written and addictive... The narrative and the narrators are just perfect.. loved it I absolutely loved this book!!!. When I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking about it. And when I was listening to it, I never wanted to turn it off. It's a great story about being human and the relationships and choices we encounter throughout life. It is definitely a book based on getting to know the characters very well Supreme storyline The only thing about this book that didn't ring true was the fact it was fiction. It was very interesting from beginning to end. It has a real kicker at the end. You'll never see it coming. It's worth more than one listen. Taken to Hollywood and never wanted to return! There aren't words enough to describe how much I loved this audiobook. It hasn't been this difficult for me to put one down in forever, and even as I wasn't listening, I was still thinking of the story and its characters, wondering where it was all leading and what would come next. Alma Cuervo's voice fit perfectly as Evelyn, and as she told the tales of her life, I was enthralled.

It's Always the Husband Audiobook by Michele Campbell

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Michele Campbell) — Tue, 16 May 2017 00:45:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: It's Always the Husband Subtitle: A Novel Author: Michele Campbell Narrator: January LaVoy Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins Language: English Release date: 05-16-17 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 421 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Kate, Aubrey, and Jenny first met as college roommates and soon became inseparable, despite being as different as three women can be. Kate was beautiful, wild, wealthy, and damaged. Aubrey, on financial aid, came from a broken home and wanted more than anything to distance herself from her past. And Jenny was a striver - brilliant, ambitious, and determined to succeed. As an unlikely friendship formed, the three of them swore they would always be there for each other. But 20 years later, one of them is standing at the edge of a bridge, and someone is urging her to jump. How did it come to this? Kate married the gorgeous party boy, Aubrey married up, and Jenny married the boy next door. But how can these three women love and hate each other? Can feelings this strong lead to murder? When one of them dies under mysterious circumstances, will everyone assume, as is often the case, that it's always the husband? A suspenseful, absorbing audiobook that examines the complexities of friendship, It's Always the Husband will keep listeners guessing right up to its shocking conclusion. Members Reviews: Constant Guessing Game! This was a great story made better if you will by the narrator January LaVoy. This novel is one of the best, I've read/listened to in a long time. The characters and story all very well written. And anyone who've spent time on a college campus, or reminiscing about their college days can relate to college life and all that goes along with it for some crowds. But, this story of troubled relationships and people who seem to be destined to be together; is brilliant. Kate, Jenny, and Aubrey are an unlikely trio. They find themselves navigating college life and more. As you will find there is a bit of a mystery and you'll go on this journey with the "Triple Whips" to solve it. A constant guessing game and a complete mystery until the last few seconds. Great listen This one kept me guessing until the end! Loved the different perspectives and thought January LaVoy did an excellent job. THRILLER Loved this story. I like the writers past and present storyline. How their lives intertwine from college to current in segments. It is definitely a thriller and up til the end when ot is revealed you are uncertain of the true killer. I also enjoyed the readers performance .....made it more interesting! Keeps listener engaged entire book! In my top 10! Should receive more accolades! Thank you Pinterest post for recommending. (15 Books that Could be this Summer's Gone Girl) LOVE the Narrator The book was great, but enhanced by the narrator. Her voice quality suited all the characters that she read. Very believable.

I Am Pilgrim Audiobook by Terry Hayes

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Terry Hayes) — Tue, 27 May 2014 18:08:39 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: I Am Pilgrim Subtitle: A Thriller Author: Terry Hayes Narrator: Christopher Ragland Format: Unabridged Length: 22 hrs and 42 mins Language: English Release date: 05-27-14 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 6716 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The astonishing story of one man's breakneck race against timeand an implacable enemy. An anonymous young woman murdered in a run-down hotel, all identifying characteristics dissolved by acid. A father publicly beheaded in the blistering heat of a Saudi Arabian public square. A notorious Syrian biotech expert found eyeless in a Damascus junkyard. Smoldering human remains on a remote mountainside in Afghanistan. A flawless plot to commit an appalling crime against humanity. One path links them all, and only one man can make the journey. Pilgrim. Members Reviews: Please let this all be fiction. Before I downloaded the book, I saw where another reviewer warned that it takes about 9 hours to get into it. That was VERY helpful info. I easily could have put it aside those first hours. I kept at it because of the warning and I'm very glad I did. Hayes takes his time setting up the characters and the scenario. The first part of the book sounds and feels like non-fiction. It's interesting - because of the history and insight it provides - but it can be a little dry. It really lays a foundation so you can understand what makes people who they are. And then it turns into a rip-roaring page-turner. I normally don't go for thrillers, but this one is exceptional. There's an expert pacing to everything that keeps you engaged even when there's no action. Hayes has a way of foreshadowing that also keeps the ball rolling. The characters are well formed, flawed and interesting. There's enough history thrown in that sometimes the events feel entirely plausible. Perhaps that's what makes it so engaging - and terrifying. It all adds up to one thing: this is definitely a credit-worthy summer read. Great story, great reading I am Pilgrim is the thriller I have been looking for. It seems to me that the last decade has not produced very many great thrillers. Hayes' story I hope opens the door to a new wave of thrillers that don't rely too heavily on the protagonist having super human abilities. This story instead relies on old fashioned Ludlum style spycraft cunning. What I liked here was the complexity of the tale. It weaves in and out of time, characters, plots, and it all hold together. I can't tell you how many authors I have read or listened to where the act of taking on multiple characters or timelines destroys what would have been pretty decent. Hayes pulls it off. Ragland might be my new favorite narrator. I feel that he might have been a little too boyish for this character, but I gotta applaud him. First class story telling ability. I highly recommend this book. Wow Would you consider the audio edition of I Am Pilgrim to be better than the print version? I haven't read the print but the reader had great voices for the characters and made a palatable difference in how it was presented. Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How? The intricacies of the story were amazing and pulled the story together masterfully. Any additional comments? This is one of the best books I've every read. Such attention to detail and keeps the story going to the very end. Really great. Just finished... Sorry... Could listen to more. So Terry Hayes is a compelling writer. This novel is intriguingly salted with micro mysteries... almost short who-dunits themselves.

The Sellout Audiobook by Paul Beatty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Paul Beatty) — Tue, 07 Jul 2015 08:39:37 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Sellout Subtitle: A Novel Author: Paul Beatty Narrator: Prentice Onayemi Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins Language: English Release date: 07-07-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2372 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Audie Award Finalist, Fiction, 2016 A biting satire about a young man's isolated upbringing and the race trial that sends him to the Supreme Court, Paul Beatty's The Sellout showcases a comic genius at the top of his game. It challenges the sacred tenets of the United States Constitution, urban life, the civil rights movement, the father-son relationship, and the holy grail of racial equality: the black Chinese restaurant. Born in the "agrarian ghetto" of Dickens - on the southern outskirts of Los Angeles - the narrator of The Sellout resigns himself to the fate of lower-middle-class Californians: "I'd die in the same bedroom I'd grown up in, looking up at the cracks in the stucco ceiling that've been there since the '68 quake." Raised by a single father, a controversial sociologist, he spent his childhood as the subject in racially charged psychological studies. He is led to believe that his father's pioneering work will result in a memoir that will solve his family's financial woes. But when his father is killed in a police shoot-out, he realizes there never was a memoir. All that's left is the bill for a drive-thru funeral. Fuelled by this deceit and the general disrepair of his hometown, the narrator sets out to right another wrong: Dickens has literally been removed from the map to save California from further embarrassment. Enlisting the help of the town's most famous resident - the last surviving Little Rascal, Hominy Jenkins - he initiates the most outrageous action conceivable: reinstating slavery and segregating the local high school, which lands him in the Supreme Court. Critic Reviews: "Narrator Prentice Onayemi embodies Bonbon, along with the novel's many unique characters: a former 'Our Gang' understudy, a former girlfriend who is now a city bus driver, the denizens of the neighborhood, and the white surfer dudes whom Bonbon regularly confuses at the beach. There's even a small part for Justice Clarence Thomas, which Onayemi does in style, and street Spanish, which, when required, flows perfectly." ( AudioFile magazine) Members Reviews: Brilliant book, fantastic narrator! Ever since hearing the sample clip I've been listening to this book non-stop. It's so well-written, bold, profound, hilarious, and on-point. Paul Beatty has been compared to Vonnegut, Roth, and Heller, but he's got his own distinct voice that is beautifully captured by the narrator. I'm really sorry to have finished this book and enjoyed it so much that I may have to listen to it again, which I never do. Many are calling it the best book of 2015 and it's definitely got my vote! Appreciated it, but didn't like it I really appreciated the humor, the cultural references, the satire, the cleverness and the reality of what this author wrote.

The Last Anniversary Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 10:21:29 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Last Anniversary Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Heather Wilds Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins Language: English Release date: 07-22-14 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4670 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Sophie Honeywell always wondered if Thomas Gordon was the one who got away. He was the perfect boyfriend, but on the day he was going to propose, she broke his heart. A year later he married his travel agent, while Sophie has been mortifyingly single ever since. Now Thomas is back in her life because Sophie has unexpectedly inherited his Aunt Connie's house on Scribbly Gum Island - home of the famously unsolved Munro Baby mystery. Sophie moves onto the island and begins a new life as part of an unconventional family, where it seems everyone has a secret. Grace, a beautiful young mother, is feverishly planning a shocking escape from her perfect life. Margie, a frumpy housewife, has made a pact with a stranger. And dreamy Aunt Rose wonders if maybe it's about time she started making her own decisions. As Sophie's life becomes increasingly complicated, she discovers that sometimes you have to stop waiting around and come up with your own fairy-tale ending. Critic Reviews: "A stunner several shades darker than typical chick lit... Moriarty's prose turns from funny through poignant to frightening in an artful snap." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Excellent Moriarty I wondered about this book because it was written in 2005 and not turned into an audiobook until 2014 (timed with the release of the author's new novel). Thought perhaps audiobooks had ignored it because it was not a very good example of the author's work...and almost ignored it myself. So glad I did not! Like in every Moriarty novel, the story is populated with everyday people who have to deal with highly unusual circumstances (two sisters find an abandoned baby and raise it as their own; an old lady leaves her island house to her grandson's ex-girlfriend...). Moriarty uses her unbelievable knowledge of human nature to make all the characters come to life with wit and compassion--and you feel like you know each and every one. The ending of all her novels are always a little sad simply because you have to say good-bye to the 'people' in them. The Narration is Lovely! Any additional comments? As a general rule, I don't make on-line comments. However, there was so much negative feedback about the narrator that I almost didn't buy this VERY enjoyable book. I rather wondered if the power of suggestion started an avalanche of negative comments? I thought that Heather Wilds' work was every bit as good as the other Moriarty narrators. The book itself isn't quite up to "Big Little Lies", but then it was written 10 years earlier. I think it would be a real shame if Moriarty fans missed out simply because they'd gotten swept up in the commentary about the narration. Like all things in life, we need to open our minds to new voices and interpretations! Wonderful twists and turns I enjoyed the setting of the book, the premise, and how the mystery was gradually revealed. Enough humor to keep things bubbling, and many surprises along the way. The only down side to this listen was the narrator's haughty tone, which made all the women sound bitchy and unlikeable. Once I figured out that they weren't actually like that (not all, anyway), I was able to ignore the tone and just enjoy the story.

The Life She Wants Audiobook by Robyn Carr

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Robyn Carr) — Tue, 27 Sep 2016 03:28:08 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Life She Wants Author: Robyn Carr Narrator: Therese Plummer Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins Language: English Release date: 09-27-16 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2137 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: New York Times best-selling author Robyn Carr creates an emotional and uplifting ensemble of characters in this rags-to-riches-to-rags novel about women, friendship, and the complex path to happiness. In the aftermath of her financier husband's suicide, Emma Shay Compton's dream life is shattered. Richard Compton stole his clients' life savings to fund a lavish life in New York City, and, although she was never involved in the business, Emma bears the burden of her husband's crimes. She is left with nothing. Only one friend stands by her, a friend she's known since high school, who encourages her to come home to Sonoma County. But starting over isn't easy, and Sonoma is full of unhappy memories, too. And people she'd rather not face, especially Riley Kerrigan. Riley and Emma were like sisters - until Riley betrayed Emma, ending their friendship. Emma left town, planning to never look back. Now, trying to stand on her own two feet, Emma can't escape her husband's reputation and is forced to turn to the last person she thought she'd ever ask for help - her former best friend. It's an uneasy reunion as both women face the mistakes they've made over the years. Only if they find a way to forgive each other - and themselves - can each of them find the life she wants. Members Reviews: Enjoyable Distraction Kudos to Ms. Carr for making the work of a domestic cleaning service interesting. I had previously not given much thought to the process of cleaning another person's home, or what this could reveal about those who live there. As always, Ms. Plummer's narration was solid. Neat and Tidy It was a pleasant audiobook. A little predictable. Storyline not too deep. Reminds me a little bit of a Hallmark movie, in the form of an audiobook. Nicely done! This was an easy listen. Loved the characters and would listen again to a follow up book to see how they are doing. Gave me a new perspective about innocent family members that get caught up in scandal. very predictable. There were very few surprises in this story. like watching a PG13 rated Hallmark movie. Good Story. Entertaining Enough. This was a good story and I enjoyed listening but it was very close to "Swept Away" by Robyn Carr. I guess I listened to them too close together. Seems almost like the same story. But I would still recommend.

Anything Is Possible Audiobook by Elizabeth Strout

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Elizabeth Strout) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 20:29:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Anything Is Possible Subtitle: A Novel Author: Elizabeth Strout Narrator: Kimberly Farr Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 04-25-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1083 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: An unforgettable cast of small-town characters copes with love and loss in this new work of fiction by number one best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout. Recalling Olive Kitteridge in its richness, structure, and complexity, Anything Is Possible explores the whole range of human emotion through the intimate dramas of people struggling to understand themselves and others. Here are two sisters: One trades self-respect for a wealthy husband while the other finds in the pages of a book a kindred spirit who changes her life. The janitor at the local school has his faith tested in an encounter with an isolated man he has come to help; a grown daughter longs for mother love even as she comes to accept her mother's happiness in a foreign country; and the adult Lucy Barton (the heroine of My Name Is Lucy Barton, the author's celebrated New York Times best seller) returns to visit her siblings after 17 years of absence. Reverberating with the deep bonds of family and the hope that comes with reconciliation, Anything Is Possible again underscores Elizabeth Strout's place as one of America's most respected and cherished authors. Editorial Reviews: Editors Select, April 2017 - I've never read anything by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout, not Olive Kitteridge, not My Name Is Lucy Barton, nothing. This is a mistake I plan to soon rectify after listening to Anything Is Possible. Strout delivers a distinct and down-to-earth vision of American life with a patchwork of exactingly crafted characters. Each is so normal and somewhat unassuming but also tortured and robust. She seems to know exactly how to pinpoint the pain that drives people, and each of the stories that make up this novel comes to a carefully balanced yet captivating crescendo. But what I love most about this book is Strout's measured sense of voice. Not only does it complement her understated characters, and not only is it the ideal vehicle for narrator Kimberly Farr, but it is perfectly suited to the quick turns of emotion and introspection that make these stories so brilliantly moving and memorable. Michael, Audible Editor Critic Reviews: "In an impressive encore performance of Strout's prose, Kimberly Farr successfully mines the essence of each flawed character, giving hope and pain equal billing without succumbing to theatrics.... Farr's presence melts into the background, allowing the stories themselves to take center stage. This is an audiobook to get lost in." ( AudioFile) Members Reviews: Powerful & Disturbing This new book from Strout continues delving into the life of Lucy Barton, a character from "My Name is Lucy Barton", and a host of characters loosely connected to her. The Lucy Barton book read more like a novel, with a linear story line. The format of this book resembles the interconnecting short story mode the author used in her book "Olive Kitteridge". Accordingly, each chapter is a different short story, a different piece of a broader picture. In the end, as the puzzle fits together, it becomes a novel. Strout's writing keeps getting better with each book. Be aware that this listen keeps you on your toes remembering just how each character is connected to all the others. What's more, the author uses gossip in one story to offer closure to a previous character's predicament in earlier stories.

When I'm Gone Audiobook by Emily Bleeker

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Emily Bleeker) — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 01:08:31 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: When I'm Gone Subtitle: A Novel Author: Emily Bleeker Narrator: Dan John Miller Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 58 mins Language: English Release date: 03-15-16 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3742 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Dear Luke, First let me say - I love you...I didn't want to leave you.... Luke Richardson has returned home after burying Natalie, his beloved wife of sixteen years, ready to face the hard job of raising their three children alone. But there's something he's not prepared for - a blue envelope with his name scrawled across the front in Natalie's handwriting, waiting for him on the floor of their suburban Michigan home. The letter inside, written on the first day of Natalie's cancer treatment a year ago, turns out to be the first of many. Luke is convinced they're genuine, but who is delivering them? As his obsession with the letters grows, Luke uncovers long-buried secrets that make him question everything he knew about his wife and their family. But the revelations also point the way toward a future where love goes on - in written words, in memories, and in the promises it's never too late to keep. Members Reviews: Father's poignant struggle to move forward after wife's death After losing his wife to cancer, father of 3, Luke Richardson, is trying to find his way forward when suddenly he begins receiving letters from his deceased wife. At first a source of comfort, the letters later hint at secrets that make Luke wonder if he ever knew his wife at all. As Luke unravels the mysteries in his wife's past, we learn more about the trauma in his own history. The novel is extremely well written, and the actor chosen for the audiobook narration did an excellent job conveying the myriad of emotions Luke goes through as he tells his story. I thoroughly enjoyed When I'm Gone and look forward to more from Emily Bleeker, but be forewarned: have a box of Kleenex on hand before you begin reading this one! Loved this Story! I so loved this story. It was beautiful. I downloaded it to listen to at work, and I also bought the Kindle version to read when I was at home. So well written, although a bit cheesey at some parts. I got teary at many parts, and at others I downright bawled. There are so many emotional moments, unexpected twists, and a bit of humor. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Truly beautiful story that keeps you guessing My fiction genres of choice are all in the mystery/thriller category while this book is contemporary fiction and possibly chick lit. Whatever the genre, this old man finds it inspirational. When I'm Gone is a complex story driven by emotion and uncertainty/mystery. It is a story of love and grief, and ultimately a story of redemption and happiness delayed too long by well-intentioned but questionable personal decisions. When I'm Gone is a beautiful story of family. Dan John Miller does a nice job of narration. Some listeners have complained that his narration is too unemotional. I disagree; the emotion is in the words and need not be expressed by the narrator's tone. Narration This book was absolutely incredible! It hit very close to home as my 64 year old mother just passed away from pancreatic cancer; for that reason it was a little difficult for the content but I also listened too soon after her death. The only dislike I had was the voice the narrator used when speaking as the character 'May'. I someone cringed when I would hear it. Overall, the other parts were well vocalized. Sad but beautiful! I didn't expect all the the emotion.

The Circle Audiobook by Dave Eggers

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Dave Eggers) — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 19:26:60 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Circle Author: Dave Eggers Narrator: Dion Graham Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins Language: English Release date: 10-08-13 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7224 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The Circle is the exhilarating new audiobook from Dave Eggers, bestselling author of A Hologram for the King, a finalist for the National Book Award. When Mae Holland is hired to work for the Circle, the world's most powerful internet company, she feels she's been given the opportunity of a lifetime. The Circle, run out of a sprawling California campus, links users' personal emails, social media, banking, and purchasing with their universal operating system, resulting in one online identity and a new age of civility and transparency. As Mae tours the open-plan office spaces, the towering glass dining facilities, the cozy dorms for those who spend nights at work, she is thrilled with the company's modernity and activity. There are parties that last through the night, there are famous musicians playing on the lawn, there are athletic activities and clubs and brunches, and even an aquarium of rare fish retrieved from the Marianas Trench by the CEO. Mae can't believe her luck, her great fortune to work for the most influential company in the world - even as life beyond the campus grows distant, even as a strange encounter with a colleague leaves her shaken, even as her role at the Circle becomes increasingly public. What begins as the captivating story of one woman's ambition and idealism soon becomes a heart-racing novel of suspense, raising questions about memory, history, privacy, democracy, and the limits of human knowledge. Critic Reviews: Eggers's novel begins with an almost giddy tone, re-created perfectly by narrator Dion Graham. Pulling every tool from his kit, Graham describes the inner workings of the world's largest Internet company as it develops a new identity operating system that will allow even easier access by users across different platformsBut--as the listener hears in Graham's increasingly horrified tone--this Google-like utopia quickly becomes a dystopia when Mae realizes what the Circle really has in mind. Listeners will be reminded of Orwell's 1984." ( AudioFile) A vivid, roaring dissent to the companies that have coaxed us to disgorge every thought and action onto the Web . . . Carries the potential to change how the world views its addicted, compliant thrall to all things digital. If you work in Silicon Valley, or just care about what goes on there, you need to pay attention. ( The Wall Street Journal) Page-turning. . . . The social message of the novel is clear, but Eggers expertly weaves it into an elegantly told, compulsively readable parable for the 21st century. . . . What may be the most haunting discovery about The Circle, however, is readers recognition that they share the same technology-driven mentality that brings the novels characters to the brink of dysfunction. We too want to know everything by watching, monitoring, commenting, and interacting, and the force of Eggerss richly allusive prose lies in his ability to expose the potential hazards of that impulse. ( Vanity Fair) Members Reviews: Terrifying look at a techno-destruction of privacy [NOTE: Mild spoilers below.] A terrifying look into a future where companies like Google and Facebook leverage the power of Big Data to obliterate privacy and track every minute aspect of our lives. The Circle is quite obviously a fictionalized portrayal of largely Google but with aspects of Facebook and Twitter thrown in.

A Thousand Splendid Suns Audiobook by Khaled Hosseini

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Khaled Hosseini) — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:05:08 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Thousand Splendid Suns Author: Khaled Hosseini Narrator: Atossa Leoni Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 05-02-07 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8359 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Born a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are two women brought jarringly together by war, by loss, and by fate. As they endure the ever-escalating dangers around them, in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul, they come to form a bond that makes them both sisters and mother-daughter to each other, and that will ultimately alter the course not just of their own lives but of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival. A stunning accomplishment, A Thousand Splendid Suns is a haunting, heartbreaking, compelling story of an unforgiving time, an unlikely friendship, and an indestructible love. Critic Reviews: "Another searing epic....[Hosseini's] tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, but also a lyrical evocation of the lives and enduring hopes of its resilient characters." (Publishers Weekly) "Unimaginably tragic, Hosseini's magnificent second novel is a sad and beautiful testament to both Afghani suffering and strength. Readers who lost themselves in The Kite Runner will not want to miss this unforgettable follow up." (Booklist) Members Reviews: AWESOME! This book did not disapppoint! If you liked Mr. Hosseini's first book, The Kite Runner, then you will LOVE this book! This book is a beautiful story and I was hooked from the opening chapter. Atossa Leoni does a magnificent job reading this wonderful book as I felt like I was "in" the story. I HIGHLY recommend this book...a must for your summer reading list! Magnificent This is truly a magnificent book. Having read the Kite Runner, I was expecting the book to be good, and I was not disappointed. The main character in Kite Runner was not an exemplary character although his character takes a turn for the better in the latter part of the book. In A Thousand Splendid Suns, the characters are true throughout. This was a book that I could not put down, once I had started. I would not recommend that this book be read in the abridged format. Reading the abridged version of this book would cause the reader to lose too much. Amazing This is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching book. At its core, this book is about love, resistance, and resilience. However, the story is filled with such random violence and subjugation, both of the Afghani people at the hands of the Soviets, Jihadists, and Taliban, and of the two women through whom the story is told, that it made my heart ache. I am at a loss to describe just how powerful this story is. Completely brilliant It's not a good thing when you're driving along in your car crying, yelling, cheering and experiencing all kinds of powerful emotions! But..that's the reaction I had to this masterpiece about 2 amazing women who begin as enemies and end as soul mates because of all they had to live through. We have NO idea how lucky we are, living in the freedom called America, until we read about the lives of those who suffer in third world countries.

Once We Were Brothers Audiobook by Ronald H. Balson

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Ronald H. Balson) — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 07:26:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Once We Were Brothers Author: Ronald H. Balson Narrator: Fred Berman Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins Language: English Release date: 12-17-13 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1564 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The gripping tale about two boys, once as close as brothers, who find themselves on opposite sides of the Holocaust. Elliot Rosenzweig, a respected civic leader and philanthropist, is attending a fundraiser when he is suddenly accosted and accused of being a former Nazi SS officer named Otto Piatek, the Butcher of Zamosc. Although the charges are denounced as preposterous, his accuser is convinced he is right and engages attorney Catherine Lockhart to bring Rosenzweig to justice. Solomon persuades attorney Catherine Lockhart to take his case, revealing that the true Piatek was abandoned as a child and raised by Solomon's own family only to betray them during the Nazi occupation. But has Solomon accused the right man? Once We Were Brothers is Ronald H. Balson's compelling tale of two boys and a family who struggle to survive in war-torn Poland, and a young love that struggles to endure the unspeakable cruelty of the Holocaust. Two lives, two worlds, and 60 years converge in an explosive race to redemption that makes for a moving and powerful tale of love, survival, and ultimately the triumph of the human spirit. Members Reviews: Loved it! best narrator I've heard so far! great story. felt like I really knew the characters!!! A triumph of faith during and after the holocaust. A terrific portrayal of the effects of the holocaust especially on one family. An Aryan boy reared by a Jewish family is gradually transformed into a Nazi who many years later is eventually brought to justice. The novel presents a unique perspective on the social dynamics on society, especially in Poland, under the influence of the Third Reich. Rich characters portrayed from before WWII into the 21st century. By personalizing the experience, events and behavior that seem unbelievable in hindsight become perfectly understandable. Very well written and read. I thought the narrator, who apparently irritated some, did an excellent job of recreation of the characters, both men and women. 5-Star Thriller with History and Heart At a fundraiser, Ben Solomon a holocaust survivor, walks up to Elliot Rosenzweig, a well-know Chicago businessman and philanthropist, and clocks him right in the jaw, all the while accusing Rosenzweig of being an ex S.S. Nazi Officer by the name of Otto Piatek. A shocked Rosenzweig, concerned for this man's sanity and his own reputation, rolls up his sleeve to reveal the tattooed identification numbers of the Auschwitz Death Camp. And so the tale begins between these two men. A legal thriller, Ben sets out to prove his accusations, while Elliot needs to prove Ben's lying. Much of the book is filled with Ben telling his story to Catherine Lockhart, a young busy lawyer. Ben wants to convince her to take his case of stolen property from all those years ago. Catherine, is skeptical that there is any tangible evidence after all this time, but after much persuasion she allows Ben to tell his story. Ben takes no short cuts, beginning with growing up in Zamosc, Poland explaining how his life entwines with Otto Piatek right through the war. But are Otto and Elliot one in the same? Being the daughter of 2 Holocaust survivors, I have listened to my share of Holocaust novels, in fact I've even written one, but Once We Were Brothers has to be one of the best books I've come across. Fred Berman did an incredible job narrating this book. His performance brought the characters to life.

Salvage the Bones Audiobook by Jesmyn Ward

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jesmyn Ward) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:50:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Salvage the Bones Subtitle: A Novel Author: Jesmyn Ward Narrator: Cherise Boothe Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins Language: English Release date: 01-27-12 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 820 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: National Book Award, Fiction, 2011 Best-selling author Jesmyn Ward won the National Book Award for this poignant and poetic novel. Unfolding over 12 days, the story follows a poor family living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With Hurricane Katrina bearing down on them, the Batistes struggle to maintain their community and familial bonds amid the storm and the stark poverty surrounding them. Critic Reviews: Masterful....Salvage the Bones has the aura of a classic about it. (Washington Post) "Wards writing is startling in its graphic clarity. [This] author has an unusual gift." (Boston Globe) "The novels hugeness of heart and fierceness of family grip and hold on like Skeetahs pit bull." (O: the Oprah Magazine) Members Reviews: Beautiful With No Holds Barred This is a story told through the voice of 14 year old Esch, a young motherless girl living in a family of men. And it's a good one. Living in poverty, a life with few, if any, options and with little hope, she struggles to find tenderness in a world where there's pretty much no room for it. She gives herself, in the name of love, desperate for love in return, but to the wrong person, someone who doesn't see her as a person. No love there. Indeed, this is a brutal book. The only real tenderness and love given without question goes from Esch's brother, Skeetah, to his dog China, a fighting pit bull. And what she does because she loves him is graphically, realistically written in great detail. It's not for the squeamish. But this is part of the culture in Mississippi and thereabouts (when I did animal rescue in New Orleans after Katrina, I swear. I've never seen so many pit bulls in my life!), and people do what they need, or think they need, to do. There are so many poor choices, so many circumstances that go fatally awry that it's hard to read this book and keep a stiff upper lip. Things are bad as they are; do they have to get worse? But it is such a good story, layered well, with intense and full character development. Esch is fleshed out, her character added to by her ability to draw parallels between mythology, something she's reading for school, and the circumstances of her own life. It works very, very well. The only problem with the writing and the narration I had was that both try too hard. Cherise Boothe really captures the voices and tone of the story, but she has a tendency of reading so slowly that I just felt that: Really, I can see that this is important/well done/ beautiful, I don't need such ponderous reading, such pregnant pauses. Also, Jesmyn Ward writes a whole lot of similes. Everything is like this, like that, as this, etc. The only thing that makes this okay and not irritating beyond belief is that what she likens things to wind up being really thought-provoking, really one of a kind images. The end, the aftermath of Katrina, things come together, revelations are made, there are reactions, possible choices. And, though there is personal and environmental devastation, there is, oddly enough, hope. After such brutality throughout the book, you wonder how things can end up so. But really, you look back and find that there were golden threads of beauty all the way through, shining and beckoning to the reader. Raw and ragged read Brutal and savage story told almost entirely in the present tense. I found it both repelling and compelling.

A Confederacy of Dunces Audiobook by John Kennedy Toole

biacuaduc@gmail.com (John Kennedy Toole) — Mon, 12 Sep 2005 06:17:09 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: A Confederacy of Dunces Author: John Kennedy Toole Narrator: Barrett Whitener Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 09-12-05 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4590 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The hero of John Kennedy Toole's incomparable, Pulitzer Prize-winning comic classic is one Ignatius J. Reilly, "huge, obese, fractious, fastidious, a latter-day Gargantua, a Don Quixote of the French Quarter". His story bursts with wholly original characters, denizens of New Orleans' lower depths, incredibly true-to-life dialogue, and the zaniest series of high and low comic adventures. Critic Reviews: "Barrett Whitener strikes just the right note." (AudioFile) "A Confederacy of Dunces has been reviewed almost everywhere, and every reviewer has loved it. For once, everyone is right." (Rolling Stone) "What a delight, what a roaring, rollicking, footstomping wonder this book is! I laughed until my sides ached, and then I laughed on." (Chicago Sun-Times) Members Reviews: Well Done This is one of those special books, a book rejected by dozens of publishers, a book that led its author to suicide, a book that might bring you to tears (of joy) in the end. It is a character study of an almost middle aged man, still living with his mother, who's just about ready to get a job in an elaborately quirky 1970's New Orleans, told with all the sophistication an over-educated author could muster. It's a really funny piece of fiction that just so happens to be intertwined with real life tragedy. There are several different versions of this spoken book. None of them compares to the Barrett Whitener reading. Whitener interprets the sounds of the literal dialects seemingly with ease. And this makes the book a million times more enjoyable to listen to. Audible has taken some time to offer this particular reading on its website, several years in fact. But the quality of this recording makes the wait worth while. Funniest book ever, if you like satire. Reading the reviews, it's obvious that not everyone gets satire. That's not a measure of intelligence, it's just like rolling your Rs--some people can, and some people can't. This is satire. It's not funny like Jim Carey or Robin Williams or Howard Stern. It's funny like Stephen Colbert (without the political bent). You have to implicitly grasp that the characters, even the narrative, are saying one thing while meaning another. The story is about a series of characters in New Orleans in the 60s, who are all affected by the main character, Ignatius J Reilly, and his ridiculous delusional arrogance. There seems to be little point or direction through most of the novel. Few if any of the characters are constantly endearing, and you find yourself wondering if they are aggressors, or victims, or ultimately whether there is any such thing as either. But down to the last line, the story has heart and meaning. Throughout the main narrative you are constantly aware of minor themes accompanying the main story, some in rhythm, some following their own beat, but all connected. You will read one scene and understand, without the author mentioning it, how that scene affects everything else. It's a breathtaking example of novel writing. And the narrator is perfect. He catches every nuance. If you are looking for slapstick or straightforward humor, this book won't be for you. If you love satire, this is one of the best examples you'll find. Delightful My first reaction to this book was that I did not like it.

Three Wishes Audiobook by Liane Moriarty

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Liane Moriarty) — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 11:40:00 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Three Wishes Author: Liane Moriarty Narrator: Heather Wilds Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins Language: English Release date: 08-18-14 Publisher: Tantor Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4221 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle, beautiful 33-year-old triplets, seem to attract attention everywhere they go. Whenever they're together, laughter, drama, and mayhem seem to follow. But apart, each is very much her own woman, dealing with her own share of ups and downs. Lyn has organized her life into one big checklist, juggling the many balls of work, marriage, and motherhood with expert precision, but is she as together as her datebook would have her seem? Cat has just learned a startling secret about her marriage - can she bring another life into her very precarious world? And can free-spirited Gemma, who bolts every time a relationship hits the six-month mark, ever hope to find lasting love? In this wise, witty, hilarious new novel, we follow the Kettle sisters through their 33rd year, as they struggle to survive their divorced parents' dating each other, their technologically savvy grandmother, a cheating husband, champagne hangovers, and the fabulous, frustrating life of forever being part of a threesome. Critic Reviews: "Moriarty's first novel, written with wisdom, humor, and sincerity, is an honest look at sisters who have a bond stronger than anything life throws their way." (Booklist) Members Reviews: Great story - horrible narrator Where does Three Wishes rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far? Top third Who was your favorite character and why? I haven't finished the book yet, but I like the author, so I'm gritting my teeth and listening.I had to say something about the narrator because I'm driving my husband crazy imitating her. What didnt you like about Heather Wildss performance? Oh my God - had I listened to a sample I would have got the kindle edition instead.The narrator's voice is horrible. Every descriptive sentence is spoken with the same intonations in exactly the same spots. The narrator for What Aliice Forgot was so much BETTER. Any additional comments? Like I said, great story - almost ruined by the narration. Bring back Caroline Lee or Tamara Lovatt-Smith How could the performance have been better? Moriarty is a beloved author and listeners deserve a top performer. Ms. Wilds' narrative voice doesn't fit the wit and energy and these books. She's better with the dialogue for sure, but I'm not sure I'll buy the next Moriarty book if she's doing the reading. Listen on fast speed - the narrator is a droner Liane Moriarty's books are great fun when there's a good narrator - lively, humorous, and fun escapism. This narrator drones on and on and the fun is gone. This story was hard to follow compared to other Moriarty stories (I think the narrator was to blame), and I didn't find the characters to be particularly likable either. Not my favorite Liane Moriarty book. I'm not crazy about the narrator. She's done another of Liane's books and I find her voice not very stimulating. Her voice changes at times to a really low tone and its distracting. I know voice actors have to stop and start, but she makes it obvious. The story was OK. Three sisters, not very likeable in my opinion. Not to spoil anything but this is the second book in a row of hers that refers to domestic violence. Either way, I'm a fan of hers and this was the last one on my list.

Cutting for Stone Audiobook by Abraham Verghese

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Abraham Verghese) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 14:47:14 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Cutting for Stone Subtitle: A Novel Author: Abraham Verghese Narrator: Sunil Malhotra Format: Unabridged Length: 23 hrs and 59 mins Language: English Release date: 02-03-09 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7405 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A sweeping, emotionally riveting first novel - an enthralling family saga of Africa and America, doctors and patients, exile and home. Marion and Shiva Stone are twin brothers born of a secret union between a beautiful Indian nun and a brash British surgeon at a mission hospital in Addis Ababa. Orphaned by their mother's death in childbirth and their father's disappearance, bound together by a preternatural connection and a shared fascination with medicine, the twins come of age as Ethiopia hovers on the brink of revolution. Yet it will be love, not politics - their passion for the same woman - that will tear them apart and force Marion, fresh out of medical school, to flee his homeland. He makes his way to America, finding refuge in his work as an intern at an underfunded, overcrowded New York City hospital. When the past catches up to him - nearly destroying him - Marion must entrust his life to the two men he thought he trusted least in the world: the surgeon father who abandoned him and the brother who betrayed him. An unforgettable journey into one man's remarkable life, and an epic story about the power, intimacy, and curious beauty of the work of healing others. Members Reviews: Stunning This novel makes me want to keep driving or sit in the garage listening. The story is mesmerizing- a fascinating look at the third world's health care and politics, as well as the disparity of health care between the "haves" and "have nots" here- along with a beautiful story about the protagonist's life. Brilliant story, pitch perfect narration This is an epic surely destined to become a "cut in stone" classic, a gem so perfectly cut that it sparkles from every facet. Best of all, the story is filled with characters so human and alive, even in death, that I for one wish to keep them close by me forever. And Sunil Mulhotra's mastery of narration for both sexes, over a large spectrum of age and accent, is so good I am grateful my first exposure to Cutting For Stone is through his voice. An Epic Medical Novel I picked this novel after hearing Dr. Verghese on the Diane Rheim Show on NPR and was impressed by his enthusiasm and idealism for the practice of medicine and the training of young physicians. The plot has some refrains of the Kite Runner, also written by a physician. It follows the intertwined lives of two brothers from politically unstable Ethiopa to the United States. The language and imagery are lyrical in many places even in the description of surgical procedures and cadaver dissections. It is not overstated to say that the novel does for Surgery and Medicine what Moby Dick did for whaling. The plot is interspersed with technical descriptions of nearly every aspect of medicine from the fine points of surgical anatomy to the process of medical residency certification. The finale of the book is far-fetched and is telegraphed, but in the context of the grand story, I suppose it is no more far-fetched than Ahab waving goodbye from the back of the White Whale. The characters are compelling and complex -- particularly the namesake of the novel and the father of the narrator. One of the recurring themes of the book is the tension between the good life (i.e. love of family) and the good career (i.e. good works). This theme is carried from the Carmelite Nuns in Madras to the trauma and transplant surgeons in New York.

Between Me and You Audiobook by Allison Winn Scotch

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Allison Winn Scotch) — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 06:20:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Between Me and You Author: Allison Winn Scotch Narrator: Tim Campbell, Julia Whelan Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 01-09-18 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 16 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch comes an honest, touching, and funny exploration of falling in and out of love, told from two perspectives - one rewinding history, one moving it forward - and each with bias and regret. When their paths first cross, Ben Livingston is a fledgling screenwriter on the brink of success; Tatum Connelly is a struggling actress tending bar in a New York City dive. They fall in love, they marry, they become parents, and they think only of the future. But as the years go by, Tatum's stardom rises while Ben's fades. In a marriage that bears the fallout of ambition and fame, Ben and Tatum are at a crossroads. Now all they can do is think back... A life of passion, joy, tragedy, and loss - once shared - becomes one as shifting and unpredictable as a memory. As the pieces of their past come together, as they explore the ways love can bend and break, Ben and Tatum come to see how it all went wrong - and wonder what they can do now to make it all right. Members Reviews: Potentially Problematic (spoilers) I loved how the story was told in the 2 different time lines. I also loved that the story dealt with real world issues; love, loss, drugs, family, careers. However I did not like the fact that Tatum tries to justify Bens infidelity and blame herself. (Shes been working long hours. She has secrets too. Etc) That is not what writers should convey to readers as normal. Furthermore, in the end, she forgave him. In my opinion, no matter how much you deserve to be cheated on, cheating is the utmost form of betrayal.

Ishmael Audiobook by Daniel Quinn

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Daniel Quinn) — Thu, 16 Dec 1999 15:23:07 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Ishmael Subtitle: An Adventure of the Mind and Spirit Author: Daniel Quinn Narrator: Anthony Heald Format: Abridged Length: 2 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 12-16-99 Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1722 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Author Daniel Quinn is the first winner of the prestigious Turner Tomorrow Fellowship, awarded for fiction providing creative and positive solutions to global problems. Sly, witty, and profound, Ishmael is a tour de force of the mind and spirit, an extraordinary intellectual adventure that listeners will never forget. Members Reviews: Unabridged PLEASE! I loved the book, so I thought why not the audiobook? The abridgment cuts out most of the "meat" of the story. The abridgment is better than nothing (thus four stars) but the book hits much harder with more information and draws the mind further into the story. Worth the read but could have been great. Please read this book Ishmael was my first introduction to Daniel Quinn's work and it has started a love affair. After listenening to the audio version and clinging to every word- I went out and bought the book as I felt it must be a part of my library. However after reading the book, I so agree that Audible MUST add the unabridged version- every word is just too important to arbitrarily nip and tuck. Even so- this is a very well read version of the book- and does manage to convey many of the important themes and is definately worth the listen. This story is thought provoking and full of metaphor- I highly suggest that you listen / read this with a friend or as a part of a book club as it's a perfect catalyst for important conversations- and truly the themes have never been more timley. I have read or listened to this several times and each time get something new- something lovely. Some readers may struggle with this- have an open mind - enjoy the metaphor and illusion. I suggest that you read a bit at a time and take time to talk about it and digest it before reading / listening on- hang in there- it will be worth your time. Allow it to and it will change your life and your spirit. Really thought provoking I wish Audible had the unabridged version of this book. It was so thought provoking and interesting that I wondered what nuances I was missing by having only the abidged version. But don't let that dissuade you. This is a very good condensed version. At no time did I encounter any awkward transitions. In fact part of my curiosity lies in trying to figure out where exactly the editor made the cuts. Life changing I only wish that you had all of Quinn's works on audio. Ishmael is just the beginning of a great journey. Excellent, Masterpiece! I have read the book and listened to the audio-tape. Highly recommend, would prefer an unabridged version. Amazing story told in a unique and creative manner. Can't wait for the audio version of My Ishmael, hopefully unabridged.

Atonement Audiobook by Ian McEwan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Ian McEwan) — Fri, 15 Aug 2003 22:05:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Atonement Author: Ian McEwan Narrator: Jill Tanner Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 08-15-03 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1772 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: National Book Critics Circle, Fiction, 2003 In Atonement, three children lose their innocence, as the sweltering summer heat bears down on the hottest day in 1935, and their lives are changed forever. Cecilia Tallis is of England's priviledged class; Robbie Turner is the housekeeper's son. In their moment of intimate surrender, they are interrupted by Cecilia's hyperimaginative and scheming 13-year-old sister, Briony. And as chaos consumes the family, Briony commits a crime, the guilt of which she shall carry throughout her life. Critic Reviews: "A tour de force. Every bit as affecting as it is gripping." (The New York Times) "Enthralling...With psychological insight and a command of sensual and historical detail, Mr. McEwan creates an absorbing fictional world." (The Wall Street Journal) "A beautiful and majestic fictional panorama." (The New Yorker) Members Reviews: An amazing book about complex human perception "Atonement" is a deeply satifying, extraordinarily well written book that seems simple because it is so well crafted, but deals with such complex issues. Core to the book is that each of us comes to our own 'truth' while never really seeing the whole. One of the characters says "It's like being close up to something so large you don't even see it. Even now, I'm not sure I can. But I know it's there." Throughout the book the reader watches this happen again and again, something so large the individuals don't see the whole of it, although they know it is there. For Briony, this lack of understanding leads to tragic consequences, but the book goes on to show how each of us lacks a comprehensive understanding. I thought it a wonderful, brilliantly written book that will stay with me for many years. Rarely have I had such a satifying "read." From start to finish McEwan didn't let me down. I think those who don't like it are listeners who prefer more action in their books, and this isn't that. It isn't a light read, nor is it fast-paced. I find myself almost wishing I belonged to a book club so I could talk about it, since I know that for all I got out of it, I missed so much. If this type of book isn't to one's taste, or the subject matter and ideas the author explores aren't interesting to you, then certainly don't get it. But that it is well written is not in doubt. I also found the topic utterly fascinating and felt the author was able to express ideas that I have played with in my own head but never would be able to write up as well. Well written; well read. Atonement is a beautifully written but ultimately very sad piece of serious literature. Days after finishing it, I find myself thinking about the lead character and the questions that she raises. The reading was also well done. Some listeners may find that the story moves too slowly for their tastes. For example, the first half (seven hours) of the book covers just one day in 1935 and is full of nice description but little action. Attonement ... reasons to read The two previous pans of this piece of literature spurred me to add my review. Yes, there was such a complex set of possiblities of meaning that I did listen to the beginning and other parts more than once. For me, that's what you do with a really great book. Light fluffy books have their place, as do deep and complex books.

Memoirs of a Geisha Audiobook by Arthur Golden

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Arthur Golden) — Tue, 12 Jun 2001 08:41:34 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Memoirs of a Geisha Author: Arthur Golden Narrator: Bernadette Dunne Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 06-12-01 Publisher: Random House AudioBooks Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5568 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction - at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful - and completely unforgettable. Editorial Reviews: After the death of her mother, a young girl from a rural fishing village is sold to a Geisha House in the Gion District of Kyoto. Her fate continually twists, along with Japan's, before, during and after World War II. This listen captures with great detail the lush glamour of a geisha's world, as well as the brutal realities of indentured servitude. The experience is superior to that of the movie, because each moment is mined for maximum insight. Protocols and relationships, even food and finances, are also meticulously described. The result is total immersion in this fascinating culture. The narration may seem reserved, but that is appropriate given the book's setting. The sexual content is also very discreet and appropriate. Watching the movie is only getting your feet wet; get the full experience through this listen, a bewitching strong step into not just another time, but another world. Critic Reviews: "Astonishing...Breathtaking...You are seduced completely." (Washington Post Book World) "...a bravura performance, a first novel that provides a vivid view into a largely lost and secret world." (The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review) Members Reviews: Perfect ---- in every way As a fluent (second-language) speaker of Japanese, I was shocked to read that many found the narrator's pronunciation "incorrect". Ms. Dunne has narrated various accents, from a young Japanese girl to a middle-aged Jewish woman (Garlic & Sapphires...), and did a fantastic job with them all. Her pronunciation of the English language was done with the inflection of a native Japanese speaker. Please consider the artistry of speech when listening to an Audiobook. "Not taking the time to learn the correct pronunciation" may not at all be the case. Excellent This is on my top 10 list of books I'd take to a desert island, no, top 5 list. I was mesmerized by the haunting beauty of the writing. Especially as it is not the kind of book I would normally have chosen. I have recommended it to all fo my friends. Best Book in a while This book was the most intriguing, fascinating book I have read in many years. I simply couldn't stop listening to it and I have recommended it to many of my friends. One of my friends even got a copy of the book for Christmas. No matter what type of story you like, I recommend you read or listen to this book! Memoirs gave me much to think about! I did not expect this to be such a compelling, intriguing book. I had no idea I would yearn to hear more and more. At it's end, I am sad it's over but feel Sayuri has left me with many good things. I will listen to this again. I definitely recommend this book. Outstanding! An absolutely fantastic journey into a world of heritage, culture, self-discovery, passion, emotion.....well, need I say more! Bernadette Dunne is an excellent narrator, who catapults you alongside each step of Sayuri' life. The author, Mr. Golden, is a masterful, vivid writer. Immediately, upon listening to the first couple of minutes, I was transported into each segment of the story. I am a Premium subscriber with hundreds of logged listening hours of fine books.

The Prince of Tides Audiobook by Pat Conroy

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Pat Conroy) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:12:24 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Prince of Tides Author: Pat Conroy Narrator: Frank Muller Format: Unabridged Length: 22 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 10-26-09 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5712 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Pat Controy has created a huge, brash thunderstorm of a novel, stinging with honesty and resounding with drama. Spanning 40 years, this is the story of turbulent Tom Wingo, his gifted and troubled twin sister Savannah, and their struggle to triumph over the dark and tragic legacy of the extraordinary family into which they were born. Filled with the vanishing beauty of the South Carolina low country as well as the dusty glitter of New York City, The Prince of Tides is Pat Conroy at his very best. ©2002 Pat Conroy; (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc. Critic Reviews: "Conroy has achieved a penetrating vision of the Southern psyche in this enormous novel of power and emotion." (Library Journal) Members Reviews: A "Prince" amongst novels I have truly come to love Patrick Conroy's writing. This is only my 2nd book of his and it was fabulous. The story is about two dysfunctional families, however the focus is mainly on the Wingo family. Tom Wingo is the protagonist. He has a mentally unbalanced twin sister Savannah and a "take charge" brother Luke. Conroy brings each character to life. The character development of Tom, Savannah and Luke and well as Lila and Henry, the emotionally and physically abusive parents and the loveable quirky grandparents is astounding. There is a secondary family as well, the family of Susan Lowenstein, Savannah's psychiatrist, whose family has not escaped without major issues either. Tom and Susan meet regularly to discuss Savannah's therapy, and the two of them develop their own personal and professional relationship. We come to know the details of the Wingo family through Tom's discussions with Lowenstein. We learn of a very disturbing secret which Lila has forced her children to keep and live this torturous lie as though nothing every happened. This denial plunges an already disturbed group of people into the further depths of mental catastrophe. Amongst the dysfunction, lies and abuse, these three siblings manage to forge a very strong bond consisting of love and protection for each other. They really have each other's backs throughout the novel. The Prince of Tides is truly a prince amongst novels. Conroy is talented beyond words. The narrator cannot go without mention. Frank Muller brought this book to life like no other! He deserves a posthumous academy award for this performance! Magnificant! Do not listen to this book unless you are prepared to be entranced by a poetic saga narrated by a master storyteller. The pause button will cease to function as you become mesmerized by this majestic blend of tragedy, humor, and deep insight. You have been warned! Just Stunned Stunned because I did not like this story when I saw the movie and still did not like it much in the novel. Much ado about very little from my point of view. This is a story of a family. A poor family from South Carolina where the father was a pilot and officer in Korea, owns an entire island where 40 acres is a small section, and is financing an 85 foot shrimp boat in S. Carolina. I should have been so poor growing up. The father was a bit mean but not really too bad. This youngster should have met my father. These are the reasons I almost did not download this book. But enough of my fears. This author is a teller of tales and the narration is a work of art. The prose and the way the author uses the English language as a paintbrush makes this book a must get.

After the Lie Audiobook by Kerry Fisher

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kerry Fisher) — Tue, 16 May 2017 04:45:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: After the Lie Author: Kerry Fisher Narrator: Emma Spurgin-Hussey Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins Language: English Release date: 05-16-17 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 269 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: When Lydia was a teenager, she made a decision that ruined her family's life. They've spent the last 30 years living with the consequences and doing their best to pretend it never happened. Lydia's husband, the gorgeous and reliable Mark, and her two teenage children know nothing about that summer back in 1982. And that's the way Lydia wants it to stay. The opportunity to come clean is long gone, and now it's not the lie that matters; it's the betrayal of hiding the truth for so long. When someone from the past turns up as a parent at the school gates, Lydia feels the life she has worked so hard to build slipping through her fingers. The more desperate she becomes to safeguard her family, the more erratic her behaviour becomes. But when the happiness of her own teenage son, Jamie, hangs in the balance, Lydia is forced to make some impossible decisions. Can she protect him and still keep her own secret - and if she doesn't, will her marriage and family survive? Members Reviews: Overall, great! Definitely worth a credit! Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? I would recommend this audiobook - it has both modern components and also can speak to generations that came to age in the pre-internet age. Good character development, though (and I don't think this will be a spoiler, but want to give that warning just in case) it was really frustrating for me to relate to a character who did not challenge her - in my opinion- completely insufferable mother for most of the book. Any additional comments? Only caveats, the storyline takes a bit of willing suspension of disbelief. I also thought it ended a bit abruptly, and would have appreciated a more graceful ending to match the preceding pace of the book. LOVED this book. The story was so engrossing . Exploring the effects covering up a lie since childhood had on Lydia ' s entire life were fascinating. More Kerry Fisher, please. After the Lie This book was full of surprises. It's been a long time since a mystery kept me wondering what would happen next. But, this book did so every step of the way. Meh is what I feel at the "the end" I loved the silent wife so thought I would give this one a go...did not keep my interest as well as I would have hoped. Okay story but not one I was over the moon for. Captivating & relatable! I absolutely loved listening to this book. The narrators voice was perfect. Kerrys witty way of writing made me laugh many times and her motherly worries about her childrens exposure to todays social media is equal to my own. Im on to her next book!

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry Audiobook by Fredrik Backman

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Fredrik Backman) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 08:05:00 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry Subtitle: A Novel Author: Fredrik Backman Narrator: Joan Walker Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 06-16-15 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8567 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the author of the internationally best-selling A Man Called Ove, a charming, warmhearted novel about a young girl whose grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters, sending her on a journey that brings to life the world of her grandmother's fairy tales. Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is 77 years old and crazy, standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-men-who-want-to-talk-about-Jesus crazy. She is also Elsa's best and only friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother's stories, in the Land of Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal. When Elsa's grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa's greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother's letters lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and totally ordinary old crones but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as Fredrik Backman's internationally best-selling debut novel, A Man Called Ove. It is a story about life and death and an ode to one of the most important human rights: the right to be different. Critic Reviews: "Joan Walker narrates this delightful novel with a perfect balance of reverence and playfulness, bringing out Backman's wonderfully authentic child's-eye perspective as well as his heartwarming humor." ( AudioFile) Members Reviews: Nothing like his other book (A man called ove) I picked this book because I thought a man called ove was spectacular. I wanted to read anything else by the author and downloaded this book with out evening reading the description. I was extremely disappointed. It's probably my least favorite book I've listened to. The story had way too much fairytale stuff and just simply boring. I felt like there was so much unnecessary dialogue and the story seemed to drag on in an attempt to make the story longer. I would not recommend the book to anyone. Amazing author I'll read anything by this author; he's that good. Just buy this and enjoy it. I love A Man Called Ove more than this, but this one is charming and sweet and delightful as well. Starts slow, but you are going to love it! I read this as soon as I finished A Man Called Ove. Backman has an exceptional talent of description using the most incongruous elements which adroitly fill your imagination with exactly the image required (you laugh out loud despite the tears in your eyes with your identification with imperfect upbringings). This book first introduces you to the harsh and easily judgmental view of the characters that would be easily reached upon superficial evaluation, and then leads you to a far more mature and intelligent understanding of their foibles and their heroism, all told in the voice of a painfully precocious, "almost 8 year old" girl. Your understanding of the characters deepens, even as they themselves continue to develop with his talented hand. Though told in the voice of a child, do not mistake this for a children's book, even as you wish you would have read it far earlier in life! Simply splendid. I love Fredrik Backman's writing style.

Crazy Rich Asians Audiobook by Kevin Kwan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kevin Kwan) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 14:41:57 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Crazy Rich Asians Author: Kevin Kwan Narrator: Lynn Chen Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 53 mins Language: English Release date: 06-11-13 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2239 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season. When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich. Members Reviews: Worst Narration Ever The attempts at accents are so bad that in addition to being annoyingly distracting the delivery rarely matches the context of the dialog. Add to that vocal fry and.. cringing experience. Entertaining, Fun Listen If you could sum up Crazy Rich Asians in three words, what would they be? Worth the Credit! What other book might you compare Crazy Rich Asians to and why? This book is totally entertaining, and it is all about money, eye candy, jet setting and living LARGE! It's not deep but that's ok - it's entertaining, and the family dynamics among the crazy rich are interesting. I also liked the love story story between Rachel and Nick. I liked both characters and was rooting for them throughout the book. This book is a little like Devil Wears Prada in tone and absorption. Again, not deep but very very entertaining. Which scene was your favorite? When Rachel Chu deals with the fish incident. She takes the high road and I admired her for dealing with the non stop backstabbing and gossip. She was the recipient of some serious mean girl action. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? I really enjoyed this book - it's the perfect beach read type book. Any additional comments? I hope to see more Kevin Kwan audio books in the future! Narration is horrible What disappointed you about Crazy Rich Asians? I had a lot of difficulty getting through the narration of this book. I speak Chinese and know how the asian dialects sound; the narrator obviously does not know either. It was painfully annoying listening to her attempts to mimic the accents and the language -- it was downright insulting at times. Her British accent was fine but anytime she tried to speak with an accent or use the Chinese words, I cringed and unfortunately, it ruined the book for me.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Audiobook by Mark Haddon

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Mark Haddon) — Wed, 12 May 2004 13:38:12 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Author: Mark Haddon Narrator: Jeff Woodman Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 05-12-04 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10098 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: One night, he observes that the neighbor's dog has been killed, since it is not moving and has a large garden fork stuck in its body. Christopher knows this is wrong. He has never left his street on his own before, but now he'll have to in order to find out who killed the dog. What he discovers will shake the very foundation of his perfectly ordered life. Critically acclaimed author Mark Haddon, a two-time BAFTA winner, crafts a stunning masterpiece that is funny, honest, and incredibly moving. Critic Reviews: "The novel brims with touching, ironic humor. The result is an eye-opening work in a unique and compelling literary voice." (Publishers Weekly) "Fresh and inventive." (Booklist) "Smart, honest and wrenching....Will quickly hook you in." (San Francisco Chronicle) "Gloriously eccentric and wonderfully intelligent." (The Boston Globe) Members Reviews: An Unexpected Gift. What a beautiful, interesting, funny, sad, lovely book. Completely satisfying from start to end, I was engrossed from the very beginning. I initially hesitated, unsure if the plot as summarized would be something that would interest me; I'm so glad I decided to give it a try. Experiencing the events as they unfolded from the perspective of this sweet boy touched my heart and kept me thoroughly enthralled. Although the book was not told from the viewpoint of the father, it's written in such a way as to have you relate to his experience as well. For me, this was one of those books that stayed with me all day, playing through my mind at work while I waited for the opportunity to hear more of the story. The narration was fantastic and fit perfectly. Without a doubt a five star selection. A Mom's View As the mother of a 7-year-old son with Asperger's Syndrome (the type of autism afflicting our protagonist), I found this book both warm and chilling. This book essentially gave me a look inside the mind of my son. Having a child with autism is one of the greatest gifts I have ever been given. But as we could see with Christopher's parents, it can be a painful struggle for the family. I found myself thinking, "MY son does that" or "So THAT'S why he does that." I am so grateful for this author for opening me up to the inside of a person with Asperger's Syndrome. I LOVED this book--and Jeff Woodman's reading was superb! I have asked all of my friends, family, and loved ones to READ this to understand what our family--and specifically, my son--is going through. It is also enlightening to find stories such as these that do not paint autistic people as "Rainman-like" savants or detached souls rocking incessantly in a corner. Endearing. Pathos, humor, reality, and insight. An endearing glimpse, with heart-stirring grit of daily life, into the life of a 15 year-old boy afflicted with an autism-like condition. Very cleverly written from the boy's viewpoint and well-narrated (same narrator as Life of Pi). Lots of pathos, humor, reality, and insight. Do not think you failed to download an early chapter -- this becomes an amusing part of the story, or that you have bought a children's book that can be read to children -- it will deepen all too soon. A Different View of the World I found Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time an amazing read.

The Celestine Prophecy Audiobook by James Redfield

biacuaduc@gmail.com (James Redfield) — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 07:16:18 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Celestine Prophecy Subtitle: An Adventure Author: James Redfield Narrator: Lou Diamond Phillips Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins Language: English Release date: 02-10-06 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1588 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The Celestine Prophecy comes to light at a time when the world deeply needs to hear its words. A gripping story of adventure and discovery, it is also a guide that has the power to crystallize perceptions of why one is where they are in life, and to provide a new energy and optimism to head toward a brighter tomorrow. Critic Reviews: "A fast-paced adventure." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Powerful Material The personal/spiritual development potential that The Celestine Prophecy introduces is very tangible and easily understood. I am so grateful for this beautifully crafted story. For those with an open mind and heart, this is an absolute MUST. The insights are life transforming- if we choose to embrace them. Conscious evolution is finally described in a graspable fashion for those new to the world of realized human potential. Thank you! GREAT READ Within his concept,the author has put together truths within ourselves about who we are and the way we react to the world and relationships. It is tied together with a story revolving around spiritually which left me with a feeling of hope. High reccomendation for this book. Great spiritual story Although a little contrived (in a simpler way than Davinci Code), an enjoyable and inpiring read (listen). enlightening and entertaining This book is both enlightening and entertaining as it assists me to see how to better listen to my higher self as the coincidences and encounters of my life experience take on a deeper meaning. I first read this book in 2006 and have made a practice of engaging in a daily routine of increasing my awareness through study and connecting with the supreme from within. As I listened to the book this time, I especially appreciated the segment on interacting with kids. Giving them all the energy they require and assisting them to complete their circle of both sides of gender is fascinating and something I am now accountable to for my 3 young daughters. The better of the 2! Don't waste your time with the other one! This Lou Diamond Phillips narated version is 10X better, in my opinion. Thank you for doing this right, and thank you Lou for your time. It's a wonderful book, and will change your life!

Rich People Problems Audiobook by Kevin Kwan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kevin Kwan) — Tue, 23 May 2017 15:35:15 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Rich People Problems Subtitle: A Novel Author: Kevin Kwan Narrator: Lydia Look Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 05-23-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 839 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Kevin Kwan, best-selling author of Crazy Rich Asians and China Rich Girlfriend, is back with an uproarious new novel of a family riven by fortune, an ex-wife driven psychotic with jealousy, a battle royal fought through couture gown sabotage, and the heir to one of Asia's greatest fortunes locked out of his inheritance. When Nicholas Young hears that his grandmother, Su Yi, is on her deathbed, he rushes to be by her bedside - but he's not alone. The entire Shang-Young clan has convened from all corners of the globe to stake claim on their matriarch's massive fortune. With each family member vying to inherit Tyersall Park - a trophy estate on 64 prime acres in the heart of Singapore - Nicholas' childhood home turns into a hotbed of speculation and sabotage. As her relatives fight over heirlooms, Astrid Leong is at the center of her own storm, desperately in love with her old sweetheart, Charlie Wu, but tormented by her ex-husband - a man hell-bent on destroying Astrid's reputation and relationship. Meanwhile Kitty Pong, married to China's second richest man, billionaire Jack Bing, still feels second best next to her new stepdaughter, famous fashionista Colette Bing. A sweeping novel that takes us from the elegantly appointed mansions of Manila to the secluded private islands in the Sulu Sea, from a kidnapping at Hong Kong's most elite private school to a surprise marriage proposal at an Indian palace caught on camera by the telephoto lenses of paparazzi, Kevin Kwan's hilarious, gloriously wicked new novel reveals the long-buried secrets of Asia's most privileged families and their rich people problems. Members Reviews: Awful One big disappointment - cheesy storyline, characters were predictable and lacked any nuance. Only listened till the end because I paid for it. Not as good as the first Too much time on less than endearing characters. But vivid and descriptive like the first one. Cheesy and Funny and the PERFECT Summer Book! I've read all of Kevin Kwan's books, and this one is as equally funny and entertaining as the first two. Of course, they're all kind of silly but entertaining nonetheless. (I see many parallels between the book and my real life as an Asian American woman!) The narrator really brings the story to life. Fabulous and Fun What made the experience of listening to Rich People Problems the most enjoyable? This does not disappoint as a follow up to Crazy: Kwan is the Dominick Dunne of Asia. Millionaires are now just incidental to be important Billions are a must!!! Looking forward to the film adaptation - so much fun!!! What was one of the most memorable moments of Rich People Problems? Secret Tunnels Have you listened to any of Lydia Looks other performances before? How does this one compare? Great Who was the most memorable character of Rich People Problems and why? Kitty - she is the other Mrs Grenville! Couldn't put it down! I finished this book in a week! the grandmother is petty in a way that I live for! the story doesn't go where you think it will. And the narrator does a great job of distinguishing the many, many characters. I highly recommend this book!!!

The Lake House Audiobook by Kate Morton

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kate Morton) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:42:09 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Lake House Author: Kate Morton Narrator: Caroline Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 24 mins Language: English Release date: 10-22-15 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 12826 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Living on her familys gorgeous lakeside estate in Cornwall, England, Alice Edevane is a bright, clever, inquisitive, innocent, and precociously talented 14 year old who loves to write stories. But the mysteries she pens are no match for the one her family is about to endure.... One midsummers eve, after a beautiful party drawing hundreds of guests to the estate has ended, the Edevanes discover that their youngest son, Theo, has vanished without a trace. What follows is a tragedy that tears the family apart in ways they never imagined, leaving their estate as empty as their broken hearts. Nearly 60 years later, having enjoyed a long, successful career as an author, Alice is now 80 years old and living in London. Theos case has never been solved, though Alice still harbours a suspicion as to the culprit. Miles away, Sadie Sparrow, a young detective in the London police force, is staying at her grandfathers house in Cornwall. While out walking one day, she stumbles upon the old estate - now crumbling and covered with vines, clearly abandoned long ago. Her curiosity is sparked, setting off a series of events that will bring her and Alice together and reveal shocking truths about a past long gone... yet more present than ever. A lush, atmospheric tale of intertwined destinies, this latest novel from a masterful storyteller is spellbinding and satisfying. Critic Reviews: "Morton excels at creating absorbing mystery." (People) "Morton is the master of the atmospheric old-fashioned novel packed with enough stories to fill all the worn satchels in the Milderhurst attic." (Bookpage) Members Reviews: BRAVO!!!!!!! I am an enormous Kate Morton fan, as well as a devoted Caroline Lee fan. I believe wholeheartedly that The Lake House is the best yet for both women. I listened nearly straight through -- up until the point about 4 hours from the end when I realized I was getting too close to the last words and forced myself to slow it down. I wanted it to last forever! While some puzzle pieces were simple enough to figure out from early on, others were a complete surprise at the end. Caroline Lee was once again brilliant, and narrated the entire book perfectly from start to finish. I couldn't even imagine a Kate Morton book without her voice in my head. The scenes of Cornwall were deliciously descriptive, and made me want to visit. The carefully woven web of the plot was superb, and I felt so incredibly satisfied at the end. All in all, a terrific book! The only downside is that I have to once again wait patiently for the next... The Morton Formula When I began reading Morton I envisioned some grande dame writing her novels from an aging manor in the English countryside. I was surprised to finally see that this Australian author, that so deftly slips her readers into chapters from history, is about the same age as my own daughter. The Lake House takes place in Cornwall, England between 1930 and about 2003, following the tried and true formula that Morton has used from the beginning of her career: submersive period pieces that neatly tie a past mystery to a moment of intrigue in the future. The mystery here revolves around the abduction of a well-to-do family's (Anthony and Eleanor Edevane) infant son, taken from their estate during a party at their grand estate.

The Secret History Audiobook by Donna Tartt

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Donna Tartt) — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:40:11 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Secret History Author: Donna Tartt Narrator: Donna Tartt Format: Unabridged Length: 22 hrs and 9 mins Language: English Release date: 06-07-07 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3214 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this brilliant debut novel, Donna Tartt gives us a richly textured and hypnotic story of golden youth corrupted by its own moral arrogance. Richard Papen had never been to New England before his 19th year. Then he arrived at Hampeden College and quickly became seduced by the sweet, dark rhythms of campus life - in particular by an elite group of five students; Greek scholars, worldly, self-assured, and at first glance, highly unapproachable. Yet as Richard was accepted and drawn into their inner circle, he learned a terrifying secret that bound them to one another; a secret about an incident in the woods in the dead of night where an ancient rite was brought to brutal life...and led to a gruesome death. And that was just the beginning. Critic Reviews: "A mysterious, richly detailed story told by a talented writer." (Publishers Weekly) "An enthralling story....The Secret History is addictive. Chances are you won't be able to listen just once." (AudioFile) "Powerful....Enthralling....A ferociously well-paced entertainment." (The New York Times) "Tartt's voice is unlike that of any of her contemporaries. Her beautiful language, intricate plotting, fascinating characters, and intellectual energy make her debut by far the most interesting work yet from her generation." (The Boston Globe) Members Reviews: Addictive One of the few books I've listened to that I really couldn't stop listening! Very different from what I expected and not at all the typical murder mystery. The tragedy of murder is heightened by the fact that it is done by the protagonists. The story is not so much about the murder(s) but rather the emotional and psychological effects on the murderers. My only complaint is that, because this is an audiobook, some of the foreign language phrases were hard to understand or even try to translate (sometimes none was given). I do much better if I can see the words rather than hear them, and, if so driven, I could have looked up the meanings. So I may have lost some of the intricacies of the story during these moments. Treachery on Campus! Any additional comments? This is the 2nd time I've "read" The Secret History (the first time I actually read it). I had to go back and listen to it again because I remember being entranced by the relationship of the main characters. Well, it was even better the 2nd time around. The story lets you know at the very beginning that one of them dies, but the book isn't really about that -- it's about what happens to people after they've committed a horrendous act and they have to live with it. The knowledge that they can't go back and un-do the past. And how it binds them together forever. One person may be dead, but the others will live with the regret for the rest of their lives. Read this, don't listen The narrator's (author's) voice ruined this one for me. The story was interesting and well-researched if rather farfetched. However, I couldn't get past the fact that neither voice nor accent matched who the characters were supposed to be. I'd read it, not listen to it. wonderful interpersonal relationships This book was just superb. The story was extremely strong and engrossing.

Fairytale Audiobook by Danielle Steel

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Danielle Steel) — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 22:19:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Fairytale Author: Danielle Steel Narrator: Luis Moreno Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins Language: English Release date: 10-10-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 327 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The perfect book for the holidays: Cinderella set amid the wine-making estates of modern-day Napa Valley, complete with an evil Parisian stepmother. Deeply in love, Christophe and Joy Lammenais built Chateau Lammenais into a small but renowned Napa Valley winery and an idyllic home where they raised their beloved daughter, Camille, who takes on increasing responsibilities for the estate they all treasure. But after Joy's early death from breast cancer just after Camille's graduation from Stanford, a lonely Christophe soon falls prey to the machinations of a sophisticate from his native France - who moves, with her two reprobate sons, to consolidate her power over Camille and the property when Christophe is killed in a plane crash. With a French "fairy godmother" on the scene, however, the son of a neighboring vintner to assist, and a grand Harvest Ball on the horizon, lovely Camille may make some potent magic of her own.... Members Reviews: There is a story in the telling I abhorred the person telling this story. He had no umph and was way too slow. I even timed it to 2, but that did not help at all. Beginning good THEN DISAPPOINTMENT I have been a Danielle Steel fan for most of my life. The Ring is my favorite book thus far that she has written. Why? She did the book justice, she did the research and gave the book tons of attention and time. Over the last several (10+) years it just seems to me that she is just meeting her contract obligations. Some of her books seem to have interesting concepts, probably based off of people she has met and experiences she has had, but the problem seems to be that the first half of the book seems to be given detail and attention and the second half seems to be rushed in a effort of wrap up the book. It's as if she gets to a certain point and then hits some magical number or chapter and feels she has reached her "mark" and then tries to tie all the ends up quickly. I just feel robbed so much of the time lately. (Spoiler alert) I wanted more detail when the husband died. I kept thinking he was going to show back up at some point. I wanted more incidents of abuse and cruelness from the step-monsters, I have more instances than those in my own life. I wanted more history with Phillip, it was alluded to but not explored enough. I wanted more deviousness from the former vineyard manager, he was such a good character. .As readers we needed more satisfaction when the step-monsters finally got their just rewards and we didn't get that satisfaction. They were just hauled off by the police. I wanted more bonding with the grandmother after all was said and done. I wanted Sam to be more involved after the private detectives gave them their report, maybe leading step-mommy on a bit of a wild goose chase. I wanted to see a little more at the ending, possibly past the wedding with Phillip. I've given several examples, but honestly if I had any connections in the publishing world I would try to publish, maybe I will try anyway. I shouldn't complain without putting something out there that I would love to read myself. Again, I love DS. I just always want more from her. Boring Story Sorry but this book was boring, it took me forever to finish it. The storyline wasn't very good. The reader was nice to listen to, the story wasn't. Very nice story This was a lovely fairytale.

The Identicals Audiobook by Elin Hilderbrand

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Elin Hilderbrand) — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 01:34:50 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Identicals Subtitle: A Novel Author: Elin Hilderbrand Narrator: Erin Bennett Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 52 mins Language: English Release date: 06-13-17 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1470 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Identical twin sisters who couldn't look more alike...or live more differently. Harper Frost is laid back, easygoing. She doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. She likes a beer and a shot and wouldn't be caught dead wearing anything fashionable. She's inherited her father's run-down house on Martha's Vineyard, but she can't hold down a job, and her latest romantic disaster has the entire island talking. Two beautiful islands only 11 miles apart. Tabitha Frost is dignified, refined. She prefers a fine wine and has inherited the impeccable taste of her mother, the iconic fashion designer Eleanor Roxie-Frost. She's also inherited her mother's questionable parenting skills - Tabitha's teenage daughter, Ainsley, is in full rebellion mode - and a flailing fashion boutique on Nantucket in desperate need of a cash infusion. One unforgettable summer that will change their lives forever. After more than a decade apart, Harper and Tabitha switch islands - and lives - to save what's left of their splintered family. But the twins quickly discover that the secrets, lies, and gossip they thought they'd outrun can travel between islands just as easily as they can. Will Harper and Tabitha be able to bury the hatchet and end their sibling rivalry once and for all? Before the last beach picnic of the season, there will be enough old resentments, new loves, and cases of mistaken identity to make this the most talked about summer that Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket have experienced in ages. Members Reviews: I love this author I loved the book and this author but I have to agree with some of the other comments. When listening to a book ,the "he said, she said" dialogue is monotonous. I've noticed it on every book I've listened to. I would think the author's editor would have fixed this problem by now. There are a lot of words in the English language to replace "said"! Still I never miss any of her books and they never disappoint. I love her description of food and , of course, Nantucket. It makes me want to live there! No longer a fan... and Huskies definitely do shed! I think I have read or listened to every Elin Hilderbrand novel in existence, and use to be a big fan, but this one is SO awful that I only made it half way through, and just couldn't finish. The story is whiny and very immature , as if it were written by a new writer, and the characters are completely unlikable. At times, the book reminded me of a very long commercial, name dropping brands as often as possible. The little voice in my head kept screaming "who cares??" And last but not least, the dog... a Siberian Husky who doesn't shed. I assure you there is no such thing. For someone who seems to know so much about the Nantucket/ Martha's Vineyard part of the country, and way too much about all the pricey items she calls out by name, the author should definitely have done better research on the dog breed she chose for this story. Overall, and epic E.H. FAIL in my opinion. What happened to the author of Beautiful Day?? Great Beach read. This was a fun read, lots of back and forth between the characters. I do wish Ms. Hildebrand hadn't made the grandmother seem so feeble.

Nineteen Minutes Audiobook by Jodi Picoult

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jodi Picoult) — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 12:14:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Nineteen Minutes Subtitle: A Novel Author: Jodi Picoult Narrator: Carol Monda Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 3 mins Language: English Release date: 03-29-16 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1233 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The best-selling author of My Sister's Keeper and The Tenth Circle, Jodi Picoult pens her most riveting book yet, with a startling and poignant story about the devastating aftermath of a small-town tragedy. Sterling is an ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens - until the day its complacency is shattered by an act of violence. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, should be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened before her very own eyes - or can she? As the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families. Members Reviews: Amazing Any additional comments? This is my favorite book of hers so far. The way the story was written in unbelievable. I love how she wrote in all the views of the people involved in the school shooting. I was so amazed by the twist that came later on towards the end. This is defiantly a good book for all families to read, as it covers a lot of important topics. Could be better narrated the story line got me hooked from the very start. i love how the book starts by building this character of a boy that ends up the way e did. However, my favorite part was the trail! the only thing i didnt enjoy was the narration. it was kind monotonic and i found myself a bit bored with her sometimes. I wish it was more interactive with the intensity of the story. overall, i would recommend it Loved it Sad, but good story. I love how Jodi takes real controversial issues and educates us on both sides of the issue....All while entertaining us! Expertly crafted Picoult does not disappoint as far as how she develops conflict and provokes thought. The characters, however, are not my favorites of hers. It is a matter of preference, but there isn't a single character I could relate to or fully empathize with, which is rare for me. Juvenile perspective I like Jodi Picoult's writing, but this book seemed like a "young reader's" story of high school cruelties and first love. I thought some of the characters were one dimensional and found myself thinking "yea, yea, I get it." Will try more of her books, but didn't care for this one and did not finish.

The Light Between Oceans Audiobook by M. L. Stedman

biacuaduc@gmail.com (M. L. Stedman) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 08:22:36 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Light Between Oceans Subtitle: A Novel Author: M. L. Stedman Narrator: Noah Taylor Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins Language: English Release date: 08-31-12 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7061 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A captivating, beautiful, and stunningly accomplished debut novel - the story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who make one devastating choice that forever changes two worlds. In 1918, after four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia to take a job as the lighthouse keeper on remote Janus Rock. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes only four times a year and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Three years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel is tending the grave of her newly lost infant when she hears a babys cries on the wind. A boat has washed up on shore carrying a dead man and a living baby. Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the dead man and the infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Toms judgment, they claim the child as their own and name her Lucy, but a rift begins to grow between them. When Lucy is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the worldand one of them is desperate to find her lost baby. M.L. Stedmans extraordinarily compelling characters, still trying to make sense of life in the wake of so much death in the war, are imperfect people seeking to find their north star in a world of incomprehensible complexity. Critic Reviews: M.L. Stedmans The Light Between Oceans is a beautiful novel about isolation and courage in the face of enormous loss. It gets into your heart stealthily, until you stop hoping the characters will make different choices and find you can only watch, transfixed, as every conceivable choice becomes an impossible one. I couldnt look away from the page and then I couldnt see it, through tears. Its a stunning debut. (Maile Meloy, author of Both Ways Is the Only Way I Want It) Members Reviews: Wonderful story.....terrible narrator. Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? Loved, loved the story. What was one of the most memorable moments of The Light Between Oceans? The decision........ What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike? The reader spoke too loudly at the beginning of each sentence and ended in a whisper. I could never get my sound adjusted to listen to the book. It absolutely drove me crazy! If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be? Torn....... Any additional comments? Remake with a different narrator. A Touching Story told and read with great insight. What made the experience of listening to The Light Between Oceans the most enjoyable? A great read. I highly recommend. Who was your favorite character and why? Tom was my favorite character. His perseverance and overall sense of personal responsibility is remarkable. He is the kind of person that I have always strived to be. He makes very difficult choices because of his morality,and tries to protect those around him. Most people like to believe that they are like Tom, but few are able to make the tough choices. The author writes his characters carefully, but does not reveal information until needed. What does Noah Taylor bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book? The story is set in Australia and is read by an Australian.

Sourdough Audiobook by Robin Sloan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Robin Sloan) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 16:15:14 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Sourdough Subtitle: A Novel Author: Robin Sloan Narrator: Therese Plummer Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 47 mins Language: English Release date: 09-05-17 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 803 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In his much-anticipated new audiobook, Robin Sloan does for the world of food what he did for the world of books in Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Lois Clary is a software engineer at General Dexterity, a San Francisco robotics company with world-changing ambitions. She codes all day and collapses at night, her human contact limited to the two brothers who run the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall from which she orders dinner every evening. Then, disaster! Visa issues. The brothers close up shop, and fast. But they have one last delivery for Lois: their culture, the sourdough starter used to bake their bread. She must keep it alive, they tell her - feed it daily, play it music, and learn to bake with it. Lois is no baker, but she could use a roommate, even if it is a needy colony of microorganisms. Soon, not only is she eating her own homemade bread, she's providing loaves daily to the General Dexterity cafeteria. The company chef urges her to take her product to the farmer's market, and a whole new world opens up. When Lois comes before the jury that decides who sells what at Bay Area markets, she encounters a close-knit club with no appetite for new members. But then an alternative emerges: a secret market that aims to fuse food and technology. But who are these people, exactly? Leavened by the same infectious intelligence that made Robin Sloan's Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore such a sensation, while taking on even more satisfying challenges, Sourdough marks the triumphant return of a unique and beloved young author. Includes bonus material that provides an audiobook-only glimpse at the evolving relationship between Lois and Slurry, the company upon whose dystopian meal replacements she and her engineer friends all subsist. Critic Reviews: "Therese Plummer, veteran narrator of more than 300 audiobooks, brings a delightfully loopy creativity to the delightfully loopy novel...." ( Chicago Tribune) "Robin Sloan's second novel is an entertaining concoction of probiotic and high-tech ingredients...This is a funny, effervescent book told in the first person and given full range by Therese Plummer, whose youthful voice captures the matter-of-fact nature of Lois's unjaded, scientific temperament and the dizzying ups and downs of her spirits." ( The Washington Post) Members Reviews: Read the print version if you are from SF Bay Area The story is generally OK although I kept waiting for something important to happen which never did. The performer mispronounces several SF Bay Area place names (CaBRILLo for CaBREEyo and AlaMAYda for AlaMEEda) which took me right out of the story every time. A New Robin Sloan Book? Yes!! Delighted to find a new Robin Sloan book out. 4 years seemed a long time to go without his particular brand of adventurous discovery into worlds I could never imagine on my own. The pace and timing of each new discovery keeps you going and eagerly imbibing the sumptuous fare his books provide. As the audio book was downloading I wondered how the brief story the cover artwork told would unfold into one of Sloan's rich and rewarding novels.I did not read the summary past the first paragraph, as I wanted the story to unfold on it's own, nor was I put off by the fact that I don't like sourdough bread in the least.

The Casual Vacancy Audiobook by J.K. Rowling

biacuaduc@gmail.com (J.K. Rowling) — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:27:40 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Casual Vacancy Author: J.K. Rowling Narrator: Tom Hollander Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins Language: English Release date: 09-27-12 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 5165 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early 40s, the little town of Pagford is left in shock. Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war. Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils.... Pagford is not what it at first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town's council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity, and unexpected revelations? Blackly comic, thought-provoking, and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling's first novel for adults. Members Reviews: I was surprised by how much I liked it I read Rowling's other non-Potter book (the one she wrote under a pseudonym) and found it entertaining but mediocre. I expected the same reaction to this one and had therefore put off listening to it. When I did, I was totally surprised by how much I liked it. So much so that I laid in bed until well past two in the morning listening to the end (something I rarely do)--ergo the five stars even though this is not 'high' literature. The Casual Vacancy is a story about the dark hidden lives of the inhabitants of a small country town. (Yes, not a very original theme but so very well done by Rowling.) The characters are dark, Very dark. Sometimes their meanness astounds you. In fact, they are all mean, except in varying degrees -- the only 'solid' good guy appears to be the character who dies in the first few pages of the book, leaving "the casual vacancy" in the town's council. (Had he lived, no doubt we would have found he had his secrets as well. Nobody is blameless here.) The things that happen as a result of the characters inner flaws and demons are catastrophic, but easy to believe. In fact, Rowling makes them seem inevitable. A train without brakes going downhill. I hope she writes more novels like this. And I hope Tom Hollander reads them. I will be sure to listen. Pagford upon Avon Or perhaps a better title for my review would be: You dont have S3X near unicorns. In some ways this novel seems like a more middleweight 21st century counterpoint to Martin Amis' novel 'Money'. J.K. Rowling's new "adult" novel could just as easily been titled 'Poverty' or 'Mortality' (sorry J.K., but Hitch beat you to that title), both of which are themes that play throughout this novel. It is weird for me, as a reader of all her juvenile fiction, to think of her in the same way with 'Casual Vacancy'. It appears it is hard for J.K. too. Rowling clearly is strongly connected to young adults, because the best parts of 'The Casual Vacancy' orbit the novel's younger characters. In 'Casual Vacancy', Rowling falls back into writing about factions and tribalism in communities. Instead of a sorting hat, Pagford's tribes are sorted by money, by politics, by class, and in the case of those around Barry Fairweather -- by luck. It really seems like you can't write about England's poverty or class struggles without a little bit of dark humor and tragicomedy. But, there is a real danger in writing a novel your loyal readers might not be ready for. We are creatures of habit and expectation.

Greyhound Audiobook by Steffan Piper

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Steffan Piper) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 01:26:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Greyhound Author: Steffan Piper Narrator: Nick Podehl Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 1 min Language: English Release date: 12-10-12 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1992 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Sebastien Raness single mom and her feckless boyfriend cant be bothered to take care of a stuttering 12-year-old. Banished to live with his grandmother on the far side of the country, the boy can barely understand a bus schedule when he gets dumped at the Greyhound station in Stockton, California. Given $35 and a one-way ticket to Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sebastien must cross the country - alone, without a clue how to fend for himself. Filled with youthful anger and naïveté, Sebastien heads out into the "Morning in America" of Ronald Reagans 1980s, encountering temperamental bus drivers, charming, shifty, and downright dangerous strangers, the music of Daryl Hall and John Oates, and an ex-con named Marcus, who takes the boy under his wing. In an unforgettable trek that evokes Oliver Twist and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the unlikely pair lurch from one misadventure to another, tumbling toward an elusive understanding of where and how, in a troubling world, to look for light. Members Reviews: Warm Story of Fragility and Friendship That "Greyhound" is based on a true story is both tragic and wonderful. Cold and fragile, young Sebastien is a lonely boy shunted off to live with his grandparents. And apparently it's not the first time his unloving mother (and absent father) have tossed him aside. Through his journey and his friendship with the ex-con but also grieving Marcus, he learns about life, he learns about how to live with the hand that was dealt him, he learns what it is to be a man. This is a great little book, filled with spicy tacos in Albuquerque, a man who defecates on himself in Phoenix (oh, the joys of bus riding...!), hijackings, and Hall and Oates. Plus, no spoilers but, there's an action taken, a choice made, and possible consequences that add suspense to the latter half of the book. Mostly it's the wisdom of the warmhearted Marcus to the note-taking Sebastien. I see no similarities really to "Huckleberry Finn" and the like, but it's a sweet tale and Nick Podehl, who sometimes falters when he does nonfiction, narrates this really, really well, capturing everyone from Sebastien and Marcus, to a grouchy waitress, to the loudspeaker at the bus station. Sometimes you just need a nice, good book about broken people reaching out, reaching within. "Greyhound" is it... perfect narration for an almost perfect story As I began listening to this story, I had an instant kinship to Sebastian Raines, an almost 12 year old boy abandoned by his mother at a Greyhound station in California. And so begins a heartwarming road trip across America with a sweet young boy entirely dependent on the kindness of strangers. Narrator, Nick Podehl, perfectly captures the voices of the never-ending array of strangers Sebastian encounters drivers, waitresses, convicts and pedophiles. He does them so well that I had to check that this was not a dramatized book with numerous narrators. I wanted to much to LOVE this story. But in the end, I only ever liked it. Author, Steffan Piper, almost gets you there, and you, the reader believe you are on your way to something like a modern-day Huckleberry-Finn. But he never fully delivers. The story is at its best when the author shares vignettes with varying strangers. But as the story wore on, and the strangers all disembark, and the story transitions toSebastian`s back story. This is where the author lost me.

Fight Club Audiobook by Chuck Palahniuk

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Chuck Palahniuk) — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:53:15 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Fight Club Author: Chuck Palahniuk Narrator: Jim Colby Format: Unabridged Length: 5 hrs and 34 mins Language: English Release date: 08-21-08 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5116 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: When a listless office employee (the narrator) meets Tyler Durden, his life begins to take on a strange new dimension. Together they form Fight Club - a secretive underground group sponsoring bloody bare-knuckle boxing matches staged in seedy alleys, vacant warehouses, and dive-bar basements. Fight Club lets ordinary men vent their suppressed rage, and it quickly develops a fanatical following. Before long it takes on all the trappings of a quasi-religious cult, replete with a devastating ideological mission to accomplish. A masterpiece of raw violence and black humor, this exciting novel challenges listeners to see the world through a new - and quite possibly deranged - set of eyes. Acclaimed narrator Jim Colby brings out the dark satire in this tale of modern alienation. Members Reviews: Left Field Ain't seen the movie, but I want to now. CP's writing comes right out of left field. You never know what he is going to say next. In parts it was like watching that cult classic Warriors. I just wanted to go get in a fight. As a 52 year old man who watched movies and TV as a kid and believed as I was told that I would accomplish my dreams in the corporate world, if I only worked hard, this story really hit home. You might think CP is just going for shock value, but if you listen, you will hear he as a lot to say. You may look at life a little differently. The first rule about Fight Club is... "You buy furniture, you tell yourself, this is the last sofa I will ever need in my life. buy the sofa, then for a couple of years you're satisfied that no matter what goes wrong, at least you've got your sofa issue handled, then the right set of dishes, then the perfect bed. The drapes. The rug. Then you're trapped in your lovely nest, and the things that you used to own, now they own you." "You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are the same decaying organic matter as everyone else, and we are all a part of the same compost pile." "The first rule about fight club is you don't talk about fight club. The second rule about fight club is you don't talk about fight club." Our narrator hasn't slept in weeks. He hates his job, and feels trapped by his possessions after years of religiously studying the IKEA catalogue. Then he meets Tyler Durden and his life is transformed. Tyler doesn't believe in society. In fact, he has plans to destroy society. First by getting men to conquer their fears, then by raising an army of followers who are trained never to ask questions. A fascinating look at what can lurk between the cracks of a man's well-ordered life. Whether it's a paean to, or a criticism of nihilism is left to the reader to decide. Not for the faint of heart; it's a very bleak story but the catharsis sought by the Fight Club members can also infect the reader, as it did yours truly. Not bad... First of all, I am a little nervous writing this review, because of the first rule of Fight Club, but I will proceed nonetheless. Having seen the movie prior to reading this book, I admit that I came into this a little jaded. I loved the movie, and had made up my mind that the book would be the same, with the same emotion and focus, as the movie. It is not. The book focuses more on the internal struggles of the lead character, and MUCH less on the fighting and external storyline.

Spilled Milk Audiobook by K. L. Randis

biacuaduc@gmail.com (K. L. Randis) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 17:12:25 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Spilled Milk Subtitle: Based on a True Story Author: K. L. Randis Narrator: K. L. Randis Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 04-04-17 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 563 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Brooke Nolan is a battered child who makes an anonymous phone call about the escalating brutality in her home. When social services jeopardize her safety, condemning her to keep her father's secret, it's a glass of spilled milk at the dinner table that forces her to speak about the cruelty she's been hiding. In her pursuit of safety and justice, Brooke battles a broken system that pushes to keep her father in the home. When jury members and a love interest congregate to inspire her to fight, she risks losing the support of family and comes to the realization that some people simply do not want to be saved. Spilled Milk is a novel of shocking narrative, triumph, and resiliency. Critic Reviews: "Randis later would testify at a criminal trial against her father, who was sentenced to prison for his crimes. He was sentenced to up to 16 years in 2004. Her painful - and ultimately triumphant - story is recounted in Randis' first novel, Spilled Milk." (Stacy Brown, interview with the Pocono Record) " Spilled Milk is a story about resilience. The strength of the human mind and will power to live a better life." ( The Weekly Sparkle) "Beautifully written, hauntingly real, Spilled Milk is a must read for any young adult today." (F. P. Lione) Members Reviews: Wow! I'm so glad I bought more credits to purchase this book as soon as it was released. The story is heartbreaking, captivating, and brave. The narration is excellent. I hope this book helps people to understand why victims remain silent for so long and how much courage it takes to speak out. Being victimized is far more complex than just being hurt and calling the police to "fix" it. Amazing, better than the read . Unbelievable courage in reading your story to the audience. I absolutely cried several times ... I hope the world will listen to your story and it helps many get the help the deserve ! KL Randis you are an inspiring young woman and I wish you nothing but the best Top notch audio book as well as read ! unbelievable story as child abuse and survival I always appreciate a story more when the author reads it. I can't begin to imagine how hard it was for KL to write her own autobiography with so much pain attached to it. It appears as if she has taken that pain and turned it into something good, no, something great! This is a great story for those struggling to share their stories, understand children of domestic and sexual abuse, and to simply know that every child deals with their pain in a different way. If you are a Survivor or someone who works in the field of Social Services or any capacity that helps victims, this is a great read. powerful heartbreaking, I wish the prison time was longer for him!! He doesn't deserve to EVER be free Thank you Brooke What an awesome book for everyone who works with children in the system for any reason. This book will give you insight from so many aspects that you may not have ever heard. Thank you to the author for being so brave and for sharing such intimate details to help those of us who are trying to help others. Our goals need to be preventing these children from growing up to become Earl's and only repeating what they know is the norm.

Moonglow Audiobook by Michael Chabon

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Michael Chabon) — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 09:24:25 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Moonglow Subtitle: A Novel Author: Michael Chabon Narrator: George Newbern Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 46 mins Language: English Release date: 11-22-16 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1036 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Following on the heels of his New York Times best-selling novel Telegraph Avenue, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon delivers another literary masterpiece: a novel of truth and lies, family legends, and existential adventure - and the forces that work to destroy us. In 1989, fresh from the publication of his first novel, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, Michael Chabon traveled to his mother's home in Oakland, California, to visit his terminally ill grandfather. Tongue loosened by powerful painkillers, memory stirred by the imminence of death, Chabon's grandfather shared recollections and told stories the younger man had never heard before, uncovering bits and pieces of a history long buried and forgotten. That dreamlike week of revelations forms the basis of the novel Moonglow, the latest feat of legerdemain in the ongoing magic act that is the art of Michael Chabon. Moonglow unfolds as the deathbed confession, made to his grandson, of a man the narrator refers to only as "my grandfather". It is a tale of madness, of war and adventure, of sex and desire and ordinary love, of existential doubt and model rocketry, of the shining aspirations and demonic underpinnings of American technological accomplishment at midcentury, and, above all, of the destructive impact - and the creative power - of the keeping of secrets and the telling of lies. A gripping, poignant, tragicomic, scrupulously researched, and wholly imaginary transcript of a life that spanned the dark heart of the 20th century, Moonglow is also a tour de force of speculative history in which Chabon attempts to reconstruct the mysterious origins and fate of Chabon Scientific Co., an authentic mail-order novelty company whose ads for scale models of human skeletons, combustion engines, and space rockets were once a fixture in the back pages of Esquire, Popular Mechanics, and Boy's Life. Along the way Chabon devises and reveals, in bits and pieces whose hallucinatory intensity is matched only by their comic vigor and the radiant moonglow of his prose, a secret history of his own imagination. From the Jewish slums of prewar South Philadelphia to the invasion of Germany, from a Florida retirement village to the penal utopia of New York's Wallkill Prison, from the heyday of the space program to the twilight of the American Century, Moonglow collapses an era into a single life and a lifetime into a single week. A lie that tells the truth, a work of fictional nonfiction, an autobiography wrapped in a novel disguised as a memoir, Moonglow is Chabon at his most daring, his most moving, his most Chabonesque. Members Reviews: Wonderful novel, terrible narrator What did you like best about Moonglow? What did you like least? Michael Chabon is Jewish. I'm Jewish. If the narrator is Jewish, you could have fooled me. Ordinarily, that wouldn't be a problem, but when the novel's narrator and subject matter is avowedly Jewish but the audiobook narrator sounds like he's never hung out with Jews or been inside a Jewish place of worship (therefore mispronouncing Hebrew words in a way that even the most occasional of synagogue- or temple-going Jews would experience like fingernails on a blackboard), the performance becomes a distraction. Too bad. The novel is great.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Audiobook by Junot Diaz

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Junot Diaz) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 16:35:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Author: Junot Diaz Narrator: Jonathan Davis, Staci Snell Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 3 mins Language: English Release date: 08-22-07 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4085 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Pulitzer Prize, Fiction, 2008 National Book Critics Circle Award, Fiction, 2008 Things have never been easy for Oscar, a sweet but disastrously overweight, lovesick Dominican ghetto nerd. From his home in New Jersey, where he lives with his old-world mother and rebellious sister, Oscar dreams of becoming the Dominican J. R. R. Tolkien and, most of all, of finding love. But he may never get what he wants, thanks to the Fuku: the curse that has haunted Oscar's family for generations, dooming them to prison, torture, tragic accidents, and, above all, ill-starred love. Oscar, still waiting for his first kiss, is just its most recent victim. Diaz immerses us in the tumultuous life of Oscar and the history of the family at large, rendering with genuine warmth and dazzling energy, humor, and insight the Dominican-American experience and, ultimately, the endless human capacity to persevere in the face of heartbreak and loss. A true literary triumph, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao confirms Junot Diaz as one of the best and most exciting voices of our time. Also includes the bestselling short story collection Drown. Critic Reviews: "[A] wondrous, not-so-brief first novel that is so original it can only be described as Mario Vargas Llosa meets Star Trek meets David Foster Wallace meets Kanye West. [W]ondrous [and] original. [This work] decisively establishes him as one of contemporary fictions most distinctive and irresistible new voices." (Michiko Kakutani, New York Times) "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is panoramic and yet achingly personal. Its Dominican and American, not about immigration but diaspora, in which one familys dramas are entwined with a nations, not about history as information but as dark-force destroyer." (Susan Straight, Los Angeles Times) "[A] book whose imaginative energy, linguistic volatility, historical passion and all-around love of life (and its characters) make it one of the best first novels of the past few decades. A profane and sacred, playful and serious, light and dark, filthy-throated and bittersweet treatise on life as we need to know it." (Alan Cheuse, Dallas Morning News) Members Reviews: Wondrous Book!!! The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (TBWLoOW) deserves every star that I can give it and its narrator. This is not a book I would have selected to read on my own. Had it not been a monthly selection of my local book club, I would have missed it and what a loss it would have been. This is a book about a weird (just happens to be Dominican) kid growing up in Patterson, New Jersey. Coming from that part of the world myself, I can relate that much but not That much... Im not Dominican and thats a whole lot of what this book is about. TBWLoOW explores growing up in that part of the world and also the life of family members in the Dominican Republic under a brutal dictatorship. This book is about so many things. Its about what it often means to be a nerd... to being a male virgin, to growing up in the New World in a family with Old World values. One might say the books about the Fuku, the superstition or curse of an insane, cruel dictator but thats really only the thread that pulls all the fabric of this wonderful story together. TBWLoOW contains many stories that are all beautifully woven into one incredibly well-crafted book. The passion and the authenticity of the author comes across in every page.

Everything Here Is Beautiful Audiobook by Mira T. Lee

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Mira T. Lee) — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 02:44:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Everything Here Is Beautiful Author: Mira T. Lee Narrator: Cassandra Campbell, full cast Format: Unabridged Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins Language: English Release date: 01-16-18 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: "A tender but unflinching portrayal of the bond between two sisters." Celeste Ng, New York Times best-selling author of Little Fires Everywhere and Everything I Never Told You A dazzling novel of two sisters and their emotional journey through love, loyalty, and heartbreak Two sisters - Miranda, the older, responsible one, always her younger sister's protector; Lucia, the headstrong, unpredictable one, whose impulses are huge and, often, life changing. When their mother dies and Lucia starts hearing voices, it is Miranda who must find a way to reach her sister. But Lucia impetuously plows ahead, marrying a bighearted, older man only to leave him, suddenly, to have a baby with a young Latino immigrant. She moves her new family from the States to Ecuador and back again, but the bitter constant is that she is, in fact, mentally ill. Lucia lives life on a grand scale, until, inevitably, she crashes to earth. Miranda leaves her own self-contained life in Switzerland to rescue her sister again - but only Lucia can decide whether she wants to be saved. The bonds of sisterly devotion stretch across oceans - but what does it take to break them? Told in alternating points of view, Everything Here Is Beautiful is, at its heart, the story of a young woman's quest to find fulfillment and a life unconstrained by her illness. But it's also an unforgettable, gut-wrenching story of the sacrifices we make to truly love someone - and when loyalty to one's self must prevail over all. Members Reviews: Beautifully Transforming This novel does Not disappoint. It was hard to put down; there was never a dull moment. This book is so much more than the bonds that tie between sisters. It is about families, immigration, mental illness, loyalties, love, forgiveness, and caregiving. The sisterly bond that Miranda and Lucia share as sisters also resonated with me as a parent caring for my own child suffering from Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Miranda was the older sister, who took on the mothering role of her little sister, Lucia, when she was born. These ordinary characters living ordinary lives were so extraordinarily developed, believable, and real. I was consumed by and bathed in all the myriad of deep emotions that the characters embodied and provoked in me; love, joy, nurturing, fear, acceptance, courage, excitement, disbelief, empathy, disappointment, anger, pain, forgiveness, denial, sadness, hope, isolation, understanding, grief...the list goes on. Each of the characters selflessly give precious gifts of lessons in humanity; that subtly transformed my being forever. Beautiful, powerful story of unconditional sisterly love Heartwrenching, beautiful, simply amazing! I felt deeply for and loved every complex and flawed character. Especially meaningful for those with sisterly bonds and those whom have dealt with mental illness in the family. I'll be recovering from a 'book coma' while singing this book's praises for a long while. This unique gem tops my favorite-of-favorites of all time. Could not put it down; a must read for anyone remotely interested in mental illness... Beautiful, just beautiful... And heartbraking. This story really describes very, very accurately what a severe mental illness means for the individual but also everyone around them, and all the questions we still don't have answers to.

Middlesex Audiobook by Jeffrey Eugenides

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jeffrey Eugenides) — Fri, 25 Apr 2003 03:17:43 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Middlesex Author: Jeffrey Eugenides Narrator: Kristoffer Tabori Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 26 mins Language: English Release date: 04-25-03 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8511 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Pulitzer Prize, Fiction, 2003 The explanation for this shocking state of affairs is a rare genetic mutation - and a guilty secret - that have followed Callie's grandparents from the crumbling Ottoman Empire to Prohibition-era Detroit and beyond, outlasting the glory days of the Motor City, the race riots of 1967, and the family's second migration, into the foreign country known as suburbia. Thanks to the gene, Callie is part girl, part boy. And even though the gene's epic travels have ended, her own odyssey has only begun. Spanning eight decades - and one unusually awkward adolescence - Jeffrey Eugenides' long-awaited second novel is a grand, original fable of crossed bloodlines, the intricacies of gender, and the deep, untidy promptings of desire. Critic Reviews: " "Impressive [and] wonderfully engaging." (The New York Times) "Eugenides proves that he is not only a unique voice in modern literature but also well versed in the nature of the human heart. Highly recommended." (Library Journal ) "A towering achievement...a story that manages to be both illuminating and transcendent...[Eugenides] has emerged as the great American writer many of us suspected him of being." (Los Angeles Times Book Review) "Not only are his interpretations of the characters astonishingly credible, but his internalization of the narrative is nothing short of amazing." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Not exactly what I expected I thought this book was going to be about a hermaphrodite. Although it was, the story involving Calliope Stephanides the main character in the book does not really come into play till approximately the last quarter of the book. Instead, the book is a saga, starting back from Cal's grandparents and their journey out of Europe and to the US where Cal's parents come into play and finally Cal and his brother become part of the book. The journey is a fascinating one and quite enjoyable. The narrator Kristoffer Tabori did a marvelous job reading and acting out this novel. It was long, but a good story, a difficult subject that was handled well. Worth Waiting It Out I began listening to the book and about 15 minutes into it I was kicking myself for downloading a bummer of a book. I thought I had erased it from my reader, but discovered it was still there one day when another book I'd been listening to was over. I was out and about and had nothing else to do so I listened to this one.... and another 30 minutes later I found it starting to grow on me. That means it took nearly 45 minutes to get into this book, but once I did, I never looked back. I listened to the rest over the next couple of days, not wanting to take off the headphones unless I had to. If you'd have asked me during the first 30 minutes, I'd have given you a rating of 2. AS it is I give it a rating of 4 and was glad I waited it out. Anything but middle. I thouroughly enjoyed this novel both for it's content and narrator. I was packing to move, and once I got well enough into it, I lay on the couch for hours listening. Packing my apartment was delayed for three days. Eugenides' painstaking detail and insight unravel one human experience. It seemed as though I were listening to an autobiography. Tabori brought each character alive with distiction.

Más allá del invierno [In the Midst of Winter] Audio Libro por Isabel Allende

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Isabel Allende) — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:56:03 GMT

Escuche este audio libro completo gratis en https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> Título: Más allá del invierno [In the Midst of Winter] Autor: Isabel Allende Narrador: Camila Valenzuela Formato: Unabridged Duración: 9 hrs and 36 mins Idioma: Español Fecha de publicación: 06-01-17 Editor: Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 229 votos Categorías: Fiction, Contemporary Resumen del editor: La esperada nueva novela de Isabel Allende. Isabel Allende parte de la célebre cita de Albert Camus -"en medio del invierno aprendí por fin que había en mí un verano invencible"- para urdir una trama que presenta la geografía humana de unos personajes propios de la América de hoy que se hallan "en el más profundo invierno de sus vidas": una chilena, una joven guatemalteca ilegal y un maduro norteamericano. Los tres sobreviven a un terrible temporal de nieve que cae en pleno invierno sobre Nueva York y acaban aprendiendo que más allá del invierno hay sitio para el amor inesperado y para el verano invencible que siempre ofrece la vida cuando menos se espera. Más allá del invierno es una de las historias más personales de Isabel Allende: una obra absolutamente actual que aborda la realidad de la emigración y la identidad de la América de hoy a través de unos personajes que encuentran la esperanza en el amor y en las segundas oportunidades. Please note: This audiobook is in Spanish. Opiniones de los miembros: loved it! Another great story by Isabel Allende. The narrator was great and kept my interest throughout. Genia! Isabel nunca me defrauda con sus historias, es una genial! Mi primer libro lo leí en un invierno Santiaguino y desde ahí estoy enamorada de su lírica. Muy interesane! 'Mas alla del invierno' es un libro bien narrado, con una historia que combina diferentes personages que comparten un secreto. Temas sobre immigrantes, cultura latinoamericana, y violencia que sufren famlias en diferentes paises son entre otros temas bien descritos por la autora. JJ excelente se ha convertido en uno de mis libros favoritos . Lo amé ! :3 . muy entretenido! El estilo de narrar sus historias esta mujer maravillosa, me Encanta. Mujer inteligente y sensata. Me acerca a Chile en mi lejanía. Gracias mi querida Isabel xoxoxo

To Be Where You Are Audiobook by Jan Karon

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jan Karon) — Tue, 19 Sep 2017 07:48:00 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: To Be Where You Are Author: Jan Karon Narrator: John McDonough Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 48 mins Language: English Release date: 09-19-17 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 474 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Number one New York Times best-selling author Jan Karon returns with the 14th novel in the beloved Mitford series, featuring three generations of Kavanaghs. After 12 years of wrestling with the conflicts of retirement, Father Tim Kavanagh realizes he doesn't need a steady job to prove himself. Then he's given one. As for what it proves, heaven only knows. Millions of Karon fans will be thrilled that it's life as usual in the wildly popular Mitford series: A beloved town character lands a front-page obituary, but who was it, exactly, who died? And what about the former mayor, born the year Lindbergh landed in Paris, who's still running for office? All this, of course, is but a feather on the wind compared to Muse editor J. C. Hogan's desperate attempts to find a cure for his marital woes. Will it be high-def TV or his pork chop marinade? In fiction, as in real life, there are no guarantees. Twenty minutes from Mitford at Meadowgate Farm, newlyweds Dooley and Lace Kavanagh face a crisis that devastates their bank account and impacts their family vet practice. But there is still a lot to celebrate, as their adopted son, Jack, looks forward to the most important day of his life - with great cooking, country music, and lots of people who love him. Happily, it will also be a day when the terrible wound in Dooley's biological family begins to heal because of a game - let's just call it a miracle - that breaks all the rules. In To Be Where You Are, Jan Karon weaves together the richly comic and compelling lives of two Kavanagh families and a cast of characters that listeners around the world now love like kin. Members Reviews: Only For The Strong And Persistent I had such high expectations for this title and I stuck with almost 18 hours of listening doggedly hoping it would perk up. No such luck. This book floats over Mitford randomly dropping in on characters from past books. Sometimes it's just to tick the box on certain people and other times it is for a longer look at how they have fared with time. For the most part this final entry in the series is for diehard Mitford fans that are feeling really hopeful and strong. Overall I thought it all felt unrealistic and dare I say it--even a bit depressed? I wish I had given this a pass. Disappointing. Returned book....narration and story not u to par I loved this series and could not wait to listen to this book....but the narration was very stilted......made the story sound like someone was reading.g a need promoter...I'm not sure if the narration ruined everything or if the writing also lacked life...I freely admit I did not finish the book and maybe it gets better....but I so loved this series and after 30 or 40 minutes of listening I turned it off and returned the book got a refund Great Book! I love her books! very inspirational with some funny too! Ive listened to all her books and never been disappointed! Can't stay awake This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more? I love Mitford and Father Tim. I love John McDonough. But with each book this series becomes more and more labored and boring. Karon has lost focus with all the odd monologues from secondary characters who do nothing to further the story. Dooley and Lace are sweet, but thoroughly boring. Little Jack is a saving grace...but their story is muddled with interjections from Mitford that don't fit in.

And One Last Thing... Audiobook by Molly Harper

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Molly Harper) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:34:31 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: And One Last Thing... Author: Molly Harper Narrator: Amanda Ronconi Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins Language: English Release date: 10-27-10 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5403 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Lacey Terwilliger's shock and humiliation over her husband's philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike's company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of "administrative support" his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike's family, friends, and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say "instant urban legend", Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike's defamation lawsuit. Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreats to her family's lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying. Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one... last... thing? Critic Reviews: "Harper brings her trademark humor and biting social comedy to this hilarious tale of heartbreak and romance, a novel that should be on the summer reading list of every woman who has been wronged." (Booklist) Members Reviews: For me this was such a HOOT!!! Molly Harper is the absolute QUEEN of hilarious snark!!!! Her whit is one I can totally relate too and I LOVE the narrator, Amanda Ronconi does a PERFECT interpretation of Ms. Harper's whit. In my humble opinion, there is not a better reader for Ms. Harper's books. Ms. Ronconi has her sense of humor down to a tee. This is a funny and enjoyable story about a very serious subject, DIVORCE. This is a story where the main character, Lacey ends up putting her foot (feet) in her mouth right up to her fingers, leaving only enough space to put said fingers to good use announcing her husbands affair and their pending divorce, to her husbands family, friends and his clients, when she puts her writing skills to use writing in the Accounting firms monthly newsletter (that her husband, Mike had put her in charge of ) as her platform for the big announcement. Still snarky, but not all fun and games for Lacey who is forced to grow up and face some of the biggest decisions of her life. I love the character growth and the "there is LIFE after divorce" message that I got out of this book. I am a big fan of all 4 (so far and hoping for more) books that Ms. Harper has written. Give her a listen and if this type of book is not your "cup of tea", try her Paranormal Vamp/Werewolf stories from her previous books, "Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs", "Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men" and "Nice Girls Don't Live Forever". If nothing else.....give the sample a listen.......I was HOOKED after the first snippet!!!! BRAVO again Ms. Harper. I am and will remain a big fan of you snarky sense of humor!!!! Great Book! This book is everything you could possibly want in a romantic, light audio book. I really enjoyed it and was sorry to see it end.

American Psycho Audiobook by Bret Easton Ellis

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Bret Easton Ellis) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:01:06 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: American Psycho Author: Bret Easton Ellis Narrator: Pablo Schreiber Format: Unabridged Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins Language: English Release date: 08-11-09 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2123 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis imaginatively explores the incomprehensible depths of madness and captures the insanity of violence in our time or any other. Patrick Bateman moves among the young and trendy in 1980s Manhattan. Young, handsome, and well educated, Bateman earns his fortune on Wall Street by day while spending his nights in ways we cannot begin to fathom. Expressing his true self through torture and murder, Bateman prefigures an apocalyptic horror that no society could bear to confront. As an added bonus, when you purchase our Audible Modern Vanguard production of Bret Easton Ellis' book, you'll also get an exclusive Jim Atlas interview that begins when the audiobook ends. Critic Reviews: "Bret Easton Ellis is a very, very good writer [and] American Psycho is a beautifully controlled, careful, important novel....The novelist's function is to keep a running tag on the progress of the culture; and he's done it brilliantly....A seminal book." (The Washington Post) "The first novel to come along in years that takes on deep and Dostoyevskian themes....[Ellis] is showing older authors where the hands have come to on the clock....He has forced us to look at intolerable material, and so few novelists try for that anymore." (Vanity Fair) "A masterful satire and a ferocious, hilarious, ambitious, inspiring piece of writing, which has large elements of Jane Austen at her vitriolic best. An important book." (Katherine Dunn) Members Reviews: Intense. Odd. Don't expect it to be like the movie What did you like best about American Psycho? What did you like least? I think it would almost be sick to say what I like best about American Psycho because its sooooo deranged. This is one of those novels where you question the sanity of the author because it's just that twisted. So I guess what I like "best" is the authors ability to completely step outside of himself (hopefully) and bring to life a homicidal sociopath like Patrick Bateman. I tend to agree with most of the other reviewers when they say that the descriptions of what everyone is wearing gets to be a little much. There gets to be a point where it's almost laughable. But at the same time, I get the need for it. It's so Patrick. Who was your favorite character and why? I mean, how could you not choose Patrick. Even though there are many characters, Patrick is really the only character. Which character as performed by Pablo Schreiber was your favorite? I thought the narration was some of the best I've ever heard. I've listened to a bunch of books but Pablo's take on Patrick was on point. Was American Psycho worth the listening time? There were points that I didn't know if I could finish it mostly because it's slightly repetitive. Dinners, AMEX, labels, cocktails, etc. Any additional comments? If you're a fan of the movie don't expect too many similarities. Where the movie and novel share the same title. Easton's Bateman is so much more crude, violent, foul mouthed then depicted in the movie. The movie only scratches the surface of the characters, the murder, the gore, the language.

Some Women Audiobook by Emily Liebert

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Emily Liebert) — Tue, 30 May 2017 10:57:56 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Some Women Author: Emily Liebert Narrator: Andi Arndt Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 05-30-17 Publisher: Ideal Audiobooks Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 20 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Annabel Ford has everything under control, devoting her time to her twin boys and keeping her household running smoothly. But when her husband of a decade announces that he's leaving, she's blindsided. And suddenly her world begins to unravel. Piper Whitley has always done her best to balance it all - raising her daughter, Fern, by herself while advancing her career as a crime reporter. Only now that she's finally met the man of her dreams, Fern's absentee father shows up, throwing everything into a tailspin. Married to the heir of a thriving media conglomerate, Mackenzie Mead has many reasons to count her blessings. But with an imperious mother-in-law - who's also her boss - and a husband with whom she can no longer seem to connect, something has to give. On the surface these three women may not have much in common, but just when they each need someone to lean on, their lives are thrust together, forming unlikely friendships that help each woman navigate her new reality. Critic Reviews: "Fans of Jane Green and Jennifer Weiner will appreciate the realistic concerns of Liebert's heroines." (Booklist) Members Reviews: Real life story Nice character development, each woman is struggling and yet strong in her own way. Nice plot weaving and resolution! Enjoyable! Entertaining easy read I enjoyed the back and forth about the 3 womenâs lives. Although it was a bit predictable-it was entertaining and enjoyable! Emily Liebert is by far my favorite author! This is the fourth novel of hers ... Emily Liebert is by far my favorite author! This is the fourth novel of hers that I read -- Some Women, did not disappoint. After reading it in record time, it left me yearning for Emily's next novel. Perfect bedtime or beach read. Be sure to pick it up this summer!! I loved this story so much there was alot I could ... I loved this story so much there was alot I could relate to and I loved the girls Mackenzie, Piper and Anabelle. There was also alot to gain from reading this book.....Will be putting it on my shelf to read again at another time. Perfect beach read I have recently started take a Pure Barre class so I must admit that I truly purchased this book based on it's connection to Barre. I truly enjoyed this book and found it a wonderful easy read. It would be perfect for the beach!

The Joy Luck Club Audiobook by Amy Tan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Amy Tan) — Thu, 16 Dec 1999 23:25:31 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Joy Luck Club Author: Amy Tan Narrator: Gwendoline Yeo Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins Language: English Release date: 12-16-99 Publisher: Phoenix Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 807 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Four Chinese women, drawn together by the shadow of their past, meet in San Francisco to play mah jong, invest in stocks, eat dim sum, and to "say" stories to each other. Nearly 40 years later, one of the women has died, and her daughter arrives to take her place. However, the daughter never expected to learn of her mother's secret lifelong wish - and the tragic way in which it has come true. The revelation creates among the women an urgent need to remember the past. What is lost between generations and among friends - and what is salvaged - resonates throughout this novel of friendship among women and the relations between mothers and daughters. Critic Reviews: "Amy Tan effortlessly mixes tenderness and bitter irony, sorrow and slicing wit. The Joy Luck Club is a fabulous concoction." (Louise Erdrich) Members Reviews: Joy Luck - abridged This is a fabulous story - extremely well written but should not be abridged. I would have given it five stars had I listened to the entire book. It needed the extra flesh. The Story was OK, but the Narrator was terrible. The Narrator was awful. Some of her voices sounded like 'Yoda' from "Star Wars"... To me it ruined the story. This is one of the few times that I really liked the movie more than the book. I love the individual perceptions of the character I loved the story it was a very fun read and I strongly recommend it. nice read i was recommended to read this by my Chinese girlfriend who shared that while it could be an exaggerated set of stories from one perspective, it was enriching nevertheless. i agree. Rare circumstance This is a rare circumstance where the movie is better than the book. I was bored as all get out while listening to this.

Future Home of the Living God Audiobook by Louise Erdrich

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Louise Erdrich) — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 05:02:18 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Future Home of the Living God Subtitle: A Novel Author: Louise Erdrich Narrator: Louise Erdrich Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 11-14-17 Publisher: Harper Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 205 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Louise Erdrich, the New York Times best-selling, National Book Award-winning author of LaRose and The Round House, paints a startling portrait of a young woman fighting for her life and her unborn child against oppressive forces that manifest in the wake of a cataclysmic event. The world as we know it is ending. Evolution has reversed itself, affecting every living creature on earth. Science cannot stop the world from running backward, as woman after woman gives birth to infants that appear to be primitive species of humans. Thirty-two-year-old Cedar Hawk Songmaker, adopted daughter of a pair of big-hearted, open-minded Minneapolis liberals, is as disturbed and uncertain as the rest of America around her. But for Cedar, this change is profound and deeply personal. She is four months pregnant. Though she wants to tell the adoptive parents who raised her from infancy, Cedar first feels compelled to find her birth mother, Mary Potts, an Ojibwe living on the reservation, to understand both her and her baby's origins. As Cedar goes back to her own biological beginnings, society around her begins to disintegrate, fueled by a swelling panic about the end of humanity. There are rumors of martial law, of Congress confining pregnant women. Of a registry, and rewards for those who turn these wanted women in. Flickering through the chaos are signs of increasing repression: a shaken Cedar witnesses a family wrenched apart when police violently drag a mother from her husband and child in a parking lot. The streets of her neighborhood have been renamed with Bible verses. A stranger answers the phone when she calls her adoptive parents, who have vanished without a trace. It will take all Cedar has to avoid the prying eyes of potential informants and keep her baby safe. A chilling dystopian novel both provocative and prescient, Future Home of the Living God is a startlingly original work from one of our most acclaimed writers: a moving meditation on female agency, self-determination, biology, and natural rights that speaks to the troubling changes of our time. Members Reviews: Nolite te bastardes carborundorum Quotes from all of the big book industry expos have publishers and booksellers warning that the *unpredictable Republican president has opened a bull market for warnings of dystopia.* Louise Erdrich, speaking at a Harper Collins dinner in June 2017, recalled for the crowd how Trump's win drove her to take another look at a novel she had set aside years earlier, prior to writing The Plague of Doves (published 2008). *Future Home of the Living God, coming out this fall, tells of a society in which women's rights and democracy itself are endangered.* For this novel the audio format is the perfect choice. Cedar Hawk Songmaker is dictating a letter to the 4 mo. old fetus she is carrying, so the listener hears what this 26 yr. old pregnant woman feels is most important to pass along to her child, uncensored and intimate. This is *a perilous time in the history of creation,* she begins, hinting at a world that, more suddenly than ever imagined, seems to be plummeting backward through evolution. Imagine riding a roller coaster and racing forward to that summit then at the very crest suddenly finding yourself rolling backwards watching the world revert to it's primitive forms as you pick up speed.

Cloud Atlas Audiobook by David Mitchell

biacuaduc@gmail.com (David Mitchell) — Tue, 23 Nov 2004 15:47:42 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Cloud Atlas Author: David Mitchell Narrator: Scott Brick, Cassandra Campbell, Kim Mai Guest, Kirby Heyborne, John Lee, Richard Matthews Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 33 mins Language: English Release date: 11-23-04 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4919 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan's California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified "dinery server" on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilization: the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other's echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small. In his captivating third novel, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of language, genre, and time to offer a meditation on humanity's dangerous will to power, and where it may lead us. Note to customers: The complicated format of this novel makes it seem that the audio may be cutting off before the end of a story, accompanied by a change in narrator. However, this is the author's intention, so please continue to listen, and the stories will conclude themselves as intended. Critic Reviews: "[Mitchell's] exuberant, Nabokovian delight in word play; his provocative grapplings with the great unknowables; and most of all his masterful storytelling: all coalesce to make Cloud Atlas an exciting, almost overwhelming masterpiece." (Washington Times) "[Cloud Atlas] glows with a fizzy, dizzy energy, pregnant with possibility and whispering in your ear: listen closely to a story, any story, and you'll hear another story inside it, eager to meet the world." (The Village Voice) "A remarkable book....It knits together science fiction, political thriller, and historical pastiche with musical virtuosity and linguistic exuberance: there won't be a bigger, bolder novel next year." (The Guardian) Members Reviews: I laughed often with the kindly Mr. Cavendish I will start by saying that the ghastly ordeal of Timothy Cavendish was a particularly clever bit of writing. I am not entirely sure of all the subtleties that may fit his story, with that of the other five stories in Cloud Atlas(if any exist), but a more careful reading sometime in the future may explain it better to me. The other stories were also interesting, and I liked them all in varying degrees. Cloud Atlas is one of those books I may actually consider reading again, and that is saying a lot (I very rarely read a book twice). If you are contemplating paying a credit for this download, you should be aware however, that this book has a somewhat unconventional plot-thread(?) consisting of six stories. Each story is read or observed by the person in the next story. Each story ends abruptly, except the sixth story, which is finished at once.

Full Dark, No Stars Audiobook by Stephen King

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Stephen King) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 12:22:57 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Full Dark, No Stars Author: Stephen King Narrator: Craig Wasson, Jessica Hecht Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 11-09-10 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 5792 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: "I believe there is another man inside every man, a stranger...." writes Wilfred Leland James in the early pages of the riveting confession that makes up "1922", the first in this pitch-black quartet of mesmerizing tales from Stephen King. For James, that stranger is awakened when his wife, Arlette, proposes selling off the family homestead and moving to Omaha, setting in motion a gruesome train of murder and madness. In "Big Driver", a cozy-mystery writer named Tess encounters the stranger along a back road in Massachusetts when she takes a shortcut home after a book-club engagement. Violated and left for dead, Tess plots a revenge that will bring her face-to-face with another stranger: the one inside herself. "Fair Extension", the shortest of these tales, is perhaps the nastiest and certainly the funniest. Making a deal with the devil not only saves Dave Streeter from a fatal cancer but provides rich recompense for a lifetime of resentment. When her husband of more than 20 years is away on one of his business trips, Darcy Anderson looks for batteries in the garage. Her toe knocks up against a box under a worktable and she discovers the stranger inside her husband. It's a horrifying discovery, rendered with bristling intensity, and it definitively ends a good marriage. Like Different Seasons and Four Past Midnight, which generated such enduring films as The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me, Full Dark, No Stars proves Stephen King a master of the long story form. Critic Reviews: "[T]hese tales show how a skilled storyteller with a good tale to tell can make unsettling fiction compulsively readable." (Publishers Weekly) "King has gone on record saying he believes that American readers should pay more attention to the virtues of short fiction... if anyone can get reluctant short-story and novella readers into the swing, he certainly can with this book." (Booklist) Members Reviews: Eerie, honest, frightening! Listening to the first fifteen minutes of King's latest novella were not only mesmerizing but horrifying. My knuckles were white after listening to the opening minutes of 1922. In this story we are introduced to Wilf James, his wife Arlette and son teenage Henry. In just 15 minutes my hands hurt from squeezing the steering wheel. Why? Wilf does not like his wife much. Not much at all. He quickly tells us some of the reasons for his loathing. I do not care much for her myself after listening to Wilf. But Wilf displays his revulsion for Arlette in a way different than I would. He plans, with his son of course, her MURDER. Yep, and he has already discussed her extermination with Henry before we tune in. Does Henry help? I 'ain't' telling. But what happens during those first few minutes of 1922 sets off a rocket that flies an errant path that Wilf never intended it to follow. Nor did I. Nor will you. 1922, Big Driver, Fair Extension and A Good Marriage are all fantastic stories. Some parts of these tales are very, very difficult to listen to. But you will dear reader. By turn I was sympathetic and full of hatred for the "bad" people populating Kings creepy mind. I was surprised at how much sympathy I did have for the villains. That is scarier than any BOO in the dark. And disturbing. There is no way for me to pick any of the four as a favorite.

John Dies at the End Audiobook by David Wong

biacuaduc@gmail.com (David Wong) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:60:35 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: John Dies at the End Author: David Wong Narrator: Stephen R. Thorne Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 20 mins Language: English Release date: 03-09-11 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5309 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: STOP. You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands. NO, don't put it down. It's too late. They're watching you. My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you'll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it's too late. You touched the book. You're in the game. You're under the eye. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me. The important thing is this: The drug is called Soy Sauce and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. I'm sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault. Members Reviews: Vulgar Funny. 4.95 Sale Win. This author has a certain fixation with bodily fluids, and human extremities. So while this book IS hilarious, expect many of the funny moments to involve poop jokes. Seriously. Yes, it's very funny, but there is so much vulgarity. And it all seems to be centered around profanity, and gross-out horror. It didn't really bother me, but this book's bad guys are bad because they are so morally alien to our values, and like to manifest as obscenely deviant as possible. Hopefully that doesn't give too much away, but I feel like you should be warned. Stephen R. Thorne does a great job at narration, his pacing and delivery are perfect. There is more then one book in this series. Funny but unfulfilling This book does a few things very well. The narration is really excellent, the off-beat humor is entertaining, and the story has some interesting elements, but it lacks quite a bit as well. Much of the humor is scatological (which is ok in small doses unless you are under fifteen), the characterizations are weak, and the story is so unbounded it became silly. I found this book lacks the underlying spirit that makes Hitchhikers Guide and most Koontz books really compelling. I imagine that if I were a tween boy this might be hilarious and even a little scary, but as it is, I found myself laughing occasionally, but mostly waiting for it to end. Made me feel old Every decade has its twist on the various genres. This is very new-gen. I suspect it is better than I can appreciate in my older-than-I-feel 50's, but it's a nice insight into the future of horror! Or should that be fantasy? Or maybe comic suspense? I guess that's the whole point. Quirky, yes. Suspenseful? Sort of. It's so over-the-top I never really worried about any of the characters, first because I could not relate to them and second because I never once thought of them as real people. That doesn't mean they weren't sympathetic, in their own way (think nephew you don't much like but have to be nice to cause your sister's their mom). There are no cliches in this book, at least not yet. There are plenty of didn't-see-it-coming. I'm not sure if I'll read more from this author, but I sure won't rule it out! Good fun, good narrator John Dies is an entertaining and mind-bending horror-comedy novel.

The Secret Keeper Audiobook by Kate Morton

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kate Morton) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:58:21 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Secret Keeper Author: Kate Morton Narrator: Caroline Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 53 mins Language: English Release date: 10-15-12 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 9061 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: England, 1959: Laurel Nicolson is 16 years old, dreaming alone in her childhood tree house during a family celebration at their home, Green Acres Farm. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and then observes her mother, Dorothy, speaking to him. And then she witnesses a crime. Fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress, living in London. She returns to Green Acres for Dorothys 90th birthday and finds herself overwhelmed by memories and questions she has not thought about for decades. She decides to find out the truth about the events of that summer day and lay to rest her own feelings of guilt. One photograph, of her mother and a woman Laurel has never met, called Vivian, is her first clue. The Secret Keeper explores longings and dreams, the lengths some people go to fulfill them, and the strange consequences they sometimes have. It is a story of lovers, friends, dreamers and schemers, play-acting, and deception told against a backdrop of events that changed the world. Members Reviews: Kate Morton (and Caroline Lee) does it again! I've been waiting for this book to come out, as Kate Morton is one of my faves. Although I must admit, even though I was waiting for this release, I refused to buy it in print or e-book format because I wanted Caroline Lee to tell me the story. She's one of my faves, too. I wasn't disappointed. I believe this is the best Kate Morton novel to date. I was enthralled every bit of the way through, listening with such fervor with the hopes that each mystery would be revealed. The ending was superb and caught me totally by surprise. I loved it! The toughest part about this book is that it had to end. This beautiful and haunting story of romance, family secrets, war-time mysteries, genealogy, old trunks and houses and ephemera that tells snippets of a story that had unraveled in secrecy was so satisfying that I had to hop on right away to give my review. I love that this tale is over 19 hours long -- it made me really feel as if I was getting my credit's worth. Yet listening to Lee's easy and engaging reading style didn't make it a burden at all. Easily one of my best purchases of the year (and I purchase a lot). I definitely recommend! The only caveat I would give to someone new to Kate Morton is to stick with it. The beginning can be a bit slow, and a few parts in between are a little draggy. There was so much cigarette smoking that I almost gave in and bought a pack myself to cave into the subliminal peer pressure (after many years of having quit). But it's worth it. Stay with it, and you won't be disappointed! Character-Driven Mystery Alternating between 2011 and 1940, a dying mother, visited by her children, hints at a past regret to her daughter, Laurel. Present day Laurel visits libraries, families and spends her day digging into the past to determine what changed her mother all those years ago. Dorothy's past unfolds with love interest, Jimmy and you walk beside her experiencing the decisions she made for better or worse. At first, I thought this book would be predictible. I adored, "The Secret Garden," liked "Distant Hours," but didn't care for "House at Riverton." Hesitant to pick up this fourth offering from Morten and happy I did. She introduces complex characters whose desires make them human; neither perfect nor wrong.

The Story of Arthur Truluv Audiobook by Elizabeth Berg

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Elizabeth Berg) — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 18:19:12 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Story of Arthur Truluv Subtitle: A Novel Author: Elizabeth Berg Narrator: Elizabeth Berg Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins Language: English Release date: 11-21-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 128 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A life-affirming novel about an unforgettable character, a wise and loving man whose humor and unconditional love create for himself and others second chances at happiness. Three people find their way back from loss and loneliness to a different kind of belonging in this deeply moving novel. Arthur, an old widower struggling to overcome his grief, meets Maddy, a troubled teenage girl who avoids school by hiding out where Arthur goes every day for lunch. The two strike up a friendship that draws them out of isolation. Maddy gives Arthur the name Truluv for his positive responses to every outrageous thing she says or does. When Arthur's nosy neighbor Lucille horns in on their friendship, they create an unconventional family, sometimes bickering but most often believing that life's most precious moments are sweeter when shared. Members Reviews: Shes done it again I feared Elisabeth Berg was done . That she wouldnt write another book. But she has, and its wonderful. Thank you Ms Berg Enjoyable listen Often times when an author reads their own book, well.. it just doesn't work. But this time Elizabeth Berg does a very nice job reading her story. She put the right emotions and inflections in each character's voice. Berg's reading made this simple story very enjoyable. It is what we librarians like to call "A gentle read". I recommend this to those wanting a nice, easy, gentle read that will bring a tear to your eye in the end. Sickly Sweet I have a hard time being happy for a 17 year old girl getting pregnant ( without having sex) and deciding to keep the baby. Her boyfriend wants nothing to do with her. She hasn't finished high school. Her father is distant and her mother is dead. No job, no money, no family.The old people she befriends of course come to her rescue. The author reads the story her voice is too sweet and cute. She needs to hire a reader. Charming A lovely slice of life story. Heartwarmingly, sweet without that fake aftertaste. This is how we love and learn to love and choose whom to love. Sweet story This was a sweet story that, in my opinion, would have been better performed by a reader other than the author. The nasal and mouth sounds or the orator were disturbingly distracting.

Prodigal Summer Audiobook by Barbara Kingsolver

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Barbara Kingsolver) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 07:29:37 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Prodigal Summer Author: Barbara Kingsolver Narrator: Barbara Kingsolver Format: Unabridged Length: 15 hrs and 50 mins Language: English Release date: 03-06-06 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1687 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Down the mountain, another web of lives unfolds as Lusa Maluf Landowski, a bookish city girl turned farmer's wife, finds herself in a strange place where she must declare or lose her attachment to the land that has become her own. And a few more miles down the road, a pair of elderly, feuding neighbors tend their respective farms and wrangle about God, pesticides, and the possibilities the future holds. Over the course of one long summer, these characters find connections to one another, and to the land, and the final, urgent truth that humans are only one piece of life on earth. Critic Reviews: "Readers will be seduced by [Kingsolver's] effortless prose." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Amazing! I selected this book just because Barbara Kingsolver wrote it - I didn't read a word of description or reviews, so I didn't know the first thing about it. When I got to the second chapter, I said to myself "Oh no! It's short stories!", but it turned out to be three stories, and in Ms. Kingsolver's singular style, each is different and delightful, and they come together so sweetly in the end, but don't let me spoil it! I have listened to it more than once, and just love it. As usual, it is so well researched that I finished it with a real appreciation for predators, a hunger for apples, and a burning desire to own a goat! This is one of those books that I needed to own on paper as well, so I could more fully appreciate some of the best parts - such as when Mr. Walker "gets himself a snapping turtle", and his correspondence with Nannie Rawley. This book is worth every penny and every minute of your time. Breathtaking This has to be one of the most beautiful, touching, inspiring books that has ever been written. It's hard to find books that make you think and feel without manipulating you or dragging you through somebody's terrible, painful tragedy. This is one of the rare few. Kingsolver is idealistic and yet clearheaded. The first half hour or so is a bit slow as you acclimate to the storylines, but then it's impossible to turn off. I loved these characters so much, and grew so attached to them (even the difficult ones), that I listened to the last few words with tears in my eyes. Kingsolver narrates earnestly, endearingly, doing justice to the local dialect. One of my favourites I love this book and just wanted to add my voice to the chorus of great reviews. I am guesing that while all her books are important to her that this one is her most personal. She writes so well that just listening to how she strings together words makes this a good audio book . However it is so much more than this. I find myself listening to it over and over. Sometimes it for the story, other times for her knowledge and passion for her subjects, and finally, sometimes for the simple pleasure of her narration and how it breathes life into all of her characters. Great Book!! Great Audio This audio book is excellent. I have listened to several audio books a month for years. I have a huge commute. I had read the book a couple of years ago, and it was very good, but the audio is excellent!!! Barbara Kinsolver is the reader and she brings a lot of energy and heart to the interpretation of the novel. I feel as if I understand it better for having her read it to me.

Firefly Lane Audiobook by Kristin Hannah

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kristin Hannah) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:07:11 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Firefly Lane Subtitle: A Novel Author: Kristin Hannah Narrator: Susan Ericksen Format: Unabridged Length: 17 hrs and 54 mins Language: English Release date: 04-29-08 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3068 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Tully Hart seems to have it all: beauty, brains, ambition. On the surface, they are as opposite as two people can be: Kate, doomed to be forever uncool, with a loving family who mortifies her at every turn; Tully, steeped in glamour and mystery, but with a secret that is destroying her. They make a pact to be best friends forever; by summer's end they've become 'TullyandKate' -- inseparable. So begins Kristin Hannah's magnificent novel. Spanning more than three decades and playing out across the ever-changing face of the Pacific Northwest, Firefly Lane is the poignant, powerful story of two women and the friendship that becomes the mainstay of their lives. For 30 years, Tully and Kate buoy each other through life, weathering the storms of friendship: jealousy, anger, hurt, resentment. They think they've survived it all, until a single act of betrayal tears them apart...and puts their courage and friendship to the ultimate test. Firefly Lane is for anyone who ever drank Boone's Farm apple wine while listening to Abba or Fleetwood Mac. More than a coming-of-age novel, it's the story of a generation of women who were both blessed and cursed by choices. It's about promises and secrets and betrayals. And, ultimately, about the one person who really, truly knows you - and knows what has the power to hurt you...and heal you. Firefly Lane is a story you'll never forget...one you'll want to pass on to your best friend. Critic Reviews: "Susan Ericksen gives an outstanding performance of the thirty-year friendship between Kate Mularkey and Tully Hart." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Chick lit meets Forrest Gump Although the last part of this book is a well-written tear jerker, I didn't buy the enduring friendship that's central to the book. Opposites attract, no problem. But it seems that this relationship borders on abuser and abused. There's nothing that Kate won't forgive Tully for and Tully's never wrong -- at least in her own mind. Neither female seems to learn and grow beyond much where they were as teenagers. The pattern repeats and repeats and repeats. Kate is likable and loving, but deserves more from a friend than she gets. Tully is self-centered and needy and even when she does things for others it seems to be driven by her own needs.I have a really hard time believing these two girls/women would be BFFs. Another problem is the jarring temporal references. I appreciate some atmospheric scene-setting, but the near-constant name-dropping, place-dropping "We were there" references induced memories of Forrest Gump meeting every important historical figure of his time. Apparently quite a few reviewers have found this as intrusive and obnoxious as I did. One of the most insipid, cliched books ever I loved the time period for this book. The main characters grew up in the same decades that I did and the references to it are what I appreciate about the story and why I give the one star. That being said, it was downhill from there. Nothing happens in this book. At the writing of this I am halfway through the second part. It's killing me to get to the end but I have a thing about seeing something through. I wanted to write this now to save anyone else from wasting a credit. This book should be used in writing classes to exemplify what not to do.

Winter Solstice Audiobook by Elin Hilderbrand

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Elin Hilderbrand) — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 01:27:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Winter Solstice Author: Elin Hilderbrand Narrator: Erin Bennett Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 10-03-17 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 228 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Raise one last glass with the Quinn family at the Winter Street Inn. It's been too long since the entire Quinn family has been able to celebrate the holidays under the same roof, but that's about to change. With Bart back safe and sound from Afghanistan, the Quinns are preparing for a holiday more joyous than any they've experienced in years. And Bart's safe return isn't the family's only good news: Kevin is enjoying married life with Isabelle; Patrick is getting back on his feet after paying his debt to society; Ava thinks she's finally found the love of her life; and Kelly is thrilled to see his family reunited at last. But it just wouldn't be a Quinn family gathering if things went smoothly. A celebration of everything we love - and some of the things we endure - about the holidays, Winter Solstice is Elin Hilderbrand at her festive best. Members Reviews: Enjoyable tradition I enjoy listening to or reading these books during the holiday season. I dont personally like this readers voice that much but I loved the book fine. Light and kept my attention. just excellent! Would you consider the audio edition of Winter Solstice to be better than the print version? I listened, but didn't read so I have no idea. Who was your favorite character and why? too many favorites to list .. all of them actually, in one way or the other. Which scene was your favorite? most of the book was my favorite. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? no, almost but not quite. Any additional comments? This was a great series ... I love Robyn Carr's Virgin River series and this one is every bit as good, and maybe a little better .. I hope it continues. cried loved it. great. ill miss these characters. elin makes me smile. great audiobook to read. Heartfelt My favorite in the Winter Street series so far. I love how the author wove in characters from The Rumor. Heartfelt finish to the story. I feel so connected to these characters, so it was a bittersweet ending. Well done. great I love this series...please keep writing it! I will anxiously await the next book! TY!!

Oliver Loving Audiobook by Stefan Merrill Block

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Stefan Merrill Block) — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 14:40:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Oliver Loving Subtitle: A Novel Author: Stefan Merrill Block Narrator: Michael Crouch Format: Unabridged Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins Language: English Release date: 01-16-18 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From Stefan Merrill Block, celebrated literary talent and author of The Story of Forgetting, comes a brilliant, propulsive audiobook about family, the traumas and secrets that test our deepest bonds, and the stories that hold us together. One warm, West Texas November night, a shy boy named Oliver Loving joins his classmates at Bliss County Day School's annual dance, hoping for a glimpse of the object of his unrequited affections, an enigmatic junior named Rebekkah Sterling. But as the music plays, a troubled young man sneaks in through the school's back door. The dire choices this man makes that evening - and the unspoken story he carries - will tear the town of Bliss, Texas, apart. Nearly 10 years later, Oliver Loving still lies wordless and paralyzed at Crockett State Assisted Care Facility, the fate of his mind unclear. Orbiting the still point of Oliver's hospital bed is a family transformed: Oliver's mother, Eve, who keeps desperate vigil; Oliver's brother, Charlie, who has fled for New York City only to discover he cannot escape the gravity of his shattered family; Oliver's father, Jed, who tries to erase his memories with bourbon. And then there is Rebekkah Sterling, Oliver's teenage love, who left Texas long ago and still refuses to speak about her own part in that tragic night. When a new medical test promises a key to unlock Oliver's trapped mind, the town's unanswered questions resurface with new urgency, as Oliver's doctors and his family fight for a way for Oliver to finally communicate - and so also to tell the truth of what really happened that fateful night. A moving meditation on the transformative power of grief and love, a slyly affectionate look at the idiosyncrasies of family, and an emotionally charged pause resister, Oliver Loving is an extraordinarily original audiobook that ventures into the unknowable and returns with the most fundamental truths. Critic Reviews: "A breathtaking tale of tragedy and redemption...A triumph." (People magazine) Members Reviews: If you wonder how people survive these things. I thought a book about brain injury would be a good transition after being immersed in a lengthy trilogy. There werent any reader reviews for Oliver Loving: A Novel, but the description intrigued me. I was expecting a story about the struggle to reconnect with a once lost son but it was so much deeper than that. If youve ever wondered how a family remains so strong, how people manage to keep going when bad things happen to them? Stefan Merrill Black knows that they dont stay strong, and how they manage to keep going is just barely, and at best, quite poorly. The baggage we carry doesnt conveniently disappear. This story is about the Loving Family struggles to fill the rolls forced upon them while trying to figure out who they really are. The storys end is poetry. Beautiful performance, Poignant family saga Characters and family dynamics brought to life with stunning poignancy and beauty. Crouch delivers a raw, detailed, emotional performance. Good story, but rambling.
If the plot wasn't as good, I would have stopped listening. Block rambles. What could be said in 2 sentences went on for 22. It felt like being pommelled. As far as the narrator, he repeatedly emphasizes the first syllable in a word which made it melodramatic, and sing songy. The story is good.

Wish Me Home Audiobook by Kay Bratt

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kay Bratt) — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 06:28:36 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Wish Me Home Author: Kay Bratt Narrator: Kate Rudd Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins Language: English Release date: 03-21-17 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 629 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In her first work of contemporary women's fiction, bestselling author Kay Bratt draws on her own life experiences to create a raw, yet inescapably warm, novel about friendship and a wary heart's unexpected capacity to love. A hungry, stray dog is the last thing Cara Butter needs. Stranded in Georgia with only her backpack and a few dwindling dollars, she already has too much baggage. Like her twin sister, Hana, who has broken Cara's heart one too many times. After a lifetime of family troubles, and bouncing from one foster home to another, Cara decides to leave it all behind and strike out alone - on foot. Cara sets off to Florida to see the home of her literary hero, Ernest Hemingway, accompanied only by Hemi, the stray dog who proves to be the perfect travel companion. But the harrowing trip takes unexpected turns as strangers become friends who make her question everything, and Cara finds that as the journey unfolds, so does her life - in ways she could never imagine. Members Reviews: I'm so thankful for a good, positive, clean story. This book started slowly for me. My husband and I listened while on a road trip. It took him longer to get into it. Eventually, he asked me to get the story going whenever it was interrupted. It kept him awake while driving. My husband enjoyed it. I'm so disappointed in so many other fiction books, because other books have so much detailed immortality that they make me sick. This book was great. This story involves a dog, but it also addresses being in the foster care system and family relationships and healing. It was refreshing. I will recommend it to my adopted daughter who has adopted many homeless dogs. Wonderful and moving! Wow, throughly moved by this book, it reminded me so much of a female modern day Travels with Charlie. Heartwarming tale of two sisters that are twins with opposite personalities. The kind and generous people met along a journey and an amazing dog! Highly recommend this book, totally worth the credit! Wish me home Wonderful Heart warming True determination and love between two sisters Best ending possible. Not just for dog lovers Unique & positive perspective of lives formed by miscommunication A good summer read with a glass of sweet tea & at a peaceful moment. It is unique in it's storyline, requires a bit of thought & leaves you with some hope in this twisted, victim world. spectacular loved this story, I understand depression and actually learned something. thank you for writing this.

Defending Jacob Audiobook by William Landay

biacuaduc@gmail.com (William Landay) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:35:37 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Defending Jacob Subtitle: A Novel Author: William Landay Narrator: Grover Gardner Format: Unabridged Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins Language: English Release date: 01-31-12 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8387 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than 20 years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: his 14-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student. Every parental instinct Andy has rallies to protect his boy. Jacob insists that he is innocent, and Andy believes him. Andy must. Hes his father. But as damning facts and shocking revelations surface, as a marriage threatens to crumble and the trial intensifies, and as the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own - between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past hes tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive. Award-winning author William Landay has written the consummate novel of an embattled family in crisis - a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that is also a spellbinding tale of guilt, betrayal, and the terrifying speed at which our lives can spin out of control. Critic Reviews: Landay has proven himself to be an extraordinary writer, and Defending Jacob is an amazing novel. Do yourself a favor and read it. Its that good. (Nicholas Sparks, #1 New York Times best-selling author) Harrowing . . . This searing narrative proves the ancient Greek tragedians were right: the worst punishment is not death but living with what youknowingly or unknowinglyhave done. (Publishers Weekly, starred review) [Landay] reaches a new level of excellence with this riveting, knock-your-socks-off legal thriller. With its masterfully crafted characterizations and dialogue, emotional depth, and frightening implications, the novel rivals the best of Scott Turow and John Grisham. Dont miss it. (Booklist, starred review) Members Reviews: Terrific! Despite the reviews, I hesitated downloading "Defending Jacob" because of the subject matter (kid/parent angst, bullies, person-trapped-in-the-legal-system, etc.). It seemed like it would be a predictable plot. I couldn't have been more wrong! This is one of the best court room drama?family drama? suspense novel? I have read/listened to. The characters were incredibly well developed -- the parents' relationship with their son was almost painful just because it was so believable ("this could have happened to anyone!"). The plot is incredibly intense. I literally sat in a parking lot with my mouth open as the final minutes were read. And the PERFORMANCE!!! A tour de force. The reader did such an unbelievable job that I am actually afraid to recommend the novel to people who might just 'read' it because I felt he added so much (was the novel THIS good in print?). Could not praise this audiobook enough. (I read Mr. Landay's two previous novels recently -- I saw the great reviews of "Defending Jacob" but, like I said, I was avoiding it because of the plot, so I chose to read his earlier books first. Obviously, the author is mastering his craft.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Audiobook by Rachel Joyce

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Rachel Joyce) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:21:30 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Subtitle: A Novel Author: Rachel Joyce Narrator: Jim Broadbent Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins Language: English Release date: 07-24-12 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 7084 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in 20 years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye. Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce's remarkable debut. Harold Fry is determined to walk 600 miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live. Still in his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold embarks on his urgent quest across the countryside. Along the way he meets one fascinating character after another, each of whom unlocks his long-dormant spirit and sense of promise. Memories of his first dance with Maureen, his wedding day, his joy in fatherhood, come rushing back to him - allowing him to also reconcile the losses and the regrets. As for Maureen, she finds herself missing Harold for the first time in years. And then there is the unfinished business with Queenie Hennessy. A novel of unsentimental charm, humor, and profound insight into the thoughts and feelings we all bury deep within our hearts, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry introduces Rachel Joyce as a wise - and utterly irresistible - storyteller. Critic Reviews: "When it seems almost too late, Harold Fry opens his battered heart and lets the world rush in. This funny, poignant story about an ordinary man on an extraordinary journey moved and inspired me." (Nancy Horan, author of Loving Frank) "There's tremendous heart in this debut novel by Rachel Joyce, as she probes questions that are as simple as they are profound: Can we begin to live again, and live truly, as ourselves, even in middle age, when all seems ruined? Can we believe in hope when hope seems to have abandoned us? I found myself laughing through tears, rooting for Harold at every step of his journey. I'm still rooting for him." (Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife) "Marvelous! I held my breath at his every blister and cramp, and felt as if by turning the pages, I might help his impossible quest succeed." (Helen Simonson, author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand) Members Reviews: Wonderful Walkabout This is a lovely tale of an ordinary man setting off on a pilgrimage to visit an old friend who is dying. Harold believes as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live. Without proper shoes, a map, or any plausible plan, he embarks on this journey. In a rut for the past 20 years, Harold is like a hamster jumping off the wheel, taking a new direction. He searches the recesses of his mind exploring his passionless marriage; history with his son; and his relationship with Queenie. Along the way, he encounters numerous people who both help and exploit his trek.

An Irish Country Doctor Audiobook by Patrick Taylor

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Patrick Taylor) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:27:54 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: An Irish Country Doctor Subtitle: A Novel Author: Patrick Taylor Narrator: John Keating Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins Language: English Release date: 06-09-09 Publisher: Macmillan Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2399 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The older physician, whose motto is to never let the patients get the upper hand, has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can't decide if the pugnacious O'Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met, or the best teacher he could ever hope for. Through O'Reilly, Barry soon gets to know all of the village's colorful and endearing residents, including a malingering Major and his equally hypochondriacal wife; an unwed servant girl, who refuses to divulge the father of her upcoming baby; a slightly daft old couple unable to marry for lack of a roof; and a host of other eccentric characters who make every day an education for the inexperienced young doctor. Ballybucklebo is long way from Belfast, and Barry is quick to discover that he still has a lot to learn about the quirks and traditions of country life. But with pluck and compassion and only the slightest touch of blarney, he will find out more about life - and love - than he ever imagined back in medical school. An Irish Country Doctor is a charming and engrossing tale that will captivate listeners from the very first page - and leave them yearning to visit the Irish countryside of days gone by. Members Reviews: Fun Book A light, positive, upbeat and fun listen. Low stress reading. Stories of country doctors and their community of quirky patients in a different world of Ireland from the past. Charming. Something's Missing ... But It's Not the "F Bomb"! If you loved the James Herriot series that began with "All Creatures Great and Small," it will be next-to-impossible not to recognize the similarities in this first of the "An Irish Country Doctor" series. Young doctor with a newly minted degree travels to the wilds of Ireland to work for the irascible local country doctor that the community loves...and meets, perhaps, the love of his life. You may also feel ripples of "Ballykissangel" if you are/were a fan of that BBC series. While this is an enjoyable book, and John Keating does a great job with the narration, this novel fell short of "All Creatures..." and "Ballykissangel" for me. It has charm, but lacks the warmth. This book should come with a warning. If you are traveling with children, you may want to choose another story. The "F bomb" is dropped regularly throughout the story, and in some places very liberally. All of that being said, I'll buy the next in the series to see if Mr. Taylor warms up to his characters. Thoroughly Enjoyed - An Irish Country Doctor I would highly recommend this audio novel for the story line itself. The bonus is the narrator! The characters are so well written, that you wish they were you friends. Instead of a fictional novel you are so engrossed in the characters that the story just sort of happens. Well worth the read --- don't miss the great audio book. Delightful Entertainment I had to listen twice - sensational story, fabulous characters and a top quality reader! Be Reminded Gently of Important Life Lessons For those who enjoy quirky 1990s European films like "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain" and "Waking Ned Divine," this may be the book for you. Like those films, this book focuses on life's minutia and finds humor in the everyday.

Someday, Someday, Maybe Audiobook by Lauren Graham

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Lauren Graham) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:30:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Someday, Someday, Maybe Subtitle: A Novel Author: Lauren Graham Narrator: Lauren Graham Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins Language: English Release date: 04-30-13 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1861 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From Lauren Graham, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood, comes a witty, charming, and hilariously relatable debut novel about a struggling young actress trying to get ahead - and keep it together - in New York City. Its January 1995, and Franny Banks has just six months left of the three-year deadline she set for herself when she came to New York, dreaming of Broadway and doing "important" work. But all she has to show for her efforts so far is a part in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters, and a gig waiting tables at a comedy club. Her roommates - her best friend, Jane; and Dan, an aspiring sci-fi writer - are supportive, yet Franny knows a two-person fan club doesnt exactly count as success. Everyone tells her she needs a backup plan, and though she can almost picture moving back home and settling down with her perfectly nice ex-boyfriend, shes not ready to give up on her goal of having a career like her idols, Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep. Not just yet. But while she dreams of filling their shoes, in the meantime, shed happily settle for a speaking part in almost anything - and finding a hair product combination that works. Everything is riding on the upcoming showcase for her acting class, where shell finally have a chance to perform for people who could actually hire her. And she cant let herself be distracted by James Franklin, a notorious flirt and the most successful actor in her class, even though hes suddenly started paying attention. Meanwhile, her bank account is rapidly dwindling, her father wants her to come home, and her agent doesnt return her calls. But for some reason, she keeps believing that she just might get what she came for. Someday, Someday, Maybe is a story about hopes and dreams, being young in a city, and wanting something deeply, madly, desperately. Its about finding love, finding yourself, and perhaps most difficult of all in New York City, finding an acting job. Members Reviews: If you love Lauren Graham get this Would you try another book from Lauren Graham and/or Lauren Graham? Yes. With a stricter editor. Would you recommend Someday, Someday, Maybe to your friends? Why or why not? Yes. A romantic comedy for your ears. Some chapters reminds me more of a memoir than fiction. What does Lauren Graham bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book? Herself. Could you see Someday, Someday, Maybe being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be? No. A Fun read Any additional comments? I was doing one of my random selection of books to read when I bought this. I had no idea what to expect frankly, but this turned out to be quite a fun and light read. The plot and the story itself isn't that deep, but there are sever quite hilarious scenes. However, there w3re some times when I wasn't quite sure where one person finished speaking and the next began, though I think it's more due to the format of the book than the narrater. The narrator suits this read. She's funny and could capture the way the MC speaks and I thought her sound affects all adds to the listening experience. Should you read this? Well, if you are looking for a book to have a laugh and are purely wanting for some entertainment, then yes.

I Almost Forgot About You Audiobook by Terry McMillan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Terry McMillan) — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 23:20:34 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: I Almost Forgot About You Subtitle: A Novel Author: Terry McMillan Narrator: Terry McMillan Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 06-07-16 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1554 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The number-one New York Times best-selling author of How Stella Got Her Groove Back and Waiting to Exhale is back with the inspiring story of a woman who shakes things up in her life to find greater meaning. In I Almost Forgot About You, Dr. Georgia Young's wonderful life - great friends, family, and successful career - aren't enough to keep her from feeling stuck and restless. When she decides to make some major changes in her life, quitting her job as an optometrist and moving house, she finds herself on a wild journey that may or may not include a second chance at love. Like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, I Almost Forgot About You will show legions of listeners what can happen when you face your fears, take a chance, and open yourself up to life, love, and the possibility of a new direction. Critic Reviews: "Terry McMillan's novels have always been about telling the uncensored truth about friends, family, lovers, and oneself. Through addictively revealing conversations - including an instructive one about the sexual prowess of men who made the A list - McMillan's narrator is the ideal running commentator on what smart women do to reach the pinnacle of success and what they must do to get the hell out before it's too late. It's a story about both reinvention and acceptance, told in McMillan's quintessential voice, now even more expansive, prismatically perceptive, and laugh-aloud generous in how we talk about love and all its wonders." (Amy Tan, New York Times best-selling author of The Joy Luck Club and The Valley of Amazement) "The warmth and wisdom we have come to expect from Terry McMillan are on full display and you won't be able to walk away from Georgia and her exuberant life. This is that thrilling kind of novel that reminds us how sometimes, fairy tales happen when we least expect them, if only we open ourselves to possibility." (Roxane Gay, New York Times best-selling author of Bad Feminist and An Untamed State) "The only thing better than reading a Terry McMillan novel is hearing her deliver one of her own works.... Listeners will feel sad, joyful, and amused - and may be tempted to replicate Georgia's quest in their own lives." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: I Almost Forgot About You I gave this book 2 stars bc it seems to have a good storyline from the synopsis. Honestly, the narration was so bad I could not listen beyond the second chapter. I am an avid fan of Ms. McMillan's writing. On the other hand her voice is worse than finger nails grating on a chalk board. I want my credit back, and then I will purchase the ebook to read. Ms. McMillan no disrespect, you are an amazingly talented writer. Please leave narrating to the experts. You don't do your book justice.

The Nest Audiobook by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney) — Tue, 22 Mar 2016 23:35:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Nest Author: Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney Narrator: Mia Barron Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins Language: English Release date: 03-22-16 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4806 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A warm, funny and acutely perceptive debut novel about four adult siblings and the fate of the shared inheritance that has shaped their choices and their lives. Every family has its problems. But even among the most troubled, the Plumb family stands out as spectacularly dysfunctional. Years of simmering tensions finally reach a breaking point on an unseasonably cold afternoon in New York City as Melody, Beatrice, and Jack Plumb gather to confront their charismatic and reckless older brother, Leo, freshly released from rehab. Months earlier, an inebriated Leo got behind the wheel of a car with a 19-year-old waitress as his passenger. The ensuing accident has endangered the Plumbs' joint trust fund, "The Nest", which they are months away from finally receiving. Meant by their deceased father to be a modest midlife supplement, the Plumb siblings have watched The Nest's value soar along with the stock market and have been counting on the money to solve a number of self-inflicted problems. Melody, a wife and mother in an upscale suburb, has an unwieldy mortgage and looming college tuition for her twin teenage daughters. Jack, an antiques dealer, has secretly borrowed against the beach cottage he shares with his husband, Walker, to keep his store open. And Bea, a once-promising short-story writer, just can't seem to finish her overdue novel. Can Leo rescue his siblings and, by extension, the people they love? Or will everyone need to reimagine the futures they've envisioned? Brought together as never before, Leo, Melody, Jack, and Beatrice must grapple with old resentments, present-day truths, and the significant emotional and financial toll of the accident as well as finally acknowledge the choices they have made in their own lives. This is a story about the power of family, the possibilities of friendship, the ways we depend upon one another and the ways we let one another down. In this tender, entertaining, and deftly written debut, Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney brings a remarkable cast of characters to life to illuminate what money does to relationships, what happens to our ambitions over the course of time, and the fraught yet unbreakable ties we share with those we love. Members Reviews: Couldn't get through it. Insufferable. Sorry. Maybe because it's audio, but I can't keep track of characters. Leo, Bea, Melody, Jack, Walker, Walter, Norah, Francie, Victoria, Stephanie, George... I can't keep track as it goes from one person to the next super fast before I even know who is whom. The Nest is a Complete Mess After seeing 'The Nest' in every virtual advertisement online- whether it be my Facebook feed, or a news site- I thought I had better read it. Although I read some reviews that were not exactly stellar, I also read rave reviews about this family saga. I felt compelled to listen to the audio book to decide for myself. The Nest is boring drivel about boring people- none of whom I cared about. 'The Nest' is a large inheritance which is to be divided among siblings, who've all made their own separate plans for spending their portion. The problem is, the once full nest has dwindled thanks to the mishandling of one of the siblings. The book is about each of sibling's lives and how they intend(ed) to spend their money. (Each of them desperately needs to improve their lives) This book is, in a word, tedious.

Midnight's Children Audiobook by Salman Rushdie

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Salman Rushdie) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:01:55 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Midnight's Children Author: Salman Rushdie Narrator: Lyndam Gregory Format: Unabridged Length: 24 hrs and 34 mins Language: English Release date: 04-24-09 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1112 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Salman Rushdie holds the literary world in awe with a jaw-dropping catalog of critically acclaimed novels that have made him one of the world's most celebrated authors. Winner of the prestigious Booker of Bookers, Midnight's Children tells the story of Saleem Sinai, born on the stroke of India's independence. ©1981 Salman Rushdie (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC Critic Reviews: Extraordinary . . . one of the most important [novels] to come out of the English-speaking world in this generation. ( The New York Review of Books) Burgeons with life, with exuberance and fantasy . . . Rushdie is a writer of courage, impressive strength, and sheer stylistic brilliance. ( The Washington Post Book World) A marvelous epic . . . Rushdies prose snaps into playback and flash-forward . . . stopping on images, vistas, and characters of unforgettable presence. Their range is as rich as India herself. ( Newsweek) Members Reviews: Outstanding book, superb narration Salman Rushdie is a writer's writer. I have been hooked on his fiction ever since I discovered Satanic Verses - All of his books are full of humour, contemporary culture and some of the best prose since James Joyce & Marcel Proust. The narration is masterful - but the language is dense and requires the reader's full attention. The narration resembles that of "I Claudius" in that it wavers between 1rst & 3rd person points of view. The history of modern india at the moment of its independence is collapsed into the life-story of the narrator, born at the stroke of midnight of independence. In short I love this book and have thoroughly enjoyed it's narration. Good listen Midnight's Children isn't an easy book to listen to first time around; and it certainly took me many hours of listening before getting a grip (that, too, somewhat tenuous) on the story line, which is full of twists, and exceptions, and clarifications, and which jumps back and forth in time and points of view. Nonetheless, it is a really funny story. I must have laughed out loud at least few times. The text and the narration easily capture the irony and hypocrisy one finds in India (and Pakistan). As to the narration, well ... I think Lyndam Gregory has put in a lot of effort to get it right. To bring the text to life. Unfortunately he didn't succeed. He simply couldn't pronounce any of the Indian names or terms properly. At times I had to refer to the text (which, thankfully, was available for download online) to understand what was being read. I plan to listen to again. Historical with a touch of the fantastic Salman Rushdie's narrative tone in this book is jovial and humorous, even when he's describing pretty horrific things. It sneaks up on you that the first-person narrator, Saleem Sinai, is not just a little unreliable, but also whiny, self-justifying, and arrogant. The history of India ran parallel to his own personal history, with events happening in synchronicity, really? And the war between India and Pakistan was actually History's attempt to get him and his family? Saleem Sinai is sometimes likeable and sometimes a real jerk.

The Forgotten Garden Audiobook by Kate Morton

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Kate Morton) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:53:20 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Forgotten Garden Author: Kate Morton Narrator: Caroline Lee Format: Unabridged Length: 20 hrs and 38 mins Language: English Release date: 07-18-08 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 10071 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Thirty-eight year old Cassandra is lost, alone, and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident 10 years ago, feels like she has lost everything known and dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family. Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace Rutherford - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early 20th century - as well as a cliff-top cottage on the other side of the world, Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell, on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself. Critic Reviews: "This debut page-turner...recounts the crumbling of a prominent British family as seen through the eyes of one of its servants....Morton triumphs with a riveting plot, a touching but tense love story and a haunting ending." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Six stars if I could I rate a book probably more for how it is written than for any of its other facets. I enjoy an interesting plot. I hope for well-developed characters and surprise endings. This book has it all and much, much more. On the surface, these are three stories beautifully woven into one. But there is much more. It is a story about the writing of a book of faerie tales that is a faerie tale itself. It is challenging to critique this book without giving away too much. I will just leave it to the lucky readers to discover the many wonderful aspects of this book for themselves. In short, of the last fifty books or so that I have read this year, this is one of the two very best hands down. Hours of enjoyable, fun listening I am the kind of person who likes to read literary, "paper" books (classics, Russian lit, lit criticism) and listen to more popular, "fun" audiobooks (mysteries, historical fiction). I love to listen to a long audiobook (Wilkie Collins, Ken Follet) while driving or cleaning. One of my favorite audiobooks is "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield, and "The Forgotten Garden" is almost as good. I agree with other reviewers that it's a bit predictable, but even so, it's a sweeping, engrossing, and fun book to listen to. If you loved "The Thirteenth Tale," you will probably love "The Forgotten Garden," and so for that reason, I give it 5 stars. Enchanting, intriguing, mysterious, and beautiful Honestly, I bought this by accident, adding it to my cart when I tried to click on the title, then checking out without noticing it. Best literary mistake I've ever made. This is an enchanting story that takes place over three, even four, eras. At first it seems a little distracting, as each time you get drawn in to one story you shift to another, but soon you are caught in all three tales, for different reasons, and can't wait to get back to each to find a conclusion. The tales themselves intertwine to tell one story, one novel, each being intriguing in their own right. With elements of historical, mystery, romance, generational, and personal journey genres, this story is as complex as it is developed.

The Story of a New Name Audiobook by Elena Ferrante

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Elena Ferrante) — Tue, 21 Apr 2015 14:02:22 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Story of a New Name Subtitle: The Neapolitan Novels, Book 2 Author: Elena Ferrante Narrator: Hillary Huber Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 4 mins Language: English Release date: 04-21-15 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2272 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The Story of a New Name follows Elena Ferrante's critically acclaimed My Brilliant Friend, featuring Lila and Elena. The two protagonists are now in their 20s, and marriage appears to have imprisoned Lila. Meanwhile Elena continues her journey of self-discovery. These young women share a complex and evolving bond that brings them close at times while driving them apart at others. Each vacillates between hurtful disregard and profound love for the other. With this complicated and meticulously portrayed friendship at the center of their emotional lives, the two girls mature into women, paying the sometimes cruel price that this passage exacts. Members Reviews: Still hooked Amazing story of friendship, hardship, lovers won and lovers lost, all with the underpinning of how education weaves its way through one life and not the other. Ready to start book three. Heavy and engaging This book will suck you in, pull you down, wind you up. It's sad and fascinating and frustrating but incredibly engaging. I feel like I know each character personally, like I live and grew up there. The narrator builds the feeling and characters with just the slightest change in her tone. I'm intrigued to continue on in the series. Another brilliant novel After reading some of the negative reviews I couldn't believe that this author could produce anything other than another brilliant novel . Fortunately I was proved correct. The second of a quartet this book continues the story of Lena and Linu. The depiction of the individual personalities of the two women, their lives, lusts, goals and actions are mesmerizing . The author's language is beautiful and the narrator is unsurpassed. Abandoned the book half way This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more? I'm not sure. Perhaps those who don't get involved in the story as much. Would you ever listen to anything by Elena Ferrante again? No, I don't think so. What about Hillary Hubers performance did you like? Beautifully read. What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment? I really enjoyed the first book. I found this one slow and I had difficulty inhibiting the revulsion I felt for all the characters. There was nothing left to become involved in the story.I could not identify with anyone or any action. It all seemed so contradictory and trivial. Excellent One of the best book I have ever read! This book should be on every women's reading list.

The Pearl Sister Audiobook by Lucinda Riley

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Lucinda Riley) — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:43:16 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Pearl Sister Subtitle: The Seven Sisters, Book 4 Author: Lucinda Riley Narrator: Stephanie Racine, Rehanna MacDonald Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 54 mins Language: English Release date: 11-02-17 Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 218 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Following the death of her father, CeCe D'Aplièse finds herself at breaking point. In desperation, she decides to flee England and discover her past; the only clues she has are a photograph and the name of a woman pioneer who lived in Australia over 100 years ago. When CeCe finally reaches the Red Centre of Australia, she begins the search for her past. With help from those she meets on her journey, CeCe begins to believe that this wild, vast continent could offer her a sense of belonging. Critic Reviews: Praise for the author: "What an absolutely fantastic storyteller - I was immediately immersed in the story, and absolutely compelled." (Katherine Webb) Members Reviews: Slow start but got better Almost stopped listening as the start was very slow and found it hard to get into . Didnt like the narraters voice for the male caracters and this took awhile to get used to. Not as good as the previous books Shame .But still worth a credit to follow the seven sisters . Wonderful series I love this unusual series! I cant wait to listen to the nextsisters story or learn the mystery of why the sisters were brought together. phenomenal as usual love love love love love lucinda riley, she has opened my eyes to parts of the world I would have never thought to want to see! This is one of the better stories in the series.
This one in the series is one of mt favourites. I am going to admit I didnt lije the 3rd book as much as the first two but this one has me in love with the series again. 5 hours in and I'm still disinterested OK. Sigh. The readers are better than 1 of the previous, I still liked #1 the best and of Lucinda's books I'll call The Light Behind the Window and The Girl on the Cliff my favorites. I'm nearly 5 hours in and I really don't care. At least tell us a little more about Pa Salt and Ma. I feel apathetic towards these young women. I waited 8 months for this and it's blah. I'm jumping off and asking for my credit back.

LaRose Audiobook by Louise Erdrich

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Louise Erdrich) — Tue, 10 May 2016 16:33:22 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: LaRose Subtitle: A Novel Author: Louise Erdrich Narrator: Louise Erdrich Format: Unabridged Length: 14 hrs and 37 mins Language: English Release date: 05-10-16 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 900 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this literary masterwork, Louise Erdrich, the best-selling author of the National Book Award-winning The Round House and the Pulitzer Prize nominee The Plague of Doves, wields her breathtaking narrative magic in an emotionally haunting contemporary tale of a tragic accident, a demand for justice, and a profound act of atonement with ancient roots in Native American culture. North Dakota, late summer, 1999. Landreaux Iron stalks a deer along the edge of the property bordering his own. He shoots with easy confidence - but when the buck springs away, Landreaux realizes he's hit something else, a blur he saw as he squeezed the trigger. When he staggers closer, he realizes he has killed his neighbor's five-year-old son, Dusty Ravich. The youngest child of his friend and neighbor, Peter Ravich, Dusty was best friends with Landreaux's five-year-old son, LaRose. The two families have always been close, sharing food, clothing, and rides into town; their children played together despite going to different schools; and Landreaux's wife, Emmaline, is half sister to Dusty's mother, Nola. Horrified at what he's done, the recovered alcoholic turns to an Ojibwe tribe tradition - the sweat lodge - for guidance and finds a way forward. Following an ancient means of retribution, he and Emmaline will give LaRose to the grieving Peter and Nola. "Our son will be your son now," they tell them. LaRose is quickly absorbed into his new family. Plagued by thoughts of suicide, Nola dotes on him, keeping her darkness at bay. His fierce, rebellious new "sister", Maggie, welcomes him as a coconspirator who can ease her volatile mother's terrifying moods. Gradually he's allowed shared visits with his birth family, whose sorrow mirrors the Raviches' own. As the years pass, LaRose becomes the linchpin linking the Irons and the Raviches, and eventually their mutual pain begins to heal. But when a vengeful man with a longstanding grudge against Landreaux begins raising trouble, hurling accusations of a cover-up the day Dusty died, he threatens the tenuous peace that has kept these two fragile families whole. Inspiring and affecting, LaRose is a powerful exploration of loss, justice, and the reparation of the human heart and an unforgettable, dazzling tour de force from one of America's most distinguished literary masters. Critic Reviews: "As narrator, Erdrich inhabits [the characters] - dark, light, comic, confused - with apparent effortlessness. She delivers with equal ease mythic stories, slapstick nursing home exchanges, teen angst, and all-consuming grief.... To keep the emotions she, as author, has created, Erdrich, as narrator, digs deep. LaRose is a winning story that will leave listeners cheering." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Great story; wonderful narration by the author. Another great novel by Louise Erdrich; her characters are palpable, her dialogue sounds just like people speak, she creates multiple intertwining plot lines, and she keeps the whole thing moving forward without any apparent effort. This is a story where the title character isn't really the main--or at least not the only main--character of the story. The novel allows the reader/listener to figure out who might be the center of the novel slowly. I loved this technique.

At Home in Mitford Audiobook by Jan Karon

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jan Karon) — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 21:53:42 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: At Home in Mitford Subtitle: The Mitford Years, Book 1 Author: Jan Karon Narrator: John McDonough Format: Unabridged Length: 19 hrs and 25 mins Language: English Release date: 10-13-06 Publisher: Penguin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1678 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Yet Father Tim, the bachelor rector, wants something more. Enter a dog the size of a sofa who moves in and won't go away. Add an attractive neighbor who begins wearing a path through the hedge. Now, stir in a lovable but unloved boy, a mystifying jewel theft, and a secret that's 60 years old. Suddenly, Father Tim gets more than he bargained for. And readers get a rich, provincial comedy in which mysteries and miracles abound. Members Reviews: Rambling, Heartwarming, Joyful and Fun Move over, Eudora Welty. I love the slow pace and the gentle narrative. It's a great change of pace from my usual fare of fantasy and science fiction. It's warm and funny and eminently enjoyable. I actually appreciate the reader's pauses and find it adds to the experience. One caveat, these novels are not-at-all-disguised proselytizations for the Christian faith, complete with altar calls, so if you're not into that sort of thing you may want to shy off. I just accept those evangelical sales pitches as part of the story (being so in character for Father Tim) that I don't let it bother me. I still enjoy the story so much that I couldn't wait to get subsequent books. Loved it Any additional comments? Funny, quirky, and positive. This was my first Mitford book and I really enjoyed the narrator and the light hearted story of a North Carolina town and its aging Episcopal priest. Upbeat and filled with southern charm. You wish you lived there and knew these people The Mitford Series books are those I want to read over and over. I'd give each in the series 10 stars if possible. I love them because it's like reading about old friends and 'going home', even if you never had a home like that, you'd want one. The stories are funny, some suspense, mystery and everything else a good book has. You can get lost in them and feel like you are right there in Mitford. And, for some reason, while reading these books, they give you a comforting and peaceful feeling...I just feel good when reading them and after reading them. These people are ones you want to know and hope really exist someplace, somewhere. I'd recommend them to anyone who loves reading about small town life, feeling you know the people you're reading about, and like the comfort you can get when reading a good book. I just LOVE the series. "At Home" is "Homey" It took a little while for me to get sucked into this story. And like the story itself, it took a little getting used to the narrator before I could appreciate him. Maybe it was about half way through, maybe a little less than that when I realized that I love the characters and the setting of this homey, uncomplicated story that tends to resonate with the soul. I also realized what an incredible narrator John McDonough really is. I needed a "feel-good" kind of story, down to earth and easy to follow, just now, and that is what I got. What a surprise that a story about an older man, and a man of the cloth, could be so sweet and, well, inspiring. I don't think this book is for everyone. Some people would find it boring, or would have a hard time engaging in it, but it just hit the spot for me. I am pretty sure I will be reading/listening to more in this series Totally Wholesome I thought At Home in Mitford was entertaining.

The Notebook Audiobook by Nicholas Sparks

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nicholas Sparks) — Thu, 20 May 2004 19:48:23 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Notebook Author: Nicholas Sparks Narrator: Barry Bostwick Format: Unabridged Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins Language: English Release date: 05-20-04 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1528 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: At 31, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At 29, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle. ©1996 Nicholas Sparks; (P)2004 Time Warner Audiobooks Members Reviews: Good story, but hated Narration the narrator's voice was too old sounding for Noah's charactor. Made certain scenes seem creepy. Also the little music incerpts were awful. Annoying background music Periodically, there is low-sample-rate music played so loudly that it's difficult to hear the narrator. This went on for so long at the beginning of the book that I nearly abandoned it. The narrator isn't very expressive, though he seems to get better as the book goes on. Good book, annoying music The book "The Notebook" is nice. Very sweet, like the movie. However, I did not like this particular AudioBook because of the loud, obnoxious music that played in the background. The music was entirely too loud which made the narration very hard to hear, and I also found it distracting. I doubt I'll buy another audiobook from this particular maker. Yes, finally a man ! What a wonderful story! Nicholas Sparks went far beyond the creation of just another "tear jerker", the book touches ones soul, as Sparks reflects of many of the questions that sooner or later we all ask us in our lives. What is the purpose of my life? What truly brings joy to me? What will it be that I will have in my head to take with me, when it is finally time to go? And so many more... All this packaged in a gripping yet gently told love story that leads us on a emotional roller coaster (as life is), and it is hard to take a break before the story ends. Recommended by a man, especially to all other men out there. It is sad that many women (especially in the U.S.) think, that men can not express their feelings or truly share their love and emotions, and even enclose their own husbands in that generalization. They need to ask themselves why did they marry this "great", yet emotion-less man in the first place. Our society certainly can improve to participate in the upbringing of more gentle, warm, caring, loving, and emotionally secure males, but many of them already exist, just open your eyes... Need tissues for this one I really enjoyed this book. It shows the strength of true love and how powerful it can be. I was hooked from the beginning, and had a hard time turning the player off when it was time to leave work. You will probably need a tissue!

The Wedding Audiobook by Nicholas Sparks

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nicholas Sparks) — Fri, 12 Sep 2003 07:01:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Wedding Author: Nicholas Sparks Narrator: Tom Wopat Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 09-12-03 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1252 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Despite the shining example of Allie and Noah's marriage, Wilson is himself a man unable to easily express his emotions. A successful estate attorney, he has provided well for his family, but now, with his daughter's upcoming wedding, he is forced to face the fact that he and Jane have grown apart and he wonders if she even loves him anymore. Wilson is sure of one thing - his love for his wife has only deepened and intensified over the years. Now, with the memories of his in-laws' magnificent fifty-year love affair as his guide, Wilson struggles to find his way back into the heart of the woman he adores. Critic Reviews: "The wistful, reflective tone of Sparks' newest love story shines through in Wopat's competent telling." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: One of Sparks best. . . I really enjoyed this book. I have enjoyed all of Sparks books but thought this one was one of his best. As another reviewer mentioned it was clean through and through, a nice change from alot of junk out there. I especially liked it because instead of finding new mates and ending a marriage, the characters work to make their marriage work. I thought it was inspiring and romantic. The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks A very touching and moving story typical of Nicholas Sparks. Once you start you can't stop and the tears flow with the moving account of what love is all about. A great story! Don't miss it! Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful... Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? After 20 years of marriage and all the natural stresses that come with it. This book was a pleasant yet accurate reminder of the beauty two people can share. I recommend it to the married and single alike. It is gripping, exciting, tender, and honest. Once you begin you will not put it down, so why not start today! Who was your favorite character and why? Noah was my favorite character because his gentle and quiet nature was really strong and loud with wisdom, passion, and love. What about Tom Wopats performance did you like? Loved it, his voice and inflections seem to accurately display each characters intentions with distracting for the overall theme. Could listen to him again and again all day long. Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting? yes!!! Any additional comments? Please read today. The Wedding (Unabridged) What a wonderful book, it made me laugh & cry. I love his writing. He makes me feel like I am right there seeing what everyone he could see while writing, the live oak trees with the Spanish moss on them. It is sad to think that a marriage can get to this state, but it is nice to see that something can be done about it if someone really cares. Everyone who is married should read this book. Maybe it would put a spark back in all of our marriages after reading it. This was Great! I'm not usually a Nicholas Sparks fan...his books are usually too sad. But, I LOVED this book. I enjoyed the male perspective, as this book is written as if the husband were talking...I enjoyed how this man tries to rebuild his marriage and the steps he was willing to take to get his wife to fall in love with him again. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending, and hope you will be too.

Take Me With You Audiobook by Catherine Ryan Hyde

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Catherine Ryan Hyde) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:00:55 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Take Me With You Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde Narrator: Jeff Cummings Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins Language: English Release date: 07-22-14 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3850 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: August Shroeder, a burned-out teacher, has been sober since his 19-year-old son died. Every year hes spent the summer on the road, but making it to Yellowstone this year means everything. The plan had been to travel there with his son, but now August is making the trip with Philips ashes instead. An unexpected twist of fate lands August with two extra passengers for his journey, two half-orphans with nowhere else to go. What none of them could have known was how transformative both the trip - and the bonds that develop between them- would prove, driving each to create a new destiny together. Members Reviews: Gripping, brilliantly heartwarming,thoughtful! A thoroughly engaging story of self-discovery for all involved, well, almost all. There is a considerable attention given to the plight of older but still underage children who must live with an uncovered alcoholic parent; but an equal amount given to the benefits of a dedicated sober alcoholic who is now responsible. It was for that reason, a bit preachy for my tastes, but the overall effect is still a gripping and heartwarming tale that will not disappoint and just flew by quickly. The narration was spot on! Perhaps My Biggest Surprise of 2014! You won't find any murder mystery here, no mutilated bodies; there's no sex, no sci-fi or fantasy, no romance, nor crime scene investigations. So let me try to say what was so good about this book for me. It may be difficult to explain that without giving away a bit of the story but I will go ahead anyway. This book is the second I have read by Ryan Hyde and I really loved both. It involves a road trip through many of the national parks of our great country. The protagonist is a science teacher on a summer vacation. He is dealing with some of life's rougher issues including the loss of his 19 year old son. He is on a pilgrimage of sorts, when his camper breaks down in a small town where he is forced to stay a few days while repairs are done. Along the way, he acquires two boys as traveling companions for the entire summer. This touching and heart-felt story is about relationships. It is also a coming of age story. The "scenery" is wonderful, our national parks, and the story just resonated with me, so much so that I just hated to part with these characters. This story took unexpected turns, some of which initially disturbed me. Life does that to you. It had a great narration by Jeff Cummings. I came away feeling happy and satisfied with just a touch of bittersweet. However, I am not ready to start my next audiobook (unusual for me.) I just have to steep in this one for a while more. Highly recommended. What a Great Book! I just loved this story about summers traveling in an RV visiting National Parks. It was positive in the face of troubles and full of taking life's heartaches and disappointments in stride. Uplifting and really poignant. I particularly liked the depiction of the idea of enjoying and savoring "just being" and not rushing through life. Beautifully read and totally engaging. A recommended listen. Wonderful story Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why? I would definitely recommend it. The story and the characters were enjoyable. What did you like best about this story? I liked the story line. Have you listened to any of Jeff Cummingss other performances before? How does this one compare? No, but I will in the future.

The Year of the Hare Audiobook by Arto Paasilinna

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Arto Paasilinna) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:43:22 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Year of the Hare Subtitle: A Novel Author: Arto Paasilinna Narrator: Simon Vance Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins Language: English Release date: 12-28-10 Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 792 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Vatanen, a journalist, is feeling burned out and sick of the city. One summer evening, he and a photographer set out on an assignment, and as they drive through the country, the car hits a young hare. Vatanen leaves the car to save the injured creature, and the grateful animal adopts him. This small incident becomes a turning point in Vatanens life as he decides to break free from the worlds constraints. He quits his job, leaves his wife, and sells his possessions to travel the Finnish wilds with his newfound friend. During their farcical adventures they encounter forest fires, pagan sacrifices, military war games, killer bears, political scandals, and much more. ARTO PAASILINNA is a writer whose works have been at the top of the bestseller lists for twenty years. His books long remained unnoticed by Finlands chronically antagonistic literary critics, but thanks to his great popularity, many of them have reassessed their opinions. In France, his books have not only proven bestsellers but also critical triumphs. Critic Reviews: Paasilinna has been amusing Finns for thirty years and readers in twenty-five languages. ( New York Times) This picaresque novel could simply depict a middle-age crisis, but it reaches beyond fantasy or fiction, becoming mythic in its universal themes. The story is inventive, satirical, and quite humorous. ( Booklist) I love The Year of the HareWhich of us wouldnt secretly want to live in a novel as fresh and as full of events as this one? ( Pico Iyer) Members Reviews: Lost in translation While the premise was intriguing, I was disappointed in how undeveloped Vatanen was as a character. Initially I was under the impression he must have been relatively old as he mused on the disappointments of his life. But as he gets into his adventures, it was obvious that he had to be much younger than I thought. Actually, we are never told how old he is, or much else about who he is as a person. His sojourn with his furry companion is a series of encounters in which the people he meets are the center of attention and he is the spectator. And when each encounter is over, its over and we move on, seemingly unaffected. If we were intended to get something out of each episode, then the message got lost in translation. In the last 1/3 things start getting stranger, with Vatanen changing from his mild mannered self to something more erratic and darker, with no arc in the story creating the change. The ending was unfinished and just dropped off the ledge. There was enough in the relationship between man and hare to lend some gentle sweetness, and Simon Vances usual marvelous performance was also a great asset. I can round up to 3 stars for what is really a 2.5. Not much substance This book chronicles the activities of the protagonist, but never allows you to know him. It felt shallow to me. NWTT (Not worth the time) Not worth even 4 hours I don't know if there's much worse than a painfully boring beginning or end, this was even worse, it started out with great and died immediately after never to be interesting again.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Audiobook by Jamie Ford

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Jamie Ford) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:25:10 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet Subtitle: A Novel Author: Jamie Ford Narrator: Feodor Chin Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins Language: English Release date: 01-27-09 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3043 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry's world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American. While scholarshipping at the exclusive Rainier Elementary, where the white kids ignore him, Henry meets Keiko Okabe, a young Japanese American student. Amid the chaos of blackouts, curfews, and FBI raids, Henry and Keiko forge a bond of friendship and innocent love that transcends the long-standing prejudices of their Old World ancestors. And after Keiko and her family are swept up in the evacuations to the internment camps, she and Henry are left only with the hope that the war will end, and that their promise to each other will be kept. Forty years later, Henry Lee is certain that the parasol belonged to Keiko. In the hotel's dark dusty basement he begins looking for signs of the Okabe family's belongings and for a long-lost object whose value he cannot begin to measure. Now a widower, Henry is still trying to find his voice, words that might explain the actions of his nationalistic father; words that might bridge the gap between him and his modern, Chinese American son; words that might help him confront the choices he made many years ago. Critic Reviews: "A tender and satisfying work set in a time and a place lost forever, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by war - not the sweeping damage of the battlefield, but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. Especially relevant in today's world, this is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more importantly, it will make you feel." (Garth Stein, New York Times best-selling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain) "Jamie Ford's first title explores the age-old conflicts between father and son, the beauty and sadness of what happened to Japanese Americans in the Seattle area during World War II, and the depths and longing of deep-heart love. An impressive, bitter, and sweet debut." (Lisa See, best-selling author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan) Members Reviews: Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet superb writing! this story kept me listening far beyond my daily normal fill of audio books. I felt the story was a little slow to start but after the story is established you WILL be hooked! Excellent narration and fine details to the era of potrayal. Wow! What a book! What a narrator!! This was one of the best books I've heard since The History of Love. The narration was spot on (except for perhaps when speaking a couple of the Japanese phrases, but this may have been intentional). Feodor Chin's ability to vary his voice across the years and for each of the characters, not only in tone and accent, but in the more subtle matters of "how" something would be said, made listening to this book a rare pleasure. Jamie Ford's writing is crisp, engaging, and insightful. It allows the listener/reader into a world seldom seen by outsiders, and events of our nation's history that are still rarely spoken about. The diverse cast of characters is three-dimensional and believable, and Ford skillfully avoids stereotypical portrayals and easy solutions to diffucult issues.

Any Dream Will Do Audiobook by Debbie Macomber

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Debbie Macomber) — Tue, 08 Aug 2017 07:52:04 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Any Dream Will Do Subtitle: A Novel Author: Debbie Macomber Narrator: Mark Deakins, Laurel Rankin Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins Language: English Release date: 08-08-17 Publisher: Random House Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 347 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Beloved and best-selling author Debbie Macomber returns with a powerful stand-alone novel about a woman forced to start her life anew, embarking on the most courageous journey of all - to a place where she learns what love and trust really mean. Shay Benson adored her younger brother, Caden, and that got her into trouble. When he owed money, Shay realized she would do anything to help him avoid the men who were threatening him, and she crossed lines she never should have crossed. Now, determined to start fresh, she finds herself in search of a place to stay and wanders into a church to escape from the cold. Pastor Drew Douglas adored his wife. But when he lost her, it was all he could do to focus on his two beautiful kids, and his flock came in a distant third. Now, as he, too, is thinking about a fresh start, he walks through his sanctuary and finds Shay sitting in a pew. The pair strike up a friendship - Drew helps Shay get back on her feet, and she reignites his sense of purpose - that over time turns into something deeper, something soulful, spiritual, and possibly romantic. Even Drew's two children are taken with this woman who has brought light back into their lives. Perhaps most important, Shay learns to trust again as she, in turn, proves herself trustworthy to her adopted community. But Caden's return to town and a disastrous secret threaten to undo the life Shay has tried so hard to rebuild. It will take the utmost courage and faith if she and Drew hope to find healing and open their hearts to a brighter future. Members Reviews: Joyfull Very glad I chose this wonderful, clean and inspirational book. I've read other books by Debbie Macomber and it was a predictable ending as I was able to figure out "who did it" but what a refreshing story. As a Christian I plan on reading more books like this one. Thank you Debbie, I was filled with joy reading this book, I did not want it to end! This Was the Best Story Yet I could not stop listening to this story until I finished it. The story held me tight, the performance of both characters (narrators) was flawless and spot on. wonderful story a beautiful story about taking chances and risks and making the right desicions, never knowing what life can lead you to and all it takes is a step forward and I give a 6 star you the narrators Great story about 2nd chances loved it. About chancing to dream and overcoming past mistakes. it also deals with how people tend to judge upon past deeds even when a change has been made. Beyond Excellent! I read Debbies newsletter and how she went to a womans prison to teach a class and was inspired to write this book. In my opinion, this is absolutely one of her best boo

Without Merit Audiobook by Colleen Hoover

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Colleen Hoover) — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 21:15:37 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Without Merit Subtitle: A Novel Author: Colleen Hoover Narrator: Candace Thaxton Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins Language: English Release date: 10-03-17 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 561 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: From the New York Times best-selling author of It Ends with Us and November 9 comes a moving and haunting novel of family, love, and the power of the truth. In Colleen Hoover's gripping novel, reminiscent of the best-selling works of Liane Moriarty and Jojo Moyes, a young woman decides to reveal the dark secrets of her seemingly happy family before she leaves them behind, but when her escape plan fails, she must deal with the staggering consequences of telling the truth. Members Reviews: 4 Stars Ok I have to be honest and admit this is not my favorite CoHo book but.... that doesn't mean I hated it! This book for me was like wine, the longer it sits with me the more I liked it. I also think the more I discuss it with friends the more I am finding I enjoyed it too. I really found it hard to connect with because it had too many strange things. I love a book with an odd character or two but honestly EVERY character in this book was odd. I did laugh a lot and I really enjoyed some of the quotes and saying in this book too. I liked what I got from this story and loved the ending. I always love a good guys in stories so Sagan was my favorite character. He was strong considering the things he had going on in his life and he wasn't dysfunctional. I was very impressed at the changes the characters made once they actually started seeing each other and noticing what was going on in each others lives. These characters grew so much in just the last few chapters of this book. The narration was great, I love her in all the books I've listened to her narrate and I love how well she gives each characters their own voice. This Book Will Not Disappoint! This was my first Colleen Hoover read and I was blown away! I listened to it and literally did not want to stop to do life because I wanted to know what was going to happen to these magical characters I fell in love with! And the narrator was PERFECT! Merit has an unusual family life. She lives in an old church with her father and step-mother, as well as her mother who lives in the basement and will not come out. Other characters include Merit's twin sister, her older brother, a younger brother, an uncle by marriage who comes along unexpectedly, and Merit's love interest, whom she believes to be her twin's boyfriend. Merit finds herself in the throes of depression and the story comes to a head when she writes a heartfelt letter after which she attempts to remove herself from her reality. Each character is so deliciously developed that you will feel that they are your personal friends. The reader will quickly become invested in the story which has a superb ending. I cannot wait to read more by Colleen Hoover, and luckily I discovered there is quite a collection to choose from! Was this a lesson for a teenager with Depression Wow - I love love love Colleen Hoover books but this one was disappointing. So disappointing this is the first ever review I've written. Ok so if you have a child that likes to read and has a negative attitude about life and other people this is the book for them. The message is good but the delivery from a homeless teenage and a reckless 20 year old is far from believable. The intelligence and maturity of these characters are unrealistic. I feel like I spent 9 hours listening to an after school special on the rights and wrongs of judging without getting the whole story.

Before I Go to Sleep Audiobook by S. J. Watson

biacuaduc@gmail.com (S. J. Watson) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:30:38 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Before I Go to Sleep Subtitle: A Novel Author: S. J. Watson Narrator: Orlagh Cassidy Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins Language: English Release date: 09-01-11 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2795 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: "As I sleep, my mind will erase everything I did today. I will wake up tomorrow as I did this morning. Thinking I'm still a child. Thinking I have a whole lifetime of choice ahead of me...." Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love - all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may be telling you only half the story. Welcome to Christine's life. Members Reviews: Interesting story - well-told The story was engrossing and suspenseful, with a satisfying finish. I felt for the main character, Christine, and I was excited to see how she would adapt. The story developed believeably, and the ending didn't disappoint. Orlagh Cassidy did a great job of presenting the characters. A terrifying story Any additional comments? This book is really scary on so many levels. The vulnerable main character suffers ongoing terrible abuse and betrayal. Heavy on the violence, sense of loss and abandonment. A page turner but a cautionary story that is more thriller than anything else. Haunting. Must listen. I was ready to give up on audiobooks again after purchasing three duds that I just couldn't get through. I had heard about this book and read the reviews carefully prior to purchasing it. It was very entertaining and the narrator did quite a good job. Overall it held my interest and, even though it faltered a bit through the middle and has been criticized for its ending, I have to say this is a good debut novel for Watson. Particularly Love the Narrator! Having read rave reviews about this book, I chose not to read more than the basic synopsis. I had no idea what to expect. I'd never heard of the narrator, Orlagh Cassidy, and let me stress what a fabulous job she did, nailing the voices for each character, as well as all the emotional nuances. Although there were times I felt the story could have moved along more quickly, I realized later that the slow pace is what makes the whole thing work so well. Other reviewers have, in my opinion, made a mountain out of a molehill when it comes to the 'glitch' of the echo during a small portion of the audio. Yes, it's a bit annoying, but big deal. Bottom line is that this is not a book to rush through. Enjoy the experience, work your way through the echo glitch, and enjoy this wonderfully narrated and well crafted book. Boring Female version of Memento this is probably the most boring audiobook of which I have ever listened. The reader did a great job telling the story, but this really could have been a 50-page short story vs eight or nine hours of listening to a woman wake up, while about her memory loss, go to sleep, wake up, whine about her memory, well, you get it. Awful... was also obvious the author had a very difficult time trying to create a surprise ending which was pretty much expected from the first page

No Country for Old Men Audiobook by Cormac McCarthy

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Cormac McCarthy) — Fri, 22 Jul 2005 05:21:10 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: No Country for Old Men Author: Cormac McCarthy Narrator: Tom Stechschulte Format: Unabridged Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins Language: English Release date: 07-22-05 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4746 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Llewelyn Moss is hunting antelope near the Texas-Mexico border when he stumbles upon several dead men, a big stash of heroin, and more than two million dollars in cash. He takes off with the money, and the hunter becomes the haunted. A drug cartel hires a former Special Forces agent to track down the loot, and a ruthless killer joins the chase as well. Also looking for Moss is the aging Sheriff Bell, a World War II veteran who may be Moss' only hope for survival. Raw and lean, No Country for Old Men is another masterpiece from one of America's acclaimed novelists. Critic Reviews: "No Country for Old Men gets off to a riveting start as a sort of new wave, hard-boiled Western....Harrowing, propulsive drama." (The New York Times) "A mesmerizing modern-day western....While the action of the novel thrills, it's the sensitivity and wisdom of Sheriff Bell that makes the book a profound meditation on the battle between good and evil and the roles choice and chance play in the shaping of a life." (Publishers Weekly) "Shades of Dostoyevsky, Hemingway, and Faulkner resonate in McCarthy's blend of lyrical narrative, staccato dialogue, and action-packed scenes splattered with bullets and blood. McCarthy fans will revel in the author's renderings of the raw landscapes of Mexico and the Southwest and the precarious souls scattered along the border that separates the two." (Booklist) Members Reviews: Exceptional, engrossing, frightening. This is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. It is riveting, it is complete, it is complex, it demands much from the reader; it requires re-reading of some sections. Every single character is "sympathetic." You like them all. You want each of them to achieve their goals.. the good guys and the bad guys. As the murder victims added up, I felt so sad, so sorry for them. The characters are so strong that I will never forget them. Throughout the book, I kept asking myself "whose story is this?" It comes clear late in the book. It is in parts 7 and 8 that the whole thing begins to stick together. Still, the end was a little disappointing. There is at least one "missing person," one unexplained death, and it is so much meditation on very "heavy" subjects. I think I wish McCarthy had put some of that spiritual searching earlier in the book; following so much action, it's a little bottom heavy with stream-of-consciousness, moralizing. The questions are all apt to the story; they provoke deep thought. There is very little but some politicizing ... some grandstanding by the author, but it was light and it did not feel like a "big statement." At any rate it is among my all time favorites, right up there with the Classics, the Russians and the Moderns. It is atypical of these post-modern times. The book is old- fashioned in that it tells a real story. It is new-fashioned in that it has a strange approach to dialect -- including phonetic punctuation. It does become comfortable quickly. There are point of view switches that are not always clear until well into each new section's opening paragraphs. Sometimes you don't know whose story we are in, and then you do know because each character is so distinguishable. Fabulous. Typical McCarthy: SUPERB McCarthy is always brilliant.

Little Broken Things Audiobook by Nicole Baart

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nicole Baart) — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:40:13 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Little Broken Things Author: Nicole Baart Narrator: Susan Bennett Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins Language: English Release date: 11-21-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 81 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: "If you liked Big Little Lies, you'll want to crack open this new novel by Nicole Baart." (Southern Living) An engrossing and suspenseful novel for fans of Liane Moriarty and Amy Hatvany about an affluent suburban family whose carefully constructed facade starts to come apart with the unexpected arrival of an endangered young girl. I have something for you. When Quinn Cruz receives that cryptic text message from her older sister Nora, she doesn't think much of it. They haven't seen each other in nearly a year and thanks to Nora's fierce aloofness, their relationship consists mostly of infrequent phone calls and an occasional email or text. But when a haunted Nora shows up at the lake near Quinn's house just hours later, a chain reaction is set into motion that will change both of their lives forever. Nora's "something" is more shocking than Quinn could have ever imagined: a little girl, cowering, wide-eyed, and tight-lipped. Nora hands her over to Quinn with instructions to keep her safe, and not to utter a word about the child to anyone, especially not their buttoned-up mother who seems determined to pretend everything is perfect. But before Quinn can ask even one of the million questions swirling around her head, Nora disappears, and Quinn finds herself the unlikely caretaker of a girl introduced simply as Lucy. While Quinn struggles to honor her sister's desperate request and care for the lost, scared Lucy, she fears that Nora may have gotten involved in something way over her head-something that will threaten them all. But Quinn's worries are nothing compared to the firestorm that Nora is facing. It's a matter of life and death, of family and freedom, and ultimately, about the lengths a woman will go to protect the ones she loves. Members Reviews: Lovely & Captivating A solidly good read about a family, love, and loyalty. Hard to put down. Divine! Sigh, unconsciously racist plus convoluted This book has an interesting premise and moments of excellent writing. However, it is a tangled mess, plot-wise, with semi-developed characters who are often perplexingly obtuse. It is also quite unconsciously racist with wincingly painful hints that one character is... latinx? News flash: a latin last name and brown curls doesnt identify someone! Of course this exotic guy from a stereotypically warm and open family (yet still clueless to obvious plot points, and he acts very wasp-y) is the only one described particularly, in a way that calls attention to his skin color, while never spelling it out. Everyone else is just tall, brown hair. Presumably it goes without saying that they are white? Yearrrgggh. Enough!

Duma Key Audiobook by Stephen King

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Stephen King) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:27:42 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Duma Key Subtitle: A Novel Author: Stephen King Narrator: John Slattery Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 1 min Language: English Release date: 01-22-08 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8257 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: "Edgar, does anything make you happy?" "I used to sketch." "Take it up again. You need hedges...hedges against the night." Edgar leaves for Duma Key, an eerily undeveloped splinter of the Florida coast. The sun setting into the Gulf of Mexico calls out to him, and Edgar draws. Once he meets Elizabeth Eastlake, a sick old woman with roots tangled deep in Duma Key, Edgar begins to paint, sometimes feverishly; many of his paintings have a power that cannot be controlled. When Elizabeth's past unfolds and the ghosts of her childhood begin to appear, the damage of which they are capable is truly devastating. The tenacity of love, the perils of creativity, the mysteries of memory, and the nature of the supernatural: Stephen King gives us a novel as fascinating as it is gripping and terrifying. Members Reviews: Play the Book and Let the Book Play You Some strengths of Duma Key: Chararacters that became, at least to me, more real as friends than some people I know. Hard-won insight into what makes us human, how we deal with time, loss, fear of loss (Since when have you taken the chance to make friends with an 86 year old woman?), the mysterious tangle of creativity.... This all makes me want to, rather than a dead sort of word like "literary," apply to King what someone, if I remember rightly, said about Ellington, "He knew what music was for." King knows what a novel is for. Get involved. Come along. And finally, it includes a supernatural element that rather than making the story less powerful, merely paints it in King's chosen palette: vivid, disturbing, painful, tender, and essentially real where it matters most, and where perhaps it looms the most dangerous. *** John Slattery, the reading was brilliant. Your voice stood up, offered me a cool drink, and became Wireman to me. I'll miss you, my friend. Highest honors. ***Humble Response to a Few Reviews** It's been mentioned in some of these reviews that 1) the language was unnecessarily coarse and 2) that it started slow. First, the language is entirely appropriate to an adult novel where organic brain trauma is involved. The protagonist's verbal outbursts can be, unfortunately, all too accurate, and are intended (I believe) to frighten the reader as it does the characters involved--to offend one's sense of how things ought to be. In response to the second, I found the pace of his development added to my involvement in the story, and helped to add the kind of inevitablity, depth, and increasing momentum so present in the best of some of King's work. Also, I believe for the novel to work as well as it does, that we must see, really see, what happens there, and in that order. My favorite Stephen King novel yet. Full disclosure; I'm definitely a fan of Stephen King. That said, I felt there was something special about this book. The story seemed more personal, the relationships more genuine. The narration is exquisite.

Blue Audiobook by Danielle Steel

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Danielle Steel) — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 17:08:23 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Blue Subtitle: A Novel Author: Danielle Steel Narrator: Alexander Cendese Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins Language: English Release date: 01-19-16 Publisher: Brilliance Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1018 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Ginny Carter was once a rising star in TV news, married to a top anchorman, with a three-year-old son and a full and happy life in Beverly Hills - until her whole world dissolved in a single instant on the freeway two days before Christmas. In the aftermath, she pieces her life back together and tries to find meaning in her existence as a human rights worker in the worst areas around the globe. Then, on the anniversary of the fateful accident - and wrestling with the lure of death herself - she meets a boy who will cause her life to change forever yet again. Thirteen-year-old Blue Williams has been living on the streets, abandoned by his family, rarely attending school, and utterly alone. Following her instincts, Ginny reaches out to him. Leery of everyone, he runs from her again and again. But he always returns, and each time, their friendship grows. Blue glows with outsized spirit and an irresistible mix of innocence and wisdom beyond his years. Ginny offers him respect as they form an unusual bond and become the family they each lost. But just as Blue is truly beginning to trust her, she learns of a shocking betrayal that he has been hiding. Is it a wound too deep to heal, or will she be able to fight the battle that will make them both whole again? Blue is number one New York Times best-selling author Danielle Steel at her finest, a probing and emotionally gripping story of dark secrets revealed, second chances, and the power of love and courage to overcome life's greatest challenges. Members Reviews: Yet Another Hit Danielle Steele does it yet again .-the book was a quick read and I finished it in one day You won't be disappointed! Striaght to the heart story telling. I loved this story and to sum it up, you cant fix broken people but you can fill the cracks in ones heart and bring strength to another. This book kept me going striaght from the start and through to the end while the narrator led me through every emotion imaginable Steel,steals the heart again with a story that will linger on my mind for quite sometime. I want to listen again. Christine Richardson Blue isn't. What made the experience of listening to Blue the most enjoyable? A good plot well developed and I just knew there was going to be a happy ending. What did you like best about this story? How tragedy can create very strong bonds. What about Alexander Cendeses performance did you like? The ability to feel what the characters were feeling. If you could take any character from Blue out to dinner, who would it be and why? Jenny. I want to hold her hand and tell her that the pain will eventually become less raw and more livable....it doesn't ever go away, but it does diminish. Any additional comments? Great Nora Roberts. Enjoyable read but light - great for summer beach Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not? No. Would you be willing to try another book from Danielle Steel? Why or why not? No. What do you think the narrator could have done better? The narrator had a pleasant voice, but was totally unable to make the dialogue between the characters believable. Was Blue worth the listening time? Yes because it was a quick and light book. The subject matter (mentoring a homeless child) was a very good premise. The plot was predictable. Too bad Any additional comments? This is the first Danielle Steel book that I've read/listened to.

Less Audiobook by Andrew Sean Greer

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Andrew Sean Greer) — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 11:58:47 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Less Author: Andrew Sean Greer Narrator: Robert Petkoff Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins Language: English Release date: 07-18-17 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 192 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: A breakout romantic comedy by the best-selling author of five critically acclaimed novels. Who says you can't run away from your problems? You are a failed novelist about to turn 50. A wedding invitation arrives in the mail: Your boyfriend of the past nine years is engaged to someone else. You can't say yes - it would be too awkward - and you can't say no - it would look like defeat. On your desk are a series of invitations to half-baked literary events around the world. Question: How do you arrange to skip town? Answer: You accept them all. What would possibly go wrong? Arthur Less will almost fall in love in Paris, almost fall to his death in Berlin, barely escape to a Moroccan ski chalet from a Saharan sandstorm, accidentally book himself as the (only) writer-in-residence at a Christian Retreat Center in Southern India, and encounter, on a desert island in the Arabian Sea, the last person on Earth he wants to face. Somewhere in there: He will turn 50. Through it all there is his first love. And there is his last. Because despite all these mishaps, missteps, misunderstandings, and mistakes, Less is, above all, a love story. A scintillating satire of the American abroad, a rumination on time and the human heart, a bittersweet romance of chances lost, by an author the New York Times has hailed as "inspired, lyrical", "elegiac", and "ingenious" as well as "too sappy by half", Less shows a writer at the peak of his talents raising the curtain on our shared human comedy. Critic Reviews: "Andrew Sean Greer is one of the most talented writers around, feeling and funny, with a genuinely fine prose style and a sensibility to match." (Michael Chabon) "Andy Sean Greer writes with an intelligent joy that encompasses a truly kaleidoscopic vision, reminding me of the work of Peter Carey and David Mitchell. This novel is beautifully sewn together." (Colum McCann) Members Reviews: One of the few books I will read again I just finished it and I LOVED IT!!! It is the best book I've listen to this year! It has everything I like: Humor, sarcasm, self deprecation, travel, middle age crisis, a mysterious narrator, a love story, San Francisco, Texas, great characters, and a great ending! I highly recommend it Endearing, funny, but sometimes overly clever Any additional comments? Essentially a love story this novel has some sweet moments. But as an audio book it can be confusing. The protagonist is both traveling around the world, as well as constantly reviewing his life, and his loves, through the years, in his head. One great love began in 1987 and lasts I believe 15 years. Another began 9 years ago and ends right before he begins his travels. At any given moment he may be reliving either of those relationships, or any of his many dalliances on the side. So if you listen to half of one of the hour plus long chapters one day, and the remainder of the chapter the next, you will find yourself trying to remember...where is he now? Who is he "talking" about? The author also has bouts of very clever metaphors and wordplay.

The Spy Audiobook by James Phelan

biacuaduc@gmail.com (James Phelan) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 11:00:48 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Spy Subtitle: Jed Walker Series, Book 1 Author: James Phelan Narrator: Mulraney Adrian Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins Language: English Release date: 03-16-17 Publisher: Hachette Australia Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 83 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Jed Walker is the man you want watching your back. A sinister group - code-named Zodiac - has launched devastating global attacks. Twelve targets across the world, 12 code-named missions. Operating distinct sleeper cells, they are the ultimate terrorist organisation, watching and waiting for a precise attack to activate the next group. It is a frightening and deadly efficient way to stay one step ahead. And cause the most chaos. For ex-CIA operative Jed Walker, chaos is his profession. On the outer, burned by his former agency, he is determined to clear his name. Stopping Zodiac is the only way. Desperate to catch the killers and find the mastermind, he can't afford to lose the next lead, but that means that sometimes the terrorists have to win. Ultimately it all comes down to Walker: he's the only one who can break the chain and put the group to sleep...permanently. It's exactly 81 hours until deadline. James Phelan is the best-selling and award-winning author of 28 novels and one work of nonfiction. From his teens he wanted to be a novelist but first tried his hand at a real job, studying and working in architecture before turning to English literature, spending five years at a newspaper and obtaining an MA and a PhD in literature. For Hachette Australia, James has written five titles in the Lachlan Fox thriller series and the Alone trilogy of young adult postapocalyptic novels. The ex-CIA character of Jed Walker was first introduced in The Spy, which was followed by The Hunted, Kill Switch and Dark Heart. James has also written a 14-book adventure series for Scholastic, titled The Last Thirteen. He has been a full-time novelist since the age of 25 and spends his time writing thrilling stories and travelling the world to talk about them. Critic Reviews: "A terse, tense brand of hard-boiled action suspense...addictive." (The Age) "Jed Walker is right there in Reacher's rear-view mirror." (Lee Child) "Hard-boiled action suspense...addictive." (The Age on Kill Switch) "Walker's so tough he's got muscles in his spit...eminently enjoyable." (West Australian on The Hunted) "Vivid and suspenseful." (Sydney Morning Herald on The Spy) Members Reviews: Jed Walker is Awesome! If your a fan of Jack Reacher you'll love this series! A quarter of the way through this book I purchased the other 3 books in the series. I'm half way through the second one. (The Hunted) and I have no regrets! Jed walker is a great Character and I'm looking forward to many more books in this series! If you love Reacher.... If you love Lee Child's "Reacher" character you do not want to miss this book. Interesting, fast moving, and good characters The pace is fast but not too fast. Plenty of time for character development which is well done. Some in this genre focus only on the plot and the characters become superficial with no depth. This isn't the case, there is depth for our protagonist and a bit for the key good guys around him. The plot is interesting and different. The narration is ok. I am knocking the narration because at times I couldn't tell which character was speaking, some of the 'voices' weren't clear. Otherwise the narration was fine.

The Power of One Audiobook by Bryce Courtenay

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Bryce Courtenay) — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 23:11:03 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Power of One Author: Bryce Courtenay Narrator: Humphrey Bower Format: Unabridged Length: 21 hrs and 34 mins Language: English Release date: 02-01-06 Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4905 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Born in a South Africa divided by racism and hatred, this one small boy will come to lead all the tribes of Africa. Through enduring friendships with Hymie and Gideon, Peekay gains the strength he needs to win out. And in a final conflict with his childhood enemy, the Judge, Peekay will fight to the death for justice. Editorial Reviews: Why You Should Download This Audiobook: Good character dramas are best shared with others, like good wine on special occasions. Bryce Courtenay's wonderful story of a child coming of age in a country ripped apart by racism is such a vintagerich and complex, an experience you'll want to talk about long after the last words are spoken. Members Reviews: Compelling story lifted higher by the narration After several listens to books by Bryce Courtenay, it strikes me that this author's books, narrated by Humphrey Bower, represent something of the ideal in mainstream, audiobook fiction. The stories are vivid, well-plotted, with stirring story arcs. The narration is superb, with Bower handling a variety of accents and personalities and sexes in deft and entrancing form. Yes, Peekay's accomplishments strain credulity. But only if you stop to add it up in a dispassionate accounting. Swept along by the story, it is not an issue. He is ruled by a genuine sense of humility that saves the day. The story is marked by great struggles to overcome injustices and stiff odds, some perhaps stereotyped villains and saints, but also nuanced and unique characters to balance it out. There are two early significant characters that I expected might reappear. One, the 'good' one I thought surely should; the other, the 'bad' I thought could. Only one did reappear and it was the latter. I was surprised it was not both. This is not the kind of story to worry too much about convenient twists and turns. The German character Doc is wonderful, especially the way that Bowers brings him to life. I never tired of his superlative 'absodoodle'. On occasion it brought tears to my eyes. Of all the audiobooks I have listened to in the past ten years, only the Courtenay/Bower combination has done that - and consistently. Outstanding I have been an audible customer for years and listened to hundreds of books. None touched me like this one. This is my first Courtenay book and I've since bought up all his books. The narrator is wonderful in bringing the characters to life. I didn't want the story to end. In fact, I hope these's a sequel in the works. Read it many years ago and never forgot it! I read this book many, many years ago when it was first published; I never forgot this book. It was one of the most powerful books I had ever read. When I saw the title on Audible, I ordered it...listened and loved the story all over again. I had not realized there was a sequel, Tandia, so I ordered that also. These books will stay with you forever. I have now listened, through Audible, to everything Bryce Courtenay wrote. Humphrey Bower narrates every novel of Courtenay and he is, by far, the best narrator I have ever heard! The Power of One is inspirational and so is its sequel. These books empower all who read or listen to become better human beings. That is the highest praise I could offer. I recommend all of the Bryce Courtenay books Audible carries...are there any more? Superb Reading Others have praised this praise-worthy novel.

The Best of Me Audiobook by Nicholas Sparks

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Nicholas Sparks) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:05:19 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Best of Me Author: Nicholas Sparks Narrator: Sean Pratt Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins Language: English Release date: 10-11-11 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2366 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In the fall of 1984, high-school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths. Now, 25 years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for a funeral. Neither has lived the life they imagined - and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers soon realize that everything they thought they knew - about themselves and the dreams they held dear - was not as it seemed. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past? Members Reviews: Horribly depressing I cannot believe I listened to this book all the way through. Mr. Sparks, I know every story doesn't have to have a happy ending but books are my entertainment. While you can weave quite a story. This is just too depressing. I found it unbelieveable long maybe it was just dragging me down. Narrator performance was very good. I do not purchase or listen to books to be taken this far down emotionally. If you are a NS fan, you will probably buy this as I did but I cannot recommend this book. I can't believe I am admitting this... But, yes, I also listen to Nicholas Sparks occasionally. The story itself is vintage Sparks sappy, fairly predictable, made for movie. The narration is average, but it didn't stand up. Nothing particularly special about this book, but it was a good read. 5 Stars...but... O.K. It is Nicholas Sparks...he is an amazing story teller. I gave the story 5 stars, which, in terms of story telling, it deserves. The Best of Me is quality writing, with outstanding character development, and storyline...but, I have to ask myself...did I come away with anything? The answer is an absolute "no", unless feeling depressed is something to brag about. On the one hand, I love the way he describes the characters and situations, although the ending was very predictable. Sean Prat has a great voice and does an amazing job of narration. Nicholas Sparks will not be on my short list of books to purchase anymore... Don't waste your credit - unless you are in the mood to feel basically hopeless... Dear Audible, Never let me buy another NS book. Typical Nicholas Sparks tearjerker, just more so. You can see the "shocking" ending from 100 pages away. SAPPY!! What disappointed you about The Best of Me? If you are looking for a predictable book this it ! Melo dramatic to the point I laughed out loud What do you think your next listen will be? Undaunted Courage How could the performance have been better? Better story line. You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities? I had a few good laughs because it was so maudlin Any additional comments? Bad southern accents

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper Audiobook by Phaedra Patrick

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Phaedra Patrick) — Tue, 03 May 2016 04:25:46 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper Author: Phaedra Patrick Narrator: James Langton Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins Language: English Release date: 05-03-16 Publisher: Harlequin Audio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1172 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: In this poignant and sparkling debut, a lovable widower embarks on a life-changing adventure. Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper lives a simple life. He gets out of bed at precisely 7:30 a.m., just as he did when his wife, Miriam, was alive. He dresses in the same gray slacks and mustard sweater-vest; waters his fern, Frederica; and heads out to his garden. But on the one-year anniversary of Miriam's death, something changes. Sorting through Miriam's possessions, Arthur finds an exquisite gold charm bracelet he's never seen before. What follows is a surprising and unforgettable odyssey that takes Arthur from London to Paris and as far as India in an epic quest to find out the truth about his wife's secret life before they met - a journey that leads him to find hope, healing, and self-discovery in the most unexpected places. Featuring an unforgettable cast of characters with big hearts and irresistible flaws, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is a curiously charming debut and a joyous celebration of life's infinite possibilities. Members Reviews: Heartwarming and poignant Sweet and tender. Teaches us that we don't always know everything about our significant other's past, but that it's all about the life we build and share with that person which really matters most. Loved seeing Arthur Pepper's growth throughout his journey. Disappointing. I read many genre of books. Recently I discovered what I call my baby boomer stories, stories, which deal with the later part of their lives when things are winding down. Baby Boomer Stories They do not start with a bang. You have to be patient while the character unfolds and quite to hear the ache in his heart. Finally, you have to be willing to take that slow walk around the block with him as he tells his story. So I did all that, twice, and I still never could take that walk with Arthur Pepper. I have taken a few walks with the author Fredrik Backman,which I highly recommend. This book was listed as a suggestion to read if you liked the Backman books. Well... Arthur Pepper could not motivate me to take a walk with him. Read A Man Called Ove, by Backman and see who you would rather take a walk with. Neat & Tidy This book strives to be quirky in the style of Fredrik Backman's charmingly off-beat books. There is even a hint of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand in the tone. Somehow though, for me, it missed the mark. Maybe it was just a bit too sweet, a tad too perfect in the resolutions and neater and tidier than life often works out. I thought it just didn't ring clear with a strong sense of truth, probability and reality. However, the narration was very good. It really was the driving factor that propelled me through a book that had me occasionally sighing and rolling my eyes as the story played out. Langton saved the day. Overall, not a disaster, but not a favorite either. Charming A lovely, uplifting story. Arthur Pepper is a lovely character. If you liked "A Man Called Ove", "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" and "Major Pettigrews Last Stand", this will be a pleasure. The narrator didn't thrill me initially, but I grew to appreciate his reading as the story pulled me in. excellent narration This book was a good listen, mostly due to the narration which was perfectly suited to the story and English setting.

Need to Know Audiobook by Fern Michaels

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Fern Michaels) — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 15:58:14 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Need to Know Author: Fern Michaels Narrator: Laurel Merlington Format: Unabridged Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins Language: English Release date: 12-26-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 37 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The Sisterhood: a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and a quest for justice. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right. Through all their missions and adventures, the tightknit group of friends who make up the Sisterhood have learned one vital lesson: everybody has a weak spot. In the case of Yoko Wong's dear friend Garland Lee, the multimillion-selling performer known as America's beloved songbird, that weak spot was trusting her lawyer, Arthur Forrester. For years, he's taken advantage of her faith in him to amass a secret fortune. And now, in the deepest betrayal yet, he's dragged her into a lawsuit that could cost her home and everything she has left. The Sisterhood know they can't let that happen. Forrester has some of the country's top judges in his pocket, and a list of influential and ruthless friends - not to mention knowledge of all the ways the law can be corrupted to work in his favor. But he doesn't have the Vigilantes' deep-seated loyalty and determination. And all his years of underhanded dealings won't prepare him for the type of creative payback that the Sisters have made their specialty.... Author bio: Fern Michaels is the USA Today and New York Times best-selling author of the Sisterhood, Men of the Sisterhood, and Godmothers series, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are over 75 million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown, and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret. Visit her website at www.fernmichaels.com. Members Reviews: Not Fern's Best Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not? I love Fern Michael's Sisterhood series, but this storyline was not her best. What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!) so-so Would you listen to another book narrated by Laurel Merlington? Yes, she did a great job. Could you see Need to Know being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be? no great book, again!!! everyone will enjoy this one. the sisters are great on their own. well read ad expected also Love I loved this book and feel that it ended too soon. Hopefully there is another one soon She needs to stop writing these books A Nothing burger. This book had nothing to say. Booorrriinnggg beyond words. Give me a JD Robb anyday.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto Audiobook by Mitch Albom

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Mitch Albom) — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 22:07:57 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto Subtitle: A Novel Author: Mitch Albom Narrator: Mitch Albom, Paul Stanley, George Guidall Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 43 mins Language: English Release date: 11-10-15 Publisher: HarperAudio Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1527 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Mitch Albom creates his most unforgettable fictional character - Frankie Presto, the greatest guitarist ever to walk the Earth - in this magical novel about the bands we join in life and the power of talent to change our lives. It's an epic story of the greatest guitar player ever to live and the six lives he changed with his magical blue strings. In Albom's most sweeping novel yet, the voice of Music narrates the tale of its most beloved disciple, young Frankie Presto, a war orphan raised by a blind music teacher in a small Spanish town. At nine years old, Frankie is sent to America in the bottom of a boat. His only possession is an old guitar and six precious strings. But Frankie's talent is touched by the gods, and his amazing journey weaves him through the musical landscape of the 20th century, from classical to jazz to rock and roll, with his stunning talent affecting numerous stars along the way, including Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carole King, Wynton Marsalis, and even KISS. Frankie becomes a pop star himself. He makes records. He is adored. But his gift is also his burden, as he realizes that through his music he can actually affect people's futures - with one string turning blue whenever a life is altered. At the height of his popularity, Frankie Presto vanishes. His legend grows. Only decades later does he reappear - just before his spectacular death - to change one last life. With its Forrest Gump-like romp through the music world, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto is a classic in the making. A lifelong musician himself, Mitch Albom delivers a remarkable novel infused with the message that "everyone joins a band in this life", and those connections change us all. The complete list of narrators includes: Mitch Albom, Roger McGuinn, Ingrid Michaelson, John Pizzarelli, Paul Stanley, George Guidall, Mike Hodge, Robin Miles, Christian Baskous, Tony Chiroldes, Kevin O'Neil, Adriana Sananes, Ken Brown, and Sarab Kamoo. Critic Reviews: "The narrative ensemble, which includes the author, is an inspired choice for this production. Their collective talents prove equal to a story with an extensive cast and a magical blend of realism and fantasy.... The fortunate listener who can briefly suspend disbelief will be rewarded with one of this season's true audio gems." (AudioFile) Members Reviews: Fiction interwoven with REAL people, places,events Would you listen to The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto again? Why? I just finished the book " The magic strings of Frankie Presto" by Mitch Albom. I think musicians would really enjoy it. Every chapter begins with a little music lesson on a musical theory term and how it relates to his life at the moment in the book. Oh and it was a full cast of characters which I loved as I listened. He included real music artists in the book and wove them into "Frankie's" life, they each told a little story on how "Frankie" affected their life in a positive way, it was very cool the way Mitch Albom did it. Then at the end he explained how HE knew each of those artists and what was real with their parts of the story. He even talked about the real places that he's been to and people he met there that he wrote about for Frankie's life. Frankie is fictional but I love how Mitch weaved real events, places and people in and out of Frankie's life.

The Arrangement Audiobook by Sarah Dunn

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Sarah Dunn) — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 03:08:51 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Arrangement Subtitle: A Novel Author: Sarah Dunn Narrator: Ellen Archer Format: Unabridged Length: 9 hrs and 1 min Language: English Release date: 03-21-17 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 857 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Lucy and Owen, ambitious, thoroughly-therapized New Yorkers, have taken the plunge, trading in their crazy life in a cramped apartment for Beekman, a bucolic Hudson Valley exurb. They've got a 200-year-old house, an autistic son obsessed with the Titanic whose verbal ticks often sound like a broken record, and 17 chickens, at last count. It's the kind of paradise where stay-at-home moms team up to cook the school's "hot lunch," dads grill grass-fed burgers, and, as Lucy observes, "chopping kale has become a certain kind of American housewife's version of chopping wood." When friends at a wine-soaked dinner party reveal they've made their marriage open, sensible Lucy balks. There's a part of her, though - the part that worries she's become too comfortable being invisible - that's intrigued. Why not try a short marital experiment? Six months, clear ground rules, zero questions asked. When an affair with a man in the city begins to seem more enticing than the happily-ever-after she's known for the past nine years, she must decide what truly makes her happy - "real life," or the "experiment?" Critic Reviews: "Dunn (The Big Love) again plumbs the messiness and fallibility of romantic relationships....with hilarious results." (Publishers Weekly) Members Reviews: Great Story! Very interesting story and fun concept. I breezed through the story and the narration was spot on! However the editing was pretty poor. I listen to a ton of Auto books and I have never heard so many missed edits throughout the a book. You constantly hear the Narrator repeating sentences with different "takes," at first I thought something was wrong with the file but then I realized it just wasn't edited out. It wasn't enough to distract from the entertainment of the story but it did get a bit amusing to hear it happening so much! Great listen! this was a great spin on appreciating what you have and that the grass is not always greener on the other side. A funny look at middle age sex and marriage Any additional comments? A great and fresh premise for a novel: a married couple tries an open marriage for six months. At times laugh-out-loud funny with quirky, likable characters who have depth and a plot that's something new. A great, entertaining read. Surprised how much I enjoyed it It sounded interesting and that along with the positive reviews made me purchase it. I was surprised how engaging it was. It is absolutely worthy of all the positive reviews it is receiving. really good read! surprisingly good and could not stop listening to. So relatable in the world we live in today in regards to the marital arrangement. I would definitely recommend for a good listen to anyone interested in this particular topic. The synopsis does not do this book justice. Give it a listen. You won't regret the time you took to do so.

Don't Let Me Go Audiobook by Catherine Ryan Hyde

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Catherine Ryan Hyde) — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 00:56:04 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Don't Let Me Go Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde Narrator: Chris Chappell, Cassandra Morris Format: Unabridged Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins Language: English Release date: 02-10-15 Publisher: Audible Studios Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 4317 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Former Broadway dancer and current agoraphobic Billy Shine has not set foot outside his apartment in almost a decade. He has glimpsed his neighbors--beautiful manicurist Rayleen, lonely old Ms. Hinman, bigoted and angry Mr. Lafferty, kind-hearted Felipe, and nine-year-old Grace and her former addict mother, Eileen. But most of them have never seen Billy. Not until Grace begins to sit outside on the building's front stoop for hours every day, inches from Billy's patio. Troubled by this change in the natural order, Billy makes it far enough out onto his porch to ask Grace why she doesn't sit inside, where it's safe. Her answer: "If I sit inside, then nobody will know I'm in trouble. And then nobody will help me." Her answer changes everything. By the best-selling author of When You Were Older and Pay It Forward, Don't Let Me Go is the heartbreaking, funny, and life-affirming story of a building full of loners and misfits who come together to help a little girl survive--and thrive--against all odds. Critic Reviews: "An excellent read." (New Books Review) "Original and wonderful." (The Sun) "Catherine Ryan Hyde at her utter best." (ChickLit Reviews) Members Reviews: Inspirational and humbling and awesome. This is the first review I have written. I'm usually in a hurry to get to the next project I must do, but this time I felt I must say something in the hopes that I may inspire someone, anyone to listen to or read this wonder book. Ms. Hyde has given us a beautiful glimpse into the power of humanity. The characters are so vividly portrayed and delightful in their differences. She so artfully shows how simple it can be to make a difference in the story of another's lives. How one person can truly unite many and that that although people are able to stand alone, they are at their greatest and happiest when standing ( or leaning) on another. I loved this story so much. It is humbling in its simplistic beauty. The simple message it imparts and the power with which the message resonates. Reach out. Take the time. Open the door. Ask if one needs help. Extend a hand. Have patience. Celebrate or at the very least, except one's quirks and differences. I am so happy I found this story and I know it will stay with me a very long time and I feel changed by it. Thank you for the opportunity to give my opinion. So sweet Finished it a week ago and still miss all the characters....initially I didn't think I cared for the story. Rediscovered first impressions can be dead wrong! Another 5 or 10 hours would have only made me happier! Over A Month Later .... I went far outside of my genre for this one, and am glad that I did. I have long since completed Don't Let Me Go & have begun other books, but this is the only one I have caught myself returning to now & then to listen just for a moment or two because I absolutely love Grace & Billy and their narrators. I feel like I want to immerse myself in Billy's universe, or to at least give the man a hug. Philippe & oh gosh, all the neighbors are so inherently beautiful!! If you know me, you know that I'm a cynical, somewhat negative punk of a woman lol & that all of this warm-hearted praise does not come naturally to me.

The Summer That Made Us Audiobook by Robyn Carr

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Robyn Carr) — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 17:41:49 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Summer That Made Us Author: Robyn Carr Narrator: Therese Plummer Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins Language: English Release date: 09-05-17 Publisher: Recorded Books Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 451 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: The next original trade women's fiction novel from beloved best-selling author Robyn Carr. Carr is the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Virgin River and Thunder Point series. Her trade women's fiction novel Four Friends debuted at number five on the New York Times. A television talk show host returns to her childhood summer home to rebuild her life after she's fired for falling ratings. The return is bittersweet as the house has been neglected for years. She's flooded with memories of the wonderful summers she spent with her sisters and cousins before a tragic event changed everything. Working to uncover what really happened the last summer they were all together, she reaches out to her family and the women all gather for an uneasy family reunion. As they share their stories, they realize their recollections of their summer childhoods are vastly different and no one's lives are what they'd dreamed of when they were children. But being together again helps them all to heal from the scars of the past. Members Reviews: Not her best Too many characters and stories. This would have been better written as a series where each story and line of characters could have been better explored. Pretty disappointing Great Story - I am a huge fan of Robyn Carr. & this is a great story. However it was a family story not a real love story. I wish more would have been said about end but it was kinda glossed over. But I guess the story was more about the past than the present. Love this book! Ive always enjoyed Robyn Carrs books and Therese Plummer is one of my favorite narrators. This is the BEST book by these 2 Ive read!!! Heartwarming, exciting and tear-jerking! Love it! This is the best book i've listen to all year I truly enjoyed many of Robyn Carr books. I never given a five star rating to any of them. Many are a mixture of fives and fours. I probably have listen to more than 30+ of them over the years. But I have found this has been probably the most interesting book of hers that I've listen to. It's funny, interesting, romantic, and not predictable. I've enjoyed this book to the fullest. Thank you Robyn for such a wonderful book. Another great story Such a heart warming story of family friendship and childhood perspectives. Loved every second of it. I also loved the Narrator Therese Plummer, she is such a wonderful story teller. She is so captivating and reads with such emotion. Thank you Robyn for another great story.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven Audiobook by Mitch Albom

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Mitch Albom) — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 22:32:54 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: The Five People You Meet in Heaven Author: Mitch Albom Narrator: Mitch Albom Format: Unabridged Length: 4 hrs and 41 mins Language: English Release date: 11-19-04 Publisher: Hyperion AudioBooks Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1904 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever. One by one, Eddie's five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself. In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom gives us an astoundingly original story that will change everything youve ever thought about the afterlife and the meaning of our lives here on earth. With a timeless tale, appealing to all, this is a book that readers of fine fiction will treasure. Critic Reviews: "Mitch Albom lifts us to a new level. You'll find here echoes of the classics The Odyssey, for one and that puts Albom's book in the best of company." (Frank McCourt) "This is the fable you will devour when you fall in love. This is the tale you will keep by your side when you are lost. This is the story you will turn to again and again, because it possesses the rare magic to let you see yourself and the world anew. This book is a gift to the soul." (Amy Tan) Members Reviews: Truly Inspiring and Meaningful After listening to the story the negative reviews have are sad. Sad in the fact that there are some people unable to be inspired by a simple story of the human spirit. This is another great accomplishment and will be a valued addition to my short list of potentially life altering stories. hmmm, i'd say --mixed review here i enjoyed the perspective of the narrator, especially the many vignettes in the main character's life. ...the links between them were somewhat weak and unexplained, however; i disagree with the reviews that say the book wasn't worthwhile. i enjoyed it a great deal, and i'm a tough sell. A thoughtful listen "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" is a thoughtful and spiritually uplifting reminder that not all pain in life is bad, not all things we believe are true, and not all things that we feel we've failed in are failings. A review of one man's life at his death brings to light much of the suffering and anguish he carried with him, as well as bringing back to him the remembrances of those things he loved and held dear. The book is a meaningful treatise on the importance of every life and how intricate our interrelationship with others. A wonderful read/listen, and a bold reminder to value not only those around us, but ourselves. Fast, Meaningful Read/Listen Hard to imagine all the biting, negative reviews after I listened to it but "to each his own". I had heard of the general theme and approach on a talk show but thought it was pulled off better than I could have ever imagined. If you have lost someone close to death, this book offers some comfort and hope.

Room Audiobook by Emma Donoghue

biacuaduc@gmail.com (Emma Donoghue) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:50:58 GMT

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/audiobook/71/]]> to download full audiobooks of your choice for free. Title: Room Subtitle: A Novel Author: Emma Donoghue Narrator: Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Robert Petkoff, Suzanne Toren Format: Unabridged Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins Language: English Release date: 09-13-10 Publisher: Hachette Audio Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8142 votes Genres: Fiction, Contemporary Publisher's Summary: To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits. Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work. Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio. Critic Reviews: "Powerful.... Seen entirely through Jack's eyes and childlike perceptions, the developments in this novel--there are enough plot twists to provide a dramatic arc of breathtaking suspense--are astonishing.... Donoghue brilliantly portrays the psyche of a child raised in captivity...will keep readers rapt." (Publishers Weekly) "Emma Donoghue's writing is superb alchemy, changing innocence into horror and horror into tenderness. Room is a book to read in one sitting. When it's over you look up: the world looks the same but you are somehow different and that feeling lingers for days." (Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Traveler's Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry) "This is a truly memorable novel, one that can be read through myriad lenses - psychological, sociological, political. It presents an utterly unique way to talk about love, all the while giving us a fresh, expansive eye on the world in which we live." (The New York Times Book Review) Members Reviews: A truly memorable read I loved this book, and listened to it a second time with my mother. It is a book that wants to be shared. My memories of my early years with her were evoked by this book. The narrators, especially "Jack", were fantastic. Initially it appears to be primarily a story about a child--who adapts and flourishes in a truly horrible situation, and then adjusts to an entirely new experience. It makes believable, in a very personal way, children's ability to tolerate and grow as long as they are loved, no matter what the impoverished circumstances they are born to. However, the more profound story is that of Jack's mother, whose adaptation to abuse, deprivation, and loneliness was much more difficult because she was an adult when it began, and became a mother soon thereafter. The gift of her commitment to her child's safe and happy life, under terrible circumstances, is remarkable. The book deserves the accolades it has received, and the narration here is a worthy presentation of it. Good book... Buy it in print The little kid voice is excruitiating to listen to for hours on end. The book is very good, very worth reading but I would definitely buy it in print.