An excellent listen for a long car drive. What started (I thought) as a YA book, was actually a story more geared to adults. A love story to wolves, tAn excellent listen for a long car drive. What started (I thought) as a YA book, was actually a story more geared to adults. A love story to wolves, to early passions, to a special kind of magic, and to the relationship between man and beast. ...more
Not sure about this one. On one hand, it’s beautifully written - on the other hand, it reads like a memoir (even though it’s not), and at times, I wasNot sure about this one. On one hand, it’s beautifully written - on the other hand, it reads like a memoir (even though it’s not), and at times, I was left wondering what about her mother's story ( besides the fact that she was her mother), was worth memorializing. Nothing grabbed me - and then I would remember that it was fiction, so….in the end, it was ok. And several of her mother's comments sounded so much like something my mother would have said, that it made me chuckle. So maybe that’s worth memorializing. ...more
A dark autobiography, with some bits of light thrown in. Alan's father was emotionally and physically abusive, and these memories influence and perme A dark autobiography, with some bits of light thrown in. Alan's father was emotionally and physically abusive, and these memories influence and permeate Alan's thinking and actions for many years. Woven through this story is his appearance on “Who do you think you are?” , a tv show that uncovers one's history, in this case the story of his grandfather.I listened to this on an audiobook, and loved his delivery. ...more
I started listening to this early in the new year. And then I stopped. It certainly is an account of her journey, and lessons learned from her cases aI started listening to this early in the new year. And then I stopped. It certainly is an account of her journey, and lessons learned from her cases as an ER doc, centered on top of her life journey. I felt, at times though, like I was being preached at (just a little), and that often makes a read less enjoyable....more
I’m not sure what possessed me to listen to this. I don’t routinely read romantic fiction and this was a little too over the top for me. I’m sort of sI’m not sure what possessed me to listen to this. I don’t routinely read romantic fiction and this was a little too over the top for me. I’m sort of surprised I finished it…....more
An honest and open account of growing up with a parent who wanted you on a path that was not your choice, and the selfishness of that agenda for you. An honest and open account of growing up with a parent who wanted you on a path that was not your choice, and the selfishness of that agenda for you. The abuse she suffered, and the resulting issues are horrible to think of, but she clearly has resilience. I never saw the show (too old), but thought this was a fascinating listen. ...more
A nice story in the end. The painful memories of a young girl grown up are slowly revealed. As a result of being hypnotized, Melody slowly uncovers heA nice story in the end. The painful memories of a young girl grown up are slowly revealed. As a result of being hypnotized, Melody slowly uncovers her youth, and the tragic events that led to her amnesia. Interesting read. ...more
I don’t know that much about tennis, and I’ve never been an athlete at a top competitive level, but this book underlines how self focussed and dedicatI don’t know that much about tennis, and I’ve never been an athlete at a top competitive level, but this book underlines how self focussed and dedicated a person needs to be to get to the top, and to stay there. The notion that to come back after retirement, and try to fight your way back to the top level seems at once crazy, and also makes sense, if you have that burning desire to be the best. This was well written and an excellent perspective into that drive. ...more
Interesting plot, in that Oliver is Olivia, and she is all grown up. I enjoyed it as a twist to the original classic, and the change from a small chilInteresting plot, in that Oliver is Olivia, and she is all grown up. I enjoyed it as a twist to the original classic, and the change from a small child to a grown woman. Some of the things made little sense ((how did she get away with the masculine disguise for so long? How did she meet up with the boys? How did Max not know her background?). Overall, a good romp. ...more
A quick and easy listen, and got me thinking about how one would describe the world to someone who is not only blind, but he’s always been blind. How A quick and easy listen, and got me thinking about how one would describe the world to someone who is not only blind, but he’s always been blind. How do describe a sunrise? A painting?...more
Deeply disappointing and a rather cliche ending. Also? Too long. I listened to it instead of reading it, but felt it really dragged as a result. PerhaDeeply disappointing and a rather cliche ending. Also? Too long. I listened to it instead of reading it, but felt it really dragged as a result. Perhaps, had I read it, it would have flown by. ...more
Mixed feelings here. There are 3 stories here, and they don’t mesh particularly well. I’m sure that this family “saved” Sarah at a very low time in heMixed feelings here. There are 3 stories here, and they don’t mesh particularly well. I’m sure that this family “saved” Sarah at a very low time in her life. I kept thinking that there was more that she could have done to ensure they had ongoing, sustainable help, rather than what she did. The story of her breast cancer was gut wrenching, but her spiritual re- awakening felt a little…forced is not exactly the right word. A religion that left me at a crisis point in my life is not one that I would go back to. But not having been raised in that sort of faith, I guess I am on the outside. And there were parts of the story that were mentioned, but not expanded on (the loans on her credit rating? Why the mother stopped calling once they moved to Seattle?). These left me with more questions. ...more
Hannah’s description of the Dust Bowl, the trek to California, the hardships faced by Elsa and her family are well done, and the need for unionizationHannah’s description of the Dust Bowl, the trek to California, the hardships faced by Elsa and her family are well done, and the need for unionization is very apparent. I could quibble with the ending, but somehow, it seemed appropriate, given the life Elsa had led to that point. ...more
I really enjoyed this book - it was a different take than your average fictional tell-all, and the unwinding of the plot really worked. The twist at tI really enjoyed this book - it was a different take than your average fictional tell-all, and the unwinding of the plot really worked. The twist at the end was also quite surprising, and it took me a small moment to figure it out (sometimes I'm slow that way - but also, when one is listening to the audiobook as opposed to reading a physical book, things take a moment to sink in - or maybe that's just me), but it worked. This was an excellent way to walk to work....more
This was a good listen for walks to work. Lots of action, some chemistry between the two main characters, and it went in directions I would not have tThis was a good listen for walks to work. Lots of action, some chemistry between the two main characters, and it went in directions I would not have thought. I enjoyed the narration as well. ...more
I found that Jim's story often overrode Henry's - yet Henry's was the more powerful one. This is a story with a strong Christian religious overtone - I found that Jim's story often overrode Henry's - yet Henry's was the more powerful one. This is a story with a strong Christian religious overtone - if that's not your thing, you might not like this....more
This was classic Penney in plot, and Clinton’s knowledge of the State department, the politics of nuclear bombs, Russia and Iran, made this a realistiThis was classic Penney in plot, and Clinton’s knowledge of the State department, the politics of nuclear bombs, Russia and Iran, made this a realistic listen. The narrator's voice could easily have been Clinton’s, and I found myself imagining that as I listened. ...more
This is not a book I would normally pick up but it was part of Audio Sync summer pairings from five or six years ago, so I started listening to it on This is not a book I would normally pick up but it was part of Audio Sync summer pairings from five or six years ago, so I started listening to it on the way to work. It’s a creepy story, and reminded me a little bit of The crucible, with the hysteria and the witch that inspired it al. But there were shades of racism, an old boys network and small town happenings, that made it intriguing. Plus it was narrated by a southern actor, and that made it even more engaging....more
What if you had done something different with your life - took a different job, moved somewhere else, married one one else? How would your life have uWhat if you had done something different with your life - took a different job, moved somewhere else, married one one else? How would your life have unfolded? This book really made me think about this, and would my regrets really have been regrets? I listened to this on audio and now I’d like to read it. Loved it. ...more
Loading...
