This was a really interesting book and a good listen. Susan Cain outlines the ways that society has come to favor extroversion while she discusses way...moreThis was a really interesting book and a good listen. Susan Cain outlines the ways that society has come to favor extroversion while she discusses ways that introverts can and have contributed greatly to society. She examines physiological differences between extroverts and introverts and provides tips on how introverts can be successful in their careers, make relationships work, and for parents raising introverted children (particularly parents who are extroverts). Above all, this is an affirming read for introverts, and a book that can (and should) be enjoyed by both personality types. (less)
Yes, this is a book about the Birmingham Children's March of 1963, but it's also a really rich resource on civil rights in general. There were many ci...moreYes, this is a book about the Birmingham Children's March of 1963, but it's also a really rich resource on civil rights in general. There were many civil rights demonstrations that led up to the Children's March - sit-ins at lunch counters, ride-ins on segregated buses, marches and parades by adults - none of which really had the desired effect. This is an important book, not only for telling a little-known story, but for telling a story about kids and teens making a difference. The story of the Birmingham Children's March clearly illustrates that kids can make a difference and sometimes their efforts are essential.
Ervin Ross's narration is steady and clear and it fits the content nicely. This past year I've gotten into NPR and I'm enjoying listening to nonfiction audiobooks all the more (they're like long NPR episodes! You learn so much!). A very nice feature of the audiobook is that parts of Cynthia Levinson's recorded interviews with the featured activists are included. It was great to hear them talking about their experiences in their own words after reading about them in the book.(less)
I think I had some disconnect with this book because I never really connected with the audiobook narrator. It wasn't that it was badly narrated, but j...moreI think I had some disconnect with this book because I never really connected with the audiobook narrator. It wasn't that it was badly narrated, but just that I didn't think the voice fit the character as well as I would have liked. (less)
Jack's a little lost at the moment. After his mother died, Jack's father relocates them from Kansas to Maine and plunks Jack down in boarding school....moreJack's a little lost at the moment. After his mother died, Jack's father relocates them from Kansas to Maine and plunks Jack down in boarding school. Still reeling from his losses, Jack has trouble making friends until he gets to know a strange boy named Early Auden who believes that the number pi tells a story that will guide him to find his older brother (who was killed in the war). When a leading mathematician predicts that the number pi will eventually end, Early and Jack set out on a quest to "find Pi". Along the way they get caught up with pirates, meet a lovesick Norseman, hang out with a hundred-year-old lady, and chase down a bear.
It's hard for me to know what to think about this story, actually, because it was pretty odd. I enjoyed the audiobook, which is nicely voiced by narrator Robbie Daymond. The bits with Pi's story are narrated by Mark Bramhall in a fittingly austere manner, like grandpa's sitting down and telling you a story.
I guess I liked it? It's hard for me to think about who's the best audience for this book. It's definitely slower paced, a book you can sit down and sink into, but it is also an adventure story and a survival story. (less)
Audiobook narration by Jesse Eisenberg definitely increased my enjoyment of this title, but I do think there were some point-of-view problems. The sto...moreAudiobook narration by Jesse Eisenberg definitely increased my enjoyment of this title, but I do think there were some point-of-view problems. The story's kinda told from Colin's point of view (and often features his first-person notebook entries), but it's really a 3rd-person omniscient narrator, which just doesn't work sometimes. I think it would have been an interesting story told from several different points of view or told strictly from Colin's point of view, but the switching around and the convenient details thrown in just didn't work well for me.
This may please fans of THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME or teens who are really interested in narrators on the autism spectrum. I'd recommend the audiobook - Jesse Eisenberg's voice is just a great fit for these type of nerdy, outcast characters. (less)
I enjoyed this true rescue story, but I wonder if audiobook was really the way to go. The narration was fine and the story compelling enough that I st...moreI enjoyed this true rescue story, but I wonder if audiobook was really the way to go. The narration was fine and the story compelling enough that I stuck with it, but it's my understanding that there are many photographs in the book, so I will have to check it out and take a look at them. (less)
Another hit from narrator Katherine Kellgren. She brings this audiobook to life and greatly contributed to my enjoyment of the story. Of particular de...moreAnother hit from narrator Katherine Kellgren. She brings this audiobook to life and greatly contributed to my enjoyment of the story. Of particular delight to me is Ms. Kellgren's singing throughout the book (even when she's portraying some of the more tone-deaf characters) because I think singing the songs helps bring the time period to life in a way that reading the lyrics does not. The audiobook is fully voiced, expertly as you'd expect from this seasoned reader. I'd recommend this tale to fans of Karen Cushman's previous historical novels or anyone interested in Renaissance England. (less)
I liked following the story of characters over the span of 50 years and seeing how they scattered and then tried to find each other again. The fully-v...moreI liked following the story of characters over the span of 50 years and seeing how they scattered and then tried to find each other again. The fully-voiced narration of the audiobook definitely elevated the story for me. (less)
Okay, I am officially DNF-ing Gone Girl. I've made it about 2/3 of the way through the audiobook and you know what? I'm just not really enjoying it. I...moreOkay, I am officially DNF-ing Gone Girl. I've made it about 2/3 of the way through the audiobook and you know what? I'm just not really enjoying it. It started slow and I kept with it because everyone is raving about it. I got to the first of the twists and it got interesting for awhile, but I honestly don't care about Nick or Amy. I guess I need to identify with or root for a character to really enjoy a book and that's not happening here.
The audiorecording is nicely done with two stellar narrators. No complaints about that (although they are both fairly slow readers - I've been listening to it at 1.5 speed). I'm just not going to slog through the end of a book I'm not enjoying. (less)
This autobiographical novel based on Jack Gantos's own childhood hits many of the marks of a great book and audiobook. Jack Gantos narrates his own st...moreThis autobiographical novel based on Jack Gantos's own childhood hits many of the marks of a great book and audiobook. Jack Gantos narrates his own story as only he can. The reading's a little weird and a little quirky, but if you've ever heard him speak, you know that's just how he is. Since the story is somewhat based on his own childhood, it's very fitting that he narrates. I love the characters that Mr. Gantos creates here and I love that the town of Norvelt is almost another character in the story. The story has a lot of humor and I think it will appeal to guy readers. I'd hand it to fans of the Grandma Dowdel books by Richard Peck. (less)
** I tried this book once before and I think I gave up right before it got REALLY FREAKING GOOD. I re-read on audio and loved it.
I actually did not r...more** I tried this book once before and I think I gave up right before it got REALLY FREAKING GOOD. I re-read on audio and loved it.
I actually did not really care for Charlie McWade's narration for most of the book, although it made more sense to me towards the end. He valiantly tried to voice his characters, but I felt like his accents occasionally slipped and the voices of the three boys weren't different enough for me to tell them apart easily. The silver lining of this is that I allowed myself to listen to the audiobook on 1.5x speed and get through it faster.
There's a slow bit in the middle, which is why I'm giving this four stars instead of five, but the twists and turns towards the end made getting through the slow bits well worth it. I've already got the second book on queue.
Previous review (2012): I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but I just couldn't make it through this book. It's not that it's not good - it is! It's just that I did not feel compelled to finish it. I like Sage the sassy orphan with his strong, snarky voice and humorous ways. But after a month of trying to finish it and never really feeling compelled to pick it up, I called it quits.
I would hand this to fans of the Eugenides books by Megan Whalen Turner and fans of other high fantasy. There's a great deal of adventure and intrigue, sword-fighting and sneaking about...(less)
This book delighted me more than I thought it would! It's a cute, sweet story just perfect for women in their late 20s and early 30s. The 90s setting...more
This book delighted me more than I thought it would! It's a cute, sweet story just perfect for women in their late 20s and early 30s. The 90s setting is perfect for my generation, too. We'll get a lot of the references that will probably date the book within a few years (when the target audience may not get a lot if the references). That was part of what made the book so fun for me!
The audio recording is nicely narrated, with enough differentiation in the voices that you could tell whose email was being read, etc. The author does a fine job with multiple points of view; each character's voice is distinct.
This is just the ticket for a vacation read or an audiobook to listen to while you're in the middle of a bunch of projects and want to give your brain a little rest.(less)
This book reminded me of a more culturally sensitive Caddie Woodlawn, which is awesome because that was one of my very favorite books growing up. May...moreThis book reminded me of a more culturally sensitive Caddie Woodlawn, which is awesome because that was one of my very favorite books growing up. May Amelia lives in a small community of Finish immigrants in Washington State in 1900. She's got a lot of spunk and a lot of heart, running around their farm and the woods with her many brothers, but she's also starting to feel pressure to "act like a girl". With lots of detail about the Finish immigrants and Native American people of the time and area woven in seamlessly, this is a solid adventure story with a strong heroine.
The audio recording is just fine. I tend to prefer voiced recordings, which this is not, but it's still a solid reading. Emmy Rossum gives May Amelia a no-nonsense voice, which fits with May Amelia's character. Rossum's reading voice is high and clear, childlike without being annoyingly childish. (less)
Charlie Joe Jackson is NOT a reader. In fact, he's gotten by without actually reading any books for years thanks to a sweet deal with a kid in his cla...moreCharlie Joe Jackson is NOT a reader. In fact, he's gotten by without actually reading any books for years thanks to a sweet deal with a kid in his class. Charlie Joe's here to offer his expert advice and tips on how NOT to read.
This is a funny book with a little bit of a heartfelt story behind the gimmick. It's Diary of a Wimpy Kid meets Andrew Clements and I'd hand it to fans of either.
I listened to the audio, narrated by the fantastic Macleod Andrews and he's a great fit for this book. His voiced performance brings out the humor and makes this book a pleasure to listen to. (less)
Biracial twin sisters Keira and Minerva don't look anything alike. Keira is dark-skinned like her African-American mother and Minnie has blue eyes and...moreBiracial twin sisters Keira and Minerva don't look anything alike. Keira is dark-skinned like her African-American mother and Minnie has blue eyes and light skin like her white father. Growing up in a small Washington State town, Keira is the one who always feels different and sometimes wrong. But when their grandmother insists on entering both girls in the Miss Black Pearl Preteen of America program in her hometown of Raleigh, NC, Minnie will discover what it's like to be the one who doesn't fit in. And seeing the world from Keira's eyes will help her find the voice she so desperately wants to shout down injustice.
I love the premise, but the story fell a little flat for me. I felt like it was slow going at the beginning without many opportunities for Bahni Turpin's excellent narration to shine. When the twins arrived in Raleigh, Turpin's voice for Grandmother Johnson brought me back into the story and that's what I liked best about the whole book. It slowed down for me again at the end when Grandmother Johnson wasn't as prevalent. And I think that shows you what I thought of the book overall, that even with this fabulous premise, the most interesting character was an adult. (less)
A charming story brought to life by Katherine Kellgren's excellent narration. This is a great family listen as it will appeal to a wide range of ages...moreA charming story brought to life by Katherine Kellgren's excellent narration. This is a great family listen as it will appeal to a wide range of ages and adults will catch the many Dickensian references that might go over the heads of the kids. Highly recommended! (less)
Another funny, historical mystery in this series. The audio narration by Katherine Kellgren really takes this book to another level. Recommended for f...moreAnother funny, historical mystery in this series. The audio narration by Katherine Kellgren really takes this book to another level. Recommended for fans of Lemony Snickett. (less)
When Ben's routine sports physical turns up a rare, terminal blood disease, he makes a decision not to undergo treatment. He wants to live out the res...moreWhen Ben's routine sports physical turns up a rare, terminal blood disease, he makes a decision not to undergo treatment. He wants to live out the rest of his numbered days with as much normality as possible, so he also decides not to tell anyone. Suddenly, Ben's challenged to live the rest of his life in the one year he has left. So he goes out for football, he makes a move on his megacrush Dallas Suzuki, and he uses a Current Events class project to try and leave a lasting impression on the tiny Idaho town that's been his only home. It turns out life is much different when you're living on a deadline.
This is a story with a lot of meat. It almost verges off into crazytown, but Crutcher is a master writer who manages to address a number of issues without overwhelming the reader. Ben is a smart narrator, supplementing his school reading with a number of important books. I'd recommend this for your college-bound teens (if they're not too sensitive to Issues... nothing graphic, but there's definitely mature content here). The character of Ben really reminded me of John Green's writing, so I'd recommend this to his numerous fans, as well. Crutcher sprinkles the serious subject matter with humorous moments and this is definitely a book that will make for interesting discussions. (less)
When hairdresser and salon owner Debbie Rodriguez decides to volunteer helping women in Afghanistan, she had no idea what she was getting into. Even t...moreWhen hairdresser and salon owner Debbie Rodriguez decides to volunteer helping women in Afghanistan, she had no idea what she was getting into. Even though the Taliban is no longer in control, its restrictive culture lives on and as Debbie invites women into her school, she starts to learn their stories. Beaten by husbands, sold by their families to the highest bidder, held captive in abusive marriages for fear of losing their beloved children, groped in public markets with no real hope that the police will care, the women of Kabul find refuge in the beauty salon. There, they can take off their veils and start learning a trade that will bring in money for themselves and for their families.
I really enjoyed listening to Debbie's story, expertly narrated by audiobook pro Bernadette Dunne. Debbie's a down-to-earth, no-nonsense lady who doesn't seem to be afraid of anything. Dunne's steady reading fits right in with what I would picture to be Debbie's temperament and attitude - strong and not overly dramatic. This is a great read for women's history month or any time. (less)
Not exactly my thing (never got into horse stories, although the urban cowboy thing is pretty cool and a nice differentiation from your typical horse...moreNot exactly my thing (never got into horse stories, although the urban cowboy thing is pretty cool and a nice differentiation from your typical horse story), but this is a great choice for tweens. I'd hand it to kids looking for a different spin on a horse story or kids looking for age-appropriate street lit. Excellent narration by JD Jackson makes this an appealing listen and the music that starts and ends each disc sets the tone nicely. (less)
Not my favorite of the Dear America books I've listened to. Nothing wrong with the audio recording or narration. The subject matter is a little more m...moreNot my favorite of the Dear America books I've listened to. Nothing wrong with the audio recording or narration. The subject matter is a little more mature than some of the others I've read - people dying left and right on the Oregon Trail. My main problem was that I hated the main character. Just, personally I could not connect with her. She was so judgmental! And yes, she did change her mind about being afraid of the Indians by the end, and yes, I get that in the 1800s being afraid of Indians was something that really happened and it was how people talked and all that. It was just a rather offensive road to get to the end of the story where she realized that Indians were all different, just like white folks are. While I've liked the series as a whole, I won't be recommending this particular title. (less)
I'm really enjoying the audiobooks from the Dear America series. I can see why kids like them - they bring history to life. This is painless historica...moreI'm really enjoying the audiobooks from the Dear America series. I can see why kids like them - they bring history to life. This is painless historical fiction! (less)
I now know way more than any person should probably know about small pox, so it's a good thing I find all that medical ookiness interesting. This book...moreI now know way more than any person should probably know about small pox, so it's a good thing I find all that medical ookiness interesting. This book isn't for the faint of heart and, um, small pox would TOTALLY SUCK. Very interesting that humans kind of have had the chance to completely irradicate small pox, but it's also kind of impossible to do that since it's been weaponized. Narration was fine - I was interested enough in the subject matter that the no-frills narration didn't make or break this book. Recommended for people who like fascinating books and aren't grossed out by pus.(less)
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