Samyann's Blog, page 3
November 19, 2021
Betrayal
Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show by Jonathan Karl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This isn’t over. America is in serious trouble and our democracy is at stake. Betrayal reveals much of what we already know, but much we didn’t.
The most interesting part of these books is that there are no libel suits.
Worth the listen.
Vote like your life depends on it – it does.
The Paris Apartment
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Plot. Lia inherits a beautiful Paris apartment from her deceased grandmother; she had no idea the apartment existed. Her grandmother never spoke of Paris, let alone this apartment. Paintings are hidden behind a closet wall – another hiding space with a bed is behind an armoire. Was grandmother a Nazi collaborator or part of the French resistance? Priceless art and a small hidden room? Could go either way. Lia hires an art historian to help identify the paintings and get to the bottom of the mystery.
Liked—a page-turner. The fear of the French during the occupation is palatable – not only fear of the Nazis but fear of your neighbors as well. The story is not about the Nazi concentration camps; however, they are mentioned.
Not so hot. The ending seemed rushed, and the author wrapped it up quickly and left no loose ends. Disappointed because there are areas that could have been elaborated upon considerably and added much to the story.
Written by Kelly Bowen, narrated by Polly Lee, Marisa Calin, Gemma Dawson, Steve West, 12 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released in June 2021 by Forever,
Recommended.
October 31, 2021
Magic Hour
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Plot. A child psychologist with past failure is summoned by her police-chief sister to help out when a feral child is found. The kid is the stereotypical Hollywood version of the “feral child,” i.e., can’t speak, raised in, and by, the wild, filthy, malnourished, and the mystery to be solved in Magic Hour. Who is she? Was she kidnapped? Where did she come from? Those questions and many more,
LIked. Although a clichè plotline, it’s an interesting story nonetheless and easy to follow. No explicit sex scenes, no objectionable language.
Aside? Personally don’t understand the bad reviews of the narrator – sounded fine to me, and I’ve listened to thousands of audiobooks (See my many reviews!). A bit slow for my taste, bumped the speed up to 1.3 on the iPhone – that’s not criticism, a preference.
Written by Kristin Hannah, nicely narrated by Suzanne Toren, close to 15 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released in December 2020 by Brilliance Audio.
Decent mystery – recommended.
There is Nothing for you Here
There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century by Fiona Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well written and narrated, this non-fiction story is part autobiographical, part an equality-for-women tome, and part a historical record of the Trump administration. A key witness to the Trump impeachment, Fiona Hill was senior director for European and Russian affairs on his National Security Council staff – but, to Trump, a floor lamp, i.e., a woman. As we all know, Trump gave time only to his inner circle of yes-men.
Although the book is well done, the autobiographical information about Fiona Hill’s background interesting; there isn’t much in the way of news in this book. You’ll find yourself nodding with confirmation from one more source of the inconceivable damage Trump has done to America. If you’ve wondered what you, as an individual citizen, can do – Fiona Hill provides numerous ideas,
Written and narrated by Fiona Hill, 15.5 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released in October 2021 by Harper Audio.
The is Nothing for you Here
There Is Nothing for You Here: Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century by Fiona Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well written and narrated, this non-fiction story is part autobiographical, part an equality-for-women tome, and part a historical record of the Trump administration. A key witness to the Trump impeachment, Fiona Hill was senior director for European and Russian affairs on his National Security Council staff – but, to Trump, a floor lamp, i.e., a woman. As we all know, Trump gave time only to his inner circle of yes-men.
Although the book is well done, the autobiographical information about Fiona Hill’s background interesting; there isn’t much in the way of news in this book. You’ll find yourself nodding with confirmation from one more source of the inconceivable damage Trump has done to America. If you’ve wondered what you, as an individual citizen, can do – Fiona Hill provides numerous ideas,
Written and narrated by Fiona Hill, 15.5 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released in October 2021 by Harper Audio.
October 29, 2021
Long Range
Long Range by C.J. Box
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Plot. The local judge is targeted by an assassin, and his wife is shot instead. The judge is despised by most everyone, i.e., the defense lawyers, prosecutors, cops, and the myriad of people he’s imprisoned or fined, Joe Pickett included. The judge summons this entire group to search for and apprehend the assassin. Surprised the culprit is …. oops! No spoilers.
Liked. It’s Joe Pickett doing what he does. Low key, self-deprecating, a man’s man. Narration by Chandler is great – he IS the voice of Joe Pickett. Comfortable listen. Minimal violence, no sex, no objectionable language, clean read. Just a good mystery, like the rest of the Pickett stories.
Long Range is written by C. J. Box, narrated by David Chandler, Book 20 in the Joe Pickett series, 10.5 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format and, released in March 2020 by Recorded Books.
Recommended – the entire series is recommended.
October 25, 2021
Bocephus Hanes
Legacy of Lies by Robert Bailey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bocephus Hanes is a secondary character in the McMurtrie and Drake Legal Thrillers by Robert Bailey. Legacy of Lies and The Wrong Side are spin-offs – Bocephus Hanes being the main character. These stories are a continuation of the McMurtrie and Drake series.
In the Legacy of Lies episode, Bocephus takes on the defense of the judge in the first series; she’s been charged with the murder of her husband. Lots of suspects and sleuthing – you’ll enjoy.
Although you don’t need to, I suggest you read the entire McMurtrie and Drake thrillers first and continue with the Bocephus Hanes series – they are as good, even better.
Decent legal thrillers, all written by Robert Bailey and narrated by Eric G. Dove. Released by Brilliance Audio.
October 21, 2021
State of Terror
State of Terror by Hillary Rodham Clinton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Plot. A new Secretary of State is confronted with nuclear threats, terrorism, repair of foreign relations, misogynistic leaders, and an antagonistic relationship with the new president. A catastrophic prior administration and a resulting national/international unrest are at the root of America’s decline – and it’s often a reference in this fictional story. Urgency of the moment involves dirty bombs in the United States.
Liked. It’s a creative thriller. HRC’s 4-year stint as Secretary of State in the Obama administration brings credibility to the story and characters.
Not so hot. Well, if you’re not a big fan of HRC, you’ll probably not like this book – it has silly references, like moose pajamas, pantsuits – just not what you’d expect out of an intense political thrill-book, comic references are awkward. Some phrases/passages are just not Louise Penny – and she likely wouldn’t have included them were it not for her co-author…you be the judge.
Narration is fine, no issues. No sex, no objectionable language – a clean read.
State of Terror is written by Louise Penny and Hillary Rodham Clinton, narrated by Joan Allen, about 15 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format and, released in October 2021 by Simon & Schuster/St. Martin’s Press.
October 19, 2021
Midnight in Washington
Midnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could by Adam Schiff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A behind the scenes look at the Trump administration from the perspective of a congressional insider, Adam Schiff. This is documentation of recent history that tells us all that there is a terrifying future for America if we do not change our direction. Adam Schiff is one American who is desperate for the rest of us to wake up. It is not over.
Midnight in Washington is written and narrated by Adam Schiff, 17 hrs and 45 minutes in length in unabridged audiobook format, released in October 2021 by Random House.
Highly recommended.
October 17, 2021
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars
To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
The first ten hours of listening, which is as far as I care to go, tells the story of a researcher of alien worlds to determine the terraforming possibilities. Following a fall into an underground alien vessel of some kind her body has been covered with a “suit” of some alien armor that she doesn’t want, but uses. The story to this point is comic book stuff of getting into and out of and avoiding trouble – and going nowhere. Saving humanity? Not in the first ten hours. Personally at the point of not caring what happens to the main character. Life is too short, so many books to read, so little time….returned.
Simply cannot understand the hoopla surrounding this book – lost on me. But, you may find it peachy – apparently many do. Just not my cup ‘o tea.
The bad guys are called jellies. Really.
Written by Christopher Paolini, narrated by Jennifer Hale, over 32 of listening in unabridged format. Narration and production are fine.
