audio review – Page 10

The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty

Published on December 14, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

Ellen O’Farrell is a hypnotherapist with an at home office inside her inherited beach front house. She uses her training of hypnotism to assist people with their relationships, habits, and hang ups. Ellen herself has never had a serious relationship… at least not until she met Patrick.

Patrick is everything she liked in a man. He was attractive, fit, held a good job and the fact that he had a son from a marriage where his wife died of cancer was not a deal breaker. Ellen found herself falling for Patrick until one day he told her they needed to talk.

The dreaded talk.

When Patrick explained that an ex girlfriend stalked him, Ellen, always the therapist, found this to be a bit intriguing. What Ellen did not understand was that this woman followed Patrick everywhere… refusing to let go… and you would just be surprised at where she shows up…

and…

that it turns out, Ellen already knows her.

It is no secret that I enjoy Liane Moriarty’s books. It has been a little over a year since I discovered this author, and I guess in a way… I have stalked her books.

The Hypnotist’s Love Story is engaging. With a twisted theme of a stalker it was a little different from anything I had read before. I enjoyed the alternating chapters between Ellen and Patrick… and then the stalker’s chapters. How the stalker justified her actions are a bit hilarious. It is like she knows she is crazy to do what she does, but then twists it to (in her mind) completely innocent. “Oh, I just happened to be here at the same time as you!”

I did enjoy this book on audio. Tamara Lovatt Smith was excellent. She managed all the characters flawlessly. I felt the book went on a bit longer than it needed to. At the point that I felt the story was complete, it goes on. By that point I was satisfied with the book and would have been happy for it to end. The rest was like bonus material, it was ok, but I was ready to be done.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 13 hours and 6 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Audible.com Release Date: June 14, 2012

The Year Of Reading Dangerously by Andy Miller

Published on December 11, 2014December 11, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment

Nearing the age of 40, Author Andy Miller has a family and has a job. His life is full and he has no time to read. Yet, for some reason he can not let go of all the great reads that he has never taken the time to experience himself. Andy decides to take on a self-inflicted project, a year of reading. A year that he will spend connecting with the books that have stood the test of time, the books that are whispered and shouted about “you must read.”

Both a memoir and a list of detailed book reviews, The Year of Reading Dangerously was funny and interesting. I imagined, going into this read, that I would find within this book a book or two that I must read myself. In the end, I am not sure if that happened, but I sure did get a funny take of Andy Miller’s thoughts on some of the books that I myself had not read.

Among the 50 titles that Andy read in that one year time were: Middlemarch by George Eliot, Post Office by Charles Bulowski, The Sea The Sea by Iris Murdoch, War and Peace Tolstoy, Catch 22 by Joseph Heller, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, Anna Kerenina by Leo Tolstpy, and Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky by Patrick Hamiloton. *The entire list is at the end of his book/audio

The titles that Andy chose are for the most part heavy reads, many of which that are considered classics, and some I admit, I have never heard of.

Andy discusses his reads some in more details than others, some he struggles with and then amazingly goes back and reads again, some he doesn’t get at all and others he finds to be the greatest works of our time. At times, his comments cracked me up. Andy is totally real on his thoughts on the books and thoughts on the authors.

I listened to this on audio. Andy Miller narrates this himself and while all the books did not appeal to me or my future reading wish list, his narration is delightful and made it well worth the listen. If you have ever made a wish list of the great reads you hope to one day try, I suggest you give The Year Of Reading Dangerously a whirl… it may have you adding (or dropping) books from your own list.

Narrated by: Andy Miller
Length: 9 hrs and 1 min
Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:12-09-1
Publisher: Audible Studios

The Look Of Love by Sarah Jio

Published on December 7, 2014December 7, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Jane Williams runs a flower shop, and in her day-to-day dealings she sees all sorts of customers making purchases for different reasons… celebrations, apologies, condolences, and yes – for love. On her 29th birthday Jane learns that she has a special gift of being able to see love between two people, yet oddly she can not see it for herself. She has been tasked with one year to find and record the six types of love, if she fails she will never find her own true love.

At first Jane finds this information insane, until she starts to feel her vision cloud when she is in the presence of two people who are in love. Of course the opposite is true as well and Jane can see when married friends or relationships are not about love at all.

The Look Of Love is a unique twist of a love story. I liked Jane and I enjoyed the characters that surround her in this read. I enjoyed each relationship that was introduced and seeing through Jane’s eyes if it was really love or something else – for better or for worse.

I listened to this on audio, honestly drawn into the fact that Cassandra Campbell was one of the narrators, but also Julia Whelan (she narrated Delicious which I LOVED!) as a second narrator. Both were fantastic for this book.

The Look Of Love is my first dabble into Sarah Jio’s work but it will not be my last. I hear this supernatural twist included int his book is a different take for her and I am curious about her other books.

Fun Fact: The Look Of Love is based off the popular song, and the song is playing in a scene within the book.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 45 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Audible.com Release Date: November 25, 2014

Moving The Needle by Joe Sweeney

Published on December 4, 2014December 4, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

Moving The Needle is all about putting yourself in the right frame of mind to get moving on your dreams, your goals, and your life. By setting goals and taking steps that are recommended in this book, you can start making the positive move towards your ultimate dreams.

Disclaimer: I am not a self-help book person. I have to say that because it is easy to look at a book like this and call it “self-help”, and maybe it is… but to me, and for my purposes here, I am going to call it as I see it, a book on stepping up in your dreams from someone who knows.

Moving The Needle is the type of business related book that I do enjoy as I usually find tips on furthering my own career dreams and staying motivated to do so. If you know me, you know I recently left my job of ten years to pursue a career in writing which is my life long passion. When making such a leap it is real easy to get in your head and think “What am I doing?” and “Am I taking the right steps?”

I enjoyed Moving The Needle in audio format. It worked with my schedule to listen while I accomplished other things. Christopher Price’s narration is perfect and in an upbeat tone that keeps the listener motivated to know more. I liked that the audio version of this book came with PDF’s of several worksheets that are discussed in the book. Sheets I can print out and work along with the tasks that are recommended, and I do love the visual output of such tasks.

There was much to take away from Moving The Needle. I think in any book like this there are things that we know we should be doing (or are already doing), but I also learned a few things that excited me to get working on which was exactly the point of listening to this book. I liked that many other interesting books are mentioned to look into, some sounded wonderful and I jotted them down.

My only complaint (a mere grumble really…) was that by the end of the audio I felt there were so many tasks recommended that I felt a bit overwhelmed, feeling as though implementing such habits as described in the book would leave me doing nothing but tasks all day long. I had to remind myself that not everything needs to be implemented at once (or at all).

I would recommend this book for those looking for direction in a new job or stepping out to run your own business. There is much worth reading/listening to and I know I will more than likely listen to it again.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 6 hours and 5 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: November 17, 2014

The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain

Published on December 2, 2014December 2, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

My new author craze continues with yet another awesome book by Diane Chamberlain – she is like crack for my eyes! ~Sheila

In 1977 Genevieve Russell was kidnapped from her home. Genevieve was very pregnant at the time of her kidnapping. She will never return home.

Twenty years later, Genevieve’s remains are found but there is no sign of the baby.

CeeCee Wilkes watches this unsolved crime unfold on the tv these twenty years later. She is all too familiar with the case because she was there when it all went down. Well, CeeCee was there, now CeeCee is known as Eve; and the beautiful daughter she raised and loved since that fateful day… is not her own.

This is my third book I have listened to on audio by this author and each time they simply amaze me. As though ripped from the headlines of a story too crazy to not be true, I start listening and do not want to stop.

Admittedly, The Secret Life Of CeeCee Wilkes did not grab me right away. In the beginning, the very young and naive 15-year-year old CeeCee and her relationship with an older man bothered me. I am glad however I stuck with this one as once you get into the heart of the story you understand why this relationship is in the book.

I was thoroughly roped in once again to a story of deception but with good reason… in the end, you really do not know who you should be cheering on as there is so much at stake for all involved.

Narrator Cris Dukehart is an excellent choice for this book. With a bit of a southern twang she is a great fit. I think this is the first time I have heard her narrate.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 13 hours and 10 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 25, 2013

Food by Jim Gaffigan

Published on November 26, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

You probably know stand up comedian for his most famous bit… “Hot Pocket!”. Jim, is an eaty. Not a foodie… an eaty. He believes he has a personal relationship with food. Fast foods from McDonalds, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Subway, you name – Jim has probably ate it. Kale? Is not a food… bacon? Is like crack. Eating bacon also is like being murdered by your lover. Yes, Jim loves food…. and in food, a love story… you will get plenty of that.

I absolutely loved Jim Gaffigan’s Food A Love Story. He is honest with his food addiction. He claims he is planning his next meal while eating. The only time he is not eating is when he is sleeping. I enjoyed Jim’s book Dad Is Fat, and I enjoyed Food. I laughed many times while listening to this audio book.

If you are looking for a great listen, I highly recommend Food A Love Story. Jim Gaffigan is an excellent speaker and his narration is spot on.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 7 hours and 17 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio
Audible.com Release Date: October 21, 2014

Morning Meanderings… Best Of The Year

Published on November 25, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Good morning! I am still feeling a little ragged around the edges but working in the office today and have already accomplished some good things so feeling good about that. (Apparently… a lot of good in that sentence).

Yesterday I received an email from AudioFile magazine chatting up their best of the year audio books – NOW WAIT! Before you non audio book listeners click off this post – please note that a good audio book… may also very well be a pretty darn good book. 🙂

For those of us who are audio book listeners – well yay right? I am always looking for suggestions for that next great listen and usually pick my audio through someones raving about it.

So, this morning I wanted to mention this link so people could click on it and see what is considered to be the great listens of 2014.

So go ahead and click on the pic. Do you see any audiobooks (or books!) that you have enjoyed or this year? Are there audio books you would have added to this group?

I really enjoyed the Storied Life Of A.J. Fikrey. I also found Not My Father’s Son to be a rich and engaging non fiction listen by Alan Cummings. I was all in for We Were Liars and impressed with The Young World. I want to listen to to The Impossible Knife Of Letting Go (love Laurie Halse-Anderson’s writing!), Station Eleven, Mr. Mercedes, The Innovators, and Life Drawing.

Today, I am going to make a quick trip into town and then come back to the comforts of my home. I am watching a movie this afternoon for research I am working on and then back to writing. Tomorrow things start to pick up steam as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday but for today – I think I will enjoy one more day of quiet…. this introvert can not seem to get enough and I am re-energizing by staying at home. 🙂

The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless

Published on November 24, 2014November 24, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

In 1992, the body of Chris McCandless was found in an abandoned bus in Alaska. The book, Into The Wild (which I reviewed here) tells the true story of Chris’s restless life. After graduating from high school he left in his car,giving away the $25,000 dollars he had in his savings for college never to be seen or heard from his family again. Into The Wild shares what Chris’s life was like after his disappearance, pieced together through a journal he kept. Into The Wild, as I mentioned, portrays Chris as someone who does not want no submit to the ways of the world; yet marches to his own drum.

Now, 18 years later, in The Wild Truth, Chris’ sister comes forth with more to the story. With a forward from the Into The Wild author Jon Krakauer shares that Carine had showed him letters from Chris that back up some of his reasons for leaving, reasons that Carine asked Jon not to share in the original book and he honored this request.

The Wild Truth shares more to the story. At the time of Chris’ birth, his father Walt was having an affair with Chris’s mother Billie who worked for Walt, while still married and having children with his own wife as well. There were times that both women were pregnant at the same time. While Walt would have been happy to keep things as they were, seeing and having children with both women, eventually, his wife Marcia divorced him and moved away. Walt and Billie had a second child, Carine.

Walt and Billie’s marriage was unhealthy. They fought constantly and Walt was both physically and verbally abusive. Chris and Carine were often called into the room to choose a parent which was a losing situation. When Chris was in high school his father once hit him as hard as he could in the spine of his back.

In Carine’s account in her book, Chris’ departure was sad as she loved her brother but not surprising.

One of the final pictures Chis had taken of himself while living in the bus in Alaska days before he died.

I have always been fascinated with the Chris McCandless story. When I reviewed the book, I followed it up with the movie – both of which I would recommend. In The Wild Truth, Carine paints a much different household picture as I mention above.

While the first part of the book is about their parents Walt and Billie; the affair, the fighting, the half siblings… it later goes into a mix of poor relationship choices that Carine makes throughout her younger years including two failed marriages.

I am glad I listened to this book, I did enjoy knowing more of the Chris McCandless story and Carine’s narration of her own book was excellent. I do however find myself torn on how I feel about the book. The information on Chris I liked and getting to know him more through his younger sister was nice. Yet her own personal relationships and some of the books content left me questioning where I land on this.

I am glad I listened to it. I understand after all these years she wanted the full truth to be known. I just am left in limbo.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 47 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Harper Audio
Audible.com Release Date: November 11, 2014

The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain – Audio Book

Published on November 22, 2014March 30, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

When Tara and Emerson’s long time friend Noelle commits suicide the two women are left with many questions. Noelle never showed any sign of depression or had any reason to commit suicide. Noelle was always pleasant and happy. She had been a midwife and loved what she did. Yet when Tara and Emerson start cleaning up Noelle’s things they find a shocking letter.

Dear Anna, What I have to tell you is difficult to write, but I know it will be far more difficult for you to hear, and I’m so sorry.

Suddenly Tara and Emerson are thrust into a situation where they need to make hard ethical choices. It turns out, they really did not know their friend at all.

It was just a week or so ago I stumbled across this amazing author when I listened to The Silent Sister and was blown away by the totally engaging read. Seriously, The audio was amazing to listen to and Diane Chamberlain was suddenly an author I wanted to listen to more of.

Yet I had to wonder, was Silent Sister a one hit wonder?

No. A resounding no. Diane Chamberlain nails it again with The Midwife’s Confession. Right from the start I found both Emerson and Tara to be likable people. Through them and their memories as well as flash backs, I was able to get to know Noelle as well.

Beautifully told, Noelle’s story is a great addition to filling in the holes of what her friends did not know. Another mind-blowing listen that had me guessing what the outcome would be… and when I knew… I was shocked again.

Narrated by a wonderful cast: Angela Dawe (Narrator), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator), Abby Craden (Narrator), Xe Sands (Narrator),and Cris Dukehart (Narrator). Distinctive voices, perfect pitch… I am usually not a fan of multiple narrators in a book as it can feel choppy but this was not the case at all. The story line flowed smoothly through the entire listen and I was so immersed that I could not tell you where one narrator stopped and another started. Seamless.

If you have not read Diane Chamberlain I highly recommend you do. The two books I have listened on audio to in this short amount of time have been amazing and I look forward to my next adventure with this author.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 11 hours and 21 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Audible.com Release Date: May 13, 2013

BIG DRIVER by Stephen King

Published on November 21, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

I saw this one on another blog and can not recall where but knew I had to listen to it! ~Sheila

Tess Thorne is the author of a series of cozy type mysteries and has quite the following of her books by the older generation as her books are about a knitting club. When Tess is invited to speak at a Library a distance away from her home, she agrees. The Librarian Ramona Norville gives Tess directions to a father way home after her engagement and Tess happily agrees to take the route as it will cut ten miles off her drive time.

While on the darkened back road short cut Tess experiences a tire blow out. The large man who stops to assist her winds up assaulting her and leaving her for dead… and in a way he does; as the old Tess is gone and this new Tess is a harder version of herself. A version that is no longer the meek and passive person she once was. This new Tess is harder. Stripped of her dignity, her old self is gone and the new Tess is about to seek justice.

It is interesting that King and I parted ways years ago but these past few years I have approached his writing again when I hear about something he has written that I think I may enjoy. Big Driver was originally published in King’s book, Full Dark, No Stars, a book I have never read, but now have read two of the stories that have recently been republished as stand alone, this one as well as Good Marriage.

Big Driver is a dark telling of a horrible crime committed on an innocent woman, Tess Thorne. What makes this is read interesting is how what happens to Tessa changes her into this stronger version of herself that knows what involving the police will do to herself as well as her career. Right or wrong on her assumptions, Tess goes forward with her own plan.

I did enjoy this short read on audio with narrator Jessica Hecht (who also narrated Good Marriage). Jessica’s narration was spot on. She had an excellent voice for both Tess before and Tess after, as well as her handling of the voices for the other cast of characters.

I did mention that Big Driver is dark which should come as no surprise as it is a King book. There is pretty strong language throughout this book, in this case it did not bother me much as the book really calls for it. The book is also pretty descriptive on what happens to Tess.

I do like the cover which surprised me as I normally do not like pictures of people on covers as they then put that image in my head for the characters. This one however fits the description of Tess, a petite woman. I imagine this is Tess after the assault as she looks pretty bad ass here. Broken in some ways but ready to do what it takes.

Note: This is also a Lifetime movie starring Maria Bello (who I love!). One I would like to see.