audio review – Page 5

Hand To Mouth by Linda Tirado

Published on October 2, 2015August 24, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

The Author of the popular “Poverty Thoughts” essay puts into her own words what it is like to be poor in a world that expects more from you even if you don’t have the means to grasp for more. Author Linda Tirado shares what it is like to not have the money to get the clothes, to get the car, to get the education,to have what it takes to get the job that one needs to make a living that is actually to provide LIVING.

This is why I usually don’t chose to read and review non fiction about authors lives or memoirs unless Ihave purchased the book/audio myself. It is so hard to review a non fiction about someone’s life without somehow it being taken as a personal jab on that person. Basically, what I am trying to say is that it is hard to separate the book from the author when it is about the authors life.

When I accepted this audio for review I had never heard of the essay “Poverty Thoughts”. I chose this book because I thought it would be interesting to hear from a person who struggles to make a living and make ends meet. I totally understand that it is a hard world we live in and it is hard to get ahead – and in many aspects in this book, Author Linda Tirado has valid points on working for minimum wage, trying to cover rent costs, etc.. and get ahead of the bills – that I get.

However –

I did not enjoy hearing about her smoking habit and how she is tired of hearing people tell her how she should not smoke (waste of money) when clearly she feel she must smoke (stress). The same goes for her reasons to drink. AND if we are going there, and I guess we are – she also had excuses of why it is ok to have sex with random people because poor people are also lonely people.

Linda has very poor teeth and she talks a lot about this int he book and how they stop her from getting better paying jobs. I understand that. She says she can not go to the free clinic because of how many appointments she would need and how much time it would take off work and I understand that as well, however something as important as your appearance seems to me like it would be worth making it work out in the long run doing whatever it takes.

She complains about the low paying jobs she has had and the lack of respect that comes with them, calling out Walmart many times. Again, I know that not all Wal-Marts are created alike – but I worked at our local store for 14 years and not only was I paid a good wage, I was treated very well.

She also talks about the expense of having a child but speaks of the child at times as a piece of property and not in very flattering ways.

Ok – I may be way off base on this one. I feel that Linda Tirado may have been on to a decent book here, the one that I had hoped to get when I agreed to review this. I did not need to listen to sexual stories or why she has bad habits. It started to seem like she was just talking about anything to make it book length.

This review is absolutely nothing against the author or her family. This is my personal opinion on what was said in this book. It was not a win for me. The essay however – was interesting to read. And in Linda’s defense, I am not in her shoes, so maybe – most likely – that opinion is all my own.

Listening Length: 4 hours and 24 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Publisher: Penguin Audio; Unabridged edition (October 2, 2014)

Lock In by John Scalzi

Published on September 19, 2015September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

In the future, a virus blankets the earth. For some, the symptoms are flu-like and than they get better… for others… the virus causes what becomes known as “lock-in. victims are fully alert and aware of their surroundings but unable to move or voice a response.

25 years later, the results of this virus is now called ‘Haden’s Syndrome.’ Newly appointed FBI agent Chris Shane is assigned to a case that appears to be a Haden related murder. The suspect is an “integrator” – someone who can let the locked in borrow their bodies for a time. If the Integrator was carrying a Haden, then naming the suspect for the murder becomes that much more complicated.

As Chris and his partner Van start to dig into the crime, what they find is bigger than they had imagined.

Recently I posted about a book I reviewed that I was hoping a bit more dystopian than it was and a little less sci fi than it was…. and now, with Lock In, I found what I was looking for. Lock In gave me the dystopian I was craving and while this synopsis was a bit out of my league… it was the narration by Wil Wheaton sold me on giving it a try in audio format. Wil Wheaton is one of the few narrators I have actually tracked by what they narrated because they are so incredible at it. Nicely played John Scalzi.

Lock In was brilliant. While it took me a while to fully picture what was happening, once I got it, it was a fun listen. With John Scalzi’s quick wit writing and Wil Wheaton’s perfect execution of the narration – readers are in for a pretty sweet ride. Treat yourself to this one in audio.

I see author John Scalzi has used Wil in other audio as well which I will be checking out soon.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 10 hours
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: August 26, 2014

Dirty Chick: Adventures Of An Unlikely Farmer by Antonia Murphy

Published on September 18, 2015September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Antonia Murphy was born in San Fransisco and never really pictures herself as the farm girl type. Later in life she settles with her husband in New Zealand after her son was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition and they felt a slower more laid back style of life might be just the ticket.

The decision to start a farm was probably not as slow and laid back as they had anticipated, but it sure makes for some fun writing.

Obviously, the title captured my attention. While I have had this book on the shelf for the better part of a year, it was the audio version I fit into my schedule and found it quite entertaining and distracting while mowing my lawn. Much of what happens in dirty chicks is fairly funny. Imagine starting out with animals you know little about but you soon learn….. (I swear, I will never look at a duck the same way again.)

There is much to like about this book, and for me – I also found some things I personally didn’t like. As this is a memoir and I often hesitate to review some memoirs due to the impossibility of separating the book from the writer, I will refrain from giving my opinion here on what I did not like. After all – it is just my personal opinion.

I am glad I had a chance to experience this book. Antonia does narrate this book herself which I always find impressive and she did a good job of narrating. If you are ever thinking ooh starting a farm could be a lot of fun,” you may want to test this book out first.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 7 hours and 20 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: January 22, 2015

Departure by A.G. Riddle

Published on September 17, 2015September 17, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)3 Comments

On a flight to London, passengers Harper Lane, Nick Stone, Sabrina Schröder, Yul Tan, and Grayson Shaw, have no idea that their lives are about to change forever… but change they do.

When the plane loses power and crashes into a remote area in the English country side, the surviving passengers have to come up with a plan for survival. Yet it is Nick Stone a venture capitalist, along with Sabrina (genetic researcher, Yul Tan (computer scientist), Grayson (son of a billionaire), and Harper (writer), who start to see that perhaps this crash was not an accident at all…

And what is at stake is bigger than all of the world.

I went into this read looking for a dystopian style of read. It has been a long time since I have read a good dystopian and this one sounded like it could be just the ticket.

The Departure was not exactly what I had hoped for, but it was interesting… more sci-fi than dystopian. I listened tot his on audio and narrators Nicola Barber and Scott Aiello are both new to me but really did an excellent job. It was actually Nicola Barber’s sample listen on Audible that sold me on this one.

While I didn’t love this one, I did like it. I am not the biggest sci fi fan and feel that someone more into that genre would find this worth a read or a listen.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 9 hours and 31 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Audible Studios
Audible.com Release Date: February 17, 2015

Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg

Published on September 7, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

The title drew me in… and yes, the synopsis while it worried me that it may be a little too close to home – connected with me over the fact that this book is about in the wake of tragedy… how a community can react. ~Sheila

On the night before June’s daughters wedding an unbelievable tragedy happens that takes the lives of her daughter, her daughter’s fiance, her ex husband and her boyfriend.

Her entire family wiped out in the blink of an eye.

June, now has lost all direction and drives away from the destruction of her life… looking for meaning… looking for anything.

Left behind, is a community with connections to the tragedy, with their own version of the heartbreak of loss… connecting in ways one would never have guessed. There is the wedding caterer who never is payed. The couple who run the motel where June stays. The mother to June’s boyfriend. And so much more.

Did You Ever Have A Family was a semi dangerous undertaking for me at this time in my life. I was pulled in by the story line – mainly the mention of how a community is effected by loss. I understand this. I am living it.

I enjoyed the story line very much. Our protagonist’s June’s tragedy was very unlike mine which was good, and I found I could listen to this without worry about hitting my own personal land mines. Her relationship’s were very different then my own and therefore was able to be what I needed it to be – a book of loss and compassion and indeed – fiction.

While I can not say I loved the story, I did appreciate it. It is an interesting take on a tragedy that I have not read before. In this case, I listened to the audio version with Bill Clegg (the author) narrating. While the narration was good, I did struggle with Bill Clegg’s reading of the female parts of the book. I caught myself often having to remind myself that this was a girl speaking, which unfortunately for me took away from the enjoyment of the overall listen.

One thing I did love is there is some beautiful writing here…

Rough as life can be… I know in my bones we are supposed to stick around and play our part. Even if that part is coughing to death from cigarettes. Or even if it is to be blown up young in a house with your mother watching. Even if it is to be that mother. Someone down the line might need to know you got through it. Or maybe someone you wont see coming will need you. And it might be you never know the part you played. What it meant to someone to watch you make your way each day.

~Bill Clegg (Did You Ever Have A Family)

This gave me pause. So beautiful So true. This is a fairly short book, and one I would suggest giving a try if you enjoy a slower paced, thoughtful read that may give you pause on how we are all somehow connected.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 6 hours and 54 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: September 1, 2015

WILD by Cheryl Strayed

Published on August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

After Cheryl’s mother was diagnosed with cancer at a young age and lost her life to it, Cheryl could not seem to escape the spiraling downward pull of her own life. Her marriage was a loss, her father non-existent…

Four years later with nothing really changing Cheryl makes a decision. With no prior training; just a stubbornness to succeed at something, she decides to hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State. And do it alone.

What happens… well that is the story of WILD.

This is a book that I would say for me has been a bucket list book. I have always been fascinated by those who go out on a pilgrimage to find themselves. For myself, my own hard life, I have felt the pull to do something like this… now, that pull is even stronger.

I am not sure what took me so long to get to this book. I have had it on the shelf for years. When the movie was released I put it on my radar to read soon and then, more recently, downloaded the audio book with narration by Bernadette Dunne.

From this book I received many things I had hoped to…. I found out that it is possible to do such a hike without years of training (maybe not recommended – but certainly doable). I learned from Cheryl’s own mistakes of what one should pack, what is a necessity and what is not. I enjoyed how the other hikers she met along the way (well.. most of them), were like kindred spirits and they bonded together, helping one another – building friendships.

What I didn’t need to know….

As in pretty much any non fiction I read, memoirs, etc… I do not care to know about ones sexual escapades. I am truly 100% not interested and am still a little baffled why these details are included in such reads. Occasionally in some books there is a point to such discussion.. this was not one of those books. I have to wonder if it is a draw for some readers and maybe I am the minority – but really… I am a believer in TMI. Yay for Cheryl for being prepared? Yay for her willingness to be open and ready for anything? I don’t get the appeal.

Overall – yes I am glad I read the book. I enjoyed the narration very much and thought that it was the perfect voice for Cheryl. Other than what I mentioned above, I really enjoyed Cheryl’s story and still am searching in my own way for such a pilgrimage for myself… maybe not the time commitment that she put in, but I would love to some day dedicate a month to six weeks for something like this. Thank you to Cheryl for showing that a woman can go out and succeed in such an adventure and for sharing the realities of how this changed her life.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 13 hours and 6 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 20, 2012

The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Published on August 21, 2015August 21, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Longing for a good summer read centered around beautiful Nantucket, author Elin Hinderbrand is an excellent “go to” choice for just such a read. ~ Sheila

When Grace Pancik sets her mind on something there is really no stopping her. When Grace decides that she wants the most beautiful gardens in all of Nantucket, she hires the easy on the eyes Benton to be her guide.

When Madeline King, Grace’s best friend, struggles with writers block with an ever pressing deadline… she panics and reaches for a story line she knows that she should not be telling, but what could it hurt? And who would know?

When Eddie, Grace’s’ husband gets in over his head in a real estate windfall gone bad, he makes some hard and most definitely not legal choices… but with Madeline King insisting on her money back that she and her husband gave Eddie in trust and is constantly calling threateningly a lawsuit, and the bills stacking up around him… what is a guy to do?

Grace’s hanging out almost daily with the gardener.

Madeline is writing a steamy tell all… but what is her inspiration?

Eddie is having secret conversations with Madeline.

Grace’s twin teenage daughters are up to their own schemes while their parents are so preoccupied.

Madeline rents a studio apartment.

and that is how Rumors get started….

I have enjoyed Elin Hilderbrand in the past and The Rumor was no exception. Author Elin Hilderbrand once again creates an easy and engaging summer read that is just plain fun. I enjoyed each of the story lines in the book and how easily one can misinterpret what is really happening… as well as how often what we think could not possibly be true – actually is.

Narrated by Kathleen McInerney (who also occasionally narrates for Mary Kay Andrews), the book on audio flowed well. I found myself engaged in what would happen next.

Definitely a go to author for me, I recommend Hilderbrand’s books for those who love a good summery read based on the island of Nantucket.. where truly… anything can and will happen.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 10 hours and 48 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Audible.com Release Date: June 16, 2015

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens

Published on July 30, 2015July 30, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

The Campbell sisters never had what you would call an easy life. Living with a mostly absent and when present, abusive father, the girls did their best to stay out of his way. Teenagers Jess, Courtney, and Danny worked on a ranch to earn enough to keep their home and purchase a little food, wondering (and dreading) when their father would next make his appearance and what kind of mood he would be in.

One night, when their father returns – things go too far and the girls find themselves on the run. As things go from bad to worse, the girls live through a nightmare that haunts them for the next 18 years.

The sisters try to make lives for themselves and for the most part they do… but one sister… one can not forget that night. And her choices affect all of them.

Chevy Stevens is one of those authors that I pretty much drop any reading plan for and grab their latest works. I have raved about Chevy’s books in the past and when Those Girls was coming out I was soooooo excited. A spooky sinister synopsis, amazing cover – I was all in.

The story starts out strong and very “Chevy Stevens like”… right away I fell into the story, and for the first two thirds of the book I was really involved with what was happening even if a few things seemed to come together a little easy….

It was the final third that I found I could no longer suspend belief… the happenings in this part of the book that take place 18 years later undid me. It was too believable the way it plays out. I am being careful to avoid spoilers here, but for me this book did not live up to the Chevy Stevens quality I have experienced in the past.

I wanted to be blown away…

I wasn’t.

Please look at other reviews for this one to develop a better opinion of the book. I see that many have enjoyed this one, as did I, I just did not love love it.

That’s What She Reads found it to be a good summer thriller

Booking Mama highly recommended it

debbishdotcom found this Stevens read to be back to her better work

I did listen to this one on audio and enjoyed the narration by Jorjeana Marie (Narrator), Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator), Nicol Zanzarella (Narrator). Not always a fan of multiple narrators, this one worked.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 11 hours and 29 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Audible.com Release Date: July 7, 2015

Fever by Mary Beth Keane

Published on July 28, 2015July 28, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

The amazing story behind “Typhoid Mary”, truly had no idea. ~Sheila

Mary Mallon was 15 years old when she left Ireland to come to New York. Mary ha a stubborn streak and she knew what she wanted and how to get it. She worked hard laboring in kitchens learning skills as a cook until she became quite good. Soon she found her sought after by New York’s elite families wanting the hard-working Mary with the skills of a chef to be theirs exclusively.

Then the families of those Mary cooked for began to get sick. Some even died. A particular keen-eyed Medical Engineer zoned in on Mary as being the common denominator. He called this out openly, saying Mary was a “asymptomatic carrier” of Typhoid Fever.

For three years Mary was kept in isolation, away from those she loved and from anything to do with other people.

This is her story.

We have probably all heard at one point or another about “Typhoid Mary”. At least in name. For myself, that is all I knew. When I discovered this book Fever on audio I felt this would be an opportunity to learn more of this woman. I am glad I did. Narrated by Candace Thaxton, Fever was an interesting listen about Mary Mallon’s life. I enjoyed learning of her tough exterior. She was a strong woman who carried herself well even through the hard years.

Learning more of her story was very interesting. I would recommend this one in either book or audio format, I feel both will come off well.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 9 hours and 53 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: March 12, 2013

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eicher

Published on July 2, 2015July 2, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

1959. Nine excited college students planned to hike the Russian Ural Mountains and reach Ortorten, a challenging trek. All 9 in the party (7 boys and two girls) were experienced hikers and used to mountain expeditions. They had trained, and planned, and envisioned victory. The group left on January 27 with plans to communicate once they reached Vizhai which they believed would be around February 12th, but perhaps a little longer.When February 12th came and went, there was no panic. however when February 20th came around a rescue team was sent out to look for the nine hikers.

On February 26th the rescue team found the camp site of the hikers where the tents had been partially torn down and cut open with knives from the inside. Inside the tent were also the shoes of the hikers. Tracks could be seen of stocking feet as well as bare feet around the site and the rescue team followed. As they searched the area all nine of the hikers bodies were found in different states of dress, looking as though they had abandoned the tents in a hurry. But why? What would cause this experienced group to venture out into the cold snow without their shoes or jackets? What would cause them to destroy their tents from the inside? What were they trying to escape?

While it was believed they died of hypothermia, some of the hikers had extreme injuries, blows to the skull, chest fractures and one was even missing his tongue.

Photo footage and journals found left by the hikers showed that the communication ended on February 2nd. Yet all of these years later, a solid answer to what happened has never been found.

Once again I embark on a read that I have no idea about. I admittedly had never heard about the Dyalov Pass or about this extreme tragedy. When browsing the audible.com audio sale this one caught my eye as I seem to be drawn to unsolved mysteries. At around 6 1/2 hours of audio listening this was a doable listen. I tend to like my audio to be around that 6-9 hour mark if I have no relationship with the author or narrator to cause me to invest more time.

Donnie Eichar plays many roles in this audio. Not only is he the author and narrator, he is also telling the story not as a third person observer – but as first person, as Donnie was part of a team that followed in the tracks of the hikers in 2012, trying to bring in new answers to an old mystery.

I did enjoy this listen. It was very interesting to learn about the hiking group, listen to parts of their journal and discoveries, and try to piece together what may have happened.

While this book will not give you a full out positive answer as to what did happen, it does go over many theories which Donnie Eichar will tell you why some theories hold merit and others do not. In the end, Donnie will also give you his thoughts on the mystery that surrounds the Dyalov Pass tragedy.

Other stuff: A movie is 2013 called Devil’s Pass is about 5 filmmakers who retrace the steps of the 1959 hikers.

You Tube has an Unsolved Mysteries video with good insight and pictures of the hikers: