Audio Review – Page 7

Pie Girls by Lauren Clark

Published on January 2, 2015December 31, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

Searcy Roberts grew up in small town Alabama and when she married her high school sweetheart, Alton, moved to Atlanta and enjoyed the unlimited funds that his successful career brought them, she swore she would never go back. Living the dream of having a personal shopper, a doorman to carry her bags, and expensive lunches out, you can imagine Searcy’s surprise when Alton says he wants out.

Out?

Suddenly Alton seems to be having a midlife crisis. He decides he does not want his job anymore, is cancelling credit cards, and filing for divorce. He tells Searcy that their apartment will be leased out within the month and he will help her relocate wherever she decides, within means. And then he leaves.

Searcy is shell-shocked. Her beautiful clothes! Her unlimited credit. Her husband who she does truly love!

Unsure of what her next move should be, a timely phone call from her mother asking her to come home and help out with the family business, Pie Girls, is what normally Searcy would say no to, however considering the circumstances, maybe a get away is exactly what she needs.

Pie Girls is a sweet (pun intended) chick lit read that I really enjoyed. Ceecee is an interesting protagonist with a high-class attitude that changes throughout the book as her life as she knows it crumbles before her eyes. I absolutely loved the southern twang of narrator Mary Hollis Inboden, she made the audio fun to listen to! Jobe Cerny is also on this audio as the voices for the men, an interesting fact about Jobe is that he is most known for his role as the voice of the Pillsbury Dough Boy (although there were no “Dough Boy” voices in this book 😉 )

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 27 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Camellia Press
Audible.com Release Date: December 23, 2014

Left Neglected by Lisa Genova

Published on January 1, 2015December 30, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)22 Comments

Sarah Nickerson. Married. Mother of three. Home owner. Career driven. Vice President of Human Resources at Burkley Consulting. Between the shuffling of husband, home, kids, sports, family/friends obligations, and her job of 80 hours per week, she is nothing short of…

super mom.

Sarah thrives on keeping a tight agenda and there is little room for error. On the days when she wins the rock,paper,scissors for who does not have to take the kids to school, she loves the rush of being able to go directly to work.

On one such of these days Sarah decides that her drive time is an excellent time to catch up on a few phone calls and while dialing a number – in the blink of an eye, everything goes…

white.

When Sarah awakens she is in the hospital having been in a horrible car accident that has left her with a brain injury that has erased the left side of her world. She can not feel or see her left arm or leg, and her brain acts as though they do not exist. Suddenly Sarah who prided herself on being fiercely independent now finds herself at the mercy of those around her for all her needs including flossing her own teeth.

As Sarah struggles to make herself whole again with visions of returning to her job and her life she once had, that vision begins to fade and a new vision may very well be taking its place.

Left Neglected was an amazing audio book to listen to. I was fully engaged in this story line of a woman whose life was too full… too busy… and then it all came to an end. Who hasn’t at least for a time had a schedule like that? And who hasn’t made a phone call or talked on the phone while driving? I sure have.

Lisa Genova really did her homework on this book. I had never heard of left brain neglect but it is a real thing. For Lisa to place herself in this characters world of relearning how to find her left side, how to see things on her left and how to use her left side is amazing. I can just imagine the struggles of this independent woman who has to retrain her mind just to engage in simple things like eating and walking. I can imagine her struggles as people visited her and she wanted so much to appear whole… to appear healing… to be complete.

Narration by Sarah Paulson, another new to me narrator. Sarah was a wonderful easy to listen to narrator who captured the essence of this book.

Fantastic read! I recommend Left Neglected highly.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 9 hours and 12 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: January 4, 2011

Good Night June by Sarah Jio – Audio Review

Published on December 31, 2014March 30, 2015 by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

June Anderson is a professional. Her job as Vice President of Finances at her bank is fulfilling and she has found that she has a gift for being able to close doors on struggling businesses saving her bank a lot of money. It’s not personal, it’s business, is her motto and struggling mom and pop shops do not have a chance to win her over.

When June receives a letter that her beloved Aunt Ruby has passed away she is devastated. Ruby owned a Children’s Book Store called Blue Bird Books in Seattle and June is surprised to learn that the store has been left to her. Taking a planned short leave from her job, June heads to Seattle to plan the selling of the book store. However, the quaint book store floods her with memories from her childhood… and June soon finds out that Ruby still has a few surprises for June as well. Perhaps June’s future is not at all what she thinks.

What a beautiful listen! I absolutely love books with book references and Goodnight June is filled with them. Plant the setting in the center of a beloved book store and you have me hooked! Reading this book was like spending a day with a dear friend. At the spa. In Jamaica. 🙂

Goodnight June reminded me of the movie You’ve Got Mail, another struggling book store and every time I see the movie I cry when they have to close the doors. In fact I tear up as I type this… egads… what a wimp!

The storyline is sweet and feels real in today’s economy and struggling small businesses. Put a good-looking guy as owner of an Italian restaurant next to the book store and we have the makings of a pretty amazing read.

Sarah Jio is a fairly new author to me but one that I want to spend more time with. This is my second book by her and I loved them both. Narration of this audio book was by Katherine Kellgren and was a smooth fit. Kellgren had just the right mix of vocal skills to make this an excellent listen. I do not think I have heard Kellgren’s narration before but found I enjoyed her very much.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 30 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Audible.com Release Date: May 27, 2014

The Kindness Of Strangers by Mike McIntyre

Published on December 27, 2014December 27, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

When Mike McIntyre found his job and life so far to be unfulfilled, he decided to make a move. He steps away from his job, his home, and his girlfriend. As an experiment in human kindness, Mike decided to hitchhike from San Fransisco to Cape Fear North Carolina with only his back pack. He would take no money and accept no money along the way, only food and shelter.

The result was unpredictable. Along the way Mike found his way on to a talk show. He stays in homes of those who have nothing and those who have plenty, he spends time with drug addicts, abused and used people, families, and loners. Many times he finds shelter in homes or in a tent. A few times he battles the elements of weather.

Mike comes out of this experience as a changed man, one who knows more about the society we live in, the generous and the not, probably more than most of us do.

I didn’t love it.

When I picked up this audio I had visions of WILD and struggling through the elements trying to find yourself and that was not this listen. AND maybe, that is my issue that I did not find it to be the hardship I was expecting, the life changing experiment… and that is on me.

What I did find was that for the most part people are still caring and generous. Mike rarely goes hungry. Often he is taken to homes for meals as well as out to restaurants. Many times he accepts a meal just so not to be rude although he is not really hungry. There are times he turns down food to take with him as he does not have the ability to carry it.

It was interesting to hear about the different people he stayed with, but I was turned off by some of the dialogue he included in the book. I did not need to know about sexual escapades of those he stayed with. I did not need to know about those who were hoping for a little more from Mike or his attraction to one of the women he stayed with. I felt that took away form the main story.

I did find it interesting how the faith community reacted to him, where often he was not allowed to stay in the churches themselves, they usually offered him a place to stay including a few times, hotels.

Overall, I did not walk away from this one with any “AHA” moment. I was also surprised to learn that this journey took place almost 20 years ago where I thought I was hearing about a recent journey.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 54 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Mike McIntyre
Audible.com Release Date: December 9, 2014

What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

Published on December 20, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

When once asked “What do you know for sure?” Oprah realized she really had no answer to that question. She then set out to know that answer. In short snippets of her life and lessons she has learned, Oprah now shares what she knows for sure. Themes under such topics as: joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power, Oprah shares her years from growing up as a poor young girl in Mississippi and the challenges of that time, to where she is now, in a completely different place and the challenges of this time.

I am not a big “Oprah” person. I do not believe I have ever watched her show, although I obviously know of it. I have seen a few movies she has been in, and of course have heard of her good doings for others. That is probably where my interest lies. I knew of Oprah’s history of generosity, and I was curious what sort of things she would say in a book titles as this one is. So I dug in.

As mentioned in the synopsis, the book is in little snippets of wisdom. Wisdom she picked up as a child and dealing with sexual abuse, wisdom she learned as a teen and allowing men to treat her poorly – not physically, but learning about mental abuse as well. And so on through her life to now, and how to know your own self-worth is not found in the eyes of others – but in yourself.

The book is short and in audio, just a little over 3 hours and Oprah narrates the audio herself. While it was a sweet listen on one women’s wisdom through the years, I have to say that listening to this I found some of Oprah’s narration to be a bit over enthusiastic – and yes, I hate that I just wrote that. It is hard to explain, and someone else may listen to the audio and find it delightful how she changed her voice for different situations, or takes on a thick southern drawl when she talks about the foods she loves but to me it broke the flow of the listen.

Again… just me.

Over all, I did find the book enjoyable. She offered up facts that I know in my heart, but sometimes it is just nice to be reminded. I think Oprah fans will really enjoy this insight into her life.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 3 hours and 53 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Audible.com Release Date: September 2, 2014

The Innovators by Walter Isaacson

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

There are certain names in our lives and in our history that stand out as innovators…. those who had the ideas and the knowledge to move us forward in the computer and internet world. Names such as Vannevar Bush, Alan Turing, John von Neumann, J.C.R. Licklider, Doug Engelbart, Robert Noyce, Bill Gates, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, Tim Berners-Lee, and Larry Page, may ring a bell and that is just to name a few.

From computers first being thought of, to making them affordable and available to everyone. To the invention of blogger, twitter, and more, Innovators shares with you the ups and downs on the wired (and wireless) world we live in.

I have always been fascinated with those who can come up with an idea, run with it, and make it work. I think I have watched the Facebook movie about 10 times, read about Steve Jobs, and listened to audios about the inventions of gaming sites and Twitter. Innovators, was the obvious next choice.

‘Visions without execution are hallucinations.’

I of course loved some information more, such as the whole creation of blogs was interesting. I love that they said they were so surprised how it took off and how everyone had something to say about something! Isn’t that the truth!

It is also interesting to hear about the behind the scenes of the powerful people… the fights… the terminations…. the brains…. none of it came easy.

Walter Isaacson writes a well informed book. I enjoyed this on audio, narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris, it was well read.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 17 hours and 28 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: October 7, 2014

The Snow Queen by Michael Cunningham

Published on December 16, 2014 by Sheila (Book Journey)6 Comments

November 2004. Barrett Meeks has once again lost love. While walking through Central Park he looks up at the sky and sees a bright light almost like an eye watching him from the sky. While Barrett does not believe in God or a superior being, he can not deny what he has seen.

Barrett’s brother Tyler at this time, is trying to write the perfect love song for his terminally ill soon to be wife. It needs to be the perfect sentiment of love.

While Barrett turns towards faith after his night of seeing the light, Tyler believes that only drugs can bring him the creativeness he needs to write music. Both brothers searching…. for something more.

I wish I could say I loved this book. I can say, I love the idea of this book. I am not sure what did not work for me but I just did not get into it the way I know I do when I really enjoy a good read. I liked Barrett’s story line and perhaps I was hoping for more.

At the end of the audio (and I would believe the book as well) there is an interview with the author that I thoroughly enjoyed. Hearing the vision for the book through him, I almost with that interview would have been in the beginning of the book as I feel it may have flowed better for me with that knowledge.

I think this is one of those, it is not the book, it is me things 🙂

Narration by Claire Danes was wonderful. Just another of her many talents!

Audio CD: 6
Publisher: Macmillan Audio; Unabridged edition (May 6, 2014)

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

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.