Tag: Audio

Kitty is quite used to men falling all over her.  After all that is the way it has been all her life.  Proposal after proposal is turned down as really, Kitty will know when the right one comes along and she knows her astonishing beauty will give her choice of whatever man she wants.  Yet as the years go by, suddenly Kitty finds the proposals coming less and less, her mother has pretty much given up on Kitty ever getting married – so when the quiet and king Walter Fane finally works up the courage to ask Kitty for her hand, she immediately says yes.

As the newly weds settle into their lives together Kitty finds Walter nothing but dull.  At a party she is introduced to the handsome Charles Townsend, and he is as captured with her and she is of him.  They start an affair, but when Walter discovers the relationship he challenges his wife to either have Charles propose to her and then he will grant her a divorce, or accompany him to an area of China where the cholera epidemic is strong and he has been called in to help. 

What Kitty decides, is the beginning of a woman’s long journey of finding what she is made of and what it is like to truly love.

I am honestly going to say that when I chose this audio from audible.com, I really didn’t know what I would think of.  I am not a romance reader.  I don’t like flighty women characters.   And I struggle with many of the early 20th century books.  I chose this audio because the price was right and the sample narration sounded good.  (plus I am actively making an effort to read some of the older known books for a well-rounded reading life).

Ok…. now that the “details” are out-of-the-way.  Let’s review… shall we?

Kitty was not a likable character.  She was shallow and self-centered.  She liked men fawning over her and really knew no other life.  Walter on the other hand was an incredible character – and had incredible character.  Though quite and socially awkward, he did truly love Kitty and provided her a comfortable home with want of nothing. 

As this book proceeds on to the point where Kitty is left with the decision to either marry Charles or go with Walter, this particular part of the book was quite enjoyable for me.  I loved to see Kitty attempt to do what she thinks is best for herself.  The result of this point of the book is really where the story takes off. 

With great detail I started to see a change in Kitty’s character… almost a “By George, I think she’s got it!” sort of change as Kitty starts to really understand life, and men, and see things in a different. softer light. 

In the end I was impressed with this audio and with the story line.  I am so glad I went against my prejudices I listed above and went ahead with it.  I would suggest this to anyone.  It’s not so much as a romance as it is historical fiction.  Kitty is not so much flighty, as she is uneducated.  As far as the early 20th century read, it did not feel outdated to me, I was able to comprehend the time and the places.  I will be watching the movie which I have just requested from Netflix.

Narrator Kate Reading does an amazing job of capturing the sometimes whiny voice of Kitty, the patient and paced voice of Walter, and the boisterous self-assured voice of Charles. 

Amazon Rating

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map has been updated to include The Painted Veil

I purchased this audio off audible.com

 

Sookie Stackhouse is a small time waitress who has a disability.  She can read minds and let me tell you that makes dating – well…. impossible.  Imagine trying to date someone when you constantly can hear what they are thinking! No real worries about that, as pretty much everyone in Sookie’s neck of the woods (oops – did I say neck?  😉 ) thinks she is weird.

Then one day who should walk into Sookie’s bar but Bill Compton… he’s tall, handsome… and a vampire.  best thing of all?  Sookie can not hear his thoughts and there is something so peaceful and appealing about that she can hardly believe it.  Thanks to synthetic blood now being available, vampires can now live (oops – did I say live?  😉 ) among the errr….. living.  Some people are ok with this coexistence, others not so much – and others still fall into a groupie sort who think that vampires are the coolest thing since sliced bread and this group is referred to as fang-bangers…. (yes, crude but there it is)  😛

Suddenly these “groupies” are turning up dead and the heat is on all vampires – good or bad.  As Sookie has taken quite a liking to Bill and he to her, she worries for his safety – and as a vampires girlfriend – her own as well.  When the deaths seem to be hitting to close for comfort, Sookie has to make decisions to protect herself and her brother who really is her only family she has still living.

 

……………………………………..

Ok.

*Deep breath*

I wanted to read this book because I have heard so much about the HBO series True Blood and of course, the books that are made around this series.  I have never seen True Blood, but thought I would try a book or two and see where I landed.  I landed.. flat.

I thought I would like the characters and the story line, but honestly… I didn’t.  Sookie was too ditsy for words and in her defense, maybe if I could have seen her in True Blood and had a better picture of what they were going for here… but as I listened to this on audio…. she just seemed ridiculously naive, and not appealing as a character at all.  Bill was not clearly described and happenings later into the book made me clearly “not a fan” no matter what his excuse.  I know many of you love this series and that is awesome – I just found it not to fit for me. 🙂

While at times witty, parts were a bit out there for my liking and when it ended – it ended with a large gap in the story that would probably take most readers to the next book to see what happens – but for me… Sookie was a fun acquaintance to meet, but we are probably not going to be life long friends.

There are many other opinions on this book out there and if you have written a review on this please let me know and I will gladly link your thoughts here.  I would also like to hear from you if you have watched the HBO series is it better than the books or are the books better than the show?  Which did you experience first?  What do you like or dislike about this series?

 

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include dead until Dark

I purchased this audio from audible.com

A naive young Englishman, Johnathon Harker travels to Transylvania to do business with a client, Count Dracula.  At first enticed by Dracula’s gracious manner, Harker soon discovers that he has become a prisoner in the castle. He also begins to see disquieting facets of Dracula’s nocturnal life. One night while searching for a way out of the castle, and against Dracula’s strict admonition not to venture outside his room at night, Harker falls under the spell of three wanton female vampires, the Brides of Dracula. He is saved at the last second by the Count, because he wants to keep Harker alive just long enough to obtain needed legal advice and teachings about England and London (Dracula’s planned travel destination was to be among the “teeming millions”). Harker barely escapes from the castle with his life.

After showing his true and terrifying colors, Dracula boards a ship for England in search of new, fresh blood. Unexplained disasters begin to occur in the streets of London before the mystery and the evil doer are finally put to rest.

Hmmmm…. well… I listened to this because I have never read Dracula.  I know, its true!  And well… it really wasn’t what I was expecting.  I had no idea that Dracula was set around a real estate deal…. and a ship.  And I had no idea this book was mostly written in journal/diary entries.  In my head… it was all about spooky Dracula in his castle, inviting people in for oh…. I don’t know… appetizers?  😯

How freaky to think this creepy book was written over one hundred years ago….. that’s about a hundred years before vampires became cool!  Oh and when I say creepy, I mean it with all due respect….. creepy good… yah know?

Historically, the name “Dracula” is derived from a secret fraternal order of knights called the Order of the Dragon, founded by Sigismund of Luxembourg (king of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and Holy Roman Emperor) to uphold Christianity and defend the Empire against the Ottoman Turks. Vlad II Dracul, father of Vlad III, was admitted to the order around 1431 because of his bravery in fighting the Turks. From 1431 onward, Vlad II wore the emblem of the order and later, as ruler of Wallachia, his coinage bore the dragon symbol. The name Dracula means “Son of Dracul”.

Wikepedia

I am glad to say I have experienced Dracula.  Check that off my lifetime to do list 😛

Amazon Rating

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map had been updated to include Dracula

I purchased this audio at Barnes and Noble

 

 

Young Mary (thirteen) is very excited when she seems to have caught the eye of seventeen year old Joseph.  While Joseph is exasperated with Mary’s strong will, he also finds her endearing, irresistible and sure that she will be his wife.  As his intentions are made public, both family’s are thrilled for the young couple, except perhaps a jealous female relative who wishes that Joseph would have set his heart and his eyes on her instead.

As the couple plans a wedding, the unthinkable happens.  Mary is approached by an angel who tells her that she will become pregnant and give birth to the son of God.  When news of this gets to Joseph he is disbelieving, sure that Mary has found her ways into the arms of another man… as Mary struggles alone through the early stages of her pregnancy, Joseph continues to wrestle with the notion of trying to wed someone who may or may not be telling the truth…. until finally he too is spoken to by an angel who tells him that he is to wed Mary.

When Herod makes his decree that everyone return to their hometown to register for the census, Joseph takes a very pregnant Mary and makes the long journey to Bethlehem…. where history is in the making…

 

 

As I continue my way through the works of Elizabeth Berg, this book (audio) was probably the one that I was least excited about.  I honestly did not know how I would feel about a fictional take on the story of Mary and Joseph, let alone their courtship. I do not even think I had ever given much thought as to what Mary and Joseph’s courtship must have been like…

In the end, I found this short audio to be tastefully done.  As Elizabeth Berg fills in gaps with fictional filler, I felt it gave me food for thought on this subject.  Not only had I never really thought about the early pre-Jesus days of Mary and Joseph, I had really never thought much about the doubts that could have crept into Joseph’s thoughts through the years as to is Jesus truly was conceived of the Holy Spirit.  It was interesting to think that Mary had the stronger faith – obviously she knew how the baby was conceived, as compared to Joseph…. a true testimony of faith.

While not really an in-depth read, it was interesting and   basically covers the time of the courtship to Josephs death.

Elizabeth Berg ends this short audio with a message to her listeners saying that she realizes that she took liberty with this story but has done no more than many others have through the centuries.  She also takes liberty with a few dates and explains in the end her reasoning for doing so.

Amazon Rating

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map is udpated to include The Handmaid and The Carpenter

I borrowed this audio from my local library

 

 

They were known as the “dreamy Heaney sisters”, all young and beautiful.  Kitty who is said to be a Rita Haywood look-alike is sure that her boyfriend Jillian has left her an engagement ring at the jewelry store before shipping out to fight in WWII.  After all he hinted about her going to the store after he had gone to pick up a little something he left for her!  Louise is in love with Michael who is leaving on the same day as Jillian to fight in the war but he will be on the European front, where Jillian will be in the Pacific.  Both sisters pine for their men but while Louise is getting pages and pages of letters form Michael filled with romance and love, Kitty finds Jillian’s letters to be lacking in that department and feels more like a pen pal then a possible fiance.

When Kitty goes to pick up the mysterious package at the jewelery store, what she finds makes her rethink everything she thought she knew, and find an inner independence that she never knew she possessed and make sacrifices, she could never have imagined.

 

 

 

 

Now this is the Elizabeth Berg I have come to know and love.  Recently I had listened to a couple of her reads that left me a little flat, but as my goal is to read through all of her works (come what may) in 2011… I have continued on and so far I am enjoying the journey.

Dream When You Are Feeling Blue is a story from the 1940’s and it is almost sad in some ways to see how much we have changed.  In these times, girls usually did not move out of their parents homes until they were married.  The three sisters (there is a third sister named Tish who is quite the handful) share a room in their strongly Irish home.  As I listened to this on audio it was fun to hear the thick accents of both the parents.  What struck me is how strong knit this family was, come what may – they were in it together and the sisters as well as the three brothers, all listened to and respected their parents.

When the sisters start going to the USO dances, Louise and Kitty mainly to keep an eye on their younger and wilder sister Tish, they are shocked when they see someone actually kissing out in the open.  So different from what happens today.

Another part of the book that spoke to me was the deep sacrifices they made as a family and really that is the theme of the book.  The girls sacrifice their boyfriends to the war and hope that they will return to them whole.  The family sacrifices by all doing their part to make ends meet, the girls getting jobs, Kitty even working in a factory that her parents find not fitting for a girl, but she wants to do her part for the war efforts and they are proud of that.  The food is rationed, some days there is no meat available and many of the meals sound like they had to choke them down as they were made from only what they had.  It made me think of how privileged my own life has been having never have gone without anything I needed like food or comforts of home.

I think from this review you can see this book made an impression on me.  From what I have read of Elizabeth Berg so far, this is her at her best.  While the book is about the events surrounding WWII, it is mostly about what is happening on the home front and the letters that the girls write to the men fighting in the war.

The ending shocked me…. and yes, there was a few tears shed.

Amazon Rating

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading Map is updated to include Dream When You Are Feeling Blue

I borrowed this audio from my library

 

When Aunt Grace dies, she opens up a clue to a secret that can make or break the world.  Each member of her family is offered two million dollars to take as an inheritance and walk away…

or…

you can turn in the bank voucher for the 2 million and instead get a clue to something…. amazing.  Something that can make you powerful and probably save the world.

Most of the family takes the 2 millions dollars… after all Grace was old and seriously may not have been in her right mind.  The 2 million is a solid deal.. the clue?  Not so much.

Yet 7 families do take the clue…. many of them already wealthy are greedy for the thought of power….  but for Dan (11) and Amy (14) Cahill they really don’t see what they have to lose.  Warded to an unloving Aunt Beatrice after their parents were killed, Beatrice (Grace’s sister) treats the kids like dirt.  The clue…could provide freedom and adventure.

They take the clue.

Soon the siblings as well as the very strange and power-hungry members of their family are on the hunt of a lifetime.  They follow the historical trail of Ben Franklin to find the next clue, with Amy’s book smarts and Dans math smarts they can and do go far but not without trouble from other family and others who they thought were allies, who want the treasure for themselves.

 

 

This book has interested me since it was released…. probably because it is more than a book.  The book includes a website, trading cards, and is really part of a 10 book series penned by different authors.  You can even log into a site and become part of the hunt.  Being a big fan of movies like Indiana Jones, National Treasure, Jewel Of The Nile…

yeah… I was hooked and Scholastic, you are brilliant.

I listened to this one on audio and by now I am starting to feel I have Rick Riordin’s number.  His characters from what I have picked up on from Percy Jackson and the Olympians as well as Red Pyramid have given way to characters of youth of fantasy and intrigue.

The audio book was a  joy to listen to.  As an adult it held my interest and I loved the historical information sprinkled through the book as the siblings uncovered the clues within the clue.  Even I learned a few things about Benjamin Franklin that I did not know.  🙂  As a middle grade reader, I think these books would be devoured.

I love that many authors worked on these books together, each adding their own personal flare.  I just love that!

 

Here is the list of the books in the series: (as written in wikepedia)

 

Each book in the 39 Clues series includes six cards, which unlock one online clue, the same one Amy and Dan find in the corresponding book. Readers can unlock it by entering the code on one of the cards on their 39 Clues account. If eligible, they will also be automatically entered to win the Book Prizes, the largest being $10,000.

Book 1: The Maze of Bones

The Maze of Bones is the first book in the series, written by Rick Riordan. It was released on September 9, 2008. Amy and Dan Cahill travel to Paris, France in search of a clue that Benjamin Franklin hid there after their grandmother sets their large family off on the quest. William McIntyre (the person that first told Amy and Dan about the clue hunt) told the 7 teams to trust no one. Unfortunately, Amy and Dan didn’t do what William had said.The pages that have strange markings say “Anni Cahill did not drown”. While on the journey they discover that there is more to their family than they were led on to believe. The find and activate a liquid only to be stolen by Ian Kabra. The clue is iron solute.

Book 2: One False Note

One False Note is the second book in the series, written by Gordon Korman. It was released on December 2, 2008. After succeeding in obtaining the first clue, Amy and Dan (along with their competition) travel to Vienna, Austria to find a clue relating to Mozart and his sister, Maria Anna “Nannerl” Mozart, famous Cahills. Following a lead to Venice, Italy, Dan and Amy brush up with the other competitors, however, to secure the lead. The strange markings say “Look to India”. The clue is tungsten.

Book 3: The Sword Thief

The Sword Thief is the third book in the series, written by Peter Lerangis. It was released on March 3, 2009. They travel to Japan to find the next clue, focusing on swords stolen centuries ago by Japanese warrior Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and they make an alliance with Alistair Oh and later the Kabras. Amy and Ian start to like each other, but their relationship ends in an unusual way, because Ian fails horribly at reading his true feelings. The strange markings at the bottoms of the pages say “The competition is about hope”.

Book 4: Beyond the Grave

Beyond the Grave is the fourth book in the series, written by Jude Watson. It was released on June 4, 2009. Amy and Dan go to Egypt on the next step in their quest and meet an old friend of their grandmother’s, who gives them a hint left for them by Grace before she died. Amy is apparently not over Ian, as she often thinks about him.

Book 5: The Black Circle

The Black Circle is the fifth book in the series, written by Patrick Carman. It was released on August 11, 2009. After receiving a telegram from a mysterious person known as ‘NRR’, Amy and Dan travel to Russia. In Russia, Amy and Dan form an alliance with Hamilton Holt. They go through a series of clues that keep leading them to different places and they are being timed.The clue is Amber.

Book 6: In Too Deep

In Too Deep is the sixth book in the series, written by Jude Watson. It was released on November 3, 2009. Amy and Dan arrive in Australia and meet up with their surfer uncle Shep Trent. Also, Isabel Kabra joins the hunt. Isabel tries to kill Amy and Dan by starting a fire and Irina dies saving them. It is revealed that Isabel Kabra was the one who caused Amy and Dan’s parents to die.

Book 7: The Viper’s Nest

The Viper’s Nest is the seventh book in the series, written by Peter Lerangis. It was released on February 2, 2010. Amy and Dan, shaken up by their last encounter with Irina, travel to South Africa after discovering a note in Irina’s boat. Their search leads them to a Tomas stronghold in the South African veldt.

Book 8: The Emperor’s Code

The Emperor’s Code is the eighth book in the series, written by Gordon Korman. It was released on April 6, 2010.^[1][7] Amy and Dan arrive in China, fresh from the shocking discovery that they are Madrigals. In this book, Dan releases the info that he is a Madrigal to the Wizards. At one point in the book, Dan is kidnapped by the Kabras. They continue to search for clues, though, and find a note written on silk from the Chinese emperor Puyi. They find out that the clue is hidden elsewhere. They travel to the top of Mount Everest to find the Clue.

Book 9: Storm Warning

The ninth book, Storm Warning, was written by Linda Sue Park and released on the 25th of May, 2010. Amy and Dan go to Jamaica, where they meet a friend of Grace and her nephew, Lester, who helps them, then dies.Nellie is then confirmed to be a Madrigal in this book.

Book 10: Into The Gauntlet

Into The Gauntlet, the final book in the series, was released on August 31, 2010, written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. In the book, all the teams come to Cahill Island. Isabel Kabra captures them, and forces each of them to say their clues, by threatening to kill their loved ones. Amy saves them by smashing the serum over her head and knocking Isabel out cold. Amy and Dan are left with a list of everyone’s clues in their hands, which each team gave them, “because they don’t trust themselves around the serum, and the great power it wields.” Dan and Amy end up winning the clue hunt the way Grace wanted them to, with everyone else wanting them to win.

Book 11: Vespers Rising

This book will serve as a transition between the first and second series. It will be written by Rick Riordan, Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson. The book is expected to be released on April 5, 2011.^[8] It will explain the history of the Vesper family, the Madrigals, Grace, and eventually catch up to Amy and Dan.^[9]

 

My thoughts:  This is definitely a series to try if you have middle grade adventure readers…. I love the interaction with the website.

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include 39 Clues

 

I purchased this audio from audible.com

 

Ok… so in case you have lived under a rock for the last 13 years (can you believe it has only been 13 years since this first book was released?)... anyway here’s the storyline:

So, before the book opens we learn that “he who shall not be named”, from this point forward for time-saving he will be known as HWSNBN, has wiped out Harry’s parents for reasons I can not now reveal and poor little Harry is orphaned and left on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep to be raised until he is 11.   Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon and their spoiled brat of a piggish son (no, I am not opinionated at all – why?) treat Harry like a virus.  He is forced to sleep in a closet space under the staircase and wears only Dudley’s very large hand me downs.

But all of this is about to change.

On the day that Harry turns 11 years old a large giant of a man arrives at the Dursley’s and announces to Harry’s surprise that he will be starting at the Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Harry learns in that same amazing moment… that he is a wizard.

From there life is a series of amazing events:  shopping for wands and owls, a magical train that is boarded from platform 9 3/4, meetings of the Weasley’s, meeting of Draco Malfoy (cue threatening evil music), Hermione – annoying but she grows on you, Neville who for some reason I really like, Dumbledore is awesome, a hat that sorts which house you will be a part of at Hogwarts, magical food appears on tables, professors that can turn into cats, Snape a name you won’t soon forget, spell classes that suck just a little bit, a troll in the lady’s room and a gross sentence or two on troll buggers, house points WON, house points lost, magical lessons and life lessons, whats up with Snape’s leg,  Malfoy prank backfires,  flying broomsticks and a game called Quidditch, a broom as a gift, stuttering Proffesor Quirrel and his mighty and also stinky turban, Quidditch practice practice practice, a little broom “almost” disaster, Hermione creates fire, a WIN for Gryffindor,  a secret, a three-headed dog, who is Flamel, Hagrid can not keep a secret, a cloak that makes you invisible, a mirror that shows your greatest desire, Haggrid may have a slight drinking problem, baby dragon, baby dragon go away, DETENTION!, Snape steals into the Forbidden Forest (uhhh… helllo it’s called Forbidden for a reason!) dead unicorns, blood sucking floaty dude, centaurs (because really what is a good fantasy read without a centaur?), a magic stone (mmm hmmmm you knew that was coming, it’s in the title), sleepy flute music, HWSNBN makes a special guest appearance, life-size chess game, Ron gets a smack down, Harry plays Alice In Wonderland with a row of potions,Hermione uses her brain, mirror mirror who’s got the mirror,  old stinky turban returns, what’s in your pocket Harry, whoa – HWSNBN what are you doing there?,  well this is awkward, a little hospital tlc, info on the parental units, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavored beans and Dumbledore eats the ear wax flavored one, final house points awarded, the school year ends on an up note, High fives and “see ya laters” by the dynamic trio, Harry is hauled back to the Dursleys for summer break.

Yup… I think that sums up book one.  😛

A year would not be complete if I did not dabble in yet another way to get my Potter dosage.  Last year I spent time with Jim Dale and enjoyed the audio version of these books.  If you have not tried them in audio – you are truly missing out.  Jim Dale was an incredible narrator and his voices were FANTASTIC!  I enjoyed these very much.  Now this time around I have listened to it in to audio again but with another narrator that I have heard was a “do not miss”, Stephen Fry.

Stephen Fry was also an amazing narrator and once again this story opened up to me like it was the first time.  There is something truly magical about these books.  Every time I read one or listen to one, I pick up on something new… something that links to a later book that makes me shake my head in awe of the incredible mind of J K Rowling.

If you haven’t had your Potter dose in 2011… I suggest you try one of the early books again, or try it on audio for the first time – even if you are not an audio person I think you will enjoy the Harry Potter books and your whole family will too 🙂

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading Map has been updated to include The Philosopher’s Stone

I borrowed this audio from my lovely library