Tag: Audio

The Look Of Love by Sarah Jio

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)19 Comments

Sarah Jio, Book Journey, Audio, Audiofile, Look Of Love

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 by Sheila (Book Journey)11 Comments

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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 by Sheila (Book Journey)13 Comments

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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 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

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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

 

 

The Wild Truth by Carine McCandless

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

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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.
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 by Sheila (Book Journey)23 Comments

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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 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

BIG DRIVER, Shephen King, Maria Bello, Book Journey, DeChantalI 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.

  • Audible Audio Edition
  • Listening Length: 4 hours and 20 minutes
  • Program Type: Audiobook
  • Version: Unabridged
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
  • Audible.com Release Date: October 7, 2014

Fog Island Mountains by Michelle Bailat-Jones

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)10 Comments

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Fog Island Mountains (Kirishima mountain range) are located beneath the volcanic area in Southern Japan.  As a big typhoon is preparing to roll in the residents of Komachi prepare for the storm as well.  Alec Chester is one of these residents.  He has lived in this area for 40 years and has recently been diagnosed with a terminal cancer.  With the storm on the verge of erupting, Alec’s wife Kanae disappears into the stormy weather struggling with the realities of her husbands diagnosis.

Narrated by Komachi’s oldest resident and told in Japanese kitsune folktale tradition; Fog Island Mountains is a story of grief, acceptance and healing.

 

 

Fog Island Mountain is an interesting read involving a couple (Alec and Kanae) as they deal with the approaching storm in their area as well as the approaching storm in their life.  The story is told by an outside narrator, which was not totally new for me, but not usual so this took me awhile to get into the flow of this writing style.

Beautifully written, narrator Jennifer Ikeda was a smooth narrator to listen to.  I enjoyed the feeling of Japan that surrounded the book giving me a bonus dose of the culture as well as an interesting read.

 

 

  • Audible Audio Edition
  • Listening Length: 6 hours and 2 minutes
  • Program Type: Audiobook
  • Version: Unabridged
  • Publisher: Audible Studios
  • Audible.com Release Date: November 4, 2014

 

He’s Gone by Deb Caletti

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

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Dani Keller wakes up on her houseboat with a wine hangover from the previous nights get together with her husband.  When she reaches over the bed for her husband Ian, she finds he is not there.  When she looks around she finds he is nowhere in the houseboat but his car is still parked out on the landing.  Feeling he may has went out for coffee and scones she awaits his return.  When day turns to night and Ian is not answering his cell phone her annoyance turns to worry.  As the days start to pass and the police become involved Dani searches her foggy memory of the night of the party.  Did something happen she can not recall?  Is there something in their life together that has led up to this?

 

 

I love the synopsis of this book.  Coming off of The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain I was geared up for more like that.  There are things that I did enjoy about this read but some I found not fitting as well. Lets start with what I liked.  The characters are well developed.  I liked Dani and I enjoyed the background story of her relationship with Ian, how it began and what they did to be together as well as the complications of that decision.  It felt like there was almost a life lesson in there.  I enjoyed her daughter and her mother (who on audio reminded me a lot of Grandma Mazur from the Stephanie Plum series… just a funny older lady).  These two characters provided a level ground for Dani.

What I didn’t like is what actually happened felt obvious to me from the beginning even though the author gives us plenty of venues to create doubt and possibilities.  There seemed to be a lot of things that should have been done in an investigation such as this but were not.

If you can let go of reality, the book is a fine read.  I don’t mean to sound harsh as I did enjoy it and was curious as to what had actually happened all the way through the read. Author Deb Caletti creates a mystery around love and betrayal that will keep you guessing.

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)26 Comments

The SIlent Sister, Diane Chamberlain, Book Journey

Ok seriously… how have I missed out on this amazing author?  ~Sheila

Riley MacPherson was only two years only when her older teenage sister Lisa committed suicide.  Although Riley was too young to really remember Lisa, who was on her way to Julliard as a very gifted musician, Riley does know this was about the time her family fell apart.  Her mother battled with depression and eventually cancer takes her from them.  Her father acts as though nothing has happened at all and refuses to discuss it.  Riley’s older brother Danny begins to pull away from the family and continues to be estranged even into his adult life.

Riley, now in her 20’s returns to her childhood home after her father’s passing to take care of the family properties.  Through encounters with different local people and finding in her father’s home – evidence leads to the fact that Lisa may not have committed suicide after all…

and if that is true….

What happened?  And where is she now?  Is she alive?

The Silent Sister absolutely blew me away.  So good in fact that I flipped through web pages of this authors other books and while I recognized covers, I feel as though I have read none of her other books.  BIG MISTAKE on my part.

The Silent Sister is an excellent take on how far a family will actually go to protect one of their own.  While perhaps well-meaning – the MacPherson’s are the definition of dysfunctional.  Hidden agendas and secrets from one another leave the two remaining MacPherson children (Riley and Danny) left with a twisted mess that only tangles more as the story goes on.  While one might say the plot is too entangled, too messed up – it is that what takes this read to the next level.  Let’s face it – we live in a twisted messed up world.

When we practice to deceive…

I loved this book!  I listened to it on audio and the amazing Susan Bennett narrated very well.  Alternating chapters come in to play as you start to fill in the whole twisted tale.

Absolutely read or listen to this one.  This book rates as one of the best I have read in 2014.