Review – Page 3 – Book Journey

Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

Published on March 3, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Joe Goldberg is no stranger to the sacrifices one has to make for love. In fact, within the past ten years, he has four bodies that he has buried to prove just how much he is willing to sacrifice. Once a book store manager, Joe thought he had met the love of his life but that turned out to be wrong.

Very wrong.

And now once again, Joe finds himself in love with someone new, someone better… and also someone who hurts him very badly. Joe makes the decision to move and start fresh, perhaps a different view will give him just what he needs to leading a much simpler life. Yet the past has a way of creeping back up and Joe has to wonder how many more bodies is he going to have to hide to keep his secrets safe?

Oh wow oh wow. You know the books that you hate to finish because you don’t want them to end? This would be one of those books. I, sickeningly enough, adore Joe. Like YOU (the first book that brings this creepy funny witty protagonist to life) I listened to Hidden Bodies on audio. Let me say this. If you enjoy audio, I absolutely insist that you listen to both of these books. If you are new to audio, this would be a great way to start. Narrator Santino Fontana literally embodies Joe. This narration is so good, you forget that you are listening to a book. I had moments where I laughed out loud, and believe me, I do not laugh our loud often.

I also absolutely need to give a hats off to author Caroline Kepnes. I am so impressed that this book is written by a female author. She has captured Joe, the essence of GUY in these books. She is an amazing writer, and I love her dry humor. I can not wait to read (or hopefully listen to!) more from her.

As you can probably tell, I find this book gush worthy. I don’t think I loved it as much as YOU, but it was pretty close. YOU is somewhat lighter if I dare say that, and while I believe YOU was more sexually graphic; the book references, the movie references, really made it wonderful. If it wrong to fall in love with a killer I don’t want to be right. If you can handle a book that is a little vulgar at times, I have to tell you this one is so worth it. If you read my reviews, you know I don’t say that lightly. While this book does have sexual content, I would say it is never over the top and never gory. I would say I think the difference is Joe. You have to experience Joe.

Hidden Bodies starts off right where YOU leaves off. While you do not have to read/listen (oh my gosh listen to this one!!!) to You before you move into Hidden Bodies, I highly recommend that you do. YOU really lets you get to know Joe in a way that is not as fully developed in Hidden Bodies. There are also many references (some really funny) that you will miss if you have not experienced YOU first.

Please look at other reviews of this book as well. There are quite a few bloggers out there that I enjoy that are gushing about these two reads as well.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 13 hours and 3 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: February 23, 2016

YOU by Caroline Kepnes Narrated by Santino Fontana (BEST OF 2016)

Published on February 22, 2016March 6, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)9 Comments

Joe Goldberg leads a fairly simple life. He manages a book store in East Village and while he is often in awe that people still choose to read a paper version of a book when they access them so easily from the comforts of their home… he gets it. Even if he is baffled by what books draw people in to the store.

When Guinevere Beck enters the book shop one day, everything for Joe changes.

You walk into the bookstore and you keep your hand on the door to make sure it doesn’t slam. You smile, embarrassed to be a nice girl, and your nails are bare and your V-neck sweater is beige and it’s impossible to know if you’re wearing a bra but I don’t think that you are. You’re so clean that you’re dirty and you murmur your first word to me – hello.

Joe knows instantly that they were meant to be together and he will stop at nothing to make sure that she will be his. Soon Joe has found his way into Beck’s life. He watches her from the street outside her apartment. He hacks his way into her phone, her texts, her emails. He learns all about her through her conversations with friends, where she goes, and what she watches on TV. He turns himself into the perfect guy for Beck knowing what she will appreciate and what she would find irritating. He is smooth and he is charismatic, and it all works; Beck finds Joe to be almost to good to be true.

And you know what they say when things are too good to be true….

How did I not know about this book before now? Seriously? How did I miss out on this? The synopsis would have had me at book store…. but there was so much more. Joe appears to be a normal guy (think Dahmer) who have over the top stalker qualities and he stops at nothing. No one… not a love interest, not a friend, will get in his way of getting what he has already decided what was rightfully his; and that is Beck.

I listened to this one on audio and I have to say that audio is the way to go. Santino Fontana is PERFECT. He makes our protagonist both witty, funny, snarky and creepy all rolled into one. Santino (may I call him Santino?) narrates in a way that you can tell he is having a good time doing it. I smiled and laughed out loud while listening. The narration is a brilliant mix and I have found another amazing narrator!

I need to describe this audio book in words I have never used to describe a book before… sexually graphic. What Joe thinks about doing to Beck, what he does do to Beck, what Beck does alone and later with Joe…. it is all here, open, and DETAILED. Often in books I complain about this finding it unnecessary and vulgar. That is not the case in this book. Occasionally I will find a book where that level of intimate detail is necessary to the story line – this would be such a book. Appropriately sexual to the story line. Do however consider yourself warned, this is definitely an adult content book.

I highly recommend this read/listen. I enjoyed this story so much that I immediately pre-ordered the sequel on audio Hidden Bodies (which releases tomorrow and oh wow – MORE SANTINO FONTANA!!!!) I am so hopeful that it is just as good and if not, well at least I will get to sink into this great narration again.

Squueeeee worthy? You bet. This one is even worthy of….

yes. You got it. The SPOILER PAGE. Oh yes.

Written by: Caroline Kepnes
Narrated by: Santino Fontana
Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Series: You, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:09-30-14
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

MISSOULA by Jon Krakauer Narrated by Mozhan Mamo and Scott Brick

Published on February 18, 2016March 23, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)12 Comments

Missoula Montana is your typical college town. There are plenty of College antics to go around: studying, making friends, partying, and of course the football games. From 2008 – 2012 hundreds of students reported sexual assault. Many of the circumstances involved alcohol, or heavy flirting gone too far. The police in most of these cases gave little attention to the alleged victim believing it was a party and the girl was just feeling regrets after consenting to sex. Missoula is by no means the exception, in most states alleged rape victims are treated as thought they brought on the assault themselves. Often, due to this sad statistic, many assaults, more than we will ever know, go unreported.

In a case study, Krakauer shares what happened with 5 such cases during a four-year period in Missoula Montana. Their stories of shame, self-doubt, ridicule, nightmares, and in some – the court case that rehashes it all again. Some will win their case, some will not… but all five of the victims will carry with them forever what happened, one night, in Missoula.

Yes. I am a diverse reader. Over the years I have found myself drawn to non fiction. Certain subjects call my attention and when I found this book on Audible.com I downloaded it immediately. Rape, like bullying, is a huge problem in our world that leaves devastating life long marks on its victims.

I have read/listened to Jon Krakauer books before (Into Thin Air, Into The Wild, Under The Banner Of Heaven) and find his research to be thorough. Krakauer gets to the heart of the matter, never dragging things out unnecessarily and this book was no exception.

MISSOULA is not an easy listen. Each assault is very detailed in how it happened, the circumstances, and what happened in the days, weeks, and years to follow. These girls will question themselves, wondering it they deserved what they got, if they should have been more forceful in saying no, if they should have fought harder to get away… and then you have those that did not fight at all. Instead, they gave in, afraid of what their friend or boyfriend may do if they try to stop them….

No means NO.

Narrators of this book are Mozhan Mamo and Scott Brick. While Mozhan Mamo is new to me and a narrator I look forward to hearing more from, Scott Brick is a narrator I have encountered many times and find perfect for non fiction listens. Together, the two were a perfect blend of narration for this book. Very well done.

Although there were parts of the book that were hard to listen to; often you hear her side of what happened, his side, and what the courts say so you are deep in the topic several times over having to hear about how it was done and what was said – it is a book I would recommend every woman (especially college age) to either read or listen to. While sometimes the evidence was not strong enough to call rape, I was surprised in some parts how rape goes back to the basic – no means no. Even if the girl had thought it armchairaudies-300x300 was what she wanted and at any point decided she does not – no means no.

Incredible listen. And an important one.

Missoula is nominated by the APA for the 2016 Audie Awards in the non fiction category.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 11 hours and 58 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audio
Audible.com Release Date: April 21, 2015
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Doubleday; First Edition edition (April 21, 2015)

The following note is a bit graphic.

Personal note: Right out of high school a group of us who all worked together liked to get together after work sometimes at someones house and have a few beers. On a particular night one of my friends who lived in the house we were partying at went up to bed pretty intoxicated late into the night. The next morning she called me and told me this,

“I was passed out on my bed when I was awakened by someone on top of me. I sort of woke up and seen it was _____________, who we worked with. I was still so out of it and I mumbled for him to get off of me, but he didn’t listen. He forced himself inside of me and I think I passed out again. When I woke up in the morning I could vaguely remember him being there and I knew he had raped me.”

I drove to her house and picked her up and brought her to the hospital. They took some samples, her clothes, even asked her to bring in the blanket off of her bed. A cop came in and took a statement while I was with her and he basically told her if drinking was a problem perhaps she should get help. By the time we left the hospital she felt sure she was some how to blame and honestly I thought maybe since she had drank so much that she had encouraged him. She decided to drop any investigation, it was too embarrassing and what if it was her fault? She never told anyone, not any other friends and for sure not her parents. We all continued to work together as though nothing had happened. Eventually she quit the job.

I share this now because after listening to this book I know that what happened to her was rape. It did not matter that she has been drinking or even if she had been flirting. I think this is the important message here. How many women live with something like this for their entire life believing that it is somehow their fault for how they dressed, how they acted, how much they drank.

No means no and without verbal consent (IE. if a person is intoxicated, sleeping, not in an awake state of mind) it is best to not do anything. Men and women alike.

Gretel and The Case Of The Missing Frog Prints by PJ Brackston and read by Kate Reading

Published on February 17, 2016March 31, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)1 Comment

No, not my typical read/listen… but a story based off Hansel and Gretel,

a play on words in the title and that cover… how could I pass the temptation? ~Sheila

Many years have passed since Hansel and Gretel had that fateful day the witch lured them to her house made of cake and candy. Sadly, not a whole lot has changed.

Since that sugary encounter, neither Hans (yes he goes by Hans now) and Gretel (now 35) have had a hard time with their eating habits….both of them craving sweets constantly and always up for a bite to eat.

When Albrecht Dürer the Much Much Younger’s valuable frog prints go missing, he does not hesitate to call the best Private Investigator money can buy, Gretel. Yes, THAT Gretel. Gretel leaps at the chance to take on such a case, bribing her hefty brother to go with her with the fact that the city’s Annual Sausage Festival will be taking place around the area she will be investigating.

Having grown up on stories like Hansel and Gretel (which now come to think of it is a HORRIFYING story of attempted cannibalism) I was interested in exploring an adult version of the siblings. I listened to this on audio with narration by Kate Reading which was a big plus for the story.

I initially thought I would be listening to a middle grade (MG) story but please note, depending on the child, this may not be for them. There is a part of the story where Gretel is undercover in a Brothel for a time. I have to add, completely unnecessary to the story line and without that the book would have been wonderful for middle grade children as there are encounters with talking mice, and solving the crime itself would be something I would think children would have fun figuring out.

For the reasons I mention above, I was disappointed. I looked on-line and did not see on the sites I looked at any age suggestions for this book. While nothing is really said to make this book inappropriate, an inquiring child may inquire what a brothel is. This is entirely my opinion as all my reviews. What initially I thought I could promote as a family listen on a car trip, in the end I cannot say that.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 8 hours and 14 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Audible.com Release Date: January 15, 2015

the good liar by nicholas searle

Published on February 16, 2016February 16, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)7 Comments

Roy is not too hard on the eyes for a man in his 80’s. He can carry on a friendly conversation and he knows how to put someone at ease. When he meets Betty through an online dating service, that is exactly what Betty see’s in Roy. A nice polite older man that she would not mind spending time with. In fact, much to Betty’s family surprise, Roy is soon living with her.

There is of course more to Roy than meets the eye. Roy is a long time con artist. He has spent a lifetime of finding ways to separate people from their money and if he does say so himself, he is good at it. Betty is financially set and thankfully Roy thinks, she is not a bad looking woman for her age which is a little bonus while he works his way into her finances.

Betty is just happy to have someone to spend her golden years with. She is willing to overlook the little things, like the mess that Roy makes just about every time he uses the bathroom, or how he disappears to take long walks when ever she is cleaning up around the house, and even how her grandson has a feeling that something about Roy isn’t quite on the up and up…

Words that come to mind: Disconcerting, page turner, twisted.

Entering in to the pages of The Good Liar I felt I had an idea of what it was about and where it would go.

I was wrong.

While I encountered a story of deception and lies, I truly had no idea as to what length this would go in. Roy is one of those people that ooze dishonesty. He truly is a perfect unlikable character. He has no qualms in who he hurts to achieve his goals and is one of those people who for the most part remain emotionless. I am pretty sure there were many parts of this book I real with a scowl on my face. Boo! Bad guy! Boo!

But…

there is more to this story.

I found the book to be engaging. I turned the pages quickly wondering where the story would go. As the story unfolds many of the chapters take you back in time to Roy in previous years, in previous scams…. some of these chapters in the way they were written I found to be a bit choppy. The time line was not always disclosed and especially in the earlier chapters as I was getting a feel for the read, I found it would take me a page or two into a chapter t get where this was taking place and when. As I tend to like a faster paced read (mostly), there were parts of this book that felt as though it was more wordy than it needed to be. That said, I still found The Good Liar to be worth my time. It is the type of story that you hear about happening in real life; however I have never read any fiction based on this story line.

That, I found refreshing.

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Harper (February 2, 2016)

Thank you to TLC Book Tours for allowing me to

spend time in a bit of a twisty turny world of Roy and Betty.

Along The Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams

Published on February 12, 2016February 12, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

Beatriz Williams is an author I was introduced to a little over a year ago. Her books open worlds I have not walked in but love the opportunity to join her rich vibrant characters on their journeys… this book, like her others, is a treasure to embrace.~Sheila

Pepper Schuyler has the world by the tail in 1966. She is beautiful and she knows it. She is confident, and captures side ways glances from most men when she walks into a room. She is also, currently, pregnant. No worries though, Pepper has recently restored a beautiful vintage Mercedes that has just sold for an astonishing price. This, Pepper thinks, will set her and the baby up nicely.

Annabelle Dommerich is thrilled with her new car purchase. Sure, she paid way too much, but this particular car and she have a history and that makes it all worth it. And when she meets the young and vibrant Pepper, Annabelle almost has to laugh, Pepper reminds her so much of herself when she was that age.

Annabelle takes an astounded Pepper under her wing and invites Pepper to stay with her. And as the two women become fast friends, Annabelle’s story unfolds, of house parties, an injured acquaintance, a Nazi husband, a Jewish lover, and a hair raising escape in one Mercedes years ago.

Ahhhhh. Reading (or listening in this case) Beatriz Williams books is something that I find hard to describe. The stories are vivid and of a time I have not lived, but the writing makes me wish I had. I enjoy reading about protagonists like Pepper, strong-willed women of a time when strong women were the exception.

The Infinite Sea is told in the time of Pepper and Annabelle meeting one another in the 60’s, with Annabelle’s story of her own youth being weaved in throughout the book. It is a brilliant read. One I personally devoured every chance I could get.

I listened to this on audio, Kathleen McInerney is a narrator I have enjoyed before and she has the perfect narrative voice for this book. Highly enjoyable.

Note: There are other books featuring the Schuyler sisters (Pepper is one of three). To my understanding this is actually the third book, I believe each book stands on their own and I did not feel that I needed the other two books to make sense of this one. The other books would be: The Secret Like of Violet Grant and Tiny Little Thing. Both books, I hope to enjoy sometime soon.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 15 hours and 43 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Audible.com Release Date: November 3, 2015

Becoming Steve Jobs by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli

Published on February 11, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)4 Comments

Steve Jobs has been called many things from genius to jerk. When it came to his work life and his vision he did not care if you were family, friend, or person who could make his life a whole lot easier. He was focused to a fault. He was outspoken, irritating, irrational, and cocky. So how did such a man who was even fired from his own company, make such a big impact on the way we live today? How did someone like this carry a vision that literally has employed millions of people all over the world and his products become practically a household staple?

Statements taken from those who knew Steve well from family members, friends, co workers and competitors, paint a picture of Steve and it is not necessarily the one you think. Here you will learn about the man who struggled with his failings and worked to maximize his strengths. Always ambitious, always forward thinking, Steve Jobs.

If you have hung around here long you probably know I have been fascinated with Steve Jobs for a long time. I have read many books and listened to many audio about this man. I don’t condone the way he treated people – but much like in my own life, when I see someone acting out or in a way I find aggressive, I always wonder what the underlying story is. I have felt this way about Steve. I believe another reason I like reading about him is that I LOVE the fact that he was not necessarily the brains behind the company. He was the visionary and what he could not do himself, he found people who had the power to take his vision and make it real. I too love to come up with the “what if’s” and bring other people into that vision to make it a reality. I hope I don’t do it as aggressively as Steve, but I sure hope I tap into that passion.

Honestly, no matter how you feel about the man – I think most of us have to admit to owning an Apple product or an IPAD, IPOD, IPHONE, ITunes… Think of how our world has changed around these products…. think about how we connect so much more than we once did, and how Steve’s vision raised the bar for all who follow in his footsteps to make the next big thing.

I did thoroughly enjoy this book. As I mentioned, I have read much on Steve Jobs and this book was not rehashing the same information. This book, personalized him and I really liked that. It gave me more insight in to why Steve was the way he was. I liked hearing about the man behind the hype. This book will take you from the start of Apple, to the competitors he battled as well as friended, all the way to his final battle with cancer, that sadly, he did not win.

I listened to this on audio with George Newbern narrating. It was a wonderful insightful listen that I would encourage anyone to take the time and listen to. No matter what your opinion of Steve, I feel the world suffered a great loss of a man with amazing vision and an ability to have others respond to his vision.

Listening Length: 16 hours and 21 minutes

Publisher: Random House Audio; Unabridged edition (March 24, 2015)

Hardcover: 464 pages
Publisher: Crown Business; First edition (March 24, 2015)

Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Published on February 9, 2016February 8, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

When 14-year-old Audrey is the target of bullying at school, she finds that she struggles to even leave the comfort and security of her own home, finding dark glasses to help her move through day-to-day life. Diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder, Audrey works with a counselor to help her take steps towards a more normal life style.

One that Audrey could really not care less about.

When her brothers best friend Linus starts to frequent her home. Audrey’s interest is piqued. Linus is not like other boys. He doesn’t seem to be startled by Audrey wearing dark glasses inside or her inability to go out into the world. Instead, Linus seems to enjoy Audrey’s company, even coming over to the house to see her. The connection Audrey makes with Linus is one that not only is helping her, but her entire family.

Finding Audrey was a fun listen. I have read Sophie Kinsella before (I’ve Got Your Number) which was a light fun read. This one is still fun as YA goes, but it also has a more serious undertone to it that makes you really think about what Audrey is going through. You also can not help but cheer on Linus, what a great character! Over all Kinsella comes through again with a heartwarming story that I think will speak well to young adults and all ages alike.

On a personal note: I found with my own life these past 10 months that I could relate to Audrey. I get the desire to feel safe and secure in my own home as well, never knowing what you can be dealing with in the real world. By no means am I at where Audrey is at, I can and do go out and carry on as I used to – I just find it takes more energy to do so. I only mention this because it helped me understand what Audrey is going through a little more.

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Audio CD
Publisher: Listening Library (Audio); Unabridged edition (June 9, 2015)
Listening Length: 6 hours and 36 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook

in a dark, dark wood by ruth ware

Published on February 7, 2016February 7, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)8 Comments

Lenora ( goes by Nora) is a crime fiction writer. She has found that as the years go on she is quite content to stick to the comforts of home surrounded by all that she loves , typing out stories and meeting deadlines for her publisher. When an invitation arrives from an old friend to join in a pre-marriage celebration at a secluded home in the woods, Nora is hesitant yet feels the pull to perhaps reconnect. Many invites went out but in the end it is six people who make the celebration weekend.

48 hours later Nora wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of how she got there or what had happened. All she knows is that she has a sickening feeling that someone she knows is dead and with a police officer outside her hospital room she has a feeling that whatever happened… somehow she is involved.

Here Author Ruth Ware, explains the book:

With a title like that how could I refuse? In A Dark, Dark Wood drew me in by its synopsis, despite the comparison to Girl On The Train (not a fan). I liked the idea of old friends gathering together and a mystery to be solved…. felt a little like an 80’s thriller!

The book is a fast read/listen but a good one. Nothing felt dragged out, the book moved at a nice pace throughout the story with just enough of a dangle of the mystery throughout the story line to keep you guessing. In the end my guess of the “who did it” was wrong…. and I like it that way.

I listened to this one on audio, Imogen Church narrated and while she is a new narrator to me, I found that I liked how she mastered her way through the multitude of dialogue between the six characters.

Recommended on audio, but I think this one will read well too.

Audible Audio Edition
Listening Length: 9 hours and 34 minutes
Program Type: Audiobook
Version: Unabridged
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Audible.com Release Date: August 4, 2015
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press; Later printing edition (August 4, 2015)

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Published on February 6, 2016April 20, 2016 by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

Mindy Kaling is on the search for fulfillment in here adult life. She is looking for love, friendships, and trying to be the first person in the world to lose weight without changing any habits. She discusses how to be glamorous for any occasion, dealing with anxiety and more in her life as a star.

Confession… I have never watched Mindy Kaling’s show. I chose this audio mainly because I like autobiographies. I enjoy hearing back ground stories to people’s fame.

Most of the time.

Occasionally I find one that is not really a fit. This would be one of those times.

While Mindy may be a funny actress, I found her to be unnecessarily crude which is something I am never a fan of. This one is entirely on me, I gave it a shot. I am sure fans of Mindy Kaling would find this to be a good listen.

What I can say is Mindy Kaling narrates this book herself, which I almost always find I am drawn to in memoirs. Mindy has an exception narrating voice and comes across clearly with great emotion, wit, and voice expressions. Her narration I felt was spot on… after all who better to tell her story?

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