Tag: Review

Meet James Bond.  He is charming, sophisticated, handsome, ruthless, and licensed to kill.  In this first of the Bond stories, James’ mission is to take out a lethal high rolling Russian Operation called ‘Le Chiffre’ by ruining him at the baccarar table, forcing him into an early “retirement” so to speak.

Lady luck seems to have sides with 007 as Le Chiffre hits a losing streak… but you never know what will happen when playing such high stakes and a beautiful female agent by the name of Vesta may just turn the roll of the dice a different way…

First off… we need a little theme music:

This is my first experience with James Bond.  Yup.  It’s true.  I have never watched a movie, well, maybe caught glimpses but enough to know I had no read interest, and I have never read a book about 007.  From what I knew going into this challenge (more on that in a minute) is that James Bond was some sort of FBI, spy, or vigilante…. I was not sure.  I also thought from the little I knew, that he was a lady’s man – there was always a new girl in every movie, and so in his spare time, he drank his signature drink with the ladies, and then occasionally killed a bad guy.

So in recap…. never committed to a woman, killed people, wore uptight suits everywhere, cocky attitude, cheesy theme music….

Yup.  Not really my thing…

Now wait.  before you go thinking, “whoa Sheila, did you just write the anti – review?”, hear me out.  I am telling you what I thought prior to my Shaken Not Stirred experience.

Ok – whats Shaken Not Stirred?  This is a Challenge started by the wonderful Jennifer of Literate Housewife, working with the wonderful Blackstone Audio.  Our challenge is, if we choose to accept it, is to listen to the 007 audio, one per month – and we also gather each month at a Twitter party under the hashtag #shakennotstirred and watch the movie that goes with the audio together.

I am always interested in stretching my audio taste buds… I have said before I tend to be more daring in my audio choices, then I am in my reading.  A book is easy to put down and my mind will just drift away if it is not holding me.  Audio however I usually give a longer chance to suck me in.  I am usually driving or doing something while listening so it is not always convenient to take it out and choose another – not saying that I haven’t just that audio tends to take me longer to say “nah” too.

Ok enough background info as I am already late on this review.  This was our June selection, the kick off to the challenge, and while I did join in on the Twitter party and the watching of the movie, I missed out on the June review date as I was not done with the audio.  I actually started listening to it late and well…. just finished now.

There are a few pleasant surprises I found in Casino Royale.  One is that when I listened (and watched the movie) tot his audio, I seen the story behind James Bond and for some reason that really made a difference to me.  Seeing how he got his start, and how he handled himself in this early book made all the difference to me.  Actually, and I shared this with Jennifer, Literate Housewife, I now felt as though I understood him.  The little glimpses of what I knew of him, and my pre judgement of him changed and suddenly – I felt I knew the man behind the gun. 

I know, totally cheesy right?  😛

Casino Royale turned out to be a pleasant listen, a good story line.  By starting at the very beginning I was able to understand that Bond was an agent (not the vigilante I had thought…. although that would have been super cool!) and I was able to learn about the agency he worked for.  I also learned that the “00” or double O stands for agents with a license to kill.  James Bond, becomes 007.  The 7th in the agency with this license.

Bond never quite shook the “ladies man” label I had given him prior to this audio.  He obviously is, and not always the nicest one either.  He has a few lines that made me think I was right about these books/movies, but then he would turn it around to a softer side of him that has left me still uncertain.  The jury is still out on this one.

I ended this audio impressed with myself for taking on this challenge into an area I never though I would go, as well as for the fact that it really wasn’t that bad.  I found the story line interesting, and now having listened to this audio and see the Casino Royale movie, I feel as though I understand Bond a bit better as we go forward.  I think I may know now why he has a new woman in every book.

Simon Vance was an amazing narrator.  He did an excellent job on the Bond vibe and I can see why he had won awards for his readings.  Wow. 

I look forward to our July discussion and review of Live and Let Die. 

Good Reads Review

The 2011 WHERE are you reading map has been updated to include Casino Royale

I won my copy of this audio book from Blackstone audio

Yes, author Steve Almond is truly a candy freak.  In a witty, candy obsessed, and even informative ways, Candy Freak takes us through the world of candy making, candy packaging, and how the candy that tantalize us at the check out counters earns that prime spot.  All of this through the experiences of Steve Almond.

Like Steve Almond… I have a sweet tooth.  I am drawn to chocolate almost daily.  If there is not chocolate in the house, I have been known to settle for chocolate chips.  I am kind of chocolate snob and LOVE a good chocolate piece to go with my evening cup of coffee.  Mmmm…. chocolately bliss. 😛

As a child, I remember quite well, candy hording.  This practice took place after a big candy holiday like Christmas, Easter, or Halloween.  I would hide my candy for months in dresser drawers and in my Barbie playhouse.  I would ration it out to myself… savoring each and every piece.  Some times… I just liked to look at it, knowing it was all MINE.   Of course, eventually, mom or dad always discovered my stash, I would get a lecture about ants, and my candy would be thrown away.  In this case, while disappointed, I knew another holiday would come and I would start the process again.  (You will be relieved to know that I have outgrown that for the most part.  Now I have a lone candy bar or two stashed in a desk drawer, purely there for comfort.  😛

Even Steve himself starts his book off admitting his addiction:

Some Things You Should Know About the Author

1. The author has eaten a piece of candy every single day of his entire life.

I want you to look at this sentence and think about it briefly and, if you’re so inclined, perhaps say a little prayer on behalf of my molars. This would not be unwarranted, and for supporting evidence, I refer you to Elizabeth Gulevitch, a highly competent doctor of dental surgery who spent most of the early Seventies numbing my jaw. I doubt Dr. Gulevitch is the sort to have established a hall of fame in her waiting room (she was more the Ansel Adams type) but I would like to believe that my run of seven cavities during the infamous campaign of 1973 stands as some kind of record.                                                                                                

~ Prologue, Candy Freak

I listened to this on audio and found it filled my heads with the memories of my favorite candies growing up.  Steve covers everything from Pop Rocks and the urban legends that went with Pop Rocks, the laws of supply and demand when it came to Bubblicious gum (oh wow…. I had forgotten how much I loved Bubblicious!),

For some reason I found myself fascinated by this telling of candies that were described to the point of how they dissolved in your mouth – enough to make my own mouth water at the thought of them! 

The first half or so of this audio is all about these “candyhood” memories, retellings, and the ones that were loved but discontinued.  In some cases, Steve stock piles candy bars he knows are no longer going to be produced by buying them by the case loads.  I found this walk through candy land very interesting and fun.

Then last half of the book is more about Steve’s discovery that he can tour candy companies and watch the bars being made.  At first this is interesting, listening to the history of the company, many times handed down from generation to generation… people upholding the candy making quality year after year.  And it was even interesting to hear how the machines worked and how the actual process of making goodies, oh lets say like Twin Bing, or the Idaho Spud are produced.  But then, the next story and tour seemed a bit the same, and by the third tour I was wondering where this was all going and how it would wrap up. 

There are some interesting tid bits in between…. for instance, I did not know about shelving fees, that the big name candy companies pay a substantial price for those prime checkout counter spaces in our grocery stores and big name retails companies like Wal-Mart.  (You would think as someone who worked as Management at Wal-Mart for 14 years would have known this but I had not!)

I was also thrilled to hear that Steve also thinks Peeps are horrible (they are my personal candy nemesis).

 

 

Recently at the dollar store in my town I found…. Bubblicious.  I was just finishing this audio so snatched it up with the brilliant idea to blow a bubble for this review.  Well…. let’s just say, Bubblicious is not what it used to be.  It took two pieces and about 20 outtakes before I got this picture.  The gum would not form a bubble (and yes I totally blame the gum… not me… :razz:)

Was this audio worth my time?  Absolutely!  I had a lot of fun reminiscing about the candy of my youth, and learned a little something along the way too. 

Amazon rating

Good reads review

The 2011 WHERE Are you reading map has been updated to include Candyfreak

I purchased this audio from audible.com

thanks to Jill from Fizzy Thoughts who’s review made me want to know more!  😀

London.  1797.  The plague is hitting full force and Mary “Jacky” Faber can do nothing as her parents and her only sibling are soon counted among the dead.  Alone and penniless, eight year old Mary takes to the streets with a gang of orphans, doing her best to learn the way of the streets and how to survive.  When the leader of the orphans is killed, Mary once again finds herself alone and struggling to find her way.

When an idea strikes, Mary cuts her hair short, dresses in men’s clothes, changes her name to “Jack” Faber and finds her way to employment as a ships boy on the HMS Dolphin.  During the first battle with a pirates ship, her bravery saves the life of a fellow ship boy and earns her the nickname ‘Bloody Jack’. 

As time goes on and “Jack” learns the way of the sea… she also turns her eye to Jaimy, the boy she saved.  But what is a girl to do who is dressed as a boy, but so desperately wishes she could just be herself.  If anyone finds out her true identity, she will certainly be thrown overboard…

yet she can not keep this charade up forever. 

I have seen this series floating around for about a year now around the blogs.  My first peek of interest was the raving of this series on audio.  Good audio raving always peeks my interest.  But really – a whole series around a young girl on a ship?  Would I really find that interesting?  Would I?

But the blog buzz continued and time and again I seen this title come up and my curiosity grew…

so….

I jumped on board.

(Get it?  A little ship humor…)

At first listen, Katherine Kellgren’s narration of a rough voiced orphan girl with a thick accident takes a little getting used to.  I honestly had to wonder if I would get into this…

It did not take long to change my mind.

Bloody Jack is an amazing story.  Mary “Jacky” Faber tells her take of life on the streets to life on this ship in humorous detail. 

“He’s got muscles like a horse and looks to have a brain to match”

With a variety of voices, narrator Katherine Kellgren covers everyone from the Irish sailor Liam, a Jamaican seaman, creepy and sinister Jacob Sloat as well as the other ship boys, including Jamey, the one who has stolen Mary’s heart – but he thinks she is just another ships boy. 

Before I was done with this audio I had already requested and received the next book in this series, as I wanted to know more about the adventures of Bloody Jack! 

Do not drag your feet like I did on this one, I highly recommend the audio version and sit back and enjoy a tale that I think will surprise you!

Amazon rating

Good Reads review

The 2011 WHERE Are You reading Map has been updated to include Bloody Jack

 

 

 

I borrowed this audio from our local library

When a beautiful woman begs for Sam Spade’s help, well what’s a San Fransisco detective to do but risk his tough guy reputation to help her? 

Sam is a real man’s man and tough enough to bluff confessions out of the thugs.  When Sam’s partner is murdered on a stakeout the cops all but blame Sam… no wait, they actually do blame Sam for the death.  Sam knows people in low places and has the pull to get people working to assist him in solving the crime , as look for the payoff that everyone wants – a valuable gold statuette of a falcon.

Who has the falcon?

What will it take to get it back?

As a motley crew of characters gather in Sam’s hotel room, all searching for the same answers, you have to wonder – can Sam, Mr. Cool, Mr. Smooth Talker himself, solve this crime and mystery?

 

 

Ok…

Hee hee.

I picked this audio up from the amazing Tanya of Blackstone Audio (can I get a WOOT!) as well as the great blog, Dog eared copy.  I met Tanya at BEA this year and always interested in dipping my listening ear into different genres and mixes, I jumped at the chance to listen to this audio. 

I find that I am more experimental in my audio then I am in books.  Something about listening to an audio… I usually give it more of a chance to grab me then I will a book. 

In this case, The Maltese Falcon was a surprise in many ways.  For one, I didn’t pick up on the fact that this was Radio Theater.  Or if I did, I did not really think what that meant.  When the audio started with this dramatic  music, sound effects and voices… I was well, take a moment and listen for yourself:

 

Ok…. so now you see where I am at.  😛

So – I will admit I was surprised, not necessarily pleasantly so as I thought I was going to hear this book read by an assortment of narrators…

The second way this audio surprised me was…. it grew on me.  Suddenly, I got into the way this one played out and I would be in the kitchen laughing to Sam Spade’s over the top solving of the crime, and the search for the maltese falcon.

Que the scary music soundtrack….

 

Ok I jest…. it really turned out to be a unique experience – one that I really did enjoy.  I have never seen the movie, so I went into this knowing title alone and nothing else.  Both readers, Michael Madsen and Sandra Oh did a wonderful job.  This was actually quite fun.

I have updated the 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map to include Maltese Falcon

Thank you to Tanya and Blackstone Audio!

 

Mary Beth Latham really has it all.  A loving and devoted husband, three teenage children – the twin boys Alex and Max, and her sweet outgoing daughter Ruby.  Their home is filled with the joys of family and Mary Beth wouldn’t want it any other way.

When Ruby one day announces that she is breaking up with her long time friend and boyfriend Kirenen, Mary Beth feels sad for both her daughter and Kirenan who has really become like one of the family.  Yet, at the same time her son Max is sinking into a depression over his much more athletic and popular brother Alex. A popular daughter, a depressed son and an over-confident son.  In a way, this is what life with teens can be like…

And then one night after a New Years Eve party everything changes.  An incredible act of violence throws Mary Beth’s life into the blender and when she comes out the other side, she is nowhere near the same… nothing is… NOTHING is.

Left with almost nothing, Mary Beth struggles to make a life again for herself, grasping at anything that can be considered “normal” and wondering when the floor will  drop out from under her again.

Powerful read.  I actually have to take pause as I write that.  Having just finished this book I am now of an author who has astounded me  with this well written novel, and her profound knowledge of grief.  As I listened to this on audio, I had to nod my head as the level of despair is so correctly described that I have to believe if Anna Quindlin has not experienced this level of grief herself, then she did a lot of research to understand it well.  Just listening to it made my heart beat faster in a sense of my own grief of what I was hearing. 

The “happening: in this book is blind siding… when it hits it hits hard and only an experienced author could pull off such a plot and be able to maintain the story beyond that. 

The narration itself reminded me a bit of Elizabeth Berg novels, the narrator, Hope Davis is almost monotone, but in this case, as the story is told from Mary Beth’s perspective – it should be, as grief takes you to a level of going through the motions of life… one foot in front of the other, and no emotion is really safer.

Intriguing, passionate, thought provoking…I am left feeling a sense of loss now that the book is over.  I will be visiting author Anna Quindlin again.

Amazon Rating

Good Reads

I updated the 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map to include Every Last One

I borrowed this audio from my local library

which I ♥

Tessa Leoni is happy with her life.  Having raised her daughter Sophie as a single parent for the early years of her life, Tessa loves nothing more.  To better herself and give Sophie a good life, Tessa works as a state trooper.  The hours are not the best, but the money is good, and the benefits give both Tessa and Sophie security in their future. 

When Tessa is introduced to Brian Darby by a fellow officer, Tessa proceeds cautiously into a relationship.  She realizes soon enough that Brian loves Sophie as his own daughter and soon after Tessa and Brian are married and start a happy life together.

Yet why is it that Detective Bobby Dodge of the Massachusetts State Police Department, is now standing in Tessa Leoni’s home looking at a very battered and bloody Tessa, Brian’s dead body on the floor, and six-year-old Sophie nowhere to be found?  Tessa is taken to the hospital – but Tessa is not talking.

What has happened?  Was there a lovers quarrel?  Was Tessa an abused wife?  Was Brian killed in self-defense or cold-blooded murder?  And most importantly of all, where was Sophie?

 

Bobby Dodge looks at her partner D.D. Warren with a look of resignation.  It is going to be a long, long day.

 

I read Lisa Gardner a bazillion years ago when I read The Survivors Club (way…. pre blogging).  I loved it, loved the strong female characters, the story line, the quick never dull pace.  Which leaves me sitting here now in the after math of Love You More wondering what took me so long to get back to reading this author.

From my first reading of Lisa Gardner to this now recent one, I find nothing has changed.  Lisa still knows how to write a fast paced twisting and turning novel that leaves you out of breath with every turn of the page.

Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I turn the page and discover that can’t be right, and off we go again in a completely different direction.  I feel like I am on the Tilt a Whirl at the fair, you are rapidly going one way – spinning, spinning, and then you stop and do an about-face and go just as fast int he other direction.

For the record – I can not do the Tilt A Whirl anymore, makes me sick – however I absolutely plan to read more of Lisa Gardner! 

 

Tessa Leoni is just the kind of character I enjoy.  She is strong-willed, tough, and is a quick thinker.  Love You More is told in some parts from the perspective of Detective D D Warren, and at other times from the point of Tessa.  This makes for an exciting read as D D tries to figure out what sort of person Tessa is – a  loving mother, or a heartless monster…. all the while I was also getting Tessa thoughts too, which lead for an exciting – EXCITING story line!

It wasn’t until the end of this read that I discovered that this is actually book 5 of the DD Warren Detective series, but readers, do not moan, as I did not notice this was a series and am willing to believe that each of the books while having familiar characters are written as stand alone reads.  Of course, now I want to read more about these characters…..  😉

Towards the end a couple of the “happenings” felt a bit too much to me and I admit being a bit disappointed as I was thinking the book was so fantastic.  Then… as I thought about it, I wondered if it really was over the top.  How far does a mothers love extend?  What extremes would I myself go to so my child was safe?

Over the top or not, Love You More is a book (audio) that I recommend highly to those of you who love a good thriller…. you will not be disappointed. 

 

Amazon Rating

Good Reads Review

The 2011 WHERE Are You Reading map has been updated to include Love You More

I listened to this on the audio I purchased through audible.com