Michael

I will listen to it again several times I imagine because I will want to nuance it with the movies.

The humor with Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves

Gollum, Bilbo

Chapter 5

The audio version with Rob Ingles is very good. Unabridged and available on audible. It's interesting how Tolkein gets into the psychology of dwarves who won't let go of their treasure. How much they are like us! We snoop right around with Satan's stuff and then you God uses some unlikely hero to save us from ourselves in spite of ourselves!

I actually really enjoyed this book. I know, I know Jeanette Oake. But she really did a good job of writing a story that is pretty accurate to the facts of what happened surrounding Jesus death, resurrection and Pentecost. She sets up the tension well and has a believable take on what could’ve happened to Pontius Pilate after Jesus. Also, getting at the events from fresh angles helps to remind you of the biblical narrative.
The book suffers from a lowchurch understanding in terms of baptism and communion. Also, it has some theological misunderstandings of the Jew, Gentile question, but these were small and easily laid aside.
I did find myself rooting for the main characters. I would have liked to see what became of Jacob-- maybe he becomes the apostle James or something.

Really good voice. Susan, you are one of my favorites

Alben

The book keeps you in a constant state of tension because you are always waiting to understand more about the aliens and what is actually happening. This tension is something that pulls you forward.

Lots to like. Cassie's POV, some great action sequences, good humor, etc.

I have to say the rescue of Jamie

Maybe I'm just dull emotionally, but it sure could have done those things. For me, it was more intriguing and enjoyable and made me think what would I do in such situations?

I learned some things about writing from this book. Thanks Rick.

As to the performance, both of you did a great job and were VERY believable!

Yes, but I'm not qualified to say. However, the narration was top-quality and I look forward to more from Beth Chalmers

Freda is a person who is very tough to read at first. But it introduced me to many things in the world of the psychotherapist. I ended up empathizing greatly with her and feeling that she was basically doing the right thing most of the time.

Well, she did a good job with Carlson. But she switched very deftly for different characters.

It was about a third of the way through where freedom really begins to care for Mary Laughton and others. That's what makes her believable. It makes the whole story rise above a normal whodunit.

Yes, the author has a terrific feel for London, and how to work with down and out people. The word s**t comes up a lot because they all have to deal with it.

Some parts

Definitely uses language to paint characters well

Gentle, not hurried

Look out for the outcasts of society and the weak.

In terms of some good action sequences and character development, I enjoyed many parts of this.

As a polemic for utilitarian bioethics, while he does cause you to think about the issues, I think the characters and some of the horrible things they did were overdrawn. It just isn't all that winsome if you are trying to convince a utilitarian. Most utilitarians are nearly this extreme, but the story does show where these things could go under the worst of circumstances.

Some parts are gross and disgusting and go on too long being gross and disgusting.

I did enjoy the author's portrayal of Curtis and Leilani who really were interesting young characters.

This author definitely loves dogs!
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For me? Definitely. That may not be the case for all maybe.

Emma's character.

The chase with the King of Denmark for action! Emma's challenges at court for character!

“Margot” ! I was deeply touched by the way Margot becomes the embodiment and extension of the voice and hands of Emma’s mother. When Emma doesn’t know what to do, her "voice" is there. When Emma would give up in the midst of stormy seas, her "voice" is there. It’s the voice of her mother.

Bravo Katie! Great job reading this with the pronunciations and inflections! I hope you are there when the next book comes out!

This book has sex.

Definitely--Really good for families working through issues and older teenage girls.

Since this review the format does not leave a place to say it, I will just say that the reader was absolutely believable as CARO! Great job!

Clash between mother and daughter near the beginning. Also her interactions with Father Bob.

The “voice” of Caro was beautifully done! The author had an amazing ability to use Caro’s POV to:
1. express what she is really feeling
2. give huge insights into many family dynamics
3. give huge insights into many school and relationship dynamics.

Bravo!

This book shows a way out for families who are struggling through something dark (in this case really dark) in the past. It was beautiful in that Caro needed all the support of her family, friends, teachers and (which was very nice for me to see) a minister.
This will be a great read for my older teenage daughter. The worldview choices in the book are certainly not mine in every case, but the author navigated quite well through religious and highschool waters.
Some things that happen to us in life are so dark and difficult-- but a father and mother who really TRY to understand, combined with some friends and church people can help to unravel a world of hurt.

Thanks Anna for giving me insight to TRY to understand my young ladies!

The Fault in Our Stars Deals with loving someone who is physically challenged and about to die.

Louisa was simply an amazing person. She starts out as someone who can serve others and enjoy waitressing. When she looks for a job, (parts that are done with absolutely terrific writing and British humor) it becomes obvious that the color of her parachute is one that really just longs to selflessly serve someone else.
Her ability to love someone in a way didn’t fit the cultural romantic norms. She loved the quadriplegic, impotent Will in a way that was much more focused on little ordinary everyday things. The way that she loved him had a very important lesson as we love someone who is aging or sick or injured: physical attractiveness in the Hollywood sense falls away. What’s left? Louisa showed me that a whole lot is left!
Luisa’s character is one that doesn’t treat someone with kid gloves-- she dishes it right back! Gradually, her motives for her choices moved away from just needing a job. She allows herself to become changed powerfully by serving and gradually loving Will.
This type of literature is changing me. I know, I know: chick lit. But as a man with a wife and three daughters at home, and many hurting people around me, I need this insight and sensitivity to human emotion. I’d like to thank the author for that. For example, this book gave insight as to why my wife and daughters want my shirts to sleep with when I’m gone.
Being a Christian minister, I had to take away a star for some ethical and worldview issues. Just the other day my dad (74) and his friend Ralph, both of whom are physically struggling with disability and aging had robust joy in the consideration of the resurrection and heaven. They are laughing and confident facing death. That perspective is lacking here. At least it’s not considered.
I found the author’s writing style to be entertaining and definitely engrossing. Her description of facial expressions and gestures was exquisite.

yes

support group

both

This was a really heartwarming read.
And as a minister, I’m glad I read it because it gave me insight into some of the typical pitfalls when befriending someone who is staring at a possibly shortened life, etc. I did cry.

The story was also very captivating and engrossing and seemed to fly by and I could listen to it twice. The reader was terrific on audiobook.

The main character, Hazel, was quirky, brutally honest, reminded me of my teenage daughter, and so very lovable!

That having been said, I was saddened to see the hope of the resurrection completely downplayed and Jesus marginalized.


Alos, the main characters are perhaps just a little too brilliant for reality. It's as if...because of their disease... they will gain 40 years of metaphorical literary and romantic wisdom in one month.

My girls will love this! Good moral character qualities but still exciting.

A full five honks! (Or whatever geese do). I am so glad to a found this. Well-crafted, the story does justice to the original fairytale without changing the storyline for a much at all.
Anni the goose girl is a very good character-- truly the character of a humble Princess who has to learn the plight of the common people and seek their help.
There is a lot of action and plot twists-- just the kind of thing to keep my daughters really interested. And the 2005 full cast audio production of it on audible is great!

She definitely catches the, like, teenybopper expressions very well! Fun!

Read to see if my 12-year-old would like. I honestly think this book has some very good qualities and it is funny and light but at times deals with serious historical themes.

I could wish the author had avoided terms like "hottie", because most of the adventure doesn't run along those lines. There are some very well done interactions with the medieval world (things like the way the dresses fit, the way women never rode horses in formal company, medical myths, etc.).

Anyway, the character development is pretty good and it will probably be a lot of fun for Mercy when she's about 14 and can process some of the overdone romance.