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John

Great way to read great books on the go. Love Sci Fi especially Orson Scott Card and Star Wars.

ULYSSES, KS, United States

13
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 24 reviews
  • 33 ratings
  • 56 titles in library
  • 29 purchased in 2013
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  • Ready Player One

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 46 mins)
    • By Ernest Cline
    • Narrated By Wil Wheaton
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (6192)
    Performance
    (5714)
    Story
    (5711)

    At once wildly original and stuffed with irresistible nostalgia, Ready Player One is a spectacularly genre-busting, ambitious, and charming debut—part quest novel, part love story, and part virtual space opera set in a universe where spell-slinging mages battle giant Japanese robots, entire planets are inspired by Blade Runner, and flying DeLoreans achieve light speed.

    Travis says: "ADD TO CART, POWER UP +10000"
    "Game On! Best Book Ever"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    If you could sum up Ready Player One in three words, what would they be?

    Greatest Crossover Ever!


    What was one of the most memorable moments of Ready Player One?

    Ready Player one is filled with exciting moments to let your geek flag fly. The numerous in jokes are great. However, the Mech Robot battle at the end is nothing short of mega-kaiju-epic!


    Which scene was your favorite?

    The raiding of the tomb sets up the reat adventure and tone of the book. Who doesn't like a good joust?!


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    The Greatest Game Ever Played Will Be Played for Life!


    Any additional comments?

    There are so many awesome moments in this book. Anyone with an appreciation for the 80's, pop culture, vide game, or roleplaying games should buy and read this book.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Importance of Being Earnest: Free Performance

    • UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 58 mins)
    • By Oscar Wilde
    • Narrated By James Marsters, Charles Busch, Emily Bergl, and others
    Overall
    (1090)
    Performance
    (973)
    Story
    (973)

    This final play from the pen of Oscar Wilde is a stylish send-up of Victorian courtship and manners, complete with assumed names, mistaken lovers, and a lost handbag. Jack and Algernon are best friends, both wooing ladies who think their names are Ernest, "that name which inspires absolute confidence." Wilde's effervescent wit, scathing social satire, and high farce make this one of the most cherished plays in the English language.

    Susan says: "So much fun!"
    "The Height of Comedy"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What made the experience of listening to The Importance of Being Earnest: Free Performance the most enjoyable?

    This story is so funny. Getting to hear it for free from such a high quality troup was awesome.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    Bunbury. the freedom of "Bunburrying" would be refreshing!


    Which scene was your favorite?

    When the two fiances meet each other and go back and forth. Please! I was rolling on the floor.


    Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

    Again the scene above just made me laugh so hard. Tea service for two? Yes please!


    Any additional comments?

    Hilarious play, and it is free to boot. Thank you audible, and Mr. Wilde.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Mockingjay: The Final Book of The Hunger Games

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 43 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (19982)
    Performance
    (14434)
    Story
    (14539)

    Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena live, she's still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge....

    Teddy says: "Well done... but bitter-sweet..."
    "Can we get the real end to the story please?"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What disappointed you about Mockingjay?

    All of the characters regressed to a point below where they had been at any point in the story. Then as if it makes things better all of the main plot points are given to us as updates since the main character is unconcious.


    What could Suzanne Collins have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

    Continue the natural progression of the characters. Resolve the story.


    Did Carolyn McCormick do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

    Yes. She does a good job giving them their own voice and cadence.


    What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

    Very very dissapointed.


    Any additional comments?

    Best to stop at Catching Fire and write your own ending. I got the distinct impression the author has some personal issues that are unresolved and so could not have the characters resolve them.

    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • The Hunger Games

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 14 mins)
    • By Suzanne Collins
    • Narrated By Carolyn McCormick
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (28049)
    Performance
    (19719)
    Story
    (20013)

    Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

    Teddy says: "The Book Deserves The Hype"
    "Hungry for More"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What made the experience of listening to The Hunger Games the most enjoyable?

    This is a book that I didn't want to put down and didn't have to with the audio format.


    What other book might you compare The Hunger Games to and why?

    This book contains elements of several other stories comined in unique ways. Pieces of "V For Vendetta" and "1984" combine with classic romance stories for a unique experience.


    What about Carolyn McCormick’s performance did you like?

    Her presentation of the younger charachters and the boys were ok, but her presentation as the main character was lacking significantly.


    Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

    Absolutely. It draws you in and doesn't let you go.


    Any additional comments?

    Can't wait to read the next one.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By Susan Cain
    • Narrated By Kathe Mazur
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (2105)
    Performance
    (1796)
    Story
    (1766)

    At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

    Teddy says: "Thought provoking and Uplifting.... A++++++++!!!!!"
    "A Queit Voice Heard Through the Crowd"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to Quiet again? Why?

    I loved this book. As someone who self identifies as an Intorvert this book was liberating and full of "Aha" moments. Excellent suggestions on how to achieve sucess without pretending to be someone I am not.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of Quiet?

    Embarassingly enough the moment where she discusses that Introverts are prone to sweating more was one of those "Aha" moments.


    What does Kathe Mazur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    She brought a sense of personality to a book that could have turned into a repetive excercise.


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    It made me feel liberated. As if who I feel that I am is ok.


    Any additional comments?

    Read this book. If you are an introvert it will liberate you. If you are an extrovert it will help you to understand us.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Star Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter

    • ABRIDGED (6 hrs and 17 mins)
    • By Michael Reeves
    • Narrated By Michael Cumpsty
    Overall
    (109)
    Performance
    (46)
    Story
    (46)

    Darth Sidious sends his apprentice, Darth Maul, to hunt a traitor down. But he is too late. Sidious' secret plan has already been passed to information broker Lorn Pavan, which places him at the top of Darth Maul's hit list. Now the future of the Republic depends on Lorn and Darsha, a Jedi Padawan on a mission to earn her knighthood. But how can an untried Jedi and an ordinary man hope to triumph over one of the deadliest killers in the galaxy?

    Ronald says: "Excellent!"
    "Out of the Shadows"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about Star Wars?

    This is an excellent lead in to the events of the Phantom Menace. It is an action packed look behind Darth Maul and shows how driven his character really is.


    What other book might you compare Star Wars to and why?

    This book is very much in the vein of other Star Wars novels especially movie lead in's.


    What does Michael Cumpsty bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    He truly brings out hte unique inflection of each of the characters.


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    Fury Unleashed!


    Any additional comments?

    A good book for fans of the Star Wars Saga.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage

    • UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 18 mins)
    • By Ann Patchett
    • Narrated By Ann Patchett
    Overall
    (2744)
    Performance
    (2280)
    Story
    (2286)

    We are excited to present our members with a gift that is truly unique: an original essay, available exclusively here at Audible, written and voiced by best-selling author – and fellow listener – Ann Patchett. This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage is a very real love story, and one that is much more about the journey than the destination.

    Lee says: "Was this our holiday present?"
    "The Heart Wants What it Wants, it Wants this story"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    If you could sum up This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage in three words, what would they be?

    Wise, touching, real


    What did you like best about this story?

    I liked the honesty of this story. It was truly a beautiful and true story that makes the world seem great for its hardships.


    What about Ann Patchett’s performance did you like?

    She read the prose with restrained but present emotion.


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    A story of the heart.


    Any additional comments?

    I was not sure what to expect with this story but really enjoyed this story. it made me cringe, smile, and applaud. Read and enjoy.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 32 mins)
    • By Viktor E. Frankl
    • Narrated By Grover Gardner
    Overall
    (79)
    Performance
    (24)
    Story
    (24)

    Viktor Frankl is known to millions of listeners as a psychotherapist who has transcended his field in his search for answers to the ultimate questions of life, death, and suffering. Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning explores the sometimes unconscious basic human desire for inspiration or revelation and illustrates how life can offer profound meaning at every turn.

    Mirek says: "Unconscious Religiousness and the Ultimate Meaning"
    "Meaning Found"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning again? Why?

    Absoulutely. This is a book that requires more than listen to gain the full meaning of Frankl's ideas.


    What did you like best about this story?

    Their is no story per se, but the best thing about this book is the idea of being able to choose your response. This is great for all of mankind.


    Which character – as performed by Grover Gardner – was your favorite?

    Gardner gets across the tone of Frankl very well.


    If you could give Man's Search for Ultimate Meaning a new subtitle, what would it be?

    The Key to the Journey


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Charlemagne

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 37 mins)
    • By Richard Winston
    • Narrated By Charlton Griffin
    Overall
    (597)
    Performance
    (211)
    Story
    (212)

    Charlemagne was easily one of the most fascinating figures in Western civilization, as well as the most heroic and romantic. The 47 years of his reign marked some of the most significant and far reaching events of the Middle Ages. Undoubtedly, it was his enlightened vision for Europe that resulted in the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of cultural flowering that never really ceased to develop, and which led in a straight line directly to that period of astonishing achievement we now call the High Gothic.

    Frank says: "A wonderful biography"
    "King of the Franks"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    If you could sum up Charlemagne in three words, what would they be?

    Historical, Realistic, Honest


    What other book might you compare Charlemagne to and why?

    This book was most similar to a text book as it does not attempt to present the informaiton in narrative form as some historians do. The realistic presentation makes it intersting especially with its stated purpose of dispelling some of the legendary status of Charlemagne.


    Which scene was your favorite?

    I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Charle's failures. The offer does not present them as faults, but rather in the same light as his successes, decisions, made for specific reasons at that time.


    If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

    No Legends, Just Greatness.


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • A Book of Five Rings: The Strategy of Musashi

    • UNABRIDGED (1 hr and 39 mins)
    • By Miyamoto Musashi
    • Narrated By Alec Sand
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (64)
    Performance
    (48)
    Story
    (48)

    Legendary 17th century swordsman Miyamoto Musashi’s exposition of sword fighting, strategy and Zen philosophy. Required reading for any martial artist, business person or student of strategy. Includes the one hour Zen inspired soundtrack The Mysterious Sound of Wind in the Bamboo. Performed on authentic Japanese instruments.

    Samir says: "Excelent"
    "You Must Think on This"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

    I was not as pleased with this book as I had inticipated. The platitudes are very brief and in an audio format it would take severl listens in avery controlled setting to see benefit from its contents.


    What was most disappointing about Miyamoto Musashi’s story?

    Personaly, that I do not have the time or focus to be a master of the sword as I can not devote the time he suggests.


    What aspect of Alec Sand’s performance would you have changed?

    His performance was decent, but a little dry.


    Was A Book of Five Rings worth the listening time?

    It was good to have listened so that I know what its' contents are.


    Any additional comments?

    I would probably prefer to get this book in printed format.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful

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