You no longer follow Ruth

You will no longer see updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can re-follow a user if you change your mind.

OK

You now follow Ruth

You will receive updates from this user when they write new reviews, or suggestions based on their library or recommendations.

You can unfollow a user if you change your mind.

OK

Ruth

Member Since 2012

34
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 9 reviews
  • 15 ratings
  • 55 titles in library
  • 15 purchased in 2013
FOLLOWING
0
FOLLOWERS
21

  • Care to Make Love in That Gross Little Space Between Cars?: A Believer Book of Advice

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 26 mins)
    • By Judd Apatow (Introduction), Patton Oswalt (Introduction), The Believer, and others
    • Narrated By Patton Oswalt, Fred Willard, Bob Saget, and others
    Overall
    (45)
    Performance
    (36)
    Story
    (35)

    The Believer magazine presents a compendium of advice from producers, writers, and actors of The Daily Show, Saturday Night Live, Parks and Recreation, Late Show with David Letterman, The Hangover, and The Colbert Report, along with other musicians, cartoonists, New Yorker writers, and those similarly unqualified to offer guidance.

    Ruth says: "Beyond Horrible. Don't waste your time."
    "Beyond Horrible. Don't waste your time."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

    I can't think of a single person who would enjoy this presentation.


    What was most disappointing about the authors’s story?

    Not one of these authors - normally very funny people, some of whom I even know personally - delivered a performance that made me laugh. In fact every moment was cringe-worthy, and I could not even make it through all the authors.


    Who would you have cast as narrator instead of the narrators?

    Since there were so many narrators, I doubt that's the issue. Maybe the director is at fault, for creating such uniform suckage?


    You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

    No. I can't even say,


    Any additional comments?

    Normally I have good audiobook experiences and write good reviews. This was just remarkably bad - so bad that I had to write this review. If I can spare one other person from what I went through listening to this book, I have done my good deed for the week.

    33 of 43 people found this review helpful
  • Pronto

    • UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 57 mins)
    • By Elmore Leonard
    • Narrated By Alexander Adams
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (157)
    Performance
    (130)
    Story
    (131)

    The feds want Miami bookmaker Harry Arno to squeal on his wiseguy boss. So they're putting word out on the street that Arno's skimming profits from "Jimmy Cap" Capotorto - which he is, but everybody does it. He was planning to retire to Italy someday anyway, so Harry figures now's a good time to get lost. U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens knows Harry's tricky - the bookie ditched him once in an airport while in the marshal's custody - but not careful.

    Corey says: "It was good"
    "You should take this one out for a spin"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    If you've seen the show Justified, you know who Raylan Givens is, but this book is great even if you haven't seen it.

    The story is compelling from page one, and the characters are so well crafted you feel like you've known them for years.

    The performance is also wonderful and worth mentioning - so much so that I'm a little disappointed the next book in the series is read by someone else. But here's hoping that one is as good as this one.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Double Indemnity

    • UNABRIDGED (3 hrs and 18 mins)
    • By James M. Cain
    • Narrated By James Naughton
    Overall
    (43)
    Performance
    (19)
    Story
    (19)

    Tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, Double Indemnity gives us an X-ray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches. First published in 1936, this novel reaffirmed James M. Cain as a virtuoso of the roman noir.

    Marv says: "a solid listen"
    "The performance was a bit BLAH"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'm a huge fan of this movie - it's one of my very favorites - so I was eager to give the source material a listen.

    Maybe I'm just spoiled by Fred MacMurray, but the performance on this was just very lackluster. So much so that I'm not sure I recommend you waste a credit on this title.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 30 mins)
    • By Gregory Maguire
    • Narrated By John McDonough
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (3545)
    Performance
    (1297)
    Story
    (1306)

    Heralded as an instant classic of fantasy literature, Maguire has written a wonderfully imaginative retelling of The Wizard of Oz told from the Wicked Witch's point of view. More than just a fairy tale for adults, Wicked is a meditation on the nature of good and evil.

    Kathleen says: "It's not easy being green"
    "I'm probably the last person to read this book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    When this book came out, just about everyone I know read it and recommended it to me. But you know how it is....

    Anyway, now that Audible has changed all that, I heartily recommend this book.

    It's a whole fresh story of a truly interesting character. Forget what you think you know about the "Wicked Witch;" she's actually quite a sympathetic and fascinating character.

    The book has a rich structure and is beautifully performed. I don't know any reason why anyone wouldn't enjoy it.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Where'd You Go, Bernadette: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 39 mins)
    • By Maria Semple
    • Narrated By Kathleen Wilhoite
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (725)
    Performance
    (636)
    Story
    (629)

    Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

    Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle - and people in general - has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands.

    Bobbie says: "Best listen of the summer!"
    "Hilarious, thoughtful, purely entertaining!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    You will not be able to stop listening to this book!

    I alternated between wanting to listen every second and wanting to stop because I didn't want the book to end.

    The characters are so real that I'm honestly bummed I can't go to Seattle and hang out with them.

    The story is completely original and beautifully told - with lots of twists and turns - it's utterly delightful. What a great read. I'm recommending it to everyone I know!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Click-Clack the Rattlebag: A Free Short Story Written and Performed by Neil Gaiman

    • UNABRIDGED (12 mins)
    • By Neil Gaiman
    • Narrated By Neil Gaiman
    Overall
    (1572)
    Performance
    (1447)
    Story
    (1449)

    "Click-Clack the Rattlebag", a subtle, witty, deceptive little tale, is your Halloween treat from Neil Gaiman and Audible, FREE through October 31. It's not available anywhere else, and for a limited time, each download from Audible benefits educational charities at DonorsChoose.org. Lock the doors, turn off the lights, and enjoy!

    Acacia says: "WHY WHY WHY"
    "Don't listen in the dark!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Neil Gaiman's lovely voice lulls you into a sweet security - until he GRABS YOU at the very end!

    I listened to this as I drove in to work on Halloween morning, well before sunrise, and it genuinely scared me. Well done, Neil!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • 14

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 38 mins)
    • By Peter Clines
    • Narrated By Ray Porter
    Overall
    (6207)
    Performance
    (5614)
    Story
    (5594)

    There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s.

    Magpie says: "Super solid listen!!"
    "This book will grab you and not let go!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This was my first Peter Clines book and I have to thank Audible for the recommendation, without which I never would have heard of it.

    Clines wastes no time and throws you in the story from the very beginning. Not to give anything away (because A Lot goes on), you should get this book right now, but only start it when you have a couple of free days because I absolutely had the audio equivalent of "I couldn't put this book down." When I wasn't listening to it, I was thinking about it, trying to find ways to secretly listen at my job without getting fired for it.

    Bonus: As I neared the end, I found the Peter Clines page on Facebook and posted that I was really digging the book - and a few minutes later he answered me! Yeah, I'm still a sucker for that kind of thing, and it made a great reading experience that much better. So Peter, for that I thank you.

    14 is exciting and well crafted, with interesting characters - and the story doesn't unfold gently before you: it grabs you by the wrist and drags you through through a burning building. Prepare to be fully engulfed!

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 44 mins)
    • By Mark Goulston
    • Narrated By Walter Dixon
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (770)
    Performance
    (599)
    Story
    (587)

    You’ve got a business colleague who’s hostile...a client who’s furious...a staffer who’s deeply cynical—how do you get people to do what you want in tough situations like these? In Just Listen, veteran psychiatrist and business coach Mark Goulston reveals the secret to how to get through to anyone, even when productive communication seems impossible.“Here's the challenge,” Mark says.

    Joseph says: "Not for everyone"
    "This book is a life-changer"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Wow.

    Do yourself and everyone in your life a favor and give this book a listen. I thought I was a good listener and effective communicator before, but this book really opened my eyes (and ears!).

    Dr. Goulston gets right to it, with techniques that are easy to understand and immediately usable.

    He draws examples from case work to illustrate each technique, but it's easy to see how to apply his ideas to your own life.

    Truly, this book is a godsend. I've already helped many people - and myself - with these simple yet amazing techniques. It's great fun to watch them work and to know that being a better listener makes me a better person.

    Thanks, Dr. G!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Gone Girl: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By Gillian Flynn
    • Narrated By Julia Whelan, Kirby Heyborne
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (9388)
    Performance
    (8147)
    Story
    (8128)

    It is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter - but is he really a killer?

    Teddy says: "Demented, twisted, sick and I loved it!"
    "Lots of unexpected twists and turns"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I'm only through two of the three installments and I already really love this book. It's well structured and very enjoyable to listen to.

    I was - and continue to be - surprised by the characters and the plot twists. I listen during my commute and have often found myself talking back to Nick and Amy!

    This is my first book from this author, but I'm sure I'll read more of her once I've finished.

    Not sure how much I do or don't like the readers themselves, but since this book is told in the separate voices of the two main characters, it's interesting and I think very effective to hear it come from two readers.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.

CANCEL

Thank You

Your report has been received. It will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.