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Melissa

Grand Prairie, TX, United States | Member Since 2010

HELPFUL VOTES

8 reviews
36 ratings
0 titles in library
3 purchased in 2013

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Peony in Love: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Lisa See
- Narrated by Janet Song
Peony in Love: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 13 mins)

By Lisa See

Narrated By Janet Song

Overall
(307)
Performance
(80)
Story
(79)

For young Peony, betrothed to a suitor she has never met, lyrics from The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. In the garden of the Chen Family Villa, amid the scent of ginger, green tea, and jasmine, a small theatrical troupe is performing scenes from this epic opera, a live spectacle few females have ever seen. Like the heroine in the drama, Peony is the cloistered daughter of a wealthy family, trapped like a good-luck cricket in a bamboo-and-lacquer cage.
L. Swartz says: "Unusual and excellent book"
"Not what I expected..."

Overall
Performance
Story

I've recently discovered Lisa See and her works and have been very pleased! This book was very different to the others. It's my fault for not reading the synopsis. I was not expecting it to be so "ghostly". I liked it...not as much as her other works but I liked it. I'd recommend her other books before this one.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Shanghai Girls: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Lisa See
- Narrated by Janet Song
Shanghai Girls: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (13 hrs and 29 mins)

By Lisa See

Narrated By Janet Song

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1179)
Performance
(436)
Story
(441)

Hoping to improve their social standing, May and Pearl's parents arrange for their daughters to "Gold Mountain men" who have come from Los Angeles to find brides. But when the sisters leave China and arrive at Angel's Island (the Ellis Island of the West, where they are detained, interrogated, and humiliated for months) they feel the harsh reality of leaving home. And when May discovers she's pregnant, the situation becomes even more desperate. The sisters make a pact that no one can ever know.
Frances says: "Touching, sad, and enjoyable"
"Wonderful story!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I loved this book. It was emotionally moving to follow the sister's relationship from the best of times to the worst of times. Having a sister, I could totally relate to the common love/hate relationship most sisters have. I totally recommend it!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Divergent

UNABRIDGED
- by Veronica Roth
- Narrated by Emma Galvin
Divergent

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 11 mins)

By Veronica Roth

Narrated By Emma Galvin

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(4854)
Performance
(4200)
Story
(4234)

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue - Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is - she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
Grant says: "It's not for me. Loved it anyway."
"Surprisingly Impressed!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I must admit that I was expecting this book to be a Hunger Games knock off. I was reluctant to try it but am so glad that I did. It does infact have similarities to The Hunger Games but is able to hold it's own. I was interested and intrigued and mesmorized at once! I totally recommend this book and look forward to the rest of the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Dreams of Joy: A Novel

UNABRIDGED
- by Lisa See
- Narrated by Janet Song
Dreams of Joy: A Novel

UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 48 mins)

By Lisa See

Narrated By Janet Song

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(720)
Performance
(479)
Story
(475)

In her beloved New York Times best sellers Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Peony in Love, and, most recently, Shanghai Girls, Lisa See has brilliantly illuminated the potent bonds of mother love, romantic love, and love of country. Now, in her most powerful novel yet, she returns to these timeless themes, continuing the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed 19-year-old daughter, Joy.
Maida says: "Dreams of Joy and all of Lisa See's books"
"Wonderful!"

Overall
Performance
Story

This story was so good! It was a great follow up to Shanghi Girls. I became really envolved with the goings-on of each character. I totally recommend it!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Bossypants

UNABRIDGED
- by Tina Fey
- Narrated by Tina Fey
Bossypants

UNABRIDGED (5 hrs and 35 mins)

By Tina Fey

Narrated By Tina Fey

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(12695)
Performance
(8868)
Story
(8792)

Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. At last, Tina Fey's story can be told....
Warren says: "Tina Fey broke my new SUV"
"Hilarioius!"

Overall
Performance
Story

This book was funny, of course. It was kind of all over the place and sounded more like random rants but I loved it! Ms. Fey narrates so her true emotion of the words she's written come through as she meant them to. Have a listen and have a laugh :)

0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Water for Elephants

UNABRIDGED
- by Sara Gruen
- Narrated by David LeDoux , John Randolph Jones
Water for Elephants

UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 26 mins)

By Sara Gruen

Narrated By David LeDoux, John Randolph Jones

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(11432)
Performance
(3975)
Story
(4018)

Why we think it’s a great listen: Some books are meant to be read; others are meant to be heard – Water for Elephants falls into the second group, and is one of the best examples we have of how a powerful performance enhances a great story. Nonagenarian Jacob Jankowski reflects back on his wild and wondrous days with a circus. It's the Depression Era and Jacob, finding himself parentless and penniless, joins the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth.
Teddy says: "This is what Audiobook should be..."
"Rollercoaster of emotions!"

Overall
Performance
Story

I really enjoyed this book! I laughed, cried, cringed, and was infuriated a few times. A wonderful read...or... er, listen! I totally recommend it :)

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We Were the Mulvaneys

ABRIDGED
- by Joyce Carol Oates
- Narrated by J. Todd Adams
We Were the Mulvaneys

ABRIDGED (6 hrs and 56 mins)

By Joyce Carol Oates

Narrated By J. Todd Adams

Overall
(123)
Performance
(19)
Story
(19)

The Mulvaneys are blessed by all that makes life sweet: a hardworking father, a loving mother, three fine sons, and a bright, pretty daughter. But an incident occurs on Valentine's Day, 1976 - hushed up in the rural town of Mt. Ephraim, New York and never spoken of in the Mulvaney home - that rends the fabric of their family life.
Moire says: "Doesn't ring true"
"Not good"

Overall
Performance
Story

I couldn't at all relate to any of the characters or understand their emotional and physical abandonment of Mary Ann. It seemed outrageous that a tight-knit, happy family and individuals could completely fall apart instead of coming together over a horrendous act that was done to one of them. I'm more than sure it's because this version is abridged.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga)

UNABRIDGED
- by Stephenie Meyer
- Narrated by Emma Galvin
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga)

UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 12 mins)

By Stephenie Meyer

Narrated By Emma Galvin

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1028)
Performance
(327)
Story
(329)

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to an unforgettable conclusion.
Jeanie Jenkins says: "Surprisingly involving and touching"
"Meh."

Overall
Performance
Story

I love the twilight series and this certainly added to the story but I didn't love it. Eclipse is my favorite book of the series and I'm glad I read/heard it since they used a lot of it in the Eclipse movie. Did it change my life? No. It was just okay.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful