carmen

The premise is take a classic line from another story and/or plot of another story and make it their own. All the narration was fabulous as well.There is also a forward from each author about this challenge put before them. I enjoyed all the stories but I will focus on my favorites Mike Resnick's "the evening line" where Harry and Benny give us color commentary on which woman is going to relieve Malone of his winnings from the race. Hilarious!! Including Zombies and Mages. Allen Steeles "the Big Whale" Where Captain Ahab's wife contracts Ishmael, a hard boiled private dick, to investigate her husbands lover Moby. The story starts where Ishmael just got back from doing work on the unlawful termination case of Bartleby the Scrivenor, who, when he went to collect payment, said he would prefer not to lol. Paul de philiipo "death as she has truly lived" All I am going to say about that is it's the story of my (after)life. I love Mark Twain and this is quite a different adventure than Huckleberry Finn had. I laughed out loud through the whole story.

The above mentioned stories were the top three funny stories. I also want to mention how great john scalzi's and James Patrick Kelly's stories. John scalzi usually writes campy sci-fi stories but "muse of fire" was not at all campy. It was very well written and beautifully narrated by Wil Wheaton. This Confirms what I already suspected Scalzi has agreat imagination and ability to let us see that through his storytelling and Wil Wheaton channels that. James patrick Kelly's "declaration" was an interesting twist on the declaration of independence. It took place in a matrix type world. However you can see where this could be our future.People are interacting less and less IRL so there are mandates on how much time you must spend on hard time ( real life). Some people want to declare their indepedence to live life fully in virtual world. It is very heartbreaking.

Wil Wheaton's narration of "Muse of Fire" took my breath away. It was stunning. Also I laughed all the way through Dina Pearlmans narration of "Karen Coxswain"

"Muse of Fire" was a very moving story. I think it could be about unhealthy or codependant relationships if you want to dig deep into the story. I think I was particularly moved because I did not expect that from Scalzi. Yes he does provoke thought in his novels but they are so fun you just think about it a little and go back to laughing. This story was kind of sad. Also "declaration" moved me because I know someone who lost a brother with a disability and it is both difficult and freeing at the same time so that is very moving.

I wanted to mention that I usually buy anthologies to get a sample of different authors so I can see if I want to read more. Although "the red menace" by Lavie Tidhar was not my favorite I did like the way he told the story so I will definitely be looking up other stories by him. This is definitely a great anthology and I think even if sci-fi is not your thing you might still enjoy it because obviously reading is your thing or you wouldn't be in a book club, right.

As far as comedy/ adventure books it is a great listen.The narrator puts on a good performance. The characters put me in the mind of bumbling cartoon evil geniuses like Wile E Coyote and Pinky and the Brain.

I just got done listening to Dimensions of Miracles which has been compared to HItchikers Guide to the Galaxy. Also reminded me of Voltaire's Candide. Stories about going all over the universe finding where you fit in. The Emperor Mollusk was on the same quest.

My favorite scene was when he came to a planet and announced that he had taken it over. The inhabitants of the planet said they would fight for it. And the Emperor was like "No need I have already taken over past tense." It showed a pattern with the Emperor Mollusk, because although his job was world conqueror he really did not like confrontation. LOL

Although not particularly moved, I may have been inspired. Because I too am not cut out for my job and I am sure nobody else feels that way. Basically, I was moved to tears from laughing nonstop.

When listening to the book I imagined that the mollusk was actually conquering worlds that were contained in a giant Aquarium. Something so small to us was like a universe to the mollusk.Or maybe in small part of a vast ocean. The point being is obstacles that seem small to us could be world changing to others. Also I imagined it like a Saturday morning cartoon

Imagine how great it would be if Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett wrote a book together. It would be a funny and thought provoking adventure. That would probably be great fun. Oh wait they did write a book together. Need any more be said? Read it , Listen too it , Love it.

I was always told never talk about politics or religion in polite company. The description by the publisher was travel stories by world class authors. I was very excited because these are world class writers. Not surprisingly I enjoyed the story by Alexander McCall Smith the best. I also enjoyed the story by Steven Hall because I felt it was about a personal journey that others can relate to. However most of the stories were either politically or religiously charged and one was about having diarrhea all over northern Africa. These are all very personal and serious subjects. I guess I was expecting a lighter fare. Additionally, the narration was a little lackadaisical and I felt like I was being read a bedtime story. I was just disappointed because I love the fiction from most of these authors; so I disagree it was not Better than Fiction.

I really loved the story and the narration was great. Additionally, there was preface by Neil Gaiman and a post interview between Gaiman and Hodgman. That was a real bonus. I really love Neil Gaiman presents I get to enjoy things I normally would not have tried. I bought the book because John Hodgman was narrating. The story was universal and timeless. Pun intended.

A lot of people are comparing it to Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy, which it is on the same vain as far as tone and comedy. I see more the comparisons to Voltaire. I feel like Carmody and Candide had similar journeys. Everywhere they went was "the best of all possible worlds" or was it.

I got this book because of John Hodgman. What is so great about listening to him is when he narrates it is performance. His characterization are both ironic and funny it made the story very entertaining.

Where the prize is not always the prize.

I really loved this adventure. Neil Gaiman really knows how to put together a story with a narrator to get the best of all possible experiences. I definitely recommend this and if you like it then I would suggest Year Zero for narration and Candide for story.

It is four stories about post apocalyptic California. At some point each story intersects.I love the way the story unfolds. You get information from different points of view so you learn more in each story Very entertaining. It was short so I listened to it twice so I could pick up on more things. I enjoy Peter. Clines. The narration was very good too.I bought it on sale I thought it was fabulous.

Audible is the perfect format for this book. The story is told through correspondence of the characters. The characters are read by different narrators which enhances the experience The story of survival is told through letters remembering what happened during the German occupation of Guernsey Island. Amidst the burning of books the people of the town stood together in their love of books. And they had a secret society that supported each other. The unique way the story unfolds is touching and inspiring without being overly sappy. It tells two stories, the one that happened during the occupation and the one that is happening presently in the correspondents. In this way, you can see the characters from different points of view and you become very invested. I had trouble putting the story down.

Ian Mckensie brings all the characters to life. I love the way he makes every day people doing normal things endearing and interesting. A lot of that is a testament to Alexander Mcall Smith who does that best. All of his books are about etraordinary ordinary people.

I love the way Angus and Mathew are so protective of Big Lou. Poor Big Lou, like most of us, seems to always attract the wierdos.

I think I probably would not have enjoyed Dominica as much because I probably would have read her as snooty and antagonistic. Ian mckensie reads her as a normal person who is flawed. That makes you kind of love her.

The moment that moved me to tears was between Mathew and Big Lou. Where you really got a sense that Big Lou has a big heart and Mathew is just inherently a good person. The funnier parts were Berties adventures although, if you were Bertie, you would probably be moved to tears.

The series started out with Pat moving to the big city and these are the people she meets and the things that happen. At least in my mind. I am sure everyone has their favorites, but to me Pat was the heart of it. When her and Mathew broke up I was sad but not disapointed because it was obvious that Miss Harmony and Mathew belong together. However, Pat was barely mentioned in the book except to say she was happy for Mathew and since moving out of edinborough she lost touch with Dominica and Angus. I am kind of disapointed because I was waiting to see if Pat would find love too or at least start collecting cats. I am still listening to the next one when I get my credit in four days.

so I started listening in the middle of the series with one of our thursdays is missing. I loved that book. bookworld was so fun. I read the reviews and couldn't understand why people were disappointed. Now I know because we love the real Thursday so much. I couldn't wait to see how it was going to all turn out with landon and friday and Hamlet. I am glad I started where I did because so far no book in the series disappoints. I have all the books in my library now and can't wait to listen to the next one. I also downloaded the big over easy a Nursery Crime (sounds hard boiled) I can't wait to hear that. If you love books which I am sure you do the Thurday Next series is sure to be enjoyable.

yes I would, although these stories were very relevent at the time There is also underlying truths that are relevant today. this is why Flannery O connor is one of the greatest authors of all time.

It is a collection of Flannery O connor stories there is no comparison

To be honest I did not like any of the characters. That is what is so great about the story telling. If we're honest though we di not like these people we all can relate some how.

Like I said I did't like any of these characters.

Is it just me or do they all die in the end.Which I guess is also timeless and universal, no one makes it out alive.

wel I am sure the print version was very nice, and it is a book about a very important author so you must go to the library and check out the hard copy. I am positive though that my review would be much better if read by paul hecht.

Of course the sausage dog played a key roll. But poor Von Iglefeld he still does not know what he did to offend Frau Benz

Well von iglefeld has a distinct personality and of course we like him better than Underholtzen and who wouldn't. However I could hang with the librarians Aunt who sounds like a hoot.

the narrator brings these characters to life in a very funny way. These are really very ordinary people who act extraordinary. doctoral candidates are like high school without the angst.

I left the review and came back and different questions were there so my answers may seem odd but if you were an expert in romance philology you would understand.