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Donna Darnell

Unabridged Book Reader

Huron Twp MI USA | Member Since 2011

2
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 9 reviews
  • 9 ratings
  • 228 titles in library
  • 31 purchased in 2013
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  • The Kitchen House: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 55 mins)
    • By Kathleen Grissom
    • Narrated By Orlagh Cassidy, Bahni Turpin
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (5251)
    Performance
    (3359)
    Story
    (3344)

    Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin. Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction.

    Margaret says: "For the love of all things Holy, READ THIS!!!"
    "Fabulous read! I didn't expect to love it."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What made the experience of listening to The Kitchen House the most enjoyable?

    I didn't expect to enjoy this timeline as much as I did. The readers brought this story to life, sad as it was for so many in the story. Salvery was so wrong, yet it is a part of U.S. history. The characters were so strong and protective of their charges regardless of the evil that reigned against them by their masters. The characters were each fabulous in their own way. A powerful read.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kitchen House?

    The prolog that the author told how this book came to be; that she was lead to write this book; the story needed to be told; the story came to life for me.


    What does Orlagh Cassidy and Bahni Turpin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

    Fabulous "readers", the story came to life through their talents. For me, the reader makes or breaks a good book - LOVED this book!


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

    ...a tale of undeserved loyality in a time long ago.


    Any additional comments?

    Much of our history was appalling. Each of us needs to be aware of our history so that it is never repeated. This story develops each character in bold, rich details, I felt like I was there. I can't imagine living in this time period, yet we all know that it happened. At the end of the book, I felt I had lost friends.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Black List: Scot Harvath, Book 11

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 3 mins)
    • By Brad Thor
    • Narrated By Armand Schultz
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (814)
    Performance
    (711)
    Story
    (708)

    Somewhere, deep inside the United States government, is a deadly list. Members of Congress never get to see it and only the president has the final say over it. Once your name is on the list, it doesn't come off - until you're dead. Someone has just added counterterrorism operative Scot Harvath's name to the list. Somehow, Harvath must evade the teams dispatched to kill him long enough to untangle who has framed him and why they want him out of the way.

    Joshua says: "A Worthy Successor to 'Full Black'"
    "This book is Faction- Facts combined with Fiction"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This is my first Brad Thor book, but definately not my last. I enjoyed the interview between the author and the reader at the end of this book. I found the insight to our government revealed in this book alarming. Clearly we all need to be more informed than we are currently. I would highly recommend this book.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Help

    • UNABRIDGED (18 hrs and 19 mins)
    • By Kathryn Stockett
    • Narrated By Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and others
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (24223)
    Performance
    (10927)
    Story
    (10951)

    Why we think it’s a great listen: The most celebrated performance in all of Audible’s history, The Help has nearly 2,000 5-star reviews from your fellow listeners. We hear the print book’s not bad, either. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women - mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends - view one another.

    Jan says: "What a great surprise!"
    "Better than the Movie"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    The story relates to a sad but true time in this country, it is a demonstration in human nature at so many levels, yet story-telling at it's finest. Having seen the movie when it came out, I was able to "picture" the story as I listened to the book. The movie affected me deeply because it was such a sad time in this country; the book richly touched me equally as much. I saw the movie with a high school senior; I cried at the end and told her this was a sad time in American history. I think it is important for younger Americans to understand our History, both good and bad so that it is never repeated.

    Aibilene - had such a calming voice and presence; her relationship and deep love for the children in her care, even above the child's mother not showing her equal love and building self-esteem. Her bravery for the project was very risky, all the while knowing she herself would never get any credit for it's success.

    The relationship that developed between Skeeter and Aibilene. And the relationship that detierated between the life-long friends. The relationship tbetween Skeeter and her Mother that finally resolved itself. The relationship between Aibilene and Minny; and Minny's relationship with everyone. I loved to "hate" Hilly, and power she had over so many people; everyone knows someone like Hilly Holbrook.

    I see this book as a classic; I know that I will listen to it again. I felt like my best friends left when the book ended.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • 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..."
    "I never saw the movie, LOVED the book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about Water for Elephants?

    Learning about living in a circus and days gone by.


    What did you like best about this story?

    The way the characters developed into a love story. The quiet determination of "old" Jacob, and the resolution at the end. A charming love affair.


    What about David LeDoux and John Randolph Jones ’s performance did you like?

    The cranky old and sensitive versus the younger character was vivid. I loved the incredible depth of the characters.


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

    The stubborness of the Elephant and how much it understood.


    Any additional comments?

    I really loved this book, now I don't think I even want to see the movie. I did picture Renee Zelweger as the star of my book. I will listen to this story again sometime. I didn't want it to end.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

    • UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 53 mins)
    • By Alan Bradley
    • Narrated By Jayne Entwistle
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (941)
    Performance
    (475)
    Story
    (473)

    It is the summer of 1950 and a series of inexplicable events has struck Buckshaw, the decaying English mansion that Flavia's family calls home. A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath. For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw.

    Midi says: "Terrific story...spot-on narration"
    "Different-Quirky but I liked it"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Is there anything you would change about this book?

    I liked the quirkyness of the story and the characters.


    How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

    Father was a very odd, detached character-no support for his children, but that is probably why sister are who they are.


    What three words best describe Jayne Entwistle’s performance?

    The main character is a quirky young English girl; I felt her voice was captured the essence of the story.


    Do you think The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

    I would listen to a followup book; and actually I expect there to be one.


    Any additional comments?

    I enjoy trying different types of books, I did enjoy listening to this story even though it is not high on my list of favoirte reads.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Horse Boy: A Father's Quest to Heal His Son

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 35 mins)
    • By Rupert Isaacson
    • Narrated By Rupert Isaacson
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (297)
    Performance
    (99)
    Story
    (97)

    When his son Rowan was diagnosed with autism, Rupert Isaacson was devastated, afraid he might never be able to communicate with his child. But when Isaacson, a lifelong horseman, rode their neighbor's horse with Rowan, Rowan improved immeasurably. He was struck with a crazy idea: why not take Rowan to Mongolia the one place in the world where horses and shamanic healing intersected?

    Linda says: "Magical"
    "Open your mind to save a child"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to The Horse Boy again? Why?

    Yes. I know a number of people with autistic children. I found this story bold and open-minded to alternative ways to "save" your child. I can't imagine being in this families shoes; I understand the wife's doubt in trusting the Dad's instincts.


    What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

    An amazing resolution - great that this is a true story.


    Did Rupert Isaacson do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

    I felt he did a good job.


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

    The dad's immence faith that he was doing the right thing through so many difficulties.


    Any additional comments?

    I really enjoyed listening to this book, it did touch my heart.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Poisonwood Bible

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 33 mins)
    • By Barbara Kingsolver
    • Narrated By Dean Robertson
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1953)
    Performance
    (866)
    Story
    (873)

    The Poisonwood Bible is a story told by the wife and four daughters of Nathan Price, a fierce evangelical Baptist who takes his family and mission to the Belgian Congo in 1959. They carry with them all they believe they will need from home, but soon find that all of it - from garden seeds to Scripture - is calamitously transformed on African soil.

    Lynda Rains Bonchack says: "A long time coming..........."
    "A different story, but I liked it"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you listen to The Poisonwood Bible again? Why?

    Maybe some day; the story of a family whose lives were each deeply changed by their experience trying to help a foreign community that in the end may have taught the missionary family more than they were able to teach.


    What was one of the most memorable moments of The Poisonwood Bible?

    How the experience in the Congo affected each member of the family.


    What aspect of Dean Robertson’s performance would you have changed?

    I didn't love the reader; who I think makes for breaks a book. I had a hard time in the beginning but did adjust. I thought much of it was read too quickly and without deep passion.


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

    How living in the Congo affected an American family.


    Any additional comments?

    A family from our church shares this unique experinece. The Grandparents started a mission in the Congo, which the son continued with his children who spent much of their your lives living in the Congo. I felt this book shed light on their experience. I enjoyed this book.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Broken Window: A Lincoln Rhyme Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 12 mins)
    • By Jeffery Deaver
    • Narrated By Dennis Boutsikaris
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (858)
    Performance
    (129)
    Story
    (135)

    When Lincoln's estranged cousin Arthur Rhyme is arrested on murder charges, the case is perfect - too perfect. Forensic evidence from Arthur's home is found all over the scene of the crime, and it looks like the fate of Lincoln's relative is sealed.

    Robert says: "Long, Complex, and Good."
    "Great Read!!"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Where does The Broken Window rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

    very high


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    The crusty Lincoln Rhyme, running all things from his fingertips on the keyboard.


    Have you listened to any of Dennis Boutsikaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

    Not certain.


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

    The story line became very vivid to me; I felt that there was much truth in today's world. I shared the concerns this book brought out in me with my husband and encouraged him to listen. While Lincoln's ability to control so many things from his computers, this tale shows the evil side of technology too.


    Any additional comments?

    I found this book very thought provoking; and maybe a bit too concerning, raising thoughts that it isn't far from truth.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Heaven Is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

    • UNABRIDGED (4 hrs and 16 mins)
    • By Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent
    • Narrated By Dean Gallagher
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1713)
    Performance
    (1138)
    Story
    (1162)

    When Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed—a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.

    Pamela says: "Fascinating story of heaven"
    "The truth of a child revealed-"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

    I would recommed this book; it helped reinforce my strong belief in Heaven; that Jesus is real; that we will live in eternity with our loved ones.


    Who was your favorite character and why?

    The boy; Jesus loves children; they are open-minded enough to accept the truth. He knew what he knew. I find it interesting that the story came out over many years, as the parents didn't want to "plant" stories and they didn't know how to frame questions for things they did not experience. I think this adds to the authenticity and believablity of the story.


    Did Dean Gallagher do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

    I think the reader was fine.


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

    I saw the email about the little girl being raised in an Atheist home who painted glorious pictures of Jesus and Heaven. I found the reference in the book particulary enlightening.


    Any additional comments?

    I will listen to this quick read again when I want to feel good and be reminded that Heaven awaits...Loved it!

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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