Russell

My first exposure to this author was the old fashioned visual experience in taking Nesbo's book, "The Redeemer" to read on vacation. That was such a pleasure I decided to plunge into an audio journey with "The Devil's Star". Sean Barrett added immensely to the "Norwegian" feel of this series by correcting my many mispronunciations from the first book. I wasn't even saying the main characters name - Harry Hole - and the authors name - Jo - correctly.

More importantly I was transported to Norway and a first rate crime fiction novel with interesting characters, complex plot lines and a few surprises. I am now officially hooked on this series and I hope that some of those missing books in the collection can be obtained for the growing legion of Nesbo audible listening fans.

A fascinating study of the enigmatic Henry VIII. This historical adventure's masterful voicing by David Case was an acquired taste that required a little patience at the beginning - but paid off many times over by the end.

Much research went into the production of this and it was interesting to hear this perspective and compare it to the Wikipedia version. I also couldn't help mixing in a little of the Tudors TV series and must admit to seeing Natalie Dormer in my minds eye when the Anne Boleyn story unfolded. When the book emphasized how fat Cardinal Wolsey was, I adjusted by seeing Sam Neill with a few extra pounds.

This was a comprehensive life story coming from a unique imagined perspective of an often misunderstood historical figure. If you have enjoyed those epic fantasy books that have a medieval flavor, you will enjoy this book that is grounded on actual events.

I don't always latch on to these long productions and was a little amazed to hear the narrator intone "Chapter 127" as the story drew to a close. My attention hadn't wavered for forty one hours and my first response was to check out more of the history of this period online. That is what a great book does - gets you thinking and hungry to learn more.

I really enjoyed Lisa Gardner's "Love You More". But, wasn't convinced that she could snare me again with "Catch Me". It had a slow start, but midway through the book I was putty in her hands. This book built to a very satisfying ending. Both books let you into the world of detective D.D, Warren, but also give you an up close look at another person who feels like the book's central character. This time it was Charlene Carter Rosalind Grant who appears to be the next up for a date with a serial killer on January 21. It was difficult to figure out if she was a person worth rooting for or a study in psychological deviations triggered by a brutal childhood with an insane mother.

Over the two books you get to see personal growth with the irascible detective. This caught, hooked and addicted reader is now searching for the next book in the series.

I must have picked this audible book up on sale. The life of Arnold never was an inspiration to me. When I started listening my plan was to skip over the bodybuilding part. Who knew that this would be fascinating and the entire autobiography would be such a pleasant inspiring read.

Schwarzenegger has accomplished a lot in life and his formula for success in the three diverse fields of bodybuilding, acting and politics is worth hearing about. Although there are probably some distortions in his account, enough of the measure of the man comes through that demands your respect.

I am not a Republican by nature but would be happy with Arnold as a leader because he knows the value of compromise and he thinks independently and does not blindly follow an entire ideology.

Whatever your political inclination is - you have to admire this man who always got results.

In Gone Girl a wife is missing. Having been immersed in so many mystery books and television plots you usually go with the strategy of who is the least likely suspect as a mystery unfolds. I used that strategy in the first part of this book as the author withholds vital information as to what is really going on. That made this a mildly interesting book and it would have remained that way if the book had ended on this plot point.

In the second part my prediction was confirmed but then something funny happened. The book went in a totally unanticipated direction. Now, I was hooked and totally absorbed. I could see possibly how this would end but did not care because this journey was getting so fascinating. Little did I know that there was going to be a couple more surprises in this richly entertaining mystery.

All of you jaded mystery readers and viewers are in for a treat with this book.

This is one of the best books I've listened to in years. The amazing part is it didn't need thrilling suspense, a great science fiction idea (one of my weaknesses) or intense action to keep me interested. In other words my usual over sugary drink - which we all know can lead to poor health, was reduced down to a clear sparkling refreshing plain old glass of water.

This is a great story that unfolds over many eras and from different perspectives with a little dash of celebrity to add some spice.

The insights this author has into how we sometimes miscommunicate or misinterpret our reality was a joy to hear because we don't always admit to or realize those inaccuracies are a part of our life. Why is that delightful? Because it explains so much in how things don't always turn out the way we are trying to steer them and are not always the way we imagine them. (I'm thinking of how a main character was way off in her inspired interpretation of a painting left by a German Soldier.)

I was uplifted by this story and for all of those readers like me who are wary of books that don't punch with the usual thrills of zombies, vampires, aliens, murder ... (this list of some of my weaknesses can go on quite long) ... please take a chance on this book. You won't be disappointed.

This was bad Science Fiction. Not so bad that I couldn't persevere and finally get to the end to see how everything turned out. I had spent my hard earned money after all.

Unfortunately that listening effort ended in the middle of the story and a "to be continued" plot line. The hero made it out of so many impossible situations - but he is not going to survive my emphatic decision on this series.

There is not going to be a Timecastrer 2 in my future.

This story leaves you pleasantly unsure about the guilt of one of the main characters. Is she really a monster or a protective mom? If you are a smart-ass like me, than as the case builds from the detective's negative perspective or from the mom's point of view you lean the opposite way. But you don't really know for sure and that is half the fun when listening to this well produced yarn.

It was a good idea to use two voices for the main characters.

Clean the kitchen, do that boring 30 minutes on the elliptical, or caught in an excruciating traffic jam - no problem - there is always a good book like "Love You More" for relieving the tedium. I have a rule that I don't listen to a book unless something is being accomplished. This gives me a lot of good habits. Occasionally I will finish my workout or chore and I will sit down in a comfy chair and stare blindly out into space and let the book continue because it is so good and a intense scene is unfolding.

I must admit to being guilty of this transgression a couple of times when listening to Lisa Gardner's book.

This is a well conceived delightful book. I was in my 30's in the 80's and enjoyed all the references back to that time.

After seeing several thousand people were enamored with this work, I purchased it. For some reason it sat around for a long time in my collection without a listen. My daughter was bugging me to give her a new audible item to listen to and I slipped this one on her iPod. She is not really into gaming and had not experienced the 80's.

She loved the story. So if you weren't part of that era or you are not a gaming nut, this is still a recommended romp. Now, both of us have our sights set on the next Ernest Cline / Wil Wheaton opus.

Note: I'm sure someone else must have said "I'm Ready For Player Two" in one of these several hundred reviews - but I don't have the energy to check all those review titles and there are probably only a limited number of ways to riff off of a title.

Isn't it amazing that over 4000 people were motivated to rank this book so high!

I recently took a chance on two books that were getting rave reviews. One of them was a big disappointment and is not the start of a series. This one (which is part of a series) actually sounded a little lame to me - but the reviewers convinced me to spend my credit and that turned out to be a great decision.

The author and narrator have come up with a smart, entertaining storyline with a twist of an old fairy tale thrown in.

I wanted to read the next book right away and unfortunately have to wait until this author churns out the next of three more fairy tale themed books. A google search informs me that the second is called Scarlett and is based on Little Red Riding Hood and it will be released Feb 13, 2012.

The nice thing about discovering a series late is you get to read the books close together.
Along with the other reviewers here, my advice is to get this book. But, if you don't want to go through an excruciating wait -- time your listening to Cinder for Feb 6, 2013.

It doesn't hurt to be humbled occasionally. As we listen to those confident so called experts who confirm our political biases during an election cycle, knowing the information from this book could help us take a step backwards and reevaluate.

I recommended this to my daughter and we had a great discussion about how people can be manipulated and how difficult it is to really have an open mind on some of the topics we supposedly have solved and take for granted.

I may not ultimately have budged from some of my biases, but my conceit about being right has taken a blow and that is a good thing.