Elizabeth

The narration of "Beautiful Ruins" is outstanding, and the narrator's Italian sounds lucious as it flows out of his mouth. The story is good, maybe even great, but I am held back by the hype this book has received prior to my listening to it (Jan 2013). I wonder if I had listened to it when it first came out that I might have thought more highly of it. With the great accolades it has received I had very high expectations, and maybe even too high. Still, it is worthy of your time as you explore the stories of Dee, Pasqual, Pat, and others. How do secrets impact your life and that of others? What can redemption look like? Are there second chances? These are all wonderful concepts considered across decades, continents and lives.

Jennifer Worth's stories of being a midwife in post-war London are touching, humerous, and at times, shocking. For those who are watching the PBS series of the same name, the stories and people are recognizable and reading more about their experiences only enhances the reader's understanding of life in Poplar.

Better than book 10! Narration of the audiobook is excellent. This book actually had the plot move along. Book 10 could have been much shorter and incorporated into this book. As much as I loved the series at the beginning, I'm kind of looking forward to it being over.

I was not expecting to like this book. In fact, I would never have chosen it if it weren't for a friend who recommended it. It even sat in my wishlist for over a year before I finally decided to give it a try. I wish I had read it sooner.

"Open" is Agassi's story of triumph, failure and perseverence. He appears to spare no details or criticism of himself. You feel the pain when he falls, and you are elated when he wins, both in tennis and in life. Agassi's tale is an inpiration to others.

Ho and hum. Save yourself some time and money and stop by a bookstore to read the last chapter and epilogue. That will fill you in.

Part Sci-fi, part 80s nostalgic flashback and a dash of romance make "Ready Player One" an outstanding read (or listen), especially for those of us who are children of the 80s. Cline's story is masterfully written, intertwining countless 80s references into its futuristic story.

A bonus for those who listen to the book: Whil Wheaton reads it, and there is even a WW reference in the book.

This book came highly recommended, and I was not disappointed. It is the touching story of several teens living, and dying, with cancer. Let's be honest, that wasn't a spoiler; it's just what the book is about.

Green writes as if he is telling his own story. You quickly grow to love Hazel, Augustus and Isaac as if they were your own child or friend. You want to celebrate victories and mourn losses with them. You want to know them better.

Rudd does an excellent job of narration, giving individual voice to each character and enhancing the experience of the book.

Break out the kleenex for this read. you'll be glad you did.

Ahhhh...the Sookie Stackhouse series blessedly comes to an end. This book was better than #12, and many loose ends were tied up, but enough are left out there so that if Harris decides to, she can write more. It was a bit rushed, as if trying to touch as many characters and storylines as possible to satisy as many people as possible. I wish the series ended with the same humour and enjoyment it began with. Instead, it just ended.

The narration was excellent.

Hannah's Dream is a sweet book about Hannah the elephant, Sam her caretaker and a host of other, mostly well-developed, characters. Hannah is an aging elephant cared for by an aging man and their interactions and connections are touching, though predictable.

The audio version of this book is excellently narrated, adding to the enjoyment of the book.

I am not sure if my "so-so" attitude about this book is truly about the book, or my reaction to the message. Am I just continuing to fight for control? Still struggling on that personal note.

The anecdotes generally added to the message, but sometimes made me glad I am not the author’s friend; I just might end up at the unflattering end of a story in her book. I felt the writing style and the message were also not very deep. I wanted more, but maybe that’s a reflection on me—it’s easy to let go if you just do it.

Another reviewer commented that this book is largely meant for married women with children, and I can definitely see why the reviewer felt that way. While the over-arching message is the same for all, the examples and explanations given really targeted married mothers.

Would I recommend this book? Not sure. The jury is still out.

This book is listed as "historical fiction," and it is a well told (and narrated, for those who listen to it) story. What is unclear is where the history ends and the fiction begins. I wonder how much of this story readers will weave into the legend of the Lindbergh tale and will, ultimately, change the historical record because the fictionalized version becomes so well known. This book could be good for Lindbergh biographers as readers seek out factual information on the Lindberghs, rather than this fictionalized and romanticized version.