Elizabeth

Jimmy Carter narrates this collection of memories of Christmases past. While his voice does not provide me with the most pleasant narration, there is something to be said for someone telling his own story in his own voice. This was a quick listen and I enjoyed learning more about Carter's life through his Christmas memories, which are touching, humorous and inspiring. Carter doesn't boast, but looks back on his life with reflection and gratitude. Regardless of your political persuasion, this is worth some of your time during the holiday season.

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.

Marcus' story of being born on one continent, raised in another and finding himself in a third is interesting and inspiring. His background has given him a good grasp on what is important in life and he lives to pursue those things. Yes, Chef, is more of a look at his life, than the restaurant industry, so if you are looking for an "industry insider" story, you won't find much of one here.

I listened to this book, narrated by the author. Occasionally the narration was hard for me to understand because of Marcus' accent, but it was well worth it to hear him tell his own tale.

The dramatization enhanced this story, providing the passion and emotion behind this tragic love story.

I enjoyed this analysis of hoarders, potential causes and possible solutions. The author brings significant experience in working with and researching hoardes, and he displayed a compassion, but not acceptance, of their plight.

During my reading of this book I definitely wanted to throw away everything I have and clean everything insight.

I wanted to like this book. I really, really wanted to like it. It came highly recommended from a very respected person, so I began it with great excitement.

And then it just didn't measure up.

I found the story hard to follow. When were things just "a person" and when were they someone with a name, and what was that name? How did we go from one place and suddenly be in another place?

There were some interesting points that I drew out of the book, but in general, it just fell short for me. Off to something I'll enjoy better...

It was a disjointed, meandering explanation that you have to work hard to be good at something. Stories and ideas were over-repeated and referenced. A chapter would have been more than enough to get the point across. "Outliers" is a far better book with the same basic idea.

The narration is poor. If I could give it negative stars for that, I would.

Now that I've told you to work hard to be good at something, save yourself the time and money on this book and move on to something else.