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Grace

Wellesley, MA, United States | Member Since 2012

1
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 8 reviews
  • 9 ratings
  • 22 titles in library
  • 3 purchased in 2013
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  • My Mother Was Nuts: A Memoir

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 30 mins)
    • By Penny Marshall
    • Narrated By Penny Marshall
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (281)
    Performance
    (252)
    Story
    (256)

    her life story going her humble roots in the Bronx to one of the most liked and respected figures in the entertainment business, also covering her marriage to Rob Reiner and relationships with Art Garfunkel, Carrie Fisher, and John Belushi, and her bout with lung and brain cancer in 2009, to Julia Cheiffetz

    M. S. Cohen says: "The audio performance should get an award!"
    "She tells it like it is"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Really enjoyed this as an audiobook. At the start, feels as though Penny is reading her story rather hurriedly which takes away from what she is sharing. But, this fades a few chapters in and her delivery becomes a comfortable chat. While not a chronological telling of her life, it feels connected and works well. Her narrative, humor, candor, irreverence, lifetime of professional and personal experiences and connections -- make for a great "read." As with her brother, Garry Marshall's memoir, I feel that I could listen to them again -- for the frankness and humor in the delivery of their stories.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris

    • UNABRIDGED (16 hrs and 56 mins)
    • By David McCullough
    • Narrated By Edward Herrmann
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (853)
    Performance
    (572)
    Story
    (577)

    The Greater Journey is the enthralling, inspiring—and until now, untold—story of the adventurous American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, architects, and others of high aspiration who set off for Paris in the years between 1830 and 1900, ambitious to excel in their work.

    John says: "Priceless! Best book I've read in years"
    "History Buff or not -- Very Interesting Book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Very well written and interesting history of Americans in Paris from 1800's-early 1900's -- artists, doctors, authors, politicans. Well done narration as well.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • My Beloved World

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 27 mins)
    • By Sonia Sotomayor
    • Narrated By Rita Moreno
    Overall
    (171)
    Performance
    (140)
    Story
    (139)

    The first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor has become an instant American icon. Now, with a candor and intimacy never undertaken by a sitting Justice, she recounts her life from a Bronx housing project to the federal bench, a journey that offers an inspiring testament to her own extraordinary determination and the power of believing in oneself.

    Mrs. Pearle G. Mintz says: "A book so wonderful I can't wait until I share it"
    "I highly recommend"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Very personal, articulate, interesting memoir that is forthright and filled with personal insights. Only occasionally I felt that if Ms. Sotomayor had been narrating the emphasis might have been on different words / that Ms. Moreno's emphasis might communicate something slightly different from what Ms. Sotomayor intended, but mostly it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book. Such an interesting woman is Ms. Sotomayor and what a journey her life has been.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Elsewhere: A Memoir

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 32 mins)
    • By Richard Russo
    • Narrated By Richard Russo
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (38)
    Performance
    (33)
    Story
    (31)

    Anyone familiar with Richard Russo's acclaimed novels will recognize Gloversville, once famous for producing that eponymous product and anything else made of leather. This is where the author grew up, the only son of an aspirant mother and a charming, feckless father who were born into this close-knit community. But by the time of his childhood in the 1950s, prosperity was inexorably being replaced by poverty and illness (often tannery-related), with everyone barely scraping by under a very low horizon.

    William says: "Elsewhere---but not far enough"
    "Interesting in many ways"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    This book helped me realize that my favorite type of audio book is memoirs read by the author. Russo's book is a forthright, well written/told journey of his life as influenced by his mother, his roots in upstate NY, and in the background, the support and stability of life with his wife and daughters. As happens with individuals who are troubled, his mother's life seems to circle round and round the same issues, but that is reality. I recommend to anyone who has enjoyed Russo's books, heard him speak, is interested in his life.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
  • My Happy Days in Hollywood: A Memoir

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 6 mins)
    • By Garry Marshall
    • Narrated By Garry Marshall
    Overall
    (57)
    Performance
    (52)
    Story
    (52)

    Once called a legend in his own time slot, Garry Marshall has been among the most successful writers, directors, and producers in America for more than five decades. In My Happy Days in Hollywood, Marshall takes us on a journey from his stickball-playing days in the Bronx to his time at the helm of some of the most popular television series and movies of all time, sharing the joys and challenges of working with the Fonz and the young Julia Roberts, the “street performer” Robin Williams, and the young Anne Hathaway, among many others.

    Leslie says: "Heartfelt, Open and Honest"
    "Stellar audio book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I loved this book -- could even listen to it again. Garry Marshall reads his memoir as though he were chatting with the reader about his life. His Brooklyn accent and dry humor were perfect ! And, his isights and retelling of his childhood, family, military, professional life are always interesting no matter what phase of life he's in. His family's life in tv and the movies, as well as the many, many entertainment people he has known, worked with, has as friends -- a wonderful look at tv from its earliest days through the present along with movies. Made me laugh, helped me remember, kept me interested -- I highly recommend this audiobook.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The World We Found

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By Thrity Umrigar
    • Narrated By Soneela Nankani
    Overall
    (13)
    Performance
    (12)
    Story
    (11)

    Best-selling author and PEN and Beyond Margins Award finalist Thrity Umrigar’s acclaimed novels “resonate with rich prose and vibrant depictions of India” (Booklist). In The World We Found, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta - once friends at the University of Bombay - reconnect 30 years later when Armaiti is diagnosed with cancer. Coming together, all four women are forced to reexamine their lives.

    Kim says: "Thought Provoking"
    "Umriger Doesn't Disappoint"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    I really enjoy Thrity Umriger's books, and once again she has written a thought provoking novel, Four women friends, now nearing 50 years old, this is a story of their close friendships during college in Bombay in 1970's, the separate paths their lives have taken, their efforts to reunite and as they do so they learn about themselves and each other. In the process, the decisions they make may yet again change their lives. Thrity Umriger captures the complexities and complications of human relationships that cross culture, religion, geography. She treats her characters fairly, women and men, Hindu and Muslim. This story gave me a broader picture of life in India in the past 50 years. A good read and always thought-provoking.

    Loved the audio version; narrator's use of accents gives it richness and a pleasant listening experience.

    A very good book club book!


    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948

    • UNABRIDGED (15 hrs and 23 mins)
    • By Madeleine Albright
    • Narrated By Madeleine Albright
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (86)
    Performance
    (69)
    Story
    (66)

    Before Madeleine Albright turned twelve, her life was shaken by the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia—the country where she was born—the Battle of Britain, the near total destruction of European Jewry, the Allied victory in World War II, the rise of communism, and the onset of the Cold War. Albright's experiences, and those of her family, provide a lens through which to view the most tumultuous dozen years in modern history.

    Jean says: "The price of Democracy"
    "Comprehensive, Personal Acccount"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Delighted to discover Secretary Albright narrated the book she authored. Interesting, detailed account of the period, the politics, that part of Europe. Her personal experiences, observations, connections added a richness that provided a nice break from facts.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D.: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (11 hrs and 16 mins)
    • By Nichole Bernier
    • Narrated By Angela Brazil
    Overall
    (12)
    Performance
    (11)
    Story
    (11)

    Summer vacation on the island was supposed to be a restorative time for Kate, who'd lost her close friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident. But when she inherits a trunk of Elizabeth's journals, they reveal a woman far different than the cheerful wife and mother Kate had known. The complicated portrait of Elizabeth--her upbringing, her marriage, and journey to motherhood--makes Kate question not just their friendship, but her most fundamental beliefs about loyalty and deception at a time when she is uncertain in her own marriage.

    Sue Adams says: "Boring. Nothing "Wowed" Me....."
    "Perceptive Reflections on Parenthood, Friendships"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story

    Interesting characters and premise. Thoughtful observations of relationships, what we know and don't know, transitions. Built around unknown of what one person's journals reveal.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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