M. Kawaguchi

This is a superb audiobook. I listen to many, and do not use effusive praise lightly. I usually listen to audiobooks and podcasts before bed, to help me relax before sleep. Get-it-done-guy is one of my favorites, and the 10 minutes or so usually offered is a great break from my day. Stever tickles my funny bone like he put "make this girl laugh" on his life map. But now that I have so many hours of his humor, all in one place, and it is so good - both well written and educational in a "stop what you're doing and reorganize your life right now" kind of way - how is it that I am supposed to get any sleep? I keep giggling out loud and waking up my husband, who then listens himself and then chuckles so loudly that I still can't sleep, even though husband has stolen the earphones. What the heck!?! Here is the part of the review where I would say that Stever is a cross between "insert business guru here" and "insert comedian's name here", but he is such an original that comparisons are useless. Go get an episode of the podcast. Any will do. If you do not laugh, go buy a "How to get a sense of humor" audiobook instead. If you laugh, or change your life for the better, or - most likely - change your life for the better while figuring out how to invest in the Depends brand so you can listen to more, then you should buy this audiobook. Possible also while buying the hard copy so you can use a highlighter for the good parts. S'what I did, and look how happy I am. Well, except for the not being able to sleep part...

We definitely will. It's such an engaging story, and the voice actress is quite good for her age (and I think having a younger reader made it better for my daughter).

Char or Ella, quote from daughter: "nice people, Char laughs and tells people his secrets, and Ella tries to make things right when they're wrong, and she has enough courage to break the spell."

The feeling of it actually being a children's story; one truly for children, not just one directed at children by adults.

It's already been made, but it's SO different from the book! I would love to see a movie that actually was like the book, and I would give that one the tag line "not every present is a gift."

I love this book. I loved it on paper and I love it in my ears. It's rich and dark, like good chocolate. And the reader is very good, with a nice set of voices for the characters. However, I was unable to get over having a British accent in the voice of the narrator, Phaedra, because the novel is very clearly set in an alternate version of France. It was very jarring, and the pronunciation of some words and names was different from what I expected. Still, an excellent version of an excellent book. Recommended highly.