Michael

The story. Narration is also very good. The midwest accents are spot on. It takes a moment to get used to the TV Weatherman type of narrative delivery, but that sense soon passes. His dialogue is consistently excellent. I can always tell when a different character is speaking, and that's all I need.

The plot is a slow accretion of character elements and events that accumulate into a story that involves many lives, with threads that lead in many directions and incidents from decades past. It is a novel you can brood about and parse and enjoy just thinking about. The characters are very real and authentic. The conflicts are external and internal. It is everything you want in a novel.

All of the scenes from Tim Underhill's point of view regarding Vietnam. Especially the body detail scenes.

The Heart of Darkness is closer than you think.

Other reviewers are unfairly critical of Patrick Lawlor's performance. Give it half a chance already.

Stephen King has developed a sense of grace and wisdom in his writing now.

The Things they Left Behind

One of the things I didn't like about Stephen King's writing, at least before his retirement, was his prolixity, which gave everything the same weight. I gave up reading halfway through Lisey's Story. But this collection is downright brilliant. Emotional, real. Taut and graceful, like a highwire act. Several deeply felt moments. I'm loving every second. His best writing bar none, since Hearts in Atlantis.

For Scott O'Neill's brilliant performance.

This is like Hollywood Babylon meets the National Lampoon.

The Lon Chaney scene

Yes. And it's possible because it's so short.

The text is packed with fun and humor, and Scott O'Neill brings it to vivid life. He has a ratatat delivery reminiscent of the old newsreels, but then provides a unique voice for each character being interviewed. Mr. O'Neill can claim the title "the Man of 1,000 Voices" (there were really only 69, but who's counting?) Laugh out loud moments abound in this feast of hilarity.

The writing.

Yes. The pacing is remarkable, which JCO manages through point of view. Nobody gets deeper into character and motivations than Joyce Carol Oates.

No.

If You Have a Twin, Run!

I've been a fan of JCO for many years. This is a strong collection, but not her best. I'm still always floored by her gift for incident and apt words. As always you have to piece together the story--she doesn't spoonfeed you. You understand the story only after it's done, because she's so close to point of view. The characters stumble and grope. It's like life.

Don't know. I never read--just listen.

The character of Harry Bosch is likeable, wise and moral. The political subplot is current and topical. Harry has problems, but they never compromise his better judgment. He doesn't have to go through hell to get his point across. (Though his problems are problematic!)

Everything. Cariou's delivery is exquisite, perfect. He captures character more in attitude than inflection and that keeps me from getting confused. He doesn't overact, and trusts the text. He's a brilliant reader. (I've been a fan for many, many years, but this is all true). I hope he reads other titles by Connelly

Homeland Insecurity.

This is my first Michael Connelly novel. Impressive writing skills. Brilliant technique. I enjoyed it immensely and will return for many more servings I can assure you! The flow, the pacing, the tension, the action, it was all great. He revealed details and clues masterfully. I noticed one extremely minor technical mistake in the LA demographics, but hey, nobody's perfect.

I don't know; I haven't read the print verison. I liked Ms. McTaggart's voice very much.

Ray Kurzweil; Terence McKenna

N/A

Zero Point Connectivity, from Physics to Metaphysics

Lots of interesting speculation and conjecture in this book. Fun fringe science and metaphysics. I enjoyed it because it was so positive about how science can enhance spirituality and identity going forward into the future. I recommend this book. It reads like a memoir with a fast and light pace.

In the top 10

The story is a twisting narrative that the reader has to piece together from implied meanings between the lines. It is not clear cut, it is a puzzle, just like the mystery at the center of the story. It's satire, as well. Oates pokes ironic fun at the social customs and bigotries of 19th Century America, and thus comments on the bigotry of today. She writes from a feminist perspective. The motives of the characters are ambiguous and deep; and are not always explained. Oates invites you to draw your own conclusions in some regards. She told me personally that Mysteries of Winterthurn is her favorite among her own works.

The narrator of the book is fussy, garrulous, pedantic and chauvinist. McDonough captures this voice to the "T". The narrator is unreliable. He doesn't even realize that he's telling the true story, even though he's reinforcing the ingrained misogyny, racism and class consciousness of the times. My favorite line: "Judge Kilgarvin regarded human goodness is merely an unrealized potential for evil..."

Babies in a Drawer

This recording made me a life-long fan of Joyce Carol Oates. She's a genius. But please note that she's sending up the Gilded-Age American society and the idiom as well. You may be off-put by the voice, which is more akin to Henry James, than to Willa Cather.

The quality of the narration.

Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone, because of the depth of reality invoked in the fantasy elements.

Her ability to capture magic; the voices she used for the characters, the obvious enthusiasm and love she brought to the project.

Yes, but it would be a spoiler. I was touched by Lewis' love for his brother.

It's a fantastic read in a lush, multidimensional and fully realized world. Kudos to Holly Black and Renee Raudman! I felt there was only one unfinished loose end, but that did not detract because it involved a subplot. The quality of the writing is so fine; you always know where the characters are, what they're seeing, and what they feel about it. I will read more by Holly Black, and I will certainly seek out more to hear from Renee Raudman! NOTE TO PARENTS: this story is not for children. It involves frank, intense descriptions of mainlining drugs (not really drugs, but the mainlining part is real).