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Elisa

"I can't go out today. Really sorry." translation, "I just found a book that I can't pass by."

Hong Kong, Hong Kong | Member Since 2007

28
HELPFUL VOTES
  • 42 reviews
  • 439 ratings
  • 488 titles in library
  • 32 purchased in 2013
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  • Seconds Away: A Mickey Bolitar Novel, Book 2

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 41 mins)
    • By Harlan Coben
    • Narrated By Nick Podehl
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (237)
    Performance
    (199)
    Story
    (199)

    When tragedy strikes close to home, Mickey Bolitar and his loyal new friends - sharp-witted Ema and the adorkably charming Spoon - find themselves at the center of a murder mystery involving their friend Rachel. Now, not only does Mickey have to continue his quest to uncover the truth about the Abeona Shelter and the Butcher of Lodz, he needs to figure out what happened to Rachel - no matter what it takes. Mickey has always been ready to sacrifice everything to help the people he loves.

    Michele says: "Compelling story for the kid in each of us!"
    "Seconds Away"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    The story is great, appropriate for teenagers. The narrater was good, and the plot is not as complicated as his adult novels,, but was still entertaining. Also loved how Myron is back in the game and how Coben eludes to even Win, though not directly by name of course.

    The characters were also well written and well developed.

    i would recommend Coben's adult books more, but if you want a book to pass time and not be confronted by too serious a plot, as with his other books, this would be great.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Chickens: Their Natural and Unnatural Histories

    • UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 36 mins)
    • By Janet Lembke
    • Narrated By Katherine Dyer
    Overall
    (2)
    Performance
    (2)
    Story
    (2)

    Framed by the author’s personal experience with backyard hens, Chickens: Their Natural and Unnatural Histories explores the history of the chicken from its descent from the dinosaurs to the space-age present. En route, Lembke surveys chickens in ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the 19th century, and modern times, including the role of chickens in Jewish and Muslim practices. She also investigates the birds’ contributions to science and their jaunty appearances in literature.

    J. D. Frost says: "Awful, if you like chickens."
    "Interesting but..."
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    What can I say? I started reading this hoping that it would be about evolution or selective breading, something along those lines anyways. I was expecting lots of references and evidences of how Chickens came to be. the narration is alright, though not captivating enough to make the book really worth it. As I read the book, i kept finding myself asking, that's it? Is that all the evidence the author had to offer? Granted, there were some interesting sections, especially when the author speaks of how humans use to view chickens and how it is used in literature, but I was also expecting some more science throughout. In the end, I didn't finish the book, because it seems to slip into narration as it draws to an end and there was still very little references to how chickens changed throughout the year.

    One good thing that came out from reading this book; I finally remember the order in which an organism is classified. Not highly recommended aside from that.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Someday, Someday, Maybe: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 27 mins)
    • By Lauren Graham
    • Narrated By Lauren Graham
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (30)
    Performance
    (29)
    Story
    (29)

    From Lauren Graham, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood, comes a witty, charming, and hilariously relatable debut novel about a struggling young actress trying to get ahead - and keep it together - in New York City. It’s January 1995, and Franny Banks has just six months left of the three-year deadline she set for herself when she came to New York, dreaming of Broadway and doing "important" work. But all she has to show for her efforts so far is a part in an ad for ugly Christmas sweaters, and a gig waiting tables at a comedy club....

    Elisa says: "A Fun read"
    "A Fun read"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    I was doing one of my random selection of books to read when I bought this. I had no idea what to expect frankly, but this turned out to be quite a fun and light read. The plot and the story itself isn't that deep, but there are sever quite hilarious scenes. However, there w3re some times when I wasn't quite sure where one person finished speaking and the next began, though I think it's more due to the format of the book than the narrater. The narrator suits this read. She's funny and could capture the way the MC speaks and I thought her sound affects all adds to the listening experience.

    Should you read this? Well, if you are looking for a book to have a laugh and are purely wanting for some entertainment, then yes. It's a fun book to relax with, but lack any hardcore plot twists and developments like in the authors I usually like reading.

    2 of 2 people found this review helpful
  • Gang Leader for a Day: A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets

    • UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 48 mins)
    • By Sudhir Venkatesh
    • Narrated By Reg Rogers, Sudhir Venkatesh, Stephen J. Dubner
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (666)
    Performance
    (155)
    Story
    (154)

    The story of the young sociologist who studied a Chicago crack-dealing gang from the inside captured the world's attention when it was first described in Freakonomics. Gang Leader for a Day is the fascinating full story of how Sudhir Venkatest managed to gain entree into the gang, what he learned, and how his method revolutionized the academic establishment.

    DanO says: "Listen to this one first"
    "Loved It"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    I loved this book, the writing is festinating and lively. All the characters, i.e. the people the author met throughout his years with JT's gang. The story and his experiences though amazing, I was most impressed by how he used the book to remind us that sometimes, it pays to stay quiet. Sometimes you can learn so much more by listening, even when in an unexpected place and from unexpected people.

    This book is I think, one of the best autobiographies I've read. You should read it. There is so much you can learn, one of which is the lesson is to learn to accept others and not let appearance to deceive you as well as the levels of relationships explored and discussed in Gang Leader for a Day.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Under and Alone

    • ABRIDGED (5 hrs and 25 mins)
    • By William Queen
    • Narrated By William Queen
    Overall
    (87)
    Performance
    (10)
    Story
    (11)

    In 1998, William Queen was a veteran law enforcement agent with a lifelong love of motorcycles and a lack of patience with paperwork. When a "confidential informant" made contact with his boss at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, offering to take an agent inside the San Fernando chapter of the Mongols (the scourge of Southern California, and one of the most dangerous gangs in America), Queen jumped at the chance.

    Joesph says: "terrific"
    "Get On the Reading"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    Brilliant narration. Loved his passion and enthusiasm in both narrations and writing. The story is extremely intriguing and held my interest all the way, perhaps I myself have some connections to gangs, though not a motorcycle one.

    For me, this book held my interest for several levels. I thought it gave both sides of life in a gang. It's definitely good that Queen talked about how some people could be so cruel, but it was also great that he also spoke of how in the gang itself, there is a genuine since of family. The members would go to great length to protect their own, even though it often required violence.

    I'm not saying that gangs are good and should insist to continue their infliction of pain and terror. However, I think everyone should know that no matter how bad a person is, whatever deceptions they made, there is bound to be a bit of good under all that. Likewise, even the best person also have a dark streak way under. Humans, I think, are one of or the only species that is capable of good and the most intense cruelty, as shown here.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • Gone Girl: A Novel

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 11 mins)
    • By Gillian Flynn
    • Narrated By Julia Whelan, Kirby Heyborne
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (9449)
    Performance
    (8202)
    Story
    (8180)

    It is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media - as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents - the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter - but is he really a killer?

    Teddy says: "Demented, twisted, sick and I loved it!"
    "Wow: that's the best way to describe this book"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    When I finished the entire book, all i could think was, wow. It was physically tiring to read to the end, despite the both narrator's brilliant performance. I think it's because all the time you are asking yourself, what now? Ok, this twist isn't too unexpected, but what would this story end with?

    The suspense was great, especially near the end. I just had o finish it. I have to say the writing wasn't that good, but you had to appreciate the storyline and how it all eventually comes to a head. I was thrilled by lots of the twists and turns. However, I thought the ending dragged on too long. I would had ended at Nick's last words to Amy in the book, but I could see why many may like how it ends now.

    As for if I think you should read this, I'd say yes. That is provided you are willing to spend lots of time and a hard enough scull encase it explodes in the middle, for this is truly a wild and insane story.

    It is hard to realize two people could go at such lengths to ruin the other. But that's life. So go ahead and read it, but read it at your own risk. Don't say I never warned you about the insanity you will encounter.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • 14

    • UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 38 mins)
    • By Peter Clines
    • Narrated By Ray Porter
    Overall
    (6250)
    Performance
    (5653)
    Story
    (5633)

    There are some odd things about Nate’s new apartment. Of course, he has other things on his mind. He hates his job. He has no money in the bank. No girlfriend. No plans for the future. So while his new home isn’t perfect, it’s livable. The rent is low, the property managers are friendly, and the odd little mysteries don’t nag at him too much. At least, not until he meets Mandy, his neighbor across the hall, and notices something unusual about her apartment. And Xela’s apartment. And Tim’s. And Veek’s.

    Magpie says: "Super solid listen!!"
    "Try it if you like science fiction"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    Overal, I thought this was pretty well written. The characters were fun to read about and their personalities were all so different. The plot was sometimes slightly predictable, but there were also many unexpected twists that totally got me off guard. Narrator's good, and I thought he read with a nice pace, that engages the reader in the story. The only thing I would say, was that the ending of some characters were quite abrupt.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 22 mins)
    • By Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan
    • Narrated By John Pruden
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (1890)
    Performance
    (1690)
    Story
    (1679)

    From 1999 to 2009, U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle recorded the most career sniper kills in United States military history. The Pentagon has officially confirmed more than 150 of Kyles kills (the previous American record was 109), but it has declined to verify the astonishing total number for this book. Iraqi insurgents feared Kyle so much they named him al-Shaitan (“the devil”) and placed a bounty on his head. Kyle earned legendary status among his fellow SEALs, Marines, and U.S. Army soldiers, whom he protected with deadly accuracy from rooftops and stealth positions.

    William says: "Rough and tumble Texas boy makes USA proud"
    "Very Intriguing"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    I had always loved reading auto biographies, and this one didn't disappoint. Although there were quite a few technical aspects to it, especially with the guns, it was still an enjoyable read. Perhaps i was most impressed with how Kyle managed to write it so that the read was engaging to the reader rather than just a continuous narrative of his life. His use of humor and tension also kept me reading till the end.

    The narrator was alright. He did a good job with Kyle's part, but I felt that he could have slowed down when he was reading the wife's section; especially at the beginning. I remember thinking, could he read any faster? Somewhere towards the middle, this got better, or maybe I just got used to it. I'm not sure which.

    IDespite that, I found myself drawn into the story, especially seeing how he changed and developed throughout the years he was in war. It was interesting to see how he viewed war. I know some soldiers, who didn't enjoy being at war because of the things they had to do or were unable to do.. So it was interesting to see this new perspective from Kyle.

    It's definitely a good read if you enjoy autobiographies. And as the war was relatively recent, I think who ever reads it would feel slightly more connected to events than reading something a few decades ago.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • The Great Cholesterol Myth: Why Lowering Your Cholesterol Won't Prevent Heart Disease - and the Statin-Free Plan That Will

    • UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 22 mins)
    • By Stephen T. Sinatra, Jonny Bowden
    • Narrated By George K. Wilson
    Overall
    (64)
    Performance
    (52)
    Story
    (51)

    Emerging science is showing that cholesterol levels are a poor predictor of heart disease and that standard prescriptions for lowering it, such as ineffective low-fat/high-carb diets and serious, side-effect-causing statin drugs, obscure the real causes of heart disease. Even doctors at leading institutions have been misled for years based on creative reporting of research results from pharmaceutical companies intent on supporting the $31-billion-a-year cholesterol-lowering drug industry.

    Z. Karpinski says: "Easy to understand, helpful in practice"
    "Unexpectingly Brilliant"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    I have to say, this was not all what I was expecting. I thought that this book would be boring. However, the writers, both of them ad the narrator made the book a very enjoyable read. The facts are interesting and it was written in a way that I;m sure everyone would understand without any problem. The theories mentioned in this book is well supported and well explained. The various personal stories of the authors also goes a great way making the book enjoyable.

    The narrator does a fabulous job in reading too. He use an easy pace and a varying tone that helps to engage the reader.

    Try it, it may be better than you think.

    3 of 3 people found this review helpful
  • Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy

    • UNABRIDGED (19 hrs and 47 mins)
    • By E. L. James
    • Narrated By Becca Battoe
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (10801)
    Performance
    (8535)
    Story
    (9144)

    When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

    Penelope Poopendorfer says: "Holy Crap minus the Holy"
    "Very very Interesting :)"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    What did you love best about Fifty Shades of Grey?

    The humor, especially Ana's sub conscience and "inner goddess" haha, it was really amusing. Also liked how the author balanced the intense story line and the humor.


    Any additional comments?

    This was quite long and intense. It's the second time I read this type of book and it was way better than the first. The pace is great and the main characters were very well developed.

    Definitely recommend it but there were some dark parts.

    0 of 0 people found this review helpful
  • I Don’t Care about Your Band: What I Learned from Indie Rockers, Trust Funders, Pornographers, Felons, Faux-Sensitive Hipsters, and Other Guys I’ve Dated

    • UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 27 mins)
    • By Julie Klausner
    • Narrated By Julie Klausner
    • Whispersync for Voice-ready
    Overall
    (61)
    Performance
    (57)
    Story
    (57)

    In the tradition of Cynthia Heimel and Chelsea Handler, and with the boisterous iconoclasm of Amy Sedaris, Julie Klausner's candid and funny debut I Don't Care about Your Band sheds light on the humiliations we endure to find love - and the lessons that can be culled from the wreckage. I Don't Care about Your Band posits that lately the worst guys to date are the ones who seem sensitive. It's the jerks in nice guy clothing, not the players in Ed Hardy, who break the hearts of modern girls.

    Stephanie says: "pretty raunchy"
    "i don't know what to say"
    Overall
    Performance
    Story
    Any additional comments?

    i first downloaded this to get a few laughs. And in the beginning, I wasn't too disappointed.

    Then, it changed. I was hoping for wild mishap dating experiences, and instead, I got long rants on how bad the guys were. I couldn't finish it.

    1 of 2 people found this review helpful

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