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Susan

Edmond, OK, United States | Member Since 2008

HELPFUL VOTES

20 reviews
33 ratings
451 titles in library
33 purchased in 2013

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A Dog's Journey

UNABRIDGED
- by W. Bruce Cameron
- Narrated by George K. Wilson
A Dog's Journey

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 18 mins)

By W. Bruce Cameron

Narrated By George K. Wilson

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(265)
Performance
(228)
Story
(226)

Buddy is a good dog. After searching for his purpose through several eventful lives, Buddy is sure that he has found and fulfilled it. Yet as he watches curious baby Clarity get into dangerous mischief, he is certain that this little girl is very much in need of a dog of her own. When Buddy is reborn, he realizes that he has a new destiny. He's overjoyed when he is adopted by Clarity, now a vibrant but troubled teenager. When they are suddenly separated, Buddy despairs - who will take care of his girl?
Robert says: "Outstanding!!!!"
"A Darker, Sadder Sequel"

Overall
Performance
Story

I adored A Dog's Purpose, both the plot and the performance by George K. Wilson. The sequel left me with some heart-warming moments, but overall sadder upon completion. The lead human character was more tragic, and the supporting characters were either far more heroic or far more despicable than any in A Dog's Purpose. Gloria was easy to hate, and Trent spent time between scenes having his halo polished and his wings adjusted. I won't be giving the hardcover of the sequel as gifts as I did with A Dog's Purpose. Not a bad book to be sure, but a different mood from the first volume.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Jane Eyre [Brilliance Edition]

UNABRIDGED
- by Charlotte Bronte
- Narrated by Susan Ericksen
Jane Eyre [Brilliance Edition]

UNABRIDGED (17 hrs and 21 mins)

By Charlotte Bronte

Narrated By Susan Ericksen

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(655)
Performance
(399)
Story
(406)

After a sad and neglected childhood as an orphan, Jane Eyre was hired by Edward Rochester as governess for his ward. Jane was pleased with the quiet country life at Thornfield, with the beautiful old manor house and gardens, with the book-filled library, and with her own comfortable room. But there were stories of a strange tenant, a woman who laughed like a maniac, and who stayed in rooms on the third floor.
Elizabeth says: "a book that can be heard/read again and again"
"Rich and engaging, with flawless narration"

Overall
Performance
Story

The substance of the classic Jane Eyre is well established, and this character has enthralled readers for almost two hundred years. I can add little to the comments of readers who have read and studied the novel in far greater depth than I. I will add, however, that Susan Ericksen's narration was nothing short of splendid. In her most expressive rendition, I could hear Jane's youthful impertinence, her growing wisdom, and her passionate love. Desperation, strength of character, and fear issued with equal credibility from Susan Ericksen's voice.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

UNABRIDGED
- by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.
- Narrated by Walter Dixon
The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 20 mins)

By Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.

Narrated By Walter Dixon

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1067)
Performance
(899)
Story
(872)

Based on Stanford University psychologist Kelly McGonigal's wildly popular course The Science of Willpower, The Willpower Instinct is the first book to explain the new science of self-control and how it can be harnessed to improve our health, happiness, and productivity. Informed by the latest research and combining cutting-edge insights from psychology, economics, neuroscience, and medicine, The Willpower Instinct explains exactly what willpower is, how it works, and why it matters.
Niv says: "life changing one of the best I read"
"Outstanding"

Overall
Performance
Story

After listening to the book, I was so impressed that I purchased the hard cover so that I could refer back to it repeatedly, and I have. I have used many of the exercises for enhancing willpower, and I can imagine that sitting through Dr. McGonigal's actual course at Stanford would be even more engaging. Well-researched and thoroughly documented.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Four Blind Mice

UNABRIDGED
- by James Patterson
- Narrated by Peter J. Fernandez , Michael Emerson
Four Blind Mice

UNABRIDGED (8 hrs and 7 mins)

By James Patterson

Narrated By Peter J. Fernandez, Michael Emerson

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(633)
Performance
(101)
Story
(104)

Detective Alex Cross returns in his most harrowing case yet - one that risks the life of his closest friend and partner, John Sampson. Cross and Sampson go deep behind military lines to confront the most ruthless killers they have ever encountered - and their even more threatening controller. Discovering the identity of this lethal genius will prove to be Cross' most terrifying challenge ever.
James says: "Another Knock At the Door"
"Hideous sound effects"

Overall
Performance
Story

If you dislike sound effects, stay away. These are the worst ever.

Perhaps Patterson thinks that a powerful villain in a position of power is enticing. Not. Imagine Lt. Calley of the My Lai Massacre were promoted rather than court martialed, and you would have this plot.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Pop Goes the Weasel

UNABRIDGED
- by James Patterson
- Narrated by Michael Kramer
Pop Goes the Weasel

UNABRIDGED (10 hrs and 17 mins)

By James Patterson

Narrated By Michael Kramer

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(320)
Performance
(117)
Story
(116)

The latest from the author of When the Wind Blows and Kiss the Girls reveals Patterson at the peak of his power and is easily his most dynamic and compelling psychological thriller to date. Here is a chilling villain, a love story of great tenderness, and a plot of relentless suspense and heart-pounding pace.
Mario says: "So So Book-ahhhhhh"
"Alex Cross is losing me"

Overall
Performance
Story

First, Michael Kramer's narration was exceedingly offputting, breathless(literally). I've never in all my Audible experience heard such pronounced breathing sounds, which for some reason the sound editors decided was appropriate. The first paragraph almost caused me to quit this one.

Nevertheless, I stuck it out. Alex Cross seemed impotent in this installment of the series. Can't solve the crimes. Can't stay focused on his personal loss. Can't keep himself from muttering under his breath in an effort to build suspense. It just didn't work very well, James Patterson.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Beautiful Ruins

UNABRIDGED
- by Jess Walter
- Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini
Beautiful Ruins

UNABRIDGED (12 hrs and 53 mins)

By Jess Walter

Narrated By Edoardo Ballerini

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(3815)
Performance
(3283)
Story
(3263)

The story begins in 1962. On a rocky patch of the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a young innkeeper, chest-deep in daydreams, looks out over the incandescent waters of the Ligurian Sea and spies an apparition: a tall, thin woman, a vision in white, approaching him on a boat. She is an actress, he soon learns, an American starlet, and she is dying. And the story begins again today, half a world away, when an elderly Italian man shows up on a movie studio's back lot - searching for the mysterious woman he last saw at his hotel decades earlier.
Cindy says: "Best Mistake I Ever Made On Audible..."
"Too much hype in marketing left me disappointed"

Overall
Performance
Story

Yes, this was a beautifully written novel. I did find myself enjoying some of the characters deeply. On the other hand, Richard Burton and the Hollywood hangers-on left me completely flat. Edoardo Ballerini as narrator was the highlight.

Author Jess Walter has a gift for intertwining disparate characters in different decades and different continents, but unless the next novel is free of household names (behaving badly), I won't be back.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Cat and Mouse

ABRIDGED
- by James Patterson
- Narrated by Anthony Heald , Keith David
Cat and Mouse

ABRIDGED (5 hrs and 52 mins)

By James Patterson

Narrated By Anthony Heald, Keith David

Overall
(166)
Performance
(53)
Story
(55)
Patty says: "DO NOT BUY THIS VERSION!"
"My worst use of a credit ever."

Overall
Performance
Story

First, I hate abridged books, and I overlooked that significant word when I purchased. It jumps from action scene to action scene without letting any feelings for the characters develop or any sense of curiosity to build. Second, the sound effects were terribly annoying in this book. I didn't have any audio difficulties that other readers mentioned, but the background music and whispering voices signifying thoughts were someone's very bad idea. The fact that the book was abridged probably added to that nuisance factor, as the sound effects in audio books typically accompany the most dramatic scenes, which of course are the only ones to be found in an abridged version. I would have given zero stars for performance had I had the option, and for the story I would have given a question mark. Story development just isn't adequate in abridged books.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Dark Horse: A Walt Longmire Mystery

UNABRIDGED
- by Craig Johnson
- Narrated by George Guidall
The Dark Horse: A Walt Longmire Mystery

UNABRIDGED (9 hrs and 32 mins)

By Craig Johnson

Narrated By George Guidall

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1230)
Performance
(688)
Story
(669)

The Denver Post hails Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire mystery series as a must-read. Joining the four previous novels - all of which have been Book Sense picks - The Dark Horse puts a unique Wyoming twist on the classic British village mystery. When Longmire meets a woman jailed for her husband's death, he travels outside his usual haunts to discover the truth behind this unusual murder case.
V. Sharol says: "Another outstanding book from Johnson"
"Yes. Credit-worthy Western Mystery"

Overall
Performance
Story

Craig Johnson creates believable characters and George Guidall brings them to life. I'm reading the series in order and have enjoyed each one. It's not the serious part of my reading life, but an enjoyable part to be sure.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

UNABRIDGED
- by Mark Haddon
- Narrated by Jeff Woodman
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

UNABRIDGED (6 hrs and 6 mins)

By Mark Haddon

Narrated By Jeff Woodman

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(2885)
Performance
(723)
Story
(729)

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Boone has Asperger's Syndrome, a condition similar to autism. He doesn't like to be touched or meet new people, he cannot make small talk, and he hates the colors brown and yellow. He is a math whiz with a very logical brain who loves solving puzzles that have definite answers.
Robert says: "Endearing. Pathos, humor, reality, and insight."
"Unique Perspective Makes the Story"

Overall
Performance
Story

Mark Haddon creates a magnificent novel employing the voice of a teenaged boy who has Asperger's Syndrome. One is carried through the plot through the stilted and quirky thoughts of one who does not think in the same ways as other people do. Skillful narration completes the package. Credit worthy, unless you like shoot-em-ups!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful
A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel, Book 17

UNABRIDGED
- by Lee Child
- Narrated by Dick Hill
A Wanted Man: A Jack Reacher Novel, Book 17

UNABRIDGED (14 hrs and 11 mins)

By Lee Child

Narrated By Dick Hill

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(1575)
Performance
(1329)
Story
(1318)

Four people in a car, hoping to make Chicago by morning. An hour behind them, a man lies stabbed to death in an old pumping station. He was seen going in with two others, but he never came out. He has been executed, the knife work professional, the killers vanished. Within minutes, the police are notified. Within hours, the FBI descends, laying claim to the victim without ever saying who he was or why he was there. All Reacher wanted was a ride to Virginia. All he did was stick out his thumb. But he soon discovers he has hitched more than a ride.
Bill says: "Wanted Man is Wanting ~ And I Want 14 Hours Back"
"A Comic moment was the Highlight"

Overall
Performance
Story

Other reviews have said most of what needs to be said. For those who are long term Reacher fans who have also read Harlan Coban's Reacher- wannabe novel, Lee Child includes one very minor character who will make you laugh out loud. Sadly that was the highlight of this Reacher novel for me.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life

UNABRIDGED
- by Paul Hammerness , Margaret Moore
- Narrated by Victor Bevine , Lola Holiday , Therese Plummer
Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life

UNABRIDGED (7 hrs and 43 mins)

By Paul Hammerness, Margaret Moore

Narrated By Victor Bevine, Lola Holiday, Therese Plummer

Whispersync for Voice-ready

Overall
(10)
Performance
(8)
Story
(8)

The key to a less hectic, less stressful life is not in simply organizing your desk, but organizing your mind. Dr. Paul Hammerness, a Harvard Medical School psychiatrist, describes the latest neuroscience research on the brain's extraordinary built-in system of organization. Margaret Moore, an executive wellness coach and codirector of the Institute of Coaching, translates the science into solutions. This remarkable team shows you how to use the innate organizational power of your brain to make your life less stressful, and more productive and rewarding.
Susan says: "Disappointing"
"Disappointing"

Overall
Performance
Story

Admittedly I read a lot in this field, so finding much that is new and useful might be tougher for me. I do wish that the appendices were available as a PDF with the download.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful