Turned Wrong at Ding Dong

Texas, Travels and Opinions on Everything

By: Adrian Jackson

Narrated by: Michelle Babb

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

Nothing says Texas like a drive-thru liquor barn. If you've ever driven through one you know it's floor to ceiling liquor. It's like a museum. It's an awe inspiring collection of scotch, beer, whiskey, brown liquor, blue liquor, creamy white liquor, hard stuff, girly stuff, and mixed drinks. The bartender came to my car with a tray full of Styrofoam cups. Each had a sliver of clear tape across the straw hole. I thought, is he kidding? A piece of tape? That slight piece of tape was apparently going to save my ass from jail, should I have gotten pulled over by the police.

Adrian Jackson is a freelance columnist in Beeville, Texas. She holds a masters' degree from Texas Tech University (Go Red Raiders!) In her spare time, she works at a local college; raises a daughter, a pair of Labs and a cat; and entertains the idea of earning a PhD.

©2010 Adrian Jackson (P)2016 Adrian Jackson

Great book!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I think I can relate to her columns because we are about the same age. Imagine writing a column for your local paper about any subject that comes to mind. Chapter 97 is one of my favorites, and includes: “I’m going green, not Ed Bagley green, but a small step in the right direction.” This book is a compilation of 133 columns in 3-5 minute increments.

Humorous look at life in Texas

The author is a transplant from New Jersey, and to say that she finds a lot of humor in Texas is to put it mildly. The humor is all in good fun. A sort of Erma Bombeck-style humor that makes everyone happy, even if you're the one getting poked. I see a lot of negativity about Texas in the media, so it's good to hear some positive and uplifting stories about it as well. It's clear the author loves her state and its people.

The narrator has a lovely Texas accent, which is soft and warm. She has excellent pronunciation as well. I wish that she were more adept in bringing out the humor within these little snippets of the author's life. In places, she did it well. In other places, it was lacking. I wondered if she missed the humor when she prepared, and so she couldn't bring it out. And while I admit that reading poetry, particularly song lyrics is a challenge, the rendition of The Yellow Rose of Texas needed so much more love and life in it.

Overall, a nice collection of humorous slice-of-life essays that will bring a smile.

Quirky, wholesome and fun

Its really great being exposed to something I would not have otherwise chosen. This book of what is effectively many short stories, is engaging and because i could relate to many things funny. Authors style is much how my brain works IRL so i quite enjoyed it. Narrator made listening fun so much so i basically listened to the entire book in one sitting. Now I listen at 2x so was just over 4 hours but i did really like it. If im being super critical, there were a few audio edits, where most probably audio was added that were a bit distracting. I suspect that most wont even notice but my critical ear did. Does not take away from book just an observation. Did 100% love this one.

So interesting

This was such an interesting book to listen to. I found that I was drawn to each short article. will definitely listen to anything else by this author if I can find it.

Really Great Compilation of Her Columns

Honestly when I started I wasn’t sure what I had. But in 1st quarter of book I had the thought she sort of reminds me of Erma Bombeck. Content is covered with challenge, thoughtfulness and humor.

I did think at times it might have been better in the Kindle format. The written words might give better context on dates, or for questions and answers columns.

While I rated s 5 I debated between 4 and 5.

I did obtain the book via voucher which did not affect this review

Enjoyable mix of memoir, and travel/personal diary

This is a fun listen! Enjoyable writing (with lots of dry sense of humor), and very good and fitting narration!

THis audiobook covers a range of subjects/memories

An interesting collection of the authors memories and her opinions on various subjects. Each chapter is a story or memory. Some are fun, some are serious, others make you think.

The narration was exceptional as always. Michelle Babb is a great narrator and we always enjoy listening to the books she narrates.

I requested tis audiobook and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Reminisce of the Past

This book brought back a lot of memories from my past both good and bad. I listened to the author's musings about the past and some were just either outright funny or to me cruel. I enjoyed the narration of Michelle Babb she was perfect for this book. I received this book for free and this is my honest unbiased review.

A wide and varied subject

A road trip/travels in Texas through the eyes, memories, and colorful prose of this interesting and entertaining author. Laid back easy enjoyable fun listen. Some topics are a little darker, but reflect a life well lived. Musings and reminiscing brought back a lot of my own memories. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job.

Texas Our Texas

If you could sum up Turned Wrong at Ding Dong in three words, what would they be?

Drive Thru Liquor

Those are the best stores and her tale about it was great.

Who was your favorite character and why?

No real character except the author.

What does Michelle Babb bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her accent is perfect for this book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I laughed though a lot of the Texas parts since I live here and they are right on cue.

Any additional comments?

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher free of charge in exchange for an unbiased review.

Interesting story and listen

I found certain elements interesting especially re Texas and the drive in bottle shops (reminded me of back home in Australia) The toilets in Europe I really didnt relate to but all in all interesting snippets and of course Michelle Babb's narration was brilliant and just could listen to it forever.

Wasn't for me

Sorry but this book just wasn't for me. I should just point out I like mysteries, so just because I am not a big fan doesn't mean that you might not be. This is one book made up of lots of short stories, that In my opinion didn't have a meaning and jumped from subject to subject. It is described as memoirs and that is just what it is. It was well written but I am use to books that have characters and are not just situations that the author found themselves in and decided to write about. It covers a wide range of subjects, from different places to travel, people you meet in airports, why chocolates doesn't have chocolate in them any more, to how safe schools are, to drive thru liquor barns, to having to trust your car mechanic. There is a lot of information about Texas's so if you live there or are planning a trip you might find it interesting because it is we described.
Michelle Babb is the reason I kept listening to this book and the reason I got it in the first place, as she is such a talented narrator I thought I would give it ago. I think I might have to stick to my normal genre next time.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.