Yolanda S. Bean

Engaging!

Reviewed: 03-14-20

I have been wanting to read this book for a while and when I saw that the audio version was narrated by one of my very favorite performers, I leaped at the chance to listen instead of get my hands on a physical copy. This is an engaging and definitely well-performed listen. The youth of the narrator means that this will appeal to a range of audiences (if this were a movie, I would say that this is in the hazy area between PG-13 and R). Mike, from Michigan, is something of a local celebrity when younger - known as the "Miracle Boy" who survives an experience that leaves him mute in the aftermath.

When Mike discovers a natural aptitude for picking locks, this new path takes him to discover love, but also as a bowman, virtually sold into criminal slavery. The romance portion is sweet and works well with the overall story. And despite the criminal career, Mike is likable - even from where he narrates his story. The book drags a bit in the middle (eventually all robberies start to feel a bit repetitive) and though some parts are more predictable than others, this is overall a fun listen! I will be keeping my eye out for more from this author (as well as this performer!) in the future!

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Not What I Hoped For...

Reviewed: 02-11-20

This is the second book that we read for this month's book club meeting - marking the first time that we have ever done multiple books for one meeting. And this is also Harper Lee's second novel - set twenty years after To Kill A Mockingbird in Macombe County, Alabama. I admit to being initially quite excited about this manuscript was going to be finally published. But, then as I began to hear more about it, and the fact that Harper Lee never wanted this published, that I began to doubt that I wanted to read this after all... I didn't want to be a party to her being taken advantage of - especially considering how much I adore her first novel.

I ended up listening to it. Reese Witherspoon reads this aloud, and I must say that I am not sure if I was ever able to quite forget that it was Reese reading this... I am not sure that is because of her performance or just that I have seen so many of her movies so her voice is so familiar to me. But, as for this novel itself, I am just not sure how I much I liked it. Maybe I should have read a physical copy instead. In the beginning, especially, the inconsistent POV really took me by surprise considering how solid the perspective is in To Kill A Mockingbird. And while the fates of Jem and Dill took my by surprise, I am not sure that it was something I actually liked. I did like Henry/Hank and this book spoiled that, too - and it even made me stop liking Scout! As a grown-up, she just didn't do much for me. I liked the portions of the book that were flashbacks the most - those were the strongest in the whole book by far. And the message of the ending just felt SO heavy-handed... a lot of what was so great about TKAM felt sullied here... and the ending just isn't as hopeful as I expected. Maybe this should have stayed tucked away after all. It just doesn't feel like an instant classic the way TKAM instantly does.

But, I do think that this will instigate some lively discussion at our book club meeting and I suppose in the end, I am glad to have read this for myself to check out what all the buzz has been. I am not curious about it anymore, though I really don't see myself listening to this again, though.

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Excellent!!

Reviewed: 02-10-20

This month, for the first time, our book club is planning on discussing two books! The first is this classic piece that I so clearly recall first reading with my mom when I was quite little. And though I have read this again later, it's been quite a while since I have read this, so I am excited to revisit this and then to read the new release of its sequel, Go Set A Watchman and discuss with our club!

I decided not to fish out my paperback copy but instead, listened to this one - performed by Sissy Spacek. It's a great novel and Spacek handles the accents well, but without being distracting. I must admit, I was a little nervous that such a famous performer would be a little distracting, but this isn't the case. It is an excellent read - and a great listen, too! I definitely found myself taking evert chance to squeeze in some listening. And I am also looking forward to watching the movie again, soon, too!

It is such a wonderfully written novel, surprisingly moving and is just an excellent listen. The perspective is well maintained throughout and I am more excited than ever to see what happens in the sequel - and to discuss this one with my book club! I am sure it will be great!

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Edward's Story Continues

Reviewed: 02-04-20

Our last month's book club choice was the first book in this series, 600 Hours of Edward and I had hoped to get through the audio version of this sequel in time to discuss it there, but I ran out of time. The book opens up three years after the conclusion of the first book and Edward is having, in his own words, a real "shitburger" of a year. He's lost his great job at the paper (due to cutbacks, not his own actions), Dr. Buckley has retired and Donna and Kyle have moved away - and he has been diagnosed with Type II diabetes! Edward still collects his data, but many other things and routines have changed in his life - he doesn't even watch Dragnet each night anymore!

Whereas in the first book, Edward is rather comfortably friends with nine-year-old Kyle, this book takes Edward also along for a more adolescent stage. He uses more vulgar vocabulary and embarks on some other firsts. The beginning is as as absorbing, because it takes a little time to get used to all of these changes to Edward. But by the end, it is much more engaging.

The audio version is performed by the same man and he continues to do a wonderful job in brining Edward to life. He really nails the tone and personality. I do hope that the series continues - and with this same performer at the helm of the audio! The ending, like the last, is full of promise for brighter and better things for Edward and I just am not ready to say goodbye to him!

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Entertaining!

Reviewed: 02-04-20

This is our August book club selection and the one that I voted for - mainly because both my mom and I both had already purchased this when it was an Audible Deal of the Day. And I really did enjoy listening to this one. The performer does a great job of bringing Edward to life with his love of certain words, his preference for facts and his fondness for the color seasons of <I>Dragnet</I>.

The titular Edward is 39 years old and has been diagnosed formally as OCD and having Asperger's. And it is quite obvious that these two conditions have greatly impacted his life and his family. But, Edward's very set ways all begin to change when he becomes friends with his new neighbors. And despite the great predictability of Edward's days, I must admit that the plot itself contains many surprises. The ending crossed over to me to being a bit too unbelievable, which does detract from the strength of the earlier realism of the novel. I liked Edward's love for good words and I especially enjoyed his letters of complaint.

I had already picked up the sequel before finishing this one, so while the ending makes me not as excited to continue Edward's story, I am still planning on finishing it before our August book club meeting! Luckily, this rainier summer means that I have had more time to listen to audiobooks in the car because I cannot have the windows down!

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1 person found this helpful

Great Start To A Series!

Reviewed: 01-29-20

This audiobook is great fun!! It's really exciting and so well-performed!! Mary is orphaned young in London and is forced to join a street gang for survival. But, her real dream is to see the world - and so she chops off her hair and becomes a ship boy for the H.M.S. Dolphin. While the story does take a few predictable turns, there are some surprises here, too. The characters (excluding the villains) are all likable - and I definitely am looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series!

The audio performance is really stellar - between the accents, the singing - it's great! The same woman reads the whole series, so I know where my Audible credits will be going! I really like it - and both my mom and a co-worker have listened to the whole series, too, which only adds to the fun!

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Such fun!!

Reviewed: 04-02-19

I thoroughly enjoyed this fourth installment of the Veronica Speedwell series – so much so that I couldn’t resist getting the audio version as well! I have enjoyed Masters’ performance and binge-listening to the first three books, so I just had to have both! In fact, this NetGalley digital version is actually the first one of Raybourn’s novels that I have ever “read” – I also listened entirely to the Lady Julia Grey series. I think that I still prefer this series, actually – and this one is up there with my favorites in the series!

The mystery changes locations from London to a Cornish Island castle. Tiberius, Stoker’s eldest brother, has manipulated both Stoker and Veronica to join him there. Together, they will all help uncover the mystery of Rosamund, a bride who disappeared on her wedding day from their host, Lord Malcolm. The set up is a little slower than some of the other books but this allows for more build-up of the eerie atmosphere on this superstitious island and also to better introduce the new cast of characters.

It is a completely fun read/listen! I thoroughly enjoyed every page/minute of it! And I was so happy that there were some further developments in the series’ central relationship. The banter between Veronica and Stoker is as fun as ever, and I enjoyed getting to know Tiberius better as well. The hauntings, fairy tales and poison garden all added a lot of fun here. Secrets and red herrings abound! And the set up for the fifth book has me marking down the days for 2020’s addition to the series – fingers crossed that it comes even sooner!! I can’t hardly wait!!

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Great Performance - Unlikable Characters

Reviewed: 05-12-17

Despite the talent of both of the audio performers, I just didn't like this book very much at all... I wanted to like it - there were some very likable things that really appealed to me - from the authentic Chicago setting, and the engaging opening of the missing roommate and the fun of the dual storylines that seemed connected, but kept you guessing just how they would be... What spoiled the book were the characters themselves... I never connected with either storyline and found myself anxious to just stop listening, and knowing that it was only the skill of the narration that kept me listening on, despite my downright hatred of the characters.

Quinn narrates half the novel - a flighty young college grad who has recently moved to this Chicago apartment from a constantly mentioned, but frustratingly never named, suburb. When Quinn discovers that her roommate is missing, she proceeds to make one bad decision after another, all in the name of her "investigation". This includes continuing her romance of her taken co-worker. Quinn constantly bemoans her own shortcomings, which coupled with her bad decisions make her so easy to hate - and not in a love-to-hate kind of way, but a hate in which you find yourself wishing that she was the missing roommate.

As for Alex, the Michigan half of the story... well his story is the real tragedy. He's intelligent, kind, warm and broken by the abandonment of his mother and subsequent alcoholism of his father. He devotes his life and survival to the care of his father, and then finds himself drawn to this newly arrived (and clearly unbalanced) pretty young stranger. And though he too has a penchant for poor decisions, he is probably the most likable character in the novel.

And while the plot does take some genuinely surprising turns, the ending that I was hoping for (with Quinn's hideous death) didn't take place... I am glad that I got this as a deal of the day, and didn't waste a full credit on it!

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Riveting Listen!

Reviewed: 05-12-17

This book has been lingering in my TBR pile for about two years now - in both print and audio. I decided to start listening - and I am glad that I did! I really liked the performance!

But, one of the downsides of waiting to start reading it is that I knew a bit more exactly what the titular girl with all the gifts really is - though initially it caught my attention based on the author and its good reviews. While zombies are not my favorite in the recent resurgence in the popularity of supernatural fiction, I have to admit that the "hungries" here and the whole origination of this gave the story a fresh and horrifying spin. I quite enjoyed it - much more than I expected to, really! The characters - both good and villainous - are well-developed and all are sympathetic at times. I like the author's writing style and I am looking forward to checking out the movie - as it certainly has a cinematic flair! And I am looking forward to listening to the prequel soon, too!

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A Great Vacation Listen

Reviewed: 05-12-17

I probably should have waited a bit longer before starting this month's book club read - I wasn't really planning on listening to it in only four days! This is the one that I voted for, and while this isn't my go-to genre, the premise of a husband returned from being presumed dead is intriguing. It's an engaging story that certainly draws you in, and for the most part, the audio version is well-performed (there were some male voices that just didn't work for me and were quite distracting). And it is definitely a story that calls for the suspension of disbelief!

The book opens with Emma Blair, eating dinner with her family and fiance, to be interrupted by an impossible call - that her husband who had been declared dead has been found quite alive. And Emma is consequently thrown into an awkward love triangle between her past and her present. While the author makes it easy to root for one love choice over the other (there is little surprise by the end), the whole scenario is just so unlikely that it is a fun sort of escapist listen.

But there are so many unbelievable parts of the story - from Emma's own reversal of her life (though there are attempts to make this more justifiable, with a certainly plausible catalyst) to Jesse's rather lightly described tale of survival and culminating in the success of independent bookstore Blair Books in this day and age! I think I would have liked it overall more had I liked Emma a bit more - she is frankly unlikable as a younger self (to make a main character dislike books!!) and her later treatment of the men in her life is far from idea. It's a soap-opera-like premise, but is an entertaining listen. The situation and storyline really is engaging - and thought-provoking in a sort of "what-if" kind of way. I am definitely looking forward to talking about it with the rest of the book club!

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