Sandra Sena

Engaging

Reviewed: 02-06-25

I did not see that twist coming midway through! Bravo! Would make a great movie - costumes, settings, sex, plots, revenge...

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Yawn

Reviewed: 03-01-23

I read to the end because it was my book club selection of the month... one dimensional characters, no real conflicts and way too much time describing the minutiae of the daily routine... how many times must we be a part of the housekeeper discussing household economies with the dowager countess. Oh, there's a death, but do we really care? Downton Abbey, this is not.

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Coming of age prison memoir? Trust me, just read!

Reviewed: 08-29-22

Wow. Just wow. I would have never picked up this book without a friend's passionate recommendation. My escapist choices rarely go to "a prison memoir" but I do have a self imposed rule to read things outside my norm with the hope of learning the unexpected. There but for the grace of... whatever... is the story of choices, consequences, wit, wisdom, love, and humor. The power of creativity in so many incarnations. What defines our common core of humanity. What always touches me in the stories I read or movies I watch, is witnessing personal growth and self realization, and always best when served up in a dish of kindness. The language in this story was beautiful...seriously, one does not expect words like affable or espadrilles, nor references to Moonstruck or All About Eve, to pop up in a prison story.
The author could be any one of my dearest friends- who I would love to include in my dinner gatherings. There are so many stories walking among us. This is a perfect example of why I'm fed up with the glut of stories of "other worlds" when there is so much to delve into under our noses. And yes, the writing was beautiful. I often paused to note the turn of phrase.

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1 person found this helpful

paying it forward

Reviewed: 07-11-20

This is my social media post, the moment I finished listening to this book. I work in medical practice management for a prominent hospital.

"At the height of the NY pandemic in April, our hospital had daily conference calls to touch base, disseminate information and support. One of the doctors, and I wish I could remember which one, mentioned he was reading this book, and that it was helping him as well helping him help others. I remember being struck that he was in a position of high hospital leadership, in the pit of the Covid trenches, and looking to be better, both personally and professionally. I ordered it on the spot. I just finished reading it.
The past 2 years have been clouded by much personal loss, death being just one of them. This book on finding meaning- the 6th step of grief - helped put words to the previously undefinable. I found some bits of insight and wisdom to deploy in my own life. Sharing (as did that MD) in the hope to pay it forward. You never know where the life rafts come from...
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤"

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8 people found this helpful

Charming. A story that will stay with me.

Reviewed: 02-09-20

A lovely story of two young women discovering their self worth in their own time, in society and in their history. They are tied together by a ring and there is poetry woven with coincidences. Romance, family, friendship and looking for a purpose. The narration captures and distinguishes the individuality of the characters. Absolutely charming.

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1 person found this helpful

Curse, Cuss, Cursity, Curse...

Reviewed: 05-13-18

While this story does not mirror my life's events, Maggie and I are the exact same age and her inner dialogue does. There was a poetry in the descriptions and an honesty in the emotions. Adventure is not limited to scaling mountains or jumping out of planes. This was a lovely story of a woman I would like to have as a friend.
Oh, and my swearing as a title, came at the end.... in the description of her mother's final words. The simple beauty touched me.

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Charming Highland romance

Reviewed: 01-13-18

Characters with depth, charm and personality - a great find in a lovely escape in this Scottish romance. These are people I enjoyed spending time with.

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4 people found this helpful

Narration and translation matters

Reviewed: 09-14-16

After having read Why Homer Matters (by Adam Nicolson), I tasked myself to read the source material, having never read it in my formal education. I managed to get half way through a different adaptation when it became a chore to continue so I abandoned listening. Recently, I was highly recommended this translation and I'm glad I gave it another try. The introduction alone gave a succinct encapsulation of "why Homer matters". The Iliad is the source of all storytelling and this translation was incredibly fluid and the narration was completely engaging! I was swept into the drama (which I felt lacking in my last attempt) and I think I would listen to anything read by this narrator.

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79 people found this helpful

Predict I will like movie better

Reviewed: 07-18-14

I had this book in my library before I knew it was going to be a film with Helen Mirren, so when I saw the preview I rushed to listen.
It's a passable book with a good germ of a story. But it never delved into character. It was more of the protagonist reading his datebook/journal with no real depth of feeling.
Listening to the narrator do the French accents, was like listening to Inspector Clouseau. I look forward to the film and Ms. Mirren breathing life into a cliché relationship.

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15 people found this helpful

Is it just me??????

Reviewed: 10-25-12

This book is formulaic, predictable, the characters are one dimensional, the dialogue is flat and even the sex is dull! I am not a romance book snob, and I like a good romp as much as anyone - and it does not need to be great literature - but I found myself "talking back" to the narration in annoyance! It did not seem like a real book, but a template or outline for a romance novel and you fill in the color. I do NOT understand how it got all these good reviews! (so I am adding in another voice)

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19 people found this helpful