Music nerd

Not my favorite Hobb

Reviewed: 01-03-15

As an avid fan of some of the later series', I was disappointed to find these earlier books, that lay the foundation of the story lines I so enjoy, to be a bit more abstract for my taste. I will finish the series, just not as enthusiastically as I would have liked.

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Really? Singing, opera house, mystery?

Reviewed: 02-18-13

Nice cast of characters, pretty settings, I like opera, a good recipe for a successful book, but a little bit thin in the mystery department. An overall good read, though, enjoyable.

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Oh no, not Again!

Reviewed: 02-18-13

This was a disappointing book for me in many ways. Unfortunately it was also fairly lacking in highlights or even low low points, making its most outstanding feature being like a featureless landscape, a one note sonata that can pretty much be summed up with the opening Hi, my name is Diane, I love Woody Allen, to, Bye, my name is Diane, isn't Woody the best?! PS, I never was a WA fan, it could have been a prejudicial reaction on my part.

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Mr. Personality (not!)

Reviewed: 02-18-13

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No

What was one of the most memorable moments of Steve Jobs?

There were many memorable things about Steve Jobs, but I was most taken aback with his total lack of humanity in some areas of his life. Most notably with his daughter Lisa, when she was born, he went so far as to deny paternity. He eventually took his head out of his you know what and had something akin to a relationship with her as she got older, but I don't think he ever got wiser.

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

The quicksilver nature of Jobs that could be infuriating one minute, consumingly charming and engaged another moment, and then completely cool, shut down, distant and unavailable the next. All this can be confusing in print, but is crystal clear when heard out loud.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

Any additional comments?

This book made me a total Apple convert, I am typing this on my iPad as we speak, and my next PC will be an Apple as well. I am not, however, a big Steve Jobs fan. This book has only confirmed my opinion. I learned a ton of stuff, though, which was my goal anyway, so it was well worth the price of admission.

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Unbelievable Courage

Reviewed: 02-17-13

Where does Gabby rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the upper third

What other book might you compare Gabby to and why?

Compres to the story of the brain scientist who had a massive stroke, and documented the entire experience as it was happening (the name of the book may be My Stroke of Genious, or I might have thought it should have been called that, I can't remember!).

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Because I, too, have a disorder that affects my brain, I felt a lot of sympathy for the frustration Gabby went through after all her hard work, and yet is still unable to find a word, or express a thought that once was so easy for her. It brought me to tears many times in the book.

Any additional comments?

I had a strong negative reaction to Gabby's husband and his controlling ways over her life once the shooting occurred. Having once been fiercely independent myself, and now under the 24/7 care of my husband, I am sensitive to what is between the lines, not just what is being said. If it works for her, though, who am I to complain?

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1 person found this helpful

I Listened

Reviewed: 12-22-11

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, and I have, to as many people as would listen to me.

What did you like best about this story?

I was actually apalled by this story, dumbfounded and agreived by my counrty's lack of responsiveness to the information being presented to it on a regular basis.

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

The honest sense of outrage he felt and experienced as he went through this experience. It translated vocally in a way I don't think the printed word could do alone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

We couldn't make this stuff up if we tried!!

Any additional comments?

This book will give you a clear understanding of how our economy failed, how Bernie Madoff got away with his ridiculous schemes and scams year after year, and why the old fairy tale of The Emporer's New Clothes still has application today (surely you remember that one, everyone swears to see the lush new clothing of the naked king, in an effort not to seem out of step with the hoity toity, pooh poohing the nay sayer as a person of low taste and understanding. . . Hmmmm I bet Mr. Markopolos might be able to tell us a bit about what that feels like.....).

I rarely give a five star rating to non-classics, but this one deserves it, for the classic way everyone preferred to look the other way while a common criminal robbed our economy, and our citizens, blind, while we smiled and said thank you, please come back again!

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Confessions of a Clan of the Cave Bear Day One Fan

Reviewed: 12-22-11

Would you listen to The Shelters of Stone again? Why?

Yes. Just because I can. I have been following this series since the day the first book, The Clan of the Cave Bear, was published. For those of you old enough to know what I'm talking about, you also remember that was before any type of technology was even a twinkle in daddy's eye, when we would faithfully buy our copy of the books we waited for, read them like starved shipwrecks, then promptly start them again at a more leisurely pace to absorbe the nuances we'd missed on our first gallop through. Then we could graciously lend them to our trusted friends, people known to return our favorite books, and begin the long wait until the next book in the series comes out. And that is how we learned the art of patience. . . . .horrible, isn't it???

Any additional comments?

As far as I am concerned, the series is now finished for me. The journey has come full circle, I do not wish to continue on any more road trips. I myself am now older and tired. We started out young, now it is tme to rest. I am glad I read it, but now we part ways. I have loved you long, and loved you well. Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment.

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Saving my 5 Star Ratings for books like this

Reviewed: 12-22-11

If you could sum up Saving Ceecee Honeycutt in three words, what would they be?

Follow your heart

Who was your favorite character and why?

Every character in this book was special to me, important in a different way. But I most identified with Ceecee, her struggle to make sense of things, to understand things as they were around her, and ultimately, her need to flee and get answers.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she ultimately refused to go

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

Every single one. From beginning to end.

Any additional comments?

Every time I listen, the story, performances, have the same affect on me. For me, it is a powerful book about how even a little person's life is important enough to be saved from evil, harshness, or corruption, do not give up, do not stop trying. There will be a way for you too.

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All Time Childhood Favorite

Reviewed: 12-22-11

Would you listen to The Wind in the Willows again? Why?

Yes, and I have, many times. It always brings me back to that first time I read it, as a little girl, imagining myself right there with Mole and Ratty in their adventures.

What did you like best about this story?

The

What about Mary Woods’s performance did you like?

I saw pictures in my mind, like a movie screen in my head, as she spoke, it was so expressive.

Any additional comments?

This recording brought a childhood favorite back to life for me. I was sick in bed as an adult, unable to even read my old favorite for myself, so hearing this aloud was a great comfort and delight.

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1 person found this helpful

Not Jane's finest hour

Reviewed: 12-22-11

Where does Northanger Abbey rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

#6, because Jane Austen's works were 6 published novels produced by Audible. She's had other works, letters and such, later published, but her core body of work was her 6 novels. I have listened to hundreds of audio books over the years, but the Austen novels remain the top 1-6 of my list.

Any additional comments?

I say this wasn't Jane's finest hour because the tone of this book seems almost silly compared to her other novels. I realize she is conveying that very message, girls devoted to gothic romances seem silly and shallow, but the over all effect is so much less satisfying her other books. I am left wishing I could say to her, we have so little of you as it is, I wish it hadn't been used up on this trifle of a book!

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