DRBCREEK

Goldberg Soothes my Bones!

Reviewed: 09-02-24

I love the book Writing Down the Bones, but I adore this audible version — read by Goldberg, the author. After listening to this audible version a few times and even taking notes… a strange progression in my listening journey occurred.

Firstly, I’m a Texan, but there’s something about Goldberg’s New Yorker voice that is calming and reassuring. I enjoy the realness of her voice, an unpolished, non-theatrical version. She makes you feel as if you are engaged with an authentic person who is talking to you, as if she knows you. Goldberg has that ability when narrating… she’s charismatic and doesn’t try to manufacture a false presentation to her voice. I appreciate that about her.

Now… due to severe insomnia, I began wearing a soft cloth headband that’s also a wireless headphone, and with it, i listen to this audible book each night with the speed reduced to 85, This routine has provided enormous relief for my insomnia. I love writing, and I love her zen approach, and I respect her wisdom and willingness to re-evaluate a timeless book she wrote while in her 30’s.

I know this book inside and out, and I employ many of Goldberg’s writing suggestions and enjoy doing the exercises that encourage ongoing exploration of my own life experiences. But, Goldberg probably has no clue as to how powerful she’s been in helping this writer and insomniac find joy in tackling a good night of sleep.

When I wake during the night, I hear Goldberg’s voice (a bit slower than normal for my brain to be less stimulated during the night) and I know where I am in the book… with a solid idea of how long I’ve been asleep and how much longer I have to go before I should officially wake. My monkey-mind is gently guided back toward the audible book, and instead of replaying difficult life moments in my head, I’m back to listening to Goldberg, enjoying her wisdom on writing as I am coaxed back to sleep.

Two years of this routine, during terrible insomnia bouts compounded by grief and/or life’s regular challenges… has kept me on a better path through the night, and the difference is remarkable. So, Writing Down the Bones is meaningful to me… always a great book, yet now it’s even more fruitful to my existence, and I am grateful.

Thank you Natalie for being you! Your zen nature plus writing observations make me write and sleep better!!

Sincerely refreshed and ready to journal and work on my latest manuscript,
Lana

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Possession held me hostage…

Reviewed: 10-05-23

From the start, the story moved at a good pace, getting to the heart of the plot. There were twists and turns, yet they still surprised me.

This story presents a truly terrorizing situation that every day Americans can definitely see happen in their town or see on the news as it happens in another’s town. Very disconcerting.

I listened to the podcast one day while cleaning the closet, and the storyline kept me interested and distracted.

Enjoyed “Possession” and hope you will too.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Marrow will leave your bones rattling with thrilling chills!

Reviewed: 09-02-23

Marrow is CREEPY and so well done that you might have to hit “pause” every now and then to catch your breath or to re-ground yourself with reminders that you CAN step away from the chilling story.

In Marrow, we follow Harriet as she follows her dreams. She is an audio producer who has landed a rare gig to interview an idol and internationally famous writer of thrillers, Lily Novak. Novak is older, and perhaps she’s not all there, which leaves the excited interviewer deflated as she questions the purpose and ethics of her derailed conversations with Lily Novak. The amazing initial opportunity is going askew, but then Harriet wonders if her disappointed expectations could still lead to a surprising treasure? Lily’s aged mind is filled with stories… do her memories include unwritten thriller concepts—is Harriet getting an inside glimpse into a literary genius-or are these recollections truly occurrences of Lily’s childhood? Harriet struggles with her own uncertainties as she attempts to keep the aging author on task during the interviews… or is she more on task than can be imagined?

You listen and wonder what Lily is trying to say? You dread where Lily is taking Harriet and you—and you need to UNDERSTAND Lily. You sense and comprehend Harriet’s deep trepidation because you feel it, too!

Harriet Harris plays the part of Lily, and she’s too good at becoming this character. When listening, you feel as if you’re sitting there with her and can sense and see Lily drifting away from the present as she recalls events from her youth. Her performance is compelling and brilliantly unsettling. She plays the part magnificently.

The performances are stellar. The characters and the storyline keep you hooked.

If you like engaging, spooky, and chilling storylines that raise the hair on the back of your neck… MARROW is the most effective hair-raiser I’ve come across in a long while. I would even say it takes a bit of bravery to get through the story as certain parts are very realistic and leave you needing to shake it out, yet you cannot leave the story! Well done!

I would recommend this to anyone who likes thrillers or an edge-of-your-seat Audible story that comes to life due to the performers uncanny ability to reel you in with a steely grip. I can still hear Lily’s voice!

This is one of those rare stories that you don’t want to shelf because it’s too powerful to let go. And even though you must boost your bravery before listening to it, again, you are tempted do it because the reframing of knowing the end from the start gives a fresh perspective. I do intend to listen to it again, purely out of respect for how perfectly each performer played their part. Oh those voices!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The Wrong One was the right choice on Audible!

Reviewed: 09-02-23

The Wrong One provided a very interesting distraction while cleaning a closet, keeping my mind engaged as the story twisted and turned to leave me perplexed.

This story is well written and nicely performed by the narrators. It’s not too long and not too short. In the end, the story had great closure with characters I cheered for as they continued forward.

Overall, whenever I had to pause the story, I looked forward to resuming this Audible selection… and that’s the sign of a solid choice… when you’re eager to get back into the story as soon as possible!

I would recommend The Wrong One as the right way to spend your mind-time!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Moving Storyline - Makes You Ponder…

Reviewed: 08-05-23

When society collapses and our enemies are at suddenly at hand… how would you respond? Infiltration by freedom-hating outsiders and their ability to attack… is that a dangerous prospect to Americans even now? What would we do if our freedoms were suddenly unprotected

This book reminds us that our Founding Fathers fought and struggled to pass on a better way of life for future Americans, along with the hope that we’d do better and better because we have a solid foundation to stand upon.

Every little triumph that the people of our country make toward increasing and protecting our freedoms is a gift that must be continually guarded and this is a challenge for this book’s characters as law and order fall to pieces.

When our country is attacked, the main character knows it’s time to conserve and reserve resources for survival, and he knows it’s time to fight intruding marauders and invaders intending to steal or appropriate resources and weapons.

The characters in this story remind us that freedom is not free… when the Constitution is suspended, freedom doesn’t belong to us any longer, and that’s what happens during part of this story. if you don’t fight to sustain our achievements, then they will disappear and someone else will be happy to dish out a new ruling system based upon deprivation and abuse.

This storyline is also about those who give up, those who don’t question a demand to forfeit freedoms, but it’s also about those Americans who know forfeiture leads to loss of freedom… forever… it’s about those who fight back. I loved all the characters who were afraid yet still willing to give their all in the fight to save America. I loved the battles to preserve or restore freedom for all.

It was touching during certain moments in the book that recounted historical pivots that helped change our history. When the characters of the book knew Marine terminology; when those rebelling recalled the importance of Paul Reviere; or the value of our 1st and 2nd amendments… and everything else that our Constitution and Bill of Rights affords.

But when you’re up against enemies who despise the American way, it’s not going to be easy, and the characters in this story do a great job of showing how a fight on American soil can be deadly and devastating, yet it can be the same toward those who infringe and intrude.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Interesting & Enjoyable Listen!

Reviewed: 08-04-23

Great characters with relatable situations as they confront wild circumstances. The wives of attorneys must keep moving forward at high speed after their worlds are torn apart. Each wife has their own personal hurdles to deal with along with a surprising collective life or death issue to confront. Together, the women will find greater purpose through grief to emerge stronger than ever while being pursued by criminals.

I enjoyed listening to the characters different personalities and getting caught up in the story. Finished in one day!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Compelling!

Reviewed: 05-22-23

This story idea magnetized me to listen to the first episode, and I was hooked. Loved the way they didn’t rush the story, allowed painful moments to speak for themselves. I then went to add it to my playlist and listen to more. It was a sad thing to see this talented production ended at one episode. I hope this group decides to resume this storyline!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Compelling Narration for a Great Story

Reviewed: 12-22-22

This storyline makes you think about historical accounts in a modern way. This story gives an interesting twist of Biblical timelines.

The character performances pull you further into the story… amazing actors.

On a road trip, this Audible performance became my go-to choice and made a stressful drive enjoyable. I would recommend.

Happy listening to all!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Involved Story with a Twist

Reviewed: 12-20-22

When someone you care about disappears, it leads to difficult times filled with sadness.

If you’re a child when a mother disappears… that’s an entirely different set of problems to endure as you grow into adulthood..

The main character can’t let her mother’s disappearance out of her mind. She wants to follow in her mom’s last known tracks to better understand her mother, but how can she know it will lead her straight to danger?

Some answers come with a high cost. Some secrets are misunderstood. Some endings aren’t what you expected.

Good Audible listen!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

DEAR FELLOW INSOMNIACS! Mystical meditation and ample zzzz’s with Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories

Reviewed: 08-14-22

This is an incredible idea for adults with insomnia and racing-mind syndrome at night.

Our brains now have the option to focus on all the happy, peaceful, sweet words spoken with just the right tones. The stories are full of delightful visuals that invoke a smile and a sigh as you chill on a deeper level.

My husband and I both prepared before turning on Get Sleepy, getting comfortable and ready to meditate. Our goal was to take a 1-2 hour nap, but that was doubtful.

Just over two hours later, we were both shocked when we woke up and started laughing as we saw the clock. It worked! Man… we must’ve fallen asleep within ten minutes into the first story.

There is advertising at the start of each story that’s worked info the programming with the same serene and peaceful tone. I heard a mattress advertising, and each time I heard the word “bed” I did my part to relax further. It worked out beautifully for the program, the advertisers, and for me as a listener. After that, the same person rolls right into the story, and you’re already primed for relaxation.

I actually slow the speed down a tad from the normal speed of 1.0 to .9 to draw out the story a little longer and to slow down their speech a fraction. It works for me.

And instead of aggravating my insomnia by listening to a book I enjoy and fighting to stay away to listen to the good parts, I can now say these meditative stories give some kind of mystical permission to miss the entire story or chunks of the story.

Using this for naps and for nightly sleeping, I’ve briefly awoke a couple of times to our dogs barking to nothing important, and the storyteller’s voice worked like a sedative to lull me straight back to sleep.

I am completely hooked.

For years, I’ve mediated by listening to an author who narrates her own books. She is a truly zen person, and I would slow the speed to .8 and that usually works to get me through difficult nights. However, there are certain points throughout her narration when she laughs hard or when her voice pitch rises sharply, and those times often startle me awake, especially if I haven’t started the audible book in the right spot.

With this Get Sleepy, I have not encountered any startling due to the narration. If I do wake, it’s gently and going back to sleep is just as gentle. And i normally don’t dig the sound of birds when sleeping… just my personal thing… but there are scenes in the story where soft bird sounds are present, but they are beautiful and harmonious… sounds I welcome.

At this point, I don’t know if I’ll ever actually get to hear any of these meditative stories from start to finish because they’re so relaxing.

I liken the storytelling format to people with “squirrel” mentality. The narrator brings telling a story, but there is excellent brain derailing to keep your brain in a meditative state… they seem to break the rules of meditation in a brilliant way. They give story details to gently pull you this way and that with peaceful steering, and it ends up feeling as though you’re riding a chill mind-wave, and it’s all groovy.

For those who don’t want to buy into a membership, you are still giving by listening to gentle advertising at the start of the stories. The narrators prove themselves worthy of meditation-guiding by the way they incorporate this brief necessity.

But I can see the lure in wanting to try it without ads. Those who can afford it won’t balk at paying for this kind of valuable service, but the company will maintain a wider audience by keeping listeners who don’t mind a short ad that seamlessly blends into the story by the same narrator.

It’s genius stuff for us insomniacs. And we can train our brains to relax deeper and deeper each time we listen to these stories. Finding your perfect speed preference will make the listening experience even more meditative.

If you listen to the first one… I was smiling about the dogs, the frisbee playing… picturing it all in my mind as the perfect beach day with not one thing wrong… and within the next few minutes, I was O.U.T.

Peace to my fellow insomniacs.

Fill your brain with this goodness. Who knows the other positive benefits we might find ourselves enjoying over time!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!