Kathleen Johnson
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- reviews
- 1
- helpful vote
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The Briar Club
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
- Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Washington, DC, 1950. Everyone keeps to themselves at Briarwood House, a down-at-the-heels all-female boardinghouse in the heart of the nation’s capital where secrets hide behind white picket fences. But when the lovely, mysterious widow Grace March moves into the attic room, she draws her oddball collection of neighbors into unlikely friendship. Grace’s weekly attic-room dinner parties and window-brewed sun tea become a healing balm on all their lives, but she hides a terrible secret of her own.
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Best writing and narrator!!
- By KareBear on 08-07-24
- The Briar Club
- A Novel
- By: Kate Quinn
- Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld
Every minute was engaging, entertaining, complex and interesting.
Reviewed: 02-26-25
I loved the topical theme as well as outstanding character development probably one of my all-time favorite books and I’ve listened to a bunch. I highly recommended.
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Dawnshard
- Stormlight Archive
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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When a ghost ship is discovered, its crew presumed dead after trying to reach the storm-shrouded island Akina, Navani Kholin must send an expedition to make sure the island hasn't fallen into enemy hands. Knights Radiant who fly too near find their Stormlight suddenly drained, so the voyage must be by sea. Shipowner Rysn Ftori lost the use of her legs but gained the companionship of Chiri-Chiri, a Stormlight-ingesting winged larkin, a species once thought extinct. Now Rysn's pet is ill, and any hope for Chiri-Chiri’s recovery can be found only at the ancestral home of the larkin.
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Not a book
- By Kindle Customer on 08-25-22
- Dawnshard
- Stormlight Archive
- By: Brandon Sanderson
- Narrated by: Kate Reading, Michael Kramer
Nice to have a character with whom persons with physical challenges could relate.
Reviewed: 10-02-24
A bit hard to get engaged in . Especially the beginning. The goal of the voyage seemed only mildly important or interesting. In my opinion the motives were not well enough developed for the reader to feel invested. There seemed to be some confusing inconsistencies regarding the main characters ability to be mobile after the crew arrived on the island. I also think It would have been good to have more background on the characters lives prior to this adventure. That being said, there were some excellent life lessens included that make it worth reading, the narration was excellent. For the book to have the most impact, I would only recommend this book to someone who had read the previous books.
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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- A Novel
- By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Narrated by: Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, Robin Miles
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband, David, has left her, and her career has stagnated.
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Glucose Gluttony
- By W Perry Hall on 03-17-18
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- A Novel
- By: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Narrated by: Alma Cuervo, Julia Whelan, Robin Miles
I liked the story but had a difficult time with the naration.
Reviewed: 05-10-24
I know practically everyone loved this book so I may be alone in my review. I had a really difficult time with the narration, especially that of the writer it felt overacted and contrived to me. She did OK with the other characters, but I felt, just OK. Not great. My favorite audiobooks are those where I don’t even think about the narrator or that it’s being narrated or read at all because I’m so involved in the characters and the story. If I’m thinking about the narration, it’s a miss for me personally. The Story was mostly good, but I found myself wanting to just get on with it, anxious to just get to the end. Honestly, towards the end I was bored with Evelyn’s story and bored with her. None of the characters inspired me nor did I find any of them particularly likable. Even the parts of the story that in most cases should have been tearjerkers just didn’t move me for some reason. I’m usually the first person to tear up at the sad part of stories, movies and books. There are so many other books. I would recommend before this one.
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The Frozen River
- A Novel
- By: Ariel Lawhon
- Narrated by: Jane Oppenheimer, Ariel Lawhon
- Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Maine, 1789: When the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Months earlier, Martha documented the details of an alleged rape committed by two of the town’s most respected gentlemen—one of whom has now been found dead in the ice.
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Oh dear
- By Barbara on 12-08-23
- The Frozen River
- A Novel
- By: Ariel Lawhon
- Narrated by: Jane Oppenheimer, Ariel Lawhon
The Frozen River has all the elements necessary for outstanding historical fiction.
Reviewed: 05-01-24
This was my first book from this author but will not be my last. For me finding an excellent author of historical fiction is like finding a rare beautiful gemstone buried deep in the dirt while cultivating my garden.
Ariel Lawson does an excellent job of character development, exposing both the very best virtues and the darkest, lowest characteristics in human nature and all those persons in between the two extremes. As her story develops you feel you know each character, and they are all interesting and unique and their own way. I found myself wanting to yell out loud and boo at the injustices and villainous characters and cheer when some sort of justice was realized for the victims in the book . The author skillfully combined the most important historical facts of the time and location giving us a glimpse of what life was like those living in the town and by the river as well as shining a light on an important unsung female hero of the time in addition to providing in-depth observances of the nature of mankind.
She did this without having to point out the obvious parallels of many of the same issues we still face today. It’s clear to me that not a lot has changed in all these years in many regards and especially in regards to the freedoms, respect, opportunities, or injustices afforded many women in our country still today. The frozen River is Inspiring informative and an entertaining book that was hard to put down and I highly recommend it.
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Soul Boom
- Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution
- By: Rainn Wilson
- Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
- Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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The trauma that our world experienced in recent years—as result of both the pandemic and societal tensions that threaten to overwhelm us—has been unprecedented and is not going away anytime soon. It is clear that existing political and economic systems are not enough to bring the change that the world needs. In this book, Rainn Wilson explores the possibility and hope for a spiritual revolution, a “Soul Boom” in order to address today’s greatest issues—mental health, racism and sexism, climate change, and economic injustice.
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Political posturing
- By patti luke on 05-03-23
- Soul Boom
- Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution
- By: Rainn Wilson
- Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
Rain Wilson takes an important and serious subject and makes it humorous, interesting and fun
Reviewed: 04-11-24
This is one of those books that will change the hearts minds and lives of those who listen with open hearts and independent, inquisitive minds seeking their own personal truths. I very much enjoyed his chapter on atheist “spoiler alert he’s a fan” I also really enjoyed the well researched and fascinating historical insights and also the positive nature of the entire book, well except when it’s not positive. But even when he’s pointing out all the reasons we desperately need a spiritual revolution, he does it with enough humor that it is inspiring rather than depressing. Well done sir! Unlike so many books of its kind this book does not come off at all preachy and really truly honors all points of view. In fact Rainn Wilson shows a great deal of humility and courageously opens up about some “darker” sides of his past, and in so doing he present himself as one of us.
I go through a lot of audiobooks. A LOT! And I have to say this is unexpectedly my favorite in several years. I was left feeling excited, joyful, inspired and confident in a positive better future for all mankind and for the planet. Sign me up for the revolution I’m ready to do my part!
What I didn’t like about the book was only,
That it wasn’t longer. When it ended it felt like I had had a great visit with a close friend or a relative and it was time for them to leave and I knew I would miss our time together so much.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in their own personal growth, the condition of the world right now, as well as all mankind and the planet.
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An Echo of Things To Come
- Licanius, Book 2
- By: James Islington
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
- Length: 26 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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In the wake of a devastating attack, an amnesty has been declared for all Augurs - finally allowing them to emerge from hiding and openly oppose the dark forces massing against the land of Andarra. As the Augur Davian and his new allies hurry north toward the ever-weakening Boundary, however, fresh horrors along their path suggest that their reprieve may have come far too late. His ally in the Capital, the new Northwarden, contends with assassins and politicians and uncovers a dangerous political secret.
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Footnotes, please!
- By Joe B. on 09-10-17
- An Echo of Things To Come
- Licanius, Book 2
- By: James Islington
- Narrated by: Michael Kramer
Very good, not great, but well worth the time invested in the series.
Reviewed: 02-13-24
I’ll start out by what I didn’t like. I found it difficult to follow and keep track of the characters and various magical beings and creatures. The characters seem to change names often, it seems like every few chapters, and since time travel is involved  as well as frequent use of memories and foreseeing, and even some character’s ability for shape shifting and others inhabiting new host bodies, it was hard to keep track of who was being referred to by what name. Then there was the where and when of it all. Keeping track of who and what could do what? seemed to change often, and although there were explanations as to why, it was still hard to keep track of and follow. I actually wound up buying the books, so I had references and lists of who is who and what is what. It would’ve been nice to include that information as part of the Audiobook. I also had a difficult time wrapping my brain around some of the when details. For example, it appears that this is an ancient world without electricity or cars or weapons, more advanced than magic swords, and even when we jump centuries ahead, nothing is changed In that regard. I know, I know it’s fantasy but still I would expect if I jumped 1000 years ahead with all that magic someone would have figured out how to travel without a horse, or cook without an open fire.
That being said, I enjoyed the story enough to actually purchase the books and was motivated enough to spend time figuring all the above out.
My favorite books in this genre are the ones that are not obvious and predictable. Books where the characters are complex and often neither clearly good guys or bad guys. Books that invite thought about idea’s and values and the nature of mankind and how those concepts and lessons can be applied today. This trilogy does not disappoint in that regard. In fact, at the end of the second book in the series, I’m still not sure who the good guys or bad guys are? Excellent character development, I found myself getting really attached to certain characters.
The series makes one contemplate the concept of what sacrifices are acceptable and moral for the greater good of all in the long long run, which in this series can be centuries, . We are also invited to consider who best should make those decisions. The narrator did a good job given that the character voices had to change as their personalities and ages changed over the years. He did an excellent job with the women’s voices especially. I didn’t really even notice that it was a male narrator, doing a young females voice, and that is often not the case. One of the other things I appreciated about the series is that the author didn’t find it necessary to add a lot of detailed sexual content or offensive language and although there’s a lot of violence, I could actually recommend this to my older grandchildren, unlike many popular series nowadays. For example Game of Thrones.
I should note that I started this series after listening to “The will of the many” by the same author, and that is a book I truly believe is destined to be a classic and I can’t recommend it highly enough. So if I had read this series first I most likely would have had higher praise. On to book three.
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East of Eden
- By: John Steinbeck
- Narrated by: Richard Poe
- Length: 25 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
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This sprawling and often brutal novel, set in the rich farmlands of California's Salinas Valley, follows the intertwined destinies of two families - the Trasks and the Hamiltons - whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel.
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Why have I avoided this Beautiful Book???
- By Kelly on 03-25-17
- East of Eden
- By: John Steinbeck
- Narrated by: Richard Poe
Great Book! Outstanding Performance.
Reviewed: 08-01-23
One of my favorite books of all time! Especially relevant for me as it’s set in my homeland. A wonderful history of the Salinas Valley, the greater Bay Area, San Francisco and Sacramento.
But the real beauty of this classic , for me is the in depth exploration of the nature of man. The biblical passages regarding Adem and Eve and Cain and Able are brought into a new light.
This books has so many levels that each time I read it, it’s like a new novel.
The narration is exactly perfect.
A must read/listen! Highly recommend !
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The Polygamist’s Daughter
- A Memoir
- By: Anna LeBaron, Leslie Wilson - contributor
- Narrated by: Anna LeBaron
- Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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"My father had more than 50 children." So begins the haunting memoir of Anna LeBaron, daughter of the notorious polygamist and murderer Ervil LeBaron. With her father wanted by the FBI for killing anyone who tried to leave his cult - a radical branch of Mormonism - Anna and her siblings were constantly on the run with the other sister-wives. Often starving and always desperate, the children lived in terror. Even though there were dozens of them together, Anna always felt alone.
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Bait and Switch
- By A. C. on 04-25-17
- The Polygamist’s Daughter
- A Memoir
- By: Anna LeBaron, Leslie Wilson - contributor
- Narrated by: Anna LeBaron
Not for everyone, important book for me personally
Reviewed: 06-11-23
I’m pretty sure this book will not resonate with a lot of people. But for a great many people it will be very inspiring. This is one of those books that one must listen to until the very end to get the full benefit. The story itself is very interesting and shocking, and a true story. I know that it’s absolutely true, because my Aunt and nephew were members of a branch of this cult . A sister wife.
But for myself the real point of the book is how Anna was able to cope with the extremely abusive, mental and physical situations she was trapped in and move on to heal and thrive and find joy.
Her healing journey and discovery was also mine.
This book is yet another example of the institutionalized misogyny that is ingrained in many religions world wide. not just Mormons. The belief that to be a good spiritual female, one must submit, shut up, put up and obey. These believes are so ingrained and generational that they have become part of our subconscious as a society as a whole, even outside of religious venues. When it is OK for world leaders to brag about abusing and violating women, ie: access, Hollywood tapes. and those beliefs and actions are just shrugged off and accepted. It feels like a repeat violation to those of us who have survived abuse.
Anne’s story is a wonderful example of how it’s possible to break free without sacrificing our Faith. And in fact resulting in a stronger truer, more authentic faith. This is the gift this book offers. So for some of us it’s 5 stars.
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The Beloved Daughter
- By: Alana Terry
- Narrated by: Kathy Garver
- Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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In a small North Korean village, a young girl struggles to survive. Catastrophic floods have ravaged her countryside. But it is her father's faith, not the famine of North Hamyong Province, that most threatens Chung-Cha's well-being. Is Chung-Cha's father right to be such a vocal believer? Or is he a fool to bring danger on the head of his only daughter? Chung-Cha is only a girl of twelve and is too young to answer such questions. Yet she is not too young to face a life of imprisonment and forced labor.
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Deeply Moving
- By Annie Douglass Lima on 11-05-13
- The Beloved Daughter
- By: Alana Terry
- Narrated by: Kathy Garver
Many parts of this book were excellent.
Reviewed: 06-08-23
This is a good example of two things being true. The subject of the book is an important one, and these stories need to be told. As a member of a persecuted faith, myself, (Bahai) , I am very much aware of the horrific decision that many people are forced to make every day in so many places in the world, right now In 2023. The decision to renounce ones faith or suffer, unspeakable horrors and torture, and often times death and even worse than the making of that decision is knowledge that they are undoubtedly putting their loved ones in danger, as well as themselves. I give thanks to God every day that I live in a country where I can worship God and follow my heart openly, and without fear. I wonder how many Americans truly appreciate how fortunate we are. My hope is that we never take this important freedom for granted or allow others to diminish the strength of this freedom by those who believe that their way is the only valid way. I also believe that we are all connected and that until we are ALL free to worship God as our hearts and conscious’s guide us, that none of us are truly free. That being said, I’m very glad I read the book.
It is also true that many parts of the book were disappointing . It could have been so much better. I felt many of the characters were only partially developed, leaving me with so many questions and an incomplete feeling. It also seemed to me that several characters had the potential for being very inspiring but were written in such a way that it was hard to understand, relate, or look up to them.
I thought this was a big missed opportunity for the author. Even the very basis for the narrative, the letter to the daughter, left me feeling a lack of completion, a sort of emptiness. It left me questioning the point. The point I presume being that we (Must love God, even more than our own children or our own families. That we must put serving God first) But sadly none of the characters in the book were developed strongly enough or written, convincingly enough to inspire that conviction.
Many characters had the potential to do so, and almost did, with the imprisoned revered grandmother coming closest. However sadly none quite got there. That was the most disappointing part of the book for me. The narration was also difficult for me. The voice of the guards and police were almost all the same and I found them portrayed in such an over the top “caricature” that it lacked believability thus making it hard to take a very serious situation seriously.
I noticed in some other reviews, the statement being made that it was unbelievable that someone would choose their faith first in a situation like this . This made me sad because if the book had accomplished, it’s goal, the readers would have known that many people DO make that decision every day, and that decision is torturous in itself. But there is also often a profound sense of peace and even joy found by these authentic, sincere martyrs that I find truly inspirational.
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Dear Edward
- A Novel
- By: Ann Napolitano
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Among them are a Wall Street wunderkind, a young woman coming to terms with an unexpected pregnancy, an injured veteran returning from Afghanistan, a business tycoon, and a free-spirited woman running away from her controlling husband. Halfway across the country, the plane crashes. Edward is the sole survivor.
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Stunning characterization and compelling storytelling!
- By Amazon User on 01-29-20
- Dear Edward
- A Novel
- By: Ann Napolitano
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
Thank you Ann Napolitano
Reviewed: 06-07-23
While reading this book a train crash in India happened on June 2nd 2023 resulting in these numbers :
Deaths
At least 288 people
Non-fatal injuries
At least 1,200 people
Rescued
At least 30 people
This book helped sort out my own feelings of trauma in regards the train wreck and the devastating earthquakes in Syria and Turkey with death, tolls climbing over 5000. In February 2923.
The author does an amazing job of describing working through and making sense of the grief process. The book was therapy for me personally. Thank you Ann Napolitano .
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