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Ryan Healey

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Great Book.. What's up the fake accents?

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-26-19

I like Ronan Farrow a lot. I think he's a talented journalist and this book is terrific. However, whoever directed him when reading to change his voice when reading quotes from a woman, those from other counties, etc. had to be kidding. I laughed out loud at several points when Farrow takes on these odd identities to read their comments. It really is distracting from the performance.

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STOP and buy The Five Second Rule instead.

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-19-17

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I LOVE Mel Robbins. However, I first listened to her newest book The Five Second Rule and the bulk of this material is in The Five Second Rule but is fresher in that new text and has been rebranded. This is What The Five Second Rule was Before I Called It That.

What didn’t you like about Joyce Bean’s performance?

She isn't Mel Robbins. Mel is a renowned speaker and has an amazing way of delivering her message that is very engaging. Hearing someone else "pretend" to be Mel isn't Mel. Shame she didn't record the audiobook of this herself but she does in her next title that I mentioned above.

Any additional comments?

Don't get me wrong, love her, love the message, love the content but so much is repeated it's just better to buy the newer book with newer name and you'll still get 90% of the information in Mel's own voice.

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162 people found this helpful

Good Affirmations... A Bit Robotic

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-01-17

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

If you are looking for a series of affirmations concerning success and need some to get you going on creating your own this is a fine start at a good price.

Would you recommend Law of Attraction Success Bundle to your friends? Why or why not?

As this is a recording of affirmations done in a studio, it feels very odd to begin the recording with someone reading the title and "fake applause" in the background for the first thirty seconds. There is no audience. There doesn't have to be. There shouldn't be clapping behind the announcer's voice.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The woman narrating seems to be more of a voice actor than someone who practices the Law of Attraction. She does a good job reading and her voice is pleasant but she doesn't have any inflection nor is one to led to believe she has knowledge of the topic.

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1 person found this helpful

I Believe ... But Takes Some Getting Used To

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-01-17

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I have studied the Law of Attraction for many years and believe it in. Having listened the the works of Louise Hay, Rhonda Burne and others. I truly believe you bring positive and negative things to your life driven by your thoughts and hearing different "teachers" takes on this is helpful to find what works for you.

What did you like best about this story?

The basic explanation of the Law of Attraction without all the "over production" of The Secret. Oh, I love The Secret but it can be so flashy at times you need to peel that back.

What three words best describe Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks ’s voice?

THIS is my only "issue" with Esther and Jerry. What they have to say is powerful, it's how they say it. The Secret was VERY polished and designed for a mass audience and it worked to get people to understand the LOA that may not have. However, on the other hand, the Hicks take some getting used to. I can't speak for current recordings as I am not there yet but here Esther takes on a accent and starts "yelling" for lack of a better term when she is speaking for Abraham. Jerry sounds like a radio announcer who is interviewing a subject but it not connected to the material. I really feel if Esther spoke has herself and simply relayed to us what she felt Abraham had shared with her it would be easier to consume the information. Jerry relaxing a bit and having a conversation where he also shared his thoughts would be nice. I believe but the "presentation" of a intelligent woman suddenly changing her voice can be jarring until you adjust.

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46 people found this helpful

Let Go Now: Embracing Detachment Audiobook By Karen Casey cover art

Changed My Point of View Completely!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-31-15

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

I am often asked for advice by friends and family. I then have a nasty habit of taking on the problem as my own. Sometimes, the other party has come to expect it. In fact, I have a close friend who is having relationship issues and has turned to me. She has not followed my advice so I have actually LOST SLEEP over HER relationship problems and what more "I" can do.

This book spoke to ME perfectly! Why on Earth am I getting involved beyond simple advice? Why do I let it bother me if someone doesn't follow my council? Why do I give it and play "traffic cop", a term the book uses. Why do I let them keep coming back with their problem and treat it like a "project"? It's NOT MINE to worry about!

DETACHMENT is the answer! I actually keep going back and re-listening to chapters over and over again and have felt weight actually lifted off my shoulders as the author touches on a topic that I have experienced.

I have listened to many self-development books from this site. I've enjoyed most, some actually have me nodding my head in agreement when listening and taking notes. THIS is one of them!

What other book might you compare Let Go Now: Embracing Detachment to and why?

Maybe I'll relate it slightly to the work of Louise Hay or SOME of Rhonda Byrnes ("The Power").

What about Kristin Allison’s performance did you like?

I like her performance very much as she is very clear and easy to understand, but I have to say that at some points I felt like I was listening to the voice of the computer on Star Trek. She sometimes comes off as if she is Siri. LOL

Any additional comments?

If I were do change anything about this book, it would be it endless references to "God" and "Prayer". I was raised Catholic and am quite open minded when it comes to religion. I just think more people would relate to this if the author went with "the universe" or instead of prayer "meditation".

When an author takes a topic like detachment and keeps linking it back to prayer and God and says "He will guide you.." it just rubs me the wrong way. Keep religious references out of books like this so more people can relate regardless of their beliefs.

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Not Another Tolle Lecture!

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-13-15

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes, I enjoy books by Eckhart Tolle where he is narrating his own text. Sadly, I didn't realize this is simply another recording of one of his retreats. I've listen to these before. There is a lot of background noise that is very distracting from the audience and Tolle is not focused when speaking to an audience. He rambles and goes off on tangents that make him hard to follow. I highly recommend Tolle, but be careful it's not just a recording of a speech of you'll find yourself lost, wondering why he is chuckling and taking long pauses (a drink of water?) and why the audience is louder than him at points.

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Just Not My Cup of Religous Tea

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 12-15-14

What did you like best about The Ten Bridges of Transformation? What did you like least?

I have listened to Marianne Williamson in bits and pieces before and knew her works were "spiritual". What I didn't expect from this book was her to give right into the Bible, "God" and "The Holy Spirit" as if preaching from a church alter. I am a spiritual person, but wanted these "Bridges of Transformation" to not have to rely on religious beliefs.

What was most disappointing about Marianne Williamson’s story?

Just the fact she ties everything back to religious teachings. Strip that away and I am sure much is to be gained from the basic concept.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Marianne Williamson?

Yes Marianne Williamson is an engaging narrator.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a book more like "The Secret" or "Ten Things to Do When Your Life Falls Apart" (which inspire without quoting scripture) then this isn't it, sadly. I was so hoping for another viewpoint.

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7 people found this helpful

Interesting, but hard to listen to!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-24-14

What did you love best about There's More to Life than This?

I have watched Theresa Caputo on television and while she is an original, I do believe much of what she experiences is true. I was glad to learn more about her life and experiences in this book.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I feel terrible saying this, but Theresa did a horrible job narrating her own book! I know she had assistance writing it but she reads it as if she isn't even aware what is coming next. Her delivery is monotone, she pauses mid-sentence at times and it feels like she is reading someone else's book aloud. That was VERY distracting from the experience. If the author of a book is not good at reading it with emotion and as if they are storytelling (as Theresa should be since it's HER life story) then they should not do the audiobook.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Theresa Caputo is not a good narrator and I am surprised they didn't spot this in production and work with her to improve her delivery of the text.

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18 people found this helpful

Valuable but DATED!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
2 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-06-14

Where does Stock Investing for Dummies, 2nd Edition rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

While I consider myself intelligent I have always found the "for Dummies" series of books very easy to navigate and understand and well laid out. The same is true here. The format of these books is excellent no matter the topic.

What was most disappointing about Paul Mladjenovic’s story?

DATED! I learned a great deal in the first half, however then the text became very dated. I was stunned when the author began speaking of the house market as if we should be cautious, but the problems MAY happen. I then realized this text was two versions older than the book sold on Amazon.com. Not good in a topic like stocks where advice needs to stay current!

Would you be willing to try another one of Brett Barry’s performances?

Yes, I found his voice and reading engaging unlike some other books I have listened to where the information is valuable, but the narrator makes you go numb.

Any additional comments?

Please search for a NEWER version of this book before purchase. This is the SECOND EDITION and the FORTH EDITION is in print on Amazon.com. This book will help you understand the terms of stock investing... but whenever it ventures onto "current events" it is a few years off the mark.

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6 people found this helpful

Good Information, Poor Narration.

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-20-14

What did you love best about You Can Heal Your Heart?

First, let me start my review by being clear this book is not REALLY “By Louise Hay” as they want you to think. I adore Louise Hay, I have all her books. However, Louise is not 87 years old and clearly can not or does not want to write additional books on her own. For whatever reason (to sell books and make profits, I assume) her publishing company, Hay House, has developed a new “idea”. They have another author write 99.5% of a book, they have said author narrate 99.5% of said book, they have the author lovely mention Louise having input into the text and then you will hear Louise read a few affirmations or make a VERY brief comment during the audio. They then slap her name on the cover as a co-author which I believe does her and her fans a major disservice. That is what Hay House has done here. That is what they did with “All Is Well”. I hope they stop, but I had a strong feeling when I bought his book that is what they had done so I wasn't totally shocked, just rolled my eyes.

What other book might you compare You Can Heal Your Heart to and why?

As I said "All is Well" and that is not a good thing.

Would you be willing to try another one of Louise Hay and David Kessler ’s performances?

This book is not read by Louise Hay. It is almost entirely David Kessler and a flaw of the audiobook which I have seen far too often is having the author read it. David Kessler is not a good narrator. He actually stops a few times mid-sentence as if he lost his place or was unsure where to pause (I thought it was me, I re-listened, nope.) and a couple of times uses the term “herself” when he means “himself” and “her” when he mean “him”. He does THAT several times and I have no idea if the actual book is also incorrect but you spot it each time. Why they let those error get released instead of simply re-recording that portion escapes me. However, as informative as David Kessler's information may be, his reading of his own text shouldn't have happened and it can be distracting. He is also very monotone.

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

That above said, there IS VALUE to this book. The READ author David Kessler does impart important information about grief be it via a breakup, divorce or death as the book claims. I made notes of a number of things he shared and found it very helpful. So I recommend this book.

Any additional comments?

I am a longtime user of Audible and typically review the books I have listened to to help others. I will say that the "review form" is very poor as it asks you question that may have not be what you care to discuss about the book. SO, if my responses don't quite answer the question asked, sorry. The form forces you to adapt it to your own needs.

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20 people found this helpful