Erin Ainsworth
- 79
- reviews
- 26
- helpful votes
- 95
- ratings
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The Autobiography of Henry VIII
- By: Margaret George
- Narrated by: David Case
- Length: 41 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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Margaret George's novel brings into focus the larger-than-life King Henry VIII, monarch of prodigious appetites for wine, women, and song.
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Perfection!
- By Amy M. Walts on 10-20-07
- The Autobiography of Henry VIII
- By: Margaret George
- Narrated by: David Case
The Autobiography of Henry VIII
Reviewed: 06-11-25
I actually really enjoyed this book! I have read many books regarding this particular Tudor period. I have seen Henry painted as the victim, Anne Boleyn as a misunderstood sweetheart, and then also having them be absolutely evil.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from George. I read her Helen of Troy and The Memoirs of Cleopatra and also really enjoyed them. However, all the books have the issue of lagging in the middle and there are times when nothing happens.
However, I actually appreciated her portrayal of Henry VIII. He wasn’t a saint/ victim, but he wasn’t the most evil version I have read before. You can see his thought process and George does not shy away from sarcastic hypocritical viewpoints. This felt like a realistic portrayal of this period of history, and it is worth the time!
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Intimacy with the Almighty
- Encountering Christ in the Secret Places of Your Life
- By: Charles R. Swindoll
- Narrated by: Maurice England
- Length: 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Noise and words and frenzied, hectic schedules dull our senses, closing our ears to His still, small voice and making us numb to His touch. Charles Swindoll offers all new insights from his own journal to guide people on a journey of intimacy with God.
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Intimacy with the Almighty
- By Erin Ainsworth on 05-28-25
- Intimacy with the Almighty
- Encountering Christ in the Secret Places of Your Life
- By: Charles R. Swindoll
- Narrated by: Maurice England
Intimacy with the Almighty
Reviewed: 05-28-25
Whew! This book is short but challenging and deep! I had to journal about each decision and discipline so I could remember them since I listened to this book. I actually think this was really helpful since having it written down both helps me retain it and allows me to refer back to it easily.
This book is challenging, because it really goes against our general society and culture. Creating spaces of serenity and solitude is extremely difficult as our lives are chock full and busy busy busy. We have to be intentional and focused on purposefully making space and therein is the biggest issue. We have to make space to spend time with God. Just like we would with our spouse or kids. I both love this idea and struggle with it as there are many things that make me “feel good,” but ultimately do not serve me or my spiritual walk. Escapism and instant gratification are rampant in our world, and we must focus on developing a deeper walk with God through self-control. This is a great book for those who have a desire to go deeper in their walk with Christ, but don’t expect the outcome to be easy or simple. We must cultivate our intimacy with God with purpose and intent!!
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The Two Towers
- Lord of the Rings, Book 2
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Andy Serkis
- Length: 20 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
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The company of the Ring is torn asunder. Frodo and Sam continue their journey alone down the great River Anduin - alone, that is, save for the mysterious creeping figure that follows wherever they go. This continues the classic tale begun in The Fellowship of the Ring, which reaches its awesome climax in The Return of the King.
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.Andy Serkis reads well, sings terribly
- By Jessica on 09-25-21
- The Two Towers
- Lord of the Rings, Book 2
- By: J. R. R. Tolkien
- Narrated by: Andy Serkis
The Two Towers-Andy Serkis
Reviewed: 05-23-25
I have read, reread and read this book again. I have dramatized versions, Rob Inglis’ audio version and obviously the actual book itself. I grew up with Lord of the Rings and it is easily my favorite fantasy story. Serkis does a phenomenal job in reading this book, as you can imagine. Obviously, Gollum is superb, but all the other characters are just as well done. Some actors cannot read dynamically, but Serkis is fantastic and I highly recommend listening to his version. I also love Rob Inglis too, but Serkis impressed me and I had pretty high expectations from the start. You will not regret getting his take on the story-telling!
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Helen of Troy
- A Novel
- By: Margaret George
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
- Length: 30 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Daughter of a god, wife of a king, prize of antiquity's bloodiest war, Helen of Troy has inspired artists for millennia. Now Margaret George, the highly acclaimed best-selling historical novelist, has turned her intelligent, perceptive eye to the myth that is Helen of Troy.
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A Very Different Take Than Homer
- By Troy on 08-31-12
- Helen of Troy
- A Novel
- By: Margaret George
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
Helen of Troy
Reviewed: 05-23-25
I actually read this in the past in book form, while this time around I listened to it. I have read a number of Margaret George’s books as well, and while I enjoy her take on historical or mythical fiction I also find her books rather long and sometimes dull. I really enjoy Troy mythology in general and also enjoyed several aspects of this book. George plays with the Greek god mythology beautifully in this story. She incorporates them, but they are placed into a very real and brutal world. Some tellings of this story have a more mystical view, and I enjoyed the mix in this novel. Helen is not a victim and George portrays her as very strong and almost courageous character. In fact, most of the women in this telling are strong and unique. Obviously, George tells this story from the women’s perspective. You feel Helen’s loss and sorrow as well as her joy and passion, and none of the characters come across one dimensional. I also appreciated the glimpse into her childhood and the competition for her hand in marriage, as it provided a good foundation for the story. While this is an enjoyable telling of Troy, it can also drag along quite a bit. So be prepared for moments of action and character development, while wishing the story would move along a bit faster as well!
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Iron Flame
- Empyrean, Book 2
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 28 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
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Everyone expected Violet Sorrengail to die during her first year at Basgiath War College-Violet included. But Threshing was only the first impossible test meant to weed out the weak-willed, the unworthy, and the unlucky. Now the real training begins, and Violet’s already wondering how she’ll get through. It’s not just that it’s grueling and maliciously brutal, or even that it’s designed to stretch the riders’ capacity for pain beyond endurance. It’s the new vice commandant, who’s made it his personal mission to teach Violet exactly how powerless she is–unless she betrays the man she loves.
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I wish I could throw this book off a cliff.
- By Rebekah L Johnson on 11-10-23
- Iron Flame
- Empyrean, Book 2
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton
Iron Flame
Reviewed: 05-17-25
I cannot decide if I preferred this book or Fourth Wing more. Both books have twists that really make the story surprising and engaging, You really want to know what happens next.
I think adding the Flyers in this book elevated it just a tad beyond Fourth Wing. Also, both endings are really blood pumping, but the twist of Barlow being Venin and the death of General Sorrengail, I’m not sure you can beat that ending. Of course the ultimate ending of Xaden becoming Venin was both surprising, but also something I guessed pretty quick. Thankfully, there was less smut in this book, which definitely elevated it in my eyes. I was also very interested in Xaden’s additional signet. I keep thinking that Violet may also get another one once Andarna comes of age, especially with Andarna being so unique, but we shall see. I am really enjoying this series. There are still moments of the writer being a little too self aware, but the story is good enough that I am not overly distracted by it. I am definitely excited to start Onyx Storm!
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Fourth Wing
- Empyrean, Book 1
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton
- Length: 21 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
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Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders. But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.
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Erotica with Dragons
- By Trev on 05-13-23
- Fourth Wing
- Empyrean, Book 1
- By: Rebecca Yarros
- Narrated by: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton
Fourth Wing
Reviewed: 04-26-25
This is an excellent book! The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I don’t enjoy explicit sex scenes in books. But, that is my preference, and I know many others who love them. They are unrealistic and set an unattainable expectation.
Regardless, this book is incredibly engaging and well written. Violets character development is realistic and heartfelt. Yarros doesn’t shy away from violence or from hurting her protagonist, and Violet doesn’t suddenly become super powerful and untouchable. You get the sense of the struggle it takes to become a dragon rider, and therefore you understand the honor of being successful. But, you also can’t get too attached to characters since many die. Also, the twists in the plot are astonishing and they definitely keep you captivated. Yarros weaves an excellent story, and a unique one considering how many dragon rider books are out there. This is most definitely a more superior story than many of the ones on the market.
This is a definite read in my book. 😉 But, I would skip the sex stuff. Just my two cents!
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Fallen
- A Fallen Novel, Book 1
- By: Lauren Kate
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
- Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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There's something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori. Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price's attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah, Georgia. He's the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.
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This again?
- By Jennifer on 04-22-10
- Fallen
- A Fallen Novel, Book 1
- By: Lauren Kate
- Narrated by: Justine Eyre
Fallen
Reviewed: 04-26-25
I read this book after watching the pretty awful movie, and I was curious to see if the book was better. It was marginally better, though it was also darker.
The characters still felt one dimensional, and the only event that was really moving was Penn’s death at the end. I was not moved by the love story or Cams distraction at all. However, I loved the backdrop the story was told against. Old houses with cemeteries and chapels? I love the history and ambience that the location gives, but the story itself felt lackluster. I may read the next one to see if it gets better, as I would love to read flashbacks and see if the history provides more layers to the story.
I was also annoyed by the narrator as I listened to this book. She was American, but seemed to try and speak with an English accent only on certain words. It was odd and distracting. Maybe read this one instead of listening to it to avoid the distraction.
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Murtagh
- The World of Eragon
- By: Christopher Paolini
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle, Christopher Paolini
- Length: 24 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The world is no longer safe for the Dragon Rider Murtagh and his dragon, Thorn. An evil king has been toppled, and they are left to face the consequences of the reluctant role they played in his reign of terror. Now they are hated and alone, exiled to the outskirts of society. Throughout the land, hushed voices whisper of brittle ground and a faint scent of brimstone in the air—and Murtagh senses that something wicked lurks in the shadows of Alagaësia. So begins an epic journey into lands both familiar and untraveled.
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Warning: Spoiler rant
- By Abbadon on 11-11-23
- Murtagh
- The World of Eragon
- By: Christopher Paolini
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle, Christopher Paolini
Murtagh
Reviewed: 04-26-25
I think I expected this novel to feel more like the original series. Ultimately, it does and it doesn’t, which I think is fitting.
The first series was about a morally upright protagonist. The typical hero in adventure stories that learns they are special, loses their mentor and ultimately saves everyone.
This book is about a man whose upbringing was miserable and dark, who wants to do the right thing, but is unable to duplicate the capability of the hero in the same way. His morals are positive, but colored by his past, and so he is not viewed the same as the hero.
Paolini is clearly not a fan of romance, no matter who it is, and Murtagh continues to be estranged from the woman he loves because he has been forced to do unspeakable things. In this way, it does not feel like the Eragon series.
However, the story is very compelling and engaging and has its own brand of redemption in it. I felt so bad for Thorn, but it was a nice contrast to Saphira. Even though I feel Paolini should allow love in these stories for his main characters, I think he wove a decent tale for Murtagh. It feels darker and there is more hopelessness, but the ending is decently satisfying, I suppose. If you enjoyed the Eragon series, this an excellent side story to enjoy at your leisure.
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The Christmas Book Hunt
- A Short Story
- By: Jenny Colgan
- Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton
- Length: 3 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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Mirren’s beloved great-aunt Violet is seriously ill. Her one Christmas wish is to be reunited with a long-lost hand-illustrated book from her childhood, a challenge Mirren gladly accepts to give Violet some much-needed festive cheer. With no sign of the cherished volume online, Mirren falls into the fascinating world of rare books. From London to snowy Hay-on-Wye and Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, she chases leads from bookshop to bookshop—and bumps into mysterious, charming Theo, who, unbeknownst to her, is searching for the same book for reasons of his own…
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Cute but a little boring at first
- By Mercy on 12-05-24
- The Christmas Book Hunt
- A Short Story
- By: Jenny Colgan
- Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton
The Christmas Book Hunt
Reviewed: 12-20-24
I have read other Colgan novels and while I greatly appreciate her love for books (books about books=priceless), I didn’t get into this one in the same way. While its endearing and kind of adventurous, I felt I had the read something similar from her. Her heroine was very like other heroines Colgan has written. I also forgot this book was set at Christmas time, since it could’ve easily happened at any time of the year. It is a sweet and endearing short read, but I wasn’t overly taken with it. I did enjoy how she roped other characters from other books into it, that was fun. Ultimately, a cute quick read, but not likely one I would want to read again.
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Nantucket White Christmas
- A Beach Plum Cove Novel, Book 3
- By: Pamela M. Kelley
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
- Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Born on Christmas, Angela Stark has always hated the holiday. Bad things always seem to happen and this year is no exception when she is fired and evicted on the first day of December. She was living and working as a maid in San Francisco. Who will hire her at this time of year, especially if they learn why she was fired? Her only option is to stay temporarily with her best friend Jane, but she is extremely allergic to cats. It's not ideal, but it doesn't look like she has a choice, until a certified letter arrives that changes everything.
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Relaxing read
- By Cathy Perry on 04-04-20
- Nantucket White Christmas
- A Beach Plum Cove Novel, Book 3
- By: Pamela M. Kelley
- Narrated by: Karissa Vacker
A Nantucket White Christmas
Reviewed: 12-18-24
I am not too enthused by this book. It has a fluffy, Hallmark feel to it, which I don’t mind. However, the plot felt implausible and random. Angela was sugary sweet, and everyone on the island, save one, just adores her and immediately lets her into their homes. She didn’t feel real, and therefore the rest of them and their reactions to her also didn’t feel real.
I also struggled with the narrators slightly sing song voice, but she wasn’t as bad as others I have heard. All in all, cute and short but not my favorite.
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