Anonymous

A war book, not a romance. Awful

Reviewed: 05-03-19

I might have misunderstood the glowing recommendation for this book. The review said there were parts the listener went back to over and over. I had a completely different experience. It was horrific. The death and misery were constant. I managed to keep slogging through waiting for good news or happy conclusion, disappointed again. Absurd violence. I want to get my money back.

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26 people found this helpful

So good, I had to stop listening.

Reviewed: 12-30-15

What made the experience of listening to Reclaiming Conversation the most enjoyable?

I thought I was buying an audio book about conversation (hints for conversation starters at parties, etc.). That was my mistake. This book details how families, parents, teens, young adults are so distracted by phones and apps that they can't have a face to face conversation. I liked hearing how families are dealing with the digital onslaught.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Couldn't take it anymore. It is a long book and I really didn't want to hear anymore about families and couples that fight, eat dinner, spend time with each other while constantly being on their phones. I hate to see it in real life and so found it too irritating to listen to for the whole book.

Have you listened to any of Kirsten Potter’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

I can't believe families have fights on text, group text apps. I am worried about us.

Any additional comments?

Ugh. In a way I guess I am glad to know this info, but I really wish I didn't.

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10 people found this helpful

An Informative Listen for Ole Miss Rebels

Reviewed: 03-29-15

Would you listen to The Band Played Dixie again? Why?

I think once was enough, but part of that is that as a white alumnus of Ole Miss, I find the history of race relations disturbing, if also, fascinating.

What did you like best about this story?

I know some of the students and staff involved in trying to bring full integration and acceptance to Ole Miss and remember several of the incidents and hardships that occurred.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

I had to think about the narration more of someone just reading the book, I think others probably don't like her accent. There wasn't a lot of energy in her voice and it wasn't edited in a way that I am used to. I did speed it up to 1.5x. I would rather have an 'ok' narration than no narration at all.

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

The horror and fear I imagine James Meredith must have felt when entering campus for his first day. I greatly admire his quiet tenacity.

Any additional comments?

Those Mississippi politicians sure don't like progress...and I like really getting the inside picture of what happened.

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Fun, Warm Story

Reviewed: 03-15-15

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

It was fun, compelling, easy to follow (I listen in the car or when walking, there is a lot of stopping and starting). Ranks in the top 10%.

What was one of the most memorable moments of One Plus One?

I loved when he turns the car around to help this little family against his better judgement.

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

Made me smile and the scene with the testing made me grit my teeth (if you are a parent, you have been there with someone in a 'position of authority at school')!

Any additional comments?

JoJo Moyes, makes you think without realizing it. ha

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Shallow Characters

Reviewed: 03-15-15

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Years would pass with everyone doing exactly the same thing, even though they were so unhappy.

Would you ever listen to anything by Francine Rivers again?

Probably not. I don't normally listen to Christian fiction, it felt hollow to me, flat characters.

What about Kate Forbes’s performance did you like?

She did a great job.

Do you think Bridge to Haven needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, where would the conflict come from?

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I Don't Believe It

Reviewed: 03-15-15

What did you like best about The Silent Sister? What did you like least?

The main character works with troubled teenagers but is probably one of the most gullible I have seen in a while. At every clue to the mystery, she says 'I don't believe it' -- I was thinking, really?? It was compelling and the story was interesting, I just wanted Riley to 'get it' more.

If you’ve listened to books by Diane Chamberlain before, how does this one compare?

This is my first one.

What aspect of Susan Bennett’s performance would you have changed?

A little whiney maybe.

Do you think The Silent Sister needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, not sure what else to build on, unless the brother comes around, I think a followup would be a forced story.

Any additional comments?

Want Riley to be stronger.

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Entertaining AND Got Me to Meditate!

Reviewed: 03-15-15

What did you love best about 10% Happier?

I found Dan Harris' book and narration to be at times laugh out loud funny, and irreverent without being preachy.

What other book might you compare 10% Happier to and why?

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, part autobiography, part self help.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from 10% Happier?

I started meditating a few days before I finished the book. I always felt like I didn't have time, plus, I had no idea how to go about it. I downloaded a free mediation app, and made the promise to mediate daily, even if for only two minutes. I am on a three month roll, only missing 2 days.

Any additional comments?

He takes a topic I previously thought of as boring and too 'out there' and helps us see that it can be a very grounding practice. He also entertains along the way. I appreciated his honesty with his life.

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Beautifully written, but confusing to listen to.

Reviewed: 03-02-15

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

This was a book where I often had the thought 'Wow, I want to remember that'. It was beautiful, the story full and rich.

What other book might you compare All the Light We Cannot See to and why?

The Book Thief.

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

The narrator did a wonderful job, I just think this book doesn't adapt well for listening. I was confused almost every time I listened. Who was he talking about? What year is it? Where are we?! A lot of the names started with a 'V' sound, and I just could not seem to keep them straight in my head. I wish I would have read the book rather than listening.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Would have made it much less confusing.

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An Enjoyable Tale

Reviewed: 01-11-15

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

I bought this as buy one get one and had not read or listened to the author before. Because it was BOGO I was expecting a book only half worth the listen. I had to slow down my listening speed to accommodate the accent of the narrator and was worried at first that there were just too many characters to get to know. This ranked in my top third of audio books.

What other book might you compare The Escape to and why?

I guess I might slightly compare to a Jane Austen book.

Which character – as performed by Rosalyn Landor – was your favorite?

I felt time was taken with the characters and that I got to know them. It is hard to pick a favorite, but I did love Benedict! The main piece I found enjoyable was that the author took her time, the story was not rushed, the ending, was satisfying, there wasn't too much drama, more what felt like natural reactions from people considering their situations.

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

Did make me smile.

Any additional comments?

Compelling and engaging.

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8 people found this helpful

Shallow, crude, I had to quit listening

Reviewed: 02-28-14

What disappointed you about Seduction and Snacks?

Sorry, but I couldn't take it anymore. I may be older than the intended audience by a generation. There was one reader for two characters (male and female) and I kept getting confused as to who was talking. Also, when one character says to her BFF's father "I am so happy if I was a dog I would be humping your leg!" that was it for me. Really? Do people say that? Disgusting. 4 year old character uses 'S' word, frickin', loads of other bad language. Characters constantly talking about crude sex, not loving sex, just casual, disconnected sex. I didn't care enough about the characters to keep listening and there was no growth or forward movement. I really kind of want my money back.

What could Tara Sivec have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Let the characters grow up and talk about something else, or at least talk about sex with a little more maturity -- they sounded like 15 year old boys.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Romy Nordlinger?

She was really fine, if they would have had a man do the man's version, it would have been much less confusing.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disgust and disappointment. There were a couple of laugh out loud moments but it wasn't worth wading through their immaturity.

Any additional comments?

Can I get a refund?

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2 people found this helpful