Author Archive for Jan – Page 2

Review: The Hoarder

By Jan

on January 4, 2020

The Hoarder

Author: Jess Kidd;
Genre: Mystery;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Aoife McMahon;
Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks (2018);
Rating: (4 / 5).

Another fun listen from Jess Kidd, this one narrated by Aoife McMahon. The story is contemporary, but uses flashbacks, and includes dysfunctional people, much like the author’s 2017 novel, Himself. The writing is lyrical, with absolutely wonderful descriptions and sharp, clever dialog.

I turn to him, breathing like Darth Vader through my mask, and shrug. I hope my shrug communicates a profound respect for his discarded possessions (twenty refuse sacks of empty sardine tins) combined with the regretful need for practical living.

He narrows his gimlet eyes. ‘You’re a little shit, aren’t you?’

The protagonist, Maud, has some mysteries in her past and now she finds herself immersed in a current one. Chapters alternate between time periods, and I was a little confused by character names, but it wasn’t a story that I had to concentrate on to enjoy.

Most Americans love Irish accents, and McMahon’s narration is wonderful; she differentiates between characters very well. I did listen to most of the book at 1.25 speed because it was a little slow for me.

Themes include hoarding (obviously), family secrets, caretakers, friendship, greed, and morality.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Modern Mystery Tagged with Jess Kidd, mystery

Review: The Seven Wonders

By Jan

on January 4, 2020

The Seven Wonders: A Novel of the Ancient World (Novels of Ancient Rome Book 1)

Author: Steven Saylor;
Genre: Historical Mystery;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Stephen Plunkett;
Publisher: Recorded Books (2012);
Rating: (4 / 5).

A very fun prequel to the Roma Sub Rosa historical mystery series, with a young Gordianus the Finder traveling the ancient world to see the seven wonders with his tutor, the famous poet, Antipater. The historical background was wonderful, of course, although this is fiction, and Saylor takes some license with the “facts.” Each wonder is accompanied by a mystery, and Gordianus tries to solve each of them, learning (and loving) along the way. There’s a secret concerning Antipater, too, which foreshadows the political situation back home in Rome.

Stephen Plunkett does a terrific job with the narration. This is the first time I’ve listened to him read, and I will definitely add him to my list of favorites.

So, this apparently means that Saylor will be continuing this Novels of Ancient Rome series, and I hope Gordianus returns soon.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Historical Mystery Tagged with historical mystery, Steven Saylor

Review: Wives and Daughters

By Jan

on November 23, 2019

Wives and Daughters

Author: Elizabeth Gaskell;
Genre: Victorian Novel;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Nadia May;
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc. (2005)
Rating: (5 / 5).

Absolutely stunning narration by Nadia May really kept this long listen alive for me. Her timing and accents were wonderful.

It’s a character-driven Victorian novel about young woman named Molly, the daughter of a doctor in an English country town, who has to deal with changes in her life. She’s only one of the many fun characters that Gaskell brought to life.

This was the author’s final novel and was unfinished, but don’t let that stop you; the afterword wraps up the story very well. The writing contains lots of subtle humor and pokes fun at society, which reminded me of Jane Austen’s work.

Highly recommended!

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Historical Novel Tagged with Elizabeth Gaskell, novel, victorian

Review: Artemis

By Jan

on November 17, 2019

Artemis

Author: Andy Weir;
Genre: Science Fiction;
Narrator: Rosario Dawson;
Publisher: Audible Studios (2017);
Rating: (4 / 5).

Many readers want to compare this book (unfavorably) to Weir’s”The Martian,” but I actually enjoyed this one more. It’s different, but better in some ways. There were less of the technical jargon and scientific concepts, although there were still plenty for the geeks. The story was compelling, although I didn’t really like the protagonist, Jazz. She’s a criminal, for one thing, and her past decisions have been pretty stupid. The smart-aleck dialog was funny a few times, but also got old fast. The other characters kind of made up for her, in my opinion.

The narration by Rosario Dawson was excellent. Her accents were convincing and her pacing was perfect. It was a little difficult to know exactly who was speaking some of the dialog sometimes, but the context was enough to follow the story.

Yeah, there’s a lot of foul language in this one, but that doesn’t bother me (I used to be a sailor, for pete’s sake); it was authentic, as much as we may dislike that aspect of our society. There is little actual violence, references to sex but nothing graphic, and lots of suspense.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Science-fiction Tagged with Andy Weir

Review: From Here to Eternity

By Jan

on October 26, 2019

From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death

Author: Caitlin Doughty;
Genre: Non-fiction;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Caitlin Doughty;
Publisher: Recorded Books (2017);
Rating: (4 / 5).

A fascinating review of the death practices of a few other countries, and how we Westerners might benefit from rethinking our own methods. Written (and narrated) by a young mortician who clearly has some alternate views on the funeral industry, this was so interesting that I almost listened straight through. Highly recommended.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Non-fiction Tagged with Caitlin Doughty

Queen Victorias Mysterious Daughter cover

Review: Queen Victoria’s Mysterious Daughter

By Jan

on October 3, 2019

Queen Victoria’s Mysterious Daughter: A Biography of Princess Louise
Author: Lucinda Hawksley;
Genre: Biography;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Jennifer M. Dixon;
Publisher: Tantor Audio (2018);
Rating: (4 / 5).

Queen Victoria had nine children (who all looked exactly alike, btw) between 1841 and 1857, although she was frightened of childbirth and didn’t like children. And she wasn’t a very good mother… Go figure.

This is an interesting and well-written biography of Princess Louise, the sixth child and fourth daughter born to Victoria and her consort, Prince Albert. Louise was an artist, although her family didn’t always take her seriously in that respect. She fought for independence from her tyrannical mother and for more equality for women, while still performing many of the state duties of a royal princess. She was definitely the least “royal” of her family, in the way she interacted with people of all classes and was easy to talk to. The book doesn’t skip over the rough parts of her personality, either; Louise had a fiery temper and little patience at times.

She also had quite an appetite for love, which shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, based on her upbringing. Her marriage was not a love match, and in fact, her husband was probably gay. They spent a lot of time apart, and Louise was rumored to have had several serious affairs, and even a child born out of wedlock.

The reason for the “mysterious” part of the title is that many of the first-hand accounts of the family’s life were purged by Beatrice, the youngest princess, after the queen’s death. Letters and documents related to Louise were very difficult to find, and some conjecture is necessary. But Hawksley makes sure to note when that was the case, and the amount and quality of the research behind the known facts are quite amazing.

The book is organized well and is mostly chronological. Even listening to the audiobook, I didn’t have a difficult time with the many names and titles of the royals, aristocrats, artists, and servants mentioned throughout. Jennifer M. Dixon does an outstanding job with the narration of the audiobook.

The book will interest anyone who wants to learn more about the royal family in general, and especially about Victoria’s children. Louise was definitely a woman ahead of her time.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review Tagged with English royalty, Lucinda Hawksley, Queen Victoria

A Boy and his Dog at the End of the World cover

Review: A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World

By Jan

on September 19, 2019

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World
Author: C.A. Fletcher;
Genre: Fantasy;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: C.A. Fletcher;
Publisher: Hachette Book Group (2019);
Rating: (4 / 5).

A boy lives with his family on a remote island after most of the people on Earth are long gone. A stranger steals his beloved dog and the boy decides to get her back. That’s the plot in a nutshell, and that’s the only thing you need to know going in. There are several big twists in the story, and I hope fellow reviewers don’t give them away.

This book, for me, was very sad. So many bad things happened to Griz that it started to get a little much. The author did quite a bit of foreshadowing via the first-person POV, and after a bit, I wasn’t surprised when another disaster came along. Griz showed constant resiliency and optimism, which equals hope. That was supposed to be enough to keep folks reading. It almost wasn’t for me, but I’m glad I stuck with it and hope you will, too. The themes are love of family, loyalty, and toughness in the face of adversity shine through.

The author narrated the audiobook and did surprisingly well. The writing was good enough that he didn’t have to use a lot of different accents so the listener could tell who was speaking, and those he did use were fine. The volume was solid throughout and the pacing was just right.

Includes lots of violence, including danger to animals. Some foul language. Animal lovers will find it hard-going.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Fantasy Tagged with apocalypse, C.A. Fletcher

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek cover

Review: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

By Jan

on September 19, 2019

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
Author: Kim Michele Richardson;
Genre: Historical Novel;
Format: Audiobook;
Narrator: Katie Schorr;
Publisher: Blackstone Audio (2019);
Rating: (4 / 5).

Set in 1930s Kentucky, this was a fascinating story about a young woman who delivers books to rural homes. She rides a mule as she works for the Kentucky Pack Horse library service, a short-lived, but important literary outreach to the isolated poor. The people of the hills are starving, both in body and soul, and she considers it a privilege to provide them with books and magazines to feed their intellect.

Cussie Mary is one of the rare blue-skinned people of that area of the country. She’s considered a “colored” and is treated as bad—or worse than—blacks. Themes include physical abuse, black lung disease, and labor struggles, but also redemption, forgiveness, and compassion. And love of books and reading, of course.

It’s not a fun read with those dark topics, but the novel is written wonderfully. The description is outstanding, and I felt the cold wind and smelled the wood smoke. There wasn’t a time during the story that it dragged, which is unusual for a novel this long (9.5 hours of the audiobook and 320 pages in the paperback). The characters are all unique and interesting, too.

The narration by Schorr is first-rate; her accents sounded authentic and her pacing was excellent. This is a perfect example of why listening to a book, versus reading text, is so valuable and enjoyable.

In categories Audiobooks, Book Review, Historical Novel, Reading Tagged with Kentucky Pack Horse library service