Download New Releases Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary

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Title: The Secret of Ella and Micha

Author: Jessica Sorensen

Narrator: Megan Hayes, Lake Roberts

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-30-13

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 69 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A rule-breaker with a fiery attitude, Ella always wore her heart on her sleeve. Then, she left everything behind to go to college, where she transformed into someone who follows the rules, keeps everything together, and hides all her problems. Now it's summer break and she has nowhere else to go but home. But once there, Ella fears that everything she's worked so hard to bury might resurface - especially with Micha living right next door.

Smart, sexy, and confident, Micha can get under Ella's skin like no one else. He knows everything about her, including her darkest secrets. If he tries to tempt the old Ella to return, he will be impossible to resist. But what Ella doesn't realize is that when she left, she took a piece of Micha's heart with her. Now he's determined to win back the girl he lost, no matter what it takes.

Members Reviews:

Another great New Adult Romance!!

This is such a sweet new adult style romance between two friends, Ella and Micha, who have known each other forever, growing up together. They both come from dysfunctional families Michas Dad ran out on them when he was 6 and Ellas Dad is an alcoholic and her mother suffers from bipolar disorder with delusions of grandeur.Just as Ella and Micha were about to take their relationship further than friendship one dark and stormy night, Ella decides to run to college without telling Micha where she is going. Traumas in her past that she blames herself for have pushed her over the edge and she decides to reinvent herself.Now, 8 months later, she is back, barely recognizable as the girl that had run from Micha. The old Ella burned brightly with an inner fire, she was reckless and fiery and passionate and always honest. Now she has repressed all that we she was deep inside and created a façade of a polite and preppy student but Micah can still see the old Ella, his Ella, burning on the inside and he wants her back.Ella broke my heart her perceived guilt completely defines her. Shes pretending to be happy as the new Ella and not quite getting there, shes not looking in mirrors because she cant bear to look at herself, and shes almost suffocating with panic over her memories. Shes been able to change who she is on the outside but cant truly change what is on the inside and certainly cant mask her bodys instinctive and fiery reaction to Micha and her blood is roaring with yearning to be close to him again.Micha has his own demons to contend with but, despite growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, hes incredibly mature and grounded and decides to hide these from Ella. Hes worried about her and instinctively wants to protect her. Hes confident he can rekindle the flame and bring the old Ella back.Theyre so sweet together. They complete each other. Its a lovely young romance and Im looking forward to the next chapter in their story.

Sweet and Touching

This young adult novel was pretty good. It was very sweet and heart felt. Depending on your upbringing, seeing into the "secrets" of Ella and Micha will either reach out to you in a way that soothe your own wounds and maybe settle conflicts within yourself; or give you a window into what that can be like for a young person going through some of life's greatly unfair tragedies in life and how that can mold someone.

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Title: The Best of Us

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Sarah Pekkanen

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-09-13

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 83 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Paradise isn't quite what it seems as four college friends meet for an island vacation in this captivating new novel from the acclaimed author of These Girls.

Following a once-in-a-lifetime invitation, a group of old college friends leap at the chance to bring their husbands for a week's vacation at a private villa in Jamaica to celebrate a former classmates' 35th birthday.

All four women are desperate for a break and this seems like a perfect opportunity. Tina is drowning under the demands of mothering four young children. Allie needs to escape from the shattering news about an illness that runs in her family. Savannah is carrying the secret of her husband's infidelity. And, finally, there's Pauline, who spares no expense to throw her husband an unforgettable birthday celebration, hoping it will gloss over the cracks that have already formed in their new marriage.

The week begins idyllically, filled with languorous days and late nights of drinking and laughter. But as a hurricane approaches the island, turmoil builds, forcing each woman to re-evaluate everything she's known about the others - and herself.

Members Reviews:

Love this!

This is my second book from this author. Absolutely loved it! I loved the characters, the story, the depth of the characters personalities. I want there to be a sequel , I have thought about these people all day today!

Intriguing Tale of Friendship & Desire

Where does The Best of Us rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

In the Middle

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the store of love and forgiveness matched with mischief

What three words best describe Cassandra Campbells voice?

Not too bad

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

I was moved by most of the book, I related alot to the characters and their struggles

Any additional comments?

I could not stand when the author was telling a story from the past - she over used the phrase, "She had Said". Every story of the past used "she had said" to describe anyone saying anything. It got extremely annoying and made me believe there was a lack of editing for author.

slow torture

This book wasnt for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I Cannot Think Of Anyone Who Would. Graduates Of The University Of Virginia Will Be Especially Unhappy, As There Are Numerous Errors When The Characters Refer To The University.

What could Sarah Pekkanen have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The Story Was Far Too Slow, Nothing Happens That Doesn't Take So Long To Come About That It's Obvious When It Finally Does Occur.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Narration Was A Monotone.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Best of Us?

I'd Have Scrapped The Entire Thing.

Any additional comments?

I Feel Ripped Off.

Pleasant Chick Lit

The narrator was perfect for the story. Pleasant story to listen to, good chick lit. Not wholly realistic, as most chick lit, but very realistic in how the girls interact with each other. I'm a fan of chick lit so I enjoyed it for what it was, just a pleasant story. Some conflict, some growing up, some getting to know yourself. Alittle predictable but still a pleasant story. If you like chick lit, you'll probably enjoy it!

Loved it! Love The Narration

Cassandra Campbell is my favorite. The story kept me listening.

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Title: Damascus Countdown

Subtitle: The Twelfth Imam Series, Book 3

Author: Joel C. Rosenberg

Narrator: Christopher Lane

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 32 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-05-13

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1171 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Israel successfully launches a first strike on Iran, taking out all of their nuclear sites and six of their nuclear warheads. American president William Jackson threatens to support a U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the Jewish State for unprovoked and unwarranted acts of aggression. And the Twelfth Imam prepares to order a genocidal retaliation.

Meanwhile, CIA operative David Shirazi has infiltrated the Iranian regime and intercepted top secret intelligence indicating that two Iranian nuclear warheads survived the attack and have been moved to a secure and undisclosed location. In danger not only from the ongoing war between Israel and Iran but also from the increasingly hostile governments in multiple countries, Shirazi and his team are in a race against time to find the remaining nuclear warheads before the most cataclysmic event in the history of the Middle East comes to pass.

Members Reviews:

Is it a story it is it today's news?

Amazing that I can listen to this book then I'm listening to the radio and have to pause to remember if it is a book or the news. The reality of what Joel brings forth is what can be happening today in the news. This is a GREAT book. In fact, the entire series is tremendous!

Read them in order and enjoy

I would love to give a eloquent and engaging review but all I can say is, Read These!

The Rosenberg series has been days of excitement and thought provoking narration.

I only give 5 star ratings for true everlasting masterpieces. (Like Outlaw Platoon by Parnell and Bruning, and The Outpost by Tapper) After once again wishing I could give a 4.5 for this whole three book series I give it a absolute guarantee of enjoyment if you are a reader like I.

Great Series Good book

Another good book by Joel C Rosenberg. A good mix of what is happening today with Bible prophecy and history. A good follow up to the Tehran initiative and the 12th Imam.

Not disappointing!

I enjoyed Damascus Count Down very much. Joel Rosenberg is a very good storyteller and when you mix in the fact that he is an expert of the Middle Eastern culture, it gets very exciting.

SO far, this is my favorite fiction by Rosenberg

Would you consider the audio edition of Damascus Countdown to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version. It is better for me because I listen as I do cardio.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Damascus Countdown?

The end. Loved the conclusion.

Have you listened to any of Christopher Lanes other performances before? How does this one compare?

I am not sure. He did a great job here.

Any additional comments?

The author is always teaching about the last day of this era of mankind from a biblical perspective. I believe that he is accurate, informative and entertaining.

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Title: Jack of Diamonds

Author: Bryce Courtenay

Narrator: Humphrey Bower

Format: Unabridged

Length: 26 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-12-12

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 1083 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Born and raised in a poor, working-class family in Toronto, Jack Spayd is the son of an unhappy marriage. After being taken under the wing of "Miss Frostbite", the owner of a local jazz club, Jack becomes a gifted musician, playing piano and harmonica. Fame and the allure of gambling takes him to Vegas, and prospects of fortune take him to the Belgian Congo, where he's heard it's possible to earn big money working in the most dangerous parts of the local copper mines.

Jack of Diamonds is the story of a young, talented man, fighting to achieve his ambitions, and having to use his considerable talents to find his way in a perilous world.

Members Reviews:

On the Day we lost Bryce

I finished the book on the day Bryce Courtenay passed away. A sad day for listeners, his family, his fans and for Humphrey Bower, the voice that brought BCs words to life. Some may well say that this was not his greatest work, the first in a planned series like Tommo & Hawk, but Humphrey Bower did an extraordinary job in bringing it to life with his Canadian accent. He is a master and BC was lucky to have him. I enjoyed the tale, it was easy, rich and scene connected well into scene. Good easy listening and I urge all Audible folk who like works from writers outside the US to give this one a go. Buy it as a salute to the living story tellers everywhere who give us joy and take a moment to think about our own mortality. All story tellers like you and me the reader/listener pass on of course but they leave a legacy and BCs is a great one. Thank you mate for showing the world that the world through Australian eyes is a rich one and we have many a tale to tell.

I really wanted to like this more.

Any additional comments?

I have loved many of Bryce Courtenay's books and bought this when I heard he had passed away. I finished listening to it in honor of the other Courtenay books I loved.................but I didn't love it. I could have stopped listening. It had similar elements to many of his other books and the story moved slowly. It could have been much better.Try The Power of One, The Potato Factory Trilogy and Four Fires for outstanding writing and interesting stories that you can't put down. Humphrey Bower was outstanding as the narrator (once again!). I buy books just because he narrates them.I will miss new additions from Bryce Courtenay. Rest in peace.

I Am Devastated.

Mr. Courtenay usually writes about South Africa or Australia and we have gotten some real history lessons about these regions as well as entertaining stories. I have learned more history from great stories than I ever did in school. I really enjoyed Jack Diamonds. To absorb the life of someone "just across the road" from the United States in Canada during the turbulent "pre and post" World War II era was great fun. I quite simply love a good story (Bryce) read by a great reader (Humphrey).

I want to say here that Mr. Courtenay brought me to tears with his afterward. As I listened I could only hope (I realize quite selfishly hoped) that he had time for another story or two. I greatly appreciate his thoughtful goodbye - to me it was extremely personal because I always thought of Bryce Courtenay as one of my personal writers. I was absolutely devastated to learn that he passed away.

As a young person, I lived all over the world and the United States. I never got to Australia or Africa.

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Title: Faking It

Author: Elisa Lorello

Narrator: Cynthia Barrett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-10-12

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 157 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

After breaking off her engagement, 30-something Andi Cutrone yields New England to her ex and flees home to Long Island. There, she devotes her time to teaching in the writing program at Brooklyn University and overanalyzing her past failed relationships. But then she meets Devin, a male escort whose client list seems to include at least half of the accomplished women she knows. He is handsome, charismatic, and absolutely out of her league, but she cant deny he has a certainsomething. And so Andi makes him a proposition: If he will teach her to shed her sexual inhibitions, she will teach him to be a writer. He agrees, and together they embark upon an intense partnership that proves to be every bit as instructive as it is arousing.

For in the midst of lessons in rhetorical theory and foreplay, Andi and Devin delve into deeper questions about truth, beauty, and self, stripping away the emotional walls each has built up. Smart, witty, and introspective, Faking It is an engrossing novel about two people discovering their authentic selves.

Members Reviews:

wonderful

I got this book on sale and probably would have never looked twice at it but after I started listen to I have to admit I truly enjoyed it. The main characters were great and the authors style of writing is very refreshing to me. Its a nice change from what I normally listen to. This book is about an insure woman who want to learn to feel sexy in her own skin. Shes introduced to a popular male escort who teaches her to let lose. There is a lot more to this story that I cant tell without giving everything away. I think this book was great and I would listen to it again.

Love Story for the More Mature

I first read this book on my Kindle and once I found it available at Audible, I wanted to listen too. I am not a young person, but I enjoy a good romance. It is nice to have one about people born before 1980. I think the richness of their life experiences adds to the richness of the character development. I loved the addition of the details on composition, rhetoric and art history. It is a painless way to learn a little something and was important to the development of these characters.This is not your typical romance novel, but it satisfies the urge to read one.

"Faking It" is real life! All the heartache, love!

If you could sum up Faking It in three words, what would they be?

Heartache, Love and Happiness!

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Andy and Devon. They both had issues that they had to work thru. I liked how both characters grew thru out the book. How they changed each other for the better.

What about Cynthia Barretts performance did you like?

I loved her accent. I read the book years ago, but I like the New York accent she pust on the characters and made them come more alive for me.

Who was the most memorable character of Faking It and why?

Andy and Devon and the growth they both make thru there jouney of life.

More self discovery than romance

I liked this book. I would give it 3.5 stars. The description makes it sound like a romance, but it is more of a self discovery book with romance elements. Very enjoyable. At no point in the story did I want to smack our heroine. This is contrary to many romance novels I have read, so I am very pleased. She progressed steadily as a person and I cheered for her along the way. She takes what she learns and makes good, solid decisions.

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Title: Goldberg Variations

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Susan Isaacs

Narrator: Susan Torren, Rachel Botchen, Morgan Hallett, Jonathan Todd Ross

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-02-12

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The ultimate novel of family dysfunction from New York Times best-selling author Susan Isaacs, combining her trademark sass and wit, her distinctive characters, with reflections on faith, family, and inheritance that both entertain and enlighten.

Gloria Garrison nee Goldberg isn't getting any younger. At 79, it's time for her to plan for the future of Glory, Inc., the Santa Fe-based beauty makeover business that Gloria has grown from zilch into an 11-million-a-year bonanza.

But now Gloria has alienated her former business partner and chosen successor. Who will take over Glory? Gloria's never been big on family and wrote them all out of her will, but suddenly she must contemplate her three grandkids as possible candidates.

There's 29-year-old Daisy, a New York story editor for a movie studio. Her brother, 27-year-old Matt, does sports PR. He can charm his way around ball players, the press, and a flurry of women. And there's gutsy Raquel, who at age 25 is laboring away as a Legal Aid lawyer. She's Catholic and a Goldberg and proud of it.

When Gloria sends business-class tickets to tempt the three grandkids for a visit, they couldn't be more surprised. Stranger still is the revelation that one of them and only one, may be offered the chance to inherit Glory.

Always sassy, smart, and wickedly witty, Susan Isaacs is at her formidable best in a novel that is both hilariously funny and a deeply moving tale of family, faith, and reconciliation.

Members Reviews:

Very Enjoyable on audio

Would you consider the audio edition of Goldberg Variations to be better than the print version?

yes loved the change in characters

Would you be willing to try another book from Susan Isaacs? Why or why not?

yes

Which scene was your favorite?

meeting the grandchildren for the first time

If you could rename Goldberg Variations, what would you call it?

Goldberg Legacies

Any additional comments?

The grandmother narrator fabulous. You had a perfect picture in your mind of her.

Goldberg Variations.....better music than novel

What disappointed you about Goldberg Variations?

I expected something to compare with J K Rowling's A Casual Vacancy. Oh my no such luck...

What could Susan Isaacs have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Probably she should begin again. Maybe take a writing course.....

What three words best describe the narratorss performance?

OK Considering Content

You didnt love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No

Any additional comments?

I will never buy another Susan Isaacs book. I don't understand why she is a bestselling author.

Not my favorite of hers

Did the narrators do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I have to admit I didn't like the narrators for Daisy & Raquel - they sounded too much alike, and I'd sometimes lose track of who was talking.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I think this would actually make a better movie than it was a book - it felt like a screenplay in terms of scope.

Any additional comments?

Overall I'd had to say this one just didn't pull me along much - it was a bit of a struggle to finish. I do really like Susan Isaacs though, but if you're looking for something of hers to read for the first time, I'd suggest one of her other books.

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Title: Rogue

Author: Mark Sullivan

Narrator: Jeff Gurner

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-02-12

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 658 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Mark Sullivan has created a propulsive, compelling new thriller. Rogue, is one part Bourne Identity and one part Mission: Impossible, but listeners will also love the nod to Hitchcocks It Takes a Thief. Two years ago, Robin Monarch was a top level CIA operativeperhaps the best they had when it came to black bag operations. Then one day, in the middle of an operation, with his team around him in the field, Monarch walked away, leaving his old life and friends behind without a word of explanation. Now this ex-soldier, ex-operative, and orphan with a murky past is a thief, stealing from the super-rich and has surfaced in St. Tropez. But when a complicated, high profile jewel heist goes wrong, Monarch is led into a carefully woven trap designed to force him to complete the very same mission he walked away from years ago. It will take all of his skills (as well as those of the team he burned) and all of his cunning, if Monarch is to thwart the violent and deadly goals of the very powerful cabal who will do whatever it takes to bring the very dangerous "Green Fields" technology under their control.

Critic Reviews:

"A true juggernaut of a thriller, pure adrenaline in print. With the creation of Robin Monarch, Sullivan has crafted a Jason Bourne for the new millennium." (James Rollins)

Members Reviews:

Must be a relative of Court Gentry

What other book might you compare Rogue to and why?

This reminds me of The Gray Man books. Lots of action, around the globe travel, espionage and conspiracies galore. Really good story and great start to a new series.

What does Jeff Gurner bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Jeff Gurner does a great job with this book. His many voices are perfect and thoroughly enjoyable.

Who was the most memorable character of Rogue and why?

Robin Monarch of course.

Any additional comments?

I was hesitant about purchasing this book. I've never heard of it or the series but it was on sale so I thought I would give it a try. So glad I did and my next purchase will be Book 2.

Great Story, great characters!

If you could sum up Rogue in three words, what would they be?

Masterful, intriguing, actionpacked.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rogue?

There are plenty of memorable moments, but of the many I can think of, the dropping off of the one who caused the whole mess, in "el ano".

What does Jeff Gurner bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

I could listen to Gurner read the NYS vehicle and traffic law. Jeff excells at creating the voices of the characters and just has an energy about telling the story. The guy is a narrating genius.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Something over dramatic like "Rogue; Thief of thieves"

Right there with Court Gentry and Jonathan Quinn

Where does Rogue rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Very high, good writing and excellent narration made this book a very fun listen.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was solid maybe a bit a bit too fancy but it did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

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Title: Shadow Show

Subtitle: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury

Author: Sam Weller (Editor), Mort Castle (Editor)

Narrator: George Takei, Edward Herrmann, Kate Mulgrew, F. Murray Abraham, Neil Gaiman, Peter Appel, James Urbaniak

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-10-12

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 102 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

What do you imagine when you hear the name...Bradbury?

You might see rockets to Mars. Or bizarre circuses where otherworldly acts whirl in the center ring. Perhaps you travel to a dystopian future, where books are set ablaze...or to an out-of-the-way sideshow, where animated illustrations crawl across human skin. Or maybe, suddenly, you're returned to a simpler time in small-town America, where summer perfumes the air and life is almost perfect...almost.

Ray Bradbury - peerless storyteller, poet of the impossible, and one of America's most beloved authors - is a literary giant whose remarkable career spanned seven decades. Now 26 of today's most diverse and celebrated authors offer new short works in honor of the master; stories of heart, intelligence, and dark wonder from a remarkable range of creative artists.

Members Reviews:

The Heirs to Ray Bradbury

Unfortunately, Bradbury passed away right around the time Shadow Show came out, but for those of us still mourning his passing, this is an excellent way for us to remember him, hopefully shouting, LIVE FOREVER! all the way through.

This collection kicks off with an introduction from the late, great Ray Bradbury himself, exclaiming his surprise and delight at the stories written by the authors in this collection, claiming them as his literary children, and he - their Papa.

All the stuff we love about Bradbury is on display here: carnivals and tattoos, coming of age and loss of innocence, the turning points of youthful friendships, rocket ships, monsters, and the importance of storytelling.

The first story is Neil Gaimans The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury, read by the author, and due to Bradburys passing, its particularly poignant. Its the story of an older man struggling with a Bradbury-sized hole in his memories. It might be the most meta stories in this collection, but Gaimans reading is unsurprisingly inspired, and I would not be at all surprised if this particular story was nominated for loads of awards in 2013.

Joe Hills By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain is probably my favorite story in the collection, if not my favorite story of the entire year. Its an homage to a classic Bradbury tale, but its so much more than that a coming of age story where imagination and reality collide when an imaginative girl and a boy who discover something unbelievable on the shoreline. Hills story manages to be that wonderful Bradburian trick a haunting, heartbreaking, coming of age tale that manages to be both whimsical and melancholy at the same time. I mentioned that I wouldnt be surprised if Gaimans story was nominated for awards. I sincerely hope this story is. (I will most likely nominate both myself.)

Bradbury didnt write female protagonists very often, so one of the pleasant surprises here is how quite a few of the authors dipped into Bradburys tradition of childhood stories and memories, but gave us memorable female characters. Alice Hoffmans Conjure is one of these a story about two best friends who come across an odd man living in a field (perhaps otherworldly), who piques both girls interest. Hoffman does an excellent job of dangling one fantastic element in front of us, but like a magician, whose revealing trick leaves you breathless with delight and surprise (in this case, something of a dark one).

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Title: Invisible Monsters Remix

Author: Chuck Palahniuk

Narrator: Chuck Palahniuk, Anna Fields, Paul Michael Garcia

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-11-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 179 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

An expanded, radically refashioned directors cut of a favorite Palahniuk novel...

Injected with new material,Invisible Monsters Remixfulfills Chuck Palahniuks original vision for his 1999 novel, moving a daring satire on beauty and the fashion industry even further into a wildly unique listening experience. Palahniuks fashion-model protagonist has it all - boyfriend, career, loyal best friend - until an accident destroys her face, her ability to speak, and her self-esteem. Enter Brandy Alexander, queen supreme, one operation away from becoming a bonafide woman.

Laced in are new chapters of memoir and further scenes with the books characters. Listeners will jump between chapters and have a second listen to understand the dissolve between fiction and fact, taking them on a ride theyll never forget.

About the author: Chuck Palahniuks best-selling novels include Tell-All, Damned, Pygmy, Snuff, Rant, Haunted, Lullaby, Fight Club, Diary, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Choke. He is also the author of a nonfiction profile, Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon, published as part of the Crown Journeys series, and the nonfiction collection Stranger than Fiction. He lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Critic Reviews:

Palahniuks stories dont unfold. They hurtle headlong, changing lanes in threes and banging off the guard rails of modern fiction. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Members Reviews:

Read the book or get the original audio version

This is the only time I have ever rated the Overall lower than both the performance and the story because although the performance (especially Anna Fields) is quite good and the story is bizarrely entertaining and somewhat thought-provoking, this is a book that was totally meant to be read. From what I have seen on the Internet, it is not even meant to be read in electronic form (much less heard), but truly read in BOOK form - doesn't really work with Kindle either.

I chose this book based on a recommendation from a friend and did not check out what the differences might be between the Remix and the original and just assumed that the Remix with additional inserts by the author would be better. And, it may be better in book form but it is not great in audio form because this book moves not only back and forth through time, but back and forth through chapters. (Chapter 33 might follow Chapter 2, etc.) There are other "Easter Eggs" hidden in the printed version like a chapter that must be read in a mirror which you simply cannot experience through audio. The story is not presented linearly but you kind of have to piece it together like a jigsaw puzzle. It is a little frustrating in the beginning, but as you get the "border pieces", you start to get the hang of it and it is a very interesting way to get the whole picture. However, because the clues to the heart of the plot/characters come sprinkled through, it would be a lot nicer to have the print form of this to go back and double check on parts you have already read.

Apparently the Remix is Chuck Palahniuk original vision of a book that would not only challenge your thoughts on beauty, family, well-being, but actually challenge your reading ability, dexterity, and sleuthing skills. That might work with a book you hold in your hands, but it is kind of disjointed and unsatisfying in this audio version.

Another hit for C.P.

I really enjoyed this book.

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Title: A Short Stay in Hell

Author: Steven L. Peck

Narrator: Sergei Burbank

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-12

Publisher: Strange Violin Editions

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 731 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

An ordinary family man, geologist, and Mormon, Soren Johansson has always believed he'll be reunited with his loved ones after death in an eternal hereafter. Then, he dies. Soren wakes to find himself cast by a God he has never heard of into a Hell whose dimensions he can barely grasp: a vast library he can only escape from by finding the book that contains the story of his life.

In this haunting existential novella, author, philosopher, and ecologist Steven L. Peck explores a subversive vision of eternity, taking the reader on a journey through the afterlife of a world where everything everyone believed in turns out to be wrong.

Members Reviews:

Beautifully unsettling

This short, smart existential novella is a gem. After the protagonist, Soren Johansson, a devout Mormon, dies of cancer, he finds himself in a room with four other people. There, an officious demon cheerfully informs everyone that theyve all failed to follow the one true religion (which I wont spoil, but suffice to say, its not one of the obvious candidates) and consigns them all to a variety of hells.

For the protagonist, hell is a bigger-than-the-known-universe library containing every possible book (including those whose contents are just random characters, i.e. the vast majority). And the only way out, according to a posted notice, is to find the book containing ones own life story. Hell does operate according to a few rules, which cant be broken. There are food dispensers, which give out any meal requested. Non-carried objects return to their place at the end of each day. People who die are returned to life.

At first, Soren does what most people would do: he explores, forms relationships, tests the rules, and discusses solutions to the shared predicament. But days, then months, then years pass. The denizens of the library form societies. Soren experiences wandering and loneliness. He falls in love. Then violent religious mania hits people, and hell really does become hell. So, he escapes to deeper levels, in search of both his lost lover and answers.

I wont give away what happens from there, but Peck does eventually make it clear that theres no easy way out. The authors wry sense of humor makes the haunting philosophical questions go down easy, but that wont stop them from swirling uncomfortably in your mind later. As I see it, this is a book about what faith really means. What happens if God utterly defies all our expectations? Would we still believe? Could we let go of our belief? And I dont think Peck is letting non-believers off the hook, either -- if we contemplate the hell of a purposeless reality, might it be better to have some ray of hope in a greater meaning, however slender?

Beautifully unsettling questions. Im glad I spotted this one in an audible sale.

I'll be thinking about this one for a while.

While this book doesnt really line up with my own spiritual beliefs, it does present a very interesting version of hell beyond the stereotyped Dantes Inferno that much of the western Christian cultures have bought into. The first impression of a strange but not especially menacing existence (that is supposed to be only temporary anyway) initially inspires a sense of tentative relief. Then as the magnitude of the assigned task (finding a specific book among billions of books in a library of infinite dimensions) becomes increasingly evident, the reality of hell begins to assert itself.