Download Popular Titles Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary

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Title: Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty

Author: Ramona Ausubel

Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-14-16

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 114 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

From the award-winning author of No One Is Here Except All of Us comes an imaginative novel about a wealthy New England family in the 1960s and '70s that suddenly loses its fortune - and its bearings.

Labor Day 1976, Martha's Vineyard. Summering at the family beach house along this moneyed coast of New England, Fern and Edgar - married with three children - are happily preparing for a family birthday celebration when they learn that the unimaginable has occurred: There is no more money. More specifically, there's no more money in the estate of Fern's recently deceased parents, which, as the sole source of Fern and Edgar's income, had allowed them to live this beautiful, comfortable life despite their professed anti-money ideals.

Quickly the once-charmed family unravels. In distress and confusion, Fern and Edgar are each tempted away on separate adventures: she on a road trip with a stranger, he on an ill-advised sailing voyage with another woman. The three children are left for days with no guardian whatsoever in an improvised Neverland helmed by the tender, witty, and resourceful Cricket, age nine.

Brimming with humanity and wisdom, humor and bite, and imbued with both the whimsical and the profound, Sons and Daughters of Ease and Plenty is a story of American wealth, class, family, and mobility approached by award-winner Ramona Ausubel with a breadth of imagination and understanding that is fresh, surprising, and exciting.

Members Reviews:

Compelling

Couldnt stop thinking about it or put it down. Worth the credit and then some.

Rich, vivid story telling

This novel is like a long, summer car ride. Beautifully written and relevant. The audible version enhances the text, but even just reading it sparked so many reactions. Will be rereading this and teaching from it this year!

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Title: My Italian Bulldozer

Author: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrator: Timothy Ackroyd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-19-16

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When writer Paul Stewart heads to the idyllic Italian town of Montalcino to finish his already late book, it seems like the perfect escape from stressful city life. Upon landing, however, things quickly take a turn for the worse when he discovers his hired car is nowhere to be found. With no record of any reservation and no other cars available, it looks like Paul is stuck at the airport. That is, until an enterprising stranger offers him an unexpected alternative.

While there may be no cars available, there is something else on offer: a bulldozer. With little choice in the matter, Paul accepts, and so begins a series of laugh-out-loud adventures through the Italian countryside, following in the wake of Paul and his Italian bulldozer. A story of unexpected circumstance and a lesson in making the best of what you have, My Italian Bulldozer is a warm holiday listen guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Members Reviews:

Sublime

As always Alexander McCall Smith delivers a story filled with tenderness, humor and a touch of whimsy. His stories are good for the soul. The narration was a delight. The setting in Tuscany was spot on with mention of many things that are part of the Tuscan food and wine culture.

Lovely story, ended too soon!

I loved the entire feel of this book! It made me want to go to Tuscany, and learn Italian. I really enjoyed the humorous bits. However, I found the story a little bit truncated, and would have liked it to go on longer. Some more character development in the middle sections would have been great.

Good quality easy listening.

Gentle offbeat story (within the "go to Italy, save your sanity" genre), well written, sensible length, not everything spelled out, but not too obscured. Narration fine, albeit some dodgy accent and pronunciation decisions.

I don't always want gloomy listening, and this is cheery.

Heartwarming

Absolutely loved the story. Made me want to go to Tuscany straight away.

There is a gentleness to Mc Call Smith's stories that show his deep understanding of humanity without having to resort to exaggeration.

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Titolo: Storia di chi fugge e di chi resta (L'amica geniale 3)

Autore: Elena Ferrante

Narratore: Anna Bonaiuto

Formato: Unabridged

Durata: 15 hrs and 24 mins

Lingua: Italiano

Data di pubblicazione: 04-19-16

Editore: Emons Edizioni

Valutazioni: 5 su 5 su 46 voti

Categoria: Fiction, Contemporary

Riepilogo Editore:

Carico di speranze e tensioni, arriva il vento degli anni Settanta che ogni cosa scompagina. Elena, laureata alla Normale di Pisa, pubblica un fortunato romanzo che segna il suo ingresso nell'ambiente colto e intellettuale. Lila, lasciato il marito, si ammazza di lavoro in una fabbrica di salumi alla periferia di Napoli. Anche se lontane, le due amiche nelle loro battaglie quotidiane continuano a specchiarsi l'una nell'altra, unite da un legame forte e ambivalente.

Terza parte della tetralogia "L'amica geniale".

©2013 Edizioni e/o (P)2016 Emons Italia srl

Recensioni dei membri:

Travolgente (Overwhelming)

I primi due libri Napoletane di Elena Ferrante mi colpirono più di ogni altra storia che io abbia inghiottito. Storie ci nutriscono in una maniera che capiamo solo nel interiore del nostro essere, fuori la ragione di carne, ossa e pelle. Sapendo in anticipo che nel terzo libro Lenù avrebbe lasciato le sue figlie, ho perso completamente la voglia di leggere. Mi sembrava impossibile che una mamma avrebbe potuto tagliare il legame (secondo a la mia esperienza) indispensabile per una donna. Solo dopo più di anno ho potuto tornare a leggere. Questo libro, non solo mi ha ritirato dentro l'entropia assuefante di Lila e Lenù, ma anche dentro l'esperienza travolgente del amore illecito-- una forza che non ti lascia alcuna pace finché non ti arrendi. Alla fine, però, ci lascia, come sempre la Ferrante-- con la delusione che sfida qualsiasi speranza di credere nelle favole. Ci resta un filo irrististible da tirare che minaccia di disfare ogni speranza di contentezza immaginabile. Turbolenza sotto l'aeroplano di gioia non si può ignorare. Sono rimasta incantata e non vedo l'ora di continuare.

An awesome narration of a life story

It's amazing how Ferrante describes a life and daily activities in such a fascinating way! You cannot stop listening or reading the book!

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Title: Where We Fall

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Rochelle B. Weinstein

Narrator: Kate Rudd, Whitney Dykhouse, Tanya Eby, Scott Merriman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-19-16

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 78 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

By all accounts, Abby Holden has it all. She's the mother of a beautiful teenager and the wife of a beloved high school football coach. And all it took to achieve her charmed life was her greatest act of betrayal.

Coach Ryan can coax his team to victory, but he can't seem to make his wife, Abby, happy. Her struggles with depression have marred their marriage and taken a toll on their daughter, Juliana. Although this isn't the life he's dreamed of, he's determined to heal the rifts in his family.

Chasing waterfalls and documenting their beauty has led photographer Lauren Sheppard all around the world. Now it has brought her back home to the mountains of North Carolina - back to the scene of her devastating heartbreak.

For the first time in seventeen years, a trio of once-inseparable friends find themselves confronting past loves, hurts, and the rapid rush of a current that still pulls them together....

Members Reviews:

Outstanding book (no spoilers review)

Would you consider the audio edition of Where We Fall to be better than the print version?

The characterizations are voiced to near perfection. I have not read the print version.

What other book might you compare Where We Fall to and why?

Somewhat similar to On Golden Pond, Terms of Endearment, Rebel Without a Cause, Ordinary People...... any good drama with human flaws and poignancy. The author has created a good story with compelling characters. It resonates with authenticity and is destined for accolades.

Have you listened to any of the narratorss other performances before? How does this one compare?

I love Kate Rudd's narration and that is one of the reasons I chose this title. The other narrators perform extremely well and support their characters such that you feel you can "know" them (the characters). To me a great read is one where you can lose yourself in both the story and the characters. This is one of those reads.

Who was the most memorable character of Where We Fall and why?

I'm not going to call out one specific character. I will say that those readers who are psychologically minded will immediately recognize some common diagnosis in several characters......;)

Any additional comments?

Again, this is an excellent read. The only parts I "didn't like" were because I didn't like the character: NOT because of poor writing, but because it was so WELL WRITTEN that I wanted to cringe.

Where we fall

Any additional comments?

This book was just OK for me. The narration was great but the story was a little predictable.

So so

The mans southern accent was too drawling while others were just normal, not southern at all yet the premise was these three people grew up together in the south.

The author "cured" someone almost overnight. Not believable at all. It was like she got tired of writing so she just made it all better, really fast.

Where we fall

Very good read about lessons learned from past mistakes. The suspense of what was going to happen in the end had me fighting to stay awake to finish the book ..

Great summer read!

Perfect book for summer reading-- enjoyable plot that moved at a nice pace with interesting characters that revealed their stories throughout. Definitely recommend!

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Title: The Charm Bracelet

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Viola Shipman

Narrator: Andi Arndt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-22-16

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 82 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Lose yourself to the magic of The Charm Bracelet.

Through an heirloom charm bracelet, three women will rediscover the importance of family and a passion for living as each charm changes their lives.

On her birthday each year, Lolly's mother gave her a charm - along with the advice that there is nothing more important than keeping family memories alive, and so Lolly's charm bracelet would be a constant reminder of that love. Now 70 and starting to forget things, Lolly knows time is running out to reconnect with a daughter and granddaughter whose lives have become too busy for Lolly or her family stories.

But when Arden, Lolly's daughter, receives an unexpected phone call about her mother, she and granddaughter Lauren rush home. Over the course of their visit, Lolly reveals the story behind each charm on her bracelet, and one by one the family stories help Lolly, Arden, and Lauren reconnect in a way that brings each woman closer to finding joy, love, and faith.

A compelling story of three women and a beautiful reminder of the preciousness of family, Viola Shipman's The Charm Bracelet is a keepsake you'll cherish long after the final minute.

Members Reviews:

Sweet and sentimental

A good theme ( charm bracelet ) but tooooo much sentiment. The narration kept me listening, otherwise the overwhelming saccharin would have made me give up. There is a nice story under all the schmaltz.

very enjoyable

Where does The Charm Bracelet rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

I really enjoyed listening to this book great story. Can't wait to listen to Hope Chest.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole story line, and the fact that it took place in my home state. Also made me go dig out my mothers charm bracelet and walk down memory lane with the charms that are on it.

Have you listened to any of Andi Arndts other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but found it pleasant

If you could take any character from The Charm Bracelet out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Of coarse Grandma.

endearing and poignant

loved this story from start to finish. i have my own charm bracelet full of memories so it took me fown memory lane in many ways

I laughed, I cried, I didn't want it to end!!!!

This is one of those books that you never want to end!! It was like I was right there watching everything as it took place. I loved it!!!!!

Predictable

Well I wanted to love this book, but it fell short on many levels. It was very predictable for me. I finished it simply because I had a long drive and needed entertainment. Some of the characters were overly cutesy and without giving up the plot, I guessed the romantic interests immediately. The history behind the charms was an interesting g premise.

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Titolo: Desert solitaire

Sottotitolo: Una stagione nella natura selvaggia

Autore: Edward Abbey

Narratore: Gino La Monica

Formato: Unabridged

Durata: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Lingua: Italiano

Data di pubblicazione: 03-21-16

Editore: Audible Studios

Valutazioni: 5 su 5 su 1 voti

Categoria: Fiction, Contemporary

Riepilogo Editore:

"Desert solitaire" è diventato un libro di culto sin dalla sua pubblicazione, nel 1968. Un racconto provocatorio e mistico, arrabbiato e appassionato, in cui Edward Abbey ci restituisce la sua esperienza di ranger nell'Arches National Monument, nel Sudest dello Utah, catturandone l'essenza e trasmettendoci il desiderio di vivere nella natura e conoscerla nella sua forma più pura: silenzio, lotta, bellezza abbagliante. Ma "Desert solitaire" è anche il grido angosciato di un uomo pronto a sfidare il crescente sfruttamento operato dall'industria petrolifera, mineraria e del turismo.

Sono trascorsi quasi cinquant'anni, e le osservazioni di Abbey, le sue battaglie, non hanno perso nulla della loro rilevanza. Anzi, oggi più che mai, "Desert solitaire" ci chiama a combattere, mettendoci di fronte a un'ultima domanda fondamentale: riusciremo a salvare ciò che resta dei nostri tesori naturali prima che i bulldozer manovrati dal profitto colpiscano ancora?

>> Questo audiobook in edizione integrale vi è offerto in esclusiva per Audible ed è disponibile solamente in formato digitale.

©2015 Baldini & Castoldi Srl. Tradotto da Stefano Travagli (P)2016 Audible GmbH

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Title: Lost Innocence

Author: Susan Lewis

Narrator: Anna Bentinck

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-25-16

Publisher: Random House AudioBooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When Alicia Carlyle returns to the home of her childhood after the tragic death of her husband, she is hoping to put the past behind her. But first she must come face to face with the woman who nearly destroyed her marriage and tore her family in two - her sister-in-law, Sabrina. Their enmity runs deep, but Alicia is determined to make a fresh start for herself and her two children, Nathan and Darcie, and to heal her fractured relationship with her beloved brother.

However, just when it looks as if they might have a chance at a brighter future, Sabrina's 15-year-old daughter, Annabelle, accuses 17-year-old Nathan of a crime he insists he didn't commit. And once more the two families are locked in a battle that is fraught with mistrust, betrayal and lies - a battle that threatens to destroy them all....

Members Reviews:

Easy listening

What did you like best about Lost Innocence? What did you like least?

The story was good in that no concentration was required chick lit I suppose

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

A different narrator

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Anna Bentinck?

Just about anyone

Could you see Lost Innocence being made into a movie or a TV series? Who would the stars be?

No

Any additional comments?

Spoilt but the narrator who has a very breathy way of taking and for too many pauses. she is hopeless at accents and totally spoiled the story

Best book in a long while

Best book I've read in a long time, narrator was first class, she really defined the characters and the story line was brilliant

Highly enjoyable

I've read the book too so for me Anna brought all the characters to life for me, from the softly spoken voice of Alicia Carlyle to the strident harpy tones of Sabrina.

** spoiler alert **

Oh wow what a book, it starts slowly with that subject that I am not comfortable with ....adultery. The story is told from past and present using different characters POV. Craig is a barrister married to Alicia and they have two children Nathan and Darcie.

Robert is Alicia's older brother and he marries divorcee Sabrina who already has a daughter Annabelle.

Alicia finds Craig and Sabrina in the guest room of their home boinking whilst the house is filling with guests for Craig's 40th birthday party - was he stupid to shag his mistress in the marital home or did he want to get caught??? Sabrina milks this one smirking at Alicia over his shoulder whilst telling Craig to go faster and harder. Alicia demands "the slut" leave her house and that the party is cancelled. Craig is devastated and says it was all a mistake but Sabrina lets slip they have been at it for a year. Alicia walks away telling him he can explain to his guests that they must leave.

So Sabrina....what a witch...she gives a genuine tart a bad name ..... I think she goes after Craig because she cannot bear to be ignored and go she does whilst on a shared family holiday in Italy. It's not clear how long she has been dangling her assets but its enough that Craig finds himself in lust. Equally his 14 year old son Nat is exploring things with his 12 year old cousin!!

Craig gives her up but cracks after two weeks, they continue to meet until Alicia catches sight of his mobile and credit card bill and tells him give her up or their marriage is over. He dumps Sabrina who fools herself that he will come back as he did before.

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Title: Wishes for Christmas

Author: Fern Michaels

Narrator: Laural Merlington

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-27-15

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 97 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather and celebrate old bonds...and form new ones. New York Times best-selling author Fern Michaels brings together the beloved heroines from two celebrated series - the Sisterhood and the Godmothers - for a holiday to remember forever....

Throughout the years, the ladies of the Sisterhood have delivered their own style of vigilante justice to those who most deserve it. But this Christmas, instead of finding and punishing bad guys, all Maggie Spitzer wants is to bring a little more joy to the world - and especially to a beloved teacher from her past. And as the Sisters unite to find her, they learn that no holiday treat is as fulfilling as giving to others....

It's a lesson that would come as no surprise to Teresa Amelia Loudenberry - "Toots" to all who love her. With a little help from the other Godmothers, Toots is preparing for Charleston's annual holiday showcase of historic homes. Her mansion is festooned with antique ornaments, beautifully arranged by Charleston's most exclusive design firm. But when the Godmothers sense trouble with one of the decorators, they must tackle a mystery and hope for a happy ending....

While staying at the Grove Place Inn as a guest of the Sisterhood's Myra Rutledge, Godmother Sophie meets the inn's owner, Holly Noel Simmons. Despite her name, Holly's feeling none too festive around her handsome employee Gannon Montgomery. Gannon blames Holly for his former company's downfall. Yet the holiday season holds surprises for everyone, and the promise of far sweeter Christmases yet to come....

When Sisters and Godmothers unite, the result is a warm and wonderful holiday - with a special touch of magic....

Members Reviews:

review

I enjoyed the creativity of combining Sisterhood with God Mother's, yet I would have liked more action.

Wishes for Christmas

If you like the godmother series you will love this one. A plot to give someone special for Christmas.

Pure Fern!

I thoroughly enjoyed how she encompassed both The Sisterhood and the Godmothers! You laugh , you cry, and you cheer!

Good Christmas Read

This was a good story for Christmas and a quick read. It was by no means a dynamic read nor was it something the reader starts and just can't put down, but it was interesting and entertaining for the season.

Good but bounced place to place quickly for me this time.

Confusing as this bundle jumped from book to book. I love these series from fern Michaels but I found myself having trouble changing things and chapters up so often in this bundle. But I love the first book weekend warriors and have been hooked since. I have read them all and I enjoy rereading them as well.

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Title: The Golden Calf

Author: Ilya Ilf, Evgeny Petrov

Narrator: Aleksey Kortnev

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-07-15

Publisher: Interactive Media

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Ostap Bender is still alive after barely surviving the assassination attempt in the previous book, which he once briefly mentions as "stupid business".

This time he hears a story about a clandestine millionaire named Alexandr Koreiko. Koreiko has made millions through various illegal enterprises while pretending to live on an office clerk's salary of 46 rubles a month.

Read in Russian by Aleksey Kortnev and Aleksey Bagdasarov.

Members Reviews:

Russian language book

Excellent story with high quality performance! Amazing narrator with music! So far the best Russian audiobook what I read! The story is continuation of " 12 chairs ". The authors decided to keep Ostap Bender alive. The book is about Mr. Bender new adventures who all his life tries to became rich. At the end money does not bring him happiness!!

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Title: Trawler Trash: Confessions of a Boat Bum (Volume 1)

Author: Ed Robinson

Narrator: Michael D. Naftel Jr.

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-23-15

Publisher: Ed Robinson

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 51 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Introducing a new anti-hero. Meade Breeze lives on the far outskirts of society with no visible means of support. He survives on his wits and a meager income derived from selling home-grown dope to suburban housewives and home-brewed rum to bums in the park.

He's also on the run from his past misdeeds. He fears it will all catch up with him someday, so he stays on the move aboard his classic trawler. Explore the Gulf Coast Islands, Florida Keys, and the Bahamas with Breeze, but keep one eye over your shoulder. His mission to return his dead wife's ashes to their special place seems hopeless. He's going nowhere fast until a chance encounter with a lover from his past changes his luck, or does it?

Members Reviews:

great story

loved it great story keeps you interested the whole way. if you love boats you will love this. if you don't love boats you will after reading or hearing this one. read very well

can't wait to listen a or read the next one

Wonderful reading great story!

This was read very well...the characters are developed and enjoyed the voices that brought them to life.

good s that story. enjoyed listening to it.

good story, I enjoyed listening to it. only wished it was true. hope to be similar someday.

Love the narration!

Very much enjoyed the narration...guy sounds hot! Well written story too. Very nicely done. 5 stars!

I'm ready to buy a boat

I listen to quite a few audio books and was very pleased with this one. This was my first experience with both Ed

Robinson as an author and Michael Naftel as a narrator. My hat is off to both. The story moves along nicely, and definitely reels you in from the start. Mr. Naftel's narration is spot on. His transition between characters is flawless as well as consistent. I would expect when I buy my boat and run into Breeze he will sound just like he did on the audio :)

Looking forward to the next one!