Listen to Popular Authors Full Audiobooks in Fiction, Contemporary Popular Authors

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Title: Bright's Passage

Author: Josh Ritter

Narrator: Josh Ritter

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-13-12

Publisher: Josh Ritter

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 32 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Henry Bright has newly returned to West Virginia from the battlefields of the First World War. Grief-stricken by the death of his young wife and unsure of how to care for the infant son she left behind, Bright is soon confronted by the destruction of the only home he's ever known. His hopes for safety rest with the angel who has followed him to Appalachia from the trenches of France and who now promises to protect him and his son. Haunted by the abiding nightmare of his experiences in the war and shadowed by his dead wife's father, the Colonel, and his two brutal sons, Bright-along with his newborn-makes his way through a ravaged landscape toward an uncertain salvation.

Members Reviews:

Interesting story with pleny of action.

Where does Bright's Passage rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Top of the list

What other book might you compare Bright's Passage to and why?

Neverhome - because they both deal with war and the effects of war.

Which character as performed by Josh Ritter was your favorite?

Henry...and the horse.

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

When angels are among us.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the story because it's a bit different. The narration was excellent; really gave the characters life. I don't think I would have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed listening to it.

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Title: Instructions for Bringing Up Scarlett

Author: Annie Sanders

Narrator: Suzy Aitchison

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-06-12

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Alice is living the life she always dreamed of: no ties, no constraints and no worries. An intrepid travel writer, her life is one of carefree adventure, full of spa days, dinner parties and self-indulgence. Virginia finally has everything she ever wanted. The loving husband, the beautiful daughter and the successful career. Life hasn't always been easy, but she knows now that her family can weather any storm and come through it stronger. Best friends since university, Alice and Virginia are unlikely allies, but theirs is a bond that runs deep - so much so that Virginia trusts Alice with all she holds dearest. Then tragedy strikes, and Alice finds she must honour a rash promise she made to her friend...

Members Reviews:

Good Read

I like Annie Sanders and I've listened to most of her books on Audible. I thought this story was pretty good but predictable. It was a nice easy listen with no big surprises. A seemingly honest depiction about family relationships and the complications of marriage. Nothing painful here but not too deep either. I am not sorry I listened.

Lovely

I found this to be a really lovely tale, it was beautiful. It was beautifully written and I had to know what happend. If you like a sweet, almost sad story witha happy ending, then this is for you.

Good

I enjoyed this story for the most part. The main character was frustrating at times. For a smart woman It took her much to long to realize what her responsabilities were. The story was good other wise.

didnt go anywhere

Would you try another book from Annie Sanders and/or Suzy Aitchison?

it was ok... but no real plot. i kept waiting for it to get better and it just didnt

Well worth a listen

What did you like most about Instructions for Bringing Up Scarlett?

The authors introduce us to rounded, normal characters, all set carefully and accurately within different time frames, and show us how they respond to and try to cope with what life throws at them.

What did you like best about this story?

The stories in both past and present developing side by side.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Virginia and Piers have a row with Piers' parents - anyone with in laws can relate to that!

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

Yes. I listened to much of it on several long car journeys and was keen to return to it each time.

Any additional comments?

I bought this book because I have enjoyed the other books these authors have written. I was a bit wary as I thought it might be a bit sentimental or mawkish, but it wasn't. Difficult issues were handled with sensitivity and realism eg Scarlett's anxieties before starting at secondary school and her desire to fit in. It was easy to relate to the characters and the twists and turns of the plot kept me entranced.

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Title: The World We Found

Author: Thrity Umrigar

Narrator: Soneela Nankani

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-06-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 61 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Best-selling author and PEN and Beyond Margins Award finalist Thrity Umrigars acclaimed novels resonate with rich prose and vibrant depictions of India (Booklist). In The World We Found, Armaiti, Laleh, Kavita, and Nishta - once friends at the University of Bombay - reconnect 30 years later when Armaiti is diagnosed with cancer. Coming together, all four women are forced to reexamine their lives.

Critic Reviews:

[A] powerful meditation on friendship, on loss, and all the regrets of middle age (Boston Globe)

Members Reviews:

Good story but performance not so much!

The story was exciting and well written. Soneela's narration not so much. Her lack of knowledge of the Hindi language is blatantly obvious. It would have been nice if they had someone who could actually pronounce the Hindi words!

so worth reading

extraordinary book... from all angles...truly illuminating, heartbreaking... i couldnt stop reading it And will save it for rereads... wow!

gisele

Thought Provoking

This is a lovely story of four college friends, now in their forties. It starts off beautifully by describing the changes in their lives and how they have stayed the same. One of them is terminally ill and initiates a reunion. This creates a conflict involving the friend who was forced to convert from Hindu to Muslim by her husband during the rising religious tensions in India. This book addresses issues of religious conflict, personal change and lost idealism. It is a decent read, especially if you are from India.

Lovely story, terrible reader

My experience of this book improved 100% after I abandoned the audiobook and picked up a hard copy. The reader's performance made the characters seem trite and the dialogue adolescent. Read the book - but bypass this performance!

Umriger Doesn't Disappoint

I really enjoy Thrity Umriger's books, and once again she has written a thought provoking novel, Four women friends, now nearing 50 years old, this is a story of their close friendships during college in Bombay in 1970's, the separate paths their lives have taken, their efforts to reunite and as they do so they learn about themselves and each other. In the process, the decisions they make may yet again change their lives. Thrity Umriger captures the complexities and complications of human relationships that cross culture, religion, geography. She treats her characters fairly, women and men, Hindu and Muslim. This story gave me a broader picture of life in India in the past 50 years. A good read and always thought-provoking.

Loved the audio version; narrator's use of accents gives it richness and a pleasant listening experience.

A very good book club book!

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Title: All Woman and Springtime

Author: Brandon W. Jones

Narrator: Christine Williams

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-01-12

Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 44 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Two orphan girls are taken from their jobs in a pants factory in North Korea, spirited across the Demilitarized Zone to be sex workers in the South, and eventually shipped to the United States. What propels the story is Gi, the heroine: a tender-hearted genius who loses everything yet refuses to be destroyed.

Reminiscent of Memoirs of a Geisha, All Woman and Springtime reveals with chilling accuracy the facts of life behind North Korea's iron curtain, the horrific underworld of the sex trade, and the resilience of a spirit in the midst of unspeakable oppression.

Critic Reviews:

One of the most absorbing, chilling, beautifully written and important novels I have read in many years. (Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple)

A lovely novel brimming with heartache and hope in equal measure. Jones has a gift for empathy as well as a keen sense of justice. This book will open your eyes, break your heart, and then mend it again. (Tayari Jones, author of Silver Sparrow)

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: Daughters for a Time

Author: Jennifer Handford

Narrator: Tanya Eby

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 04-24-12

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 151 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Feelings of abandonment filled Helen at a too-young age when her mother died and her father walked out. Left in the care of her sister, Claire, she moved on, but never truly healed. Now thirty-five, married, and starting her own family, she must confront her inability to bear children by accepting the idea of adopting. But just when Helen experiences holding her new baby for the first time, she is blindsided with the worst possible news: Claire has cancer. Helens wounds are again torn open as she balances the delight of parenthood with the grief of her ailing sister.

A poignant and probing exploration of life and loss, Daughters for a Time is a tale of unconditional love, the destructive and healing powers of family, and the search for solid ground between pain and joy.

Members Reviews:

A Very Real Story

This story took me a bit to get into because it was sad. Mom died, can't get pregnant, depressed lady. But it was very real and since my mom had died when I was a teen, and I struggled early on with infertility, I related well and became caught up. I do recommend!!!

Great Book

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

Great plot, writing and character development.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Helen was honest and real and vulnerable and strong.

What does Tanya Eby bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

A sense of irony and wryness.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I cried out loud.

I can't believe I listened to the end

Sappy story, but Catholic readers might enjoy. Heavy on the religious references. Narration was decent.

Heartwarming

I was caught up into this story immediately. Certainly opened my mind about the adoption system in China!

Helpful read for prospective adopting parents

Readers interested in adopting and people dealing with the loss of a family member would possibly find this book very helpful and interesting. At my age I am not interested in adopting. I prefer to have to extrapolate myself rather than listen to a blow by blow narration. Some readers would love the detail and enjoy the numerous levels of familial relationship. When I start a book unless it is very bad I finish listening so I listened to the very end. The ending was predictable.

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Title: The Song Remains the Same

Author: Allison Winn Scotch

Narrator: Mia Barron, Carol Monda

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-12-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Best-selling author Allison Winn Scotch showcases heroines who face monumental life changes with unmatched fervor and grace. When Nell Slattery awakens in a hospital bed, she cannot remember who she is, much less the horrific plane crash that put her there. Now, with the help of her friends and family, shes beginning to piece her memory back together. But she cannot shake the suspicion that her loved ones are hiding secrets from her.

Members Reviews:

SONGS THAT PUNCTUATE OUR LIVES

What if, in a blinding moment, you had the chance to start over, change everything about your life? What if you were suddenly presented with a blank slate?

Nell Slattery is in just this position after she and one other person are the only survivors of a plane crash that landed them in Iowa. As she comes to, she remembers nothing and nobody. Who are the people who claim to be her loved ones? Why does nothing they tell her seem to ring true?

Like a nightmare from which she seemingly doesn't awaken, Nell tries to put her life back together, relying on the stories others tell her.

Her mother Indira, her sister Rory, even her friend Samantha--they all seem so supportive, but as the weeks and months creep by, bits and pieces of the real truth begin to surface. What really happened between Nell and her husband Peter? Had the two of them reconciled? Or was there more to the story? What was going on between Rory and Nell that might have brought their art gallery to a close?

And throughout, hovering over Nell's life is the specter of the father who abandoned her. Unwilling to let him go, she believes that finding him again, or at least figuring out what happened in her past, could be the very thing that will fill in the blanks for her.

Told mostly in Nell's first person voice, with occasional third person narratives from others,The Song Remains the Samealso unfolded through the music that filled Nell's life, from her younger years to the recent past.

I found myself growing emotional as the deceits of Rory, Peter, and Indira came to light. Applauding Nell's decisions near the end brought closure to this story for me. Four stars.

Four Stars

A good and reasonable story for someone who remembers nothing prior to such a tragedy. Not much dialog.

Involved, but good.

Quite involved story that kept calling me back to read it and find out what the outcome would be.

Not the best read. Has a unique backstory & general plot.

For the most part it was a good story, but some of the main characters were weak in definition, and the story line was hard to follow at times, especially as to who was speaking, and if they were referencing past or current events.

Very Good Story

Very good book but I thought that the author decided that she was tired of writing and the ending came a bit too soon!

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Title: The Testament of Jessie Lamb

Author: Jane Rogers

Narrator: Judy Flynn

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-12

Publisher: Oakhill Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Women are dying in their millions. Some blame scientists, some see the hand of God, some see human arrogance reaping the punishment it deserves. Jessie Lamb is an ordinary girl living in extraordinary times: As her world collapses, her idealism and courage drive her towards the ultimate act of heroism. If the human race is to survive, its up to her. But is Jessie heroic? Or is she, as her father fears, impressionable, innocent, and incapable of understanding where her actions will lead?

Critic Reviews:

" ... a small, calm voice of reason in a nonsensical world." (Independent)

Members Reviews:

Excellent narrator, good book

I really enjoyed this book, and the narrator is one of the best I've heard, catching the cadences of a teenager perfectly.

The book explores the same themes as "Children of Men", but from a completely different view-point, and it is a very accomplished piece of literature.

However, it should be noted that this is Literary literature with a capital L, and as such is concerned with big themes and exploring philosophical quandaries rather than telling a great yarn; don't get me wrong, it's an excellent story, but it's not a classical A-to-B-to-C story, and as such may disappoint some.

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Title: The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year

Author: Sue Townsend

Narrator: Caroline Quentin

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-29-12

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 51 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The day her children leave home, Eva climbs into bed and stays there. She's had enough - of her kids' carelessness, her husband's thoughtlessness and of the world's general indifference. Brian can't believe his wife is doing this. Who is going to make dinner? But Eva won't budge; and soon she realises to her horror that everyone has been taking her for granted - including herself.

Members Reviews:

Unbearable

What would have made The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year better?

The narrator is beyond annoying. Her voice is shrill most of the time.

What was most disappointing about Sue Townsend???s story?

I couldn't concentrate on the story at all. The voice was distracting.

How could the performance have been better?

I can only imagine another narrator would have improved the telling. It's hard to know where to start in fixing this.

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

Anger, frustration and annoyance. I had to turn it off.

Any additional comments?

It's a shame that the constant yelling in this book and the narration has taken away from what I think might have been a good story, but I'll never know because I can't get past the terrible job.

A thoroughly enjoyable read

As a fan of Sue Townsend from the days of Adrian Mole, I was very excited to see a new title available. It certainly didn't let me down! This book was brilliantly simple, extremely funny and very well narrated. I couldn't recommend this book any more, especially to those women who can identify with needing a year in bed!

Adult content

I loved Sue Townsend's Public Confessions of a Middle Aged Woman so I bought this book thinking it would be good too. Perhaps I am a prude but I just don't enjoy vulgar (see you can tell my age) language, particularly when it is injected just for the shock value. Th narrator was fine I just could not finish this book , did not suit my taste at all.

Hard to follow

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No I wouldn't, I haven't finished it because I got fed up

Would you listen to another book narrated by Caroline Quentin?

Yes, she is fine to listen to

Any additional comments?

I found the story quite funny in parts, but after about 4 hours I got fed up with the story. I noticed that I was zoning out when listening to the book because it wasn't holding my interest. I will try and finish it because I want to know what happens when she finally gets out of bed.

Didn't live up to the hype for me

Was The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year worth the listening time?

I bought this book based on all the reviews. People said they couldn't stop laughing, etc. Maybe if you're a middle-aged, under appreciated mother and home-maker you'd think it was hilarious, but I quit listening to it halfway through because I just didn't think it was funny or even interesting.

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Title: Stately Pursuits

Author: Katie Fforde

Narrator: Roe Kendall

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-22-12

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 58 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Youre not doing very much at the moment, darling. I dont suppose youd care to housesit for a while?

Thus begins the irresistible story of two fixeruppers - an old house and a young woman - and their efforts to recapture their true luster.

When Hetty Longden, freshly dumped and brokenhearted, agrees to look after her greatuncles dilapidated mansion in the English countryside, shes at something of a lifetime low. With no job, no lover, no prospects, and no particular talent for resuscitating crumbling estates, she hopes for nothing more than some good oldfashioned escape. What she finds includes a cast of quirky and everpresent neighbors, a couple of SNAGs (Sensitive New Age Guys); some very humorless bank officials; a cat and two disarming little canines; one gracious, dilapidated, romantic old house; and, just maybe, enough elbow grease to polish everything up again.

A Sunday Times (London) best seller thats as inviting as an elegant old house full of unexplored rooms, after a good scrubbingdown, of course, Stately Pursuits is the funniest, smartest, and warmest read of the season.

Critic Reviews:

CharmingEnormously enjoyableLike listening to Cole Porter or watching The Philadelphia Story. (

Newsday)

Ffordes appeal is her ability to reproduce the eccentricities of everyday life. (

Times (London))

A delightful, unabashedly unpretentious love yarn. (

Kirkus Reviews)

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable story. Technically challenged.

Would you consider the audio edition of Stately Pursuits to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed the story and it was read well. My only issue was that it wasn't spliced together well and the narritive would jump from the middle of one sentance to the middle or beginning of another. Souding like it skipped, like a record would sometimes do.

What other book might you compare Stately Pursuits to and why?

I can't think of a particular book. Theme is a woman growing up, finding self and finding true love. So far the 2 books I have listened too from the Katie Fforde have same theme.

good and cute

I really liked this book -

Katie Fforde has a way of describing the characters with just enough bad qualities that they seem real to the reader. I like books when the sweet female lead takes charge--

I would recomend this book and plan to listen to others by Fforde

A charming British 'cozy' romance

Hetty doesn't have much going for her at the beginning of the book; her boyfriend has dumped her in a particularly painful way, and since he was also her boss, she's out of work too. She finds herself in an elderly relative's country estate, trying to get ready for the annual spring open house tours while he is ill. Soon the entire village is helping Hetty and dreading the arrival of the heir, who wants to pull the house down.

I found the characters appealing and the dialog surprisingly realistic and in parts extremely funny. The description of the house and its revival was charming. The pace was a little slow at times, but I enjoyed Hetty's progress as she acquired skills and confidence.

There's a hint of Bridget Jones, a little Cinderella, and maybe a nod to the houses of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries.

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Title: Husband and Wife

Author: Leah Stewart

Narrator: Gabrielle de Cuir

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-12

Publisher: HarperCollins

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 17 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Sarah Price has never regretted trading her MFA for a steady job so that her husband, Nathan, could write fiction. But at age 35, her world is turned upside-down by a shocking revelation: Nathan's upcoming novel, Infidelity, is based on fact.

Reeling from his betrayal, Sarah is plagued by dark questions. How well does she really know her husband? More important, how well does she know herself?

For answers, Sarah looks back to her artistic 20-something self to try to understand what exactly has happened to her dreams. And so begins her quest to discover which version of herself is the essential one: the artist, wife, mother, or someone else entirely? It's an eye-opening journey that leads Sarah hundreds of miles away from her marriage and back to herself.

Critic Reviews:

"Stewart's graceful prose and easy storytelling pull the reader into caring about what happens to the struggling heroine while exploring the many gray areas of life and marriage. The conclusion, while true to Sarah, is surprising but not unrealistic." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

I am only at chapter 3 & the narrating is terrible

What would have made Husband and Wife better?

I am only into chapter 3 so far, the narrating for this book is very frustrating to listen to. I have just had to shut it off too many times now because of the whiney voice, the high pitch at times and the accents are just bad. She really tried you can tell but it is just very hard to listen too.

Heartbreakingly Relatable

I could not help but think this story was written about me, about my life and experience. There were so many similarities to my own marriage I felt like someone was reading my mind. It is comforting to know that other couples feel this way after a betrayal; forced to reevaluate their own lives and the events that led up to the infidelity. To accept the reality that an ordinary life is what we all end up with and if you're lucky enough to spend it with someone you love, hold onto it. Thank you for this book.

The most awful narration I have ever heard

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

No, I would recommend that they read it, not listen to it. This is the worse narration that I have ever had to endure in an audiobook. The narrator is whiny and dramatic and irritating beyond words. I enjoy Leah Stewart and have read her other works, so I suffered through this listening. I listen to several books a month and have experience with different narrators and I have never come across such an irritating voice and manner.

How could the performance have been better?

A different narrator

I waited so long...

What disappointed you about Husband and Wife?

I read The Myth of Me & You, Leah Stewart's first novel and couldn't wait for her to publish her next. Every time I logged in I searched under author's name. Finally came the day when her next book arrived. I was more than disappointed. What happend? Her first book was so thought provoking and real. This book seemed cliche and "been there done that". Frankly I could not stand the narration either.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Gabrielle de Cuir?

Anyone. Too dramatic and whiny.

Life Isnt Always As You Expect It!

What made the experience of listening to Husband and Wife the most enjoyable?

The characters were relatable.