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Title: Pharmakon, or The Story of a Happy Family

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Dirk Wittenborn

Narrator: Lincoln Hoppe

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-09-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

William Friedrich, an ambitious professor of psychology at Yale in 1952, has stumbled upon a drug that promises happiness - and that can make him a famous man. When his experiment goes awry, and a research subject commits murder, the consequences will haunt him and his family forever.

Pharmakon is an epic novel, an invocation of the quest for bliss, for love, for family, and all of the betrayals that follow. We follow the Friedrichs from the well-ordered suburban life of postwar America through the chaos and freedom of the counterculture, into the drug-fueled, media-crazed 80s and beyond. In William Friedrich, Wittenborn has defined the archetypal American patriarch: a miracle worker and source of strength to everyone except those he loves the most. Pharmakon is also a layered, thoughtful search behind the veil of psychopharmacology as we know it today - a tale not only of the consequences of research, but also of the complex personalities, appetites, and struggles that created it.

Honest, insightful, and ruefully funny, Pharmakon captures formative moments of the 20th century, the quirks of an American family, and will enthrall fans of the novels of John Irving.

Members Reviews:

An interesting tale that leads nowhere.

This book starts out strong and ultimately fizzles to little more than another tale of a dysfunctional family who blames their father on their lives.

The premise of an ambitious pyschologist/statistical researcher looking to make his mark through the discovery of pyschological pharmaceuticals (in the 50's, long before they became mainstream), and a botched effort which impacts his family, his life and his patients is interesting.

Even the first part of the book holds you in it's grip. The second part is the beginning of the fizzle - and by the end, I felt I had been duped. The story wasn't leading anywhere at all!

I've given it three stars - simply for it's first half. But, I wouldn't recommend reading the whole of it. By the time you get to the end where he wraps up 20 years of a main characters life - in about as many as pages - you know the author, too, couldn't figure out where he'd wanted it to go or what he wanted it to be.

Derivative, meandering story with shallow characters

I got caught up in this story despite the uneven writing (too many cliche writer's devices, and a few sloppy errors) and the remarkably shallow characters. The plot did show promise early on. Unfortunately, though, the author seems to have lost his way about halfway through this novel. One of the book critic quotes on my copy likens Wittenborn to John Irving, and it's true there are some structural similarities (especially the blunt use of sudden, devastating tragedy). I would even say that Wittenborn probably modeled his writing on Irving's. But one of Irving's strengths is creating memorable, dynamic characters, while all the characters in "Pharmakon" are forgettable and unlikable cardboard cutouts, especially the females. This one is a miss.

poor choices/dysfunctional family dynamics (99% of the book)

This was hard to finish, just enough plot to keep going, but barely.

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Title: Tomato Girl

Author: Jayne Pupek

Narrator: Julia Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-19-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Eleven-year-old Ellie Sanders is forced to grow up quickly when her pregnant mother develops health problems and her father's attentions become diverted by a teenage produce peddler. To escape, Ellie creates a secret world of her own, where life still seems normal.

©2008 Jane Pupek; (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews:

"Wrenching, stunning, and pitch-perfect novel." (Library Journal)

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable heartbreak

I seem to be the king of picking depressing books, but although this one was pretty depressing, I enjoyed it. Rather than roll my eyes at the characters, I wanted to get in there and strangle someone! The situations were so bizarre they actually made sense. It was gut-wrenching, all the same.

YA?

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I still don't know if this book was written for YAs, but it must have been. I finished the book and rated it three stars. If I finish a book I automatically give it three stars so you be the judge. It was a good story and I would have probably given it four stars if I was 16 instead of 60.

Would you be willing to try another book from Jayne Pupek? Why or why not?

It depends. I am from the south and I love reading about the south, but I would delve more into the age group the book was geared towards when written.

Which character as performed by Julia Gibson was your favorite?

I loved Clara, the magic maker.

Could you see Tomato Girl being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not enough meat for a movie must less a TV series. Sorry.

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Title: The Last Lighthouse Keeper

Author: Alan Titchmarsh

Narrator: Alan Titchmarsh

Format: Abridged

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-12-08

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Will Elliott is out of a job. The lighthouse he's been manning on Prince Albert Rock, off the wild Cornish coast, is about to become automated. So Will decides to fulfil his lifelong ambition - to sail round the coastline of Britain. Determined to continue his solitary existence, Will begins his preparations for his epic voyage. But before he has time to so much as paint his hull, he meets Amy Finn - a beautiful artist and fellow loner. And as if that isn't distraction enough, suddenly his sleepy Cornish village is rocked by the biggest scandal to hit Cornwall since Guenevere ran off with Launcelot. It seems as if Will will never get away, and even if he does will his journey be solo or is there hope that he and Amy could be embarking on a two-man voyage of discovery?

©2000 Alan Titchmarsh; (P)2008 Simon & Schuster Audio

Members Reviews:

the last lighthouses keeper

this is the first book i have heard and most enjoyable and love to get the next one

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Título: El llanto de la comadreja [The Weeping of the Weasel (Texto Completo)]

Autor: Eva Navarro

Narrador: Adriana Sananes

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 11-10-08

Editor: Recorded Books

Calificaciones: 5 de 5 de 2 votos

Categorías: Fiction, Contemporary

Resumen del editor:

Barcelona. En una productora de televisión, un grupo de profesionales lucha por sobrevivir al estresante ritmo de trabajo que está acabando con su salud mental y física. Parece que el futuro es prometedor y sólo falta unos días para que su suerte cambie.

Dos historias aparentemente lejanas se unen en los días previos a la Navidad para mostrarnos la cara más cruel de la vida y confirmar que cuando todo parece ir mejorando probablemente es sólo un espejismo. Todos somos piezas en el tablero del poder, procura pasar inadvertido si te gustar estar vivo.

Please note: This title is in Spanish.

Opiniones de los miembros:

Samurais en la época de la ingeniería genética

Excelente novela de acción que combina las tradiciones del Japón medieval, del código bushido de los samurais con la ingeniería genética en un lugar inesperado como Barcelona.

La narración es excelente.

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Título: La Gruta del Toscano

Autor: Ignacio Padilla

Narrador: Francisco Rivela

Formato: Unabridged

Duración: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 10-30-08

Editor: Recorded Books

Calificaciones: 3 de 5 de 2 votos

Categorías: Fiction, Contemporary

Resumen del editor:

Todas estas expediciones tienen un factor en común, un guía, un colaborador. Pasang Nuru, un Sherpa, un gran conocedor de las tierras y de algunos idiomas ahora es entrevistado por periodistas que tratan de descubrir las pistas necesarias para que ellos mismos sepan cuál es el secreto que esconde la gruta.

Opiniones de los miembros:

muy lento

Era con mucha anticipación que saqué este libro de la biblioteca; había leído muchas cosas halagatorias sobre Padilla y estaba segura que esta novela me iba a gustar--si era de aventura, ¿cómo no? Además, leyendo la tapa de atrás, vi que la trama iba a tener una inclinación filosófica--mejor todavía. Pero lo que no pude prever era el ritmo lentísimo de narración. ¿Un libro de aventura no tiene que ofrecer más aventura que la vida real?

A lo mejor el ritmo no molesta a lectores menos impacientes que yo, y la verdad es que hay veces cuando la historia sí cautiva. Pero estando en la p. 65 y habiéndome cansado de tanta explicación entre escenas de aventura, no mencionar no sentir lo suficiente enganchada para que me interese o importe el elemento filosófico, he perdido las ganas de averiguar si lo que promete el resumen en la tapa de atrás se vuelve realidad, y voy a abandonar el libro. Por ordinaria que sea mi vida, es más interesante que este libro. :(

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Title: The Making of June

Author: Annie Ward

Narrator: Aasne Vigesaa

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-30-08

Publisher: Brilliance Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

At first, June appears to be the ideal California girl - blond hair, blue eyes, a production assistant at a film company, and married to a hot property about to get his doctorate - but she abandons her home and job to follow her husband to Bulgaria. Within a month of their arrival, June turns 30 and her husband leaves her for a young local girl. As difficult as it is for her to be without him and virtually friendless in a country on the verge of civil war, June doesn't run home. She drinks too much, falls into the arms of a Mafia kingpin, gets caught up in the revolution, and little by little revels in her new vision of the world outside the American periscope. She survives and learns that loss can be an opportunity and that loneliness gives a person time to change her life.

(P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Members Reviews:

An incredible story about self-discovery and growth in times of loss

From the moment I opened the book until its very last page, I was taken on an insightful and hopeful journey through the complexities of the Bulgarian and American psyche. The characters are imperfect but develop in beatifully vulnerable and unexpectedly powerful ways. I fell in love with their broken hearts and strong persevering spirit. As I read about them taking big risks in high-stake times, I got empowered to never quit searching for love, happiness, and a better life. Page by page and chapter by chapter, I saw the allusion, illusion and elusion of the Dream, be it an American, European, or Bulgarian dream, turn into a different reality... a reality of creating a new meaningful and uniquely personal role for yourself in our world. The book wouldn't be the same if it wasn't set in the post-Communist Balkans and if it didn't touch upon the historically significant Christian-Muslim conflicts of the area. The pace felt dynamic and easy to keep up with even with each and every adventure being spiced up and sometimes overly sprinkled with organized crime dangers and civil and political protests. I loved the ending... it's karmic and yet not quintessentially Hollywood-esque.

Good depiction of era and place

Having lived in Eastern Europe in that era, it was great fun to go back and see it again through June's eyes. I can attest to the authenticity of the environment that Ward recreates in the book, the darkness, sleaze, uncertainty, and human spirit that plugged through it all. June is a bit of a retard at first, but as the book proceeds you get to know and understand her and her environment. Good writing of an era and place that existed pretty much as written in the book.

Captivating. Can't wait to read more by this author ...

Captivating. Can't wait to read more by this author.

Tense, suspenseful and very captivating!

From the moment he finishes the first page of this novel the reader and his curiosity are hooked. This is a page-turner and the story of twenty-something June Carver who finds herself living an inconvenient life in Sofia, Bulgaria. She has followed her husband to that city when he receives a grant to write a dissertation on new democracies in eastern Europe. June struggles to adjust in a backward country and to fit in with the expatriate community in Sofia but there are many obstacles in her way. Life in Bulgaria introduces June to new threats to her marriage, cultural differences, the Bulgarian mafia and new insight into the lives of people who have survived the iron fist of Soviet power.

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Title: The Sea's Fury

Subtitle: Rescue at Point Serenity

Author: Michael Hazard

Narrator: Gene Engene

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-28-08

Publisher: Books In Motion

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

But the fierce storm is only one of the obstacles he faces in trying to rescue the stranded survivors who struggle against the power of the ravaging storm in their own isolated and precarious location. As he attempts to rescue a trapped mother and her son, one final challenge forces him into a perilous life and death situation.

It will take all of his courage, ingenuity and physical stamina to survive this struggle to stay alive in the sea he loves.

Members Reviews:

Okay story, odd ending, amateurish writing

The premise of the book is interesting, but it unfortunately suffers from a fairly amateurish writing style (esp. the dialogue) and depends way too much on the reader being able to figure out the military-style abbreviations. Oddly, the hero ends up being a rescued victim at the end of the book, a plot device not many authors are likely to have come up with.

I hope Hazard (he's got a terrific author's name to work with) builds on the experience of writing this book and takes a whack at another one. The Coast Guard, it seems to me, appears to be a likely field to explore, with its myriad mission elements to explore. "The Sea's Fury" might have been a good start for a series, but the ending made it fairly plain that this was the end of this particular road for the protagonist.

I have read the book at least three times, ...

I have read the book at least three times, each time finding more and more excitement in the writing. I sometimes find myself thinking that I am in the book, but wait, as a matter of fact, Mike Hazard and I served together at the very place that the book takes place in Washington. His stories of the rescues are merely images of what was a daily life-style for all of us at that young age back on the surfboats. Mike's talent at bringing the reader into the story comes from that fact that he lived the life of a young Coastguardsman who would daily take on the risk of saving the lives of those that called out SOS!

His book, although the names have been changed, portrays what even today the courageous volunteers that man the Coast Guard Search and Rescue stations along both coasts will live out day in day out.

Thank you Mike for giving us the story and bring us many more.

Wonderful sea adventure

Truly, this is a story for anyone who has saved a life at sea. Anyone involved in air/sea or surface water rescues will relate to and enjoy this book. The author draws you into the story as he captures your imagination and tugs on your emotions telling a wonderful story of dedication and courage. The book is so well written it is hard to put down as you want to be there with Josh on his next rescue. This is a must read if you like heart pounding adventure, real life drama all interwoven by an emotion that will touch the heart.

I would recommend it for anyone

This was a well-written and engaging book. I found it to be thoroughly enjoyable, even though I thought it would be a "guy's" book and may not hold appeal for a woman. But hold my appeal it did. Detailed and colorful characters and descriptions of situations helped to keep me turning the pages. I would recommend it for anyone, whether you are a Coastie or not, a sailor at heart or not, or a water-lover or not. I hope there's a sequel.

A Good Read

I truly enjoyed the book.

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Title: Testimony

Author: Felicia Mason

Narrator: Peter Jay Fernandez

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-25-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Award-winning, #1 Blackboard best-selling author Felicia Mason delivers a soul-stirring novel of faith, family, and friendship. For 18 years Roger McKenzie has led The Triumphant Voices of Praise, a gospel singing group. But The Voices have failed to win commercial or critical success, and their close bond is deteriorating. Only by confronting the demons of their past will the singers have a chance to reach new heights.

©2002 Felicia L. Mason; (P)2002 Recorded Books,LLC

Members Reviews:

Pretty Good

What did you like best about Testimony? What did you like least?

Just that it showed us that the church is not perfect not even the choir members. At first it was slightly difficult to follow with new getting to know so many new characters that we know nothing about, then the authors later introduces each character, and as soon as I've gotten to know them and how they are connected the book is over!

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

wanted more...

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

No he was awesome, I even liked some of the times when he sung! Love it!

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Title: Fashion Victim

Author: Chloe Green

Narrator: C. J. Critt

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-24-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Blending tightly plotted mysteries with healthy doses of zesty fun, Chloe Green's acclaimed Dallas O'Connor series is a hit with both critics and readers. When Dallas is whisked to the Caribbean to whip up a style for a new all-girl band, the local priestess scoffs that Dallas wears "de face of death." But the scenery is too lush and the drinks are too many for Dallas to care. That is, until a dead body spoils the sand on the pristine beach.

©2002 Suzanne Frank; (P)2003 Recorded Books,LLC

Members Reviews:

I feel like a victim

I bought the first two fashion series and really liked the first one-still think it is worth reading, the second one was okay and this one is terrible. I will not waste my money on the next Dallas mystery. The charcters in this story are not well written or developed-as an example they have supposedly fired 40 stylist but when Dallas arrives and starts working with them-they are all smiles and easy to get along with, no complaining about the clothes, the shoes, etc. Also, the there was a big problem with the stylist but not the make up artist? So it does not make sense. The plot line is not done well. Green tried to weave together too many things and the story does not hold up even if you are drinking while reading. The plot is too impossible to be enjoyable. The dialogue is just bad-wincingly bad. Green also spent too much time on food description. She is allowed to spend lots of ink on clothes because she is writing about a stylist. However, I wasn't sure if I was reading about a themed book about food or fashion. I found myself skipping dialogue between the girl band members and song lyrics. I wanted to read a mystery not lyrics. I completely gave up on ever spending my money on this series again when the Dallas announces that she found a body and everyone is too involved in their breakfast care and when names on the passports give away a relationship that supposedly has been kept hidden from the record company who is paying for everyone to be on the exotic island-how stupid or how many drinks were we supposed to have had to think that a rep from the company would not have had copies of everyone's documentation. This book was written badly. Do not waste your money-I won't next time.

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Title: Crawfish Dreams

Author: Nancy Rawles

Narrator: Lizan Mitchell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-24-08

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Camille Brousarde is tired and discouraged. She lives in the Watts area of Los Angeles, which has never recovered from the race riots. Her seven grown children seem directionless and adrift. When she decides to open a local restaurant, Camille's Gumbo Kitchen, she hopes that its tasty offerings will pull together not just her family, but her neighborhood, too. Crawfish Dreams is a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers pick.

©2003 Nancy Rawls; (P)2004 Recorded Books LLC

Members Reviews:

Loved It!!!

The cover of this book "grabbed" my attention, and then I was intrigued by the synopsis. This book is an excellent read for all ages, and and awesome suggestion for a book club. The author invited the reader to her world, and we came inside, took a seat, and enjoyed the ride!! Kudos to Nancy Rawles, Kudos!!

Courageous, Lush, and DELICIOUS

How amazing! I applaud and admire Nancy Rawles' courage to really delve into the intricacy of intimacy with ALL of these beloved characters. It was so very deeply reflective of real life and the real-life process. The lead character Camille is a heroine but an every day woman/mother with every day dreams of success and resolve for her family. She is a superhero and literally wills everyone into action. The family is also Creole giving us a peek into this culture that is scarce in the landscape of American literature and ethnic dialog.

The book is set in Watts after the historic demonstrations an revolts. The family suffers from post-traumatic stress to put it mildly. Camille believes that a healing is in order for her family and begins with herself as example.

The recipes are an extra treat in the book! They simply make the book that much more delicious! Lovely, absolutely lovely!

I have been sharing this treasure with friends, family and book clubs! DON'T MISS THIS RARE TREAT!

A Whole Lot of Creole Cooking Going On

Good to the bone recipes, family ties, Louisiana folklore and the quest for elusive dreams are stirred up in this gumbo pot of a story in Nancy Rawlesï¿s spirited sequel to Love Like Gumbo, Crawfish Dreams. In Love we saw Grace, the youngest daughter of Camille Broussard, go through her identity crises, sometimes racially and certainly gender wise. Now we have the matriarch Camilleï¿s story, who at age sixty-seven feels her life slipping away from her. All she wants to do is to be able to get ahead just a little before she dies. Cleaning and cooking for the church was not the way she wanted to go out. Her specialty staples of meat pies and seafood gumbo are renowned and it is her desire to open a business and share with the world.

The Broussards are just one of many families that migrated from Louisiana to Los Angeles pre and post WWII and brought their strait-laced Creole culture, mores, history and superstitions. Camilleï¿s seven children are her heart and the bane of her existence. Marc, a card carrying member of the black bourgeoisie; Yvette, the sexually frustrated oldest daughter who is married to Juge, an older man in ill health; Grace, the lesbian in therapy, who has been in community college for seven years; Raymond, whose loss of his longshoremanï¿s job causes him to wallow in self-pity; Joseph, the Vietnam vet who is an alcoholic living on the streets and Anthony, who has inherited the cabinet making business from T-Papa Broussard, are just some of the colorful personalities.