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Title: On Black Sisters Street

Author: Chika Unigwe

Narrator: Chinasa Ojbuagu

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-15-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 15 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

This stunning U.S. debut from Chika Unigwe won immense acclaim and immediately established its author as a writer to be reckoned with. Lured to Belgium from Lagos by an unscrupulous businessman, Sisi falls into prostitution, her life disintegrating as Black Sister's Street saps her every hope.

Members Reviews:

Something Different

I discovered this book while looking for a Nigerian author for a reading challenge. As with any book set outside of the United States, I liked being transported to two different countries: Nigeria and Belgium, neither of which I had ever visited. I also liked the structure of the book as it moved from the present in Belgium and the mystery surrounding the murder of a fellow sex worker back to the pasts of four different women and their paths from Africa to Europe and to their current trade. This book is dark and the naivete of the characters seems a bit unrealistic at times, but I found myself moving through the story quickly. Men are the aggressors throughout the book but that part of the story seems based on an all-to-often reality for many women in many parts of the world.

How 4 African Girls End Up Sex Workers in Belgium

I discovered this book while looking for a Nigerian author for a reading challenge. As with any book set outside of the United States, I liked being transported to two different countries: Nigeria and Belgium, neither of which I had ever visited. I also liked the structure of the book as it moved from the present in Belgium and the mystery surrounding the murder of a fellow sex worker back to the pasts of four different women and their paths from Africa to Europe and to their current trade. This book is dark and the naivete of the characters seems a bit unrealistic at times, but I found myself moving through the story quickly. Men are the aggressors throughout the book but that part of the story seems based on an all-to-often reality for many women in many parts of the world.

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Title: Fancy

Author: Norah Hess

Narrator: Rebecca Cook

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-20-11

Publisher: Books in Motion

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 18 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The Lady: After her father's accidental death, it was up to young Fancy Cranson to keep her small family together. But to survive in the pristine woodlands of the Pacific Northwest, she had to use her brains or her body. With no other choice, Fancy vowed she'd work herself to the bone before selling herself to any timberman even one as handsome, virile, and arrogant as Chance Dawson. The Logger: from the moment Chance Dawson laid eyes on Fancy, he wanted to claim her for himself. But the mighty woodsman had felled forests less stubborn than the beautiful orphan. To win her hand, he would trade his roughhewn ways for tender caresses, and brazen curses for soft words of desire. Only then would he be able to share with her a love that united them in passionate splendor.

Members Reviews:

One of My Favorite 'Re-Listen's'

I loved this and have re-listened to it several times. The hero is a huge jerk to the heroine because he thinks she's a prostitute (she's not) and it drives him insane that he is still so jealous and desirous of her. She also hurt his pride by turning him down flat the first time they met. This is one of those that some may hate, but it totally worked for me. The story sucked me in. I think it was nice to have a break from all the rich Lords and Greek tycoons and listen to a story about regular people.

I have to give a nod to Norah Hess' reference to Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men with the big, strong, mentally delayed character Lenny. I'm glad to report that things turned out much better for this Lenny and no rabbits were petted to death.

Disappointing main man

I use to love Norah Hess when I was a teenager. Maybe now that I'm older my tastes have changed?

I could not stand the lead man! What an arrogant dick! How anyone could love a SOB like him I don't know!

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Title: The Iron Pirate

Author: Douglas Reeman

Narrator: David Rintoul

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-19-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The crack German cruiser Prinz Luitpold had always been lucky in battle. To the beleaguered army on the Baltic coast she was their one remaining symbol of hope. But it is the summer of 1944, and on every front the war is going badly for Germany. When the order comes to leave the Baltic to attack and destroy enemy shipping in the Atlantic, Kapitan zur See Dieter Hechler knows that once out in this vast killing ground it will only be a matter of time before the hunter becomes the hunted.

Members Reviews:

A difficult book for me to follow

Would you try another book written by Douglas Reeman or narrated by David Rintoul?

Yes, am going to try To Risks Unknown.

What was most disappointing about Douglas Reemans story?

I didn't follow most of the plots and I guess naval stories are not my bag.

What does David Rintoul bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you had only read the book?

Voices to the characters, though I might've been able to follow the book better if I'd read it. then again, I probably wouldn't read it at all if I had the choice to.

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

Boredom.

Any additional comments?

I didn't enjoy this book and found the story difficult to follow. I didn't particularly like any of the characters in it.

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Title: Anthills of the Savannah

Author: Chinua Achebe

Narrator: Peter Jay Fernandez

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-26-11

Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Chris, Ikem and Beatrice are like-minded friends working under a military regime. In an atmosphere of oppression and intimidation they are simply trying to live and love - and remain friends. But with each new betrayal, hope is hard to cling on to.

Anthills of the Savannah (1987), is a powerful fusion of angry voices, where Achebe continues to trace the history of modern Africa through colonialism and beyond.

Members Reviews:

Slow Starter

Of all Achebe's books, this has to be my least favorite, though there are sparse nuggets of pompous hilarity in the dialogue between the regime elites throughout. For me, the last quarter of the book makes the wait of this slow starter worthwhile. The character development is quite extensive for such a short novel, but that seems on par for most of Achebe's works. The book might be read with a bit too much of the air of arrogance from the characters.

Beautiful story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book . It was very well written and researched as it seems to be based on a certain Nigerian military regime .

The reader read it beautifully and my only criticism, as I have with other books written by a Nigerian author and read by a non-Nigerian actor, is the many mispronunciation of words .

You should either get a native to record the book or research the pronunciation of the words , it makes for a more enjoyable experience

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Title: Act of Faith

Author: Erica James

Narrator: Eve Matheson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 16 hrs and 34 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-17-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Impetuous Ali Anderson has always been a loose cannon. While shes still trying to come to terms with the death of her baby son and subsequent divorce from Elliot, she takes it upon herself to play God with her best friends incomprehensible marriage. Alis meddling has disastrous consequences. Finding herself cut off from those she loves, she comes to realise that a little forgiveness goes a long way...

Members Reviews:

Excellent book, well performed.

What did you love best about Act of Faith?

How faith plays in every life, no matter who you are or what your belief system is.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Allie

Which scene was your favorite?

The closing scene...

Another good book from Erica James.

I enjoyed this book. it is very sad and places. it is well written and well Read. I did think that it was a little bit too long. I would recommend this book

Disappointing

Erica James writes brilliantly and I have hugely enjoyed many of her books but this is not one of them.

The characters are engaging but the story drags and I grew bored. Rather late in the book a bit more action kicks in and we know things will go horribly wrong before coming good but the protagonist's deluded act of well-intentioned foolishness is so absurd it simply made the remaining chapters rather irksome. This is most assuredly not the absorbing feel-good fare that James so often does deliver. Try other titles before this.

An odd mixture

I think this book has lots going for it, it's silly in places though as it seems so far fetched. Extremely well performed by Eve Matheson, who brings the characters alive. It has some farcical qualities at some points in the story and is achingly sad in others. Erica James always tells a good story whatever she writes about, I applaud her storytelling abilities.

This author has never let me down

Where does Act of Faith rank among all the audiobooks youve listened to so far?

Map of True Places

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ellie she is so feisty

Have you listened to any of Eve Mathesons other performances? How does this one compare?

Eve is an excellent reader, a joy to listen to.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A tale of how the events in our lives effect us

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book

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Title: Heartwood

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Belva Plain

Narrator: Karen White

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-08-11

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Few authors have understood the tender intricacies of relationships better than the incomparable Belva Plain. For three decades her deeply moving epics have captivated the hearts and imaginations of readers everywhere. Now, in her final novel, she comes full circle with the themes she took up in her very first work, Evergreen, bringing us this unforgettable story of family and friendship, love and marriage, the challenges of life and the true secret of happiness.

Though Iris Stern considers herself a modern woman, with a successful academic career and a happy marriage, she still holds steadfast to her old-fashioned sensibilities. But as the mother of three adult children, each with their own lives and burdens to bear, she often finds those sensibilities called into question when confronted with the choices her children have made.

For one of Iris's daughters, it's the choice of a fresh start in New York City - and a last chance to save her troubled marriage. While Laura and Robbie cope with an impending separation and its effect on Iris's young granddaughter, Iris herself must come to grips with the discovery of a long-held family secret. But it's an emotional parting of another kind that looms most prominently on Iris's horizon as neither her beloved husband, nor the solidity of her own marriage, is immune to the ravages of time.

Through separations and reunions, the changes we cannot avoid and the love that sustains, Iris will weather whatever lies ahead with a faith that cannot be shaken. Like the inmost rings of a tree that abide through the generations, she will be as strong as heartwood.

Critic Reviews:

Belva Plain doesnt know how not to write a best seller. (Newsday)

Belva Plain is in a class by herself. (The New York Times)

[Plain] offers . . . compelling stories about women coping with lifes crises. (People)

Members Reviews:

Predictable and antiquated.

I used to be an avid fan of Belva Plain. I cannot believe I've grown so old as to wonder why. It seems that I've grown up and she has not kept up. Though the heritage and time line she writes about are completely familiar to me, I wonder what she thinks she's adding to our information or entertainment data base or any part of the literary scene with this cliched book. I cannot believe I listened to the very end hoping I'd be wrong.

OK story, not a fan of the characters

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

Yes - easy to start and stop.

Would you recommend Heartwood to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes - nice story about family but characters seem a bit shallow.

What didnt you like about Karen Whites performance?

Too monitone, reading seemed choppy.

Was Heartwood worth the listening time?

Yes but only if you get it for free/credit.

Any additional comments?

This is my first Belva Plain book so maybe she has others that build the characters more and where they don't seem so superficial.

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Title: Armadillo

Author: William Boyd

Narrator: Simon Shepherd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 02-01-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

One winters morning, Lorimer Black - young, good-looking but with a somewhat troubled expression - goes to keep a perfectly routine business appointment and finds a hanged man. A bad start to the day by any standards and an ominous portent. Sure enough, Lorimers life is turned upside down and inside out in ways he could never have foreseen...An unabridged reading by Simon Shepherd.

Members Reviews:

Armadillo

I enjoyed this novely enormously and thought that Simon Shepherd's reading was excellent. I understand a previous reviewer's comments on the breathy quality of the reading but did not find it at all off-putting and felt it was perfectly suited to the dialogue. A very intelligent and enjoyable read.

armadillo

William Boyd is a great story teller and this book takes you into the complex and often humorous world of a cast of three dimensional and believable characters. It's one of those books that you're really sorry when you get to the end.

A gripping novel well read

A gripping and enigmatic novel, excellently read. I'm mystified by another reviewer's criticism of the reading as breathless

A mixed bag of a book

After a startling incident introducing the central character, Lorimer Black, as an employee of a shady firm of loss-adjusters, the book expands out in all directions with several sub-stories and diverse characters that dilute the impact of the central theme of an insurance scam that drives Lorimers stable life into a Kafkaesque decline. William Boyds fluid writing-style and imaginative descriptions carry the book, but I felt theres too much self-indulgent insertions of irrelevant details upon such diverse topics as military armour (Black collects helmets) and the psychoanalytical interpretation of dreams. Lorimers insomnia triggers many facts about sleep and sleep research not all of which are correct. The author just has too many themes in the book that he wanted to write about: less would have been better. As the narrative progressed I became more and more irritated by the repeated insertion of the words The Book of Transfiguration and three digit numbers popping up at random leaving me with the impression that I wasnt clever enough to pick up some literary or mathematical allusion. I could deduce some allusions to transformation by a change of name such as Lorimer Black, changing from Milmre Blocj. (I read elsewhere its an anagram). Id hoped that all would become clear by the end, but the book just stopped abruptly with threads left dangling.

The narrator is very good.

another thought-provoking read of earlier Boyd

Boyd's most recent books have all been different sorts of pure thrillers - Restless and Ordinary Thunderstorms for example. Since listening to them I've gone back to his earlier works. I found Brazzaville Beach a less 'fun' read but it asked harder questions for and of the reader. Similarly Armadillo was less of a page-turner but still a great listen. The main character Lorimer is extremely well sketched, with insights into his complex behaviour and history shared as the story in the present day is spun. Excellent narration augments a potent package.

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Title: The Lonely Girl

Author: Edna O'Brien

Narrator: Edna O'Brien

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-13-11

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 27 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Caithleen and Baba, first encountered in The Country Girls, are now living in Dublin, where they discuss men, drink gin, and try to look fast. Cait, in the pursuit of true love, becomes involved with the fanatically domineering Eugene Gaillard. Painful disillusion and occasional moments of bliss in her life make this a bittersweet tale, and it is told with all the perception and wit that is the hallmark of Edna OBrien.

Members Reviews:

Beautiful Sequel to The Country Girls

This is another moving, deeply felt novel about the characters O'Brien introduced in The Country Girls. This time around, it's a love story that takes the narrator through a relationship with an older, divorced man. Given the time (1950's) and location (Ireland) she faces massive disapproval from family and others, including violence/

O'Brien is fantastically vivid. Her descriptions of people, landscapes, and houses are full of detail and emotional resonance. I found this novel slightly more sentimental than the first and some of the narrator's romantic longings seemed overwrought. However, it is a powerful book overall.

O'Brien read this with so much feeling and urgency, the listener is transported. Impossible to imagine anyone reading it more compellingly.

Edna, please give me some closure!

I listened to The Country Girls and enjoyed Edna's descriptions of growing up in rural Ireland because my mother grew up much the same way and it was as if my mother was telling the story. The story is told by the author and her accent is much like my mother's as well. What was frustrating with the first book is that it had no end and left the reader wanting to know what happened to the two young girls in Dublin. I was delighted to see a sequel to the first book and downloaded it immediately only to find it has ended the same way...poor Cait is once again left wondering and sad. My guess is that the publisher took one long book and divided it into three (let's hope it is just three!) books. Enough now, give us an ending!

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Title: The Messiah Secret

Author: James Becker

Narrator: Graeme Malcolm

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-12-11

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

James Beckers pulse-pounding debut thriller, The First Apostle, made critics and genre fans alike stand up and take notice. An equally taut sequel, The Messiah Secret follows a young woman and her ex-husband as they seek to solve one of historys greatest mysteries. On assignment at a lavish English mansion, museum conservator Angela Lewis makes a shocking discovery. Buried in an ancient clay jar is a parchment - a document detailing the life and times of Jesus. This miracle-find also describes the Messiahs final resting place. Enlisting the aid of her ex-husband Chris, Angela sets off on an international quest to discover the tombs true contents. But their journey is made all the more dangerous by a power-mad priest and a greedy industrialist. From the quiet English countryside to the bone-chilling cold of the Himalayas, this globetrotting adventure will hold listeners in rapt attention till the very end. Narrator Graeme Malcolm doesnt miss a beat delivering a pitch-perfect reading of Beckers riveting prose.

Critic Reviews:

Appealing and clever protagonists coupled with intriguing history.... (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Refer to my The Last Apostle review.

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

Formula driven, but decent for the genre.

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

Drink less coffee, and abit less formula.

Have you listened to any of Graeme Malcolms other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and they are impressive throughout. He owns this author's material.

Do you think The Messiah Secret needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. Left alot of unwrapped ends.

Any additional comments?

Decent outing, for the genre. Good perfomance. Recommended.

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Title: The Omega Files: Short Stories

Subtitle: Oxford Bookworms Library, Stage 1

Author: Jennifer Bassett

Narrator: Gareth Armstrong

Format: Abridged

Length: 1 hr and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-13-10

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

In EDI (the European Department of Intelligence in Brussels) there are some very secret files - the Omega Files. There are strange, surprising, and sometimes horrible stories in these files, but not many people know about them. You never read about them in the newspapers.

Hawker and Jude know all about the Omega Files, because they work for EDI. They think fast, they move fast, and they learn some very strange things. They go all over the world, asking difficult questions in dangerous places, but they dont always find the answers.

Critic Reviews:

"The most consistent of all series in terms of language control, length, and quality of storytelling." (David R. Hill, ELT Journal Review)