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Title: Children of Earth and Sky

Author: Guy Gavriel Kay

Narrator: Simon Vance

Format: Unabridged

Length: 19 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-12-16

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Guy Gavriel Kay, best-selling author of the groundbreaking novels Under Heaven and River of Stars, once again visits a world that evokes one that existed in our own past, this time the tumultuous period of Renaissance Europe - a world on the verge of war, where ordinary lives play out in the grand scheme of kingdoms colliding.

From the small coastal town of Senjan, notorious for its pirates, a young woman sets out to find vengeance for her lost family. That same spring, from the wealthy city-state of Seressa, famous for its canals and lagoon, come two very different people: a young artist traveling to the dangerous East to paint the Grand Khalif at his request - and possibly to do more - and a beautiful oman posing as a doctor's wife in her role of a spy.

The trading ship that carries them is commanded by the clever younger son of a merchant family with ambivalence about the life he's been born to live. And farther east a boy trains to become a soldier in the elite infantry of the khalif, to win glory in the war everyone knows is coming. As these lives entwine, their fates - and those of many others - will hang in the balance when the khalif sends out his massive army to take the great fortress that is the gateway to the Western world....

Members Reviews:

Enjoyed it immensely

Felt a little disjointed initially but came together really well

Narrator was good, clear and had a voice that fitted the authors style and story

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Title: Return to the Little Coffee Shop of Kabul

Author: Deborah Rodriguez

Narrator: Laurel Lefkow

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs

Language: English

Release date: 03-24-16

Publisher: Hachette Audio UK

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

The honest, entertaining and life-affirming sequel to The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul, featuring the same loveable cast of characters, from internationally best-selling author Deborah Rodriguez.

In a little coffee shop in war-torn Kabul, five very different women unite for one important cause: to protect the women in Afghanistan. Now back home in the US, Sunny, the founder, is finding it difficult to settle and dreams of returning to her beloved coffee shop.

Shea is haunted by a traumatic event that makes her renounce her Afghan heritage. Yazmina, the coffee shop's new owner, wants to use her newfound security to help other women avoid the fate she narrowly escaped. Zara, promised in marriage to a violent man she's never met, arrives at the coffee shop seeking sanctuary. And Halajan, the grandmother still breaking all the rules, is secretly learning to drive....

Together, these five women set out to change their lives and the lives of women in Afghanistan forever.

Critic Reviews:

"Kabul Beauty School transcends the feel-good genre largely because of the author's superior storytelling gifts and wicked sense of humour." (New York Times)

"A craftsman and a storyteller, Rodriguez captures place and people wholeheartedly, unveiling the faces of Afghanistan's women through a wealth of memorable characters who light up the page." (Publishers Weekly)

"Composed of heartbreak, hope, poignancy and candour." (LA Times)

"An eye-opening and uplifting tale about sisterhood and survival." (Grazia)

"A very gutsy, real-life adventure story for women.... This lively memoir is full of darkly funny moments." (People)

"A brilliant story of strength and appreciation of difference that restores belief in humanity." (Daily Telegraph)

"A perfect summer read. What sets this book apart is its wonderfully exotic setting." (Sunday Herald Sun)

Members Reviews:

A welcome catch up to the original book! :)

Read the original a couple years ago and a welcome return to catch up with lives of people that, while have never met, feel have known a lifetime! Laura, the reader, encouraged that feeling with her pleasant, gentle, sing song voice :)

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Title: When Hummers Dream

Subtitle: A Milford-Haven Story

Author: Mara Purl

Narrator: Mara Purl

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-22-16

Publisher: Haven Books Audio

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Can a hummingbird dream? Artist Miranda Jones thinks so. Sensing the tiny injured bird that wings its way into her world still lives, she paints the creature's dream garden and seems to reach into his very heart. She reached into her own heart to create a new life for herself in Milford-Haven, the small town of undiscovered beauty on California's Central Coast, where one of her dear friends is environmentalist Samantha Hugo-a brilliant PhD 20 years her senior who gave up a son years earlier. Though the audiobook stands alone, it also introduces book one of the Milford-Haven Novels, the critically acclaimed popular series, a multi-generational saga, based on Purl's BBC Radio drama, Milford-Haven U.S.A.

Members Reviews:

Great Short side-story

If you could sum up When Hummers Dream in three words, what would they be?

Wonderful, insightful narrative.

What other book might you compare When Hummers Dream to and why?

I have read Mara's other short stories that accompany all her book series. These are clever adjunct stories which add richness and additional charactor details to her main story series. Love it!

What about Mara Purls performance did you like?

Mara is the exception, as many authors who read their books are good writers, but not good narrators, Mara's training and expertice in acting and theater really adds to the vocal depth of her narration and clearly shows the broad range of her talent and skill with a magnificent voice with just the right inflection for her clever charactors.

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

The section that described how the person's experience merged with the nature experience. How the hummers world collides with the human one, is like a pause of enlightenment for both. The resolution creates the 'art' in the encounter.

Any additional comments?

Mara Purl's books may appear at first glance, as simple, delightful stories at the first read. But the underlying depth and insightful design of her charactors resonates with the reader over time, and they find themselves looking for these revealed charactoristics during their normal routine. Very enlighten writing.

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Titre: Lumières de Pointe-Noire

Auteur: Alain Mabanckou

Narrateur: Alain Mabanckou

Format: Unabridged

Durée: 6 hrs and 41 mins

Langue: Français

Date de publication: 03-10-16

Éditeur: Sixtrid

Evaluation: 5 sur 5 sur 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Résumé de l'éditeur:

"J'ai longtemps laissé croire que ma mère était encore en vie. Je m'évertue désormais à rétablir la vérité dans l'espoir de me départir de ce mensonge qui ne m'aura permis jusqu'alors que d'atermoyer le deuil."

Après vingt-trois ans d'absence, Alain Mabanckou retourne à Pointe-Noire, ville portuaire du Congo. Entre-temps, sa mère est morte, en 1995. Puis son père adoptif, peu d'années après. Le fils unique ne s'est rendu aux obsèques ni de l'un, ni de l'autre.

Entre le surnaturel et l'enchantement, l'auteur nous ouvre sa petite valise fondamentale, celle des années de l'enfance et de l'adolescence dans ses lieux d'origine. Au moment de repartir, il se rend compte qu'il n'est pas allé au cimetière. Sans doute était-ce inutile. Car c'est ce livre qui tient lieu, aussi, de tombeau. Et de résurrection.

Alain Mabanckou est poète, essayiste et l'auteur de plusieurs romans dont Verre Cassé (Seuil, 2005), Mémoires de Porc-épic (Seuil, prix Renaudot 2006) et Demain j'aurai vingt ans (Gallimard, 2010). L'ensemble de son œuvre a été couronné par l'Académie Française (Prix de Littérature Henri Gal, 2012). Il enseigne la littérature francophone à l'Université de Californie-Los Angeles (UCLA).

©2013 Édition du Seuil (P)2014 Sixtrid SAS

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Title: Gone

Subtitle: Gardner and Freeman, Book 2

Author: Rebecca Muddiman

Narrator: Tim Bruce

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-04-16

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A twisty story of murder, guilt and unintended consequences, perfect for fans of Kerry Wilkinson and Mel Sherratt.

Two hundred and fifty thousand people go missing in the UK every year. Ninety-one percent of those reported to police are found within 48 hours. Ninety-nine percent of cases are solved within a year. And one percent stay gone.

Troubled teenager Emma Thorley vanished without a trace 11 years ago. But now a body has been found.... As news of the discovery travels, the past comes back to haunt all those involved, from the police to Emma's friends and enemies. Because some secrets cannot be buried for ever...and some dangers never go away.

Members Reviews:

A tough call

I give this a point for being British. It is acdetective story. It is long, I wish it had been trimmed. But I'm glad I stuck with it to the end. It's quite the human saga.

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Title: The Pilates Class

Author: Stevie Turner

Narrator: Wendy Anne Darling

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-22-16

Publisher: Stevie Turner

Ratings: 2 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Roger is a down-to-earth builder type, Judy is the harassed single mother of four teenage boys, and Thelma is a librarian who usually looks as though she's been sitting on a wasps' nest for most of her life. Neville is on the lookout for a woman (any woman will do), and Julian just wants to be young again. Edie is the wrong side of 70, and Roz is a size zero fitness queen.

These characters, together with one very overweight Alice, all meet up for the first time at their local Pilates class. Petra, the class instructor, has no idea what she has gotten herself into!

Members Reviews:

LOL!

Once again, Stevie Turner did not disappoint with THE PILATES CLASS. I just love her sideways take on reality. This novel is chock-full of humorous characters that will have you laughing the moment you crack the book. With the aim of rehabilitating his injured shoulder, Roger Harveyâs doctor prescribes several free sessions in a Pilates class, and this where the fun begins. You will totally relate to the varied and idiosyncratic personalities of the class members. This read is definitely worth your while.

It Pays to Join This Pilates Class!

Have to say, that when I began reading, I anticipated something much lighter, more flip and shorter in duration. BIG, pleasant surprise! This is a slice of real life, played out by characters we might have in our families or neighborhoods. Using the pilates class as the stage, creates a common denominator that brings everyone to a level playing field. The love/hate relationships keeps this believable as well as entertaining. Entertaining enough to help you through those moments when reality reared its less than desirable head. We create our own happiness in life, and this book is a celebration of that truth.

I would recommend highly as a fun afternoon read

This is a cute little book with a lot of quirky characters that all of us have known in our lives. The characters are descriptive, true to life and well described. I would recommend highly as a fun afternoon read! Well done!

Recommend

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was chosen for a book club read and was perfect. A fast read with several different characters and diverse life's to make it interesting. It was mostly just entertaining but with some difficult adult situations. Not to mention what a great deal in the pricing.

If you want something fairly quick and a fun read choose "The Pilates Class" you won't be disappointed.

Three Stars

It was okay for a quick read.

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Title: Beyond the Shining Water

Author: Audrey Howard

Narrator: Carole Boyd

Format: Unabridged

Length: 15 hrs and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-11-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When Lily Elliott's father dies she loses everything - not just a beloved protector and his wonderful ship the Lily-Jane, but also the way of life she has always known. As her mother sinks into a dream-world and the money which had always seemed sufficient turns out to have been mostly debts, Lily watches, bewildered, as destitution comes ever closer for the Elliott women and their loyal housekeeper. Then two rescuers appear.

One is the most unlikely saviour: Liam O'Connor, a poor seaman who selflessly befriends the unhappy little girl. The other is Joshua Crowther, the wealthy owner of Oakwood Place, a grand country mansion where the desperate women finally find refuge.

Critic Reviews:

"Among the dross that constitutes the Liverpool saga market for women, Howard's enjoyable 19th-century historical romance of crossed love shines out. (Daily Mail)

"Her thousands of fans recognise the artistry of a ture storyteller. (Lancashire Life)

Members Reviews:

Beyond the Shining water

Very good story if you don't mind everything told in minute detail. Far too much detail for me, nearly made me give up at the beginning .

A1

Audrey Howard at her inimitable best! One of those books that when you reach the final chapter you read ever slower (or in the case of audio books keep skipping back a bit) to prolong the pleasure that a really good novel engenders

Beautifully narrative

Truly enjoyed this book, I found it difficult to stop listening to it. Very pleased.

loved this book

Would you listen to Beyond the Shining Water again? Why?

Yes rather slow to start but then very good story line.

Any additional comments?

Do not want to put too much as would ruin the story for others

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Title: Recipe for Life

Author: Nicky Pellegrino

Narrator: Jane McDowell

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-03-15

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Escape to Italy with this sumptuous story of secrets and friendships under Mediterranean skies. A recipe for life should be a simple thing: love and happiness, family, friends and a little food. But life is rarely straightforward....

Alice wants to make the most of life - after all, she knows how fragile it can be - and knows she never feels more alive than when she's cooking. Babetta has spent a lifetime tending the garden of her tiny house on the Italian coast, supplying food to feed a family now grown and gone.

One summer these two women are brought together in a crumbling Mediterranean villa, with the shared language of food. There, under the heat of the Italian sun or the shade of the pomegranate tree, secrets will be spoken, fears and hopes shared. But life's lessons are not learnt easily.

Read by Jane McDowell.

Members Reviews:

Enjoyable light read

A lovely light read - perfect for the summer holidays. The narrator had something of a jarring accent.

Most Unremarkable and Quite Forgettable

I was drawn to this book by a perceived unique relationship that would develop between two women separated by age and culture but united in their passion for food. I was let down. I did listen to the entire book hoping it might pull through before the end but no. Having said that, it does not contain smut or foul language and served me well as something to fall asleep to as there was no chance of missing anything important in the story. Very glad to have finished it and it reminded me of why I generally stay away from this genre.

Nice story, silly accent

This book was an enjoyable listen when it came to the storyline.

However, it was somewhat ruined by the narrator who insisted on (was told to?) giving the Italian characters an English with an Italian accent. Firstly, they wouldn't have been speaking English anyway, so why do it with an accent. It makes the listener wonder wether the producer thinks he is too stupid to understand the character is Italian without having a stumbling accent glued on. Secondly, the accent wasn't very good. If you can't roll your r's or pronounce names correctly in Italian, it's better to drop the attempt. I'd prefer this book (and also the narrator) without the silly accent.

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Title: Missing the Midnight

Author: Jane Gardam

Narrator: Anna Bentinck

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-12-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Jane Gardam reveals again her brilliant diversity and deep understanding of the human condition.

In "Light", an evocative, lyrical piece of magic realism, a beautiful Himalayan girl defies the destiny laid out for her by her mother but in so doing destroys the village in which she was born.

In "Missing the Midnight", a young woman, having failed her exams and lost the man she loves, journeys home on Christmas Eve to the family she despises.

In "Grace" an apparently ordinary man lives his whole life with a diamond under his skin at the back of his neck and dies when it is finally removed.

Jane Gardam weaves strange and magical occurrences into the fabric of beautifully realised lives in this stunning collection.

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Title: The Nowhere City

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Alison Lurie

Narrator: Gabra Zackman

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-29-15

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A young couple from New England's Ivy League plunges into a culture clash during a year in Los Angeles.

When his mentor at Harvard University suddenly leaves for Washington, Paul Cattleman finds himself adrift in the wilds of academia. He's lost his fellowship position for the fall semester, can find work only in what he considers to be intellectual cesspits--schools that would brand the young history professor as forever unsuitable for the Ivy League--and is one thesis short of a PhD. Rather than doom his career, he takes a temporary job in Los Angeles, a city whose superficial charms signal an adventure. He is ready to make the best of his year out west. The only thing holding him back is his wife.

Katherine is a New Englander through and through, and as soon as she steps into the LA smog, she knows this transition will be a struggle. What Paul sees as fun she considers vulgar. But while Los Angeles may be a cultural wasteland, this East Coast girl will find that West Coast pleasures can be quite a lot of fun.

Members Reviews:

Four Stars

Interesting, if a bit grim, novel about Hollywood and how it changes people...or not.

Four Stars

Witty, well-written, but plot is thinner than a lot of Lurie's other work.

A California girl's favorite!

This is my favorite Alison Lurie novel. The scenes are a bit dated (my mental images picture the 1960's), but they are very familiar to me as a former Los Angelino. The contrasting cultures (east vs. west coast) are vividly represented in the experiences of two main characters. The aspect I like the best is how you begin the book hating Katherine and sympathizing with Paul, but the author adeptly switches your allegiances.

Recommend to all

A story of one man's spiritual journey. When you give your life to God get ready for many doors to open and take you to places you have never been and you would never have dreamed of going in your human thoughts and desires. This is a story of quite a ride. It spoke volumes to me, things I would never have thought about before reading Mark's book. Mark has lit many candles along his journey. Recommend to all. Easy reading and not ever tedious or boring. Read to the end! Amazing Grace!

Four Stars

This was a very enjoyable novel for me as a new-comer to L.A. It has a surprise ending too.