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Title: Heart of the City

Subtitle: Nine Stories of Love and Serendipity on the Streets of New York

Author: Ariel Sabar

Narrator: Neil Shah

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-11-11

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The handsome Texas sailor who offers dinner to a runaway in Central Park. The Midwestern college girl who stops a cop in Times Square for restaurant advice. The Brooklyn man on a midnight subway who helps a weary tourist find her way to Chinatown. The Columbia University graduate student who encounters an unexpected object of beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art....

A public place in the worlds greatest city. A chance meeting of strangers. A marriage. Heart of the City tells the remarkable true stories of nine ordinary couplesfrom the 1940s to the presentwhose matchmaker was the city of New York.

Intrigued by the romance of his own parents, who met in Washington Square Park, award-winning author Ariel Sabar set off on a far-ranging search for other couples who married after first meeting in one of New York Citys iconic public spaces. Sabar conjures their big-city love stories in novel-like detail, drawing us into the hearts of strangers just as their lives are about to change forever.

In setting the stage for these surprising, funny, and moving tales, Sabar, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, offers a fascinating look at the role of place in howand whetherpeople meet and fall in love.

Critic Reviews:

Love stories and urban studies merge in thesecozy, seductive narratives. (Kirkus Reviews )

"Quirky true tales about city landmarks and chance encounters." (New York magazine)

Members Reviews:

Protean Tales of Love and Place

This book is much much more than (as its subtitle tells us) "nine stories of love and serendipity on the streets of New York." Even if it weren't it would still be beautifully written and very moving. But as Sabar intimates and even promises in the introduction, the stories of nine couples who met in public spaces in New York City at various times over the past seventy-someard years reveal how place, architecture, and environment influence human interaction far more than usually acknowledged. The author's father, in recounting how he was able to speak to his wife upon meeting her in a New York City park decades ago, says, "The park shrank the city. It slowed time... Once inside.. people ceased being strangers." The immediate physical environment apparently has as much to do with romance as fate does. As Ecological Psychologist Roger Garlock Barker puts it, "If you want to know how someone is acting... don't tell me who they are- tell me where they are."

Just as the various loci (from Washington Square Park to The Statue of Liberty to The Metropolitan Museum of Art) affect the mood and spirit of the encounters being depicted, the various time periods (from WWII to the 1950s to the early-aughts) affect the prose style of each episode. The stories are not dryly-recounted documentary-style accounts but are rather protean gems carefully-crafted as short stories, replete with period slang and mannerisms. This is part of what makes Heart of the City much more than a series of light romances.

The book's structure is great. Each of the nine episodes has a corresponding "postscript" in the back which gives the reader a behind-the-scenes look at how the author discovered each story and how he went about contacting the couple (sometimes many decades later) and researching their story. The postscripts are very moving: both joyful and bittersweet.

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Title: Promise Me

Subtitle: How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer

Author: Nancy Brinker, Joni G. Rodgers

Narrator: Coleen Marlo

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-22-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 9 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Suzy and Nancy Goodman were more than sisters. They were best friends, confidantes, and partners in the grand adventure of life. For three decades, nothing could separate them. Then Suzy got sick. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1977; three agonizing years later, at 36, she died.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. The Goodman girls were raised in postwar Peoria, Illinois, by parents who believed that small acts of charity could change the world. Suzy was the big sister - the homecoming queen with an infectious enthusiasm and a generous heart. Nancy was the little sister - the tomboy with an outsized sense of justice who wanted to right all wrongs. The sisters shared makeup tips, dating secrets, plans for glamorous fantasy careers. They imagined a long life together - one in which they'd grow old together surrounded by children and grandchildren. Suzy's diagnosis shattered that dream.

In 1977, breast cancer was still shrouded in stigma and shame. Nobody talked about early detection and mammograms. With Nancy at her side, Suzy endured the many indignities of cancer treatment, from the grim, soul-killing waiting rooms to the mistakes of well-meaning but misinformed doctors. That's when Suzy began to ask Nancy to promise: to end the silence, to raise money for scientific research, to one day cure breast cancer for good. Big, shoot-for-the-moon promises that Nancy never dreamed she could fulfill. But she promised because this was her beloved sister. "I promise, Suzy... even if it takes the rest of my life."

Nancy soon found a useful outlet for her grief and outrage. Armed only with a shoebox filled with the names of potential donors, Nancy put her formidable fund-raising talents to work and quickly discovered a groundswell of grassroots support.

Promise Me is a deeply moving story of family and sisterhood, and a soaring affirmative to the question: Can one person truly make a difference?

Editorial Reviews:

More than a memoir of one woman or two sisters relationship, this moving book covers the birth of a grassroots movement, as well as the history of a terrible disease. Nancy G. Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (now called Komen for the Cure) after her sister made her promise to remove the stigma of breast cancer, improve the lives of women affected, and find a cure. Susans death began Nancys life work.

Veteran narrator Coleen Marlo brings an immediacy to the work, particularly with the stories of women affected by breast cancer that are interspersed throughout. Her one misstep is her representation of young Susan Komen that borders on cloying. However, her pleasant voice makes the rest of the book unfold like a conversation.

Promise Me inspires early on as Nancy recalls her childhood. Her parents instilled in their girls the power of grassroots philanthropy and doing the right thing. The narrative stalls briefly during the Komen sisters trip to Europe, but regains momentum in the early years of the organization. Starting with just $200 and a shoebox of potential donor names, Nancy sets out on an incredible journey to keep her promise to her sister.

She receives help along the way, but is always at the center of the story. Nancy is a force.

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Title: Walking Papers

Subtitle: The Accident That Changed My Life, and the Business That Got Me Back on My Feet

Author: Francesco Clark

Narrator: Kirby Heyborne

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-07-10

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 7 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Francesco Clark was a 24-year-old with a bright future when he went to the Hamptons for the weekend. A nocturnal dive into the pool's shallow end changed everything. Paralyzed from the neck down, doctors announced that he'd never move from his bed or breathe without assistance. But Francesco fought back. Within days, he was breathing on his own. His father, a doctor himself, investigated every opportunity for experimental treatment, and Francesco used all resources available to speed his recovery.

To avoid having his lungs suctioned, he sang, loudly, for hours. And that was just the beginning. Francesco's accident left him unable to sweat out toxins, leaving his skin less than healthy. So Francesco and his father began to experiment, and the Clark's Botanicals skin-care line was born. It is now sold nationwide in stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Fred Segal, and featured in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and other magazines. Seven years after the accident, Francesco continues to improve, in addition to running a thriving business.

Critic Reviews:

"Walking Papers is moving, funny, and inspiring - a gift to any person dealing with a chronic illness or condition." (Michael J. Fox, author of Always Looking Up)

Members Reviews:

Amazing courage

Francesco is the type of person you want on your side when all else is failing. His determination to try and conquer all is just amazing. Having the guts to move on after such a freak accident left me in awe. Where most of us would have given up, Francesco was determined to success.

I read this book after seeing Lou pick it up in the library in Me Before You . I truly wish she'd been able to convince Will to live and maybe research some of Francisco's amazing accomplishments. It would have made an excellent sequel. Sadly it wasn't meant to be.

Awesome book, I will read it again.

A good reminder that you can... whatever it is, you can

Francesco Clark does fantastic job detailing his journey from young professional to quadriplegic to entrepreneur. He covers the ups and downs, the fear and joy of his years fighting back for a life. I could not put the book down, because I wanted to know the next stage. His writing style brings you along on the journey with him.

My favorite part of this book is the constant goal setting Francesco does. At each stage and with goals that even to him at times felt small, he continued. He did not stop, and while he had support, no one was dragging him along. He was setting his coursed and often dragging others with him to support his journey.

The one negative review of this book has a point in that Francesco had wonderful support, which many people facing this don't. This does not take away from what Francesco achieved, and Francesco gives his parents, siblings and friends all the credit in the world. That reviewer misses the point of the book. With or without financial resources, the determination to believe that things can improve is what put Francesco where he was. I am sure that most of the people Francesco met on his journey had less resources than him, and were fighting as he was to get to a better place. Hooray for Francesco's success, which will inspire many more to follow. Do not accept what is given to you.

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Titel: Der Orientalist. Auf den Spuren von Essad Bey

Autor:: Tom Reiss

Erzähler: Dietmar Mues, Nina Hoger, Stephan Schad

Format: Abridged

Spieldauer: 7 hrs and 38 mins

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 05-11-10

Herausgeber: Griot Hörbuchverlag GmbH

Kategorien: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Tom Reiss zeichnet das faszinierende Porträt einer schillernden Persönlichkeit und ihrer turbulenten Zeit, deren kurze, doch romanhaft anmutende Lebensgeschichte den Leser in den Bann schlägt und tief bewegt. Gekürzte Lesung mit Musik des Ensembles Noisten.

Mitglieder Bewertungen:

A great true adventure story

Amazing story of a human chameleon. Particularly liked the parts about the Bolshevik Revolutions in areas that I hadn't read about. But the rest of this chaps story is just as fascinating. 4 instead of 5 stars because could have used a good editor for the 1st two chapters. But hang in there, the rest of the chapters are well written.

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Title: Memoirs of a Cotswold Vet

Author: Ivor Smith

Narrator: Michael Tudor Barnes

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 12-01-09

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

"When the telephone rang at 11 pm that night, the last thing I imagined I would hear was, 'For Christ's sake get here quick mister, he's grown another bleedin' leg!'"

This heart-warming account of veterinary life traces Ivor Smith's early days as a student at university through setting up his own practice in the Cotswolds, recounting a memorable 40 years in the profession. Following in the Herriot tradition of veterinary humour, Ivor's memories of life as a vet in a very mixed practice include hilarious incidents, colourful local characters, and engaging patients - from calving cows in the middle of cold spring nights and handling ferocious gerbils, to setting up home in a mouse-infested farmhouse, and even finding a new-born baby on his doorstep.

Members Reviews:

Boring

This has to be the most boring vet stories,, ever. This is a personal autobiography, listing all his schooling, personal achievements in football, any brushes with fame & blowing his own trumpet. Then he gives all same details of past/present associates & friends. Vetting & the animals are mentioned, but only given minor book space. He raves on about clients` social status, academic levels, football again, then mentions the animal only in passing, forgotten its name and character. This is more about people association's, academic/football credentials. If you are interested in animals, Don`t read this.

Interesting reading if you enjoy people.

We enjoyed an English television series about a local vet very much so wanted to try this book even though this is a different vet and another lovely part of England. My husband and I both enjoyed it and the down to earth stories about his practice in the local community.

Good Read

A good read, not as exciting as some Vet books, but down to earth and with a substantial story line.

not as much about animals as I would like, but still enjoyable

A little harder reading, but well written, not as much about animals as I would like, but still enjoyable.

An interesting read

This was a pleasant enough read. Unlike James Herriot, Smith seems to write more from the head rather than the heart. That said, I did enjoy the book.

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Title: Life in the Cave

Subtitle: Overcoming Grave's Disease

Author: Celia Marie

Narrator: Ashley Luckett

Format: Abridged

Length: 59 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-15-09

Publisher: Tate Publishing

Ratings: 1 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

After a long bout of testing, she discovered the source of her misery: a severe autoimmune disease with the ominous name of Grave's.

Celia's fight with sickness was never easy. Radiation and surgery put a strain on her immune system and made it hard for her to recover her body weight and energy. But she was never alone. Her family, her friends, and her faith were always there to comfort and protect her.

Join Celia Marie in finding out about Life in the Cave - and how she emerged back into the sunlight.

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Titel: Krokodil im Nacken. Eine Jugend in der DDR und die Geschichte einer Flucht

Autor:: Klaus Kordon

Erzähler: Klaus Kordon

Format: Abridged

Spieldauer: 7 hrs

Sprache: Deutsch

Veröffentlichungsdatum: 08-06-09

Herausgeber: Hoercompany

Kategorien: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Zusammenfassung des Herausgebers:

Stasi-Untersuchungsgefängnis Berlin-Hohenschönhausen: In Zelle 102 sitzt Manfred Lenz. Seine Frau ist ebenfalls inhaftiert, ihre Kinder sind im Heim untergebracht. Ein missglückter Fluchtversuch hat die Familie auseinandergerissen. In den Monaten der Einzelhaft erinnert sich Manfred Lenz an seine Kindheit und Jugend in Ost-Berlin...

(c)+(p) Hörcompany

Kritik Bewertungen:

Sehr differenziert beschreibt Kordon die Zerrissenheit, in der sich die Menschen befanden, die mit dem Regime nicht einverstanden waren.

--hr2 Hörbuchbestenliste

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Title: The Ramen King and I

Author: Andy Raskin

Narrator: Andy Raskin

Format: Abridged

Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-09

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The Ramen King and I is Raskin's memoir about how despair - and a series of bizarre adventures at Japanese restaurants - led him to confront the truth of his romantic past, and how Ando became his unlikely spiritual guide. Through letters ostensibly penned to the culinary sage, Raskin reveals a relationship history plagued by infidelity, jealousy, and betrayal. After devouring Ando's essays (with titles such as "Peace Follows from a Full Stomach" and "Mankind is Noodlekind"), he sets out to meet the food pioneer - and to discover the secret to a committed relationship.

Members Reviews:

Love this book. Grew to love ramen. Enjoying this book now a second time.

I love this book. Bought it when it first came out, read it while on vacation. I laughed, I cried. I later became infatuated with eating at ramen restaurants, particularly Shoki Ramen in Sacramento, CA. (Bowl of Dreams...). This culinary experience brought the book to mind and I told a bunch of ramen and culture lovers about it. Then I bought the book again. I like Andy Raskin's writing. I've enjoyed his pieces in magazines in the past and was excited when this book came out. It should be re-releases. I think it would be more timely now than it was when it first came out. Just my two cents...

Addictive Reading Just Like the Noodles!

The Ramen King and I is an incredibly absorbing book. The stories are a testament to the phrase, "Truth is stranger than fiction." The intimidating sushi chefs, the initiation processes to graduate from the table to the sushi bar, the ramen noodle slurping rituals, all of this, had me chuckling but also learning about Japanese culture, driving motivations and ultimately about my own personal goals. It is not necessarily a self help book but if you need to understand your own obsession with noodles at the very least as well as about your other possibly more involved fixations, this book may be the soba of our times....

Funny and perceptive

Basically a coming-of-age story, but the author's young life is interesting if not bizarre and he writes well in a straightforward style. The Japan parts are particularly weird but ring true. I have given this book to various people and they all liked it a lot.

Quite funny. Can't wait to get through the entire book

Very interesting read so far. Quite funny. Can't wait to get through the entire book.

Five Stars

One of my favorite books. Funny, clever and strangely hard hitting.

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Title: Black Virgin Mountain

Subtitle: A Return to Vietnam

Author: Larry Heinemann

Narrator: Larry Heinemann

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-04-07

Publisher: HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

The memoir chronicles a 1992 railway journey Heinemann took from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City as the guest of the Vietnam Writers' Association. Along the way, he encounters Vietnamese war veterans and views sites that trigger powerful memories. His journey ends with a crawl through the tunnels of Cu Chi and a climb up the sacred mountain that is this book's namesake. A work of mourning and an act of reconciliation, Black Virgin Mountain considers the psychic costs of a war that is still taking its toll.

Contact me for any questions: [email protected]

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Title: Gullible's Travels

Subtitle: The Adventures of a Bad Taste Tourist

Author: Cash Peters

Narrator: Cash Peters

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-25-07

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 37 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Join Peters on this outrageous behind-the-scenes look at the frustrations of a travel reporter on the road. Marvel at his ongoing battle with PR people and at his fights with men dressed in foam costumes, and gloat because you don't have to visit the Museum of Bad Art, the Precious Moments Theme Park, or the Museum of Dirt - and he does.

Members Reviews:

So funny..I was laughing out loud

Blackstone Audiobooks is my favorite audiobook publisher, the books from BA are usually better than expected (and sometimes a bit different than expected). I had had this book on my wishlist for some time but the cover photo and title had put me off a bit. I was not disaponted, this guy is so funny, he could do standup comedy. Cash Peters makes me think of Adrian Mole. This book could be made into a pretty good film.

Witty accounts of odd museums

In the 1st 10 minutes, I thought I would hate it because it starts quite quickly and I didn't feel like the story had been set up. But after that, I definitely got into the story and found it quite amusing. Funny accounts of his odd travels. It did get a bit long at the end. The majority of the stories are funny but he could go on for hours and hours and after so many hours, you've heard just about all their is too hear of odd museum adventures. But I would recommend it. Definitely made me laugh.

whine, whine, whine...

Ok - heres an english guy who goes around America whining and complaining about everything and offering little insight or substance about much of anything except how bad he has it and why he hasn't made it in television. Heres the reason - hes boring! Only the last chapter is any good. The rest is junk. Skip this one and listen to Michael Palin for a true travelogue. Im sorry I spent the money on this...

ok

He tells it with much enthusiasm which certainly adds to the book. Amusing enough but ultimately a very pointless non event.

Listen before buying

The content is fine hence the two stars rather than one. I would quite like to read the book for myself since I find the places he visits quite interesting but I found the delivery quite unbearable. Every - single - word - is - emphasised often accompanied with pseudo laughter. The writer is a radio reporter and his style is probably good for his five minute reports but found it intensely irritating and abandoned after three half hour listens. Listen before you buy and if you like the delivery style you will probably enjoy the book.