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Title: The View from Mount Joy

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Lorna Landvik

Narrator: Robertson Dean

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-18-07

Publisher: Books on Tape

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 20 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

When hunky teenage hockey player Joe Andreson and his widowed mother move to Minneapolis, Joe falls under the seductive spell of Kristi Casey, Ole Bull High's libidinous head cheerleader. Joe balances Kristi's lustful manipulation with the down-to-earth companionship of his smart, platonic girlfriend, Darva. But it is Kristi who will prove to be a temptation (and torment) throughout Joe's life.

Years later, having once dreamed of a career in pro hockey or as a globetrotting journalist, Joe can't believe that life has deposited him in the aisles of Haugland Foods. But he soon learns that being a grocer is like being the mayor of a small town. For Joe, everyday life is its own roller-coaster ride, and all he wants to do is hold on tight.

The path Kristi has charged down, on the other hand, is as wild as Joe's is tame - or at least that's how it appears. But who has really risked more? Who has lived more? And who is truly happy? As Joe discovers, sometimes people are lucky enough to be standing in the one place where the view of the world is breathtaking, if only they'll open their eyes to all there is to see.

Critic Reviews:

"Landvik...deftly mixes humor and pathos in Kristi's ditzy On the Air with God radio show, starkly contrasted by her quietly powerful portrait of Joe, a man with real family values." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Great writer... not so interesting plot

This was my first Landvik story. She is an AMAZING writer... such attention to detail and she can really draw you in. HOWEVER, it's only because of that ability that I continued to listen to this story as the plot is just not worth it. From the synopsis of the book, it sounds like a tale that will focus on the character's life; only, the first 6 hours focuses mostly on a span of 5 years and then next 6 hours jumps through 30 years. Plus, the more interesting characters are not the ones focused on and the one she does, will have you asking WHY? If you are at all intrigued or interested, I'd highly recommend not getting the unabridged version!

P.S.- The narrator's low, rumbling voice takes a lot of adjustment to get used to it...

Boring

I had to abandon this book. I couldn't get past how boring it was. Halfway through I decided it would never pick up. I didn't care about any of the characters and thought the dialogue was forced and sophmoric.

One of Landvik's Best

I am a huge Lorna Landvik fan, and this was one of my favorites. She is such a great writer, and I found myself wishing this story would keep going on and on.

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Title: The Beautiful Miscellaneous

Author: Dominic Smith

Narrator: Paul Michael Garcia

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-07-07

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 50 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Dominic Smith's novel explores genius and loss, failure and redemption, and a son's struggle with the crushing weight of his father's expectations. Nathan Nelson is just above average in everything he does. However, his father, a renowned physicist, pursuing his quest to uncover his son's latent gifts, sends Nathan to whiz-kid summer camps to learn college algebra. By the time Nathan is 17, hopes for a late-blooming prodigy seem dashed. Then a tragic accident and ensuing coma leave Nathan with an altered mind that allows him to memorize vast amounts of information. Nathan's father, seeking an application for the new talent, sends him to a research institute where, amid misfits and savants, Nathan tries to find a purpose for the new way he perceives the world.

©2007 Dominic Smith; (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"Lyrical...poetic and darkly romantic...evocative." (Boston Globe)

"Highly entertaining...fascinating...Smith writes vividly....He has a talent for descriptive imagery." (New York Times)

Members Reviews:

Ugh... goes nowhere... terribly boring

I listened to The Last Painting of Sarah Devos by this author and absolutely loved it. The writing and story were gripping. I found myself rewinding just to hear certain passages or sentences over again. The narrator is wonderful. So I thought The Beautiful Miscellaneous would be a good choice. Wrong... Did the same author write this book? This book was terribly dull, the narration uninspiring and the story endless. I kept thinking this will go somewhere but, no. Very disappointing. Although I listened to the entire book, I'm going to return it.

Is that all there is?

This book promises much more than it delivers. It grazes over potentially intriguing subjects such as the inter-relatedness of quantum theory, human psychology and the existence of an eternal soul, but these are only treated sketchily as side-notes to what is otherwise a fairly standard coming of age story. It's relatively well-written, but a disappointment overall.

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Title: The Inheritance of Loss

Author: Kiran Desai

Narrator: Tania Rodrigues

Format: Unabridged

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-07-07

Publisher: ISIS Audio Books

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 13 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

National Book Critics Circle, Fiction, 2007

Man Booker Prize, Fiction, 2007

At the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas lives an embittered old judge who wants nothing more than to retire in peace. But this is far from easy with the arrival of his orphaned granddaughter Sai, come to live with him and his chatty cook. Biju, the cook's son, is trying to make his way in the US, flitting between a succession of grubby kitchen jobs to stay one step ahead of the immigration services.

Critic Reviews:

"Kiran Desai is a terrific writer. This book richly fulfils the promise of her first." (Salman Rushdie)

"An insightful and often humorous commentary on multiculturalism and post-colonial society." (Guardian)

Members Reviews:

A Stirring Novel

The story resonated well with me, with my own experience growing up in small town Malaysia. It aptly captures the ambivalence of identity, the rage and the hope, and pretenses, that we, too, at newly independent Malaysia felt (and, in a way, continue to feel) and exhibited.

The narration of Tania Rodrigues was excellent, although it took me a while getting used to her pauses between sentences. Some familiarity with Kalimpong, its surrounds and the insurgency of the 1980's will enhance the listening pleasure.

Bottom-line: a highly intelligent and engaging post-colonial novel.

A compelling story, but with a tragic ending

This is obviously one of the best literary piece of modern day literature. One must engross himself . Savour it by giving one' time and effort . A good read for everyone.

When will something happen?

This turgid account is written with beautiful prose which drew me in. Unfortunately nothing actually happened. The story circles endlessly round as the characters experience repeatedly the diappointment of their small lives being affected by the grand sweep of local, national and global influences.

Every 50 minutes or so it seemed as if something was about to happen which could constitute a storyline, but within minutes it vanaished and we moved scene and/or time and the story was gone.

Beautiful to hear but like candy floss - lacking in substance.

The tragic consequences of colonialism and class

Kiran Desai's vivid writing of the northern mountainous regions of Kalimpong was well captured in this desperate novel of the aftermath of British colonialism and the caste system in India.

The events are quite accurate as my own family who resided there during this time can substantiate. The violence that ensued the nation following independence was one of many tragic consequences of a country attempting to repair itself after massive divisions were sown.

At the same time, the experiences of an immigrant abroad is a good reflection of how imperialism allowed people to make the journey while still being treated as a second class citizen.

The story itself surrounding a small community of elites in the northern regions is interesting as many of them attempt to face their own demons and find an identity. The reading was fantastic, as it is difficult to do a genuine Indian accent without sounding like a bad comedy. Poignant, quite long, and well written.

The dissection of cruelty

What made the experience of listening to The Inheritance of Loss the most enjoyable?

Magnificent, extraordinary writing.

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Title: Sheer Abandon

Subtitle: A Novel

Author: Penny Vincenzi

Narrator: Rosalyn Landor

Format: Abridged

Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-09-07

Publisher: Random House Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 12 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Martha, Clio, and Jocasta meet by chance at Heathrow airport in 1985 as they are starting off on separate backpacking adventures, and they decide to spend the first few days of their trips together in Thailand. When they go their separate ways, they vow to get together in London the following year. One of them, however, harbors a terrible secret: on her return from her pre-college excursion, she abandoned her just-born daughter at Heathrow.

Clio has fulfilled her ambition of becoming a doctor, only to find herself trapped in a marriage to an arrogant surgeon. Martha is a highly paid corporate lawyer, just embarking on a political career. Jocasta is a tabloid newspaper reporter with an infallible instinct for the big story. The infant abandoned at Heathrow has grown up under the loving care of her adoptive family. Now a beautiful teenager named Kate, she sets out to find her birth mother: a quest that unexpectedly brings the women together and exposes the secret buried so many years before.

Critic Reviews:

"Vincenzi pulls out all the stops in this orchestral saga." (Publishers Weekly)

"An absorbing tale rich in seductive intrigue and emotional impact." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

Be Prepared

I listened to Rosilyn Landor's reading of An Absolute Scandal (unabridged) and enjoyed it so much I broke my rule not to get abridged book versions with Sheer Abandon only because she was reading it. I should have stuck to my rule even tho the reading was just as good the content suffered so much from the abridgement the book seemed all chopped up. Get the unabridged version, but be prepared. If you have heard An Absolute Scandal, you will recognise much of it in Sheer Abandon.

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Title: Le Divorce

Author: Diane Johnson

Narrator: Suzanne Toren

Format: Unabridged

Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-22-07

Publisher: Recorded Books

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 25 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Isabel Walker has flown to Paris to offer moral support for Roxy, her pregnant stepsister. Roxy's husband, Charles-Henri, favorite son of a powerful French family, is having a love affair. Divorce seems imminent. When her entire family arrives to help with legal issues, Isabel feels intense pressure to keep everything from falling apart. And in the background, the unstable husband of Charles-Henri's lover lurks menacingly.

A resident of both the United States and France, Diane Johnson infuses this shrewd comedy of manners with keen observations about cultural differences. Narrator Suzanne Toren creates a stylish, smart, and sexy Isabel who strives to stay grounded amidst everything Paris has to offer.

Critic Reviews:

"[A] delightfully urbane social tragicomedy." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A fun romp in France

Okay, this is not high literature. However, the story is well-paced, characters interesting, and the storyline fun. If you are a francophone or francophile, you will appreciate Johnson's view of France, from the perspective of an outsider peering in, trying to come to terms with new customs and a new language. Johnson illuminates differences in American and French attitudes toward life, love, and eating. The reader's French is also superb. It's worth the listen as sheer escapism! :-)

Handsomely read, beautifully told

Diane Johnson's work may not be a masterpiece for the ages, but it will resonate with any reader who has felt the tug of wanderlust, the urge to know and to be known, the delight of another world and contrasting that world with your own. smoothly and richly read by Suzanne Toren, this production is a fine one and recommended for repeat listeners and readers experiencing Le Divorce in a new way. highly enjoyable.

great book, skips

Great book. the audio is old and seems to be poorly edited making it seems to skip the end of some chapters. Narrator is good but really not cast the best as the voice sounds much older than her character. Cest la vie.

The movie was better

Sadly I grew bored with this book. This author , who tries to use every single word she has ever heard in a story, and the over the top narration. The movie didn't do well but I like it. I accidentally found the book and thought I would enjoy but not so much. I could not get through it. Narrator has a great French accent and abiity to speak the language but it was all over done. When you find yourself rolling your eyes over and over you just have to say enough!

great book but the wrong narrator

I loved reading this book, love Diane Johnson. But the voice in this audio version does not match the voice of the book's narrator. The story is told by a young woman, in her early 20's, from California. The voice of the audio narrator is much older, not that of a California girl and unfortunately doesn't work here.

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Título: Viaje al Centro de la Tierra (Journey to the Center of the Earth) (Dramatized)

Autor: Jules Verne

Narrador: full cast

Formato: Abridged

Duración: 2 hrs and 16 mins

Idioma: Español

Fecha de publicación: 01-04-07

Editor: FonoLibro Inc. (Audiolibros - Audio Libros)

Calificaciones: 4.5 de 5 de 36 votos

Categorías: Fiction, Contemporary

Resumen del editor:

La aventura comienza cuando el geólogo alemán Otto Lidenbrock descubre un manuscrito escrito por Arne Saknussem, donde describe un pasaje al centro de la tierra ingresando por un volcán en Islandia. Otto organiza una expedición en compañía de su sobrino Axel y un guía para ingresar al volcán hacia el interior del globo terráqueo, donde descubren un asombroso mundo subterráneo del cual no saben si van a regresar.

Disfrute este asombroso viaje en esta magnifica producción dramatizada, con un elenco completo, música original, y efectos de sonidos que les hará sentir como si están presentes en la historia.

Reseñas Editoriales:

Viaje al Centro de la Tierra is the Spanish-language version of Jules Vernes classic science fiction novel of 1864.

Performed with gusto by a full Spanish-speaking cast, the listener is riveted by the adventures of Professor Otto Lidenbrock who discovers a series of winding tubes, hardened by lava, that go all the way to....yes, you guessed it...the center of the Earth. A thrilling listen and an absolutely delightful adventure story.

Please note: This is performed in Spanish.

Opiniones de los miembros:

Es una gran historia de un autor clásico.

increíble imaginación, contexto creativo y dramatizada, muy entretenida, la recomiendo, sus entre saltos son muy fuertes y lo mantienen muy atento!

viaje al centro de la tierra

bien hecho y entretenido

Great dramatized book

Would you listen to Viaje al Centro de la Tierra (Journey to the Center of the Earth) (Dramatized) again? Why?

This was a great book for a road trip. The dramatization is different than most of my books. I enjoyed it as a change of pace. This is the type of audiobook my wife prefers.

very poor audio quality (mono)

Very poor audio quality in mono (even in mp3 format 4) with sample rate of 22.050Khz and bit rate of only 32Kbps with lot of background hissing. Why cannot a better format with bit rate of at least 96Kbps and sample rate of 44.100khz made available? Very disappointing. Sample sounds much better on web page and I was excepting same or better audio quality. I am really not happy with this product.

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Title: Not Easily Broken

Author: T.D. Jakes

Narrator: Pamela Tyson

Format: Abridged

Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-25-06

Publisher: Hachette Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 26 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

After Clarice sustains injuries in a car accident, the constant presence of her physical therapist, Julie, creates strife that quickly moves the Johnson's marriage into crisis mode. Clarice and Dave struggle to find resolution as they learn the importance of promises made and kept and discover that help sometimes comes from unlikely places.

Critic Reviews:

"The story is far from a fairy tale...but readers will find themselves attached to the characters. Jakes' faith appears throughout the story in a gentle way, which should make this book appeal to both Christian and general market readers." (Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

A Good Story

Dave and Clarice Johnson: married fifteen years and it takes a car accident to bring unexplored problems in their relationship to the surface. Clarice's "I can take care of myself" mentality causes more of a gap between her and Dave than was already there before the accident, and Clarice's mother, who is obviously a bitter woman holding onto past hurts, doesn't help the situation. And then there's Clarice's physical therapist, Julie. She likes Dave for who he is, and when they're together he feels appreciated. Dave, who, unlike his wife, is sure he wants children, becomes a stand-in father for Julie's son, Bryson, whose own dad is never around. A real bond forms there.

Can Clarice hold onto her man when she isn't giving him what he needs; especially when there's another woman who's willing to do just that? Will Dave decide his marriage is worth saving, or will he move on and begin a new relationship with Julie? These are the questions that came to mind as I read this novel. It turns out that God the Father, verses from Ecclesiastes, and a marriage counselor all play a part in getting this marriage back on track.

I have listened to the teachings of Bishop T.D. Jakes for quite some time now. Whether he's speaking or writing, this man of God has a way with words that can get a life-changing message straight to the heart of the listener or reader. I'm glad he has decided to include fiction among his many books. This one is as good as all of the rest!

Must read!

if you enjoy stories that illustrate life lessons and biblical advice and teaching, you will enjoy this. For couples who are looking for direction. For folks at every stage in their marriage. Or just for anyone who enjoys a good story.

I bought it twice...

I accidentally bought this book twice! It's a great book, just as good if not better than the movie. I gave the second book to a friend for her birthday and she loved it as well. Waiting to read more TD Jakes books!

Not quiet what i exspected. Couldve gave more

I was exspecting more. Its a good read but it couldve been better. I didnt like how the little boy just died & what happened to the married couple? Did they make it or not. Is there going to b a part 2. Needs to be

Powerful message!

Bishop Jakes has done it again. This book is a great read, and guide to healing and reconcilliation. Author was very honest and candid.

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Title: The Martian Child

Author: David Gerrold

Narrator: Scott Brick

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-10-06

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 163 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

Gerrold, a science-fiction writer from California, adopts a son who has a slight behavioral problem. He believes himself to be a Martian. Gerrold begins the long, involving work of trying to earn the acceptance of Dennis, a hyperactive eight-year-old who desperately wants a father's love, but is so insecure he feels he must be an alien. Gerrold's semi-autobiographical memoir of the first two years with Dennis is a funny, endearing, heartbreaking, and beautifully written testament to fatherhood.

©2006 David Gerrold;(P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic Reviews:

"The heart-searing moments are many but never overwritten, thanks to Gerrold's bright, efficient exposition." (Booklist)

Members Reviews:

MARTIANS' CAN TASTE COLORS

THE ONLY THING THAT FITS IN A PIGEON HOLE IS A PIGEON.

It is a great story, maybe a little Pollyanna for some. I am a sucker for misfit children happy ending stories. This book flew by, warmed my heart and was just plain fun to listen to.

I did not realize it when I listened, but do see now how the author glorified himself. This is to be expected when written in first person, plus it is an author. To be a writer, you have to believe you have something so important to say that people will pay money to hear you say it. I also thought that for most of the book things went a little too smoothly. I know several parents who have adopted and there are always problems, especially with special needs children or trouble children. I was also not crazy about the direction the story went when the parent started questioning the Martian child part of the story. It is still a really good book, and I will be checking out Gerrold's Science Fiction Books now.

Brick did an excellent job.

Good yet far from great

This is a nice modern fiction novelette which was clearly written by a science fiction author with very good narration but falls far short of greatness. The narration seemed more powerful than the writing itself. There are few well developed characters and very little in the way of plot and very few surprises. This would have been a really excellent short story but in the novelette form has way too much filler. Adoption of a special needs child is a very intense challenge but this is not too surprising and this is definitely not a how-to book. This novel did not annoy me at all but it did not have that transformative effect on me I look for in great fiction. Although this has some very good points, I cant think of anyone to whom I would feel compelled to recommend this book.

Not a sci fi story

What made the experience of listening to The Martian Child the most enjoyable?

The most enjoyable was perhaps the expectation of - at some point - for the soppy super sentimental overdrawn story to actually turn to sci fi. I really did not care to listen to a super lengthy story about adoption of a difficult child and how it made the author feel.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was not what I thought it was. I thought it was a sci fi story! How did it win the Nebula award, no more stories written that year???

Have you listened to any of Scott Bricks other performances before? How does this one compare?

Scott Brick was fine.

Any additional comments?

This is not a sci fi story. This is a story of a single gay man adopting a child and talking about his feelings about this adoption at length. A very great length.

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Titre: Sauve-moi

Auteur: Guillaume Musso

Narrateur: Véronique Groux de Miéri, Yves Mugler

Format: Unabridged

Durée: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Langue: Français

Date de publication: 05-05-06

Éditeur: Editions VDB

Evaluation: 4.5 sur 5 sur 5 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Résumé de l'éditeur:

Rien ne prédisposait Juliette et Sam à se rencontrer. Encore moins à tomber amoureux. Leur rencontre est explosive et magique. L'espace d'un week-end à New York, ils vivent le coup de foudre et la passion.

Mais voilà, chacun a menti à l'autre. Sam en se prétendant marié, Juliette en racontant qu'elle est avocate. Juliette doit repartir pour Paris, et Sam l'accompagne à l'aéroport. C'est l'instant décisif où leur destin peut basculer, mais ni Sam ni Juliette n'osent prononcer les mots qu'il faut.

Une demi-heure plus tard, la nouvelle tombe: l'avion de Juliette a explosé en plein ciel. Sam sombre dans le désespoir. Mais il ignore que leur histoire est loin d'être terminée...

L'auteur

Né en 1974 à Antibes,

fait sa première rencontre avec la littérature à dix ans, devenant par la suite un féru de lecture. Après un long séjour aux États-Unis et des études de sciences économiques, il exerce avec conviction le métier de professeur.

En mai 2001, son premier roman,

, sort aux Éditions Anne Carrière. Il est accueilli par de très bonnes critiques qui saluent "les premiers pas d'un véritable écrivain". Promesse amplement tenue avec

...

© Editions XO, 2005

© Livres Audio V.D.B., Septembre 2005

Revues par les critiques:

Le mot de l'éditeur

Après l'immense succès de son précédent roman - Et après... plus de 300 000 exemplaires vendus-, Guillaume Musso nous propose une histoire envoûtante, pleine de féerie, de suspense et d'amour.

La presse en parle

"Une plume en or qui nous parle d'amour, de la vie et du hasard."

Nice-Matin

"Guillaume Musso est un jeune écrivain de trente ans dont l'avenir s'annonce radieux."

Gala

"Des questionnements existentiels dans lesquels chacun devrait se retrouver."

Psychologies Magazine

"Roman envoûtant qui mêle amour, suspense et surnaturel."

Ici Paris

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Title: The Question

Author: Jane Asher

Narrator: Charlotte Strevens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-31-06

Publisher: Oakhill Publishing Ltd

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 16 votes

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

A casual remark on the telephone leads Eleanor Hamilton to an appalling and deeply disturbing discovery: John, her husband of 20 years, has been leading a life of duplicity and betrayal. Shock, jealousy, and anger drive Eleanor to extraordinary limits in her desire for revenge. But then fate intervenes in the shape of a terrible accident.

©1998 Jane Asher; (P)2005 Oakhill Publishing Ltd.

Members Reviews:

Very British...quite brilliant

I absolutely loved this book, couldn't stop listening to it until its quite satisfying conclusion! The writing is superb, the narration equally so. But I will admit that it likely would be more appealing to older female readers. A big thumbs up from me!

Short but sweet

The Question takes an interesting plot and doesn't quite develop it far enough. The development of the story is intriguing but slightly marred by the characters, none of whom are likeable. The narrator is quite good but she portrays the main character very shrilly which can get annoying. Overall worth listening to but not gripping

It was a great read.

If you could sum up The Question in three words, what would they be?

Worth The Time to Listen.

What did you like best about this story?

That is was a story. It had a "ripped from the headlines quality" which was the type of story that is so odd it must be true. It was a singular story, not a lot of characters but I believed it and was engaged. Not too long -- not too short. It was British-y which I liked a lot.

Any additional comments?

I don't know who Jane Asher is, so it doesn't play into my opinion of the book. But, I read/listen to a lot of books. This one is good.

Not great, but OK story, well read

I bought this as a bargain book and as such was OK. The reader was excellent, really differentiating the characters by using varying tones of voice and accents. There were certain similarities to Fay Weldon's style of book, but I kept feeling how much better the writing would have been had the latter been the author. Asher's style verges on being cliched and the characters are not really realistic, but I suppose it was intended that the main character, Elenor, be a nasty creation and her rival, Barbara, be pathetically wet. It would have been a better novel if the contrast between the two women had not been so simplistic.

Not what you might expect ...

A real surprise. My normal diet is suspense, thriller, intrigue, books that catch my imagination.

This is that kind of story. The reader uses phrasing, pausing and perfect inflection, that gets your anticipation 'taste bugs' into action. At one point you may have a picture of the story board, but don't be fooled! It's not that predictable and it's a very satisfying tale. Enjoy the characters and the empathetic emotions you might find that it evokes.