AudiobookStand

I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti

2012-03-02T14:35:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I admit I judge a book by its cover. I saw I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci in one of our catalogs. The cover was cute (bright pink with a spaghetti heart) so I decided to give it a try. The book is a memoir about the author’s adventures in the dating and culinary worlds, both successful and disastrous. She falls head over heels in love with her boyfriends, while they fall in love with her cooking. The book is Sex and the City meets The Food Network. It was pretty entertaining, although, a couple of her stories seemed a kind of pointless, such when she tried to make dinner for her boyfriend while trying to download music on the internet. This book was narrated by the author and I enjoyed her narration despite her breathing into the microphone occasionally. Overall the book was fun and my only complaint is that all the food talk really got me antsy to go home and eat!

Presumed Guilty

2012-02-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

Richard Tremain’s flame of the month, Miranda Wood has just been accused of stabbing her married lover to death. Miranda is presumed guilty by the small island residents that view the Tremain’s as royalty. Proving her innocence is harder then she anticipated, especially since she is in a battle of her life at every turn.

I enjoy Tess Gerritsen’s, Rizzoli and Isles Series but it is nice to listen to a title of hers that is not part of a series. Presumed Guilty combines what I personally love, a murder mystery, a trial, a blackmail list of the cities elite, a scorned widow, a secret will and forbidden lust!

Presumed Guilty is performed by Jennifer Van Dyck, who is in my opinion, an exceptional narrator. She has narrated other popular audiobooks such as Iris Johansen’s Even Duncan Series. She did a great job distinguishing difference between the all the characters. It can be tricky performing male, female and elderly voices, but it was flawless.

Iit is clear that someone wants Miranda dead. Will the brother of her ex-lover help prove her innocence or send Miranda to the gas chamber? Why does someone want Miranda dead? Is it to avenge the death of a respected man, or to keep the real killer hidden from the public? Was Richard Tremain killed in a lovers rage, or to keep a secret buried?

E. D.

But I Don't Have Time to Read...

2012-01-31T07:06:00.000-08:00

Being a new mom is not only exhausting, but it leaves one with little “me” time. What few precious moment of that time I do find myself with, I’m so wiped out that I find myself collapsing into bed or on the couch.

Before I had my son, I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I could spend hours upon hours engrossed in a good story. Now my reading time is limited to Goodnight Moon and Go, Dog. Go!

While I wouldn’t change my situation for the world, I am so thankful that I have audiobooks to “read”. I’ve listened to audiobooks for years, but it was always in addition to what I was already reading (mainly on my commute to and from work). Now it seems to be my main source of literary entertainment, and I’m rather enjoying it.

I’ve even taken to listening to my audiobooks while I’m doing household chores during my son’s nap time (this seems to be the only time I can get anything done around the house). I wish I would have thought to do this years ago. Certainly makes cleaning more enjoyable…ok, maybe not more enjoyable. Perhaps more tolerable?

Anyway you look at it, I’m sure it must be a sight to behold…

I’ve got my son’s baby monitor hooked onto one pocked and my iPod hooked onto the other. I’m running around like the Tasmanian Devil trying to whip the house into shape before my little bundle wakes up and wreaks his darling little baby havoc upon the house once again.

Whew… I’m exhausted just thinking about it!

Moral of the story—multitasking is key when you barely have time to catch your breath! For all of you other new moms out there, you just might want to give this technique a try.

-E.M.

Lethal Guardian

2012-01-26T06:26:00.000-08:00

Lately I have found myself drawn to true crime novels. I just listened to Lethal Guardian by M. William Phelps. The case: who killed Buzz Clinton? He was no angel, plenty of people had motive to kill him but the person who most wanted him dead was his sister in law, Beth Ann Carpenter. Beth Ann desperately wanted custody of her niece, who she was convinced was being abused. It became a case of murder for hire that confounded police for years.

I got pretty wrapped up in this book. The details of the case and the behavior of everyone involved was so bizarre that I have come to the conclusion that real life is far stranger than fiction…

L.E.

The House at Riverton

2012-01-16T05:29:00.000-08:00

This is a substantial audiobook with 16 CD’s and 19 hours of listening. It spans 100 years of a woman’s life from childhood to old age, and we are treated to a firsthand account of how the world changed over a century. The main character Grace starts out as a fourteen year old house maid in England. We get to experience firsthand what life was like during the two World Wars and how they changed the lives of people all over the world from all economic and social classes.

The story unfolds as Grace is approached by a young screenwriter who is making a movie based on the affluent family Grace worked for as young woman. She is particularly interested in the relationship Grace had and observed with the two sisters in the family, and what she may know about the mysterious young poet said to have taken his own life one summer night. What really happened to that young man? Was it really suicide or something much more sinister? As Grace reveals her story we come to know and love the family as well as the other servants who live and work at the Riverton Manor.

This is the first book I’ve listened to or read by Kate Morton, and as it turns out this is her debut novel. Read by Caroline Lee, this novel will surely ignite the memory of young love and whimsy in even the most cynical of listeners.

A.E.N.

Innocent by Association

2012-01-09T09:17:00.000-08:00

Megan McKearn’s family name is being splashed onto the newspaper headlines once again. Why does her life seem to spiral out of control when ever her ex-lover, Garret Reaves is involved? With an investment scandal involving her family business as well as Garret, Megan must ask herself is he Guilty by Association or is he Innocent by Association?

With a storyline that involves a dead brother, an ill father, a sleazy attorney, an ex-lover and his ex-wife all twisted up in financial fraud within McKearn Investments, you would naturally assume that this story would be the bee’s knees… Well not so much for me. I felt that there were some unanswered questions and storylines that never had resolution.

For a basic love story I guess it was OK. I could definitely see myself riding down the road, relaxing while listening to the story but I just never got into the storyline. I guess I have learned my lesson; plain romance is not for me. I still enjoy listening to Lisa Jackson audiobooks but I definitely prefer her suspense titles over romance.

I enjoy Kate Rudd’s narration because you are able to differentiate between the characters, but she does not have the fake male voice that some narrators use. Ms. Rudd has also narrated Abandoned by Lisa Jackson as well as her new release Sleepwalker. She has also narrated audiobooks by Debbie Macomber as well as Nora Roberts.

Even though I felt that Innocent by Association’s storyline was a bit weak, it still had the basics of a good romance. Garret and Kate must try to move past their past and see what the future may hold. But can Kate forgive and forget, or is Garret destined to use her again?

E.D.

The Magic Room: A Story about the Love We Wish for Our Daughters

2011-12-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

I found this book interesting when I found out it references a bridal shop in Fowler, Michigan and that it is about daughters. I have three daughters and can share the emotion and excitement that goes along with a daughter’s wedding. Finding the perfect dress, shoes, etc. that makes the wedding day perfect.

The Magic Room tells, the secrets, memories, and family tales that are shared between a mother and daughter. It also shares the heartbreaking as well as joyful tales of mothers and daughters. Illuminating the poignant aspects of a woman’s journey to the altar, The Magic Room tells the stories of memorable women on the brink of commitment. Run by the same family for four generations, Becker’s has witnessed transformations in how America views the institution of marriage: some of the shop’s clientele are becoming step-mothers, some are older brides, some are pregnant. Shop owner Shelley has a special affection for all the brides, hoping their journeys will be easier than hers.

The book tends to drag on as a story is told on the background of each bride. Then it would be several chapters before she was mentioned again. Towards the end, I started to feel more connected to the lives of these women and their families, but I still didn't feel there was a cohesive theme or message to the book. I did however, enjoy this book and would recommend it to anyone sharing a wedding with their daughter.

K.R.

New York Dead

2011-12-22T06:34:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year—time to stock up on audiobooks for the winter. I have been looking for a good series to keep me entertained during the all-so-dreary winter months in Michigan, and I believe I found a winner: Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington Series.

The series begins with New York Dead, and the well-formed characters and fast-paced suspense sucked me right in—just what type of series I need to keep the cabin fever at bay. I had never listened to a title narrated by Robert Lawrence and I am always a little wary being introduced to a new narrator. No worry needed—he did a great job with the characters in this novel.

Now on to the next book... With book twenty-two, D.C. Dead, releasing this month, this series will be sure to keep me entertained wherever and whenever I am snowbound this year!

-H.B.

Christmas Time Listening

2011-12-12T09:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas is right around the corner and just like every year before, I have dusted off the Christmas movies and stories to get myself in that holiday spirit. My favorite Christmas story to re-read (and watch) is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Do you have a special book or short story that you like to read around the holidays? Have you tried anything new that you really liked? I would love to hear some of your holiday traditions. Maybe I’ll find a new favorite…

-L.E.

The Reasons for Marriage

2011-12-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

I decided to listen to The Reasons for Marriage after proofing our catalog for this month. As you know, I am a big fan of series and would love to find another one to listen to. I also really wanted to listen to a historical romance because I know that genre is a real fan favorite for so many of our customers.

I have read historical romance before and enjoyed it but I have never listened to a historical romance in audio before. One of the advantages of the audio was the narration! The narrator for this title is Helen Stern, I thought her English accent was very good and it added a lot of depth and warmth to the story.

This story is a classic romance based on a young woman Miss Lenore Lester and a dashing yet notorious playboy the Duke of Eversleigh. The two banter back and forth through England’s high society, and strike a deal on a marriage that will convenience them both. What starts out as a mutual agreement inevitably morphs into something much more. It is a delightful, light romance that will keep you entertained and rooting for love. The best part: now I can listen to book number 2, A Lady of Expectations!

~ AP

An O'Brien Family Christmas

2011-11-22T15:52:00.000-08:00

The latest Chesapeake Shores family drama (An O’Brien Family Christmas) is a charming tale. Part of the story is to observe what has happened to former lead protagonists and Nell's second chance romance. However, the main story line is the relationship between the older Laila and Matthew whose plan is to prove to his beloved they can have more than just a great physical relationship.

All her life Leila has felt she didn’t meet her father's expectations. Her affair with the much younger Matthew, regarded as a player by many including her father, cost her the career she wanted so badly. Resenting her loss, she breaks up with Matthew and takes an unfulfilling job as an accountant.

Matthew, however, is deeply in love with Leila and determined to get her to Ireland for the O'Brien family Christmas. He has planned to propose in Dublin, now he rethinks his plan, this time determined to let their relationship proceed at a slow pace, something that, at times, is frustrating to both himself and Leila who is desperately trying to convince herself that they're not suited for each other.

In this charming Christmas tale Sherryl Woods brings out the irrepressible O'Briens. I enjoyed every minute of the story with its warmth and the humor as only Sherryl Woods can provide. Strong writing and likable characters is a keynote of the Chesapeake Shores series, and An O'Brien Family Christmas is one of my favorites.

-K.R.

What the Heart Sees

2011-11-16T16:57:00.000-08:00

What The Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller contains three novellas:

1. A Miracle for Miriam
2. A Place of His Own
3. What The Heart Sees

Kathleen Fuller's collection of three Amish romances take place in the community of Paradise, Pennsylvania, in the heart of Lancaster County. In the first story, "A Miracle for Miriam," Miriam is a young woman who has never forgotten the teasing she received from Seth when they were in school, but she has forgiven him. When he comes back to Paradise after a devastating accident, she discovers she has feelings for him.

The second story in the collection, "A Place of His Own," is about Josiah and Amanda trying to renew their friendship ten years after Josiah and his father moved away suddenly. Amanda is falling in love with Josiah but doesn’t know if he will stay around long enough for their friendship to blossom into love?

In the third story, "What the Heart Sees," Ellie and Chris meet five years after the accident that claimed the life of Ellie's best friend and Chris's fiancée. Chris can't forgive the one he holds responsible. But Ellie is holding on to a secret that could change all of their lives.

One thing I appreciated about Kathleen Fuller's presentation of Amish families is that she doesn't portray her characters as perfect. The people who appear in her stories have the same struggles as their non-Amish neighbors. This is the first of Kathleen's books I have read, but certainly not the last.It's a good lesson to remember when we are down on our own selves for our flaws. Perfection is daunting, and impossible to achieve and flaws are not deal breakers: there is someone out there to love each one of us!

-K.R.

Rizzoli and Isles Series

2011-11-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

I think I found a series to follow, Tess Gerritsen’s Rizzoli and Isles. I listened to The Body Double and I just started The Sinner and I will for sure be hunting around for another book in the series.

In The Body Double, Maura Isles arrives home after an unpleasant flight from Paris only to find a woman shot to death in a car in front of her house. And the kicker? The victim looks just like her. The investigation turns up more bodies and reveals shocking secrets about Maura’s birth family better left uncovered.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat all the way to the end even despite it being abridged. I really enjoyed Anne Heche’s narration. I only wish she had narrated The Sinner too! (I like Dennis Boutsikaris so far but I think I prefer a female voice for this book). Listening to these books makes me really want to watch the T.V. show to see how it compares. Time to get back to The Sinner!

-L.E.

Breath of Scandal

2011-10-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

After finishing the Burke series by Andrew Vachss, I was a little lost, floundering for a new author to latch onto, and I think I found one, Sandra Brown. I first listened to her most recent audiobook Lethal and am now listening to Breath of Scandal. I thoroughly enjoyed Lethal and was quick to pick up another of her books. Breath of Scandal does not disappoint.

A young girl is viciously gang raped in a small southern town. Her complaints of the attack are discarded and she is publically shunned and disgraced. Forced to move away she vows that one day she will avenge her attackers, and strip them of their money, honor and most of all pride. And she does that through hard work, determination and smarts.

Sandra Brown has done an excellent job with both of these books, I highly recommend them both. The narration is excellent, Victor Slezak narrates Lethal and he was fantastic! Dick Hill narrates Breath of Scandal beautifully and I love his southern accents.

Happy listening!

-A.E.N

Never Knowing

2011-10-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

Never Knowing is about Sara, who was adopted at birth. She had always dreamed and wondered about her birth parents. In her mind they were loving and caring people who would open up their hearts and they would become a happy family. Unfortunately, Sara’s background it not what she had dreamed of. She did get one of her wishes, her father wants to get to know her but unfortunately he is the Camp Site Killer!

After reading Still Missing by Chevy Stevens I had to listen to her next book, Never Knowing. I was so excited to listen to it because I had loved Still Missing so much that I was dying to listen to her next book. Well, I have to say I am a bit disappointed. I think that the story line is really good but, but there is something off with the narration. Never Knowing is narrated by Carrington MacDuffie. This is the first time that I have listened to her narration and it just did not seem to work. There are similarities between Angela Dawes narration of Still Missing, and Carrington MacDuffies narration of Still Missing; both seem to be a bit monotone, and have lower voices. Where the narration of Ms. Dawes worked for the storyline, MacDuffies just seems to be distracting and unbelievable.

Whether the difference between the two audiobooks is the storylines, or the narrations, Never Knowing does not have the same intensity of Still Missing. If you listen to Still Missing, I would defiantly listen to a book in between the two titles. I will still recommend Never Knowing, how can you go wrong with a book that has a dad for a serial killer? Would you meet with your long lost dad if he was a serial killer; if it meant you would save lives? Even if it meant risking your own life and the life or your child?

Still Missing

2011-10-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

Two coworkers of mine were just ranting and raving about Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. They said it was soooo good and I just had to listen to it. It’s not something I would normally pick up but I thought what the hay if they think it’s that good maybe I’ll like it…And I did! I have to say it is the first book I’ve listened to/read in a long time that was so good I couldn’t turn it off/put it down. I listen to books in my car to and from work and one night I was so into it, I sat in my car in the garage for a good 20 minutes listening before I finally decided to pop the CD out and finish in the house where I proceeded to listen for another 2 hours.

This book has become somewhat of a sensation around the office. I passed it on to another coworker and we have a few more waiting after her! I can’t wait to listen to the next Chevy Stevens book, Never Knowing. More to follow on that…

Still Missing

2011-09-21T06:03:00.000-07:00

Chevy Stevens debut novel, Still Missing is one of the best books I have listened to. I was so deeply invested in the storyline that I had a physical reaction at one point! After listening to the book for several hours, my neck was tense and I was a bit on edge. The combination of Ms. Stevens writing ability and Ms. Dawe’s narration allowed me to completely become immersed in the emotions of Annie O’Sullivan.

Now for those of you, who aren’t big fans of Angela Dawe, don’t discount this riveting novel. A co-worker of mine is not the biggest fan of Ms. Dawe but after talking her into listening to Still Missing she changed her mind. The low tone of Ms. Dawe’s voice and the emotion she invoked completely worked with the content of this story.

Still Missing recounts the kidnapping of Annie O’Sullivan, a young realtor in her prime. Through her therapy sessions she recounts the events of her abduction and the aftermath left in its wake. Knowing that she survives her captivity only increases the tension of the storyline.

I did not expect the ending of this story! I could not believe what I was hearing! Annie’s capture was not the only one who played mind games; a twist I definitely did not see coming!

If you are looking for a thriller that does not involve blood and gore but does provoke pure emotion, this is the book for you. I walked away feeling better about my life.

E.D.

Moonlight Cove

2011-09-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

In Moonlight Cove Jess was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) at a late age, and this has made her a little bit insecure. She doesn't know her own value and sometimes she underestimated her own worth. Jess has some abandonment issues, because of her parents' separation when she was just a child, that she needs to deal with before she can be happy.

Will is a psychologist and a very patience man who knows what he wants and is willing to go the extra mile to obtain it. He loves Jess deeply and wants what is best for her. Will has loved Jess for a long time and after a kiss from Will Jess realizes that she has feelings for Will also. Moonlight Cove is a nice read, with some fun characters. The problem with this book is its pace. The first two thirds of the book are very slow, Jess and Will go back and forth, and nothing is happening for too long. All things considered, Moonlight Cove delivers a well written story that will appeal to readers of the Chesapeake Shores series. Despite a slow start, the ending will charm most readers.

-K.R.

American Psycho

2011-08-22T08:45:00.000-07:00

This past week a co-worker and I were talking about books and movies that have really “creeped us out”. Well, of course when this co-worker told me one of those books for her was American Pshyco, I knew I just had to read it! Even though she warned me not to, I had no choice, I just had to do it! Just like when everyone told me that I should never watch Boys Don’t Cry and I did and I don’t think I’ve ever fully recovered from that one!

So far I have listened to cd’s 1-7 of 14, and I can definitely understand why my friend gave me the warning. Although for the first couple of cd’s I was a little bored. There was a lot of description and not very much action, but now as I continue to listen things are really heating up. The book takes place in the height of the 80’s, when the economy was booming and the cocaine never ran out. The main character Patrick Bateman works at a top Wall Street investment firm and appears to be at the top of his game. I can’t say for sure but I think he is also a psychopath serial killer by night!

The flow of the book has been difficult to follow as the prose is very choppy and has an almost manic pace. The narrator Pablo Schreiber is doing a fine job, but it is still difficult to keep all of the characters organized in your mind as you listen. So, I sort of “cheated” and looked the title up on Wikipedia, where it actually lists the characters and their roles in the book.

So, I guess the jury is still out on this book, but one thing is for sure it is not for the faint of heart! Never fear though, I will soldier on and let you know how I feel at the end!

~AEN

On Borrowed Time

2011-08-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

We have all had dreams that are so vivid that we have to ask ourselves, did that happen? Well for Richard Kilmer his reality and sanity are being called into question. Has he just lost Jennifer, the love of his life in a freak car accident, or has he imagined his whole life with her? Not even his best friend will acknowledge her existence.

On Borrowed Time is the first book I have listened to by David Rosenfelt. I have always thought his books looked intriguing but just never got around to listening to one. Well, now I wonder why I waited so long.

One of the reasons I like listening to mystery and suspense titles is enjoy trying to figure out what is going to happen. At some points during the story I wanted to yell at Richard, don’t you see what is going on? But in the end I missed two key points of who was behind Richard “losing” his mind. Throughout the story I did find myself thinking, “What? Really? Did not see that coming!” Since I enjoyed this book so much, some of my co-workers are now listening to On Borrowed Time. I can’t wait to see what they think of this audiobook.

As well has this being my first David Rosenfelt title, this is my first time listening to the narrator Chris Ensweiler. I enjoyed his narration. He was not hard to understand and even his female voices were not bad. The only thing that got on my nerves a bit was that he was constantly saying, “He said” and “She said”. I can’t blame the narrator for reading what is published.

As an investigative reporter, Richard Kilmer is used to unearthing the truth but can he find the truth behind his memory loss before Jennifer is not the only one gone?

E.D.

Rogue

2011-08-05T16:39:00.000-07:00

Five years ago Dr. Maxine Williams was tired of raising three children alone while her dot-com wealthy husband Blake, has young females on several continents. As a dot-com entrepreneur Blake spent most of his time traveling and away from his family.

Maxine eventually tires of raising her children alone and divorces Blake. They work out an amicable divorce where the three children remain with Maxine. While Maxine delves into her practice as a psychiatrist who specializes in childhood trauma and suicide, Blake enjoys his globetrotting lifestyle.

While embroiled in a depressing teen suicide case she meets divorced Dr. Charles West and they are instantly attracted to each other. She sees the qualities in Dr. West that she didn’t find in Blake. Then Blake, experiences a devastating earthquake that strikes near one of his palatial foreign homes, wants Maxine back in his life again.

Rogue reminds us that we can’t always plan our lives and with any guarantees that it will end as we want. This story shows how a family is makes choices and the opportunities that are available if we open our minds and hearts to them.

-K.R.

Girl Missing

2011-07-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

I was looking for something to new to listen to so a coworker suggested Girl Missing by Tess Gerritsen. It sounded like a nice break from all the nonfiction I’ve been listening to lately. In the audiobook, Kat Novak is a medical examiner who hails from the wrong side of town. When the body of a young woman turns up it seems like just another drug overdose until more victims who met a similar fate begin piling up on Kat’s examining table. Kat is convinced this is murder although no one else shares her conclusions. Things get personal when she discovers that most of the victims are from her old neighborhood in the projects.

If you like J.D. Robb’s In Death series, then you will enjoy Girl Missing. Both have strong female main characters each, pulled themselves out of a bad situation but now have successful careers. Both women meets a fabulously wealthy man in the course of their murder investigations. Neither Kat Novak nor Eve Dallas want this man around and do their best to push him away but in the end they can’t help falling for him.

Susan Ericksen, who narrated the In Death series, gives Girl Missing a strong performance as usual. Her voice really commands your attention and I always appreciate her ability to keep the volume steady. If you’re looking for a good murder mystery and you liked the In Death books, then Girl Missing is a must read.

L.T.

Witness in Death

2011-07-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

With the new releases of J.D. Robb’s In Death Series coming up in September, I am trying to catch up on some of the titles that I haven’t been able to get to. Witness in Death involves Detective Eve Dallas not only as the primary detective but also as a key witness to the murder of a leading actor. When people say that life imitates art, they were not joking around.

Roarke and Eve are enjoying the opening night of the play Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie When their pleasant night away from real life murder is destroyed. As always Susan Ericksen brings not only the characters of Eve, Roarke and Eve’s team to life, but also the many other flamboyant characters all actors suspects the actual murder that took place on stage—and each actor had a motive to kill.

As a big fan of Agatha Christie I like that Robb intermingles a few of her classics: Witness for the Prosecution and Murder on the Orient Express. Has the killer used these classics as a blue print for murder? Eve has to determine what is fact or fiction in a room full of actors trained to make fiction into facts.

E.D

Trapped

2011-07-11T08:59:00.000-07:00

I decided to listen to this book because it takes place in northern Michigan’s Lake Huron. I camped in a tent in the upper peninsula of Michigan and I thought it would be a story I could relate to. I truly was not prepared for the terror that starts immediately in the beginning of the story around a campfire.

Psychologist Martin Randhurst, his wife Sara, and their infant son Jack embark on a camping trip with six troubled teens on a supposedly uninhabited island on northern Michigan's Lake Huron. They start with a boat trip, then it's straight to traditional scary stories around a campfire as Martin tells the legend of a Civil War prison camp with horrific conditions that forced the Confederate inmates into cannibalism to survive. When Martin disappears screaming at the end of the story, the kids think it’s a juvenile prank, which instead leads to a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The twists along the way make this very compelling. Thank goodness there is a lot of storytelling so it’s not just violence. I could not listen to this alone, but listening while I am working gives me a break from the horror. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart.

-K.R.

The Wilder Life

2011-06-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

Like many American children, I read and loved the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I still remember finding her books in my elementary school library when I was about seven years old. I remember thinking “oh, this author has the same name as me!” As silly as that sounds, it was why I first pulled Little House on the Prairie from my library’s shelves.

I can’t remember if I read all of the books or not. I’m pretty sure I did not read Farmer Boy (a book about boys? Boooring!). But, I loved them just the same. As does Wendy Mc Clure whose book, The Wilder Life: My Adventures in the Lost World of Little House on the Prairie, I am currently listening to. The author takes us along as she revisits the Little House books she loved as a child. From learning how to churn butter to her trips to the various Little House home sites. Her adventure is lighthearted and often funny as she meets other fans who are just as obsessed with the Little House books as she is.

Teri Clark Linden’s narration really enhances the book. She brings excitement and life to McClure’s adventures. If you loved the Little House books as a kid, try The Wilder Life. It’s a fun trip down memory lane!

-L.T.

Down in the Zero

2011-06-17T08:38:00.000-07:00

Down in the Zero is the seventh book in the Burke series. I am totally addicted to this series; I just listen to one after another after another. I love that I can listen to them all in a row, thanks to the great library we have here at AudiobookStand! I never knew a series could be so addictive! I just love Burke and his motley crew of cohorts.

I have to say that I love that Phil Gigante narrates all of the books in this series (except for # 1); it really is great that I get to listen as the characters develop. I am so enthralled in the series that you can imagine how startled and almost star struck I was when last week Phil Gigante opened the door for me at work! I wanted to follow him screaming, “Burke, Burke!” I was totally frazzled, and I definitely chickened out by not saying anything to him!

Anyway, in this new book Down in the Zero, Burke is investigating a rash of teenage suicides in an upper-class neighborhood. Of course, he enlists the help of all his partners, who each bring a unique skill set to the investigation. My favorites are The Mole and The Proph! I whole-heartily recommend this series, if possible I would recommend starting with book 1 but it is definitely not necessary. Have fun and happy investigating!

A.E.N.

Though Not Dead

2011-06-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Kate Shugak has just lost Old Sam, a father figure in her life. With his passing Kate is asked by Old Sam himself to “Find His Father”. With this statement Kate is thrown into the secret past of the Tribe, as well as the paternity of Old Sam. With a tribal artifact missing, secret hiding places and a priceless manuscript, Kate has her hands full of questions with not many answers.

Though Not Dead is the 18th book in the Kate Shugak Series by Dana Stabenow. This was my first experience with Dana Stabenow. For all you listeners and readers out there the Kate Shugak Series may be listened to separately. Ms. Stabenow does mention past happenings from previous books but it does not take away from the current storyline. One recommendation I have: make a quick note or two about each character. There are quite a few characters and I had a hard time remember who was who. This also might be a problem of mine since this is my first book I’ve listen to and have not been acquainted with some of the characters from previous stories. Overall, I enjoyed the audiobook and will listen to the adventures of Kate Shugak and her trusty companion, Mutt.

Join Kate in an Alaskan Adventure! Will she be able to answer the many questions she has about gold, artifacts, manuscripts and Old Sam’s past without losing her life? Kate is no stranger to bumps and bruises but has Mutt and she finally met their match?

ED

Cinderella Deal

2011-05-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Cinderella Deal starts out with Linc needing a fiancée to win his dream job, and he finds himself against his will, attracted to Daisy Flattery.

Daisy is a romantic, a feminist and a professional storyteller. Linc is a workaholic who has his life just the way he wants it, a Porsche and exquisite furniture, etc. Daisy however, takes in stray cats and has cracked Tiffany lamps in her apartment.

Linc is hired for the position at the college and he and Daisy break up. The boss of Linc’s department make it clear that a wife, was part of the bargain. Linc has no choice but to make a “Cinderella Deal” with Daisy. A deal that will change both their lives.

Linc and Daisy are two very different people, and at first they aren't sure they even like one another. Eventually Linc begins to appreciate Daisy's warmth and compassion, and her love for stray cats, and Daisy notices Linc's strength and emotional depth and his dependability. Gradually, they come to truly know and love one another in a very special way.

This is an older book of Jennifer Crusie, but it is one of my favorites. It has humor and romance wrapped into a good listening experience. A good book without violence or bad language.

K.R.

Buried Prey

2011-05-20T11:02:00.000-07:00

John Sandford delivers another hit with Buried Prey! This is one of the best Prey books I have listened to in a while. As a devoted fan of the Prey series, I have a soft spot for the main character: Lucas Davenport.

In Buried Prey, John Sandford gives us a glimpse of the rookie Davenport on his first homicide case in 1985. It was interesting to see the parallels and growth of the character from a young detective earning his stripes to the modern-day Davenport, the confident, incorrigible, crime-fighting protagonist we’ve come to know and love. When the cold case he was initially assigned turns up on Davenport’s desk over 25 years later, as to be expected, he will not stop until the case is closed for good.

Richard Ferrone once again did a stellar job narrating this series. Although the narrator has changed a few times throughout the series, I have really enjoyed Ferrone’s interpretation of this beloved character. If you are looking for an audiobook to keep you amped up during the monotonous tasks of spring cleaning and gardening, there is nothing better than a plot-twisting, suspenseful Prey novel!

-H.B.

Killing Floor

2011-05-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

I usually read fiction and some nonfiction. This time, I decided to try something different so I went with a thriller. Lee Child is one of our more popular authors so I chose Killing Floor, the first book in the Jack Reacher series.

Jack Reacher left the military with no real plan other than trekking through the south to find the grave of the jazz musician, Blind Blake. On a stop in Margrave, Georgia he is arrested for the murder of an unknown man. After spending a few action-packed days in prison, he is getting ready to leave town when he discovers who the murdered man is. This discovery sweeps him into the investigation of a dangerous counterfeit ring.

The book was entertaining, although this is the type of story I would usually watch on T.V. This was the first book I’ve listened to that was narrated by Dick Hill. We receive rave reviews from our customers about Dick Hill and he did not disappoint. I loved his voice. My only complaint was the voice he used for Roscoe, a female police officer. She sounded a little too sweet and innocent and not very tough for a policewoman.

This audiobook kept me guessing and really helped pass the time on my daily commute!

LT

Strega

2011-05-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend and I just got back from our yearly trip to Mackinaw Island. We love to go, but the drive can be excruciating! This year I decided to bring a few audiobooks and have him listen to one for the first time. He isn’t a big reader and I was very interested in finding out if audiobooks would be something he enjoyed. Well, he ended up choosing Strega by Andrew Vachss, which is the one I was secretly hoping he would pick! (I promise, there was no persuasion!) I was excited because I had just finished listening to Flood which is the first book in the Burke series.

I really enjoyed listening to the second in the series as the characters and the plot were much easier to understand and visualize. It was almost like visiting an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. I haven’t listened or read many series, so I was curious to see if I would enjoy learning more about the characters and I did!

In this book, Burke who is a non licensed private investigator hooks a case involving child pornography (not the most enlightening topic for a road trip) and seeks to find out what scumbags are responsible for taking a grotesque picture of a little boy. He gets his mismatched crew together and hits the streets of New York City.

The books in this series are quite serious, but none the less are well worth a listen. I look forward to listening to the third book Blue Belle, and updating my boyfriend on the crazy world these characters call home. All in all listening to Strega made a long car ride with a companion that is not very talkative much much better!

AEN

Conspiracy in Death

2011-04-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

I’m finally taking steps into the world of technology. I took a big step and transferred the MP3-CD of Conspiracy in Death, by J.D. Robb to my phone. I have to say, it is awesome! Since I don’t go anywhere without my phone it is a handy tool for me to use. I never knew how great it was to have my audiobook with me at all times. I was able to listen not only in my car, house and at work, but I was able to listen to it while I was at the dog park, waiting for my oil change, as well as doing yard work.

Cleaning up after my dogs following a long snow filled winter is not the most fun thing to do. But listening to Conspiracy in Death while doing one of the hardest jobs of the spring, in my opinion, was acutely enjoyable. I was able to put on my headphones and stick the phone in a pocket and off I went cleaning the backyard. A job I normally hate went by in a flash because I was enjoying the story.

Spring may be here for us in Michigan, but for Eve Dallas it is still the middle of winter and she is called to investigate when it appears that the homeless of New York City are being targeted for their organs. The main question is, why? Human organs are not needed any more with growth in medical technology.

Once again Roarke is thrown into Eve’s case. Not only is Eve working against a killer, but she also is working against a vindictive coworker. Is this the end of Eve’s career? Who is Eve Dallas if she is not Detective, Eve Dallas?

ED

Hannah's List

2011-04-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hannah’s List is a story that delves into personal loss, healing and learning to love again.

I didn’t know if I would like a man reading this type of book but Fred Stella was perfect for the story of Dr. Michael Everett. It depicts the man’s point of view after the loss of his wife. It does not deal with death as much as it shows life after such a loss.

This story really begins on the first year anniversary of his wife’s death when he receives a letter Hannah left for him before she died. Hannah speaks of her love for Michael and her wish for him to remarry. She even offers the names of three women she would like him to date. He is shocked to get the letter and can’t imagine moving on with his life. Because of his love for his wife he decides to date the three women Hannah suggested and shares the emotional side of dating again.

While not diminishing his love for Hannah it tells the story of finding happiness again. Hannah’s List could have been a very depressing book about death but Debbie made it into a book of hope and learning to love again after tragedy.

KR

The Mummy Case

2011-04-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

I have always found mummies to be more than a little creepy (I won’t step foot in museums’ mummy exhibits!) but Elizabeth Peters’ The Mummy Case intrigued me for its Indiana Jones meets Agatha Christie style.

Adventure awaits Amelia Peabody, her husband Emerson and their son, Ramses when they travel to Egypt to excavate the pyramids at Mazghunah, which turn out to be countless graves of no real importance. Amelia’s interest lies not in the “pyramids” but in the murders and thefts that occur soon after their arrival.

I really enjoyed Ramses’ character. He is incredibly smart and has a huge vocabulary which he uses to Amelia’s great frustration. He is constantly getting into mischief, from stealing a duchess’ lion cub to exploring a rival archeologist’s pyramid.

This would be a great series for families with older kids (12+) to listen to in the car on a road trip. Overall, this book is a little dry but it is very witty and a good whodunit mystery.

-L.T.

Firefly Lane

2011-03-29T11:48:00.000-07:00

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah was the first audiobook that I ordered when I started working here at AudiobookStand. One of the perks is that you get to order a new audio book each month. Needless to say picking that first one was a bit daunting, I wanted to pick the best one! I was really overwhelmed at the selection and the prospect of narrowing it down!

Eventually I settled on Firefly Lane and I am so happy that I did. It was a great story, and held my attention until the end. It is the story of a life-long friendship that starts with pre-teen girls with pre-teen dreams of becoming a pair of anchor women. I especially liked the music and thought that it added a lot to the listening experience. As the book moves through the decades we get to hear a little of the music that was famous at the time. I thought that was a great touch!

I experienced the whole spectrum of emotion when listening to Firefly Lane; I was happy for the women, laughed with the women and in the end cried with the women (which isn’t always a good thing if you’re at work)! All in all I thought it was a great book and would recommend it wholeheartedly.

-AEN

Lisa Jackson: Gypsy Wind vs. Shiver

2011-03-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

When I hear the name, Lisa Jackson, I think of suspense. I just finished listening to Shiver which is book three in the New Orleans Series, and I loved it! I know that Lisa Jackson has written romance titles as well as suspense. Since I like her writing I thought I would try one of her romance titles. Gypsy Wind was originally written in the 1980s but was just released late last year into audio, so I gave it a chance.

Gypsy Wind centers around the death of Becca Peters’ beloved racing horse, Gypsy Wind and the subsequent break up of her relationship with Brig Chambers. I enjoyed the story line, but I just did not get into it as much as I do her suspense titles. Jackson’s suspense titles allow my mind to wander just enough to freak me out, but not give me nightmares. I have to confess that I chose not to listen to Shiver on my way to our family cabin because I was a bit unnerved, and did not want to spook myself while I was in the woods. In Gypsy Wind, I did like how a secret was not being shared by the three main characters in the story. If one person would have spoken up, their lives would have been changed and the past rewritten.

Teri Clark Linden narrated Gypsy Wind. It was the first was the first time I had listened to her and it worked with the story line. Of course I loved Joyce Bean's narration of Shiver. Joyce is one of my favorite narrators.

There is a common factor between Shiver and Gypsy Wind, they both involved a bit of mystery and have an underlining question, what more is going on? Whether you like romance or suspense take a chance with Lisa Jackson. I think you will like her.

E.D.

Blossom

2011-03-11T17:04:00.000-08:00

Blossom is a must read.

In Blossom, an old cellmate has summoned Burke to a rundown Indiana mill town where Rebecca's teenage cousin Lloyd has been accused of a crime he didn't commit...so he says. When the police don't have enough evidence to hold the boy, they remand him into Virgil's and Rebecca's custody. Then the heat gets turned up. When bail is revoked and Lloyd runs Virgil goes after him and both are now in hiding. Virgil wants Burke to find out the truth about his cousin and about the "Son of Sam" type murders that have been being committed. It’s here that Burke meets Blossom, a beautiful waitress who has her own reasons for wanting to catch the killer.

I loved this audiobook because, Andrew Vachss tough dialogues lends authenticity to the unspeakable horrors that are perpetrated upon innocent children. Vachss serves as a law guardian in New York state and openly admits that he writes about the abuse of children because he wants to raise people's awareness of what's going on, and he'll reach a wider audience with fiction.

-KR

Eat, Pray, Love

2011-02-26T08:59:00.000-08:00

Eat, Pray, Love is the first book I’ve listened to that was narrated by the author. Many of our customers have expressed their dislike of authors’ performances so I was a little wary when I picked this up. I was pleasantly surprised by Elizabeth Gilbert’s narration. First of all, she has the most relaxing voice of any narrator I have listened to thus far. I am also enjoying her style of narration. Many narrators change their voice for each character; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Elizabeth Gilbert narrates in her own voice for much of the book, which I find to be quite appropriate as this is her memoir.

The book is split into three sections, one for each country she visits. I have listened to Italy and India so far. Her goal in Italy seems to be to eat as much food as possible. Her descriptions make my mouth water, especially her account of the pizza she ate in Naples. I have been craving pizza ever since! Although I know it won’t be quite the same…

For those of you who may not really care for nonfiction, this is worth a listen. It is witty and humorous and tells the story of a woman on the brink who finds her salvation in travel and friendship.

-L.T.

The Starter Wife

2011-02-18T06:49:00.000-08:00

The Starter Wife written by Gigi Levangie Grazer is filled with pop culture references that are clever and fun. Listening to this audiobook I was reminded of the popular sitcom Will and Grace, a straight woman and a gay man foraging through life’s struggles one ridiculous predicament after another; like Gracie’s soon to be ex-husband showing up to a child’s birthday party with his new fling, none other than Britney Spears!

Just when Gracie thinks she has hit rock bottom a mysterious and handsome good Samaritan enters her life and gives her a new perspective … maybe there is more to life then Botox, spin class, and bikini waxes ...maybe there is even true love…

This audiobook is light and entertaining, read by popular narrator Susan Ericksen who as always brings the characters to life!

AEN

Why We Love Audiobooks

2011-02-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share why I love audiobooks…

Oh, audiobooks, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

1. You entertain me on my long, boring commute.

2. You are a fun and interesting alternative to the radio (goodbye advertising!).

3. You allow me to “read” all of the books I’ve been meaning to read but have not had the time.

4. You make me laugh, you make me cry.

5. You teach me something new.

6. You come in convenient formats.

7. You keep me awake on the road.

8. You are always new and fresh.

9. You motivate me to go for a run or do housework.

10. And at the end of the day, you give my tired eyes a much needed rest.

Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Listening!

-L.T.

Open

2011-02-03T17:30:00.000-08:00

Open, an autobiography by Andre Agassi was one of the best books I have read this year. Growing up I was an avid tennis fan and a mediocre player. I idolized Andre Agassi and never missed watching a match between him and Pete Sampras. As a fan I always wondered about their particular rivalry, I fancied them friends as well as foes.

In the book we finally get to see what the professional rivalries were really like. Agassi writes about his game and the physical demands it has put on his body, but even more interesting is the way he describes his childhood. His father, an immigrant from Tehran was extremely violent and alarmingly cold. He was ruthless and the pressure that Agassi felt was about as monumental a pressure as an individual could experience, much less a child.

I am relatively new to audio books and narrator Erik Davies was a good introduction; he was theatrical and charismatic.

Even if you are not a tennis fan I would recommend this book, it is a great example of the human experience. After reading this book I was left wondering if I too could tap into such personal strength and determination.

AEN

Tick Tock

2011-01-28T12:56:00.000-08:00

James Patterson delivers once again with his new audiobook about Detective Michael Bennett, Tick Tock. I have been a James Patterson fan for quite some time now. The first book I listened by Patterson was the first book in the Alex Cross series: Along Came a Spider—I was instantly hooked. A few years later he introduced Lindsay Boxer in 1st to Die (the first in the Women’s Murder Club Series)—and again, I instantly fell in love. A few years ago, he decided to right about Michael Bennett in Step on a Crack—hook, line and, sinker.

Picking between the series is like picking a favorite child; it’s not fair and someone’s going to get their feelings hurt. So, I will not say which my favorite series is (partially because that changes to whatever series last came out with an audiobook) but I will say I am really enjoying this one. Michael Bennett is a detective in New York, saving the city one case at a time by catching the most vicious and violent killers the city has ever seen. On his off-time he is a widower father to ten—yes count them, TEN—adoptive children. The internal struggle he has between keeping the city safe and keeping his family together is so absolutely heartbreaking and wonderfully endearing at the same time.

Patterson has always had a way to keep you at the edge of your seat through the entire audiobook—and does once more with this latest audiobook in this thrilling series. If you’re in the mood for an action-packed, heart-pounding suspense of an audiobook, look no further beyond Tick Tock.

-H.B.

Shadowfever

2011-01-21T13:41:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Shadowfever and have to say, it is a fantastic ending to a fabulous series. Before I started listening to it, I thought I would be disappointed to the point of devastation. So often, the last book in the series never quite ties up all the loose ends. The Fever Series has been such a great series to listen to. I waited dutifully for each new title to release. And although the audiobook is 20 hours long, I could not imagine how Karen Marie Moning could possibly address all the burning questions left unanswered from the previous titles… But, of course, Moning did not disappoint. All the important questions were answered, and she even gives us a glimmer of hope there may be a possible spin-off from the Fever Series.

For those looking for just an audiobook to listen by itself (not part of a series), I wouldn’t recommend Shadowfever. This audiobook was meant to listen to as a conclusion to the audiobooks in the Fever Series. But, those looking for a new series, this one DEFINITELY has my endorsement.

We first met MacKayla Lane in Darkfever, a young woman with a regular life—until her sister is murdered. Then we watched her grow to a strong independent woman in the caught in the crosshairs in a catastrophic war between immortals and humans, all the while searching for truth and justice for her dead sister. All things considered, the Fever Series was a magical series that will always be on the top of my list. I miss it already, but not for long—I think it’s already time to re-listen to the series in its entirety again!

-H.B.

The Water is Wide

2011-01-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

The Water is Wide kicks off with the author, Pat Conroy, speaking about the writing and titling of the book and his short career as a teacher. He joked that he chose the wrong title for the book because his readers never get the title right (he’s heard The Water is Wet, The Water is Wine and so on). Even though the title may not stick for some people, it is aptly named as the island off the coast of South Carolina that the book is set on, is worlds away from mainstream America.

The book is based on the author’s tenure as a teacher on Yamacraw Island during the 1960s. When he takes the job on Yamacraw, he knows that it will be a challenge but he is completely unprepared for the total illiteracy of his middle school-aged students. They cannot read even the simplest of texts and can barely write their own names. He not only struggles with the students but with the only other teacher in the school who is a firm believer in corporal punishment.

I have not finished the book yet, but so far I am enjoying Dan John Miller’s narration. He has such a clear, pleasant voice and I love the enthusiasm he brings to the main character, who is a very energetic and idealistic young man. I am very interested to hear how this story ends, with all of the tension between the teachers and the school board, I am expecting a dramatic conclusion.

LT

Vengeance in Death

2011-01-04T11:24:00.000-08:00

How do Riddles, a statue of the Virgin Mary, Lucky Charms, and torture become intertwined? It would be because of Detective Eve Dallas and the past death of a Butler’s Daughter.

In Vengeance in Death, book #4 of J.D. Robb’s popular In Death Series, we get a closer look into who the infamous Roarke and Summerset are. I have to say that this book has really thrown me for a loop. I had no idea who the murderer was. I kept mulling over the clues given to me and I came up with nothing. I enjoy listening to audiobooks while doing reports at work. Towards the end of the story it was painful for me to have to turn of the audio at the end of each day. I just wanted to hear who had done it.

This murderer is doing everything in his power to implicate Summerset as well as Eve’s husband Roarke. He enjoys watching Eve decode Riddles and means for her to be minutes too late to save his victims. The Murderer is coming for Eve and her family. She is closing in on him but, will she get him?

ED

The Earth's Children Series

2010-12-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

I have to admit I am a bit of an Earth’s Childrenite. For those who don’t know what this is, it’s a large group of fans who are borderline obsessed with the Earth’s Children series by Jean M. Auel. Having just found out that after 9 years of not-so-patiently waiting, the 6th audiobook will be releasing in March, I knew it was time to play some catch-up with the series I love. Problem: I didn’t have nearly 150 hours of free time to devote to listening to the whole series. Solution: re-listen to just the fifth audiobook in the series, The Shelters of Stone.

The first time I listened to The Shelters of Stone, I must say, I was a little disappointed. The new plot twists were great, but a lot of the audiobook seemed to be the previous audiobooks repeated. This time around however, I found the very thing I found frustrating my first time listening was ideal to catch-up on the series without the need to dedicate the time needed to re-listen to the whole set.

The Land of Painted Caves (book 6) will be releasing March 29, 2011. For those who looking for an epic saga and haven’t already listened to this series, I highly recommend these be your next audiobooks. The series that centered around a young girl named Ayla and her people, the Clan of the Cave Bear, was first written thirty years ago and is still one of my favorite audiobook series of all time. And for those Sandra Burr fans out there: the whole series is magnificently narrated by her. Listen to the series and become a fellow Earth Childrenite, you won’t be disappointed.

-H.B.

The Last Song

2010-12-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have read Nicholas Sparks books before and, of course, watched The Notebook many times but I have never listened to one of his books. I decided to give The Last Song a go. Nicholas Sparks is the master of tearjerkers so I should have been prepared for this book but I apparently did not know what it was actually about when I started listening.

Ronnie is 17 and has just graduated from high school in New York City. The last thing she wants to do is spend the summer in North Carolina with her dad, who left the family a few years back. After getting off to a rocky start, she meets Will, a very rich, attractive boy who she does not like at first. As she gets to know him, they fall in love. As the summer comes to an end, Ronnie begins to notice that her dad is coughing a lot and he seems really tired. Eventually, he tells her the truth about his illness and why he wanted her and her brother to spend the summer with him.

This is probably one of the saddest books I have ever listened to. Like all of his books I have read so far, The Last Song is touching and so sad it’s impossible not to cry. I listen in the car on my way to and from work and I find the closer I get to the end, the more often I have to switch back and forth from the CD to the radio.

Despite Nicholas Sparks being a rather prolific writer, this book is as solid and as good as any other he has written. Be prepared for a good cry if you listen to this story.

-L.T.

Fantasy in Death

2010-12-10T17:28:00.000-08:00

Fantasy in Death is the first CD that I have listened to that is an abridgement. Normally I listen to the unabridged story. My thought process is that if an author writes something it is important to the story and I want to hear it, so I choose the unabridged. But I was very surprised that I like the Abridged version so much.

Detective Eve Dallas is called to a bizarre murder of one of the gaming founders of U-Play. Eve must answer the question of how can a man be decapitated, when his is the only one locked in the room.

I was fairly shocked that I did not feel like I missed anything when I listened to this abridged version of Fantasy in Death. I almost like it better in some ways. It was nice to know who the murderer was in 5 CD’s versus 11 CD’s. The only thing that I really noticed was that there was not as many love scenes compared to the other stories I have listened to in the In Death Series. The only drawback was that I was not able to guess who the murderer was. Guessing who did is something that I love to do. It is like I am the third Detective in the story. In general I will still be drawn to the unabridged audiobooks, but I will not shun a book if it is only available as an abridgement.

Fantasy in Death was released in February of 2010. Take a virtual ride into the world of Eve Dallas. Will she be able to discover the deceptive murderer before more deadly games are played?

-ED

The Book Club

2010-11-26T11:18:00.000-08:00

This is the story of five women in their 40’s and 50’s going through turning points in their lives.

Living in the same community and bonded together by their membership in the same book discussion group,

Eve is a recent widow who, even though was having some marital difficulties, now remembers only the good in her marriage.

Annie is a lawyer who has put her career above motherhood.

Doris has been the perfect wife and mother, and has neglected herself in the process.

Midge has been alone for years. A gifted artist who’s been happy with her life—up until now.

Gabriella and her family are happy, but when her husband is laid off work, they struggle with even everyday existence.

As each woman shares their life changes and experiences and I found myself able to relate to each woman in some way. The best part is the friendship and trust they developed with each other.

I feel The Book Club will appeal more to the thirty plus age group who have lived through some life changing situations. Hopefully each one will have a friend to confide in as these five women did.

-K.R.

Audiobooks on Playaway

2010-11-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Lately, I have been noticing that more titles are available on Playaway. If you’ve never heard of Playaway, it is a small device that fits in the palm of your hand and comes preloaded with one title. I decided to give it a try and see if it’s any better than my old CD Walkman. It turned out to be so much easier to use. I’m a runner so this has been working out perfectly for me. It’s really light so it is easy to hold or throw in a pocket.

I would recommend this for anyone who likes audiobooks but is looking for a more convenient way to listen. With Playaway, you don’t have to change a disc or go through the trouble of downloading to an MP3 player. When I got my Playaway, I noticed that it came with a battery, earphones and a lanyard. I personally do not care for lanyards (I prefer to just hold it or put it in a pocket) but I could see this being great for kids who are not always very careful with their things.

I think this would be a great alternative to MP3 players. Playaways are about the size of an MP3 player but they’re already ready to go, you don’t have to download anything. And you don’t have to deal with a pile of CDs, the whole book is on one Playaway. So if you are looking for the most convenient way to listen to audiobooks, Playaway is the way to go!

-L.T.

The Search

2010-11-11T05:48:00.000-08:00

We often hear from people that listening to audiobooks is a great way to pass time when driving, cleaning the house, and doing yard work. Some folks listen to audiobooks because they don’t have time to sit and read the book. Me? I listen to audiobooks because they are a great way to connect with other people. Really.

The audiobooks I listened to in recent weeks—
Stay (by Allie Larkin, performed by Julia Whelan)
A Dog’s Purpose (by W. Bruce Cameron, performed by George K. Wilson)
Dog Tags (by David Rosenfelt, performed by Grover Gardner) and
The Search (by Nora Roberts, performed by Tanya Eby)—
had a recurring theme: DOGS. It’s true, I love dogs and I enjoy stories involving dogs. But the reason I listened to these titles was because so many people told me they enjoyed these books and the narrator’s performance.

Since I appreciate other people’s recommendations, occasionally, I want to reciprocate and tell folks about the titles I really enjoyed. And, since I really really enjoyed Nora Robert’s The Search I have been recommending it to everyone who will listen to what I have to say.

I heard the story as being about a strong willed woman, Fiona Bristow, who survives a serial killer and rebuilds her life after the brutal murder of her cop fiancé and his K-9 partner by establishing a successful business training dogs and their humans. Then several years later, a copycat killer emerges and Fiona appears to be his final target. That’s thrilling enough for me.

My friend experienced the story from the romance angle—Simon Doyle bursts in to Fiona’s life in need of training for Jaws, an out of control puppy who is chewing his way through Simon’s home and belongings. Out of this initial meeting, the two people (and their combined pack of 4 dogs) forge a reluctant relationship that turns to love.

My friend and I have had some lively and humorous conversations as a result of our different perspectives. It has enriched our friendship and brought both of us plenty of laughs. What better reason to listen to a book?

N.C.

Rapture in Death

2010-11-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

Once again Detective Eve Dallas has a case that is more than what meets the eye. It appears that Eve cannot escape death even on her honeymoon. The death of one of Roarke’s brilliant engineers is only the first in a series suicides. There seems to be one link that they all share and it is not just the strange happy and smiling face they wear in Death. So Eve Dallas does what she does best, follows her gut instincts and looks a little deeper into the smiling faces of the dead.

As always Susan Ericksen did a great job in Rapture in Death, the fourth book in the In Death series by J.D. Robb. I am slowly but surely working my way through the series that has now made it to 38 books with the new release of Indulgence in Death.

I want to find out: can Eve put the pieces together before it hits too close to home?

E.D.

The Summer of Two Wishes

2010-10-29T08:25:00.000-07:00

This is the first time I have read (listened to) a Julia London title. I must say I was very pleased with the style of writing and the content of the story.

The Summer of Two Wishes is a story I have heard on the news before, a soldier is declared dead only to be found alive years later. I have to admit I usually rejoice in the fact a soldier is coming home, never thinking about the lives at home who have tried to continue on. This brings to light the turmoil caused when a loved one is presumed dead and then found alive.

Macy is very much in love with her husband Finn when he decides to join the army. She begged him not to go to the army and fight in Iraq, but he was adamant that he was going. Mary struggled to keep his Texas Ranch, but with cattle disease, her inexperience, and bad luck, she had to sell much of Finn's assets. Then officers came to her door with charred dog tags and their condolences, Macy’s world fell apart. killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan Macy is overcome with grief when she hears this news.

Macy eventually falls in love with Wyatt and they begin talking about starting a family when she gets the news that Finn is alive and coming home. Macy is overjoyed at the thought of seeing Finn but she is also faced with a difficult decision of breaking someone's heart. Whether it's Finn or Wyatt, one thing is for sure; her heart is going to be broken as well.

Macy must now dissolve one marriage by divorce (her’s and Finn’s) or by filing suit to declare one void (her’s and Wyatt’s). How is she ever going to pick between her past love and her new love

-K.R.

The Teeth of the Tiger

2010-10-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

In preparation for Tom Clancy’s first Jack Ryan book in seven years (that’s right! Dead or Alive is releasing December 7!) I went back and re-listened to the previous book in the series, The Teeth of the Tiger. I couldn’t believe my luck, after what seemed to be hours scouring my bookshelves looking for my next audiobook to listen to, there it was. I don’t typically keep my audiobooks for seven years (if I did, I would have no room for furniture, no appliances… just audiobooks as far as the eye could see). Most get donated to the library after two to three years and I had all but given up hope for another Jack Ryan audiobook releasing. But there it was on my bookshelf begging for a re-listen.

Although not my favorite Jack Ryan audiobook, I prefer the classics: The Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, etc., the audiobook is still a great reminder what Tom Clancy does best: writes fast-paced page-turners that you don’t want to stop listening to. The book is centered on Jack Ryan’s son (named no other than Jack Ryan Jr.) and his twin cousins. Jack Jr. is following in dad’s footprints—saving the world one adventure at a time. Stephen Lang does a great job narrating the audiobook. He shows his skills in both developing each character’s voice as well as his abilities to voice a descent accent. As I said before, The Teeth of the Tiger is not my favorite in the series but still well-worth a listen—especially if you need a quick Clancy-fix before December.

-H.B.

Letting Go

2010-10-15T07:13:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life kicks you when you’re down and keeps on kicking. That is the situation we find Paul and Libby Hertz in Letting Go by Philip Roth. Their marriage sets off a chain of events that leaves them with no family, no money and only a small hope that things will turn around for them.

I am about halfway through the story and I have mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, listening to their endless string of hardships and suffering really puts my own life into perspective. On the other hand, I could do without all of the bickering. Paul and Libby are constantly fighting and never seem to be happy. (Not that I’m looking for a happy story, but they can’t even get along for a second!).

The story aside, Luke Daniels does a wonderful job narrating. He gives each character a different distinct voice. I love how he can switch from an old, sickly sounding man to a young twenty-something girl. I also like the way he “acts” without changing the volume of his voice.

Letting Go is worth a listen for the oddball characters and the life Luke Daniels gives them.

-L.T.

Infamous

2010-10-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Legend has it that good overcame evil when US Marshall Silas Quinn killed five members of the Kelly Gang at the Red Rock Saloon in Jubilation, Arizona in 1898. But the trouble with legends is that you never know which parts are true and which parts are false. Suzanne Brockmann’s Infamous, a contemporary romance novel with a historical western twist, offers an alternative to this event as portrayed in our popular American history of the west.

As Brockmann turns the legend of Silas Quinn and Jamie Gallagher upside down, she also deals with real life issues related to alcoholism and veterans of war. Of course, murders, mystery, and miracles take place too as history professor Alison Carter confronts the ghosts of her past when she is attracted to the too good to be true A.J. Gallagher. As fate would have it, this perfect man happens to have a ghost of his own – his great grandfather Jamie Gallagher – and a past that’s far from perfect.

Alison and A.J. meet on the movie set filming Quinn a Hollywood film that will further glorify Silas Quinn. As A.J. tries to set the record straight about what really in 1898 and the years after the shoot out. A.J. Gallagher’s quest to convince Dr. Carter of the truth is an adventure romance readers won’t want to miss.

Performers Angela Dawe and Patrick Lawlor do an outstanding job bringing the story – past and present – to life. With an engaging story line and their fantastic performance I hope there’s an Audie Award in store for these two in 2011!

-N.C.

Naked in Death

2010-09-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

What does a billionaire, a senator, and prostitutes have in common? Eve Dallas, NYPD.

I have been working at AudiobookStand now for about 4 months and I have finally been sucked into the In Death Series by J.D. Robb. Susan Ericksen narration draws you into the story. I can tell that she has narrated all of the titles in this series because she has fully developed the voice of each character.

Naked in Death has it all, politics, prostitutes and murder. At the center of it is a Senator, his misguided niece and…Roarke. Roarke is a rich, handsome Irishman, and a suspect in Detective Eve Dallas’s case. Eve does not usually mix business with her personal life but, Roarke has a different idea for this no nonsense detective.

The series takes place in the year 2060 where technology is superior to previous decades, especially the use of weapons. Something that has not advanced over the years is why people kill. Should Eve go with her gut or does she go with what the evidence seems to be telling her?

Naked in Death is the first audiobook in the series and with the 38th audiobook Indulgence in Death releasing in November I thought I should see what this series had to offer. I am interested to see how these characters develop over the next 38 titles. I can’t wait to see what happens next!!!!

E.D.

The Valley of Horses

2010-09-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

I always thought of myself as someone who didn’t care for fantasy, give me a good mystery or nonfiction and I’m happy. Well all that changed when I went on a trip with my daughter and her family. My daughter has listened to the Jean M. Auel books so much that she wore them out.

I reluctantly agreed to listen to The Valley of Horses on the way to Gettysburg, Pa. with her and before I knew it I was totally absorbed.

I had listened to The Clan of the Cave Bear so I knew about the story, but I hadn’t really listened to the story like I did The Valley of Horses. I couldn’t wait to get back to the car to listen to the story again. Ayla’s relationship with her horse Whinny and then the cave lion cub Baby was fascinating.

Ayla had been ostracized from the clan, left the Beran Sea peninsula, and traveled north. Meanwhile Jondalar and his brother Thonolan are traveling across Europe. Thonolan is killed by Ayla’s fully grown a cave lion—Baby. Ayla hears the attack and begins the process of healing Jondalar's injuries.

Sandra Burr brings the story and characters to life. I look forward to listening to The Mammoth Hunters, the third in the series.

K.R.

The Kite Runner

2010-09-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

For years quite a few of my customers have suggested I listen to The Kite Runner written and read by Khaled Hosseini. Last night I thought: Enough is enough. I need to find out what all the fuss is about. I found out soon enough… The Kite Runner is a wonderfully written story, it’s plot a beautiful tragedy, and the narration was spot on. While it did take a short time to adjust to the author’s accent, I can’t imagine it read as beautifully by anyone else—he really breathes life into these characters.

The novel begins in Afghanistan in the early 1970s. The audiobook is centered around Amir, the son of a wealthy Afghani, and his unlikely friendship with his loyal, self-sacrificing servant Hassan. A tragic event and Amir’s betrayal of the friendship forces Hassan and his father to terminate their employment, separating the two boys both physically and emotionally. When war breaks out in Afghanistan, Amir and his father, Baba, flee the country and begin adjusting to life in America. Amir is still coping with the guilt and shame from the tragedy back home and his father is forced to dramatically alter his lifestyle from a wealthy and respected man in Afghanistan to working at a local gas station making very little money. This is as far as I have gotten in this audiobook.

For a debut novel, this is an incredible work of art. I inserted the first CD and was immediately pulled into the story—I had to force myself not to pull an all-nighter and finish the audiobook in one sitting. It is a heart-wrenching story which is extremely difficult to stop listening to once you start. I am only a third of the way through the story, but so far it is easily my favorite audiobook I listened to all year.

-H.B.

Definitely Dead

2010-09-01T15:25:00.000-07:00

Charlaine Harris has done it again. Definitely Dead adds another layer to our telepathic Sookie Stackhouse and the Supernatural world she has been introduced to.

After a brief meeting in Dead as a Doornail, Quinn is back to court Sookie. Sookie may not be popular with the human man she meets due to her telepathic abilities, but it sure does make her the focus and desire of many in the supernatural world. If Sookie thought it was going to be a quite first date with Quinn, she was sadly mistaken. Besides the problem of Eric, both Sookie and Quinn are attacked in front of humans, by “bitten” werewolves. This attack is a major faux pas in the supernatural world and an even bigger mistake in the werewolf community. The question becomes who was the target and why were they attacked. This is only the beginning of the adventures that are to follow. Even if Sookie does not see any adventure but danger in what is to follow.

Definitely Dead is the sixth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series and is narrated by Johanna Parker. As in every book in this series, Ms. Parker engulfs you into the story. The “True Blood” TV series on HBO is a gritty series based on the Sookie Series. If you enjoy the TV series, or you don’t, you will enjoy these books. The Sookie series is not as racy as the “True Blood” series and gives you just enough information to let your mind go where it must. If you like a bit of “grit” to your story line I think you will enjoy these book.

When you add up the denominators of Sookie, Quinn, Eric, Bill, the Queen and King of Louisiana and relative’s secret past, all it can equal for is a hold lot of trouble in Definitely Dead.

E.D.

Stay

2010-08-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

What better time than the dog days of summer to listen to an audiobook about...a dog!?

Allie Larkin's Stay is characterized as a romance story, but it is not the usual fairy tale romance. It is a novel about people trying to get their hearts, heads, and yes, their libedos in the right place to create meaningful relationships in a complicated world.

The story is told from the perspective of Savannah "Van" Leone. But my favorite character was Joe -- a beautiful but LARGE German Sheperd puppy who is trained to respond to commands given in Slovak. Who could help but fall for such a smart "guy"?

Van purchased the pup over the Internet after watching RinTinTin (the Wonder Dog), reruns on television while drowning her sorrow over an unrequited love with kool-aid laced with vodka. Her mother died, the love of her life just married her best friend, and she is all alone. What better solution than a dog who just happens to require veterinary attention and frightens the neighbors? Acquiring Joe launches a new set of opportunities for Van.

For better or worse, Stay reminded me that it is friends, famililes, and even companion animals, that give our lives texture and richness.

N.C.

Wagons West Wyoming!

2010-08-13T11:09:00.000-07:00

Wagons West Wyoming! was not a book I ever thought I would like, or even listen to; I was wrong. I selected this title to take on a trip for my husband, and thought I would listen to it before I gave it to him. Much to my surprise it is a good read and the characters in the story become all too real.

In this third book of the Wagons West! series, the wagon train must prepare for a brutal winter in the Rocky Mountains. They endure trials from Indians, to foreign agents. In addition to leading the train “Whip” Holt, the party leader, also has to deal with his former lover, La-ena. Another interesting character is Delores, who deals with the spirit world in a believable way. Two women—the beautiful young widow and the Indian maiden who was once Holt's woman—ride side by side on the train. To see the personal side of the journey west was so much more personal than reading the history book. To hear of the dreams, fears, hardships, threats, rivalry within the camp was touching.

This is definitely not just a western, it is a story of deep emotion and courage beyond anything I have ever faced.

I spoke with one of my friends and her mother was also reading this book and liked it very much. I highly recommend this book.

-K.R.

Eat, Pray, Love

2010-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was yard work weekend at my household. I do not have an overwhelming desire to weed, plant, prune, etc. I’m not saying anything bad about people who do; I just don’t have the gift. I found the only way to make this tortuous work tolerable is to listen to a good book. This weekend I gathered up my gardening gloves, my spade, and my iPod and listened to Eat, Pray, Love.

Eat, Pray, Love was narrated by the author, and while sometimes that can spoil the book, (some things are better left to the professionals) Elizabeth Gilbert did a phenomenal job reading her memoir of her personal journey of self-discovery. After going through a divorce and a deep depression, Elizabeth Gilbert decides to take matters in her own hands: she quit her job and uprooted her life to take a yearlong trip around the world. What follows is a wonderful story about her experiences she had and the characters she met along the way. It is truly an inspiring memoir about making happiness for yourself when you have all but given up happiness is out there.

Now my house is properly gardened, I am properly inspired and I it’s all thanks to the audiobook Eat, Pray, Love.

-H.B.

Killing Floor

2010-07-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

On a whim, spurred by a comment his brother has made, Jack Reacher decides to stop at a sleepy southern town of Margrave. This stop will end up with the innocent Reacher in Jail and in the company of murders.

Killing Floor is the first of fifteen in the Jack Reacher Series. Cleaning the house and doing dishes is never fun listening to Killing Floor made doing the chores enjoyable. Dick Hill sounds how I would expect Jack Reacher to sound and his narration brings depth to the character.

The small town of Margrave is turned upside down by the murder and mutilation of some of the town’s respectable citizens. What is behind the killings and what is this town hiding?

E.D.

In a Heartbeat

2010-07-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

You will want to listen to In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy with Sally Jenkins if you saw the movie Blind Side with Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw or read Michael Lewis’ The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. This title is the real deal!

Several months ago I read Lewis’ The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game after watching the movie Blind Side. I was curious to determine if the movie was “true to the book,” which I presumed would be “true to life.”

I didn’t get an answer about “true to life,” but I discovered there was a big difference – the book was about football and the movie was about the Tuohy family! The common link was Michael Oher – adopted son of Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy and now an offensive lineman for the Baltimore Ravens football team.

In a Heartbeat gently debunks Hollywood’s glamorized fairy tale of a well off white family in Memphis that falls in love with a not as well off athletic black teenager. Of course, the Tuohy’s insights give new dimensions and a fuller meaning to the true story. But In a Heartbeat also explains the Tuohy’s “Popcorn Theory” on giving, which they credit as the reason behind their inspiring story. The Tuohys believe, “You can’t help everyone. But you can try to help the hot ones who pop right in front of your face,” and they call this their “Popcorn Theory.”

Besides sharing their lives through the printed word, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy (along with Kathleen McInerney and Rick Adamson) read In a Heartbeat for MacMillan Audio’s unabridged CD production of the title. Hearing the Tuohy’s share their experiences makes for a very powerful presentation and is a great way to spend 7 hours.

I know, listening to Leigh AnnTuohy say, “If the message you take from our experience is that a rich white family tried to save a black kid, than you will totally miss our story’s meaning,” had a greater impact on me to than reading the same statement in the book.

In a Heartbeat has given me a better idea of how the Tuohy family lives well and is blessed by giving. But it won’t be the last word on the family’s story. On April 27, 2010, Michael Oher announced on his web site that he is working with Don Yaeger to publish a memoir, I Beat the Odds: My Amazing Journey from Foster Care to the NFL and Beyond. Gotham Books expects this title will be available in February 2011. So the story, and the truth, will continue to unfold.

-N.C.

Narration of a Series

2010-07-16T13:22:00.000-07:00

The audiobook I most recently listened to was Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning. This audiobook is the fourth in her Fever series and I was eagerly anticipating its release. Each of the books in this series leaves you with a cliffhanger at the end so you can’t wait to start the next story. However, I was fairly disappointed and it all came down to the narration. The first three audiobooks in this series were narrated by Joyce Bean, one of my favorite narrators, she created characters in my mind with her voice. I was disappointed to discover that Dreamfever wasn’t narrated by Joyce Bean. The new narrators changed the way the characters came to life, it didn’t feel like the same people I’ve grown to know with hours of listening. The fifth and final book in Karen Marie Moning’s series, Shadowfever is scheduled to release in January 2011 and while I’m sure I’ll listen to it because I’m curious to see how it will all end, the excitement I had with the first few audiobooks has faded because I miss Joyce Bean as MacKayla Lane.

-L.M.

Stieg Larsson's Millenium Series

2010-07-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

Recently I made a small investment in Stieg Larsson’s Millenium series—The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. My investment is a L-O-N-G story, so I will just give the abridged version.

I was curious about Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest as the trio of titles has been popular with many of our customers. But I don’t do suspense titles. Not my cup of tea. Period.

However, when I had a chance to view the film The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, in Swedish with English sub-titles, at a nearby theatre, I decided it would be a quick way to find out what the book was all about. Despite the violence I was totally captivated by the story—an apparently anti-social young woman (who dresses in black, sports numerous tattoos and multiple body piercings) uses her extra-ordinary hacker skills to assist a male journalist who has been found guilty of libel. She helps to restore his reputation and solve a decades old murder, she also saves his life after realizing she has fallen in love. Lisbeth Salander is my kind of hero—aloof, smart, resourceful, and out to right the wrongs committed against the innocent.

I was hooked. After the film I raced to a local retailer as I HAD to buy the title. Only it wasn’t available; so I bought The Girl Who Played with Fire and started the series in the middle! It was so good, I wanted to call into work and tell them I was sick so I could finish the book. Unfortunately, even when you work for an audiobook publisher, reading a book is not an acceptable excuse to miss work. Go figure!

Maybe now, you understand how I spent a small fortune on the Millenium Series? I saw a film, bought a paperback book, bought a hardcover book, bought the book on CD. Talk about addictive! I am not complaining. I really enjoyed Larsson’s books, in every format—film, print, audio! Encountering the three books in formats beside the printed word gave me a whole new sensory experience.

-N.C.

Dead as a Doornail

2010-07-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

I am hooked on Sookie Stackhouse! The men in her life aren't too bad either. Johanna Parker brings life to Charlaine Harris’ character, Sookie, through her narration of this series.

If you would like a bit more “grit” in your storylines than the teen story within the Twilight Series, I would suggest the Sookie Stackhouse series. The television adaption of these novels on HBO, True Blood, bring these books by Charlaine Harris alive on screen. I have not watched the show but if you believe that the books might be too risqué, don’t worry. Mrs. Harris gives you just enough detail to let your mind make up the rest of what went on in the "bedroom”.

Dead as a Doornail is the fifth book in this series. Before Sookie met Bill, the vampire, her life was very routine with not much interaction with the opposite sex. Since her meeting Bill, her eyes have opened to a whole new world—one that she embraces and pushes away, due to that fact she is always almost getting killed. In this book, Sookie delves even further into the world of the supernatural. Sookie is immersed into the policies of vampires, werewolves, shape shifters and the fairy world. Events will change her relationships with Bill (her ex-boyfriend), Eric (her lover for a while and Bill’s boss) and Alcide (her possible new boyfriend and enemy of Bill and Eric). Joining these men is a new suitor for Sookie, Calvin, head of Hotshot and a shifter, who may hold her brother's fate in his hands. As shooting rings out, three people Sookie loves and knows will be shot. As she is the target too, Sookie must survive this killer...or is it just one?

-E.D.

Audiobooks for Young Listeners

2010-06-24T10:31:00.000-07:00

I have fallen behind on my Audiobook listening. My list of audiobooks to listen to keeps growing but I haven’t found the time to actually listen to any. Now that I am the mother of two I find myself even shorter on time than I was before. I also find my listening choices changing as well. The bulk of my listening was always done while driving, especially on the five hour trips to visit my family. Now that I have children I find myself being very particular in the audiobooks I choose. I typically screen the books I listen to or check with others I know have listened to a particular Audiobook before listening to it with my children in the car. I have been able to find some great ones to listen to while driving with my young children. One is the Ulysses Moore series narrated by Michael Page, even though Mr. Page is usually not one of my favorite narrators he does an excellent job with this series and it really transports you into the title. This series has an exciting plot and also a little history lesson tucked into it. It was great to listen to and when my children are old enough I think they will enjoy it too. Another series that was recommended to me is the Peter and the Starcatchers series narrated by Jim Dale, who also performed Harry Potter. I haven’t gotten the chance to listen to it as of yet but I plan to on our next five hour trip. I think reading is very important for our children and audiobooks provide a different and exciting way to get kids interested in reading. My two year old son loves to listen to the Fire Engine Book while reading along with the actual book. It’s never too early for a child to listen to an Audiobook and even though it may be more difficult to find “clean” audiobooks they are out there.

-L.M.

Mount Dragon

2010-06-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Years ago I listened to Relic and Reliquary by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I have been wanting to
listen to Mount Dragon by the same authors. Recently I have been doing a lot of painting in my house; and what better time to listen to an audiobook?

Mount Dragon takes place in the desert of New Mexico. Guy Carson and Susana Cabeza de Vaca have come to Mount Dragon to work with some of the great scientists. Their task is to defeat the influenza virus, though at a cost of permanently altering the DNA of the human race. While they believe they are creating a medical cure they may in fact be creating a virus that will result in the creation of an absolutely deadly form of the virus rather than immunity. Guy's job is to solve this problem. He willingly endures the stress and other discomforts of working in a biohazard unit, until he realizes that Gene Dyne's motives are entirely selfish and will stop at nothing to turn a profit. I found myself losing track of time as I was listening to this story. It is not as edge of the seat as Relic (trying to find the killer in the New York Museum of Natural History) but it is a thriller that takes you on a ride with a subject that is frightening because of the possibility of reality.

Each morning before I went to work I would listen to Mount Dragon as I painted. The desert provides a fearsome challenge to the novel's characters, as well as the attempts to control nature. I know this is
fiction but I wondered if I wanted to get a flu shot in the fall after listening to this.

There is something here to attract—and satisfy—a diverse range of listeners. David Colacci does a great job of bringing this story to life.

-K.R.

Odd Hours

2010-06-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

As my “must-listen-to” list grows longer and longer, I find it hard to keep up to date on some of my favorite series. This past weekend I FINALLY got to listen to a title I have been meaning to for two years: Odd Hours. Odd Thomas is my favorite Dean Koontz character next to Christopher Snow (from Fear Nothing and Seize the Night). I was extremely excited to find out what he’d been up to since Brother Odd.

I genuinely appreciate the publisher keeping the same narrator throughout the series. As the fourth audiobook was published by a different publisher than the previous three, this doesn’t always happen. As I popped in the first CD and Alan Dean Foster's voice came through my headphones, it was like revisiting an old friend, reminiscing previous activities we shared and looking forward to future ones. Alan Dean Foster’s voice, in my mind, is Odd Thomas’ voice and I wouldn’t have enjoyed the audiobook as much as I did, no matter how good the narration was, if an “imposter” read the audiobook instead.

It was a great book with great narration but I would have been lost if I hadn’t listened the previous three. So, if you’re thinking about starting a new series and haven’t decided on one, choose the Odd Thomas series. Or, if you’re like me and have listened to the previous three and just haven’t found the time for the fourth, move it to the top of your “must-listen-to” list.

-H.B.

Winter Study

2010-06-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

Through her books, Nevada Barr takes her readers and listeners to our great national parks. This time she is taking us to my state. Winter Study takes place on Isle Royale which is surrounded by Lake Superior, north of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Yes, I am a Michigander!

With Barr’s attentiveness to detail, I got completely submersed as I listened to this book. Joyce Bean’s narration added to the suspense and made me want to stay suspended in the story, but at the same time the intensity of the audiobook pushed me towards wanting to hit off button, only to hit play again to find out what happened.

Nevada Barr places you inside the camp of Ranger Anna Pigeon, as she feels the sub-zero temperatures of roughing it in the true sense of winter camping in Michigan's North Country. Camping that requires a reminder to keep your head out of the sleeping bag so your breath will not cause frost inside the bag. Knowing you are trapped on an Island with no running water or electricity to ease the cold or modern amenities to help protect you from the wild. Wondering what the wolf prints mean and will you be next on the wolves list? All the time being surrounded by people you don’t know and don't know if you can trust.

Each time I thought that I had gotten to the most suspenseful part, yet again my breath was taken from me. The anxiety I felt was almost too much! Just the kind I like. The only downside is that I do get a bit weak in the knees, and there was some violence that was closely described. Over all I would have to say, “Thanks Mom for recommending this book” and I’m hooked on the Anna Pigeon series. Start the traveling season with a ride to my home state of Michigan in Winter Study.

E.D.

Shattered

2010-05-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Karen Robards is one of my favorite authors, and after listening to Shattered I know why. It is heart pounding at times and other times it brings you near tears. She blends romance and mystery in a most unique way.

I usually don’t like construction when I’m in a hurry to get home, but I have to say it was no trouble at all to wait as the traffic moved ever so slowly. The hardest part of this was keeping my mind on the traffic instead of the book. Karen Robards is a master at drawing you into the characters she writes about and the end comes too soon with her books.

I can’t say enough about Susan Ericksen as she brings the characters to life.

After losing her job at a prestigious law firm in Lexington Kentucky, Lisa heads back home to a once thriving horse farm owned by her mother in Grayson Springs, KY where her mother is ill and dying from ALS. Lisa goes to work for Scott Buchanan, the Lexington-Fayette County DA, as a research assistant working in the cold case division where she looks into the disappearance of Michael and Angela Garcia and their two children who went missing in 1981. While going through the file of the Garcia’s, Lisa is taken aback to find that the mother of the family looks just like herself. The more Lisa looks into this case it seems the more someone is determined to stop her. I did not want this story to end as the romance between Scott and Lisa and the mystery of her childhood draw you into the story as if you are there.

Well construction is still happening and my book is finished, I guess I need to find a new book to get through construction time.

-K.R.

Bad Luck and Trouble

2010-05-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Recently I broke one of my Golden Rules of Audiobook Listening—I listened to an audiobook in a series out of order. Of course, this was brought upon because I broke the Ultimate Golden Rule of Audiobook Listening—I ran out of audiobooks. As visibly distressed as I was, a friend offered an audiobook she just finished listening to: Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child. I cannot speak of the rest of the series, but I will tell you this: I will definitely be going back to the beginning and listening to the other audiobooks in the series starting with The Killing Floor.

The narrator Dick Hill seemed to take on the essence of the main character of the story, Jack Reacher, the ultimate ex-army macho man. It was an extraordinary narration to a great story. He captured each character, leaving me to wonder what other situations these characters got into in the past (and don’t worry, I have already checked, Dick Hill does narrate the entire series). I look forward to going back and finding out. After that, there are three more audiobooks (and counting) that were published after Bad Luck and Trouble. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, suspense-filled, edge of your seat audiobook, I would definitely recommend Bad Luck and Trouble; but if you’re anything like me, you may want to start at the beginning.

-H.B.

The Host

2010-05-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

I had a genuine driveway moment the other day. What I mean is, I sat in my driveway and listened to The Host by Stephenie Meyer instead of going into the house. The narrator, Kate Reading, really brought this audiobook to life. I sat enraptured as neighbors mowed their lawns and people jogged by. I had to find out if the human survivors of an initial invasion were going to let Wanderer live. Wanderer was implanted into Melanie’s body after Melanie was captured after an alien invasion which took over the human bodies on earth. OK, I know the premise doesn’t sound like it would be for everyone, but I was totally engrossed. I had to find out what happened next.

After about 15 minutes of staring at my garage door, listening to the story, I pulled myself away long enough to notice my closest neighbor walking toward my car to see if I was alright. I felt very dumb explaining that I was sitting in my driveway listening to a book, but he said that he had done the same thing the day before—only he was in his garage listening to Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett. (He assured me he had turned his car engine off after closing the garage door.) We both had a good laugh and reminded each other that we do have CD players inside, but with some audiobooks taking the time to stop the CD and go into the house seems like too long of an interruption. I want to find out NOW. This was one of those audiobooks that I’ve been recommending to anyone who sits still for two minutes; it really is that good.

-R.L.

The Poisonwood Bible

2010-04-30T12:14:00.000-07:00

I just finished listening to The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver and I loved it!

The Poisonwood Bible follows the women of the Price family from their comfortable life in Georgia to Africa where Nathan Price, the Baptist preacher and patriarch of the family, has dragged them to work as missionaries in a village in the Congo. Africa changes each member of the family in different ways. When tragedy strikes, and Nathan, stubbornly refuses to leave the Congo even when the safety of his family is at stake, the mother takes her daughters away from their village and their father to safety. In the process, each woman goes her own way.

I found The Poisonwood Bible to be both funny and bittersweet. I found the eldest and youngest daughters’ stories humorous as the oldest daughter pines away for her shallow teenage life in Georgia and the younger daughter speculates about the truth of her former classmates’ stories of cannibals with bones in their hair. The mother’s story is bittersweet. She finally breaks free from her emotionally and, at times, physically abusive relationship with her husband only to be haunted by the tragedy that unfolds in the Congo.

The Poisonwood Bible has widened my narrow view of what Africa is really like. It has also given me a newfound appreciation for indoor plumbing, grocery stores, and climate control.

-L.T.

FOR THE LOVE OF READING

2010-04-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

It just struck me that I read several books about books in the last few months. I enjoyed them…but this realization made me wonder, “What do the books I read and the books I collect say about me?” After all I do have a collection of nearly 1,000 cookbooks, but never cook (I am fascinated by the pictures). And, I have hundreds of books for children (the artwork is fantastic)…but no children in the house. What would a psychoanalyst know about me from these books, and the books I read? Reading books about books?! Check this out:

A little while ago I listened to People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It is a novel about the Sarajevo Haddadah, a rare illuminated Jewish manuscript, as well as the people who possess (and study) it through several centuries. Performer Edwina Wren is awesome on the audio version of the book.

Then I listened to Haiku: A Novel by Andrew Vachss, read by Christopher Lane. In this story a group, no, make that a family, of homeless men are on a mission to save a book collection one of them has hidden in an abandoned building before the building is demolished and the collection destroyed. They have no money, no transportation, and no alternative site. That’s the main plot, but the story is really about life’s twists and turns, relationships, and what/who we love. At first Lane’s Asian inflection of the English language distracted me, but I started to like it by the second disc.

Most recently, I dropped all my other books to read Allison Hoover Bartlett’s The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession. I HAD to read IT. I wanted to know: How could anyone love books too much? Like a peeping tom, I wanted to know about other people’s relationships with books.

The book was written for my style of reading—upfront the reader knows who stole the rare books (John Charles Gilkey), how he stole other people’s expensive treasures (credit card fraud), and who caught him (bibliodick Ken Sanders). That saved me from having to read the last chapter of the book first!

When I finished reading The Man Who Loved Books Too Much I still didn’t know the WHYs behind obsessive collectors (that would be me, too). But as I thought more about these books about books I realized that my fascination is with reading more so than books. I do like to hold and touch a book, and in recent years I have experienced (and enjoyed) audiobooks. But it is not the books I love…it is the act of reading that I (and my family) is addicted to!

To be able to sit comfortably in the living room or a library and read myself to another place, another time is heavenly. Reading lets me learn about other people and new cultures. My mother use to say, “If you can read, you can do anything.” She was right. She instilled a love of reading in my brother, sister, and me. And we have passed it on to another generation. So, what does the love of books and reading say about me? What do the books you collect and read reveal about you?

-N.C.

The Murder of King Tut

2010-04-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Murder of King Tut is an incredibly captivating story. James Patterson & Martin Dugard do a fabulous job writing this story by breaking it into easy to follow segments. I believe they do this so they won’t overwhelm the reader with history and names that are terribly hard to remember. James Patterson tells the story of King Tut from his childhood leading up to his death in three ways. First, Patterson brings you along with him while he is investigating the death of King Tut. He then leads you through history side-by-side with Tut and his beautiful sister/bride. In the third segment he envelopes you with the discoverers of King Tut’s burial site and their obsession with finding the elusive unfounded tomb.

While listening to this story I felt as though I was listening to a great piece of fiction. When Patterson would break in with a reflection section, I found it quite helpful to reel me back in and remind me that this is a true story I’m listening to. There was much more information and research than I had anticipated in this book, making the story exciting and intriguing.

This book dives deep into the life of King Tut and reveals more about this remarkable young king than I could have ever dreamed of knowing. Whether you enjoy suspense, non-fiction, mystery or biographies, heck—even romance, The Murder of King Tut is sure to please.

-S.K.

Naked in Death

2010-04-09T18:37:00.000-07:00

I recently listened to my first audiobook on CD. The last time I listened to an audiobook I was six years old and had a picture book to go along with my tapes. Thankfully, the main format for audiobooks these days is compact disc as I no longer have any tape players, in my car or otherwise. So far I have found the CDs to be very convenient. The only thing that I do not like is fumbling for the next disc when I am listening in my car. (Not to worry, I wait until I am at a stop light to change discs). Now I see why so many people enjoy listening to audiobooks in the car, they make my daily commute fly by.

For my first audiobook, I chose Naked in Death by J.D. Robb. This series is incredibly popular so I decided to give it a try. I have never read a romantic suspense novel and I was in for a surprise. It was very, ahem, racy. Once I got beyond this initial shock, I found it to be rather entertaining. The story is set in the future. (I was a little skeptical about the futuristic setting, but, other than the flying cars, it was actually pretty realistic, or at least I would imagine it is). Eve Dallas is a lieutenant for the NYPD. When she begins investigating the murder of a high-class prostitute, things get personal with one of the suspects. Naked in Death is a who-done-it that will have you guessing all the way to the unexpected twist at the end.

The narrator, Susan Erickson, did a wonderful job switching from one character to another, always altering her voice so it was clear who was speaking. I would highly recommend checking out the other books she has narrated.

Listen to Naked in Death and you might actually start looking forward to your morning commute!

-L.T.

Peace, Love & Baby Ducks

2010-03-31T09:30:00.000-07:00

I decided to listen to something entirely different than I usually do. I picked up a young listeners book and started listening, and to my surprise I found it very entertaining and amusing. I am referring to Peace, Love & Baby Ducks written by Lauren Myracle.

Many of the experiences and emotions I was listening to (minus the fact these girls were from a wealthy family) sounded like those I experienced during my pre-teen and teen years. This book covers a gamut of emotions, including faith, racism, sexism and the rivalry between siblings.

Carly's looking forward to the new school year because Anna will be joining her on the high school campus. Anna clearly looks up to Carly, and Carly looks out for Anna but during the summer break Anna’s body has developed and she is getting unwanted attention. Carly doesn't stand for it when people are rude to her or her sister, and she knows how to handle things when adults are condescending or try to pull the wool over her eyes.

Carly and Anna don't always get along, and they say things to each other that they later regret, if not immediately. Carly knows it's good to be yourself, rather than go along with what everyone else is doing, and Anna learns that, too, in her own way.

Their father berates the girls on a regular basis. While he is never physically abusive his put-downs really pain his daughters, especially Anna. Meanwhile, their mother makes candid remarks about Anna's food intake and figure. Carly confronts her mother on her remarks about Anna’s figure. Their mother is a socialite and very conscientious about her own body. Carly teaches Anna that it isn’t always good to go along with the crowd and it’s alright to rebel.

Even though the girls are from a privileged family they are not materialistic. They go shopping with their mother in the upscale stores the girls leave their mother in Neiman's, drooling over Armani, to get some jeans and corny screen-print tops in Urban Outfitters.

This story shows that material wealth is not as important as the friendship formed between siblings.

-K.R.

The Chopin Manuscript

2010-03-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

When I first picked up The Chopin Manuscript, I wasn’t sure how I would like it. Sure, there were a ton of great authors—some of my favorites—compiled in one audiobook but I wasn’t sure how it would come together. You see, each chapter is written by a different author. Jeffrey Deaver conceives the beginnings of the plot, the main characters, etc. and then hands off the book to the next author, who writes his/her chapter and hands it off to the next, and so on and so on until the book is handed back to Jeffrey Deaver to write the conclusion.

I was concerned, before listening to the audiobook, as it reminded me of an exercise we did in Creative Writing 101. Each time the exercise was completed, the end product was a choppy, poorly written book we could conjointly be ashamed of. I should have known better than to doubt the suspense heavy hitters including Lee Child, Joseph Finder, and Lisa Scottline. The audiobook was great—just the fast-paced murder-mystery I hoped for. Alfred Molina did a wonderful job with the narration. But don’t just take my word for it; it was also voted Audiobook of the Year in the 2008 Audie Awards and got some pretty amazing reviews from fellow authors:

“Innovative and unique, The Chopin Manuscript, written by masters in the field of thrillers, is far more than the sum of its parts. Here each author shines, blending individual skill and energy, into a riveting, crackling-paced tapestry of murder, mystery, and mayhem. Not to be missed!" -- James Rollins, author of The Judas Strain

"A GREAT story, written by one GREAT author after another, in one GREAT chapter after another. A stellar achievement of collectivity that blows from the starting gate at 100 mph and never slows down. A thrill-a-page from 15 GREAT thriller masters. Don't miss this one."
-- Steve Berry, author of The Venetian Betrayal

I cannot wait to listen the sequel, The Copper Bracelet, which will contend in the Audie Awards this year. If it’s just half as good as the first novel it’ll be well worth the read.

H.B.

Charming Romance? Cinderella Deal’s got the goods.

2010-03-17T08:29:00.000-07:00

Diverting from my usual nonfiction, humor and suspense comfort zone, I have started listening to romance novels. One of the first I have listened to is Cinderella Deal by Jennifer Crusie. I found it quite amusing and easy to listen to.

The story sets off with Linc in need of a fake fiancée for a party so he can get his dream job. (Apparently a fiancée makes you more human and trustworthy). He hires Daisy, who is a starving artist in desperate need of catching up on some bills, and also has some major issues in Linc’s eyes, but carries the basics of what he needs. After they agree to disagree on the $1,000 payment, a new dress, and an engagement ring for the day’s affairs, Daisy happens to steal the hearts of everyone at the party. Low and behold, Linc gets the job and now his new boss wants Linc and Daisy’s wedding to take place in his garden.

The story is filled with funny antics and I found myself really liking Daisy. She is wildly accepting and true to herself. She doesn’t seek friendships with anyone, friends just happen. I love how she quite literally tears Linc from his plain, boring and lifeless self and helps him become a better man just by being herself.

-S.K.

Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland hit the theaters this past weekend! Although I have not had a chance to see it yet, I imagine it will be similar to re-reading the story as an adult. As a child, Alice in Wonderland was a favorite, both book and movie. Re-listening to the audiobook made me question if I was truly the happy child I remember being. Concerned, I called my mother who assured me I was a very happy child who just happened to love the ever-tardy White Rabbit, zealous Cheshire Cat, and zany Mad Hatter.

While a great story, it remains to this day one of my favorites; it was not the same book I read as a child! Of course it was not the book that changed, it was I. This time around I realized how dark and satirical the novel truly is. It is hard to imagine I read this story years ago oblivious to all the hidden meanings and innuendos.

Having said that, do not let me discourage you from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. It is truly a great read for both kids and adults. Some of the language may be hard for a younger child to understand. It is a great audiobook to listen to as a family.

The audiobook I listened to was a collection containing both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I had never read Through the Looking Glass, though I noticed some characters did not appear in the first book but were in the original movie. The poems "Jabberwocky" and "The Walrus and the Carpenter", also in the original movie, are from Through the Looking Glass. While Alice's Adventures in Wonderland’s theme is a deck of cards, Through the Looking Glass’s theme is the game of chess. I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. Both are and will forever be on my top ten list.

Now that I am properly brushed up on all things Alice in Wonderland, perhaps I will give the new movie a try—I just hope it will do the brilliant novel justice.

H.B.

The Strength in What Remains

2010-03-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

While I highly recommend Tracy Kidder’s nonfiction work Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgetting, I have to say upfront that it is a disturbing read. I think the best way to make it through the entire book is to start by reading the last chapter. Knowing the “happy” ending made it possible for me to continue reading the early accounts of suffering.

There is no way to sugar coat Strength in What Remains. Kidder shares the unforgettable story of Deogratias (Deo), a young refugee who escapes the terrors of genocide in his native country Burundi only to find himself homeless, but not helpless in New York City. In Burundi, Deo would have one day become a doctor. In NYC, he subsists on the meager earnings from a job delivering groceries during the day and sleeping in Central Park at night.

Descriptions of the mass killings of Tutsis by Hutus and Hutus by Tutsis in Burundi and Rwanda are gut wrenching. In the midst of this turmoil, Deo leaves his homeland, his family, and his medical training in order to save his life. He escapes from Burundi with the help of a friend, thinking he is going to a France, but learns in route that his airplane ticket is to New York City.

Seeing New York City through the eyes of a refugee who arrives with $200 (a small fortune in Burundi, a pittance in NYC), who does not speak any English is heart breaking. There are plenty of people willing to take advantage of the poor and disadvantaged.

Deo is a smart man, a hardworking man, a determined man. But he does not survive or succeed on his own. Fate is kind to him…and so are many of the people who cross his path—a Hutu woman who tells authorities he is her son (although she realizes he is Tutsi), a taxi driver who helps him with U.S. customs officials, a spiritual woman in NYC who makes it her mission to get Deo medical attention, housing, and schooling, a couple who opens their home to Deo, an immigration attorney, as well as Paul Farmer, and others at the non-profit organization Mountains Beyond Mountains.

With the help of strangers, many who become friends, Deo learns English, completes college and starts medical school in the U.S. In the midst of medical school, Deo realizes he wants, no needs, to build a health care clinic in the village where his parents reside. With the help of others—many of them poor Hutu villagers—and despite the corruption of hired help, Deo makes the seemingly impossible, possible.

Strength in What Remains is a story of contrasts—life in the midst of death, hope when despair is most real, and forgiveness when it doesn’t make sense.

But the power of Deo’s story is the realization that one person can, and does, make a difference. In the life of another individual. In a community. The gift to the reader is to see the world through a new lens.

N.C.

Nicholas Sparks Audiobooks

2010-02-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

I recently saw that two of Nicholas Sparks books are releasing as movies this year. Dear John was released February 5, 2010 and The Last Song is due to be released in April 2010. While these audiobooks are very good and worth listening to, one of my favorite audiobooks is Nights in Rodanthe.

In Nights in Rodanthe Adrienne, flees to the small coastal town of Rodanthe, North Carolina to tend to a friend's inn for the weekend. She has lost her self-esteem and courage after her husband leaves her for a younger woman. Then she meets Paul. At fifty-four, Paul has just sold his medical practice and come to Rodanthe to escape his own shattered past. With a storm closing in, two wounded people turn to each other for comfort—one weekend sets in motion feelings that will resonate throughout the rest of their lives.

I find that Nicholas Sparks audiobooks do not always have a happy ending but they show how love perseveres.

-K.R.

The Twilight Phenomenon

2010-02-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

After friends and family repeatedly told me it was important for my humanity to read the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer I rolled my eyes one final time and let out a big “huff.” I finally gave in.

Out of mere curiosity, I ended up renting Twilight the movie from the video store and thought it was a “so-so” take on vampires but nothing that blew me away. After a few months, I grew eager to know what was going to happen later on in the story. I listened to New Moon read by Ilyana Kadushin, who did a fantastic job narrating, and was instantly hooked! I couldn’t move on until I went back and listen to Twilight so I knew the whole story before I moved onto Eclipse.

The suspense had me wrestling to get out of my car, dragging the CDs with me so I could pop them into my worn out CD player the moment I walked in the door, unable to sleep until I knew what happened next and “Shushing” anyone who dare speak in my home while I was listening. I finished with Breaking Dawn last Friday completing it in a mere few days.

I can see why this has turned into a phenomenon because even though I have never been one for teen romances, this story line actually has a lot of pizzazz and you get incredibly wrapped up in the dimensions of the characters. I found myself wrestling with who would be the better match for me: Edward Cullen or Jacob Black? They both have such incredible passion and their love for Bella was so intense I found myself at times talking (screaming) out loud to the book. Altogether, I had fun reading the series and look forward to doing it again in the near future with my children. Although, I wouldn’t be comfortable reading them Breaking Dawn until they are a little older since it requires a bit more maturity for that particular part of the story.

-S.K.

A Walk in the Woods

2010-02-11T08:26:00.000-08:00

If laughter is the best medicine. Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trial, will cure all that ails you. (With the exception of folks with bruised, fractured, or broken ribs, in which case reading this book will cause them a great deal of pain.)

Bryson and his family return to the United States after living abroad for 20 years. They locate in an idyllic community in New Hampshire, which just happens to be near the Appalachian Trail. And, this gave Bryson the bright idea that he could reconnect with his American heritage by walking the entire Appalachian trail, all 2,100 miles* of it; or, however long it may, or may not be.

*When you’re not laughing your socks off over the adventures and mis-adventures of Bryson and his overweight walking companion, Stephen Katz, you’ll learn about the history, ecology, and maintenance of the Appalachian Trail. One of the facts Bryson shares is that there is not agreement as to how many miles long the Appalachian Trial actually is.

I have recommended A Walk in the Woods, to so many of my friends and family members I felt compelled to acquire three copies of the book to share with others.

You may not agree with everything Bryson has to say, but I am certain—if you listen to A Walk in the Woods, you too will laugh out loud!

-N.C.

The Blind Side

2010-02-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

I started reading Michael Lewis' The Blind Side, because I needed a break from the violence and depression of Tracy Kidder's Strength in What Remains. It wasn't long before I realized the book The Blind Side is about the game of football (and included some very violent descriptions of football plays) not Michael Oher and the Tuohy family as emphasized in the movie "The Blind Side". (Lewis uses Michael Oher's experiences as the vehicle to tell a story that is about the game of football.)

I hate football, so I hardly believe it myself, but I am captivated by the book! It is about the evolution of football—how the game has changed over the years. I have watched my nephews play football through middle school, high school, and now college. That's a lot of football games, but as I read The Blind Side I feel as if I am finally starting my football education!
Seeing the movie aroused my curiosity and got me through the early football stories in the book. I have read my way through one-third of the book and now find it hard to put down The Blind Side based on it's own merits. No doubt, someone who understands football, knows the teams, and recognizes the coach and player names will enjoy reading The Blind Side even more than I am enjoying it.
I will get back to Strength in What Remains as it is a great read.

I just need to finish with the middle when I am in the right frame of mind and ready to wrestle with the moral issues it raises.

-N.C.

Vampires

2010-02-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

The hot subject in books these days seems to be vampires. They are being marketed to readers of all ages. If you’re a young adult, or maybe an adult who doesn’t want a lot of adult content in your book, then there is of course the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. This, to me, seems to be the series that really kicked the vampire onto the main stage. The first two books in this series have been made into movies with plans to do the remaining two titles as well. I’ve read the first two titles and have gotten very interested in the series. I find it very light reading but exciting enough that it grabbed my attention and made me want to not put it down.

There’s also the Vampire Diaries series which has been made into a tv series on the CW, I’ve seen this on tv a few times but the series seems a bit darker to me and hasn’t caught my attention as much. Some other notable series that are new in audio so far are the Night World series by L J Smith and the House of Night series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. I’ve yet to listen to any in either of these series but they look interesting and are on my list of “to listen” books.

If you like a bit more adult content in your books there are many adult vampire books some a bit racier than others such as the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton. I found this series to be a bit too much for me, I guess I like some things left to my imagination. I have found that the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris is just a bit lighter and more my style. What keeps me fascinated with all of these vampire titles is how many different takes there are on vampires. Each series has a different way that the vampire can be killed or harmed and different ways in which they can turn a person into a vampire. I think this aspect along with how the main characters are portrayed makes each series/book interesting in their own way. I, along with many of all ages, have gotten taken in by the vampire phenomenon; it will be interesting to see how long it lasts.

-L.M.

Robert B. Parker

2010-01-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

Robert B. Parker has passed away by what has been reported as “natural causes”. Those of us, who have followed his ever-popular Spencer Series, feel a personal loss for this literary giant. With 38 novels involving this beloved character, first publication dated back to 1973, it is truly a sad day in the literary world.

The Spencer series was so popular it became a TV Series on ABC, Spencer for Hire, in 1985 which lasted for three seasons. Another series of note is the Jesse Stone novels which were adapted into movie specials on CBS starting in 2005 starring Tom Selleck.

Whether you enjoyed his suspense series (including Spencer, Jesse Stone, and Sunny Randall) or preferred his Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch westerns, you can’t deny the ability of Robert B. Parker to immediately engross you in a story, keep you captivated throughout, and leave you wanting more when the last disc ends.

-H.B.

Try Something New!

2010-01-18T09:31:00.000-08:00

For those who prefer different packaging, purchasing the vinyl casing may be for you. Many people buy these cases so their CDs are better displayed on their bookshelves.

AudiobookStand sells the Vinyl CD cases for storage of small (12 CDs), and large (28 CDs) at a low price of $6.50 per case. You will also need the inserts to hold the CDs. The CD sleeve (or pocket as some call it) are $0.25 per sleeve, holding 2 CDs per sleeve. These CD vinyls are not currently available to purchase on AudiobookStand.com’s website. So you’ll need to call 1-800-854-7859 to order.

-S.K.

Where Can I Play an MP3-CD?

2010-01-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

If you've read our previous blog, you already know what an MP3-CD is.

You know that an MP3-CD looks like a regular CD and sounds like a regular CD when played on an MP3-CD player. You may already love your audiobooks on MP3-CD since it means fewer discs because one MP3-CD has the capacity of up to 16 hours of listening time instead of the maximum of 74 minutes of audio on a regular CD.

The compressed file(s) that make it possible for longer listening time also mean that an MP3-CD WILL NOT play on a regular CD player.

Some folks are afraid to try audiobooks on MP3-CD since they don’t know if the CD player in their vehicle, living room, bedroom, wherever, plays MP3-CDs.

Rather than finding out the hard way (that would be by spending your hard earned cash/plastic on a new MP3-CD audiobook, popping it in your player and praying for play back, not silence) here are some suggestions we have given customers to determine if their existing player plays MP3-CDs:

(1) Look for an “MP3” label on the front of your player.

(2) READ the manual that came with your vehicle or player!!!

(3) Check out an audiobook on MP3-CD from your library and try to play it in your player. If it plays, buy books on MP3-CD! (If it doesn’t play…buy a new car. I had a friend who bought a new car because she needed new tires…so I figure if bad tires are reason to buy a new car, surely, a CD player that doesn’t play MP3-CDs is a good enough reason, too?)

(4) Contact AudiobookStand and request a FREE MP3-CD sampler disc! It may take a few weeks for delivery, but once you receive the MP3-CD disc you can test your player…AND check out a few chapters of the following audiobooks (published by our parent company, Brilliance Audio) – Deadlock by Iris Johansen, My Father’s Tears and Other Secrets by John Updike, The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva, Promises in Death by J.D. Robb, One Day At a Time by Danielle Steel, and Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine.

And, to be perfectly clear on playing MP3-CDs, you should also know: MP3-CDs can be played on most computer CD drives and some DVD players.

The MP3-CD itself CAN NOT be played directly on an MP3 player. But you can very easily transfer the files from an MP3-CD to your MP3 player to listen to your favorite story on your MP3 player. (We have instructions under FAQ at www.AudiobookStand.com.) The nice thing about using an MP3-CD to put an audiobook on your MP3 player is that you will always have the disc for backup should you lose the files on your player.

So, what’s stopping you from trying audiobooks on MP3-CD? Let us know what your concerns are and we will try to address them.

Thanks for listening.

-N.C.

What is an MP3-CD?

2009-12-30T08:52:00.000-08:00

You can purchase most of Brilliance Audio, Tantor, and Blackstone audiobooks on MP3-CDs instead of standard CD. Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of questions: What is an MP3-CD? Is an MP3-CD on a smaller disc? What is taken out of an MP3 file to fit so much on one disc? Here is all you need to know and more about this great format:

An MP3-CD looks, sounds and feels like a regular CD (compact disc). However, the content file(s) is more compressed. MP3 stands for both the extension on the file and the type of file-MPEG, Moving Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer 3. (Layer 3 is one of three coding schemes for the compression of audio signals.) Layer 3 uses compression to remove all redundant and irrelevant parts of a sound signal-what the human ear doesn't hear anyway. The result in real terms is that layer 3 shrinks the original sound data by a factor of 12 without sacrificing sound quality. A regular CD holds a maximum of 74 minutes of audio, compared to the MP3-CD's storage capability of up-to 16 hours (at 96kbps). This advantage makes MP3-CDs the logical choice for audiobooks. The MP3-CDs are also broken up by chapter, have all the important information (title, author, narrator, etc.) on the disc, and were specially designed to be transferred to a portable player. Want to know how to transfer the MP3-CD to your iPod? Check out our previous blog!

-H.B.

Audiobooks on CD

2009-12-21T13:53:00.000-08:00

I hear many complaints of CDs being faulty, skipping, stopping or being blank. Since these audiobooks are traveling through scanners, anti-theft systems and the inevitable swipe at checkout, all of these magnetized operations can corrupt the performance of an audiobook on CD or MP3-CD.

Don’t be too discouraged about your damaged CDs that the dog chewed up, got stuck in your car CD player, or if one of your children thought it was a Frisbee and it got left out in the sun. Thank goodness for audiobook publishers like Brilliance Audio who back their product and have replacement CDs available for their titles (excludes out-of-print titles) at a low cost of $5.00 per disc (that’s including shipping!).

I often get questions about the lifespan of compact discs. Wouldn’t you like your audiobook to last forever? Your CDs should last anywhere from 25-75 years. This is obviously in ideal situations. The lifespan also depends on the color of the disc you see on the recorded side because of the dyes that were used to create the discs. Green is about 75 years, nearly 100 years in gold discs, and if you are one who downloads our titles and records your own CDs, the CD-RWs last about 25 years. An ideal situation is low humidity, limited sun exposure, and stored in a dark and cool room.

If you are looking for something new and interesting, listen to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters for a fun twist on Jane Austen’s classics. As a HUGE Jane Austen fan, these made me laugh out loud and I finished each of them in one sitting because they had me so captivated. These spoofs are in a genre all their own.

—S.K.

Good Clean Listening

2009-12-18T05:53:00.000-08:00

If you’re looking for a good clean audiobook without a lot of explicit language to listen to, I’ve come across a couple lately. Recently I’ve been listening to the Cedar Cove series by Debbie Macomber, these books have romance, a bit of suspense, and good clean listening. I often hear that people are offended with the language used in many of the books today and so when I started this series and heard no such language I was very impressed. I’ve read the first three titles in the Cedar Cove series and have enjoyed listening to them. The characters carry over to each book with the focus of each book on a particular couple or person. This is a series that I can listen to in my car with my child and not feel guilty that he’s hearing things he shouldn’t. I also just started listening to her new Christmas title The Perfect Christmas and so far, so good. If the romance genre isn’t your thing, I also recently read two mystery titles that I also classified as “clean listening”. The titles were Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark and Prime Cut by Diane Mott Davidson. These had good story lines without all the unneeded swearing, gore, and explicit love scenes that are in so many books today. If you have any additional suggestions for good “clean listening” please let us know!

-L.M.

Great Holiday Book - Mrs. Miracle

2009-12-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

I’ve just listened to a wonderful feel good holiday story. The title of the book is Mrs. Miracle. A valuable message is delivered in this story. A message all of us should be thinking about at this holiday season. Debbie Macomber writes of a man whose wife died and left him with two small children to raise. He was a lonely widower having trouble keeping a housekeeper for his boys. Mrs. Merkle (Miracle) arrives at their house and from the moment she arrives everything changes. Her faith and spirit helped rebuild this family after the loss of the wife and mother. I consider this a must read for anyone at Christmas who may be going through trials and who need a miracle in their life.

-K.R.

Our Top Five Holiday Audiobooks

2009-12-09T11:03:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year! Beat the holiday blues with a great holiday audiobook. Is the weather just as frightful where you are? Stay home and take some time to wrap some of those holiday gifts while listening to one of these great Holiday books that released on audio this year:

1. The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

2. All I Want for Christmas by Nora Roberts

3. A Christmas Blizzard by Garrison Keillor

4. Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb

5. Knit the Season by Kate Jacobs

There’s our Top Five… think you have a better list? Write and tell us your Holiday favorites.

-H.B.

How to Make Your Audiobook Appear under “Audiobooks” on Your iPod

2009-11-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

1. First Enable the Audiobooks List:
For PC Users: Click Edit. From the dropdown menu select Preferences. Checkmark Audiobooks. Click OK.
For Mac Users: Click iTunes. From the dropdown menu select Preferences. Checkmark Audiobooks. Click OK.

2. Click on Music under DEVICES. Select the first chapter, hold down the Shift key, and select the last chapter of the audiobook (this will highlight all the audiobook files)

a. Click File. From the dropdown menu select Get Info (a box may come up asking if you want to edit information for multiple items. If it does, answer Yes.)

b. Click the Options tab. Change to the following options:

Click OK.

Your audiobook will now be listed under Audiobooks, resume playing from the point you stopped listening, and will not randomly start playing a chapter while you’re listening to a music shuffle.

-H.B.

Alex Cross's Trial

2009-11-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

For those of us that picked up a copy of Alex Cross’s Trial without reading a synopsis or any of the review blogs, we were in for quite the shock. The book is titled Alex Cross’s Trial, the next in the ever-popular Alex Cross series, surely Alex Cross is the main character, right? Wrong. Instead, James Patterson takes us back to 1906, America is segregated, and our hero is Ben Corbett—a lawyer from Washington D.C. sent back to his hometown by President Roosevelt to investigate the “alleged” lynchings thought to be proof of a resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.

When he gets back to Eudora, Mississippi he finds with the help of Abraham Cross, Alex Cross’s great-uncle, these lynchings are not so “alleged”, in fact the Ku Klux Klan is thriving in the South. With many plot twists and turns typical of a true great James Patterson novel, Alex Cross’s Trial was truly a great read. While I was somewhat disappointed not to read about my favorite serial-killer hunting detective, the disappointment was short-lived (by about page 3 I was over it) as I got enveloped in this tale of murder, love, and the pursuit of justice.

-H.B.

How to Import an MP3-CD to an iPod® through iTunes®

2009-04-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

1 Open iTunes. Go to Preferences... (for Windows click Edit and scroll to Preferences; on a Mac click iTunes in the menu bar and scroll to Preferences) Click the Advanced Tab.

2 Make sure that Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library has a check mark in the box. Click OK.

3 Insert an MP3-CD audiobook into your computer’s CD Drive. (The MP3-CD will not show in iTunes Source List like an audio CD would normally)

4 For Windows: In iTunes click on File, scroll to Add Folder to Library, click on the CD drive, click OK.

For Mac: In iTunes click on File, scroll to Add to Library. Browse to your CD drive. You will see many files, but only select the playlist.m3u file, usually found at the bottom of the list. Click Open. This will start the transfer process of the MP3 files into iTunes. This will take several minutes; you can monitor the progress on the top of the iTunes window.

After this is done, follow the steps below to transfer these audiobook files to your iPod.

1 In iTunes click on File and scroll to New Playlist (or click the Add (+) button located on the bottom Left).This will create a new untitled playlist in your iTunes Source List under Playlists. Name this untitled playlist the same as the title of the MP3-CD you have just imported.

2 Select Music, located on the upper left side under Library. (This will list all the music files in your iTunes Library)

3 Type the Title of your MP3-CD audiobook in the search box located in the upper right. This will list only the files associated with this specific title.

-H.B.