Lots of Audiobook Mini Reviews

Between adjusting to the new routine of not having a job, getting ready for the holidays, and rearranging furniture I haven't had much time (or inclination) to write reviews lately.  I have been reading all your posts though, even if I haven't been commenting!  I can read on my phone while I'm waiting for Kiddo at hockey or at school, and that has been a lifesaver.

I haven't been reading a lot either, though I have finished a few books (reviews of those will hopefully come soon).What I HAVE been doing is  listening to tons of audiobooks!  They have been great companions for me while I move furniture from one room to another, or sweep all the detritus from under the couch, or gather boxes and bags of "stuff" to donate to the Salvation Army.

Here's a very brief look at eight audiobooks I've finished over the last two months.  Take special note of the last review - I think everyone needs to read or listen to that book!



November

The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Arthur Conan Doyle - narrated by David Case - 5.6 hours - I've read this at least twice before and really love it.  I revisited it this time so I could discuss Sherlock Holmes on the podcast "What's Old Is New" - check it out now if you missed it! (We had some issues recording the episode so I apologize in advance for the sound quality.)




The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas - narrated by John Lee - 46.9 hours - I've wanted to read this one for years but was intimidated by the ridiculous length (something like 1300 pages!). I'm glad that I went with the audio; although I did enjoy it for the most part, it was really REALLY long and I think I might have given up on it had I been reading rather than listening.  I also realized that although I truly love the movie version, it is so different from the book that it really can't be called an adaptation ... I'd refer to it as a movie inspired by a book.



December

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card - narrated by too many people to list - 13 hours - So many people have recommended this book to me that I figured I really ought to check it out.  My husband and I have a hard time finding books to listen to on road trips but he thought this one sounded interesting as well, so we got it from the library for our drive to the Poconos.  It's the story of a boy (Ender) who has been chosen since before his birth to be part of an elite military training program.  The book follows his advancement through years of war games to become a battle commander.  Hubby and I enjoyed the book but we didn't think it was as fantastic as people made it out to be.  Maybe our expectations were just too high? We did like it enough to continue with the series, so that's saying something.


World Without End, by Ken Follett - narrated by Richard E. Grant - 14.2 hours - After completely falling for the mini-series based on The Pillars of the Earth (Medieval Bookworm reviewed the show in case you missed it) I wanted to check out this follow-up to the original story. It starts several hundred years after the end of Pillars and follows descendants of the characters from the first book. Although this book had some parts that were extremely similar to the storyline of the first book, I still enjoyed it very much. I'm not sure I'll go back and listen to Pillars but I might - I'm still very intrigued by this whole story.



Sarah: How A Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down, by Kaylene Johnson - narrated by Cassandra Campbell - 3 hours - I saw this while browsing the downloadable audio section of my library's website and I thought it might be interesting.  It follows Sarah Palin's rise through the Alaskan political system but stops before the 2008 presidential campaign.  Although brief, it helped me understand a bit of Palin's background and how she got to be the person she is.



Rescue Ink: How Ten Guys Saved Countless Dogs and Cats, Twelve Horses, Five Pigs, One Duck, and a Few Turtles, by Rescue Ink with Denise Flaim - narrated by Tom Weiner - 5.9 hours - Another book I found while browsing the downloadable audio section of the library.  It's a simple story about some very complex guys and their passion for animals.  The book was a good reminder that people are not always who they seem to be, and that under an intimidating exterior is often a truly kind heart.


Holiday Classics, by O. Henry - narrated by Katherine Kellgren, Oliver Wyman, and Jonathan Davis - .9 hours - This was a free download for the holidays from Audible.com to all their members.  It included three stories: The Gift of the Magi, The Cop and the Anthem, and The Last Leaf.  It was a quick and fun listen, but still didn't convince me to be a short story fan. I did enjoy it though!





The Sense of Wonder, by Rachel Carson - narrated by Kaiulani Lee - .5 hours - What a gorgeous little book! If you haven't read or listened to this before you absolutely MUST do it.  It is only a 30 minute audiobook so it won't take much of your time but it will inspire you for a lifetime.  Carson tells about the ways she encouraged her young nephew to explore and appreciate nature at all times and she shares ways that all people, no matter where they live, can do the same.  This little story has inspired me try to rediscover for myself that child's sense of wonder at the world that we all started off with, and has also given me ideas for things to do with Kiddo to ensure that he keeps that sense of wonder.  Highly, highly recommended.