Category: Book Reviews

I’m Not Lonely if You’re Reading This Book – book review

 

Bare Bones – I’m not lonely if you’re reading this book – 2016

Written and Narrated by Bobby Bones

I have been a Bobby Bones Show radio listener for years now.  I love the show, and I love the team, but mostly I love the family dynamic of the show.  They are not perfect, but still family.  In other words….real.

In this Autobiography by Bobby, there are few true secrets revealed since most of Bobby’s life has been covered publicly on his radio show over the years, due to two of the popular appeals of the show, authenticity and openness.

However, it is nice to get a condensed, yet more detailed version of Bobby’s story all in one shot as it were.  To hear about the influences in his life, and to see that you don’t have to be someone’s parent to make a difference.

Another appeal of the show is the connection that most listeners have with Bobby’s struggles.  We have all felt that we don’t belong at times.  Most of us, most people in general, have experienced loneliness at times.  And many of us feel broken in some way, yet we still carry on with our lives and our days, trying not to be consumed by what we feel we are lacking.

That is why I am inspired by the time and effort that Bobby has attempted, through years of therapy, to understand the reasons behind his emotional difficulties.  His efforts to learn how to have a healthy and secure relationship that will last, and not let his past decide his future.  

I admire the work that has gone into being the best that he can be, and knowing that it will be an ongoing process.

I also agree with Bobby’s belief that great things can happen given the right effort and respect, or in Bobby’s terms ‘ be reliable and on time’.  

I have often found it funny that in a time when jobs can be hard to find, basic courtesies can be so scarce and the idea of being ‘on time’ can truly distance a prospect from the rest of the pack of hopeful candidates.  Why is this such a mystery to so many?

If you have a passion, you should follow it.  That’s what Bobby did.  He knew from an early age what he wanted to do, and by showing up regularly and on time, he was able to get into radio without any formal training.   Then he kept the momentum going by focusing on what he loved and continuing to learn more and more of his chosen craft.

There were bad decisions made along the way.  Mistakes made that most of us can relate to in our own fashion.  Yet learning from our mistakes is another way in which we grow.  

It’s not the mistakes we make, it’s our response that makes the difference in who we become.  

I really enjoyed Bare Bones.  So, if you are a fan of the show, give it a try.  Or if you just like autobiographies, give it a try and maybe you will become a fan of the show as well. Either way, I think you will enjoy it.  

And in the words of Bobby, ‘every day that I’m moving forward, is a day that I’m not moving backward’.  So keep moving forward (also from the Robinson’s), and whatever your listening choice, from my ears to yours…Happy Listening!

Echoes of Betrayal – book review

Echoes of Betrayal

By Elizabeth Moon

Narrated by Jennifer VanDyck

I am always in for an Elizabeth Moon book, especially in the Pakesenarion series, so this was a real treat for me.  

I read the first 3 book series many years ago, so when I found out that Elizabeth had written 3 more from the same realm after such a long hiatus, I was so excited to give them a try.  

I love that she has taken supporting characters from the original series and expanded on their stories.  

In particular I really enjoyed learning about Dorrin, and following her story as she takes over the Verrakai family and battles to destroy the last of the evil Magelords that have given her bloodline a bad reputation.

As an unmarried woman, and previous mercenary with new-found forbidden magic, she fights to dissolve the fear and prejudices that surround her, and prove her loyalty to the crown.

While young King Mikeli fights to keep his kingdom’s peace as doubts are raised about his lineage and claim to the throne when magic is found in his cousin Becklan.

We see more of King Kieri, including his struggles with elves and the suspicious behaviour of the Lady of the Ladysforest.  His wedding to half-elven Arian, war with Pargon, and warnings from the spirits of his ancestors of treachery yet to come.

As usual, Elizabeth’s story telling combined with Jennifer VanDyck’s talented and compelling narration combine for the perfect mix in audio books.  

Great characters, surmounting terrific and sometimes terrifying challenges, all delivered through superb narration.  Everything you could want and more.

Blind Descent by James Tabor, audio book review

 

Blind Descent by James Tabor, narrated by Don Leslie, is a non-fiction work about the search for the deepest cave in the world.  The book follows two very different extreme cavers and their teams in their search to surpass the known world record.

Bill Stone is an American caver and engineer whose primary work, hopes, and dreams were on Cheve cave in South Mexico.  And Alexander Klimchouk, a Ukrainian caver and scientist had his sights set on Krubera in the Arabika Massif, Georgia(near Turkey).

Both men caught the caving bug early on during their teens.  Both make sure that cave explorations continue to be a part of their life throughout their lives.  Both are extremely different in personality, perceptions and practices.

I read some of the reviews of this book and it seems that most people really enjoyed it.  The writing, the subject matter, and the narration.  Yet there are some scathing reviewers, who found the writing trite and the narration raspy.

For my part, I really enjoyed the audio book.  This is the second time that I listened to it.  If I really like a book, I tend to listen to it at least twice, because I always find I pick up something on the second reading that I missed on the first.

I found the writing intelligent and the subject fascinating.  Getting to know the personalities that drive these deep explorations.  Visualizing all the work that goes into preparing for them, and the dangers and hardships that deep cavers experience.

I’ve always been a bit of an explorer myself.  Hiking mountains, wading through streams, following the smallest animal trails.  Yet this long term exploration is beyond anything that I’ve ever imagined.

Just the thought of being underground for weeks at a time, for long periods without any source of light, and nothing but tons of rock between you and the sky.  Often times cold and wet for days on end, and hoping that you don’t fall off a cliff while trying to save your batteries!

I admire those who have the curiosity and drive to make such efforts for science, or just the challenge itself.  I enjoyed the audio book very much and I would recommend it to anyone whose interests lie in true life adventure stories, or scientific exploration.

If you have suggestions for truly stellar non-fiction audio books, please let me know by leaving a comment (see the link to the left of the page, or the comment section below).  And as always, Happy Listening!

Check out the links below for more detail on Alexander Klimchouk, and Bill Stone.

http://nas.academia.edu/AlexanderKlimchouk

Day Shift – Book Review

Day Shift – By Charlaine Harris

Narrated by Susan Bennett

I found the above Youtube video book review to be quite good.  This is of course book 2 in the Midnight TX series.  For our purposes, we will be reviewing the Narrator primarily, not the book itself.

This is my third Susan Bennett narration.  The first was a non-fiction work, then book 1 in the Midnight TX series as noted on my previous post.

I really enjoyed Susan’s narration.  Her cadence and rhythm are exceptional as always.  It’s great getting to know these characters in more depth in book 2, and I think that Susan does a wonderful job of bringing out the nuances that help to understand the true conflicts experienced by each person.

You feel Manfred’s frustration when he experiences the prejudices that surround his profession as a psychic.  And Olivia’s battle to contain the rage that threatens to overcome her time and again, especially while Lemuel is away and not around to drain the excess emotions and ease the tension.  I do hope that we get to explore Lemuel’s history more in book 3, but that gives us something to look forward to.

I keep reading in my research about the Sookie Stackhouse series, and how some of these characters have showed in that series, but I can’t really say anything about that.  I haven’t read/listened to that series or watched the T.V. series that is based on it.  Typically I am not much on the ‘vampire’ scene, so that is not a big surprise.

One of the things that I love about this book series however, is that although we have a vampire, witch, psychic, shape changers and more, they are not the typical representations most people have become accustomed to.  I find them more realistic I would say here.  If you can call any of these characters realistic that is.  Subtle but believable might be a better take on them in this series.

If you are not prejudice, and like good mysteries, then you should find this series (Midnight TX) a good fit, and Susan Bennett’s narration compelling and a comfortable read.  Some books are hard to listen to, (point in fact one that I am trying to make it through right now, ugh!) but you won’t have that problem here.  A great listening experience, so give it a try.

And as always, Happy Listening!

 

Midnight Crossroad – Audio Book

Hello Listeners!  Ok, I just finished this book, Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris.  As usual I picked a book based on a Narrator, in this case Susan Bennett.  As I have said before, my favorite books to listen to are Fantasy Fiction, but I also try to give a good portion of my time to non-fiction works.  Especially anything in the Self-Help or Personal Growth areas.  And that was how I found Susan.

She narrated a book called, Excuse Me, But I Was Next…, by Peggy Post.  It’s all about practical tips on how to handle different situations with tact and good manners.  I am like most people these days, and I can skimp on my manners without really realizing it, and I get impatient at times.  It’s because I am aware of this, that I picked up this particular book.  And I was not disappointed.  It is a very informative and well written book with tons of valuable tips.

But one of the surprises for me from this audio book, was that I really liked the narrator as well as the book.  Reading non-fiction work in a compelling way can often times be more challenging than reading fiction, because it can be hard to break out of the monotony.  When I researched what other work was available by Susan, I found that she does a LOT of fiction work as well.  Yippee for me!

While there was a lot to choose from, this book (series) stood out to me.  And once again, I was not disappointed.  I want to move to Midnight Texas now.  I think I would fit in well, loaner and recluse that I tend to be.  Although I am not a vampire, or a witch, or a psychic, or have some criminal past that I am running away from, I still think they could find a place for me.  Besides, they already have those positions filled in this small western town with only one stop light.  There’s a gas station, nail salon, restaurant, and a pawn shop.  Seriously…what more do you need?

Of course it would help if people weren’t dying all over the place.  But, then again, I guess you can’t have everything now can you?  I’ve just gotten a taste of these outcasts, and the ties that bind them closer than most families.  But lucky for me, I have Book 2 – Day Shift, to look forward to now!

Happy listening!