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Sam (74 KP) rated Furiously Happy in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I love reading books on mental health, with some of my favourites being Matt Haig’s Reasons To Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet, however Matt Haig’s stance is very serious. This is the complete opposite to that – it takes mental illness and turns it into something laughable and relatable.
And the relatableness was the reason that I enjoyed this so much. Lawson makes references to A Series of Unfortunate Events which everyone knows is one of my absolute favourite series of books. She also loves cats, which is the way to my heart.
Just before reading this, I had read Art Matters by Neil Gaiman, which is a collection of a few of his essays illustrated by Chris Riddell. Neil Gaiman talks about how he helped an author believe they could narrate their own audiobook by telling them to tell their self that they are a professional audio book narrator.
Seems unrelated? Well the weird thing is, in Furiously Happy, Lawson talks about when Neil Gaiman gave her some advice for narrating her own audiobook. This freaked me out a bit, especially since I had just picked up Furiously Happy on a whim.
Think of it as you like, but for me that was meant to be. It was proof that I was meant to find this book in a little charity shop.
Overall, I found the book to be a good giggle and I read it within a day. It’s definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of Matt Haig or if you just need a pick-me-up.
And the relatableness was the reason that I enjoyed this so much. Lawson makes references to A Series of Unfortunate Events which everyone knows is one of my absolute favourite series of books. She also loves cats, which is the way to my heart.
Just before reading this, I had read Art Matters by Neil Gaiman, which is a collection of a few of his essays illustrated by Chris Riddell. Neil Gaiman talks about how he helped an author believe they could narrate their own audiobook by telling them to tell their self that they are a professional audio book narrator.
Seems unrelated? Well the weird thing is, in Furiously Happy, Lawson talks about when Neil Gaiman gave her some advice for narrating her own audiobook. This freaked me out a bit, especially since I had just picked up Furiously Happy on a whim.
Think of it as you like, but for me that was meant to be. It was proof that I was meant to find this book in a little charity shop.
Overall, I found the book to be a good giggle and I read it within a day. It’s definitely worth checking out if you are a fan of Matt Haig or if you just need a pick-me-up.
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated The Girl with All the Gifts in Books
Feb 7, 2018
The audiobook version was perfect!
I listened to this via audio book, and they made the absolute PERFECT choice for narrator. Finty Williams was amazing! Seriously, her voice added a whole additional level of creep to The Girl With All The Gifts. Wow. If you can afford it, you must get the audio book! If you know someone who doesn’t like to read, but likes creepy novels, and may listen to an audiobook, get this for them!! Okay, okay, stepping away from the narrator fangirling…
Melanie, the main character, is a doll (not literally). So much so, that she could almost be a “Mary-sue”, except for, you know, the part where she might (not going to spoil it!) or {yep, this was also creepy). She’s very innocent, and very intelligent. She attends class with a handful of other children, who are as, uhm, ‘special’ as she is, and she adores her teacher Miss Justineau.
But she can’t talk to any of the other kids, and doesn’t understand why the other adults don’t seem to like her much. Then everything goes boom, Melanie is freed from her chair, and puts a few people in a VERY uncomfortable position.
This book was great, with a very unique take on its subject matter. Extremely well written (not surprising, considering who the author is!). It takes you on a journey that you really don’t want to end. Even if someone has spoiled the ‘secret’ to the book, it’s still well-written and very worth the read. I figured out the catch extremely early on and still loved it.
Melanie, the main character, is a doll (not literally). So much so, that she could almost be a “Mary-sue”, except for, you know, the part where she might (not going to spoil it!) or {yep, this was also creepy). She’s very innocent, and very intelligent. She attends class with a handful of other children, who are as, uhm, ‘special’ as she is, and she adores her teacher Miss Justineau.
But she can’t talk to any of the other kids, and doesn’t understand why the other adults don’t seem to like her much. Then everything goes boom, Melanie is freed from her chair, and puts a few people in a VERY uncomfortable position.
This book was great, with a very unique take on its subject matter. Extremely well written (not surprising, considering who the author is!). It takes you on a journey that you really don’t want to end. Even if someone has spoiled the ‘secret’ to the book, it’s still well-written and very worth the read. I figured out the catch extremely early on and still loved it.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Girl Upstairs [Audiobook] in Books
Dec 19, 2021
![The Girl Upstairs [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/761/ce80efbf-8c94-4858-87df-e1d1c7d65761.jpg?m=1639925089)
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook and whilst I personally wouldn't call it a psychological thriller, it's more of a mystery, it kept my attention and wanting to go back to listen to just one more chapter.
The two main characters of Emily and Suzie have quite sad stories to tell but for very different reasons. The start of the book is told from Suzie's perspective and whilst it does start a little slow and you are wondering where this is going, once Emily's perspective comes in and it begins to switch between perspectives, it starts to get interesting and intriguing. I admit that I didn't particularly warm to Suzie at first but she grew on me as the story developed and I got to know her better.
There is minimal violence, no blood or gore just a constant uneasiness and sense of menace sitting there waiting to creep up on you and whilst the reveal was a surprise, I did have a bit of an inkling so not the shock that I was expecting.
What I thought made this audiobook was the narrator; she kept my attention with her dulcet tones and whilst she used the same voice for all characters, there wasn't a second where I didn't know who was speaking.
Would I have enjoyed this book more if it was a physical one? Well after reading other reviews, it looks like possibly not so I would definitely recommend the audio version if you enjoy character-driven, mysteries told by an excellent narrator.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited copy.
The two main characters of Emily and Suzie have quite sad stories to tell but for very different reasons. The start of the book is told from Suzie's perspective and whilst it does start a little slow and you are wondering where this is going, once Emily's perspective comes in and it begins to switch between perspectives, it starts to get interesting and intriguing. I admit that I didn't particularly warm to Suzie at first but she grew on me as the story developed and I got to know her better.
There is minimal violence, no blood or gore just a constant uneasiness and sense of menace sitting there waiting to creep up on you and whilst the reveal was a surprise, I did have a bit of an inkling so not the shock that I was expecting.
What I thought made this audiobook was the narrator; she kept my attention with her dulcet tones and whilst she used the same voice for all characters, there wasn't a second where I didn't know who was speaking.
Would I have enjoyed this book more if it was a physical one? Well after reading other reviews, it looks like possibly not so I would definitely recommend the audio version if you enjoy character-driven, mysteries told by an excellent narrator.
Thank you to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited copy.
Annie Chanse (15 KP) rated Tzumi Wireless Headphones in Tech
May 25, 2018
Very comfortable, great sound
These headphones are really great. They are comfortable and have adjustable sized earbuds. The sound is also very nice. The connect to your phone/mp3 via Bluetooth, and you can pause and use the volume control right there on the headphones. The range from headphones to phone is also good. I can get pretty far away from my phone, and they continue to play my music or my audiobook or whatever I am listening to. The battery life is the only thing that is not exceptional. They have a good battery life, one that is about on par with other wireless headphones, but it isn't a "great" battery life if that makes sense. Overall, though, I'm a big fan.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Modern Romance in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Going into this book I wasn't expecting much. I mean, how could a comedian write an intelligent non fiction book about romance? I know, I was that person that had a snap judgment on an author and I shouldn't have thought that.
This book was extremely interesting and the audiobook was HILARIOUS! I loved listening to Aziz Ansari read this book and describe the statistics that he gathered. The book was interesting and quite entertaining. He gathered a lot of information and was able to bring life into what could have been a dull psychology book.
Ultimately, if you're looking for an interesting and fun read, this is the book is for you. The statistics were never dull and it was fascinating to learn about other cultures and the differences between generations.
This book was extremely interesting and the audiobook was HILARIOUS! I loved listening to Aziz Ansari read this book and describe the statistics that he gathered. The book was interesting and quite entertaining. He gathered a lot of information and was able to bring life into what could have been a dull psychology book.
Ultimately, if you're looking for an interesting and fun read, this is the book is for you. The statistics were never dull and it was fascinating to learn about other cultures and the differences between generations.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated SPIN Selling: Situation Problem Implication Need-payoff in Books
Jul 12, 2018
I listened to this audiobook. I'm not a huge fan of the narrator but honestly it wasn't as dry as most business/selling books.
The concepts of this book are interesting and I do like all of the methodology the author did to show how his studies were conducted. Honestly, this is a required reading for my job and I'm still not sure if I fully grasp the concepts. I tried reading just the field guide and it didn't give me all of the information that I craved.
It was truly interesting to see the differences between Situational, Problem, Implication, & Need-payoff questions and how they can help or in some cases hinder selling. I will definitely need to process this book & put the concepts into practice. Hopefully it helps me develop my selling skills.
The concepts of this book are interesting and I do like all of the methodology the author did to show how his studies were conducted. Honestly, this is a required reading for my job and I'm still not sure if I fully grasp the concepts. I tried reading just the field guide and it didn't give me all of the information that I craved.
It was truly interesting to see the differences between Situational, Problem, Implication, & Need-payoff questions and how they can help or in some cases hinder selling. I will definitely need to process this book & put the concepts into practice. Hopefully it helps me develop my selling skills.
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Playing for Keeps (Neighbor from Hell, #1) in Books
Jul 5, 2018
Ya'll I cannot express my love for RL Mathewson - nor this series - I've probably read the entire series twice and the first few books about 5 times, I just recently listened to this audiobook and I just, I need more - RL just keeps stealing my money and it should make me sad but truly, it doesnt - and her interaction with fans is impeccable. Jason will always be my favourite Bradford and the epilogue was probably my favourite part of the book - mostly, and the use of YOU BASTARD just was undeniable in this book.. seriously, obsessed - also I think there's a reference to hollywood hearts book 1 in there - which even after I read this book multiple times I just now noticed, I clearly need help - read this series .. do it NOW
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated The Testaments (The Handmaid's Tale #2) in Books
Apr 1, 2020
I enjoyed this and although maybe controversial to admit to but preferred it to the Handmaids Tale (gasp.) It was no doubt helped by a decent cast on the audiobook (Ann Dowd, Bryce Dallas Howard, Derek Jacobi, Mae Whitman, Margaret Atwood, Tantoo Cardinal.)
Although set in the world of the Handmaid's tale we are in the POVs of different characters this time and three of them at that. With accounts from Gilead, a view from a Commander's daughter and also from an Aunts, and a look into the nation's relationship with Canada it's a very different experience from the Handmaids Tale. I found it a more satisfying storytelling experience than its predecessor.
It may not be the direct follow on from the previous novel some hoped for but it worked for me.
Although set in the world of the Handmaid's tale we are in the POVs of different characters this time and three of them at that. With accounts from Gilead, a view from a Commander's daughter and also from an Aunts, and a look into the nation's relationship with Canada it's a very different experience from the Handmaids Tale. I found it a more satisfying storytelling experience than its predecessor.
It may not be the direct follow on from the previous novel some hoped for but it worked for me.
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