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Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
Scott Kelly | 2017 | Biography
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I just finished reading Endurance by Scott Kelly and I have to say I really enjoyed the book. I ended up buying the audiobook after I received the physical book simply because I saw that the book was read by Scott Kelly. I always love listening to the person read their own life story.

I have to say that I was really impressed with this book. Scott Kelly really adds the human element to Space Exploration. It was motivating in a "I will never be that motivated" kind of way. Growing up, I never even thought of being an astronaut so reading about his experiences was truly one of a kind.

One thing when reading this book that I noticed is that Scott Kelly is a facts only kind of guy. He seems to almost lack emotions at certain pivotal parts in the book. He really just states the facts and moves on. That was something that I really had to accept because most of the biographies that I read have some sort of emotion placed in them. Even though the emotions was missing, I have to say I still really enjoyed learning about his journey and I'm sure it was better to not get lost in the details.

All in all, this book was fascinating. If anyone is wanting to learn more about the daily struggle that astronauts go through, this is a great book to read. I truly hope that this book speaks to many people and helps them realize their full potential. Scott Kelly just proved that picking up a book can truly change your life.
  
Fairest - Levana's Story
Fairest - Levana's Story
Marissa Meyer | 2015 | Children
10
8.3 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
***If you have not read the series please be aware of possible spoilers. These books are NOT stand alones and must be read in order.***

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! While this book technically goes between Cress and Winter I only just read it (3 months after reading Winter which didn't hinder my enjoyment of Winter in the least. However, I DO recommend reading Fairest in the proper order. ). And let me tell you....The moon has been visible every day this week and I keep looking at it and thinking, "Hmmm, I wonder if Levana can see me...."

I do NOT like Levana...AT ALL...And this book did not change that. I do not have compassion for her. I do not see ANY good in her. BUT, this book was REALLY REALLY well written, and it gives us SO MUCH INSIGHT into Levana's past. Although I DO feel bad for the whole reason she wears a veil. Knowing that if that event hadn't taken place that maybe she would have turned out nicer, but it is doubtful. She is a cunning queen. She knows what she is doing, and sees the long term goals. Too bad she didn't have at least a smidgen of good in her. Although she does raise her step-daughter...But let's not get into my feelings on that...Levana is the epitome of evil. Yet the world that Marissa Meyer has created is spectacular.

I borrowed the audiobook copy of Fairest from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
One Perfect Lie
One Perfect Lie
Lisa Scottoline | 2017 | Thriller
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Here's my disclaimer: I seem to rate audiobooks harsher than print books. I guess it's because I'm not as focused. I'm not sure why. Anyway, on to my review.

I've read a few other of Lisa Scottoline's books, so I thought I'd give One Perfect Lie a chance. I will say that the title really does fit with what the book's about.

I went into this book expecting something more sinister when it came to Chris, but what I got was something totally different! I won't go into details because of spoilers. I will say that the whole government angle kind of put me off the story, but I continued since I was already invested in this audiobook. I think others would enjoy the story very much, but these government type books aren't really my thing. I wish I had known it was more a government type book before I started listening to it. I will say that this book has some great plot twists, and it does answer all questions before ending.

The characters are done well and are interesting enough. I feel they are fleshed out to be believable. I kept hoping that Heather and Chris would end up together throughout the book. They seemed like they'd make a great couple!

As for the narrator, he did an okay job. The heavy breathes he would sometimes take were somewhat annoying, and sometimes his Russian accent would falter.

Overall, One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline is just an alright read. There's nothing that special about it, but it'll help pass the time. I'd recommend it to those who are into big government plot books.
  
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Jonathan Donahue recommended The Little Prince in Books (curated)

 
The Little Prince
The Little Prince
8.7 (32 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Back in the late '60s and early '70s, children's records were all the rage, with stars making cameo appearances. The Little Prince was no different. It featured Richard Burton in the role of the narrator in the audiobook. It had a who's who at the time as well, with big Hollywood names such as Jonathan Winters and a whole other bunch of people. The idea was that you'd read the book and along with it, you'd hear some sort of strange synthesiser. I got it for my birthday in 1974 when I was eight years old. It had one of those effects where the moment it was on the vocoder, I was paralysed, I stopped what I was doing - this I could vividly remember and I would sit down and listen. I literally started to pound tables to turn onto side two! The whole story is read out and the idea of a concept such as narration going over an orchestration or some sort of a continuous, linear soundtrack is something that stayed with me. It gave me the momentum to later on follow on with the idea of a concept record. Certainly a lot of our music has that fairy tale aspect to it and The Little Prince would have been one of the first influences - along with one or two others - that embedded in the DNA of Mercury Rev very early on. This is also probably my favourite book and after 40-45 years it still hits me. Try as I might to go in another direction sometimes, this musical aspect still comes out of me."

Source
  
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ClareR (5884 KP) rated The Rose Code in Books

Jun 26, 2022  
The Rose Code
The Rose Code
Kate Quinn | 2021 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Rose Code is an exciting historical mystery with a definite ‘thriller’ edge to it. It’s set in Bletchley Park - which is precisely what drew me to it. I’ve been there with some friends, and discovered that one of their grandmothers had actually worked there during the war.

I actually listened to this on an audiobook, and although there were one or two pronunciation issues, I thought the narrator Saskia Maarleveld did a really good job. She added extra character to the three main women in the story - all friends, but all so different from one another: the debutante with fluent German; the practical East Londoner who wants to escape poverty; the local village girl who, it turns out, is a genius cryptographer.

I really enjoyed the way that these characters were developed, and how their unlikely friendship grew. The secondary characters were also all interesting and well-developed, and all came together at the climactic end. I was gripped throughout, listening at every opportunity. And the ending really was a breathless race to the finish.

Oh, and there’s a rather large part given to Prince Phillip as well. There is a foot placed in fact, but I’m not really sure just how much. Oslo Kendall did exist, and was Prince Phillips girlfriend (or friend, at the very least) before he married Queen (then Princess) Elizabeth. I liked the “is it true or not” element.

If you like war time fiction, and have an interest in Bletchley Park - or want to find out more - you might just enjoy this as much as I did.
  
Just Another Liar [Audiobook]
Just Another Liar [Audiobook]
Mandy Byatt | 2022 | Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really quite enjoyed listening to this audiobook and although there were points when the story ebbed a little, it kept my interest.

Three women from very different backgrounds join a dating website and all think they have met the man of their dreams - Dr David Kingfisher. They are all convinced he is 'the one' despite never having met him in person. None of the three know of the others existence until a Facebook post by one of them asking for help to find him after he disappears. Cue an investigation by the three but in their attempts to find him, they put one of their lives in danger.

The main characters are well developed with Denise being my favourite but Petra and Anna, not so much. The other characters weren't particularly likeable at all but they all had a part to play in the overall story. The pace is mixed - it ebbs and flows with a lot of the 'action' taking place in the last third of the book. The plot is relevant and topical and the vastly different lives of the three main characters is interesting.

The narrator is good and whilst there were some distinctions between the voices of the characters, I think it would have worked better if different narrators were used for the three main characters. That being said, Melissa did a good job particularly with the voice of some of the male characters where she captured their 'smarminess' perfectly.

Overall, a good book that works well in audio format.

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.