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The Paris Network [Audiobook]
The Paris Network [Audiobook]
Siobhan Curham | 2022 | History & Politics
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
"I am not afraid. I was born to do this."

This was a powerful and emotional story that I found myself being drawn into but only the historical sections; the more recent sections I didn't particularly think added that much to the story as a whole.

I listened to the audio book and whilst I think the narrator did a good job, I did find her interpretation of some of the French characters' voices was a bit jarring. I also found it odd that the main character of Laurence, who is French, spoke to other characters in a French accent however, her inner-dialogue was American.

Having said all that, I was captivated by Laurence's story and loved the way books played a pivotal and vital role in this book; this was unique for me and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
Theft by Finding
Theft by Finding
David Sedaris | 2017 | Biography, Essays
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I’m a big fan of David Sedaris; I love all his books and have them all on audio and e-reader, in addition to hard copies. But I love this particular book the most because it gives us the backstory on what he was going through personally while he was collecting material for some of his most popular stories, like “Santa Land Diaries.” He also records bits of eavesdropped conversations and bizarre anecdotes…if you’re a Sedaris fan, you won’t be disappointed"

Source
  
Salvation (Protectors #2)
Salvation (Protectors #2)
Sloane Kennedy | 2018 | Crime, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
can't split narration from the book!
When I listen to a book, I try really REALLY hard to write a bit about the book then a separate bit about the narration.

However! Part of the reason I am enjoying these Protectors stories is the narration by Joel Leslie! So I cannot split them!

I'm not a fan of READING first person books and I make no apologies for that but LISTENING to them is becoming a firm favourite! Joel Leslie put so much emotion, feeling so much of the character's very soul into his work, and by god you feel for these guys, you really do!

I have no doubt, no doubt at all, hat I WILL be listening to the others books as they come out in audio. I don't want to switch to reading, I might not enjoy them so much!

5 stars for the book
5 stars for the narration.

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Laini Taylor | 2016 | Children
10
8.9 (26 Ratings)
Book Rating
Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone was highly addicting. I really should have studied more last week but instead I listened to a riveting audio book.

I'm going to keep this short and sweet. The book pulled me into the story right away and kept me engaged the whole time. The characters were wonderful, real, imperfect, and believable. The plot never stopped and the pacing never slowed and the tension never dissolved. it got more and more interesting and complicated with every chapter, but all the ends were tied up at the end. Every detail mattered. The end was painful but perfect and I will be at the book store the day Book 2 comes out and hand over my hard earned cash to get that book in my hands because I can't wait to figure out what happens next!

This is the second book by Laini Taylor I've read (see my review for Lips Touch Three Times), and she is quickly becoming a favorite writer of mine. Her graceful lyric writing never ceases to impress me.

Audio: I listened to the audio book of DoSaB. I am very picky about audio books because I've listened to a lot of poorly recorded ones, and I've grown up having a very good reader read books out loud to me. But Khristine Hvam did an excellent job, so much so that I would seek out more books read by her. She gave distinct voices to each character, but it didn't feel corny and stupid like some readers do. She breathed and felt the characters and the dialogue, and it worked.

Content/Recommendation: Clean! Ages 14-Adult

*note, I love this book so much I'm currently re-reading(listening) so I can refresh before reading book 2!*
  
The Classic Tales Podcast
The Classic Tales Podcast
Arts
9
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Narrative (2 more)
Voicework
classic Stories are timeless
As good as an audio book delivered to your phone
This is a great podcast, classic literature has stood the test of time for a reason. I found Captain Blood because of him, and it's now one of my favorite books of all time. He tends to select toward the horror side of things, but you can always find something you are interested in listening to. From Sherlock Holmes to Peter Pan. Herland to Pride and Prejudice. and lots of small stories in between.
  
The Aeronaut's Windlass
The Aeronaut's Windlass
Jim Butcher | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
4
8.6 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disappointing from this author
I love Butcher, and this had all the marks of one of his series. But I found the story for the most part to be very dry. I listened to this on audio at 1.5x speed to get through it and still felt that it was sort of flat, I felt the same during the peaks as I did for the rest of the book.

I'm sure it will get better later in the series, all his first books have been sort of like that, but I am unlikely to continue with the story. The takes on the cats were pretty fun, but overall I'm disappointed.
  
Just Jorie
Just Jorie
Robin Alexander | 2016 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ok, this is the first audio book I have listened to for pleasure. I loved the story and the characters were amazing. That is what I am basing my review on. The narrator was good as well just I don't like to listen to books, reminds me too much of work. That said the quirkiness of the character and the banter really makes this story. I really did laugh out quite a bit. I do believe I prefer the voices in my own head though. So, whichever you prefer listen or read pick this book up. It is worth it.
  
Their Little Secret
Their Little Secret
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Review of Audiobook
This is my first foray into the world of audiobooks and I am so pleased I chose one of Mark Billingham's books to introduce me to the world of audio because, once again, he and Tom Thorne did not disappoint.

I was engrossed from the start and this didn't let up until the end. I never thought I would be able to get into a book that I wasn't actually physically holding but there was no such problem with this and I took every opportunity to put my headphones in and get lost in this book of intrigue.

I am already familiar with many of the main characters so it was like putting on a pair of comfy slippers being back amongst some good friends that I have grown quite attached to over the years. The narration is done by Mark himself and whilst he changed the voices slightly, he didn't put on a female voice for those particular parts (thank goodness!) so it did make it a little more difficult to distinguish between them but this didn't last long and didn't detract from my listening experience.

The plot is complex and compelling - what is it about a suicide that has Thorne intrigued? How is a murder in Margate connected? What does this have to do with a conman? Where does Sarah and her son Jamie come into this? So many secrets, so many lies and so much intrigue.

I admit that I was worried I wouldn't enjoy an audio book quite as much as an actual book but Mr Billingham removed that doubt with this excellent story that I would definitely recommend to lovers of crime thrillers and I have to thank Hachette Audio via Secret Readers Project for my audio book in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
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ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Winter in Books

Jul 5, 2018  
Winter
Winter
Marissa Meyer | 2016 | Children
10
8.9 (26 Ratings)
Book Rating
Who couldn't rate this 5 if they read all the others and rated any one of them 5 - I mean, it had every single character from the past in it. I must say though even though Scarlet was my favourite - Winter is my new one - and them together was just amazing - their interaction was just life.

The whole book was action non stop - I love books like that - there were a few down times but not many, and I just .. I'm sad, I'll get novellas but, it's over, and I really would like more Winter - I listened in audio and her sing song voice and her wolf howl was just so super awesome I just cant even deal I would fangirl the voice of these books so hard.

Perhaps theres fanfic for lunar chronicles .....perhaps I should go lurk because, for my first series finish I'm proud of myself that it's this series.
  
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Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Coraline in Books

Jul 15, 2019  
Coraline
Coraline
Neil Gaiman, Chris Riddell | 2013 | Children
8
8.4 (41 Ratings)
Book Rating
Spooky Kids Book
I listened to the audio book narrated by Gaiman himself, which I think helped enhance the experience as he does a great job. Despite really being a children's story I was still able to enjoy this and have little doubt if I’d come across it as a child it would of been a favourite, up there the my Dahl books.

It’s a spooky story about the young girl Coraline, she’s a likeable character with plenty of sass. When she discovers a door to a secret world where she has another Mother and Father who seem more loving and attentive then her own, it seems like a good place to spend some time despite their odd black button eyes. Coraline is rapidly pulled into a game of high stakes with her other Mother.

The sinister nature of the button eyed creatures was rather ruined for me because I had previously seen a bit of a Simpsons Halloween episode based on this. I did keep having flashes of Marge with button eyes which spoiled the atmosphere. The spooky rats singing on the audio version did send chills through me and along with Gaiman’s narration I would recommend the audio version.