Sheila

Best of the Audible Originals I’ve listened to

Revisado: 05-10-19

This hooked me from the beginning. What an excellent surprise this performance is. It takes the listener on quite a journey. I’m impressed with how well developed the characters are in such a short span of time. I look forward to discovering more of Madhuri Shekar’s work.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Bought for Jackson, kept applauding for Himes

Revisado: 10-11-16

I am outraged that Himes was never mentioned in any of my lit classes, but mostly I'm grateful to discover him now. Like many here, I was drawn in by Samuel L. Jackson's narration. Thank you, Mr. Jackson, not only for doing stellar work as the narrator, but for shining a spotlight on an astonishingly talented storyteller! I've read three Grave Digger and Coffin Ed books since "A Rage in Harlem", and have been researching the life of Chester Himes as well. Thank you!

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Scales of justice slide into balance deliciously

Revisado: 10-11-16

When a young wife, who was rumored to be unfaithful, turns up dead, the local police rule it a suicide. Then a visitor from Athens comes, uninvited, to investigate her death. However, Hermes Diaktoros is even more of a mystery than the murder he is investigating, and he has a truly uncanny knack for revealing the human weaknesses that led to this tragic death.

Zouroudi's writing is gorgeous, lyrical, I would almost say ethereal, except that it pulses with every sensation. Her writing is so alive! The descriptions are fresh and vivid, almost overwhelming. I had the feeling that I was dipping into the souls of the characters rather than simply experiencing their words and emotions. Which is why I enjoyed this book so thoroughly. There is a strong mystical current to the story that is so much a part of the physical world that it cannot be separated. I read a review that said there was too much description, not enough action. I disagree. Beyond the most obvious allusions, a little knowledge of mythology and superstition will go a long, long way with these books. There seems to be no shell, no stone, no bird mentioned that does not act as a signpost.

Perhaps what I like most about these mysteries is the sense of real justice. Hermes appears at first as an almost comical creature, then he develops gravitas and brings about the kind of justice tempered with mercy most of us dream about. Nearly all murder mysteries leave us disenchanted or disgusted with humanity. The Hermes Diaktoros novels start with dark events and then give me hope for humanity. They are immensely satisfying reads.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 7 personas

My favorite urban fantasy series

Revisado: 10-11-16

I am a huge fantasy and urban fantasy fan. I started reading the PsyCop series because I liked the premise of a detective who can see and communicate with the dead. I knew the story was M/M, and thought it might be a little difficult to adjust to. From the moment we first see Victor Bayne — wandering a party he doesn't want to attend, self-medicating so he doesn't have to see the ghosts he knows are there — I was hooked. There are explicit erotic scenes, but they don't drown out what is a very nicely plotted and creepy mystery. Victor Bayne is dark, but not morose; isolated, but not unfeeling; damaged, but not broken; surrounded by the stuff of nightmares, yet focused at work and loyal to friends. Jordan Castillo Price builds a shadowy and grimy world with deep and well-developed characters. I think the story is strong enough to stand against any urban fantasy. I love Victor Bayne's character even more than Harry Dresden, Alex Verus, Peter Grant, and Sookie Stackhouse! Seeing his character revealed over the series is immensely satisfying.

The narrator, Gomez Pugh, is simply one of the best narrators I've ever listened to. He is a fine actor with a beautiful voice, and is able to believably act multiple roles and voices. I have purchased and enjoyed other books he's narrated.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Quest for Self in a myth-infused old West

Revisado: 11-16-15

The questions "Who am I? Where do I come from? What is my purpose in life?" are as old as humanity. Nettie Lonesome is an abused and exploited orphan who wants to discover her history every bit as much as she wants to find her rightful place in the world. She's been told all her life that no one wants a half-black, half-native girl around. For her own self-protection, Nettie's taken to wearing boy's clothes. People are far less likely to mess with you if they think you're a boy. Plus, women seem to have only two fates open to them: marital servitude or prostitution. When Nettie gets the chance to hire on as a horse trainer, she changes her name to Rhett and hopes she/he won't be scrutinized too closely.

Wake of Vultures is set in an alternate West populated with the monsters of mythology, pop culture, and the all-too-human varieties. The story is engrossing with plenty of thrills, adventures, and battles.

I'll admit I may be biased. I read a lot of books about Joan of Arc as a child. When I discovered Mary Edwards Walker in my family tree, I was over the moon. So reading about Nettie/Rhett warmed my heart more than a little.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 13 personas

Enjoy the magic while you can!

Revisado: 11-01-15

"You weren't this big when I was seven." "You need a bigger friend now," said Crenshaw.

Humor, imagination, friendship, and a little magic combine to create a marvelous story of coping with real-life fears. Jackson's imaginary friend, Crenshaw, first appeared years ago when Jackson's family was homeless. Now Crenshaw shows up again just as Jackson is seeing worrisome signs: bills piling up, not enough work for his parents, and food is in short supply. Does this mean Jackson's family will be homeless again?

If you've ever had or wanted an imaginary friend, if you've ever needed to cope with something beyond your control, if you've ever struggled to be true to yourself in adversity, you'll love Crenshaw. I'm delighted with how this story deals with a tough topic with such gentleness and humor. I haven't been this thrilled with a children's book since Stellaluna or Harry Potter.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 14 personas

Not THAT kind of love story

Revisado: 06-07-14

About a Boy is a warm and witty story about what people do when faced with a life they find unacceptable. Will has charm, money, and cool, but his life has begun to feel meaningless. Fiona struggles with the loneliness of being a single mother. Fiona's son Marcus just wants the bullies to leave him alone and for his mother to stop crying. When a summer outing ends in near tragedy, Will and Marcus begin to forge bonds that will reshape all of their lives for the better, through some of the most embarrassing and awkward ways imaginable. This book is NOT a romance, and it is all the better for it. Painful and delicate topics are handled with warmth and humor. The characters are flawed, but not irredeemable. It is a joy to see them stretch and grow to become the people they want to be, and I whole-heartedly support the premise that we all need a community of caring friends to thrive.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Delicate layers of regret, endurance, and humor

Revisado: 11-05-13

At the age of nineteen, Anne fell in love with the handsome and dashing Captain Wentworth. She was young, beautiful, and aristocratic. He had no money, no position, and no family of consequence. After she is persuaded to reject his proposal, their fortunes change. Eight years later Captain Wentworth returns, as handsome and charming as ever, with a great fortune earned from a glorious military career. Anne, now considered a spinster, must watch as every marriageable woman competes for Captain Wentworth's attention and affection.

I love this book for so many reasons, but I'll restrict myself to two. Jane Austen, with her quick wit and keen observations, depicts with excruciating detail "the death of a thousand cuts." The supporting characters, whether well-meaning or completely self-absorbed, can't seem to act or speak without inflicting pain and mortification on our heroine. It seems like Anne cannot walk across a room without being insulted, overlooked, or injured in a dozen petty ways. But don't get the idea that Anne is one of those over-sensitive, weepy, self-pitying types. Quite the reverse! Her intelligence, fortitude, grace, considerateness, practicality, and exceptional character make the commonplace follies of everyone else seem all the more ridiculous.

Another reason I love this book is that by today's standards it is so delicate and subtle, and it's main characters have integrity. If you are like me, and can't abide the lurid, self-aggrandizing behavior that passes as entertainment these days, then this book will be food for your soul.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Rising from the ashes more beautifully every time

Revisado: 10-08-13

I've never read a book that more persuasively showed that we are never too old, settled, broken, or drained to start a new chapter in life, that we can always become better versions of ourselves, or reinvent ourselves entirely. This book very gently handles some controversial topics, and shows how a warm heart, an open mind, and determination can nearly always find a solution, or become the solution. One of the most clear-eyed books about human frailty I've ever encountered, yet, by far, the most hopeful.

When faced with trauma and disillusionment, these characters find ways to rise, almost phoenix-like, from the ashes of their former selves. Because of this, there were multiple times when I thought, "This would make a good ending here." And the story continued... Then another seemingly good ending came, and the story continued... And on it went. Every reinvention is a marvelous story in itself, but strung together, they are breathtaking.

As long as we are breathing, we are not done yet.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Georgie's maturing, but still great fun

Revisado: 08-10-13

It's really wonderful to see Georgie's mind and character filling out. One of the few drawbacks to this delightful series has been that Georgie has always had plenty of ideas, but never seems to piece it together. She's much more confident now, stands her ground far better, and doesn't need rescuing quite as often. She's developing a keener sense of observation, and shrewder insight into the people around her.
That said, this is still all good fun. All the charm, wit, and sweetness that make us like Georgie so well are still there, and the "eccentricities" of the royals still make us ordinary folk roll our eyes. If I put the series in order by my favorites, this would fall in the middle. But it is by far one of my favorite series, especially when I want a light escape from more serious topics. Georgie always makes me smile.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas