Kelly

For a buzz and a giggle

Revisado: 08-05-17

Would you listen to I Know I Am, But What Are You? again? Why?

Yes. Some aspects of Samantha's upbringing are similar to mine and we grew up in the same era, although separated by oceans. She has a peculiar and particular sense of humor. I found myself giggling often.

What did you like best about this story?

How personal and unabashed it was. Samantha tears herself down just as much as she does others. I loved hearing about her stepmother's antics when they went camping.

Which character – as performed by Samantha Bee – was your favorite?

Herself. I loved her rationale behind her life decisions and how honest she was about her feelings, motivations etc.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed out loud a lot, which can be embarrassing when listening in your car.

Any additional comments?

This was so much more satisfying than what I first thought it would be. Even though I love Samantha on TV, I wasn't sure how her memoir would go. Learned a lot about Canada.

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Never knew food could be so funny

Revisado: 08-05-17

If you could sum up Food: A Love Story in three words, what would they be?

Hilarious Food Encyclopedia

What other book might you compare Food: A Love Story to and why?

None, but it's almost an antithesis to Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. Both books are fun and fascinating, but Jim looks at food from the other side of the counter.

What does Jim Gaffigan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His lazy, nasally voice and hysterical characterizations of people and food.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

All you can eat and what to avoid.

Any additional comments?

I loved learning funny names for certain foods, like rock snot for oysters and sea bugs for shellfish.

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Funny, Charming Fatness

Revisado: 08-05-17

If you could sum up Dad Is Fat in three words, what would they be?

Gooey, Giggling, Goodness

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dad Is Fat?

Talking about toddlers’ communication skills. I could see my son when he was little, doing exactly the same thing, regarding - they always sound like they have traveled by horseback for hours to deliver important news.

Which scene was your favorite?

Talking about going to kids parties. Hilarious!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Jim talking about food like it was a secret shame. Still funny, but we all know how easy it is to be judged over the foods we choose to eat in public.

Any additional comments?

Almost as good as Food: A Love Story

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Honestly endearing, hilarious and provocative

Revisado: 08-05-17

Would you consider the audio edition of How to Be a Woman to be better than the print version?

With memoirs, I always think so. I like hearing the authors read their life stories.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The fact that every girl and woman should listen and read this book and others like it. Very necessary discussions about what it means to be a woman in today's world.

What does Caitlin Moran bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her vocal characterizations and her accent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I liked looking forward to listening on the way to and from work.

Any additional comments?

I would say that 99% of Caitlin's beliefs and observations are in concurrence with mine, although I didn't like her stating that women have not achieved the same level of success throughout history as men. Maybe I missed the point, but it all depends on perception and projection. Notwithstanding the fact that, throughout history, women have been subjugated etc, many male achievements in society and so on have been arguably negative and harmful. It all depends on the value added. Some achievements have been life changing and good for the planet and the beings living on it. That doesn't mean that being a woman automatically makes you and your achievements good. If you delve into the history of women, you'll find a lot of brilliant minds, creative souls and fearless warriors. Maybe not as many as men, but that doesn't automatically mean that women are inferior.

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Guilty pleasure with teeth

Revisado: 08-05-17

What made the experience of listening to Kathy Griffin's Celebrity Run-Ins the most enjoyable?

Her infectious laughter.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cher and Kathy's impersonation. Spot on.

What about Kathy Griffin’s performance did you like?

I love it when narrators, especially when narrating memoirs, take on the conversational style, rather than just reading.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A veritable bitch fest.

Any additional comments?

There were times when I thought she was going a little too far, but comedy isn't as funny when it's constrained by overuse of PC. Even though I can understand why some celebrities steer themselves away from Kathy, it doesn't hurt to have fun and give a little back. I wondered if Kathy was a kid who was either ignored or belittled by others. I never liked showoff loudmouths when they entered the room and took over, but at least Kathy does it with style and great lashings of humor.

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Footnote fever in an awesome memoir

Revisado: 08-05-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Believe Me to be better than the print version?

Yes. It was more like listening in to Eddie's thoughts. So conversational and not at all like being read at.

What other book might you compare Believe Me to and why?

I can't think of any apart from the fact that they are all memoirs. Eddie is unique and this memoir stands out as one of the best I've listened to or read.

Have you listened to any of Eddie Izzard’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I haven't but looking forward to it.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The footnotes! Oh Lordy! Hilarious and necessary.

Any additional comments?

I liked the fact that he shared his soul and the fact that he became interested in wearing women's clothes etc before his mother passed away. I don't understand why people are so confused about his sexuality. There are a lot of eye opening surprises and revelations.

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Intriguing story despite unlikeable characters

Revisado: 08-05-17

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Great rhapsodizing about the settings. An interesting study on human nature and people venturing out of their comfort zones.

What other book might you compare The Sheltering Sky to and why?

I kept thinking of Naked Lunch by William Burroughs, but maybe it's because the settings were the same and probably because the main characters are based on the author and his wife - Paul and Jane Bowles

Which character – as performed by Jennifer Connelly – was your favorite?

They were all great. She does amazing accents.

If you could take any character from The Sheltering Sky out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Port, who was the most likeable character out of a cast of unlikeable characters. It's probably due to the fact that the author injects a lot of himself into the main character, so his intelligence would be fascinating and entertaining. Also, he was a realist and a surrealist at the same time.

Any additional comments?

Simultaneously satisfying, haunting and annoying at the same time. It says a lot about how intriguing the story is when the characters are hard to like or identify with. I adore Jennifer Connelly's narration.

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More Cheese Please

Revisado: 08-05-17

What made the experience of listening to So, Anyway... the most enjoyable?

The fact that it was read by the author and his laughter

What was one of the most memorable moments of So, Anyway...?

How Cheese became Cleese

What does John Cleese bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Various asides, insights and snippets from his career

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed out loud a lot, as I was driving to and from work.

Any additional comments?

At times, Cleese can be a bit snippy - especially when talking about how things are now in comparison to the way things were back then. Still, I agree with mostly every opinion. I only wish there was more about how Monty Python continued to evolve - maybe there's a sequel?

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Great biography worthy of a great actor

Revisado: 11-30-14

What did you love best about De Niro: A Life?

How thorough it was, as well as the fact that it remained unbiased. I loathe reading bio's that froth at the mouth over their subjects and gloss over their faults. Here you get De Niro, warts and all - but without the sensationalism that usually comes with a celebrity biography. It was tight and "Just the facts ma'am" without too much speculation or rhapsodizing.

What did you like best about this story?

The chronological flow re: movies De Niro was involved in and how he prepared for each role. How De Niro accumulated so many props and items for his wardrobe - each character added more clothes, hats and bric a brac!

Which character – as performed by Mark Deakins – was your favorite?

Robert De Niro the actor

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he ferried food from his restaurant down the Hudson to ground zero after 9-11.

Any additional comments?

De Niro is one of my all time favorite actors and I was very worried of this being a hack job - but was pleasantly surprised - with the author and the narrator. Learning about where "You talking to me?" originated and how his friendship with Scorsese evolved, as well as the evolution of Tribeca, his work ethic etc was very rewarding for an avid fan such as myself!

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Intriguing, mysterious, multi layered hauntings

Revisado: 11-23-14

What made the experience of listening to The Drowning Girl the most enjoyable?

The wealth of knowledge that Caitlin injected into the story - especially re: mythology, psychology and history.

What did you like best about this story?

The idea of being haunted by things other than ghosts - e.g. ideas, people, works of art, memories etc. Also, how all the little hauntings tied into the main haunting.

What about Suzy Jackson’s performance did you like?

I was intrigued with how she could change her voice to sound like someone else, and wondered if there were other narrators (and wished that there were - or at least, that she used the deeper voice used for Imp's girlfriend - as I found her teenage sounding voice grating.) All in all, she did a great job with such a complex story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No crying, laughed a little, but mostly intrigued, with "a-ha" moments here and there. Learned quite a lot - so the experience was doubled for me: a novel and a textbook! (I always fancied myself as a mythology/psychology/history/art buff - but was pleasantly surprised to be afforded the opportunity to learn more!)

Any additional comments?

The only criticism I could possibly have with this novel would be that it needed more editing - re: tightening the story. It does tend to meander a bit - but on the other hand, that is in keeping with Imp's erratic frame of mind. I became annoyed with the "Imp typed" interruptions.

However, it is one of the few stories I have read in my life that has "haunted" me - so, well played, Caitlin! No matter what, it was very much worth the meager credit and I would've been happy to pay more for the experience of having my psyche infiltrated by such interesting characters and experiences.

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