Michael Cavacini

Condescending & Religious

Revisado: 12-24-24

I started off loving this book. Then, the author spent nearly 50% of it talking about how people are incapable of greatness if they don’t believe in god. I was so disappointed by this unexpected turn for the worse. Just terrible. Avoid at all costs.

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A Horrifying Audiobook That Will Haunt Your Dreams

Revisado: 01-06-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

The Special by James Newman and Mark Steensland is a gripping horror novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The audiobook version is narrated by Sean Duregger, who delivers a stellar performance of this dark and twisted story. His voice is captivating, versatile, and full of intensity, making you feel every moment of terror and suspense.

The Special is a tale of temptation, addiction, and the consequences of giving in to your darkest desires. Jerry Harford is a man who has nothing to lose, until he discovers a mysterious box that promises him unimaginable pleasure. But what is the price of such a gift? And what is inside the box? The answers will shock you and haunt you long after you finish listening.

The Special is a masterful blend of horror, suspense, and psychological drama. It explores the themes of betrayal, revenge, and the nature of evil. It is not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy a well-written and well-performed horror story, The Special is a must-listen. You will not regret it, but you may never forget it.

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A Fun & Engrossing Novelization

Revisado: 12-03-22

I bought the e-book and audiobook versions of Re-Animator, but I chose to listen to the audiobook for my first reading of this book. The audiobook is narrated by Christian Francis, who has been behind the microphone for many books, including the phenomenal Taking Shape books about the Halloween franchise. Christian also wrote and narrated the Wishmaster novelization, which is terrific. While he reads briskly, I enjoy his voice and think he did a fine job with Re-Animator.

As for the book itself, it is an expanded version of the movie we all know and love. The major characters are fleshed out more than they were in the film, and the supporting cast gets extra attention. At four hours and thirty-one minutes, the Re-Animator audiobook is a more fully realized representation of the Re-Animator world originally brought to life by Stuart Gordon and Brian Yuzna. Re-Animator is a ticket to paradise for those who enjoyed the movie and want to envelop themselves in that environment while simultaneously bringing back fond memories of yore.

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Audible Shouldn’t Have Removed NY Times & WSJ Briefing

Revisado: 10-25-22

Audible used to provide members with free audio editions of the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. For no reason, they got rid of them. This is a decent offering but the audio versions of newspapers should return.

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A Fantastic Audiobook Everyone Should Own

Revisado: 03-01-22

Brenda Kline Reynolds is the President of BKR Consulting. With 30 years of experience, Brenda helps executives find clarity in challenging times. I’m happy to say that I’m one of those executives. Over the past month or so, I’ve had the opportunity to work with her, and I think she’s exceptional. I recently read her book, To Be Determined: Leading with Clarity and Confidence in Uncertain Times, and it’s brimming with useful advice and strategies for executives of all ages and levels within an organization.

I own Brenda’s book in all three formats: print, ebook, and audiobook. I happily paid for the ebook and audiobook because of my belief in Brenda as an authentic, positive force in the world. My preferred method of soaking up the knowledge in her book was to listen to the audiobook because it’s narrated by Brenda herself, making for an intimate and enlightening listening experience. But I know I’ll be using the ebook and physical book regularly, as the information in TBD is meant to be referenced and read numerous times.

TBD is broken into 10 chapters, and the audiobook is nearly five hours and thirty minutes long. It breezes by with chapters devoted to preparing for transition fog, focusing on the “next right thing,” and being wary of the either/or trap, among others. Filled with inspirational quotes, real-life challenges and success stories, and strategies that can be applied to one’s life and career immediately, Brenda has authored a book that is accessible and beneficial to everyone. There are plenty of self-help books that are all sizzle and no steak. That is not the case with TBD. Rather, it delivers what’s promised . . . and more. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking to optimize their personal life and career. And if you have the opportunity to work with Brenda as a consultant, you should absolutely do so. She’s the real deal.

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Fun Read

Revisado: 01-15-22

The Sparks by Kyle Prue is a fascinating first entry in a trilogy that shows a great deal of promise. Read on for my thoughts on this novel, and whether or not you should dive into this world of feuding and fantasy.

It’s hard to believe that Kyle Prue wrote The Sparks when he was 16 because of the mature, complex, and adult nature of this book. I’d argue that calling it Young Adult isn’t the wisest idea because if I were a parent, I wouldn’t want my child reading such a mature book that deals with multiple murders, sex, and other realities of life that can shatter an individual’s innocence. Nevertheless, The Sparks is an excellent novel that is well written, masterfully narrated, and beautifully produced.

Focused on three feuding families, with the threat of savages outside the city walls, The Sparks borrows elements of The Pillars Of The Earth and The Maze Runner. Those two books are far superior to The Sparks, but at least the author drew inspiration from high-quality stories that are beloved.

It was hard for me to keep all of the characters straight because there are so many. Because of this, Neil is the only one who I could keep track of at all times and the one I related to the most.

As a result of my inability to invest in the characters because of there being so many, I never felt moved or upset when one of them died. The Hunger Games, on the other hand, did a beautiful job with character development, causing me to be sorrowful over the demise of a key character.

The Sparks also features a supernatural element, where characters have superpowers. This makes for an interesting twist on this familiar story, and the author does a fine job of describing this otherworldly behavior.

John Eric Preston narrates The Sparks, and he does an exceptional job. His voice is silky smooth, with an accent perfectly suited for this tale. Not only does he speak the words on the page, he inhabits each character, providing fantastical voices and a distinct separation between them, effortlessly weaving back and forth in what can only be described as vocal gymnastics. It’s one hell of a performance, and John Eric Preston’s narration takes this work of fiction from good to great.

This audiobook sounds crystal clear. The audio levels always seemed stable, and I didn’t detect any mistakes or pick up on the narrator turning pages or anything like that. It is a top-tier audio production, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the story.

The Sparks is a great first entry in a trilogy of books that I look forward to continuing to read. I’m delighted that I chose to listen to the audiobook because the superb narration elevated the already intriguing material to a higher level. For adults, this is a book worth listening to at least once, if not multiple times. For children . . . well, I’ll leave that up to the parents to decide. Either way, fire up this audiobook, throw on your favorite headphones, and enjoy!

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kyle Prue. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

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The Best Video Game History Book Available

Revisado: 08-28-21

I love video games, and I've read many books about the history of gaming. The Ultimate History of Video Games by Steven L. Kent is the best one available. The Audible version is more than 20 hours long, and it's filled with interviews with industry luminaries, fascinating stories, and more content than you can shake a joystick at.

All of the major companies are covered, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, and many more. Want to learn about the Virtual Boy? It's in here. How about the TurboGrafx-16, Jaguar, or WonderSwan? They're all here, and much more. It's almost overwhelming to realize just how much information the author was able to cram into this book, and he did so in a way that is easy to follow and enjoyable to listen to. Speaking of which, the narrator does a fine job with this material. He almost blends into the background, which is perfect for a nonfiction book like this one.

The Ultimate History of Video Games is the best book available about the history of video games, and today I learned that the author just released a sequel! Here's to hoping that book also comes to Audible, as it would be great to continue this journey. Until then, buy and listen to this great audiobook. Game on!

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Boring Story. Great Narrator.

Revisado: 07-29-21

I love movie novelizations, as well as video game novelizations. They provide a deeper dive into worlds and universes that fascinate me. With this in mind, I listened to the Audible Original Godzilla vs. Kong by Greg Keyes, who, you may remember, wrote the two official Elder Scrolls novels. So, does Godzilla vs. Kong measure up to the movie that inspired it? Read on for my thoughts.

Richard Ferrone is probably the best part of this book, as his narration is powerful, commanding, and crystal clear. His deep, smooth voice is similar to those movie trailer voice over guys we all impersonate, so having him narrate the novelization of a blockbuster film makes perfect sense.

As far as the story itself, meh. It's not that great. Frankly, the movie isn't that good either. The book, like the film, is too long and not terribly interesting. Freddy vs. Jason is an example of how to do a battle-of-the-titans movie well. It was tight, provided fan service for those who love Freddy and those who love Jason, and it had an epic conclusion. Godzilla vs. Kong gets into advanced technologies and scientific theories, and a whole host of things that shouldn't be present when all we want to see is two titans do battle. It doesn't need to be deep, yet it tries to be just that, and, unfortunately, it fails.

Greg Keyes had to work with what he was given, and he did an admirable job. However, this book could easily be half the length. Keyes had the opportunity to improve on the movie but didn't And, as a result, what we're left with is a long, tedious story that overstays its welcome. Thankfully Richard Ferrone makes it a bearable one.

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Must-Listen Audiobook For Horror & Movie Fans!

Revisado: 07-02-21

Joe Bob Briggs called The Texas Chain Saw Massacre the greatest movie ever made, and for nearly 50 years it has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. Chain Saw is one of the most influential and profoundly impactful horror movies of all time. It's raw, gritty vibe and unrelenting willingness to make the viewer feel uncomfortable is what set it apart from the competition at the time and why it remains a timeless piece of celluloid. Gunnar Hansen played the iconic Leatherface in Chain Saw, and, thankfully, two years before passing away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 68, he put pen to paper and wrote a book all about the legendary movie to which he was inextricably attached. Even better than this, Gunnar Hansen chose to narrate the audiobook version of his book, Chain Saw Confidential, which is an Audible Original.

Listening to Chain Saw Confidential was an absolute joy! Gunnar Hansen's comforting voice is easy on the ears and pulled me in right away. By the end of the book, it was clear to me just how intelligent and deep this man was. This made me regret never having the opportunity to meet Gunnar Hansen at a horror convention prior to his untimely death. By all accounts, he was a charming and kind person that the fans adored. In this book, Gunnar Hansen tells the real story of the film, debunking myths, giving behind-the-scenes details, and offering insights on Chain Saw's reception and the enduring fascination with the horror genre today. The fact that he explores more than just the making of the film itself is what takes this book to the next level. The making-of details, of course, are excellent, especially because they caused the iconic scenes he described to replay in my mind as I listened to his insights about how they were created and shot. Gunnar Hansen waxing poetic and getting philosophical on why some find horror movies to be disdainful while others absolutely love them is the type of depth I didn't know I wanted or needed from a book like this, but I'm damn sure happy it's part of this impressive tome. He really went the extra mile when writing this impressive book.

Chain Saw Confidential is a must-read for all fans of horror or cinema. It's an intelligent and insightful account of what it took to make one of the greatest movies of all time. Additionally, Gunnar Hansen debunks myths along the way, some of which are hilarious, and he offers up a deep, analytical view on the horror genre itself. While I can never say that I met the man in person, I sure feel like I know Gunnar Hansen quite well because of his beautiful book, and I'm eternally grateful that he decided to narrate the audiobook version because by doing so he created an intimate and lasting story for us to enjoy. May Gunnar Hansen rest in peace, and may The Texas Chain Saw Massacre live on forever.

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Superb Production

Revisado: 06-12-21

I had the honor of seeing Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones act together, live on stage, in Gore Vidal's The Best Man on Broadway in 2012. It was a spectacular show, and both actors, as well as the rest of the star-studded cast, were incredible. Having had this experience, I was eager to listen to the Audible Original production of Driving Miss Daisy, narrated by Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones.

Driving Miss Daisy is a play I've yet to see, but I remember the 1989 film adaptation starring Morgan Freeman getting a lot of attention when it was released. This story is about the relationship between an elderly Southern Jewish woman and her Black chauffeur. It's an odd couple scenario that is about two people growing closer to one another. There are elements of race relations and equal rights, but this commentary isn't heavy handed. Instead, we're treated to a touching tale about two sweet souls caring for one another after a rocky start.

As expected, Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones are positively wonderful in this Audible audiobook. Their lively and believable delivery of the material is spot on, and the production elements, including sound effects and music, helps paint a wonderful picture. At just over an hour, Driving Miss Daisy is a glorious depiction of Alfred Uhry's play. While I still hope to see it live on stage in the future, this Audible Original featuring Angela Lansbury and James Earl Jones is a superb alternative that I highly recommend to everyone.

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