Daniel Cohen

A unique, hilarious, and powerful tale

Revisado: 06-04-24 El oyente recibió este título gratis

If you think you know what to expect from this book about a wish granting Monkey, you’re wrong. In the introduction, the author warns you that the story isn’t a comment on the human condition, and that its sole purpose is to entertain. Turns out it’s both.

The characters, plot, and message of Monkey is unlike that of any other comedy/horror/fantasy (or whatever genre you want to classify this as) out there.

I won’t give too much away, but this audiobook is absolutely worth both a credit and your time.

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I’ll never look at history or my life the same again

Revisado: 07-20-23

I stumbled across The Fourth Turning during Audibles site-wide sale last month. It was good, I liked what they were talking about but I didn’t fully understand. I didn’t know it was part of a series so I listened to the first book on the topic, Generations. These books are dense, but entertaining and fascinating.

And it just so happened that this book released the day after I finished Generations. So, I picked it up too since I was on a roll.

The Fourth Turning is Here really catalyzed and clarified the concepts discussed in these books. After marathoning them these past few weeks, I have to say that my perspective on history is completely changed, and I read a *lot* of history books.

It’s also changed a lot about how I view my own place in history, and even some feelings toward members of my family I have no memories of.

I can’t be more specific because I’m still kinda dazed by it all. Suffice it to say that I have a lot to think about.

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A fresh and funny take on a classic Christmas trope!

Revisado: 12-20-22 El oyente recibió este título gratis

We all know the story of A Christmas Carol, but what Mr Chadwick has done is take that story, mash it together with other Christmas elements and his own unique style, tropes and humor, and you get Son of Santa. Set in New York in 2007, the story follows Jack Kringle, the titular son of Santa, as he learns what Christmas is really all about. Colette Thomas is also an amazing debut talent you can’t miss! Definitely worth a credit.

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A shockingly honest account of our worst president

Revisado: 09-27-22

Reading Lincoln biographies can be a frustrating experience to those of us who don’t believe the false narrative of the man’s life and motives taught to us since elementary school.

Feldman does a great job of chronicling Lincoln’s crimes and atrocities. Usually without varnish. It’s incredibly refreshing because you usually have to go to figures like Tom DiLorenzo to get this sort of an honest assessment.

The big thing I disagree with is Feldman’s interpretation that this was all moral because it was done to save the union and free the slaves. To me, Lincoln was the American Stalin. However, I can appreciate Feldman’s willingness to embrace the good and bad of Lincoln and not try to downplay or make excuses for what was done in the darkest hour of American history.

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A vampire tale for the 21st century

Revisado: 05-05-22

A fresh take on the vampire genre, it’s hard to believe this book has been available since 2008 but only got an audiobook this year.

I picked up Chadwick’s debut audiobook last year and loved his absurdist take on Mormon culture. And this book continues his style of playing the ridiculous straight. There’s no other author with his style.

Tumbleweed is compelling, funny, and wholly satisfying. It feels like a comedy version of the X-Files. And the three short stories make it a great candidate for further tales featuring these characters.

Haley Pullos’ narration is top-notch. Especially for a first timer. It was somewhat surprising to see Chadwick matched up with a well-known Hollywood actress. Hopefully we hear more of her in the future.

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Best New Biography in a decade

Revisado: 01-28-22

A biography this good is rare. I can only think of two that compare: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, and Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling by Lynn Bushman. The depth that Roberts plums are astonishing, the research for this book is impeccable. And I particularly enjoy how he lifts the historical fog, for both British and American readers, surrounding one of the most well-known monarchs in British history. This is my first read from Roberts, and now I’m going to go shopping for other books he’s written.

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something different and great

Revisado: 01-24-22

going into this novel, i wasn't sure what to expect. and I certainly didn't expect what i got. this and i mean that is the most praiseful way possible. it's a massively entertaining funhouse mirror version of the dark side of mormonism, romantic relationships, and family.

it should be noted that this book is actually four stories in one. the initial portion of the book is wild ride with truly disturbed characters behind their utah-living-mormon facade. the next section is a collection of three short stories involving the same characters, only somewhat connected to the events of the first part of the book. and for me, this is really where the book shines. the absurdist tone, mind popping twists, and character twists totally recasts the events of the first section. i need to read it again with the next context of the subsequent short stories. it's almost like the movie Shutter Island in that it demands repeat viewings to truly understand - but in the best way possible.

i've never heard this reader before, and he has no other audiobook credits. so, i assume he's a first timer. if i'm correct, this is a triumph for mr. meacham. few audiobook readers come out of the gate this strong on their first title.

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Don’t waste a credit on this!

Revisado: 01-13-22

Overall: This book has nothing to recommend it. The writing is terrible, the story is a bore, the characters are flaccid, and the narration is worse than amateur-tier quality.

Performance: At the beginning of the book, (but not in the free sample) the author states that he did the audiobook recording himself to capture the authentic experience of having a dyslexic person reading a book they wrote themselves. He emphasizes that he didn’t want it “overly edited,” and that he would occasionally make mistakes, and were intentionally left in.

Unfortunately, he doesn’t occasionally slip. He flubs constantly, usually there’s an error, hesitation, mispronunciation, stumble, or something else about every two to three minutes. And the audiobook isn’t “overly edited,” it’s not edited at all. Anyone who has a lot of experience with audiobooks can detect this.

And it’s not just verbal errors. You can hear nearly every page turn, dogs barking in the background, sounds of swallowing and breathing. This is all extremely distracting. No amount of authenticity can make up for the poor quality of this recording.

Story: The content of the book itself is just as bad. The author states that this is his second novel. This level of inexperience is also on full display in his prose, characters, structure, theme, and more. The story isn’t so much a story as is it a series of vignettes loosely connected together by hours of boring asides that don’t move the plot forward. The characters are barely one-dimensional, and either self-inserts of the author, or based on the authors personal relationships. The structure of the narrative is non-chronological, but not in a good way. It’s obvious that this choice is meant to mask the fact that there’s little holding this story together. Maybe he’ll let go of these beginner writer’s security blankets in his next work.

It seems that the writer (and several of the reviewers on Audible) expect that these failures should be overlooked because he is dyslexic. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to make up for an inferior product. Many people who aren’t dyslexic make bad books too, they don’t get special treatment either. Don’t judge this book based on the disability of the author.

People pay the same amount for this book as they do for products by Stephen King and Steven Pinker. They should expect at least the same level of commitment to quality. And the books simply fails on that aspect.

Not worth a credit.

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The best audio Bible

Revisado: 12-24-21

Wonderful narration, very listenable. If you want to finally want to read the Bible, this is the one you want. And it’s in the Plus catalog. Thank you Audible.

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An unexpected gem!

Revisado: 09-20-21

I wish all the books in the audible plus library were this good!

I’ve been reading a lot of “woke” books to better understand the ideology recently. I picked this one because of the gender subject matter. I expected the typical propaganda of woke books and this one to be centered on the politically trans movement.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. This book is a deeply researched, well written, and intellectually meaty experience.

After looking up the author, I found that he’s a well credentialed expert in his field. Then I’ve downloaded the other book he has in the library.

Unfortunately, the reader is dreadfully dull and slow. Recommend listening to at 2x speed.

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