Tony E.

What Happens When The Ridiculous Happens?

Revisado: 03-27-25

Is the premise of the story absolutely ridiculous? Yes. Is the resulting story that takes the ridiculous serious compelling? Also yes.
As you can see in the preview of the book, this is a story about what happens when the moon suddenly turns to cheese, errr... organic material. It goes to several people in different jobs, positions, and lifestyles to see how their lives are affected by this absurdity turned reality. There are some stories that you would expect to see -- the president, congressmen, and NASA astronauts trying to figure out the why and the how it will affect the world. Then there are the stories that are much more compelling and heartfelt -- the pastor trying to keep his faith, the aspiring author, the song writer dying of pancreatic cancer. The emotions and reality packed into these day accounts are the heart of this story. You can hear the quiver in Wil Wheaton's voice as he shares the flood of emotions breaking through stoic facades. This is peak Wil Wheaton delivering peak Scalzi absurdity.
In the end, don't expect a lot of answers to the why of it and enjoy the ride of the who of it. And then, in the end, just accept that it was all just a hoax and go back to your normal life with just the hint of doubt in the back corner of your mind.

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$500 dollar story with a $0.10 narrator

Revisado: 03-07-25

The story of Babe Pinelli is done very well, well researched, passionate, and interesting. The author does a good job showing how well respected Babe was in the baseball community, tying his life to his behind-the-plate performance in Don Larsen's 1956 World Series perfect game. The pacing is good. I did enjoy it as another good umpire book is on the market and makes the case that more umpires should be in the Hall of Fame.

What was weird was the AI narrator. The tenor was pleasing but there were too many times that a stray misspeak of a colloquialism of baseball is butchered and takes you out of the moment. Things like, "He hit point three zero zero," "the team had a season record of sixty-five to one hundred two," and "the u-2 umpire." Then there were random "one" all over the place. I think the AI saw the close quote symbol as a one and pronounced it every time. At first I thought it may have been a reference number but every time it was "one." Then there are the flashback sections at the beginning of each chapter that are extremely choppy. I'm guessing it is because it is either italicized or there are spaces between lines to make it take up more of the page.

Three of the final chapters are personal and team stats that make no sense being narrated, and are done so awkwardly. The stat chapters would do better as an attached PDF.

I appreciate listening to the story and hearing of a great subject, but the virtual narrator needs a lot of work.

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The voice of fascism

Revisado: 02-25-25

When I saw this was narrated by Ed Bejarana, I knew I had the right podcast. His smooth delivery is exactly what we need as a carnival barker at town hall meetings where young women are brutally removed from the room by unnamed private security while he cheers and excited crowds and intimidates opposition. I just can't get enough of his cheering on of the oppression of people he doesn't agree with. I'm sure he will need to do another 40 podcasts to pay his legal fees as he is a prolific Podcaster here on audible.

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Has Me Rethinking a lot

Revisado: 02-21-25

This is the second "What If Jesus Was Serious" book I have listened to and this one is shaking me to my core of where my traditional beliefs came from. This isn't so much about social justice, although it does play a part. It's not about the justice system. This is about God restoring people to their proper place and being equitable. Broken down into 5 parts, the progression goes further and further into what is traditional for Christians and our doctrines and how that actually weighs against Scripture.

I just finished my second listen through, the first taking a week, the second taking 4 hours straight. I recommend going into this wanting to check everything against what God tells us in Scripture and being willing to throw out anything that doesn't conform this the actual words there. I have a lot to go through.

Again, I would like to see a pdf with the illustrations that go with the chapters as this is a visual guide as an audiobook. There are a few places where the sound goes wonky, chapter 34 in particular. Additionally, you can tell there were a few places where Skye had to go back and rerecord and the inflection and tenor of his voice does not match the sections around it. It's a little distracting but I got through it.

I recommend a listen, then a second one.

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Of Course You're Gonna Love This

Revisado: 02-11-25

Matt Dinniman once again does the amazing by taking a story which could have turned dull by now and throwing in enough humor, emotions, and twists to keep one on the edge of their seat the entire book. There is so much history fleshed out on these pages, so much to enjoy and cheer, that you wonder how he is able to fit it all in almost 29 hours. Not a dull minute.

Then there is Jeff Hays, the voice of the world, who makes this entire journey enthralling and entertaining. I could listen to him reading executive orders and it would be enjoyable.

You have made it through 6 books already so you know you're going to listen to this one. Good thing is, your patience will be well paid-off as you get through the book and to the drop jaw moments contained within.

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Nostalgia and [REGRET] wrapped in Nostalgia

Revisado: 01-13-25

I went through my youth experience a decade before this but there are echoes of my high school years bouncing back through the years off of bands, legalism, nationalism, and the undercurrent of making my faith my own. This is a story so real that it's hard to remember it is a work of fiction.
I found this while searching for my favorite band on BlueSky and thought I would give it a try. I am glad I did. While I did not turn in the same direction as the main character though my deconstruction in the mid to late 90s, I can definitely see how that is possible. The book is full of real convictions, real internal conversations debating the reality presented from the pulpit, [YOU WILL REGRET BEING THIS HONEST!] Shut it.
Jason Kirk narrates his own work here and he is enjoyable. He is able to highlight where the author determined emphasis was needed and pronounced all the names and locations great as he knowns what he intended. I enjoyed it, as well as the AIM sound effects to help throughout the book
Like I said, I didn't turn to the same conclusions theologically as Isaac, the main character, but his journey is his own and I can respect that. It is an interesting read that brings up a long, dark past that needs to be rectified and forgiven by myself for myself. Thanks for the flashbacks.

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A Listen of Laughter and Licorice?

Revisado: 10-18-24

I couldn't think of a second word but there is candy so why not?

This is a fun listen from Drew Hayes, made over 10 years. The story was made originally as a daily serial made from reader's input and still contains a lot of that charm. The choices are included at the end of each chapter, as well as what was chosen, with an occasional puzzle. Be ready to write and pause if you want to try to unscramble the puzzles before continuing as it gives the solution pretty quickly.

The story itself shows 10 years of growth from Drew Hayes. The characters grow. The circumstances become more complicated and more interesting. Jim remains the same. There were several times I would try to guess what choice was going to be used and I was right about 50% of the time but there were some absolutely hilarious choices that I'm glad the readers chose.

Get ready for Halloween horror, humor, and 4th wall breaking. I really enjoyed this throughout the 17 hour trip.

So now you get to choose. Are you going to get this book and have a good time getting ready for Halloween? Or, are you going to skip this and have your life just that much more boring?

Poll:
Get and enjoy the book.
Ignore it and be boring.

Result:
Get and enjoy the book.

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Now that we have found this book, I'm happy

Revisado: 09-06-24

Once again, Dennis E. Taylor hits an intergalactic home run in the Bobiverse. This book goes back to the style of the first three books jumping from Bob to Bob and telling an interlocking story (although the single story of Heaven's River was a great book too.) I actually do prefer seeing the galaxy from different views.
This book sets up a bunch of future books and I couldn't be more excited to see where this universe expands. The biggest problem now is having to wait for the next book and the next one after that. Here's hoping Dennis' wife really pushes cleaning up the garage.
If you haven't started this series yet, what are you waiting for?

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It's Like Hanging Out With an Old Friend

Revisado: 03-06-24

Having grown up in the 70s and 80s, Henry Winkler was the coolest guy I knew. He was The Fonz. Not just Fonz or a Fonz, THE Fonz. He just exuded coolness. That was 10 year old me. Now that I'm a bit older, I think Henry Winkler is much, much cooler than the leather-clad greaser with a heart of gold. This honest, sometimes painful, look into the life of a man bigger than his characters is so heart-felt, so caring and personal, that I feel like he understands what it means to be human and what it means to be better each day. He isn't perfect by his own admission, but he is kind, friendly, and human. He comes across as someone you would love to grab some tea with and he'd enjoy it as much as you would.
What I love most is what he takes the most pride in. It is not the countless unforgettable characters he has brought to the screen. It's his family. It's when he makes those who feel like outcasts feel important and belonging. It's the times where the parts he has played makes an opening to make real human connection. And, I feel most importantly, when he overcomes his challenges to help others do the same, like with his writing.
I like to believe that The Fonz entered the 1980s and became just a little bit more like Henry Winkler because Henry Winkler is one of the coolest cats in Hollywood. Just listen to this book and you'll agree.

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By George, I Think Drew Has Another Winner

Revisado: 12-07-23

In this third installment of the adventures of Sherman Holmes and his intrepid assistant, Watson, we have another story that is fun, fanciful, and fervent in its dedication to making the absurd a part of everyday life. In this book we see the further development of Watson, get a look into what shaped him to be the man he is today, and see the growing relationship between the World's Greatest Wizard and his trusty Knight Errant. I always look forward to the next Drew Hayes book because I know I am going to get to know his characters even better with each chapter. He doesn't disappoint with this offering.
Scott Aiello again does a wonderful job bringing these characters to life. I am so glad he has become a member of the Drew Hayes stable of incredible narrators.
If you've listened to books 1 and 2 of this series, you won't regret the third installment. It satisfies the inner ren-fair geek in all of us. Now I'm off to go find a turkey leg as big as my forearm! Huzzah!

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