L. R. Lindsay

Needs More Content

Revisado: 04-07-13

Would you try another book from Bishop Carlton Pearson and/or Bishop Carlton Pearson?

Depends on the topic

What about Bishop Carlton Pearson’s performance did you like?

He's an Evangelical Preacher, so he knows how to project, resonate, and modulate his voice for effect. I'm glad he narrated his own book.

Was The Gospel of Inclusion worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

I'm horrible about giving up something for Lent and sticking with it. So in recent years, I decided during Lent to read a book with a religious theme, someone's experience of God or something spiritual and mystical. This seemed a more positive way of participating without torturing myself with giving up bread, alcohol or cake.

This year I choose "The Gospel of Inclusion" because I heard tell of Bishop Pearson's fascinating journey on the NPR radio program "This American Life". Bishop Pearson's transformation, loss, struggle and ultimate gain is a compelling story.

The problem with this book is it preaches to the already converted. As Bishop Pearson found out first hand when he lost practically his whole congregation, you cannot persuade "Christians" away from a dogmatic, rules & regulation, judgmental, bigoted, fire and brimstone mentality. This type of church-goer needs this way of thinking, otherwise they feel lost in the vastness of this world.

So everything he imparts in the book is to those who already have a more open, inclusive, spiritual way of looking at God, religion and faith. I didn't really come away with any new revelations.The book does touch on what was lost of the real message of Jesus and his teachings, due to the formation of "religion". So much of what we are taught has been influenced by the politics and power struggles which took place starting year 1.

I believe Jesus came to remind us of our own power and divinity, but this message was deliberately obliterated, and manically stamped out to keep control on societies. It was good to hear Bishop Pearson speak on this in similar terms.

I recommend the book, but be prepared for some redundancy.

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How to Stretch a Short Story Into Two Novels

Revisado: 02-18-13

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

It's obvious Reynard tried way too hard to recapture the lightening in a bottle that is "50 Shades of Grey":

Like Christian, Gabriel is extraordinarily rich and a troubled soul. Orphaned as a child and raised by the perfect adoptive parents. Including a sister who is the only one not intimidated by him. He even has an unstable ex-girlfriend wanting him back.

Like Anna, Julia is a 23 year-old, innocent student, studying literature. And just as stupidly clueless. She even has a very similar relationship with her father.

It's a drawn out romance with minimal plot, centered around dialog & sex between the two protagonists; but believe it or not, the dialog is not as good as 50 Shades, which was not exactly pros. And the sex doesn't even come close!

What was most disappointing about Sylvain Reynard’s story?

The one thing the story had going for it was the many references to the middle ages poet Dante Alighieri and his muse Beatrice. The climax of the book would be the perfect opportunity to bring their "alter egos" full circle. Instead Gabriel leaves clues for Julia to let her know why he's disappeared, by quoting another middle ages couple. This wouldn't be so bad except Julia doesn't pick up on any of the literary references, even though she's supposed to be getting a Harvard Doctorate on this stuff!

Then once all is revealed she doesn't even feel stupid or apologize for being so obtuse.

What didn’t you like about John Morgan’s performance?

Narrator John Morgan had the perfect voice for Gabriel, but because there is so much dialog, it would have been better if Julia had been read by a woman. Morgan sounded like a strange drag queen and never seemed to have the right inflection for Julia's emotions.

Any additional comments?

These characters were not delightful or interesting enough for two books. If she had combined "Gabriel's Inferno" and" Gabrriel's Rapture" into one book, it would have been passable in terms of plot and romance.

But trying to stretch such a simple story into two books, made each novel feel weighted, full of exposition and never ending.

I know you're probably wondering why I read the second book if I was so dissatisfied with the first one. I was curious to see if things would pick up. More importantly, Gabriel and Julia's physical relationship, was supposed to heat up in "Gabriel's Rature", which it did, but again, not worth a second book.

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Wonderfully Weird

Revisado: 11-13-12

Would you listen to The Night Circus again? Why?

I don't normally listen to books twice. However, I did so love the odd rhythm of this novel, that if I were to revisit books I would put Night Circus on my re-listen list.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Night Circus?

All the scenes involving Celia and Prospero (her father) are engrossing. Their love/hate relationship holds many facets. The reader is always aware the stakes of the "game" are much higher than either Celia or Marco are aware and it's made doubly wicked by the fact that Perspero is so willing to possibly sacrifice his only daughter.

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

A+

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

No. It's engrossing, but does not have a traditional narrative, you tend to wantt to enjoy it in smaller sessions.

Any additional comments?

This book may as well have been written as a screenplay first. It's so easy to imagine it as a film. The colorful characters and the black and white set. I can't wait to see all the clever CGI they'll use to create the magical illusions of Le Cirque des Reves. And also the spectacle of red scarfs and roses against a backdrop of en noir et blanc.

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Quick, Entertaining Read

Revisado: 07-22-12

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Could use more sex.

Would you be willing to try another book from M. J. Rose? Why or why not?

Yes. I know M.J Rose has written a series of books taking place at the Butterfield Institute featuring Dr. Morgan Snow, I'd be interested in following this character through a few more cases.

Did Phil Gigante and Natalie Ross do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Very much so. Both readers were thoughtful in their character portrayals.

Do you think The Delilah Complex needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. The blooming romance between Dr. Morgan Snow and Detective Noah Jordan is just heating up at the end of the novel.

Any additional comments?

I agree with the other reviewers that said you can easily figure out who is behind the abductions, but it's still an interesting plot. And Det. Jordan is super sexy!

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Droning On and On

Revisado: 07-22-12

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

It's not for those who know Philosophy or those looking to be introduced.

Would you ever listen to anything by Colin McGinn again?

No.

Would you be willing to try another one of Colin McGinn’s performances?

No.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Modern Scholar?

His hesitant voice and one level, rattling speech pattern.

Any additional comments?

The book asks the most interesting questions we possess in the Universe; yet answers them with nothing but banality. I couldn't even finish.

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Couldn't Help But Jump on the Bandwagon

Revisado: 06-30-12

Would you try another book from E. L. James and/or Becca Battoe?

Most Likely

Would you be willing to try another book from E. L. James? Why or why not?

Yes. E L James gets to the sentimental heart of romance and character. Of course the draw for this book and I would imagine any future novels is her ability to be wonderfully explicit when writing erotic passages.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Becca Battoe?

Would depend on the character she was portraying

Did Fifty Shades of Grey inspire you to do anything?

Yes, read the next two books!

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No Daygig in a Post-Apocalyptic World

Revisado: 06-04-12

If you could sum up Earth Abides in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, Realistic, Thought-Provoking.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Earth Abides?

I wish they had gone into more detail when they vote to kill the newest member of "The Tribe".

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

No. Too complicated and spans too many years. As interesting as it is, it's not a page turner to want to read it in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

For my full discussion of the book visit my site

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