KBakken

Amazing History Tainted by Animal Violence

Revisado: 01-30-15

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would have preferred they cut back on the scenes describing animal violence especially shooting and butchering dogs and puppies. I wish I had known beforehand that this book included so much of this. This review and comment are for those people who don't want to have this imagery in their memories. Each event I would hope was the last but they just kept coming.

Would you be willing to try another book from Alfred Lansing? Why or why not?

Yes, history made entertaining and suspenseful.

What about Simon Prebble’s performance did you like?

Beautiful voice and clear enunciation. Just emotional enough. I will definitely look for more books narrated by Prebble.

Do you think Endurance needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

The events had a clear beginning and end.

Any additional comments?

The book was beautifully written and performed so my issues with it are strictly my own preferences about avoiding animal abuse in the books I read. I regret that I was not able to enjoy the book as much as others due to this soft spot of mine. I'm a softie!

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Gritty, Intense Crime Thriller Delivers

Revisado: 10-08-14

Would you listen to A Walk Among the Tombstones again? Why?

Very well rounded characters brought this thriller to life and had a sense of high stakes. Very grim but involving whodunnit. It really makes me want to see the film now which in a sense is listening to it again.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Walk Among the Tombstones?

The opening scene will not be soon forgotten. I also really enjoyed the hackers -- they were a nice, brief comical respite.

What about Mark Hammer’s performance did you like?

Hammer has been getting a lot of criticism for his narration but I didn't have any problem with it. His world weary voice added depth to the main character who is an older recovering alcoholic and needed gruffness. Matt really seemed like he'd seen it all and I think Hammer delivered on that. The pauses felt realistic and helped organize the complicated narrative. And he didn't overplay the female characters which is a pet peeve of mine. I'm not in a hurry to listen to books so had no problem with the slower pace. I think it suited the story.

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

I couldn't stop listening; was obsessed. I looked forward to my drive to work so I could hear more. A great listen!

Any additional comments?

I am a converted Block fan and will now star consuming his books.

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I love John Lutz, but....

Revisado: 12-17-13

What did you like best about Twist? What did you like least?

I love the recurring cast of characters Lutz has populated his Detective Quinn series with. They are vivid, quirky, and show some wear and tear that's realistic. The weakest link is Pearl's mother who gets more and more tedious with every book.

There's a glimmer of a good serial killer M.O. in this book but it seems forced and sorta silly, ultimately.

Would you recommend Twist to your friends? Why or why not?

I always recommend Lutz to my friends with strong stomachs. Lutz is HARSH so unless you're one of those who appreciates that (especially when it comes to violence against women) steer clear. One of the things I like most about Lutz is his willingness to push the boundaries.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

I won't lie. I LOVE Scott Brick. I will jump at any book he narrates. Something about the timbre of his voice and his great female voices ( never over played and deal breaker for me) really hooks me. His is TOP NOTCH and has become the voice of Lutz. He has narrated most if not all of the Quinn series.

Was Twist worth the listening time?

Always worth listening to a Quinn story. But the killer in this one was rather half baked and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. Especially since Lutz has set such a high bar for himself. The narrative also suffered with the addition of some lack luster new characters that I hope are gone by the next novel.

Any additional comments?

Read Lutz! He's sick, harsh and usually brings the pain in every novel. But this one was a bit of a let down. But still better than most of the hard boiled serial killer stuff out there.

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Animal Torture Ruins This Story

Revisado: 02-15-13

Would you try another book from Dan Wells and/or Kirby Heyborne?

I liked the first book but the second was helped mightily by Heyborne's narration.

Would you recommend Mr. Monster to your friends? Why or why not?

I would not recommend based on multiple sequences of animal torture and violence. If I had known this was in the book I would have skipped this book. Now I'm telling people what I wish someone had told me. I fast forwarded much of this.

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

Great characterizations and emotion. Great timbre to the voice and his narration for the main character, a teenager, sounds like the right age. Another improvement over the first book.

What character would you cut from Mr. Monster?

John's whiny sister.

Any additional comments?

I know it seems odd to complain of animal violence while humans bear the brunt of it. It's just my pet peeve (pun unintended) to include animal torture in fiction whether it be horror or crime. It's up to you whether this bothers you or not.

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Horror ruined by whining

Revisado: 05-26-12

What would have made Eat the Dark better?

Okay, so maybe I expect too much from narrators but the child voice she uses was so whiney and shrill that I finally just had to stop listening. Nobody should have to listen to that.

What could Joe Schreiber have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

The setting in the hospital made it intriguing but it eventually just seemed to slide into a typical slasher film. Much of the suspsense is just ruined by familiarity.

How could the performance have been better?

A different narrator would have been the only way to save this one.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was disappointed in the paint by numbers quality of the story. Good start but it just goes downhill from there. Just meh.

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Literary Cynical Icy Horror

Revisado: 05-26-12

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

This is a book that is recommended with reservation and only to a certain kind of friend. Palahniuk's coldly removed writing style is not for every taste but he does bring a sly perspective to, shall we say, unsavory moments. But it's so interesting and unique that I do sing its virtues to various pals. Then, of course, I would sit back and wait for the inevitable phone call from them asking why in the world I would recommend this book. This is based solely on the gang busters opening 'short story' GUTS. I just tell them that this story is a litmus test and stomaching it (ha pun) means you are worthy to continue reading. If you can get through that you can get through anything.

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Who was your favorite character and why?

Its hard to like any character in this book and I don't think they're meant to like. The main framework of the writers on the retreat is full of horrid people with nary a redeeming virtue. But I do love the odd names they're given even though this further serves to remove you from them. It has an icy dehumanizing effect... but that's probably a good thing because considering what these characters do to themselves you'd probably never finish it if you cared about them.

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

There were a variety of narrators, many of whom are faves such as Scott Brick, but I liked them all.

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

It made me nauseous but I think that's the point!

Any additional comments?

I loved the structure from framework narrative, to poem, to personal short stories written by the authors on the retrea

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Fast and Furious

Revisado: 05-26-12

Would you consider the audio edition of Ready Player One to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version of this book but Wil Wheaton's narration lent it a modern relevant feel that you may miss if you just read it.

What other book might you compare Ready Player One to and why?

I'd make the comparison to Steve Job's bio in the sense that it is about an incredible innovator who changes the technical world with a real sense of pop culture savvy. It's like a fantasy version of what could happen if Jobs had died and left behind a scavenger hunt game for his fortune. It felt incredibly contemporary.

What about Wil Wheaton’s performance did you like?

His youthful voice was a perfect fit for the tone and action in this story. His importance in geek culture is cemented when he actually reads a passage that mentions him. Smart stuff.

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

I love video games so it felt especially relevant to me on many levels. It engages the fantasy: What if video games mattered and impacted the real world. There was genuine suspense when characters were in peril even if it was just their avatar. An amazing juggling act.

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Up Close and Personal

Revisado: 04-28-12

What made the experience of listening to On Call in Hell the most enjoyable?

A unique perspective on the war at large by taking it inside from a medical perspective, one injury at a time. Exciting, suspenseful, tragic, confounding -- great insight into the mind of a doctor and the chaos of war.

What did you like best about this story?

Small stories made large by making them personal. You really root for Jadick and his initial naiveté when he decides to take this on. Medical care in battle is a unique perspective with huge stakes.

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

His first hand experiences are heard in his voice and that was very affecting.

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Heartfelt and Honest

Revisado: 04-28-12

Where does Beautiful Boy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book rates high in my list of audiobooks because it offered an honest look into a family's pain and confusion. Sheff's righting is razor sharp and insightful. I felt for the guy as much as I came to resent his son and what he put everyone through. Granted, that may not be exactly what he was shooting for but pain is pain.

Which scene was your favorite?

Sheff pulls no punches while telling this story and has no interest in making himself or anyone else look specifically bad or good. This lack of vanity cuts right to the core of the story and takes you inside without a superficial gloss. You really feel like you're in the heart of this thing.

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Far Inferior to Beautiful Boy

Revisado: 04-28-12

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

If it had been written by his father, David Sheff, but that would be impossible. His father's version of the same events from his perspective is so far superior to this effort that you can only be let down when you hear this 'fill in the blanks' version.

I was intrigued to listen to this because David Sheff's heart felt book, Beautiful Boy, was basically a mystery at it's heart. Learning what happened during Nic's absences and how it all began first hand was a big draw. Too bad it turned out to be a non-mystery and he really wasn't doing much at all besides living a cliche.

Would you ever listen to anything by Nic Sheff again?

Unless he has matured and has developed some self awareness, it's doubtful. I was hoping for some insight but didn't really get any.

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