Johannah Timbreblue

Interesting time, didn't love the Mitfords

Revisado: 06-28-23

Two things were equally surprising to me -- how much access these women had in the highest echelons of power; and what terrible decisions they made -- given the huge amount of secret war information they seemingly stumbled across. While this family was partying and champagne toasting hundreds of guests, untold numbers of soldiers died in the mud. Imagine, if even one of these dizzy debs had the brainpower of a single Bletchley Park girl -- how different things may have ended! If any one of them bothered to question the power-hungry men of charisma they fell for, they could've perhaps used that access and secrets to help their own cousin to shorten the war -- their cousin, Winston Churchill.

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I’ve never rated a heist as “cozy “ but here we go

Revisado: 01-29-23

No Spoilers — I’ve never rated a heist as “cozy “ but here we go… this story embraces Backman’s flair for finding endearing qualities in the unlikeliest suspects. A group of people who, by a series of bad decisions, become hostages to a bank robber, find themselves with no where to go and the time to go to know each other, as their first impressions are shattered. The bank robber fits no stereotypes. By ending, Blackman wraps up the loose endings in a satisfying glimpse of the future, with every character in the story seeing the world, themselves, and their relationships with new eyes. Plus, it’s funny!! Early every page had a laugh-out-loud moment. I highly, I highly recommend this one. It’s my favorite comfort re-read. The narrator is immensely talented.

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Self improvement? Yuck. Actually, Yes Please!

Revisado: 10-14-22

As it happens often with Read Next episodes, I started this one and thought Nah, that’s not in my wheelhouse. . . but ended up listening to the whole episode (twice) and reading every single book suggested, and loving them!

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A tale to curl up and live in.

Revisado: 06-09-22

I don't know exactly what it is about this audiobook, the narrator Julia Emelin just has a cozy charming way of delivering the perfect folktale by Naomi Novik for those who still feel that inexplicable pull towards home -- and even more for those who can't go home anymore. I put it on for comfort, anytime, anywhere. The opening line is a hug and a giggle for me every time.

This is a book to curl up and live in.
But make sure you're out of reach of the Wood!

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A quest through faery… but make it urban

Revisado: 06-05-22

This book achieves a remarkable feat, and does it so well that ten years later, new readers are picking it up and finding themselves hooked for the series!

Through some strange alchemy, Julie Kagawa Rawls us in to the teen angst of a modern day high schooler, bullied and ignored; then seamlessly weaves it with familiar personalities from the legends of the Seelie and Unseelie, Arcadia and Tir Na Nog. What emerges is a girl discovering her own voice and power as she becomes the plucky heroine with guts and gumption enough to believe in. Her strongest trait emerges as staunch, unwavering loyalty to her friends and family — even through excruciating tests of what she’s made of.
I’m on to book two! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Meghan Chase!

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Brilliantly funny and achingly human

Revisado: 05-16-22

The Witch's Heart is an achingly human and unexpectedly funny story of gods and witches, motherhood and memory, fate and friendship. It's entirely unlike any story in my recent memory, and I read about 4 novels a week.

The story is based on the legends of the Norse pantheon, but you don't need to be too familiar with them to enjoy this tale. Those who have more familiarity with the Norse legends will enjoy the sly touches applied by author Genevieve Gornichec, who paints with a tender hand. The characterization of Loki in particular feels true with all that we've seen from various creators about the enigmatic trickster god. I couldn't help myself imagining English actor Sam Claflin as Loki, with the sideways grins and sarcasm.

Those who roll their eyes and think "oh yes, another Norse pantheon book, because we need yet another one" will be rocked back on their heels if they give this a chance. In this story, the usual suspects of Odin and Freyja, and the rest of the Asgard A-team appear only as backstory and side characters. The main stage is firmly with our witch and her friends and family.

Overall this is a very approachable Norse-inspired tale, filled with humor and heartache, which somehow feels comfortable as legend but also firmly current with its focus on the roles of the mother and father in determining a family's fate.

A brilliant job and a stunning debut.

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The hero in the apocalypse is a foul-mouthed crow

Revisado: 08-13-20

This book was so unexpected, so genuinely hilarious, and so well-written and devilishly performed, it was the breath of fresh air I needed so desperately, delivered with a gut punch and a sly wink. During this time (Covid-19 lockdown) we ALL need to laugh more, and THIS is the book. The only caveat is the language is good-naturedly foul. But it's so much a part of the character that this would not be the same book without profanity, it becomes a major part of the entire mood. I didn't expect this to be such a fun, layered adventure story. My husband and I listened together and we laughed our a$$es off. Highly recommended!

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Really fun!!

Revisado: 01-05-20

This was a fun and entertaining read for both me and my husband (we're in our 40s). Highly recommended for fans of True Blood and other lighthearted contemporary paranormal mysteries. Any of the books in this series can be read on its own, but this is the best place to start. *Parental warning, explicit sex scenes and some profanity.

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Clear, unadorned, unabridged-- the best Hobbit!

Revisado: 09-18-19

This is my favorite audio version of The Hobbit (Recorded Books, Unabridged, Rob Inglis). Narrator Rob Inglis tells the story with emotion and clarity, but without excessive ornamentation. The story is presented full-length and unabridged, as Tolkien intended. There is pleasant folk-style music to bridge the scenes, and the chapter names are announced. Usually I like ensemble casts, but I think this is the version Tolkien would have appreciated the most.

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An enjoyable ABRIDGED version

Revisado: 06-21-19

THE HOURS
Audio, 1 hr 52 mins
BBC Radio full cast dramatisation

This is one of my favorite books. I was delighted when it was adapted for the screen, and enjoyed the multi-award-winning 2002 movie starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep. The film received an Academy Award (Best Actress, Kidman), two Golden Globe Awards (Best Picture and Best Actress, Kidman), two BAFTA Awards (Best Film Music and Best Actress, Kidman), and many more accolades. So I had high expectations for this full-cast recording.

This BBC Radio version is an enjoyable listen with a talented voice cast, particularly Rosamund Pike as Clarissa. The distinctions between voices and shifts between timelines are easy to follow. I do recommend this title, and it is a thoughtful drama about three women in three very different times, linked by a beautiful book (MRS DALLOWAY by Virginia Woolf).

However…

"UNABRIDGED?" NO.
Audible has this labeled "Unabridged" and it is SO very abridged that much of the dialogue does not appear in Mr Cunningham's Pulitzer Prize-winning book.

Examples:

The audio begins with a breathy, musing Virginia: "Hmm. Mrs. Dalloway. Mrs Dalloway. Clarissa Dalloway. What does she say? Something. What? Hmm. I might start there. Mrs Dalloway, going on an errand, in June. I might start there. Mrs. Dalloway, going on an errand, on a day in June.
Instead of the soldiers marching off to lay the wreath in Whitehall. Is it the right beginning? Is it too ordinary? Mrs. Dalloway said … something. Yes. Hmm."

However, Mr. Cunnigham's text begins: "Prologue. She hurries from the house, wearing a coat too heavy for the weather. It is 1941. Another war has begun. She has left a note for Leonard, and another for Vanessa."

For the relevant section of the book (Virginia's musing about how to begin her book), one must turn to page 29 where the text reads: "Mrs. Dalloway said something (what?), and got the flowers herself. It is a suburb of London. It is 1923. Virginia awakens. This might be another way to begin, certainly; with Clarissa going on an errand on a day in June, instead of soldiers marching off to lay the wreath in Whitehall. But is it the right beginning? Is it a little too ordinary? Virginia lies quietly in her bed, and sleep takes her again so quickly she is not conscious of falling back to sleep at all."
(Page 29, Picador Modern Classics edition, Kindle)

This radio version is an excellent way to become acquainted with the story, but it is absolutely not an "Unabridged" recording. This version loses so much of the cerebral nature of the book that it could at best be called an adaptation, and I would go so far as to call it "inspired by" the modern-classic novel THE HOURS. If you enjoy this story, read the book!

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