Marissa

Introduced to Snow Crash by my 21-Year Old

Revisado: 12-09-13

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

Yes. Enjoyable both for the less than pretty view of the future, interesting characters and delving into linguistics, computer hacking, civil service, messenger service, the role of the corporation and religion.

What did you like best about this story?

Great protaganists (that's a double entrendre)

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

Excellent, excellent narrator. I think this book would be hard to read, having it read made it sink in better.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The opening scene certainly wakes you up, though it is not all that indicative of the book.

Any additional comments?

I'm a 50+ mom who only rarely reads science fiction and generally prefer books that well written with good characterization. This book fits the bill.

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Scot's Delight

Revisado: 10-03-12

Would you listen to American on Purpose again? Why?

Craig Ferguson is funny in his performances, and funny, in an understated way, in his narrative of his life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Craig, of course. As the case with others who have been through rehab, he has a clear understanding of his faults and bad choices. He is not preachy, just honest.

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

The way a Scot says "book", sorta like buuuk! Being Scottish is a key aspect of the book, so it's natural for Craig to narrate. And you would not want a plummy Scottish actor to narrate either.

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

Actually, it was more one that I reserved for times when I needed for-sure listening pleasure, so I eaked it out. I didn't want it to end.

Any additional comments?

I now have some of Craig's movies back-orded on Netflix. I've never seen his late night show, but have seen a DVD of his live performance, and the performance rings true to his book.

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You Don't Have to be a Twenty-Something To Enjoy

Revisado: 09-10-12

Where does 14 rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's a very good read. It was listed as an Editor's favorite and I appreciate the recommendation.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed all the characters in the apartment building. They had a good reparte that didn't seem too strained, as is often the case. Although several were career-adrift twenty and thirty somethings, a middle aged character added some balance. As a baby boomer myself, I could still relate to the characters.

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

The narration worked quite well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I just enjoyed the book overall.

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Skippy Delivers

Revisado: 07-17-12

What did you love best about Skippy Dies?

I love a book with creative, but not treacle or predictible, prose -- and Skippy Dies delivers in droves. Just a joy to listen to.

What did you like best about this story?

As other commenters have noted, you don't need to be, or have been, a teenage boy in Ireland to feel simpatico with the characters. They drew you in, though ironically, Skippy was amongst the last fleshed out.

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

Multiple narrators; worked really well.

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

Definitely laughed. Killing off the main character in the beginning pages (not to mention the title page) undercuts the crying option. One of the best novels I've listened to in a long time.

Any additional comments?

I pretty much listen to all my books (not much left eye-wise once work is done), but this book is clearly better due to the narration -- love those Irish accents.

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Headline Stories Up Close and Personal

Revisado: 06-06-12

If you could sum up Game Change in three words, what would they be?

Inside stories exposed

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Getting a sense of the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates

What about Dennis Boutsikaris’s performance did you like?

Perfect inflection. Not intrusive.

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

There were times I didn't want to pause it, which is high praise for a non-fiction political book.

Any additional comments?

You do wonder how the reporters were able to get some of the conversations, particularly the two-person ones. Overall, had the ring of truth, and interesting to reflect on 2008 as we head into 2012.

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Interesting, Worthwhile, But Not Stellar

Revisado: 05-27-12

What did you like best about Born Standing Up? What did you like least?

An honest, but not deep, review of Steve Martin's early life. After recently listening to Keith Richard's and Patti Smith's autobio's, not quite as detailed, nor brash, a life story. Wish there was a bit more devling and more post-fame discussion.

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

It's always cool for the author, particularly of an autobiography, to narrate.

Was Born Standing Up worth the listening time?

Yes.

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Running on Empty

Revisado: 04-21-11

I've read all the Arkady Renko books and am a great fan. So even when MC Smith puts in a pedestrian effort, with minimal character development -- it's still worth a read. But it was also a disappointment given what Smith can do in terms of pulling you into a new setting (Three Stations is still in Moscow, guess I've been spoiled by recent excursions to Havana and Chernobyl). I even had to check to make sure this was an unbridged version because the book seemed to skip over chapters of character, place and plot development. And everything seemed to fall in Arkady's lap. Again, Smith is such a good writer that it's still worth a listen, but next one, please get back up to your usual speed.

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Eeerily Predictive of LIfe 25 Years later

Revisado: 09-25-10

The White Noise is that of our society, advertising, media, relationships that is eerily predictive of the societal noise surrounding us 25 years later. Do not expect realistic dialog (which is all so many recent novels promise) but instead expositions on daily life. The book can be challenging at times, annoying at times, perplexing at times. There is always a veneer of contrivance, but I never minded, due to the insights and compelling prose.

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As good as Book One

Revisado: 07-10-10

An intelligent and engaging finale. You should read books one and two of the series. I expected Book Three to be anticlimatic, but it very much held my interest.

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