G. Jones

Not as good as Grant's Food but a story

Revisado: 03-08-15

I love food and this story was compelling even though not written by writers. For those who aren't foodies, not sure if it would be worth the trip.

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Just DUMB. WHY WOULD ANYONE CARE?

Revisado: 03-03-15

Don't let the writing or voice-over reading talent leave you hopeful that it has to get better -- it never does.
This is a book about a guy no one cares about -- a grossly immature and a psycho-insecure, fraternity-ish man child with such a paltry sense of self he's incapable of communication, honesty with himself or others, vulnerability -- or any of the things that are required for actual intimacy in a relationship. So the book takes you through his pathetic attempts to find a sense of self through women he's never authentic with.
The character appears female fear-contrived more than authentic, and if he exists, no one -- especially women (and this is chick lit) -- would want to spend time getting to know him in a book or otherwise. I just want to send him to therapy for his childhood traumas.

If his character were minor, he'd be useful in stirring up drama and give the reader someone to detest for his stupidity, but as the main character he's a predictable bore.

Due to the author's writing skills and the decently talented reader (although many of his impersonations of women sound only like drag queens or black soul sister) however, I kept waiting for the book to get better. Trust me, there's NO reason to continue. None. It's a female insecurity and fear-derived version of a male soap opera. Well-written and complete junk.

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SLOW. READER LISP. OK STORY.

Revisado: 04-28-13

What would have made The Light Between Oceans better?

Further development of the characters which are thin.
When a plot is slow, bring in a dead man or a gun. The author chose a dead man, but it was slow for him to enter and while authentically moving, this book is utterly depressing and sad.

Would you be willing to try another one of Noah Taylor’s performances?

No, he has a lovely accent and voice, but it sounds as if his tongue is too fat for his mouth. There's way too much lisping and the reader sounds as if he might fall asleep on the story himself, as if he's whispering through most of it.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Sloooooow start, but when it picks up it was page-turning. It's a semi-tragic tale and asks the reader to answer tough moral questions. It's authentically emotional and moving.

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NOT BELIEVABLE. ENTERTAINING AT BEST. WRONG READER

Revisado: 03-10-13

What disappointed you about Gone Girl?

It's got a great hook in the beginning, and is sheer entertainment. But quickly the storyline reveals how unrealistic silly it is. It's so ridiculous, that it feels like teen literature. The readers make it even more bubblegum.
The writing is nothing special. This is just a trashy fun read if you have time to waste, pickup the book -- the female reader makes this story even worse.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Lame. Not believable. The author must be psycho to have come up with this.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

This story already smacks of trashy teen lit. The readers take it there all the way.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was entertaining 2/3 of the way through.

Any additional comments?

Don't bother.

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Certain to be optioned for film by 2013

Revisado: 12-09-12

If you could sum up Rules of Civility in three words, what would they be?

Cinematic. Memorable. Rich.

Which scene was your favorite?

The opening scenes of Tinker, Katya and Eve meeting and their escapades.

Who was the most memorable character of Rules of Civility and why?

Tinker, Eve, Ann Grandin, Wallace. All interesting, rich in detail and character. I didn't want any of them to vanish.

Any additional comments?

Absolutely fantastic reader.SO well cast.Interestingly, I had to read back over the first chapter to feel better about the ending. It's not the ending anyone wants, but at least it's not overly neat and unbelievable. Warning – spoilers:Despite the good, there are some things in this story that don't add up in this book:1.)It just wasn't believable that Tinker would not have had other important finance clients given that he was so intelligent, monied, living and mingling among the powerful, adorable and charismatic. Readers shouldn't buy it that he wouldn't have been smart enough to build a clientele to sustain him.Also, I don't know a soul who will believe that Tinker was happy living destitute, nor that he wouldn't have climbed up to make it on his own again. Totally not believable if you read with any analytic nature.2.)Anne Grandin is a fascinating and likable antagonist, well written. However, I didn't believe that a character that smart who so carefully crafted everything she said would "lose her cool" so badly and shove her tongue down Katey's mouth. Not after the setup she'd crafted so smartly just prior. It's too messy for Anne.3.)There's no "Brooklyn" in the main character, who's supposed to be from Brooklyn.And there's definitely a miss in the perspective of a female from this male author. For instance, Katey and Eve seem so close, yet all they have is friction between one another so you're left to think they really can't be close. And when Katey sleeps with her first guy in the book, she was most likely a virgin for the experience, but the author misses that entirely. 4.)There's lots of cinematic rambling in this book. So many details that are not "aiding" the story or crafting a character nor pushing the story forward in any way. These unnecessary on-and-ons about architectural details or paper airplanes are not something most writers are afforded without criticism.

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WORST READER EVER. Syrupy smiley reader.

Revisado: 12-09-12

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

This book is so good, it's possible to get through, but I don't recommend it. Pick up the hard copy instead. The reader just ruins the voice of this author completely. She sounds like she's smiling even when she's narrating the most grim circumstances of the story.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Bernadette Dunne?

Someone who sounds like a person, and not a Mousekateer.

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GREAT reader. Didn't want this magica book to end.

Revisado: 05-06-11

You will begin this book in the dreamiest world that quickly crashes around the author. I loved this book so much I bought it in hard-bound, then wanted to hear the authors real voice as I read, so I bought the audio too. On a rare occasion a book is so good that I'll re-read a chapter to avoid reaching the end. It's my way of savoring every bit, and that's exactly what I did on this book.

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't like the audio read from the author, she was excellent (unlike so many other authors who read their own books). If Hamilton seems non-pulsed a bit, it's because that's who she is. She's a self-described "bad ass" over-achiever who tries a little too hard to be lovable, yet needs no one, even you, the reader. At the beginning of the book I felt sorry for her, mid way I envied her Italian Italian husband, kids, cooking, food and summers. 2/3 in I was rolling my eyes and couldn't stand her. By the end I felt we could be friends. Fiction or non, any book with a character you love and hate that leaves you thinking about it long after is an excellent read. Hamilton is a vivid writer and she will take you through her life, into her kitchen and straight into her self-created isolation.

I met the author at a book launch dinner and she is as prickly in person as she is on the page. It was as if she resisted even visiting with or signing a single book for the overpaying guests at her dinner (which she didn't even bother to speak at). It will be interesting to see what the effects of her books' great success will have on Gabrielle. She's certainly shared her life story with raw honesty, and she's a beautiful writer.

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Pendantic, child-voice reader. Teen-level read.

Revisado: 03-17-11

This felt like it was junior high school level reading. Harlequin meets Holocaust. Predictable with undeveloped characters.

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PEDANTIC, HORRIBLE READER. Don't listen, READ.

Revisado: 08-25-10

The author of this book reads it, which unfortunately, made me very UNHAPPY. Ever sentence is read instead of performed – sometimes with weird emphasis. Gretchen Rubin's monotone, throaty smoker's voice manages to make even the author sound bored with her own book.
This is NOT a happiness project - this is an awareness project. Michele Faier (a Whole Life Coach), coaches the very same (and more) awareness practices to cultivate sustainable change that lead to happier, more fulfilled lives. I picked this book up to see what an un-coached, DIY version was like and found the first page of every chapter to be potentially valuable to anyone. The rest manages to make a math problem out of happiness - which may make it a favorite for linear thinkers. I prefer Michele's more creative, balanced approach.
Other criticisms: it's a bit preachy coming from someone who seems to have to search for unhappiness. I would've found it more convincing if it had been written by someone with more chaos (or even a single challenge) in their life. Even someone average would've made it more compelling. But more than anything, I think a professional reader would've made me happiest.

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Yoga in Bed by Johnna Trimmer is better.

Revisado: 05-06-10

Skip therapy. Yoga Nidra heals the central nervous system, releasing trauma, and allowing us to release from reactivity. With regular listening just before sleep, and just before getting out of bed, we can become peaceful, balanced, and calm, even when "triggered" by "hot topics" or family members, heavy work stress and more. Finding several good meditations is essential to listening regularly.

The voice in this YN is nice but it lacks music, so I still have favorites that out-rank it. My list in order of recommend:
1.
Yoga In Bed by Johnna Trimmer
2.
Swami Janakananda
(accent is distracting at first, but this includes 3 awesome different versions)
3.
Richard Muller (really nice meditations, a little flat in voice & lacks music)
4.
The Yoga Sleep Ritual by Ann Dryer

Not my favorite:
Swami Bharati (monotone)

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