Smithvigsen

Makes the mundane fascinating

Revisado: 08-10-22

Bill Bryson is masterful at turning subjects that either bored us to tears in school or took for granted in the home come alive. As always, his anecdotes are shocking and hilarious. Give us more Bill. We want to time travel with you! We’ll also carry your luggage if we can ever persuade you to travel in Asia to write a book there.

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Interesting and entertaining, but sappy in parts

Revisado: 05-27-22

I really enjoyed this fun and DIFFERENT murder mystery. "Different" in that I know so little about India, no matter which era, so it was different for ME. I loved hearing the names of people and places, learning a little history and culture -- even now, I'm craving Indian food! Do they call this genre a rom-mystery? First person narration from a male point of view... it was rather sappy in parts. At the end, i found out that Nev is a female author. That made more sense. I pre-ordered the next book, so obviously I wasn't too bothered by the sticky-sweet young love. The narrator did a great job.

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Excellent

Revisado: 11-18-13

Would you consider the audio edition of Guts to be better than the print version?

I'm only assuming so because the book is read by the author. Nobody can do it like the author. And Kristen's voice is one of my favorites of all time.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Guts?

Her childhood...being bullied...and sticking up for her brother, and it backfiring. Just one of those frustrating, seemingly no-win sort of childhoods.

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

n/a

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

Probably when she knew, over and over again, that she had a problem -- a terrible addiction -- but yet, she just couldn't seem to talk her mind into doing something about it. And her loneliness. It just made me sick.

Any additional comments?

Kristen Johston is an extremely talented actress and WRITER (with a great voice). She is so very intelligent -- I had no idea...I loved her as the funny girl! I missed her after 3rd Rock, and I always hoped that she was in a great place. Sadly she wasn't, which explained her appearance in Bride Wars. Kristen's stories are a bittersweet listen, and I loved every single minute. I love this book and I've recommended it to everyone.

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Real, but not heavy or remarkably insightful

Revisado: 10-14-13

Would you listen to Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) again? Why?

YES, in fact I just started round two. Mindy's recollections and observations are real, witty, and fun -- nothing heavy or remarkably insightful, thank goodness. She mentioned at the end of her book that she purposely stayed away from hot button topics, which was an AWESOME approach. I love female comedians, and I will eagerly buy their memoirs if I'm fairly certain that their stuff isn't overly crude. Aside from crudeness, a big downer for me is political ranting -- Rachel Dratch went on for miles (during my commute) about how she could NOT believe that she was dating a Republican and how horrible that was. Tiresome. Next topic.

Female comedians are predictably self-deprecating, which is hilarious when it's done right. Mindy didn't really go this route, though -- she acknowledged her "flaws" ("overweight", superficial, kinda messy), shrugged, and offered some witty articulations about them. Perfect. Just like Ellen Degeneres, she's human and she's cool with it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)?

Mindy outlining her funeral for whomever takes charge of her funeral once she dies (specifically, whoever is closest to her at the time) was the most excellent part of the book. I laughed and laughed while I drove in to work on a cold, wet Monday morning. It was an excellent way to start a dreadful day.

Which character – as performed by Mindy Kaling and Michael Schur – was your favorite?

Mindy, of course.

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

I really appreciated her Amy Poehler references.

Any additional comments?

I can relate to so much of Mindy's thinking; and I, too, was the chubby, brown girl at school. It was so fun to hear how Mindy pursued her acting and comedy writing dreams, put in the serious effort, and made her dreams a reality. Obviously this book is not for EVERYONE, but it was perfect for me. I loved it. Bravo Mindy!

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Very funny -- Bill Bryson meets Ricky Gervais?

Revisado: 05-30-13

If you could sum up FREE BONUS DOWNLOAD: The Family Portrait: Four Short Stories about Domestic Life in three words, what would they be?

Funny
Smart
Candid

What did you like best about this story?

I appreciate authors who are self-deprecating, whether it's physically or mentally. The author takes digs at everyone, including himself. Like I summarized in my headline, Jon Ronson's style reminds me of Bill Bryson's...and then throw in some Ricky Gervais.

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

Since J.R. is the author, he knows exactly where to pause...knows exactly where to put the tones and inflections for the best effects.

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

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Fun, smart, comedic family stories. His style/humor doesn't suit everyone's taste, but I loved this FREE DOWNLOAD! What a find!

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Excellent, basic review of economic principles

Revisado: 03-28-13

If you could sum up The Modern Scholar in three words, what would they be?

Comprehensive, objective, essential

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Modern Scholar?

This canned question isn't exactly applicable, but I had an "aha!" moment during lecture #8, regarding the downward slope of the demand curve.

Which scene was your favorite?

n/a

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

Economics make some people laugh/cry, but no, I did not have such a reaction.

Any additional comments?

I'm taking an online econ class through a major university, and it's a tough course to teach to myself. The university textbook is absolutely overwhelming with the tiny black print on vast, white pages...graphs and tables, vernacular...it was very difficult to get started on the course. These Audible econ lectures have been invaluable to me. Thanks to Professor Navarro, I have been able to EASILY get a grasp on economic principles while commuting to/from work. I am finally able to read the textbook chapters without being completely bewildered. Professor Navarro's objective approach to economics (without political spin) is refreshing, the lectures are clearly outlined and presented in a "building block" order, and Professor Navarro's voice isn't irritating. If anyone has an interest in understanding basic principles of economics, this lecture series is an EASY LISTEN. I highly recommend. I just discovered the accompanying .pdf, and I'm anxious to read through it.

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Funny, demonstrative of what hard work can get you

Revisado: 12-05-12

Would you listen to Bossypants again? Why?

Yes, certain chapters, avoiding the sections where she overly uses the word C--T...like, at all.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tin Fey is my favorite character. She's only a year or so older than I am, so I can relate to much of her growing up experiences. Paralleling her years, I look what she's accomplished, and when, and I think -- "she didn't mess around half as much as I did, and look where it got her." I really admire her drive.

Which character – as performed by Tina Fey – was your favorite?

I don't really know how to distinguish this question from the last, but I also liked how she talked about her dad. Our dads appear to be similar, but hers seems a bit more hip.

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

I never cried, but I laughed A LOT.

Any additional comments?

There's more to Tina Fey than her hilarious, self-deprecating style. She has drive, she cares about people, she makes no excuses -- she has to know that she's awesome.

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Robot narrator

Revisado: 08-02-11

The narrator was terrible -- I thought people were exaggerating, but they weren't. She sounded completely bored, and the accent even sounded strained. Unfortunate, as the story made for light (steamy) commuter listening. I so badly wanted to like the story more than I did. The author overdid the reliance on husband/wife miscommunication to motivate the heroine's behaviors, and it got old. And how many times the character "bit her lip" in the story...we get it! She bites her lip when she's anxious!

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