Kate M.

Crazy story, perfectly done

Revisado: 04-18-25

Ronan Farrow is so smart and charming and does an excellent job in presenting and narrating this story. I was riveted from the beginning and binged-listened.

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Confusing narrative

Revisado: 04-13-25

I got lost during the story -found it confusing . It was overly detailed in some parts and it appeared disjointed at times. The author went back and forth using first names, last names and nicknames—took me a while to figure out the characters.

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Great book, bad performance

Revisado: 08-05-21

With all of the great audiobook performers, I was disappointed by the choice here. The woman had a sort of “singsong” delivery that detracted from the book. Otherwise, an amazing (and scary) story of how we ended up in this pandemic mess. Could not stop the virus, but our government was a spectacular failure at how it dealt (or didn’t). And the failure started way before CIVID hit.

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Loved this life story!

Revisado: 08-28-17

If you could sum up My Mother Was Nuts in three words, what would they be?

Penny is amazing! I had no idea what an interesting life she had. And she seemed to love every minute of it.

What other book might you compare My Mother Was Nuts to and why?

"Digging up Mother" by Doug Stanhope. It is a humorous memoir about a life with a crazy mother in the middle.

What about Penny Marshall’s performance did you like?

I generally do not like people reading their own books, but understand that they want to read stories about themselves. However, there are some who should not (Anjelica Huston for one) but I really enjoyed listening to her. I could hear the joy in her voice when she was describing certain events.

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

This book was written before her best friend of 35 years, Carrie Fisher, and her brother Garry died. I could not help but feel sad at how she must have felt when these two people died.

Any additional comments?

One of the better Hollywood memoirs. She knew so many people and has lots of great stories.

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A huge disappointment

Revisado: 08-28-17

Would you try another book from Toni Tennille and Caroline Tennille St. Clair and/or Toni Tennille?

No

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The overall story of her upbringing, emerging career and career success was interesting because I remember her but did not know much about her career or personal life.
However, I got tired of listening to her paint herself as a victim of both her husband and those who helped her in her career. Not once did she take responsibility for what happened to her--she was married to her husband for 39 years before divorcing him and constantly complained about how he treated her. Not once did she ever discuss it with him (even back to when they were dating and he had a crazy restricted diet and she never said I am gong to eat something else). She never displayed any backbone and constantly complained about how she was treated, never once (apparently) seriously considering that she could have done something about it. Even when she went on tour in Victor Victoria (this was interesting) and signed a yearlong contract, she was once again the "victim" because she did not understand all the traveling she would have to do in a touring show! She should have read the contract more carefully.

What three words best describe Toni Tennille’s performance?

She was OK but I was distracted by her breathy voice. Annoying.

Any additional comments?

This could have been better edited. It seemed like they took Tenille's fairly boring life and tried to make it better by adding too much detail. Too many stories, too much detail.

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Reads like thriller fiction

Revisado: 08-28-17

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

Yes--I was sucked in from the beginning to this almost unbelievable story. It was fast-paced and detailed, but was never boring.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Blutrich, the author, was my favorite. He was smart, crazy and very likable. I found myself rooting for him in spite of his running a strip club and being involved in fraud. His redemption more than makes up for any of his questionable behavior.

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

I was so disgusted at how Blutrich and his business partner were treated by both the FBI and the Florida legal system. It was truly amazing at how government employees, including lawyers and judges, can get away with being immoral and deceitful and keep their jobs (and maybe even being rewarded for that behavior).

Any additional comments?

Conspiracy theorists--this is the book for you. If you aren't one yet, you may have second thoughts about joining the club.

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Get this man a condom!

Revisado: 04-30-17

What would have made Chaos Monkeys better?

This was poorly written (and apparently, edited). The author's constant analogies were awful--sometimes I wasn't sure whether he was telling his story or giving us an analogy.

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

The author is annoying and narcissistic --by the end of the book I really disliked him.

Which scene was your favorite?

When he lost his job.

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

The reviews I read mostly talked about how there was important info from the author's experiences in creating/selling a tech company--and there was that. Unfamiliar with that business, I was interested in learning about it from an insider. The only reason I listened to the whole book (as annoying as it was) I did want to find out what happened.

Any additional comments?

I did not need to hear about his tryst in the closet with a co-worker during an office party. His sexual escapades, which included having 2 children with a woman with whom he did not really have a relationship, showed how stupid he really is.

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Transcends the sport of football--amazing story

Revisado: 06-13-16

What did you love best about League of Denial?

It was well-researched, well-written and fascinating. I learned so much about concussions and brain injury, and how it is the accumulation of such injuries, when not given time to heal, lead to serious consequences.
I do not watch football or care about the sport, but I was totally engrossed in the stories of the individual players who were affected, and how the NFL spent its resources in denying the truth.

What was one of the most memorable moments of League of Denial?

The first life story, that of Mike Webster. It was such a compelling case for how his livelihood eventually ruined his life and the lives of those close to him.

In addition, the story about the female pathologist, a lifelong Packers fan, who worked on several player's brains. She became frustrated over the NFL's repeated denials and while she still loved the game, came to see the NFL as the villain.

Which character – as performed by David H. Lawrence XVII – was your favorite?

Not sure.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Same as the book--perfect title.

Any additional comments?

I was engrossed in this book from the very beginning. It is as much a story about individuals as it is about football and the NFL.

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Fantastic book about this iconic figure

Revisado: 02-28-16

What did you love best about Billion Dollar Painter?

I had no idea about the story of Kinkade but was somewhat familiar with his legacy as the "Painter of Light". His story is complicated and compelling, and I was shocked to learn how truly successful and revered he was. I never knew about his religious connection/background to his business interests.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kinkade--what an interesting guy. He was truly dedicated to his art, and the rest of his success came from others who were able to exploit his talents. His personal life denigrated as his success increased, mostly due to his alcoholism.

Any additional comments?

This really is done well and is fascinating. This is one of those topics I had no interest in (but I love biographies and autobiographies) but found to be engaging.

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Seth Rogan bought the rights to the movie version!

Revisado: 02-28-16

Would you listen to The Disaster Artist again? Why?

I only listen to books once because I have so many.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Disaster Artist?

There are so many--it is an almost unbelievable story. The author's description of some of the behind-the-scenes drama and pretty much any discussion of the actions of Tommy Wiseau, the writer/producer/director of "The Room" (no, not the current Oscar-nominated movie!) were memorable.

Which character – as performed by Greg Sestero – was your favorite?

Tommy Wiseau because he is such an enigma--his apparent obliviousness to what is going on around him and his single-mindedness to get his movie made is fantastic. I would love to meet him.
IMPORTANT--rent and watch "The Room", which this book is about. Read the book, then watch the movie because it is fantastic to see the real Tommy Wiseau and his horrible (yet compelling) movie.

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

Maybe.

Any additional comments?

I have a comment about the author narrating his own book--I usually think it is a bad idea because there are such great professional performers who can really bring a book to life. I understand why this very attractive author (I saw the movie) is not successful actor--he does not have a great voice. However, he did a great job of imitating Tommy's voice and I loved that, so he is forgiven for reading his own book.

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