Audiobooks

 

Pompeii by Robert Harris (2003)

This is an exciting and well-read historical story about the last days of Pompeii as seen through the eyes of an engineer. When the aqueduct that brings fresh water to thousands of people around the bay of Naples fails, Roman engineer Marius Primus is called to repair this aqueduct but is impeded by those who are plotting to take his job and position. Primus heads to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius to investigate the break, only to come face to face with not only betrayal but impending catastrophe. This is an exciting story, which gives insight to the workings of the the Roman water system, and the lives of those who benefitted from it. Reviewed by: Louise on 08/22/07

 

 

Eat, pray, love by Elizabeth Gilbert

A memoir that reads like a novel this book is interesting, informative and fun. Read really well by the author, it is about a year in her life when after a difficult divorce and less than a wonderful afair she follows her heart and  spends months in Italy, India and Bali. What she learns along the way made me smile, think and wish that I had her courage.  So entertaining and provacative, I didn't mind being stuck in traffic while I was listening. Reviewed by: Susan on 8/22/07

 

 

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo IshiguroThis subtle science fiction novel draws on the alternate (yet familiar) worlds created by George Orwell and Aldous Huxley. Cathy, the meandering narrator of this book, tries to make sense of her existence, while constantly revealing tidbits of her life as a “carer” for compulsory organ donors in a society which uses humans as transplant hosts. The word “clone” is rarely used here, but the complicated moral dilemma of cloning for medical science (and the poignant lives of the donors themselves) makes for heartbreaking reading. The narrator lends great poignancy and drama to the characters she voices. Reviewed by: Lindsay on 08/22/07

 

 

Bang! by Sharon Flake

This audio book read by Dominic Hoffman is about Mann who is a teen aged boy,  his family, and his friend Kee-lee. Mann's little brother is killed as an innocent bystander in a shooting that takes place in front of his house. The adversity that these characters must face in their daily lives as aresult of these common occurrences in their neighborhood is overwhelming.Mann's father makes an attempt to keep the one son that he has left alive by putting Mann and Kee-lee in a situation that seems like a good idea at the time but instead has a tragic outcome. This story brings to life the inner- city conflicts that are part of our society. The personal aspect of what it feels like to live in this type of environment was portrayed in a compelling way that has allowed me to have a true sense of compassion. Reviewed by Jenna on 08/21/07

 

The devil in the Junior League by Linda Francis Lee

Fredericka Mercedes Hildebrand Ware (aka "Frede" and I do mean Frede) is a pampered , wealthy Texan Junior Leaguer with constant tips for what is Acceptable and Not Acceptable Junior League behavior. Her perfect husband bilks Frede of her wealth and runs off with "Miss Mouse", heaping insult upon insult. A reclusive artist, characters from the wrong side of the track who made good, and other Willow Creek residents that have more than a passing acquaintance with crazy populate this hysterically funny novel and serves up a good case of come uppance! I listened to the audio book for the full effect of the Southern drawling accents and affectations (I am a Southerner, so I can say this). Enjoy. Reviewed by: Cathy on 08/16/07

 

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

The Artemis series is charming, original and funny.  Colfer has created a compelling and creative story that's sure to appeal to Harry Potter fans young and old.  When the main character, the elf, Holly Short, gets kinapped in the line of duty...she works as a LEP-recon officer...by the most vile of humans, Artemis Fowl, it's a race between master minds to see whether she can be rescued in time to save the Fairy Gold.  In addition to Colfer's clever story, listeners, will be enthralled by the talented reader, Nathaniel Parker.  His wide range of voices creates a believable and loveable cast of characters.  This series was a true joy to listen to.  Reviewed by Catherine on 8/14/2007.

 

Eat, pray, love by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is a wonderfully entertaining audiobook. Read by the author who has a great ability to imitate accents and is an accomplished linguist, Gilbert details her year as a resident in the countries of Italy, India, and Indonesia.  Wounded by a nasty divorce and a failed love affair, she decides to follow  her stomach, heart, and spiritual needs and live on her own abroad.  She describes the various people who become part of her new life as she immerses in the local culture while eating her way through Rome and other Italian cities,  engaging in serious prayer in an ashram in India, and then falling in love with a older Brazilian expat living in Bali.  Her senses are in tune to all the sights, sounds, and smells around her which she renders in the most engaging manner. Reviewed by: Linda on 8/9/07

 

 

I feel bad about my neck: And other thoughts on being a woman by Nora Ephron

Listening to this was a delighful experience. It is a collection of essays about aging as a woman , and she examines it with humor and intelligence.  From her love-hate relationship with purses to her confession that despite a stint as a White House intern in 1961, she and JFK did not have an affair, she looks at the inevitability of aging with such "wish she had known" statements as "Anything you think is wrong with your body at the age of thirty-five you will be nostalgic for at the age of forty-four" and "When your children are teenagers, it's important to have a dog so that someone in the house is happy to see you."   I also appreciated her style of delivery which enhanced the humor of her essays Reviewed by: Linda on 8/9/07

 

Me talk pretty one day by David Sedaris

David Sedaris is funny enough to read, but to listen to him read his own stuff...forget about it. This is especially true in this book, where he talks about his experiences dealing with his lisp (which he still has), learning to speak French, and impersonating his brother's deep southern accent. But Sedaris is not simply a stand-up autobiographer; his memoirs are also poignant, yet you might find yourself listening to some of his accounts more than once in order to grasp it all. If you end up liking this, check out the ultimate audiobook collection. One more piece of advice: use caution listening to this while driving!

Reviewed by: Jimmy on 7/17/07

 

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