Paul Jacques

Exceeds All Expectations!

Reviewed: 01-05-18

I thought it would be good. I love Anderson Cooper and I remember the Gloria Vanderbilt commercials for her jeans when I was a kid, but the wisdom they impart as they share their path to deeper understanding is brave, beautiful and inspiring. I related to so much in the story and cried more times than I’d like to admit. Thank you both for opening your hearts to us all and giving us the gift of the story of your journey.

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Totally Addicted to This Series!!!

Reviewed: 08-02-17

Where does Tilt-a-Whirl rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 3, up there with Confederacy of Dunces. Chris Grabenstein is a master storyteller. I was hooked from the first sentence! I am listening to vol. 2 now and it is equally as great.

What other book might you compare Tilt-a-Whirl to and why?

It is a mystery, it is a buddy pic, it is funny and serious all at once. No frame of reference to compare it to. This is a genre I have not discovered until recently.

Which scene was your favorite?

Many great scenes but they would all be spoilers. The general interaction between Ceepak and Danny is so great. Almost like Batman and Robin.

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

There was, but once again it would be a spoiler.

Any additional comments?

These books are great summer reading. I find myself unable to get out of my car when I get in my garage or pull into to work because I am so totally engrossed in the story and have to hear what is happening next. Very fast-paced, all killer, no filler.

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A Bonafide Classic. Relevent Today as Ever

Reviewed: 07-25-17

What made the experience of listening to 1984 the most enjoyable?

The drama that the narrator gave to the performances.

What did you like best about this story?

The small amount of humanity that shines through the horror of this dystopian nightmare.

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

Winston Smith

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

In places. It is an incredible warning and sadly, one that has come true in many ways.

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An Inconvenient Truth of History

Reviewed: 07-25-17

Where does In the Shadow of Liberty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high on the list, top 5. I have been listening to a great deal of African-American history and this book puts an interesting spin on things in the way it is told. The fact that these Presidents who were proponents of "liberty and justice for all" owned, and were surrounded by and tended to by enslaved people is astounding.

What did you like best about this story?

The dichotomy created by the experiences of the Presidents and their wives and the enslaved people who tended to them while being witnesses to history was profound.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I can't choose one. I thought the characterizations were well-done and respectful.

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

Not many extreme reactions. I also cry a bit during a good book and there were moments but it is fairly dry and non-judgemental in its delivery.

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2 people found this helpful

A Great Book That Goes Way Beyond Humor!

Reviewed: 07-25-17

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

Absolutely! I already have, several times. Kevin Hart delivers his story with humor, passion and brutal honestly. It is a revelation of a book, entertaining, inspiring and educational. Kevin rocks!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Can't Make This Up?

The respect he has for his mother and unconditional love for his father. Both highly admirable characteristics.

What about Kevin Hart’s performance did you like?

His delivery. The little extra bits and explanations. His humor, his honesty, openness and his humanity.

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

Yes. It is long but many nights I sat in my car in the garage waiting for the chapter to end or there was some break where I could pull myself away from the story long enough to leave my car. I woke up every morning with the anticipation of jumping in my car to pickup right where I left off with this incredible journey!

Any additional comments?

Totally loved this book. I spend a great deal of time in my car due to my long commute and I listen to Audible books every second I am in the car. This has been my favorite experience so far. I loved Kevin Hart's work before now I am his biggest fan!!!

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An Excellent Overview With a Missed Opportunity

Reviewed: 07-25-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Music Theory: from Absolute Beginner to Expert to be better than the print version?

No. It could be if pdfs of the charts were provided, but more importantly if the examples were actually played on the piano and incorporated into the audiobook.

What other book might you compare Music Theory: from Absolute Beginner to Expert to and why?

I don't know. I was a music major in college and just listened to this as a little refresher course. All the information was accurate.

Which character – as performed by Bryan Howard – was your favorite?

N/A. It was an instructional guide.

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

Music - It's Just a Theory.

Any additional comments?

Audio examples would have greatly enhanced the material which was presented competently and completely.

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10 people found this helpful

Great Material, Suffers From Author's Narration

Reviewed: 05-31-17

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

I've never read the print version but I always have much better retention with listening than reading.

Who was your favorite character and why?

There really were no "characters" per se. It was a business/personal development book.

What didn’t you like about Kim Scott’s performance?

Very grating, monotone delivery. It would have benefited greatly from a professional female narrator because the material was excellent and well organized.

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

N/A

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2 people found this helpful

A Masterpiece! I've already Listened to it Twice!

Reviewed: 05-31-17

What did you love best about A Confederacy of Dunces?

The story, the characters, the performance. Everything was perfect!

What did you like best about this story?

Ignacious Riley is just such a great character. So obnoxious and clueless but lovable and hilarious!

What about Barrett Whitener’s performance did you like?

His voice characterizations are perfect. He painted clear pictures of every character through his accents and delivery.

Who was the most memorable character of A Confederacy of Dunces and why?

Good Grief!!! Ignacious Riley of course. One of the great characters of 20th Century literature!

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1 person found this helpful

A Great Story, A Little Wonky

Reviewed: 05-31-17

What made the experience of listening to Mayflower the most enjoyable?

Some great pictures were painted that brought some rather banal historical events into better context and focus.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Didn't really have one. There are so many characters of essentially equal importance.

Would you listen to another book narrated by George Guidall?

Yes.

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

The brutality of the Native Americans and the so-called Christians were equally savage. There was essentially no difference between the "Savages" and the Christian Savages.

Any additional comments?

An interesting bit of history but not super-compelling. Boring in places but overall pretty good.

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A Great Read, Exquisitely Performed!

Reviewed: 05-31-17

What did you love best about Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine?

Her journey from loss to redemption was so beautifully told. The story unfolded in a very realistic way and pulled you in so deeply to her world that the characters felt truly real and you had a genuine sense of caring for all of them, not only Eleanor.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine?

Too many to list. Every discovery along the way of her journey was so amazing.

Which character – as performed by Cathleen McCarron – was your favorite?

Eleanor, of course, but Raymond and "Mummy" were both very strong.

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

I laughed, I cried, I felt so much connection to the character throughout the book.

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1 person found this helpful