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ElizOF

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A Lovely Story. Stiff Writing and Narration

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

I was excited to order this book because, after all, Ketanji made history as the first African American woman appointed to the Supreme Court. I rooted for her throughout the arduous process and celebrated her success.
While her story is a fascinating one filled with academic brilliance, great love, and dedication to her craft, the writing and narration is lackluster.
It reads like a legal brief or boring academic writing. Initially, I was taken aback but then I considered the source. This is what she does for a living. Writing, reviewing and presenting legal documents are her life's work. But... never mind.
I'm glad I listened to all of it because she has had a remarkable life and getting an inside glimpse of the genesis of her journey is worth the listen.

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Fascinating. Insightful. Worth a Listen

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

I'm not sure how this book fell across my screen but I'm glad I listened to it. Ben tells a fast paced, fantastic story of an incarcerated man's journey to freedom.
I learned a lot about the uneven treatment of the convicted by our judicial system and was deeply moved by this story. Highly recommended

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Great Story. Awful Narration by an AI Bot!

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

Iris shares her mind shifting story about being the first black woman to own a fledgling yet, ultimately, successful winery in California.
The narration murdered the story because it was atrocious and permanently high pitched.
I stayed the course because I wanted to learn as much as possible about Iris and her precarious journey in the cut throat world of wine, provenance and betrayal. Audible owes this book a new recording as the current one is abominable. For now, I would say buy the book and skip this narration!

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Epic. Masterful Storytelling. A+

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

Palace Walk is a very long and beautifully narrated story about a long suffering family led by a hypocritical, bully of a father in old world Egypt.
The cast of characters are masterfully revealed over long, lilting chapters that pull us in as horrified observers. There are scenes offering us humor, sadness, pain, revolution and redemption.
I rooted for so many of the main characters and loathe a few but, none are cartoonish, cardboard characters. These are real people struggling to maintain power, position and cultural beliefs. All are flawed just like all of us.
Once you get through the first few chapters, a rhythm develops and the beauty of the story unfolds.
Mahfouz was a gifted writer, a masterful storyteller, a brilliant observer of human foibles and, he had a keen sense of authentic dialogue delivery.
Give this book a try and you will receive a rich gift that lingers well past the final chapter. A Must listen.

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Jaw Dropping. Shocking...

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

When I read Kara Goucher's book, I thought I'd heard every nasty little thing Nike did to its stable of athletes. I thought Salazar's unraveling was shocking but this book painted a backroom picture that gave me pause. Listen to this one. The narration is excellent. Some of the characters were sleazy and the rest were athletes who were mismanaged.

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Seeps Into Your Veins & Settles There

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

This addition to Ta-Nehisi is one for reflection. He touches on several issues that impact our lives, especially black lives, and makes you sit and ponder.
The narration seeps into your veins and settles there like fine wine. You take a sip and reflect on it all.
Brilliant book.
Highly recommended

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Brilliant. Funny. As Expected

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-03-25

I caught Kamau's Totally Biased and United Shades series before he became a mega household name. The book didn't disappoint and I was impressed by Kamau's sensitive nature and willingness to embrace it in this book.
A worthy read. Highly recommended

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Unexpected. Meandering. Worth a Listen

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-25-24

The title is self explanatory. A family offers a hiding place to Jewish families during the war and the story unfolds on the challenges, chaos and horrors of that time. Highly Recommended but be patient as it takes a while to unfold in its meandering way. Worth the unfolding.

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Minimalism Explained

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-25-24

Fumio Sasaki gives us a lucid and practical argument for taking necessary steps to live a minimalist lifestyle. The process must be gradually and done with reflection.
There is no need to make sudden decisions. I like that approach because I am in the process of making some changes to my living space and this book gave me the much needed insight on how to proceed.
I remember reading somewhere, maybe Maria Kondo, that if you can no longer remember what/why you put stuff in storage, it is time to get rid of them. A timely listen.

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Brilliant. Brave. Bold. Bravo Kara!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-05-24

Kara pulls no punches in this searingly honest book about her time as a top athlete on the Nike team. She shares shocking stories of her interaction with former Coach Alberto Salazar and a host of scummy, backroom, self dealing and athlete-abusing managers.
I couldn't put it down.
Each time I finished a chapter, I would vent over the outrageous behavior of those who should have known better.
Alberto made me especially furious because he acted with such impunity and cruelty towards his athletes that I often wondered why he lacked common decency and introspection, and why he wasn't benched by Nike, sooner.
You must listen to this book because, sadly, we have not fully arrived at a place where female athletes are respected for their craft.
How did we get here? Why are super talented female athletes infantalized and sexualized? What's with the outrageous nonsense they face daily that is also tied in with those crop tops and bikini bottoms? The guys don't show up for races in Speedos unless they are swimming!
We have a long way to go and each time I see an elite, female athlete in shorts and a full top, I celebrate their decision to show up in clothing they want to wear not what some organization or athletic division recommends.
Thank you Kara for lifting the lid off the toxic environment many elite athletes are forced to endure. Utterly dismayed. Highly Recommended. A must listen book.

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