KittyB

Black don't crack!

Reviewed: 22-11-17

Wow, where to begin! Kim Fields began her life in Harlem moving to Hollywood with her mother as a child. This is her autobiography, and it is a beautiful deep reflective account from a beautiful soul. It made me laugh in places, it also brought a tear to my eye sometimes too. Even though Kim has been in show business since she was a child there is so much in this book that is relatable to women in general. I loved how Kim herself narrated this, it very quickly started to feel like I was settling down for a drink with a good friend. I also appreciated Kim's reflections on faith and her beliefs throughout the book. I'm not particularly religious but I appreciate the beliefs of others and I enjoyed Kim sharing hers. I also enjoyed hearing how Kim progressed from a child star in a commercial to a 40 year old successful married mum of two. Like all of us, Kim had her challenges along the way, but she kept going. I think that makes her one inspiring lady.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

As rare and precious as Great Orc's egg

Reviewed: 22-09-17

Would you consider the audio edition of The Seabird's Cry to be better than the print version?

I am not sure if the print version contained any pictures? I did find myself having to google some of the birds to see what they looked like. I didn't mind that in the slightest though and preferred having this amazing book to listen to while I was out and about running from various places in London at the weekend.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Oh goodness it is so hard to choose! I will say the Great Orc, I hadn't known anything about Great Orcs before this let alone the fact they are now extinct. I do also have a bit of a soft spot for puffins too and was very fun finding out more about them.

Have you listened to any of Dugald Bruce-Lockhart’s other performances? How does this one compare?

At first I felt the narrator sounded a bit like someone giving a sermon but after a little while I didn't mind it so much. Nice clear narration throughout and I felt his voice fitted very well with the text too.

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

The Nazca boobies, that part was horrible - I don't think I ever realised animals could be so cruel to each other.

Any additional comments?

Nicolson takes 10 different seabirds and writes a chapter on each. This has the potential to be incredibly boring, seagulls aren’t exactly sexy. However, Nicolson makes his book incredibly fascinating. It is part zoology, part mythology, part sociology with a little bit of philosophy and personal memories thrown in for good measure. What this creates is a fascinating profile into each specific bird and leaves the reader with a deep appreciation for the seabirds. We meet the Fulmars, Razorbills, Puffins, and the now extinct Great Orc among many other, animals that inhabit a part of our world but also live in their own unique spheres of existence. There are some fascinating things in this book, the way that birds navigate the ocean through smell was fascinating to me. I winced at the explanation of what Nazca boobies do to their babies, and also the horrendous cruelty humans have inflicted on seabirds to make a nice hat among other things. It has left me with fresh eyes and I will never again see a seabird as just as seabird, they are so much more! This book is an absolute delight, I am certain anyone reading it won't be disappointed, it is so rich and engaging. I loved it!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

An absolute treasure!

Reviewed: 14-09-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection to be better than the print version?

Yes - Fry really brings the characters to life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection?

There are so many stories it is very hard to bring out just one. I think my most favorite thing about all of it though is the interplay between Holmes and Watson. The characters are so strong. I also enjoyed the story about the jellyfish.

What about Stephen Fry’s performance did you like?

Stephen Fry loves these stories you can tell from is a brilliant narration of it. He puts everything into it and it makes listening to just so enjoyable.

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

No, it took me a good many months due to the length.

Any additional comments?

It is a very rare and special thing that you come across a fictional character who you find inspirational. Sherlock Holmes to me is just that character. The way he can handle confrontational situations in a fair, cool, objective manner. I love the fact he is a genius but he made himself a genius through his dedication and drive to excel in the one thing he loves, solving mysteries and crimes. Watson is also a very memorable character in his own right. He is a loyal and dedicated companion to Sherlock and nearly all of the stories written by Doyle are written from the perspective of Watson (save a few in the final collection of short stories). The mysteries themselves are enjoyable, we are taken through Victorian London and out to rambling country estates. I think for me, what makes Doyle's collection so memorable is the characters of Holmes and Watson. Yes, I did enjoy the mysteries but really I loved the interplay between Holmes and Watson and their interaction with the cases. I think both of them are a testament to Doyle's ability as a writer to have created such strong characters as they have stood the test of time, being reinvented in so many guises. Very enjoyable - and I would recommend these stories to anyone, they really are brilliant. Getting to know Holmes and his dear friend Watson in the gas lit streets of late 19th century London is not to be missed

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Goes on a bit but makes you think!

Reviewed: 14-03-17

What did you like best about Thinking, Fast and Slow? What did you like least?

Thinking, Fast and Slow bored me stiff at times, but also changed the way I think, or at least how I reflect on my thinking. It is a very clever book with a lot of great information in it, but it does feel a bit too long at times.

If you’ve listened to books by Daniel Kahneman before, how does this one compare?

Daniel Kahneman is a psychologist who won a Nobel prize for his work on economic science. I have not read any of his previous books, but this book does elude to his previous academic work. I imagine any previous work of his on the subject of human decision making probably makes some appearance here.

Which character – as performed by Patrick Egan – was your favourite?

The book features various different psychological experiments that represent different psychological theories. At times these were hard to follow, I either found them too abstract, too obvious or I got bored. At other times though a study would really stand out to me. I particularly liked the one about the made up character of Linda. As far as I understand it, Linda is either a) a bank teller or b) a bank teller and a leader of a feminist movement. Quite often when asked to say which one Linda is people often go for B although in reality it is much more likely that Linda is A). I found this example interesting and it made me reflect on my own thoughts and how we often jump to conclusions based on what we feel is right.

Was Thinking, Fast and Slow worth the listening time?

Yes but you have to be willing to work with it. There is a lot of good stuff in here but there is a lot of stuff I found dull and went over my head. I do feel I was more engaged with this book till about half way through. I'd say if this is read more in terms of psychology there might be more enjoyment from it than reading it more as a self-help book. I think the intention of the book was to hit some middle ground between the two but it feels like it tilts more toward psychology.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed it although it felt like it became something of a chore towards the end. Still I have some interesting examples, like Linda, to reflect on my decisions in the future. I should probably also point out that commuting with this book can get a bit tricky. It often references to a diagram supplied in a power point along with the audiobook.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Absoloutely Brilliant!

Reviewed: 14-03-17

Would you listen to The Midnight Gang again? Why?

Yes! I am sure that I will be listening to this again because it was simply fantastic. It was everything you could hope for in a story. It made me laugh and made me cry, I also adore the characters.

What did you like best about this story?

I love that this was a story about ordinary sickly children doing extraordinary brilliant things in the interests of helping other children.

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

This book was brilliantly narrated throughout by Walliams himself and a number of other people.

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

Yes! I could not stop listening!

Any additional comments?

This is a fantastic book, I am an adult and loved every bit of it. Not to be missed!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

14 people found this helpful

A brilliant sequal

Reviewed: 14-03-17

Would you consider the audio edition of Girl Online: On Tour to be better than the print version?

Yes, I enjoy the warmth of the main character Penny which really shines through by Hannah Tointon's brilliant narration.

What other book might you compare Girl Online: On Tour to, and why?

This is something of a coming of age story. Penny Porter has just completed her GCSE exams and plans on spending the Summer with her American rockstar beau only things don't quite go to plan. It is a love story but it is also a story of self discovery and overcoming anxiety.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I enjoyed the part where Penny goes to the party and is looking glamorous. Throughout the book Penny struggles with self confidence and believing in herself, and when she looks in the mirror she begins to realise the beautiful woman she is quickly becoming.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I think it would have to be something sweet like Zoella but also reflective of the change her characters are going through. 'Princess P becomes a Queen' ?!

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the first girl online and so I really wanted to catch up with the characters. Elliot (Penny's best friend) is here too. The story is essentially the next chapter in both their lives, they are both embarking on their first serious relationships, and both planning the rest of their lives after school. I enjoyed this book a lot although, I do feel I liked the first one that little bit more. Certainly worth a listen/read if you enjoyed the first one and love Zoella!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

What an adventure!

Reviewed: 02-12-16

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

Yes absolutely! I enjoyed this audiobook so much and I may even go as far as to say this has been the best one I have ever listened too! The narration was fantastic throughout and the story is incredible. Tolkien has such an amazing imagination and I actually felt like I was on the journey with Frodo and his companions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fellowship of the Ring?

There are so many! The dark forboding of Moria, the magnificent splendour of the Elf kingdom in the trees, the terror of the black riders following Frodo and company. The whole of this book is one huge memorable moment! Perhaps one thing that did stick out to me the most is the burden of the ring Frodo carries and the loyalty of his companions to support him on his quest to destroy it.

Which character – as performed by Rob Inglis – was your favourite?

I enjoyed them all and even the baddies were brilliant! Tolkien really brings his characters to life. Legolas the Elf has his own unique culture and history and so too does Gimli the dwarf. Each charachter has a unique personality and Rob Inglis' narration complements this really well.

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

I enjoyed the ending although it isn't an ending exactly (there are two more books in the series).

Any additional comments?

Really I can not praise the audiobook another. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is simply a master piece and if you have never read / listened to it you you really should. I honestly don't think I have ever enjoyed an audiobook this much. It is pure magic and the listening to it has been one fantastic adventure.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The book that is on fire!

Reviewed: 14-10-16

What did you like most about The Hunger Games: Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1?

I like how the story is told from a first person viewpoint of Katniss. I loved the little anecdotes about her time spent hunting with Gayle in the woods outside her district and her struggle in trying to support her family following her father's death. Katniss' viewpoint and these intermittent recollections give a richer understanding of Katniss the person. This is something that I feel is somewhat lost on the film version, which I had actually watched before reading this.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hunger Games: Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1?

I enjoyed the connection with nature that Katniss has. Katniss is a hunter, she understands different plants and can call out to the Mockingjays in the sky who echo her songs. I enjoyed hearing about how she adapted to living wild in the games with her own awareness as a hunter. I found her resourcefulness very interesting.

Have you listened to any of Carolyn McCormick’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first time I have listened to a narration by McCormick and I enjoyed it very much, well performed and clear throughout.

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

I found Katniss' relationship with fellow tribute Rue particularly moving. Rue is a 12 year old girl from another district who Katniss befriends in the games and tries to protect. I will not say what happens between them so as not to spoil it!

Any additional comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Hunger Games and I am eagerly anticipating listening to the second one! Something I did find a bit irritating was the apparently pretend relationship Katniss has with Peeta Mellark. If you were really in a cave starving and injured with fellow tributes baying for your blood would you really fake a kiss for the capitol which had sent you here in the first place? I found that detail hard to believe but I can see the significance of it in the wider story line.Overall I found it a very interesting listen and one that I couldn't stop listening to at times. Recommended!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Roald Dahl Magic!

Reviewed: 03-10-16

If you could sum up Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in three words, what would they be?

Marvelous, fun and magical. Dahl has such an imagination and way of telling stories. I found the narration excellent too.

What did you like best about this story?

I adore Charlie Bucket the main character. Charlie is a boy who doesn't have very much money. He is humble and would love nothing more than to go inside the mysterious chocolate factory in his home town.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The glass elevator! Although I won't say what about the glass elevator so as not to spoil it.

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

Yes and in fact I actually did! I spent a very happy afternoon knitting away and listening to this.

Any additional comments?

This is a lot of fun for children and adults alike. If you have not discovered the magic of Roald Dahl yet however old you are I suggest you try this!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Somewhat biased but makes you think!

Reviewed: 19-07-16

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

Yes this book discusses various issues related to climate change and capitalism. A lot of these I had not previously been aware of such as the Alberta tar sands and Geo-Engineering. I also appreciate how this book made me think not just of climate change, but also of the social norms that make up our societies, such as materialism and individualism and how we have to some extent become separate from nature due to these characteristics becoming an integral part of our societies. This book certainly makes you think!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The attwater's prairie chicken, a rare bird that lived in an area owned by a major fuel company. The major fuel company, in a gesture of good will, gave the land to a conservation charity so that the bird could be protected. The charity then started drilling for oil on the site with little regard for the endangered animal. This story really made me think about the level of potential corruption in charities we trust to do the right thing. I also really enjoyed the chapters on native american first nations who stood up against the exploitation of their land by big fuel companies something reminiscent of previous exploitation by colonialists.

Have you listened to any of Liza Ross’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard a reading from her before but her audio is clear throughout. The soft calmness of her voice did sound a bit patronising due to the occasional assuming sentence. This was something I found a bit irritating at first but after a while it become rather amusing!

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

The penultimate chapter of the books discusses the writer's own infertility issues and the impact of climate change on the fertility of the planet. As an infertile woman myself I felt really touched by this chapter, both for the braveness of the author in speaking about her own personal journey and for so carefully and intelligently linking it to the infertility struggles of our own mother earth.

Any additional comments?

I did feel that this book had a slight bias. There did seem to be a continual anti-free market, anti-corperation, pro-socialist solution current running throughout the book. This is rather paradoxical as at the beginning of her book Klein states that climate change deniers attending the Heartland conference believe that climate change is a ploy to implement socialism. I am also not really sure we needed a whole chapter about Richard Branson and his billions of dollar pledge to alleviate climate change, which unfortunately never materialised due to his management (or mismanagement!) of his business. However, criticisms aside this is a lengthy and well researched piece of work. I do not know the answers to climate change and I can not say for certain if free markets are beneficial or damaging to it. From Klein's observations I would say yes they are but I am reluctant to do so as I don't feel I've had an accurate and fair observation from the other side which is a real shame, especially given how long the book is! However, there are plenty of other things I will take from this book, for instance, capitalism acting as a form of colonialism in the case of indigenous native american peoples. Certainly worth a listen if your interested in environmental issues or even just a bit curious about global warming and the climate crisis.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful