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Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold
Reader: Grover Gardner
Extras: Brief tutorial from the author on the order in which her books should be read.Short Review: Intrigue and romance dominate the scene as cousin Ivan finally gets his day in the sun. A great addition to the Vorkosigan series, this time with Miles only in a supporting role. Gardner is still as great as ever.
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Bro Code for Parents: What to Expect When You’re Awesome by Barney Stinson
Reader: Neil Patrick Harris
(as Barney Stinson)
Short Review: Quick and amusing. Fans of the TV show How I Met Your Mother will be giggling. Neil Patrick Harris reading as Barney is basically a 2 hour standup riff on the agony and trauma of becoming a parent.
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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Reader: Jim Dale
Short Review: The Locus Award winning novel is an enthralling story of magic, love, and struggle beautifully read by Jim Dale. -
The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire, Book One) by Clay and Susan Griffith
Reader: James Marsters
Short Review: A well read interesting blend of airships, vampires, alternate history and a strong princess coming of age and discovering her strength.
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The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
Reader: Simon Winchester
Short Review: A fascinating story about two of the men who dedicated their lives to the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary: one a Scottish Philologist, and one an institutionalized American doctor. -
Seriously…I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
Reader: Ellen DeGeneres
Short Review: Light and airy visit with the popular comedienne. Nothing too deep here, but it is fun to listen to Ellen share her upbeat cheerful thoughts and get a taste for her life beyond the public eye. Be prepared for some outright silliness.
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Divergent by Veronica Roth
Reader: Emma Galvin
Short Review: Intense first-person YA tale with strong 16 year old female protagonist trying to find her place in a very complicated far future world. Fabulous reader, great story.
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Reader: Kate Rudd
Extras: Q&A interview with the author.
Short Review: Heart-wrenching and uplifting roller coaster ride. Brilliant reader does justice to this amazing story.
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Mockingjay (Hunger Games, Book 3) by Suzanne Collins
Reader: Carolyn McCormick
WARNING: Have you read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire yet? No? Then stop and go listen to them (in order) before reading this review. There is NO way to even begin to describe this book without huge spoilers of the first two books.
Short Review: Intense, captivating final book in the Hunger Games trilogy. Lots of twists and turns lead us through this darkest chapter of the series. Action plus emotional turmoil make this a roller coaster ride. Satisfying conclusion for most, perhaps bleaker than some readers are expecting.
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Fire Will Fall by Carol Plum-Ucci
Readers: Julia Whelan
Short Review: More character driven (but still fairly suspenseful) sequel to Streams of Babel. Round robin of readers still pleasing.
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Clementine by Cherie Priest
Readers: Dina Pearlman and Victor Bevine
Short Review: This sequel to Boneshaker follows Captain Croggon Hainey as he tracks and attempts to recover his airship, The Free Crow, from its captors. It also introduces Maria Isabella Boyd, a former Confederate spy turned Pinkerton, on her first assignment. It’s good, but not quite as good as Boneshaker.
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Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
Reader: Grover Gardner
Short Review: The first book in one of my all time favorite series, read by a brilliant reader. Great character driven sci-fi tale.