Monthly Archives: January 2009

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union: A Novel Author: Michael Chabon Reader: Peter Riegert Extra features: The audiobook includes an interview with Michael Chabon about his inspiration for the book, his favorite books and genres, and his writing process. Short Review: Chabon’s Hugo and Nebula award-winning alternate history of a world without Israel but with a temporary [...]

Thud! by Terry Pratchett

Thud! (A Discworld Novel) Author: Terry Pratchett Reader: Stephen Briggs Short Review: This fun, funny, and often thoughtful story follows Sam Vimes as he investigates the murder of dwarven leader Grag Hamcrusher. Vimes is a father and husband, an unwilling member of the nobility, Commander of the watch, and a good old copper. He is [...]

Storm Front (Dresden Files, Book 1) by Jim Butcher

Storm Front Audiobook by Jim ButcherBook 1

Author: Jim Butcher
Reader: James Marsters

Short Review: Down on his luck detective Harry Dresden also happens to be a real, live wizard. This introduction to Harry’s world includes magic, potions, a talking skull named Bob, werewolves – and of course a murder mystery. James Marsters is brilliant.

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

The Shipping News Author: Annie Proulx Reader: Paul Hecht Short Review: Proulx’s amazing, National Book Award- and Pulitzer-winning novel about loss, reclamation, love, and Newfoundland read well but slightly too stiffly by Paul Hecht. Long Review: I love this novel, well and truly. It’s one of the finest books I’ve read on paper in years, [...]

In the Woods by Tana French

 In the Woods  Author: Tana French  Reader: Steven Crossley Short Review: This Edgar Award winning novel traces a murder in Ireland, following the detectives investigating the case and flashing back to an earlier, similar unsolved case. It is a good novel beautifully read by Crossley, but the novel itself annoys me in a few spots [...]

The Young Wan by Brendan O’Carroll

 The Young Wan  Author: Brendan O’Carroll  Reader: Donada Peters  Short Review: A sweet, funny prequel to O’Carroll’s earlier trilogy about Agnes Brown, read with great energy, humor, and personality by the incomparable Donada Peters.  Long Review: The Young Wan tells the story of Agnes Browne’s early life and her parents’ romance and marriage. Set in [...]