Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance (Vorkosigan Saga) by Lois McMaster Bujold

Rating: 4.5

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.

Bro Code for Parents: What to Expect When You’re Awesome by Barney Stinson

Rating: 4

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.

The Greyfriar (Vampire Empire, Book One) by Clay and Susan Griffith

Rating: 4

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.

Seriously…I’m Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres

Rating: 3.5

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.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Rating: 5

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.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Rating: 5

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.

Mockingjay (Hunger Games, Book 3) by Suzanne Collins

Rating: 4.5

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.

Fire Will Fall by Carol Plum-Ucci

Rating: 3.5

Readers: Julia Whelan, Paul Michael Garcia, Eddie Lopez, Neil Shah, Kirby Heyborne and Tai Sammons

Short Review: More character driven (but still fairly suspenseful) sequel to Streams of Babel. Round robin of readers still pleasing.

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Rating: 5

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.

The Marriage Plot: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

Rating: 2.5

Reader: David Pittu
Extras: An interview with the author is included at the end of the reading.

Short Review: An dark overly dramatic story, mediocre reader and no one to root for.

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

Rating: 4.5

Reader: Philip Reeve
Extras: Unpublished excerpt and discussion by author about the origins of the story.

Short Review: Imaginative and original steampunk story set in a distant future London and beautifully read by the author.

Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold

Rating: 4.5

Reader: Grover Gardner

Short Review: A new Vorkosigan adventure, same fabulous reader. A fun romp with lots of old friends, and a few new ones.