-
Streams of Babel by Carol Plum-Ucci
Readers: Julia Whelan
, Paul Michael Garcia
Available from Audible.com
Short Review: Welcome a the post-9/11 world in which terrorists wield bioweapons and our best intelligence is gathered online by teenagers. Kept me listening and then made me hunt for the sequel.
-
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Reader: Elizabeth Gilbert
Short Review: Stunning memoir of a year in the life of a woman finding her way back to a life she wants to live. Beautifully read by the author. This one will stick with me for a long long time.
-
Nice to Come Home To by Rebecca Flowers
Reader: Carrington MacDuffie
Short Review: A sweet first novel brought to life by an excellent reader. We meet Prudence Whistler as her life starts to fall apart – but it is easy to find joy in her self-discovery. Romantic and charming, a lovely ‘comfort’ book for a rainy day.
-
Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld (Leviathan Trilogy)
Reader: Alan Cumming
Bonus: Endnote read by the author detailing what is fact and what is fictionShort Review: In this stunning follow up to Leviathan, Alek and Deryn continue on their intricate path through the steampunk inspired alternate World War I created by Westerfeld. In this rollicking adventure we weave through the back streets of Istanbul, eggs are hatched, some secrets are revealed while others stay safely hidden.
-
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Reader: Alan Cumming
Short Review: Fun and captivating steampunk adventure set in an alternate World War I Europe. Strong male and female leads should keep both genders interested and a very talented reader makes the story zoom along.
-
Catching Fire (Hunger Games, Book 2) by Suzanne Collins
Reader: Carolyn McCormick
WARNING: Have you read The Hunger Games yet? No? Then stop and go listen to that before reading this review. There is NO way to even describe this book without huge spoilers of book one.
Short Review: Strong sequel, with a slightly different pace than the original. Our protagonists are barely out of the arena on their way back to District 12 as they begin to realize the strangle hold the capitol still has on their lives. More characters, more suspense – a fun, if dark ride.
-
3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares
Reader: Kimberly Farr
Short Review: The summer before high school, three old friends grow, change, and find their way back to themselves.
-
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
Reader: Mark Bramhall
Short Review: Dark hyper-real earth-based fantasy for adults, heavier on the emotional life-tracking and lighter on the actual magic. Great reader + descent story = a pleasant listen.
-
Bad Moon Rising (Dark-Hunter) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Short Review: Average paranormal romance made appealing by an excellent reader. Likely to be more enjoyable for those already invested in the Dark-Hunter series.
-
The Joys of Love by Madeleine L’Engle
Reader: Maggi-Meg Reed
Short Review: This sweet story of romance and self-discovery is lovely. We join twenty-year-old Elizabeth’s for week of working in a summer theater in 1946. Beautifully read – a nice story for a dreamy afternoon.
-
Half Magic By Edward Eager
Reader: Full Cast
Short Review: Fun listen for the whole family. A fantasy classic brought to life by a full cast. Four siblings find a magic token and wacky adventures ensue.
-
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Twilight Saga, Book 4)
Reader: Ilyana Kadushin and Matt Walters
Short Review: Your patience is rewarded and the camera pulls back to show you the full picture of where we have been headed across the landscape of these 4 extravagant novels. For me this was a very satisfying conclusion to the Twilight Saga.
