After reading Lily’s Promise about World War Two atrocities, I wasn’t sure I could get through another. But this seemed to be a different take. And it was written as a Young Adult novel. So, I was curious. Then I was surprised.
Jorjeana Marie (Narrator), Will Damron (Narrator), Cassandra Morris (Narrator), and Michael Crouch (Narrator) all brought Ruta Sepetys’ book to life. I’m not a historian, so when others start to spout names and facts of the time leaves me drowsy and mind-numb. But right off, Ms. Sepetys presents characters that seem plausible. I found I cared for all of them, even the not-so-loveable ones. Well, there was one I couldn’t stand, but he wasn’t a very good person. The rest were flawed humans just trying to survive.
I had never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff ship, which proved to be in existence. When I mentioned it to my husband, he had never heard of it either, and he’s a bit more of a history buff, so that added something that rang true to the story.
Being a Young Adult book doesn’t make this immature but helps readers like me gentle into the story.
Again, this was a Libby Audiobook, which made it even better. I hope you get the chance to read it. It’s worth it.
A Man Called Otto is the movie with Tom Hanks. I hope you got to watch it. As grumpy as the main character, I must admit that this man warms your heart. I had watched the movie and then learned the book it was based on. There was the Audible available for one credit, and now it’s mine to read whenever I want. It is bittersweet and often funny but with wonderful truths woven right in.
J.K. Simmons does the narration, which sounds like Tom Hanks. Same sourpuss grumpiness as in the movie.
I enjoyed the book so much that I needed more, so I looked up the movie, and I had to watch it. I think it was on Netflix.
Sammi(y) yells at the top of the Sammi(y) lungs about everything they don’t like. I finally got Sam to play with me with this thingy:
The toy she seems to like enough to steal it and hide it under the table.
What we woke to this morning needs no picture and please turn off the smell-a-blog. She knows to use her two kitty litters, but my brother, trying to earn points, gave her warm milk. I didn’t know such a little kitten could hold that much &**& We had to throw the blanket away where she had her accident. Aren’t you glad I don’t show everything? LOL!
I ran out of things to read a couple of nights ago and found this available. I had to give it another listen. I love it so much that I may try to find this book on Audible and paperback. There is so much wisdom in this book. It offers ideas for anyone or anytime one needs to take their mind off worries and find something creative to do, such as the 100-day challenge. Once again, I highly recommend this book!
Below is my previous review. ~~~~
For the depressing diagnosis, this book turned out to be quite positive. And a very interesting read. The author was quite the narrator, too.
What started as itching feet and legs became leukemia. Readers go with Suleika Jaouad as she learns the cause of her discomfort and how to navigate medical issues while only in her twenties.
I highly recommend this read. Ms. Jaouad not only writes well but does quite the podcast. Oh, and I feel quite silly. I didn’t realize that the Jon she talks about towards the end was none other than Jon Batiste.
I will re-read this one in the future. As with many time-travel audiobooks, I found myself confused—until I didn’t. There came a time when it all started gelling.
As a writer, I was stunned by the most boring first chapter ever. I get it. I know now why the author did it this way, but wow, I nearly quit reading/listening from the very beginning. What drew me on? The blurb of what was supposed to happen in this book. There was to be time travel and time to be on the moon. Stick it out as it all circles back and makes sense.
Emily St. John Mandel’s book is brought to life by a host of narrators. Because of these people, I think the audiobook is the way to read it: John Lee, Dylan Moore, Arthur Morey, and Kirsten Potter.
It’s interesting, if nothing else. And, like all time-travel books, it makes you think.
Susan Page wrote and narrated this book. As much as I enjoy learning the process of an autobiography, a biography seems less personal and often feels a bit of a betrayal to the person, even if it wasn’t meant to be. I guess that’s why folks say, “It wasn’t my tale to tell.” Sure, it might tell unflattering things that may actually be more honest, but often, the motivation of why a person did this or that, even if in self-delusion, is still more honest than hearsay. The ‘why’ is important.
Barbara Walters has passed, so sadly, she couldn’t put her two cents in on this book. Still, I did learn a few things that happened within my history that I didn’t realize. So I don’t cross off this book. It just wasn’t a favorite. You may like it better. Besides, I wasn’t feeling well when I read it. I know life and health can color how you feel about books.
One of the outdoor kittens is now inside. My husband wants to call her/him Sammy. She/he seems comfortable and smiles. We’re hoping she/he likes it in here, and us.She’s/he’s come out of the carrier and talks to us.
The fork in the road is one we revisit often. Should I have said or done this? And, of course, with the benefit of hindsight, we know what we would have said or done. I guess that is why we aren’t given that knowledge when it would have been helpful.
I should have told her, when she complained of being so tired, to call the doctor immediately. But all I knew then was that she just needed to rest. Not that my COVID-addled brain knew more than coughing and needing to sleep. I was finally over the fever but my friends and I check in on each other often. And of the three musketeers who had known each other for a couple decades we knew age, pain, and strengths of each other.
Three musketeers. They came to visit me shortly after we moved so far away. This was a fun visit.
You know the Bible verse about entertaining angels unawares? I have and sometimes got the breeze from the wings. Michele was one of those
One of the forks in my life. My adult children all moved north. It made no sense to stay. So my husband and I moved north. Before the move, I looked up NaNoWriMo, writing groups, BookCrossing groups.
I found the writers and readers of the new community and found myself at home. Even if my adult children were busy with their jobs and lives, I found my people.
That Writers’ Group set up a lot of friendships for me. I think you have to be quite vulnerable to write inner thought while in a group. This group was open and welcoming. That was due to the one on the left and the one on the right.
Anyway (this stream is so hard to write!),the Sunday night after I finally was fever-free, one of my friends went in for emergency surgery. The very next day the other friend had a heart attack. It was touch and go for both. I’m 6 hours away from them. I couldn’t do anything for either of them. Sadly, Michele passed, or as her daughter said, she gained her wings. I always believed she had wings.
One of the hard parts of writing this is the heart-heavy stuff I want to say I can’t as deeply as I’d like because I don’t want to bring personal names here, to protect both friends.
Michele was raised in a abusive family and then had a few relationships that were equally horrid. But she decided early on to not raise her children in that kind of environment. She found a religion that served her heart, and she dedicated herself to love, God, family, and friends. She was one of those people that didn’t preach. Her love was in how she took care of everyone. Always patient. Always feeling empathy for others. Helping as much as she could, in any way she could. See, she already had the wings. I am going to miss her so much and yet, I feel she will be watching over her family and friends as much as ever, except now, I pray, she is painfree.
My other friend is still in medical care. She had that surgery and hasn’t been able to eat food or even move around for the stitches up and down her abdomen. I wish I could be with her and help her through this nightmare that is both physical and emotional, having lost our mutual friend.
I feel awful that I couldn’t say goodbye to Michele. We did chat on Instant Messenger so at least I know our last conversation was loving and hopeful towards our friend who had the surgery. We had decided we didn’t want to worry the one in the hospital surgery department. But of course with Facebook we can all see what is happening by a peek on our phones.
And my friend in the hospital still had a fever yesterday, and all I can hope is that she has had visitors and rest as I don’t want to call and wake her. Please pray for my friends and their friends and family. I don’t mind a few coming my way. I’m trying not to revisit forks in the road, traveled or not.
After reading the book by Katie Ledecky, I thought another Olympic story would be fun.
While not as positive as Katie’s book, this one was full of conquering spirits during a bad time in history. I learned a lot about rowing, but I have to admit this isn’t my kind of sport. I’d rather be in a clean pool than out on the ocean or a lake.
I think this book is one others may like better than I did. If I had to rate it more accurately, it would be three and a half stars. I rounded up. But maybe it was more the fever of COVID than the book itself. Edward Hermann narrated Daniel James Brown’s book with gusto.
The blurb pulled me into a wonderful, amazing world. Here’s the one from GoodReads:
‘The thing about books,’ she said ‘is that they help you to imagine a life bigger and better than you could ever dream of.’
On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost bookshop is waiting to be found…
For too long, Opaline, Martha and Henry have been the side characters in their own lives.
But when a vanishing bookshop casts its spell, these three unsuspecting strangers will discover that their own stories are every bit as extraordinary as the ones found in the pages of their beloved books. And by unlocking the secrets of the shelves, they find themselves transported to a world of wonder… where nothing is as it seems.
I love a book about books and bookstores and the magic that can occur. It can get confusing if you have to listen and not read the words. I would get lost as to whose point of view I was looking through. But after a while, I got it and was charmed.
Avena Mansergh-Wallace (Narrator), Olivia Mace (Narrator), and Nick Biadon (Narrator) made Evie Woods’ story come to life.
If you get the chance, read or listen to this one. It is charming!
Working on my series: Haven.
Doodler (zendoodle.com)
Music major: voice and piano
Mom of four great adults
Reiki II practitioner
I have been on disability/retired for 10 years now from depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia.
Where ancient wisdom meets modern technology. Stories that illuminate the wonders of science, culture, and life — crafted with human creativity and a touch of AI magic.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
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