Category: Audible



The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara WaltersThe Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters by Susan Page
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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.

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The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin OlympicsThe Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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.

Try it! You might like it.

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The Lost BookshopThe Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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!

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Just Add Water: My Swimming LifeJust Add Water: My Swimming Life by Katie Ledecky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Writers are told to include tension in their writing. I don’t like tension. There are always goals and needs to take care of, but I really don’t believe tension and negativity are needed to lead a book. This book was led by Katie Ledecky, her wishes and excitement in the water. Such a relief!

My inner child wants to be Katie Ledecky when I grow up. I started swimming lessons when I was 12. I see now that I was too old, but my early dreams never found the footing to fly. (I’m 74 now.) Through this book, I see how it can be for kids now. Her family, coaches, and friends were supportive. The drive Katie had was supported. Isn’t it nice to read an autobiography that shares that positivity? Aim for something. Support others’ dreams and goals. No one loses out with that kind of love.

Libby supplied this audiobook. I highly recommend this inspirational splash of fun and focus.

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Lily's Promise: Holding on to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond—A Story for All GenerationsLily’s Promise: Holding on to Hope Through Auschwitz and Beyond—A Story for All Generations by Lily Ebert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the book about Masha the cat, still wiping the tears streaking down my face, I hesitated to start reading Lily’s Promise. How could I read something about the Holocaust and not feel so depressed and helpless? I was wrong. Yes, the subject matter was as sad and maddening as you can imagine, but the spirit of Lily, her sisters, and family brightened and encouraged my own spirit.

Look, I know it was one of the hardest things for a person to go through. We can only hope no one has to deal with that kind of thing again ever in history. But when you think of our inconveniences that strike us daily, cost of living, etc., and remembering to live with it all with as much grace as we can muster for those around us, thus even lifting our lives to staying alive and doing our best with what we’ve been given. And to rise even higher for those around us. Saving more than life, saving love. That is the wealth in this book.

Lily, great-grandmother, and Dov, her great-grandson, bring their perspectives to current thoughts about the Holocaust, and memories that most have tried to forget and hide bring the light. It is a beautiful book.

While Lily does some of her own reading, Anna Cordell (narrator) takes over the heavy vocal challenges. Dov reads his parts as he is used to podcasting with his great-grandmother.

I highly recommend this read, especially as an audiobook. I was lucky to find it on Libby.

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The Giver of StarsThe Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I thought I was rereading a book about the Horseback Librarians, but this one was new to me. Julia Whelan narrated it in such a way that I was swept up into the story right away. She was excellent at accents to make sure each character felt different.

This was a quick read between holds I’d requested. I suddenly had nothing and didn’t want to start something from my own Kindle or Audible library. Libby had this one ready to read, so I grabbed it.

If you are looking for a quick, engaging read, try this one.

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My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued MeMy Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me by Caleb Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

COVID may have flavored how much I loved this book. We are at a stage without pets. It is killing us not to have a furry buddy around all the time, so we take our pets in virtually for now.

I knew the job was dangerous when I took on the reading of this book about a sweet cat. They have short lifespans. It’s the reason we are catless and dogless right now. So, I knew the book would not leave me laughing. Yes. My Kleenex were close at hand.

Meanwhile, going into the book, I enjoyed every moment of the author’s journey with his new cat.  James Lurie (Narrator) was excellent. I loved how the author and cat bonded. I loved how honest he was about his life before and after Masha.

A warning, if you are feeling the slightest bit vulnerable, you might want to wait. Because I have no self-control regarding books or pets, I went ahead. I was still feverish. So that ending had me ugly crying. My husband was worried for me, But I told him what it was about. He is well now and still can bring himself to read this. Even though a lot of the story Caleb Carr relates sounds like my husband’s relationship with his bonded friend, Rosey. It’s all too raw.

But love is like that. It hurts because of how close we get to the loved one, but it is well worth it every time. So I suggest, if you feel you can handle it, this is one of the best books I’ve read recently. I was lucky to find it on Libby, but I may buy it sometime just to enjoy that love again.

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This Is How You Lose The Time WarThis Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time travel is interesting. Yeah, but here we have one more reason for war. The espionage is too much. I can’t handle more reasons to feel paranoid. I read to escape the heavy stuff or to study writing. But this didn’t do either job for me.

Cynthia Farrell’s (the Narrator) voice was good for the story, but sadly, I didn’t feel she saved it.

A friend recommended this to me. Time travel piqued my interest. Here, take a look at the blurb:

Goodreads Choice AwardNominee for Best Science Fiction (2019)
Two time-traveling agents from warring futures, working their way through the past, begin to exchange letters—and fall in love in this thrilling and romantic book from award-winning authors Amal-El Mohtar and Max Gladstone.

Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent of the Commandant finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading.

Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, a battlefield boast, grows into something more. Something epic. Something romantic. Something that could change the past and the future.

Except the discovery of their bond would mean death for each of them. There’s still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win that war. That’s how war works. Right?

Cowritten by two beloved and award-winning sci-fi writers, This Is How You Lose the Time War is an epic love story spanning time and space.

Maybe it was the COVID brain. Maybe I’ll try it again someday. Maybe you will love it. It just didn’t do it for me.

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Squeeze MeSqueeze Me by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Curiosity. That is why this book got all of two stars. I wanted to know what was going to happen, where the plot was going to take us.

Sadly, I never enjoyed it and nearly quit reading often. I like my fiction to be enjoyable or intriguing. This was neither. Even without the political leaning, I don’t think I would have liked it. I didn’t like any of the characters except the snake, I guess.

This author is pretty popular, but I should have known I wouldn’t like this. I read Skinny Dip and found it equally boring. And not as annoying. Nor did I like the narrator, Scott Brick. Another male who made women sound like he despised them.

If you like Mr. Hiaasen’s writing, you might like this. Otherwise, go find something you might not feel you’ve wasted time reading.

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True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in BetweenTrue Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this over a week ago. I think it was even before I caught COVID. It was thankfully short as my attention span for the past couple weeks. But I do remember it fondly.

This is a memoir that covers a portion of someone’s life. I appreciated her take of her own life. She seems a strong person with good values. She embraces her family and the lessons learned along the way. She also has a good attitude about being as kind and helpful to others as possible.

Don’t you love Libby, where you can borrow books, even audiobooks? This one was read by the author and her personality shows through.

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