Category: Audible


Review: From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley

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August 11, 2025

From Here to the Great UnknownFrom Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

With Riley Keough and Julia Roberts as narrators and including recordings by Lisa Marie Presley, I thought this would be quite the interesting read (listen). Instead, I found it confusing, if not just boring. Rich people’s problems.

Still, the family issues were common enough and pulled me along. And of course, meeting the music people who were famous in my youth.

I’m sure there are people who would fight with me about my opinions, but I was never an Elvis fan, even if my mother-in-law ( who saw him in concert in Long Beach) once saw him walking to a car, incognito as a woman. Who am I to question her? I did like some of his songs and even mastered one on the ukulele. (Love Me Tender) Oh, his gospel songs were pretty, too.

But the book just didn’t do it for me. Sorry. I was glad to get it from Libby. I’m sure others will love it. Enjoy.

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Review: Fear of Flying by Erica Jong

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August 7, 2025

Fear of FlyingFear of Flying by Erica Jong
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I read this as a newlywed. However, I don’t recall much of it. Maybe I read a bit and gave up? I felt that way as I read it this time, but I kept listening. Hope Davis (Narrator) gave the book more life than my eyes might have enjoyed. Still, it felt the author was full of woes that the rest of us didn’t have the choice to rise to.

This just didn’t bring the excitement it seemed to project. The erotica was not. Which is okay. It was considered progressive back in the day, but with shows like Game of Thrones and The Boys, it is naive.

Still, many of the issues presented for women remain, if not more repressed than in the 1970s. And the issues women, their mothers, and daughters face persist. So for these issues, it is worth the read.

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Review: Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

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August 4, 2025

CatalinaCatalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Another book I only sort of liked. Maybe I’m not the target audience? I’m not a young person pursuing college or flirting or in need of convincing against the deportation of dreamers or anyone working hard and trying to earn their right to be citizens and paying taxes as they go.

Still, the author managed to get inside the head of this young woman and provided the reader with valuable insights into another life. I admired that Karla Corneho Villavicencio narrated her book.

It was worth the read. I was happy it was available on Libby.

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Review: I’ll Be Right Here: A Novel by Amy Bloom

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August 1, 2025

I'll Be Right Here: A NovelI’ll Be Right Here: A Novel by Amy Bloom
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I didn’t finish this book. I found it confusing and dry. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and especially when it started hopping in time.

Mozhan Navabi (Narrator), didn’t help make me feel I knew who’s point of view I was listening to.

I’m sorry. I really wanted to like this book. But don’t take my word for it. The comments show quite a few people loved it. I was glad I could pick this up on Libby.

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Review: Overgrowth by Mira Grant

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July 31, 2025

OvergrowthOvergrowth by Mira Grant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is going to go down as one of my favorite books, ever. I am sad to have to let it go, but I’m promising myself to read it again soon.

I loved the whole story. I thought at first that it was another cozy mystery, just as it starts with the mother and family. But get ready, this is a roller coaster of fun, adventure, and, yes, nail-biting fear.

I listened to the Libby audio version, narrated by Caitlin Kelly, whose voice, acting, and enthusiasm make this so enticing to read that I picked it up at every chance. But I think this would hold up without a reader. The snark and love would show through, no matter how you decide to dive into it.

Thank you to whoever recommended it to me. I’m sorry, I don’t remember who it was.

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Review: The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

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July 28, 2025

The House of the SpiritsThe House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is so much to this book, I am having a hard time pinning it all down. But I found a review on GoodReads that says it all. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show…

This is a book about three generations of a family in Chile. All the characters are well-developed and complex, with both strengths and flaws. Ultimately, there may be a cautionary note for all of us.

Ana Navarro recommended this book on The View during the “Ladies Got Lit” segment. It is worth jumping into.

As I was browsing through the reviews, I realized this is actually book three, so I put book one on hold, Daughter of Fortune. I may have to read this book again after a deep dive into the first two. It held up well as a stand-alone for me. The writing is great, with enough Spanish to make me pay attention. Javiera Gazitua (Narrator) and Senén Arancibia (Narrator) brought the book alive. I found this on Libby,

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Review: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova

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July 25, 2025

The Inheritance of Orquídea DivinaThe Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The thing about reading is how many places you get to go. In this case Ecuador. Experience language, history, culture, foods, family interactions in a magical-yet realistic.

Ana Navarro recommended this book and I’m glad she did.

Don’t you love it when you can practice little bits of the Spanish language as you read. Meanwhile, I so enjoyed the far fecthed family adventures and immersed in magic.

This was a fun ride. Frankie Corzo (Narrator) reads Zoraida Córdova’s charactors so well you feel you are there with the characters going through some very crazy times.

I was so fortunate to pick this up from Libby.

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Review: This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear

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July 11, 2025


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Time Next Year We'll Be LaughingThis Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This has to be my favorite memoir. I love how Jacqueline Winspear takes us through her life. It is perfect in that she does her own narration.

If you were lucky enough to read or listen to the Maisie Dobbs series, you are rewarded in this autobiography by the glimpses of a real life beneath the fictitious murder mysteries. Ms. Winspear leads us through her childhood in England and to adulthood in Ojai, CA. We meet her family and see how their lives blended with the events in history and how they survived.

If you get the chance, Libby has this audiobook. It is a great way to ease away from the mystery series. Her life’s story helps me look at my own life and how to bring in the bits I have left out of my story without hurting others. Just tell your story. Now, if only I had a wonderful English accent!

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Review: Conclave by Robert Harris

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July 10, 2025

ConclaveConclave by Robert Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Pope died. It’s time for a new one. We’ve lived through a few of these. It is an interesting concept.

I’m not Catholic, but I have friends and family who are or have been. So I’ve always been curious. How does this work? How do they choose, especially since the church has a range of awesome and sinful? So when I saw the author on a talk show, I put the book on hold with Libby.

It was okay. For me, it was falling into a past of reading about men by men. Quite boring. But I’m glad I read it. Tiny bits of progress of thought seem to thread through this story. But I wonder if women are anything less than barefoot, pregnant witches to these self-important men. Sorry. Not sorry.

Still, these are my opinions that are changeable like the wind. Read it yourself and enjoy.

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Review: Every Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

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July 8, 2025

Every Moment SinceEvery Moment Since by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I ran out of something to read too early in the night. Libby had this story available to borrow. I wasn’t sure about it. Murder mysteries are not my favorite. Especially in cases where a child is missing. But with the multiple narrators and character development, I was drawn in. Although it was a whodunit, it was more about family relationships, watching the characters grow up without their loved one.

It is undoubtedly sad at times, but one has to find equilibrium after loss. I think that was the main point of the story.

I loved Marybeth Mayhew Whalen’s writing and the acting chops of Cassandra Campbell, George Newbern, Kirby Heyborne, Jane Oppenheimer, Macleod Andrews, and Renata Friedman.

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