MBR: The Audiobook Shelf
Midwest Book Review
Brilliance Audio
Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
Marc Vietor provides a fine voice spiced with his background acting on
television and in film lending action and drama to John Ringo's A Hymn
Before Battle (1423395085, $29.99), a story of backward Terrans,
friendly races of the galactic federation who offer them help, and the
confusion of armies of humanity bound to protect not only Earth but
two other worlds. Military science fiction at its best comes to life
in a gripping audio. Ringo's EYE OF THE STORM (1423395182, $29.99)
also comes to life under Vietor's seasoned voice and proves a fine
sequel to Hell's Faire. A general's corps is destroyed and his staff
shot, he's arrested on war crimes charges, and a new invasion from a
mysterious race threatens. Three generals vie for control in this
engrossing military thriller.
Julie & Julia
Julie Powell
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
9781600245329, $16.98 www.hachetteaudio.com
Julie Powell herself reads her story and the CD set includes a special
conversation with the author in this fun, irresistible story of a
modern-day secretarial worker who decides to cook, in the span of a
year, every one of the 524 recipes in Julia Child's famous cookbook.
Her experiences and blog make for a fun, revealing story in this fine
audio, which springs to life as much as the movie.
The Master-Key to Riches
Napoleon Hill
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
9780143144618, $25.95 www.penguin.com
Joel Fotinos, a VP at Penguin Group, narrates this fine audiobook
offering the blueprint for Napoleon Hill's wealth strategy to
listeners who would understand 'cosmic habitforce', sharing wealth,
and more. It's an outstanding guide to wealth-building and riches and
is especially lively in audio format, perfect for listening in the car
and for any lending library general or business!
The Edgar Allan Poe Audiobook Collection #10: Deus et Machina
Edgar Allan Poe, author
Christopher Aruffo, narrator
Acoustic Learning Inc.
215 Prospect Ave., Highland Park, IL 60035
9780980058161 $19.99 www.poeaudio.com
Read aloud by classically trained performer Christopher Aruffo, The
Edgar Allan Poe Audiobook Collection #10: Deus et Machina is the
latest in a series of unabridged audiobook adaptations of Poe's
complete literary works. Many of the tales in Deus et Machina have
never before been released in audiobook form; all evoke Poe's mastery
of suspense, intrigue, and plot twists. As with the previous
installments in The Edgar Allan Poe Audiobook Collection, volume 10 is
an unforgettable listening experience and deserves the highest
recommendation to classic mystery/suspense fans and public library
audiobook collections. The tales in this collection are "The Facts in
the Case of M. Valdemar", "Mesmeric Revelation", "The Conversation of
Eiros and Charmion", "The Power of Words", "The Colloquy of Monos and
Una", "Von Kempelen and His Discovery", "Cabs", "A Moving Chapter",
"Street Paving", "Wooden Pavement", "Try a Mineralized Pavement", "The
Daguerreotype", "Anastatic Printing", and "A Chapter on Science and
Art." 4 CDs, 4 hours 39 minutes.
The Sword of the Lady
S. M. Stirling, author
Todd McLaren, narrator
Tantor Media, Inc.
2 Business Park Road, Unit 2, Old Saybrook, CT 06475
9781400106837 $54.99 www.tantor.com 1-877-782-6867
An unabridged audiobook adaptation of book six of S.M. Stirling's
"Emberverse" serious, about a modern world in which technology - and
most of the human population - has mysteriously been destroyed, The
Sword of the Lady: A Novel of the Change follows Rudi Mackenzie in his
travels across the former United States of America, in search of the
mysterious event that so greatly transformed the world. When he takes
up a mysterious, impeccably crafted sword, nothing around him will
ever be the same again - and he will have to use his weapon to defend
himself and those around him from the ruthless Church Universal and
Triumphant. Fans of Stirling's work are sure to enjoy this latest
installment, which - as it is from the perspective of one born into
the Changed world - also makes a great jumping-on point for anyone new
to the series. Former broadcaster and career voice-over actor Todd
McLaren reads aloud this thrilling audiobook saga, perfect for adding
another dimension of adventure to long road trips! Highly recommended.
17 CDs, 21.5 hours.
Hard Trail to Follow
Elmer Kelton, author
Jonathan Davis, narrator
Recorded Books, LLC
270 Skip Jack Road, Prince Frederick, MD 20678
9781428190610 $92.75 www.recordedbooks.com 1-800-638-1304
Hard Trail to Follow is the audiobook adaptation of a Western novel by
seven-time Spur Award winner Elmer Kelton. In this enthralling
adventure, young Texas Ranger Andy Pickardjoins the hunt for a
jailbreaker who murdered the local sheriff - a man Andy regarded as a
close friend and father figure. Andy continues the hunt after others
give up, but as he searches he comes across a puzzle - repeated
reports of the fugitive felon's compassion and honor. A dramatic saga
of difficult choices and shades of gray, highly recommended. 8 CDs,
8.75 hours.
The Book of the Maidservant
Rebecca Barnhouse, author
Susan Duerden, narrator
Listening Library, Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
9780739385531 $34.00 1-800-726-0600
Read by Rebecca Barnhouse (with an additional note read by the
author), The Book of the Maidservant is the unabridged audiobook
adaptation of the debut novel of medieval literature expert Rebecca
Barnhouse. Inspired by the fifteenth-century text "The Book of Margery
Kempe" (which happens to be the first known autobiography written in
English), The Book of the Maidservant follows Johanna, a serving girl
in attendance to medieval holy woman Dame Margery Kempe. Though Dame
Margery Kempe feels the pain of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, she
is all but blind to the suffering around her. When Dame Margery Kempe
embarks on a pilgrimage to Rome, the difficulties truly begin,
culminating in a bitter fight that causes Dame Margery Kempe to
abandon her own servants. A stranger in the strange land of Rome,
Johanna must find her own path. A saga of hardship, adaptation,
survival, inspiration, and ultimately the journey to redemption, The
Book of the Maidservant is enthusiastically recommended. 6 CDs, 6
hours 45 minutes.
Brilliance Audio
Box 887, Grand Haven, MI 49417
www.brillianceaudio.com
Jim Bond provides a seasoned voice and fine narrative viewpoint to
Larry Dossey, MD's The Power of Premonitions (1423392957, $29.99), a
survey of the possibilities of premonition and how to sense the
future. Dr. Larry Dossey questioned the nature of coincidence during
his first year of medical practiced when he experienced a week of
premonitions about his patients - all of which came true. His inquiry
blends research, science and personal insights in a fine, satisfying
survey any general audio library or new age collection will relish.
Health Geraham's THE DEATH DEALER (142339738X, $29.99) is a winner
read by Fred Stella and Natalie Ross, who provide a fine narration to
the story of a string of homicides mirroring an author's strange
stories. Excellent tension and drama come to life under the dual
narrative style. Terry Goodkinhd's WIZARD'S FIRST RULE (1423377923,
$44.95) receives an excellent reading by Sam Tsoutsouvas who adds
spice and stirring drama to this story of Richard, who encounters a
mysterious woman in his forest sanctuary. Their relationship calls him
to reach beyond his sword to a greater cause - a cause that will
change their world. The TV series 'Legend of the Seeker' is based on
this thrilling fantasy saga. John Irving's A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY
(1423391632, $49.99) offers an unabridged reading by Joe Barrett in a
fine story set in the summer of 1953, when two eleven-year-old best
friends playing baseball are involved in a tragic death. The boy who
hits the ball that kills his best friend's mother believes he's God's
instrument - and his revelations provide frightening in this tense
story. P.T. Duetermann's NIGHTWALKERS (1423336259, $36.99) receives
veteran narrator Dick Hill's smooth and engrossing voice as it tells
of an ex-con, a mysterious stalker, and pranks gone bad. Cam will need
all his abilities to stay alive and ahead of his stalker in this
engrossing saga. Close in title but not in topic is Healther Graham's
NIGHTWALKER (1423391241, $34.99), read by Tanya Eby Sirois and Fred
Stella and telling of Jessy, who places a gambling bet that nets her a
fortune. A man is murdered before her eyes and a private detective
attracted to Jessy finds himself immersed in a puzzle in this riveting
thriller. Suzanne Brockmann's HOT PURSUIT (1423342755, $38.99)
receives Renne Raudman and Patrick G. Lawlor's fine dual narrative
style as it tells of Alyssa, team leader of the nation's foremost
personal security company whose latest challenge is to protect herself
from a serial killer she's tracked for years. Intrigue and drama are
especially lively under the dual narration. Chris Kuzneski's THE
PLANTATION (1423389689, $29.98) receives veteran Dick Hill's fine
voice and provides a swift action-packed survey of a number of
disappearances of people across America of all ages. These are
kidnappings researched years in advance with the idea of revenge, and
it's up to Jonathan Payne to uncover the mystery of his girlfriend's
abduction in this riveting thriller. Mary Alice Monroe's LAST LIGHT
OVER CAROLINA (1423331230, $34.99) is narrated by Sandra Burr and
provides a moving story of a woman struggling to prove that love never
dies. Thirty years of love and sorrow blend in a powerful survey of
romance, separations and hard times. Eric Jerome Dickey's RESURRECTING
MIDNIGHT (1423345673, $36.99) receives Dion Graham's compelling,
smooth voice and tells of an international assassin who is one of the
most feared hired guns in the world. When Gideon is forced to take on
an assignment that will lead him to Argentina in pursuit of a package
sought by other assassins, a tense world adventure erupts. Very highly
recommended. Alice Hoffman's TURTLE MOON (1441812458, $29.99) receives
Sandra Burr's solid and experienced narrative style as it tells of a
small town changed in May, when migrating sea turtles return to the
town. A murder, a missing body, and a vanished pre-teen turns
everything upside down in this thriller, brought to life in audio.
John Updike's MY FATHER'S TEARS AND OTHER STORIES (1423397924, $29.99)
receives Luke Daniels' professional acting voice to spice a final
collection of short stories blending stories of the author's native
Pennsylvania with stories of New England and travel abroad. These
short features come to life in an outstanding presentation perfect for
any collection including Updike classics. Saul Bellow's HENDERSON THE
RAIN KING (142339349X, $29.99) receives Joe Barrett's fine voice as it
provides a 50th anniversary audio edition of Saul Bellow's classic
story of one man's spiritual quest to Africa. Listening to HENDERSON
THE RAIN KING provides a perfect introduction to Bellow's abilities -
and makes for a fine addition to any audio library covering classic
writings. Nicci French's UNTIL IT'S OVER (1423343697, $34.99) receives
Anne Flosnik's compelling voice spiced by her background as a stage
and TV actress as it tells of Astrid, on her way home when her
neighbor knocks her off her bike. The same neighbor is beaten to death
hours after the accident - and Astrid finds herself too close to a
series of murders. Joe R. Lansdale's BAD CHILI (1423384385, $29.99)
receives a fine narration by veteran Phil Gigante as it provides a
hilarious thriller centered around Hap, who wants to change his life
until he finds himself wrongly fingered for murder. A fun thriller
makes for an unusual combination of tension and laughter. Iris
Johansen's DEADLOCK (1423329244, $36.99) receives Jennifer Van Dyck's
warm voice and tells of Emily, a U.N. artifacts expert who finds
herself in a dangerous struggle for survival when her crew comes under
attack and she's held hostage by an evil captor. Chris Kuzneski's THE
LOST THRONE (1423389565, $29.99) receives veteran narrator Dick Hill's
smooth voice as it provides a quick thriller with plenty of history
and humor blended in. The combination when paired with audio is
killer: fast action, twists of plot, and an excitement that just won't
quit! David Ellis' THE HIDDEN MAN (142337925X, $29.99) receives actor
Luke Daniels' professional voice and provides another thriller from
David Ellis, this introducing Jason Kolarich, a Midwestern successful
attorney struggling with a tragedy that threatens his life. A murder
gives him pause in this fine thriller.
Hachette Audio
237 Park Avenue, New York NY 10017
www.hachetteaudio.com
Dylan Baker provides a fine voice spiced with his acting expertise in
James Patterson & Richard Dilallo's Alex Cross's Trial (9781600248535,
$39.98), a survey of Alex, who reveals his family history and
struggles for survival in the Ku Klux Klan era in the form of this
novel of the times. Murder, love, and bravery are written in the voice
of Detective Alex Cross and provide a riveting audio listen. J. Randy
Taraborrelli's THE SECRET LIFE OF MARILYN MONROE (9781600246517,
$29.98) receives Robert Petkoff's fine narrative style and tells of
Norma Jeane Baker, a.k.a. Marilyn Monroe, who built a flamboyant and
brief career. Portraits of the women influential in the life of Monroe
form her mother to her legal guardian are revealed in a biographical
sketch that comes to life in audio. Teri Woods' ALIBI (9781600246432,
$26.98) receives a vivid narration by Paula Jay Parker-Martin, who has
contributed her skills to over twenty movies, and follows the
experiences of two men who are robbing one of Philadelphia's biggest
drug lords when plans go awry. A fine crime thriller evolves. Deborah
Bedford and Joyce Meyer's ANY MINUTE (9781600246302, $29.98) receives
Ellen Archer's award-winning voice and background as a narrator,
actress and singer as it tells of Sarah, driven to success at any cost
and wishing to do good in the world. When her car plunges off a bridge
into a river, her spirit remains alive in this absorbing novel of a
new life., $20 PER GALLON by Christopher Steiner (9781600246920, $29l.
98) receives John Wolfe's fine film and TV background as it tells of a
near future where the price of gas will rise for decades, changing our
everyday life forever. From transport choices to timelines, this
chronicles a very different world.
Penguin Audio
375 Hudson, New York NY 10014
www.penguin.com
Frank Bruni's BORN ROUND; THE SECRET HISTORY OF A FULL-TIME EATER
(9780143145240, $39.95) tells of the author's endless hunger, a family
life of large-size Italian meals, and a relationship with food that
proved a challenge for years. He was a new York Times restaurant
critic in 2004 - and this brought him face to face with his
relationship with food. This is a dual story of weight and culture and
the evolution of a food critic, is na5rrated by the author, and will
delight any food fan. Terry Goodkind's THE LAW OF NINES
(9780143145233, $39.95) receives Mark Deakins' fine acting and stage
voice as it tells of Alex, a struggling Midwest artist who inherits a
huge expanse of land that turns him and his loved ones into a target.
Danger everywhere makes for an involving, vivid story that comes alive
in audio. Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor's TRAVELING WITH
POMEGRANATES (9780143144953, $34.95) receives a dual narration by the
authors and provides a touching memoir of a journey through Greece and
France in an effort to reconnect the mother/daughters. Their journeys
and their discoveries blend in a personal memoir and travelogue about
spiritual growth, mother/daughter interactions, and more. An inspiring
addition to any audio library.
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Midwest Book Review