3.5. This is a great story told in an interesting way. It is not great literature but it is a story worth knowing of the Italian Resistance in WWII an3.5. This is a great story told in an interesting way. It is not great literature but it is a story worth knowing of the Italian Resistance in WWII and all the difficulties that Italians faced with different opposing armies in their country. The first half of the book seems more compelling and interesting than the final part. I loved the scenes of Peno taking refugees across the Alps. This was a good book of a great story....more
Technically this is several books, a few short story collections and the hilarious full-length Right Ho, Jeeves. In many places this is laugh-out-loudTechnically this is several books, a few short story collections and the hilarious full-length Right Ho, Jeeves. In many places this is laugh-out-loud funny and even when the gags start to get old Wodehouse manages to freshen it up with some new hilarity. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is all slapstick. The subtler humor is just as astute in these. ...more
I hope to finish this twice this year. I just finished the audio, narrated beautifully by Tim Curry, in time for my December book club meeting and I aI hope to finish this twice this year. I just finished the audio, narrated beautifully by Tim Curry, in time for my December book club meeting and I am reading it aloud to my students.
While I have friends who take umbrage at the works theology, I still find myself filled with joy that Scrooge changes. Dickens captures all that infectious joy. Truly this is a short, brilliant work capturing the essence of Advent, darkness before the light.
As to the rest of Dickens's works, I am an unapologetic fan. Yes, yes, he is wordy. Sometimes words are the thing. I find his delightful. I recommend Bleak House....the book, not the movie, if you need a starting place....more
Thoroughly enjoyed rereading this in preparation for watching the movie. This was the version that Kenneth Branagh narrated. I have a little crush on Thoroughly enjoyed rereading this in preparation for watching the movie. This was the version that Kenneth Branagh narrated. I have a little crush on his voice....more
Pure, light-hearted fluff. Much needed to break up some of my heavier reading. Great in audio. A nice companion for my trip to our son's wedding.Pure, light-hearted fluff. Much needed to break up some of my heavier reading. Great in audio. A nice companion for my trip to our son's wedding....more
Having just watched The Hollow Crown, this play was much easier to listen to. The audio alone can be quite confusing, but a familiarity with the play Having just watched The Hollow Crown, this play was much easier to listen to. The audio alone can be quite confusing, but a familiarity with the play helps. I love this whole cycle of plays. Shakespeare's ability to mix pathos and humor hits its stride in this cycle of plays.
The Arkangel recording is excellent, as expected....more
I grew up as a beach girl; I have the melanoma to prove it. I am pretty sure if I lived near the beach I would be a shriveled raisin unable to pull myI grew up as a beach girl; I have the melanoma to prove it. I am pretty sure if I lived near the beach I would be a shriveled raisin unable to pull myself away from the salt and the sun and the waves. I grew up in a similar time period as William Finnegan and while not a surfer, most of my background computer pictures are surf waves or surf pictures. I should have been the target audience for this book and yet I found myself disappointed in the length and sameness of each chapter. I liked this book but it seemed like I gave it far too much of ebbing sands of my life.
I bought this as an Audible Daily Deal because of its compelling reviews, and it was a well-written book which infused the flavor of post-Napoleon FraI bought this as an Audible Daily Deal because of its compelling reviews, and it was a well-written book which infused the flavor of post-Napoleon France beautifully. The story kept me interested and yet, for some reason, the plot faltered for me.
My own first introduction to 'the lost Dauphin' was in Huckleberry Finn.
I won't give away the plot but then again I am not sure how the plot was resolved. I like my plots resolved, my own life being yet unresolved :)
Whenever Audible offers a self-help book with good reviews, I am always tempted, mostly to my regret. This book turned out to be about meditation and Whenever Audible offers a self-help book with good reviews, I am always tempted, mostly to my regret. This book turned out to be about meditation and even had some great ideas about how to do what the Bible calls 'renewing your mind.' Most of those strategies can be gleaned from the book without resorting to speaking of a 'quantum creator.'
It is true that in order to change we have to be able to imagine ourselves as something different. We do have choices and we do not have to live our lives as victims of circumstances. Those reminders were very helpful. The fact that he shrouded them in quack science and bad theology was a bit too weird for me.
Still, today, I hope I can concentrate on forgetting what lies behind and reaching for the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus. ...more
So far I have read all of David Hewson's retellings of Shakespeare. The first two, Hamlet and Macbeth, he did with AJ Hartley and I gave them both 4 sSo far I have read all of David Hewson's retellings of Shakespeare. The first two, Hamlet and Macbeth, he did with AJ Hartley and I gave them both 4 stars. This one is purely an audio book. You cannot buy a hardcopy. The narrator, Richard Armitage is, as always, superb; the story less so.
What is an anachronism? Perhaps there is a certain time-travel joy in thinking what if Jane Austen was a modern girl? Or what if a modern girl got plopped down in Verona in the 15th century. This story is exactly that and it almost goes so far as to make the culture of Juliet's parents more appealing than our modern culture in which all of our Juliets are 'just me.' What if we could all be 'just me?' While it seems so appealing on paper and in our hearts even, the consequences to a society are devastating. In Hewson's messed up world Juliet is the only true person. She is true to exactly one person, herself. Her mother and all other female characters are guilty victims of the culture, weak and unable to break free. To make this work Count Paris is demoralized into a cardboard cutout villain. Romeo is reduced to spouting poetry which Juliet tires of rather quickly since their relationship spans only days. Perhaps, Hewson has done us all a favor by helping us to visualize just how unattractive a person who is 'just me' is. This book reminds me that we have reached the outer limits of the cult of individuality and none of us can find it very fulfilling.
Still, Richard Armitage has a lovely voice....more
A modern novel of manners by Downton Abbey/Gosford Park creator Julian Fellowes. I first fell in love with Fellowes when he played Killwillie on MonarA modern novel of manners by Downton Abbey/Gosford Park creator Julian Fellowes. I first fell in love with Fellowes when he played Killwillie on Monarch of the Glen. Plotwise this novel is just so-so, but as a vehicle for social commentary, it is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the narrator's (Fellowes?) opinions on social change from the late 1960s to the present day.
I read this as an audio book and the narration felt natural.
Warning: Increasing gratuitous sex and profanity towards the end of the novel, not overwhelming but be aware. ...more
In its genre, this is at least 4 stars, but for my overall reading, it is a very solid 3. My husband gets this series on Audible and whenever I need aIn its genre, this is at least 4 stars, but for my overall reading, it is a very solid 3. My husband gets this series on Audible and whenever I need a light mystery or diversion I read one. This one was quite good. I enjoyed the characters although it was a little tricky keeping up with all of them on audio. ...more
I know a lot about dieting having done it for most of my life. I know that calorie counting does lead to yo-yo weight management and yet it is often tI know a lot about dieting having done it for most of my life. I know that calorie counting does lead to yo-yo weight management and yet it is often the only option. Recently, I lost 25 lbs going back to Weight Watchers and now I am in the inevitable plateau with a few pounds creeping back up. This book was long, drawn out, and logical. If it hadn't been I might have rejected the ideas Dr. Fung promoted, especially the idea of intermittent fasting, something I have not been willing to think about until lately. I appreciated the way this book brought together so many different options. It made me really see that it must be a lifestyle change, but that can only happen under certain circumstances. It can't be a lifestyle of constantly fighting against yourself. Now comes the real test of the book. Can I do it? We had a wedding this weekend with another one coming up in November. I am going to try intermittent fasting until then. If I can't do it and I can't break this plateau, I will lower my review stars. If I can I will come back and give it 5 stars.
The best thing about this book is it took what I already knew by experience and put it into a context which gave me hope. ...more
Compelling, dystopian fiction. A lot of mixed emotions here. A father and son travel the road in a dystopian South, right through my neighborhood. SomCompelling, dystopian fiction. A lot of mixed emotions here. A father and son travel the road in a dystopian South, right through my neighborhood. Sometimes the father is cautious and sometimes the son. The son learns from the father in humility but he is also a person in his own right.(view spoiler)[ With the death of the father who has sheltered him, he is finally able to reach out to others. I half expected the nice family at the end to eat him, but it seems his trusting heart which I like to think he learned not from his father but because he trusted his loving father, was rewarded.(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] Lots to think about and not without tears. (hide spoiler)]...more
3.5 I enjoyed this as a summer novel. I liked the characters and would not mind meeting them again. This is not great literature but it is a fine, wel3.5 I enjoyed this as a summer novel. I liked the characters and would not mind meeting them again. This is not great literature but it is a fine, well-written story from a solid author. Not as lighthearted as her Royal Spyness mysteries which is good....more
This was an odd book. I cannot even imagine the author actually writing it. It sounds like she started speaking into a recorder without much of a planThis was an odd book. I cannot even imagine the author actually writing it. It sounds like she started speaking into a recorder without much of a plan and Voila! a book. While I can see some value in the concept, it would make a nice long article, or even a short one, rather than a whole book. Nevertheless, the author is sincere and likable and the concept is helpful. ...more
Loading...
