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What If? – A Review of The Best of Me

This is a special guest post by Pam! Read on to find out what she thought about Nicholas Sparks’ latest audio book.

What if you had the chance to reconnect with your first and one true love 25 years after you said goodbye? Would you still be able to walk away? This is the question at the center of Nicholas Sparks’ new audio book, The Best of Me. In true Sparks fashion he weaves a tender story with twists, turns, ups, downs and as always an ending that will pull at your heart strings.

Long lost loves, Dawson and Amanda, have both moved on in their lives but seem to live a flat existence. Until external circumstances bring them back together for one fateful weekend that will change their lives and the lives of the people in their hometown forever. With characters that range from the overbearing mother, alcoholic husband, strong silent types, and violent back road brutes (the Cole relations left me feeling unsettled and never wanting to meet any of them even on a sunny day), Sparks brings to life a wonderfully troubled world that leaves Dawson and Amanda, always on edge.

The Best of Me is read by Sean Pratt and he does a respectable job. His way of creating different vocal tones for the characters allows the listener to follow the story easily. Told in both the present time and through flashbacks, the narrative unfolds seamlessly. The pacing towards the end of the book is perfection with its quick sections, drawing the listener into the lives and chaos of Dawson and Amanda.

Anyone who has listened to a Nicholas Sparks audio book (or seen one of the movies based on them) will have a sense of how the storyline is laid out. And yet for me this did not detract from the wonderful story that will leave you asking, What if?

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New Releases This Week!

We have some great new audio book releases this week that you might want to check out!

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
When Rory Deveaux arrives in London, she starts a new life, full of excitement and possibility. But it’s not what she had imagined. On the day she arrived, brutal murders broke out across the city that mimicked the horrific work of Jack the Ripper. With no leads, police are left with nothing. Or are they? Did Rory see the murderer and if so, what does she plan do to about it?

The Affair: A Reacher Novel by Lee Child
From New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, this is a story full of unrelenting suspense in the start of the new Jack Reacher saga.

Nightwoods: A Novel by Charles Frazier
Charles Frazier is known for his historical literary odysseys, and for making figures in the past come vividly to life. Set in the twentieth century, “Nightwoods” resonates with the timelessness of a great work of art.

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber
Many of us have high expectations at Christmas, but unlike Beth Morehouse, she expects this Christmas to be one of her best. She owns a prospering Christmas-tree farm, her daughters are happy and well, and her relationship with a vet shows promise. That is until she finds a basket on her doorstep. A great holiday romance, it’s perfect for the holidays just around the corner.

Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend by Susan Orlean
Don’t miss the story of the great dog actor’s journey from his birth in 1918 on a WW1 battlefield to his Hollywood career and beyond. Orlean’s audio book tells the story of endurance and the extraordinary bond we have with animals.

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Do you believe in banning books?

Was there ever a book you weren’t allowed to read growing up? A book you had heard so much about, but your school or library refused to have it available? Of course banning books is no new concept; however it is still unbelievable when it continues to happen today. It happens so much so, that this week has been declared “banned books week”. This is an annual event held by the American Library Association that they describe as “celebrating the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.”

Recently, there have been various books banned from all over the United States, many in which I had read way back in high school in my English classes in Canada. There are various reasons why books are banned, some due to sexual perversity or overall obscenity like Lolita, or because of political, religious, or racial grounds.

Below are some commonly challenged books that Simply Audiobooks has available if you are interested hearing these audio books for yourself. But as you look through the list, ask yourself, where do you stand with the content questioned? Should these stories be banned from young people in schools, or should they be made available for everyone and let the parents decide whether their children have the maturity and sense to understand the content of these stories.

I know I do not believe in banning books, but I do believe that the content in many of these banned books can be quiet challenging to understand. I believe some students in school are mature enough to handle the content, but it’s those that aren’t ready for it, where the content could do more harm than good.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence – This book was banned for sexual content.

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Judy Blume

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Authors Expanding Their Readership!

Some of our favorite big name authors are changing direction and in a good way. They will be expanding their readership by writing novels for teen readers. Now, everyone has the opportunity to discover these great authors.

British author Philippa Gregory, known for The Other Boleyn Girl, just announced that she will be writing four new young-adult historical romance novels. I couldn’t be more thrilled about this as I enjoyed The Other Boleyn Girl.

Harlan Coben, who just released his latest YA novel, Shelter, will be focusing on a high school student character, Mickey Bolitar, who first appeared in Coben’s adult novel, Live Wire. This should be an interesting transition, since anyone who listened to Live Wire, may also be interested in finding out more about Mickey in this new novel.

John Grisham, Candace Bushnell and James Patterson have also joined in on readership expansion by writing YA best sellers. Grisham’s two Theodore Boone novels are both about a young lawyer who looks to be about 12 years old. Bushnell, known for writing Sex and the City, has published two books in her young-adult series, The Carrie Diaries and Summer and the City which are narrated by a younger Carrie. Patterson has also written Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life which was released this past summer.

It seems that no matter what age or genre an author is writing for these days, it is becoming less divided, as more readers seem to pick up a story because they like the story itself, not because they are the intended audience. A perfect example for this would be Twilight! There are many people in their 30s and onwards who enjoy this vampire fiction series. It is not restricted to just teens anymore.

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Finding Happiness – A Review of Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and looked at yourself naked? Did you like what you saw? In Matthew Norman’s Domestic Violets, the audio book starts with Tom Violet dissecting every aspect of his life, how he has a beautiful wife, a career, and a great family. But his inability to “perform” on command gets in the way, and he quickly wonders why. He stands in front of a mirror and reflects on everything imaginable.

It’s through this reflection that a portrait of his life is made, and the reader is quickly thrown into Tom Violet’s world. At times I felt as though I knew this character in person and not as a character in a story. The realistic events that occur sound all too familiar and sometimes made me feel uncomfortable, like I was spying in on someone’s very private life. Nonetheless, it was the realism the author presented that made this audio book such an enjoyable story.

As the story unfolds, you realize why Tom Violet seems to be stuck in a rut, and to make matters worse the wanna-be author, has to deal with a father who has just won the Pulitzer Prize. Talk about living up to your parents’ expectations.

The narrator, Todd McLaren, does a wonderful job exposing all the characters in Tom’s life. His use of tone and vocal expressions helped give even more depth to the character of Tom Violet. Although the story at hand was superb, the narration helped move the story beautifully along.

Full of sarcastic wit, you’ll feel a bond with Tom Violet that you won’t soon forget. I’m glad I listened to this audio book; it’s one you shouldn’t pass up!

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New Releases This Week!

We have some more great new audio book releases this week that I thought I should share with you all! September looks promising!

Dear Cary by Dyan Cannon
When someone seems too good to be true, they probably are. In this heartwarming and heartbreaking story of Dyan Cannon’s romance with screen legend Cary Grant, you’ll discover what truly went on behind closed doors. This is a great audio book for anyone who has ever loved and lost in this inspirational story about what love really means.

Reamde by Neal Stephenson
If you’ve ever felt like the black sheep of the family, Reamde might peak your interest. An epic page-turner filled with unexpected twists and turns, you’ll discover unforgettable villains and unlikely heroes who face off in battle for survival. From the global war on terror to social media, computer hackers to mobsters, entrepreneurs to religious fundamentalists, Reamde, is a virus that encrypts electronic files that effect many players.

Heat Rises by Richard Castle
Fast-paced and full of intrigue, Heat Rises, pairs the tough and sexy NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat with hotshot reporter Jameson Rook, in Richard Castle’s most thrilling mystery yet.

Confidence Men by Ron Suskind
Stripped down to its core, Wall Street and the White House both symbolize power, and with power comes confidence. Until August 2007, when that confidence finally began to crumble. Ron Suskind tells us the story of struggle and follows the journey of Barack Obama, who rose as the country fell.

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
The final book of the Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan series keeps getting better and better. Set in WW1, Alex and Deryn have reached the climax to this epic adventure on board the airship known as the mighty Leviathan. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, you’re sure to enjoy this series.

The Great Crash Ahead by Harry S. Dent
Harry S. Dent, Jr., an economist specializing in demographics, predicts that deflation is coming with prices of real estate continuing to fall. This is Dent’s economic forecast of the future ahead based on changes in demographic trends.

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Roger Ebert – Louder Than Ever

He is unable to speak, but his voice couldn’t be louder. Roger Ebert, known as America’s famous film critic, has released a new memoir, Life Itself. Many of us, who have had the opportunity to watch his critiques of certain films with his companion Gene Siskel, remember the brotherly bond, the arguments and the popular thumbs up! Now, we have the opportunity to go behind the scenes in Roger Ebert’s life.

Although I haven’t listened to it yet, I’m huge fan of memoirs and wanted to spread the news about this one. However, this month seems to be quiet the month for us biography lovers with the release of John Lithgow’s Drama, Dick Cheney’s In My Time and Jane Lynch’s Happy Accidents, there are many I need to get my ears on.

I enjoy the thrill of hearing a memoir and knowing someone has actually experienced what I’m listening to. It adds a whole new point of view to the audio book in my opinion. What do you think of memoirs? Do you enjoy them as much as you would a work of fiction, or do they impact you differently?

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Great New Releases This Week

We have some great new audio book releases this week that could help you adjust to the new back to school schedules. You just might find yourself wanting to be stuck in traffic listening to an audio book in your car.

New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
From the number one New York Times bestselling author J.D. Robb comes this terrifying new case for the New York homicide cop, Eve Dallas. The monster that has been abducting young victims and leaving them scarred is also planning on getting revenge on the woman who has tried to stop him. Eve must deal with the serial pedophile and confront the villain she hoped to never see again.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The hype for this audio book is well deserved. Narrated by Jim Dale, things don’t get any better than this. The story follows two young, love –struck magicians who compete in a magical circus. The circus isn’t your typical circus either; with attractions like a carousel with breathing animals and handkerchiefs that turn into birds, this is one enchanting story you won’t want to stop listening to.

Perfect by Ellen Hopkins
The anticipated sequel to Impulse has arrived. In this riveting new novel, harsh truths are exposed about what it takes to grow into our own skin and be perfect through our own eyes.

Happy Accidents by Jane Lynch
She’s not just a hoot to watch on Glee, she also knows how to entertain in her new novel, Happy Accidents. Lynch takes you through her life, right from the moment she was born all the way through to her 2010 Golden Globe win. This is one inspirational narrative that will have you bursting out in laughter.

Life Itself: A Memoir by Roger Ebert
Discover the best-known film critic of our time, Roger Ebert in this dramatic story of his life and career. In this candid, personal history, Ebert chronicles it all: his loves, losses, and obsessions; his marriage and his struggle and recovery from alcoholism. Filled with dry wit, this is more than a memoir; it is an inspiring look at life itself.

For more audio book releases this week, check out the following:

Robert B. Parker’s Killing the Blues ( A Jesse Stone Novel) by Michael Brandman

Forbidden by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee

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The Night Circus Attempts to Recreate the Magic of Harry Potter

For those who are left with a void after the release of the final Harry Potter movie this past summer, there’s a new audio book said to fill that void. The new novel The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, has been getting so much hype, I can’t help but stop to wonder why. The author has never published so much as a short story before. However, with her first big release there’s got to be something people are excited about.

The novel tells the story of two young, love-struck magicians who compete in a magical circus. The circus isn’t your typical circus either; it opens at night and closes at dawn. At first it kind of reminded me of the audio book Water for Elephants, the circus being the backdrop to forbidden love. But after reading more about it, it does have more of a whimsical feel to it. Apparently, Summit Entertainment, the production company behind the “Twilight” films has already snapped up film rights.

And let’s not forget the big publication parties that resemble big-budget film premieres. Some bookstores are bringing in magicians, jugglers, cider, candied apples and other carnival fare to help re-create the atmosphere of the book. Hmm…funny, I don’t remember vampires roaming around the final release of Breaking Dawn nor any apples!

Although there were thousands of people lined up for the final Harry Potter book in 2007, do you think The Night Circus will have the same effect? Would you line up for hours in the middle of the night to get this book?

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Fun, Fresh & Quirky – Girls In White Dresses

For those who have been following me on Twitter or even Facebook, you already know how obsessed I have been listening to Girls in White Dresses by Jennifer Close. Since today is audio book review day, I thought I’d write about my experience listening to this wonderful and quirky story.

Although the narration by Emily Janice Card wasn’t overly thrilling, the story itself proved this audio book worthy of being listened to, especially since you can relate to the characters. There are no vocal distinctions to differentiate between all the characters, which I would say is the biggest flaw to the audio book, but if you pay close attention to who’s speaking you should be fine. If you can follow it, the audio book is really a hoot to listen to.

At first I thought I enjoyed the story mostly because of the age group of the characters, late twenties, characters I could relate to, but by the end of the audio book I started to realize most people go through the same quarrels as these young women at least once in their lives. Whether young or old, the antics are still familiar.

Girls in White Dresses follows Mary, Lauren and Isabella from their graduation day from college, through their careers, friends, relationships, and marriage well into their early thirties. Throughout the story, you’re hooked with the snapshot moments of each life that are presented. You’ll discover their hopes and dreams, fears and disappointments.

Forget watching hours of The Wedding Story or Rich Bride Poor Bride, listen to this fresh and laugh out loud funny audio book instead. And don’t forget to share it with your BFF either.