Our holiday road trip listen. Another great one from Malcolm that covers lots of topics from crime in Miami (why didn't they use the same creativity toOur holiday road trip listen. Another great one from Malcolm that covers lots of topics from crime in Miami (why didn't they use the same creativity to help the world?!?) to 'perfect' towns and monoculture to overdose deaths to the rule of 3rds (needed in groups for representative to be helpful) and getting into Ivy league schools (rich people will make a way). ...more
A long life lived as a performer. It's pretty amazing, she seemed to not ever have to work as a waitress but was able to get dancing and acting jobs enA long life lived as a performer. It's pretty amazing, she seemed to not ever have to work as a waitress but was able to get dancing and acting jobs enough to support herself. I didn't know she was in the original cast of A Chorus Line (I watched some clips and have the songs in my head this week). Lots of names and shows and plays and movies. Serial romantic relationships as well as diving into her family, and health concerns. I guess in a lot of ways that is what lives boil down too. It will be interesting to discuss some of the more interesting aspects of her life at book club. ...more
Disclaimers - when I drive I like to listen to audiobooks and I had a long drive this weekend. I keep an to read shelf on goodreads for audiobooks forDisclaimers - when I drive I like to listen to audiobooks and I had a long drive this weekend. I keep an to read shelf on goodreads for audiobooks for ones that are recommended to listen to. On a podcast recently someone shared this book as something unexpected that they enjoyed. I thought I heard it was an memoir of an audiobook narrator (now that I listened to the end and the author's note I understand my misunderstanding) anyway, I saw it on Libby, saw it had a two week wait but it said it was available the morning I was leaving so I quickly downloaded it and started listening... This in not nonfiction, it is romance (!) and women's fiction. It starts out really steamy but then goes to more chick lit. Anyway lots of disclaimers - this has lots of language and sex and drinking (though I was glad they had one sober character). But the story is really engaging and I was so glad I had something entertaining being stuck on I35 traffic. I laughed out loud, was annoyed with the human-ness of the MCs and cringed at some of the cliches (if you say there are cliches, then they are ok right?) But there were also important topics explored like grandparent in memory care and everyone's role, what Hollywood does to actors (I was glad there were some consequences to someone almost starving themselves), what to do when your plans/dreams are taken away and accepting yourself and your circumstances. It was set in Vegas, LA & Venice which was fun. And of course the voices are soooo good. ...more
Caleb got this for audio on our Christmas drives. We didn't finish it and the girls didn't want to. I couldn't remember if I had read it in high schoolCaleb got this for audio on our Christmas drives. We didn't finish it and the girls didn't want to. I couldn't remember if I had read it in high school (I did read Animal Farm, Brave New World & Fahrenheit 451) so I wanted to finish the classic (and record it forever here in Good Reads). I know it is supposed to be a warning, but it is completely miserable, no hope and such torture (literally and figuratively). I didn't really like the characters and some parts went on too long. There are a few things that are good to think about and it obviously inspired future dystopian works. I wonder what George would think about our current capitalist (late-stage??) Big Brother that gives us shopping hints. ...more
I heard many great reviews of this book and all said to listen to it on audio, which I agree, the interspersed songs and him singing and just him tellI heard many great reviews of this book and all said to listen to it on audio, which I agree, the interspersed songs and him singing and just him telling/reading in his own voice was wonderful. AND he does voice impressions, with the highlight of that being US President Bill Clinton. He talks about his childhood (sad) with Troubles and family issues, forming the band (they formed in High school and he also met his wife in HS!), songwriting and each album, but my favorite parts were about his activism. By someone else (or someone else reading) it could sound like name after name dropped but I believe he valued these relationships and tried to live his life helping others, especially 3rd world debt, the AIDS epidemic and other extreme poverty causes (and he shares somethings they got right and many things learned). You get to see inside the artist/poetic moodiness and being demanding. The sides of loving the scripture and God and the least of these and dropping F-bombs and living like a rock star. I wish I could have seen the pictures of a print book and sometimes the chapter titles and changing topics was hard being audio. I went on hold with Libby and waited months to get it and then had 2 weeks to listen to 20 hours, I got exactly half way and had to turn it in and had a couple more months wait, but this time I finished it! Some good thoughts - he sees the irony of an Irish man with an anger problem being an activist for non-violence (but he didn't let it stop him!). He also says Americans problem with guns is the same as the Irish problem with alcohol: they don't know they have one. It is long and some parts didn't interest me, but if you are a fan (as a child of the 80s they have often been the soundtrack of my life) or want to know about a do-gooder rock star I definitely recommend this memoir. And I want a house in the south of France now!...more
I've enjoyed seeing Tom's interactions with the cast, especially his 'dad' in the years since HP came out. I can't remember who recommended this book I've enjoyed seeing Tom's interactions with the cast, especially his 'dad' in the years since HP came out. I can't remember who recommended this book but they recommended the audio. I was caught up on podcasts so I needed to good listen. Tom is very British, very face-effacing, and very mischievous. His antics and memories were humorous to listen to. He only had great things to say about his co-actors from HP. Then things got a little more real after the films were over and he was making his way in the world. He wants people to be ok with rehab and emotions and addictions and mental health struggles and I commend him for being authentic in sharing his life to this point and keeping it light and remembering the less fortunate (in world's wealth and health). I was a little surprised at the smoking(!) can't believe young people ever do that now and the amount of cheeky F-bombs thrown in, that might alienate a few of his potential audience. ...more
This was a really good book. I have done several Beth Moore Bible studies and really sympathized with her 'fall from evangelical grace' as someone who This was a really good book. I have done several Beth Moore Bible studies and really sympathized with her 'fall from evangelical grace' as someone who opposed Trump, so I knew I would like this book. I kinda feel like everyone needs a personal therapy session after reading this and I'm glad I had the next best thing in a book club (we ate at Chuy's and I got enchiladas even though I don't really like them because she mentioned them). We agreed that while she told a lot, she left a lot to mystery (like when was the last time she was abused? did her mom know about it?) Reading about her upbringing in a small town Baptist church made me long for that, but her descriptions of her new liturgical church made me long for that as well! She was funny (I listened to it and enjoyed her voice) and heartfelt and inspiring. ...more
Abandoned. I got it for our road trip and now that the kids have phones its not as necessary. The voice of one of the characters was weird and they weAbandoned. I got it for our road trip and now that the kids have phones its not as necessary. The voice of one of the characters was weird and they weren't following....oh well. I think I would enjoy it if I read it. ...more
Our Christmas trip car ride book. And we all wanted to listen so much that we finished it on our first trip of two. I really like Shannon Hale and her Our Christmas trip car ride book. And we all wanted to listen so much that we finished it on our first trip of two. I really like Shannon Hale and her fairy tale retellings and girl power tales. This one was interesting with the Mongolian culture touches. I would have probably liked it more if I should have quickly read and not had the angsty teen voices of the audio. Makes me want to read more of her works again. ...more
I had to listen to this because a paper copy wasn't available at the library. ST is delightful so that was lovely UNTIL he started yelling the F word I had to listen to this because a paper copy wasn't available at the library. ST is delightful so that was lovely UNTIL he started yelling the F word about how good food tastes and I am listening at work. Besides of all the salty language and the fact that he doesn't have a sweet tooth, this was a fun memoir of an actor who gets to work in food. I liked all the places he has traveled. And how cute he was about name dropping. It was nice that he doesn't take himself too seriously and yet also takes things seriously that should be. He didn't mention many movie names that he has been in except Julie & Julia and Big Night (which I watched and it is a fun pairing for the book) but at the same time those are the only ones of him movies that are food focused and that is the topic of this book. ...more
I needed something to listen to for my trip to Salado and found Oliver Gee's memoir released as an audio experience on his podcast the Earful Tour whiI needed something to listen to for my trip to Salado and found Oliver Gee's memoir released as an audio experience on his podcast the Earful Tour while he is on paternity leave. It was a fun trip to France through the eyes of an Australian. Quirky moments, helpful friends, fun and insight into an expat's life and work in Paris.
Merged review:
I needed something to listen to for my trip to Salado and found Oliver Gee's memoir released as an audio experience on his podcast the Earful Tour while he is on paternity leave. It was a fun trip to France through the eyes of an Australian. Quirky moments, helpful friends, fun and insight into an expat's life and work in Paris....more
Summer drive audio book. Another cute, moral-realism, slice-of-life Penderwick sister summer tale. I laughed out loud many times. And even got teared uSummer drive audio book. Another cute, moral-realism, slice-of-life Penderwick sister summer tale. I laughed out loud many times. And even got teared up once. Glad we found these for drives. And now I want to go scamper around on Maine coastal rocks. ...more
I really wanted to dive back into this world but our library only had it in audio, so I tried it. The voices were good, but I often got distracted sincI really wanted to dive back into this world but our library only had it in audio, so I tried it. The voices were good, but I often got distracted since I didn't have a book in my hand. Anyway, this furthers the first book and keeps a lot open for going forward (isn't it nice to start a series that has already been completed?) Interesting world and characters, quirky heroine, lots of intrigue and more questions about god (glad it is coming out that is more ancient understanding of god but I don't like that we use the same word for the God of Christianity....)...more
Got this for my drive to central Texas and back and then it was too long so I got the print to finish it, I liked having the audio voices in my head wGot this for my drive to central Texas and back and then it was too long so I got the print to finish it, I liked having the audio voices in my head while finishing it. Solid southern crime story. Not much mystery but lots of characters and perseverance. Not the best but kept me awake and then reading until finished. JG keeps writing faster than I read but maybe one day I'll read them all. ...more