Wendi

Good Premise, but Sanctimonious

Revisado: 02-05-25

I never listened to a Mel Robbins book before, My cousin encouraged me to buy 'The Let Them Theory' and I gave it a listen.

First, Mel Robbins sounds like my boss. She is preachy, sanctimonious and she sounds ingenuine sometimes. She also repeats herself throughout the book which is frankly, annoying.

Second, she has a good message. This book is a great asset for people who are constantly worried what other people think. Also, a great option for 'control freaks' who need to let others just 'be.' There is plenty of great advice throughout. I just really didn't like the delivery.

Three Stars- just not my thing.

Wendi

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Wasn’t worth the wait, but credit-worthy

Revisado: 08-22-24

I have been anxiously awaiting Jodi’s new book since last January, and I preordered it. When it became available on Aug 20th, I dove right in. Here are my observations.

This is not your typical Picoult book. It’s a dual story of two talented women who are play writers. The first woman is a present day student who can’t get her work published because the head of the publishing company is a misogynist, so her friend submits it for her under a male-sounding name and when her play is selected she has to pretend she is the writer’s assistant in a somewhat comedy of errors.

The second woman is our modern day heroine’s ancestor who has the same issues in 1590. She was an impeccable and majestic writer but because she was a woman, she wasn’t taken seriously. However, she made a little money selling her writing to a Mister Will Shakespeare, who was supposedly a mediocre to poor writer at best.

This book is impeccably researched and by the time it’s over, readers will be seriously suspicious of Shakespeare’s legacy. It seem that all things point to him being a fraud. And of course there have been scholarly opinions and research stating the same, but it’s not really talked about and most people haven’t heard of the controversies.

I didn’t like the narration of this book. It didn’t fit with the prose. That happens once in awhile and it just so happened with this book- had I read it instead it may have been a better experience.

Picoult’s underlying tones of sexism and equality for women are woven throughout the story, past and present, but the topic of the book is extremely different than anything she’s written. There are also a lot of sex scenes which aren’t typical in Picoult’s books either. I think she tried a little too hard on the romance part when it came to the 1590s. But she does paint a vivid picture of 16th Century London. (Quite gross).

Overall this is a very interesting and off-beat novel about the importance and power of women, regardless of the time period. If Shakespeare isn’t your thing, you might want to skip it.

-Wendi

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Delicious!

Revisado: 08-13-24

I loved the first 'Mrs. Parrish.' Despite all of the psychological thrillers I listen to and read, that story really stuck with me. When I noticed that there was a new 'Mrs, Parrish' I was all over it. I couldn't wait to see what happens next!

I gobbled this novel up in a day. I loved all of the twists and turns in the fates of Mrs. and Mr. Parrish, and the ex Mrs. Parrish. This was a devilish delight, and fed my hunger for furthering the Parrish story. I am excited there will be a third!

Great work Ms. Constantine. Beautifully narrated, and although very far-fetched, excellent listen/read for those like me, addicted to the Parrish saga! Come on Book Three!

-Wendi

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Spot On! Absolutely Brilliant!

Revisado: 08-13-24

Bill Maher's politics have changed over time and I love that about him. He has the ability to look at America as a whole and really give his opinion (all true) about the idiocies that are evident in America, especially regarding politics and what's come to be our societal norms.

'What This Comedian said Will Shock You' is written and read by Maher. Maher's narration is as flawless as his logic. I felt like he and I were having a one sided conversation in which I was simply agreeing with everything he said.

The book is broken into several chapters, all titled the subject of his discussion. We have titles like 'Health, Trump, Love, Guns, Money, Religion, Drugs and Race.' Maher is never afraid to state his opinion, one with which I wholeheartedly agree on most issues. I love his rants, his sarcasm, and the truthfulness in the simplicity of it all.

Bill, great job. Keep them coming my friend. This is the best Audible Book I have listened to in years!

-Wendi

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Last half repetitive and obvious

Revisado: 08-13-24

I am not sure I would have finished 'Hush Little Baby' if it were read by another narrator. Xe Sands has a definite way of making the listener feel like what she is going to say is delivered with welcoming empathy. However, the story just isn't great.

We have a pregnant OBGYN, she is 36 weeks, and she is alone. Her wife has left her for another woman. She is also friends with a group of gals who are recovering alcoholics (just like her). Things start becoming weird for our main character when objects in her home start disappearing and mysteriously moving. Is she nuts? Is it just baby brain? Or is someone messing with her sanity?

This book is a cheap psychological thriller with an obvious twist and ending. I had figured out the mystery before it was half over. However, the narrator is really impressive and made me care about the main character long after I should have.

Don't use a credit, buy it on sale.

-Wendi

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I Like It Darker

Revisado: 06-12-24

King has produced another wonderful book of twelve short stories that mix horror, tension, and mystery to perfection. I enjoyed all of the short stories (and the long ones, ha!), and I love that King is so actively discussing present day issues in his works. Years from now, readers will stop and remember history, as well as continue to enjoy his writing.

Narration is perfect. I absolutely loved this book, highly recommend to all!

5 big stars

-Wendi

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Is This What Romance Novels Have Come To??

Revisado: 06-12-24

Where can I start?

I don't normally read romance novels. I haven't really read one in a very long time, unless a romance is part of an overall story line that deals with mystery and deceit. But, I saw the reviews on this book and I thought I would give it a try. I listened to it from beginning to end, and the only reason I kept listening was because I couldn't believe how terribly bad this book was. Furthermore, I was shocked to see it continually got worse.

We have a young girl of 11 with three older brothers. One of the older brother's friends falls in love with little sister. Their fate was sealed to be together forever. Then, they break up. She finds someone else. She never stopped loving her brother's friend. They get back together... blah blah...

I don't think I have ever hated a main character more. The narrator is emotionless through thirteen hours of narrating the story of a bratty, selfish child. This girl is married to her long time lover, the lead singer in one of the world's most successful rock bands- and she's also half in love with a gangster. Far fetched, unlikeable main character and awful narration- I must be missing something. Either that or my heart has turned cold to romance..

Yikes.

-Wendi

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Horrible

Revisado: 04-23-24

I wish I had my 11 hours and 8 minutes back so I could listen to something else.

I bought this book because one of the girls in my book club chose it. I won't be reading any more of her selections. Wow.. this book is awful.

The Daughter is about a family who's daughter goes missing and the entire book is the mother of the daughter recounting all of the ways she was the 'perfect mother' and couldn't understand what was happening. I wanted to tell her to shut up at least twenty times. The characters are so unlikeable- ALL of them. This includes the missing daughter.

This is not a psychological thriller in any way, shape or form. This is a boring story with an incredibly stupid ending that goes nowhere. What a waste of time.

-Wendi

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Narrator Sort of Ruins It

Revisado: 04-23-24

Lessons in Chemistry wasn't a book I was interested in. Mainly, I was distracted by the cover. I thought it was going to be an easy sort of beach read with the lady in sunglasses and red lipstick. I am glad I took the time to read the reviews, as I am equally glad I listened to this book. BUT..

I didn't like it nearly as much as others.

Don't get me wrong, this is a powerful novel demonstrating just how far we've come when it comes to equality in the work force. Even though of course, men still get preferential treatment at many companies, religious organizations, schools, etc, when I listened to 'Lesson's in Chemistry' I thought 'Wow, we've come a long way, Baby!'

Our heroine is a woman in the early 50s who also happens to be a scientist. During a time when everyone's roles were fairly laid out (women stayed home, men worked), Eve was the odd woman out. No one took her seriously as a scientist and in order to be able to continue her work, she had to publish through her husband (also a scientist). When her husband dies, she is left to her own devices and she has to find a way to continue working.

For a first novel, the prose in "Lessons in Chemistry' are remarkable. The issue I had was with the narrator and the main character. The narrator's tone made me dislike the main character. It was as if the narrator didn't really like the main character either, making her sound self absorbed and rude. Something just rubbed me the wrong way throughout the listen.

I will reiterate, I am glad I listened and it's a worthwhile book to purchase with a credit. I just didn't enjoy it much.

-Wendi

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Kristin Hannah- 5 stars?? Yep!

Revisado: 03-13-24

I will start by saying I don't ever remember giving a Hannah book 5 stars. I find that her older books are great beach reads, and some of the newer books she has published have been overly ambitious. I hated the Nightengale, and I thought the Great Alone was awful. The Four Winds was ok but more of a history lesson on The Dust Bowl.

However, 'The Women' is quite an accomplishment. Not only does Hannah nail the history lesson, she pulls the listener in with her to experience the devastation of war, the loss of love, and the comfort of friendship and partnership. This book is raw. It brings to life a perfect picture of the horrible treatment our veterans suffered when coming back from Vietnam. BUT, it focuses on the plight of the females who were in Vietnam, and no one knew it!

If you want to experience a wonderful time piece full of rich history and abundant human strength and spirit, get your Kleenex out and listen to this beautiful book.

Way to go Ms. Hannah- you knocked this out of the ball park. I so enjoyed this listen!

-Wendi

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