Topic: Audio-books

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Razor's Edge by Somerset Maugham.
--I never was really sure what this book was really about.  *laughs* I know that sounds strange...but it's true.  The story kept me just interested enough to not turn it off.  I was waiting for something to stick out and grab ahold of me...but it never did.  I can't say that it was a bad story...it wasn't.  But I can't say that it was good either...it wasn't.  Of course, that's just my opinion.  Geoff suggested I get the version that was read by Frank Muller...however, they didn't have that version...so I got one read by a lesser reader (although I wouldn't call him a bad reader).  Anyway, maybe that's why I didn't really get into this one...*shrug*...oh, well.

Next up, Hornet Flight, by Ken Follett...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-Hornet Flight, by Ken Follett.  
--After listening to another of this Authors books (titles Code to Zero read by George Guidell) which I absolutely loved I was kinda going into this one with one thumb down already.  Ken actually wrote this book quite a while ago...not sure when though...but it was written way before Code to Zero.  Anyway, the book is set in early WWII times and mainly in Demark.  You'd think that wouldn't be too gripping for us United States peeps...but I was bound and determined to give it a try.  I was pleasently surprised!   Very pleasently surprised!  The book started out good...got a little slow in the middle (but still entertaining)...and then ended with what I'm calling the absolute BEST ending I've ever listened to!  So, there you go...a total must read...in my opinion!

Next up, The Bancroft Strategy, by Robert Ludlum...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Bancroft Strategy, by Robert Ludlum.
--Ok, this book was good.  The only problem I found was that it was too long.  The main character, Todd, was a Jason Bourne type…which I guess falls right into Mr. Ludlams realm.  He was very likeable, though, and I thought the entire story was well written! There were a few scenes where it got just a bit unbelievable…like narrow escapes and stuff…but all in all it was very entertaining.  Like I said, a few of the scenes could have been cut out to save a bit of length, but overall it was good.  The twist at the end was pretty good…I caught myself saying “Now, why didn’t I think of that!”  hahahaha  

The whole plot of the book is *very* interesting.  So much so, that I still think about it…and wonder how much of it *could* be really happening right now!  And the book ends very satisfactorily…with a slight hint of a sequel (very slight, mind you!)  I recommend this one to anyone interested in bad-ass clandestine operatives, and conspiracy theories.

Next up, 'So Long, And Thanks for all the Fish', by Douglas Adams...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-So Long, And Thanks for all the Fish, by Douglas Adams.
--I really love Douglas Adam’s Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Series!  If you go into these books with an open mind and prepared for some clever humor, you’ll be pleasantly surprised!  I like expecting to laugh at any time…and yet, still being surprised when something extremely funny pops up!  
I recommend these books to anyone wanting to take a break from ‘regular’ fiction and just have a fun read (or fun listen, in my case!) *smile*

Next up, 'The Magicians Nephew', by C.S. Lewis...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Magicians Nephew, by C.S. Lewis.
--I got the entire Narnia Collection to listen to and this one was first in the list.  Even though it was not the first one written.  Apparently Mr. Lewis was blasted with requests for a prequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe...which resulted in this book.  And while it was written as a prequel there are not spoilers in it...so, it's just fine to read first.

Now, as for the presentation...it's like a hollywood movie!  With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator!  My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear.  But other than that...this was excellent!

The story itself was really clever too.  The entire premise of the Narnia world was opened up and revealed.  I enjoyed this one throughly.  It's a feel good fantasy story...which, sometimes, a person needs like a breath of fresh air!
 
Next up, 'The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe', by C.S. Lewis...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.
--Again, the presentation on this was amazing...like a hollywood movie! With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator! My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear. But other than that...this was excellent!

The story itself is, of course, timeless! I actually saw the movie first and was surprised at how closely the two stories were!  The main characters lived and saved the world...as a true epic should end!  *smile*  I really liked this story and recommend it to anyone interested in fantasy fiction.  Old and Young alike.

Next up, 'The Horse and His Boy', by C.S. Lewis...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Horse and His Boy, by C.S. Lewis.
--Again, the presentation on this was amazing...like a hollywood movie! With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator! My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear. But other than that...this was excellent!

This is the best one in this series, so far, in my opinion!  The main character was not magically transported from our world…and the entire adventure takes place outside of Narnia territory.  The characters are very memorable, the story very entertaining, and the twist at the end is…predictable…but still satisfying!  Good read!  

Next up, 'Mostly Harmless', by Douglas Adams...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-Mostly Harmless, by Douglas Adams.
-- *screams*  Ugggghhhh!  
Why, why, why…did he end it like this!  Oh, mercy!  I absolutely LOVED all the books in this series…I was in…hook, line, and sinker!  Even this final book was excellently funny and entertaining…until the end!  What a horrible ending!  Man, I hate bad endings…I’d totally recommend this book if I hadn’t read that last chapter!

Sorry to ruin it for you…but, good god…five great books culminated into *that*  I despise bad endings…can you tell?  *hahaha*

Ok, on a lighter note…the book was just as funny as the previous ones…albeit a bit darker.  So, in the end, it’s worth reading (or listening to) with the knowledge that the end is probably not cracked up to what you think it is.  

Next up, 'Prince Caspian', by C.S. Lewis...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-Prince Caspian, by C.S. Lewis.
--Once again, the presentation on this was amazing...like a hollywood movie! With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator! My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear. But other than that...this was excellent!

I liked this one a ton!  Great story!  The main four brothers and sisters are back from Earth…and something vital to Narnia is happening!  The premise of the timeline is a really neat twist and we get to visit old sites from other books.  The end battle is very good…and the way this one ends is extremely satisfying!  Seems like these books just get better and better!

Next up, 'Idlewild', by Nick Sagan...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-Idlewild, by Nick Sagan.
--*Takes a deep breath*  Wow…what a great book!  I can recommend this one to about anybody…especially those of you that like the Matrix movies!  *smile*

It took a little bit for me to get used to this one…but, once I did…man it was a ride!  Not a whole lot of ‘action’ per se …but just very thought provoking…with a twist at the end that scrambled my brain real good!

It starts out like a weird futuristic vampire book…and everything is even more confused from the fact that the main character is suffering from amnesia.  So, that’s why it takes a bit to get used to…but just stick with it…it all falls into place.  And, no, it’s not a vampire book…not really!  Hahaha  (although, it does have a vampire in it!)

Read this book!  The end is left WIDE open for more…I believe two more books have been written as a trilogy.  So, there is more!  *wink*
 
Next up, 'Zorro: A Novel', by Isabel Allende...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-Zorro: A Novel, by Isabel Allende.
--If you’ve ever liked Zorro…you need to read this book!  This was a total surprise to me…I’m not sure what I was expecting…but it wasn’t this.  Basically, this is the story of how Zorro came to be.  Starting with his parents and how they met…running through Zorro’s youth, experiences, and training…and ending with Zorro saving Alta California from his life nemisis.  A great book!  Very satisfying and full of adventure!

I should create some type of rating system.  This book would get the highest rating…for sure!
 
Next up, 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader', by C.S Lewis.

[Geoff]

Just finished:

Cloudburst - by Ryne Douglas Pearson.  Read by Frank Muller, this book is a thrill ride of a story.  It starts with the messy and extravagant assasination of the American President by two Arab brothers.  What follows is a tense account of the country's attempts to right itself and follow a string of seemingly unconnected clues to uncover the real killers.  Things get really interesting when the third brother hi-jacks an American airliner and turns it towards the capital.

Brilliantly read by Frank Muller, this story is definitely one I would recommend to anyone.  It is well researched, the characters are interesting and the plot moves a good pace.  

Next up:  American Gods by Neil Gaiman.

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-Voyage of the Dawn Treader, by C.S. Lewis.
--Yes, again, the presentation on this was amazing...like a hollywood movie! With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator! My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear. But other than that...this was excellent!

We are introduced to a new character in this one.  A cousin of the original four brothers and sisters.  Eustace Scrubb, is a bullying twerp at the start of this book.  He, Edmund, and Lucy are magically transported into Narnia and the adventure begins immediately.  They hook up with an older Prince Caspian who is sailing after some long lost Lords of Narnia.  There is the return of a few characters from the book ‘Prince Caspian’ and a great high-seas adventure to boot.  There are Dragons, Sea Serpents, Magical spells, Aslan, and a journey to the end of the world.  Very good book, right on par with the previous Narnia books I’ve reviewed so far.
 
Next up, 'The Silver Chair', by C. S. Lewis...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Silver Chair, by C.S. Lewis.
--Yes, again, the presentation on this was amazing...like a hollywood movie! With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator! My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear. But other than that...this was excellent!

Eustace returns to Narnia with a friend! King Caspian is old and dying and his son is missing.  Eustace is changed to find King Caspian’s long lost son.  The adventure is really fun and takes us into the caves and caverns of the underworld!  A new character is introduced, Puddleglum the Marsh-wiggle, who has a charm and personality that I won’t soon forget!  Of course, if you’re reading these books you’ll be drooling over this one…anything to get back to Narnia!  Great, fun, read!

Next up, 'The Last Battle', by C. S. Lewis...

[Garrison Bain]

Just finished:

-The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis.
--Yes, again, the presentation on this was amazing...like a hollywood movie! With sound effects, great music, different actors voicing the different characters...and even a great narrorator! My only complaint was that some of the deeper voiced characters were kinda hard to hear. But other than that...this was excellent!

The final book of this series does not disappoint! Wow, what a ride!  We get to see all the Earth characters from previous books…and once again Eustace and Jill return to help win this ‘last’ battle.  There is a twist at the end that most people will cringe at at first…then, once they think about it…will be alright with.  *grin*  And I think the end is very satisfying leaving you with a  nice warm fuzzy in your stomach!  

All in all, this entire series is great!  It’s true that the stories are geared toward a younger audience…but, it’s very readable and actually pretty gripping no matter how old you are!  As an adult with many books under my belt…I would like to have seen the books be longer with more detail.  But, at the same time, it was nice to have a quick action packed pace for a change.  I whole heartedly recommend these books to *anyone*!!!  

Next up, 'Beyond the Gap', by Harry Turtledove...