STAFF PICK: Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Jemma Wolfe

Title: Unsheltered
Author: Barabara Kingsolver
Narrator: Barbara Kingsolver

Of the many books I have read in 2018, this one takes the cake. Literary without being too self-important or cerebral; long enough to completely fall in love with all the characters and short enough to be bitterly sad that it’s over; incredibly relevant to today’s political climate while managing to be timeless; full of laugh-out-loud funny moments but also poignant truisms that took my breath away. In short: an extraordinarily excellent novel.

Unsheltered centers around two families, in two different centuries, who occupied the same house in Vineland, New Jersey. The house, which is a character as much as our 21^st and 19^th century protagonists, is falling apart. It was beginning to in the 1880s when Thatcher Greenwood, a science teacher with a passion for Darwin, moved in with his in-laws, and it’s literally starting to crumble in 2015 when Willa Knox, a journalist thrust into a caregiver role, moves her complicated family into the historic home.

Through dual storylines told in alternating chapters, both families navigate their own personal traumas – a suicide, a miscarriage, infidelity – in the context of intense political and cultural upheaval. Thatcher struggles with a town that isn’t ready for the truth-bomb that is the Theory of Evolution but finds companionship in one of history’s real heroines of science: the botanist Mary Treat. Willa can’t comprehend the wave of nationalism overtaking America in the lead-up to the 2016 election but finds escape in researching the history of her property with the offbeat local museum curator.

Both centuries have a host of fully-developed and fabulously nuanced characters, full of quirk and charm and artfully narrated by the author herself. There’s Willa’s foul and feeble Greek father-in-law and her stubborn but saving-grace of a daughter. There’s Thatcher’s staunchly oppositional headmaster and his small-minded wife. All are brought to life, first by Barbara Kingsolver’s arresting prose, and then by her narration.

Sweeping in its scope and yet intensely personal, Unsheltered reminds us that change – large, small, welcome or dreaded – is tremendously difficult but entirely fundamental to the human experience. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Unsheltered.

STAFF PICK: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Michelle

Title: Nine Perfect Strangers
Author: Liane Moriarty
Narrator: Caroline Lee

How much can 10 days at a remote health resort really change you? Nine perfect strangers are about to find out when they embark on what originally sounds like a dreamy experience. It sounded dreamy to me, at least — but not for long.

In Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers, nine people gather at an Australian resort to lose those last 10 stubborn pounds, revamp their lives, and face their demons head-on. Despite being in a luxurious resort that practically oozes mindfulness and meditation, everyone is expected to put in hard work in order to return home a better version of themselves.

When Frances Welty, a formerly best-selling romance novelist arrives at Tranquillium House, she is suffering from a bad back and a broken heart. The reviews she’s read of the resort are either full of praise or threats to sue the resort for ruining their lives. With a cast of characters that have little in common besides their painful pasts and high hopes of transformation, Nine Perfect Strangers is Liane Moriarty at her best — chock-full of suspense, tension, and unwavering wit.

There’s little I love more than a book that’s so cleverly written that I struggle to press pause, and this book certainly falls into that category. In fact, I was so enthralled in the story that I sat in my driveway for an extra five minutes after my commute home because I needed to finish the chapter I was on.

Caroline Lee does a fantastic job of narrating the story and left me hanging on every word. Her Australian accent made the story more authentic, and her storytelling abilities made this tantalizing listen even more addicting.

Nine Perfect Strangers will make you question every character, relationship, interaction, and motive. Throughout the book, I questioned whether Frances’ doubts were an overreaction or whether she should’ve made a run for it, wondering what I would’ve done if I were in her position. As the characters come to realize, no one truly knows what their lives can be until they are pushed to the brink.

October’s Top 10 Audiobooks.com Member Downloads

Posted on November 5, 2018 by Lena Yang

Listen to last month’s roundup of the top fiction and non-fiction titles downloaded by Audiobooks.com members.

Fiction

1. The Reckoning by John Grisham, narrated by Michael Beck

Pete Banning was Clanton, Mississippi’s favorite son—a decorated World War II hero, the patriarch of a prominent family, a farmer, father, neighbor, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Then one cool October morning he shot and killed his pastor and friend, the Reverend Dexter Bell.
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2. A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult, narrated by Bahni Turpin, Jodi Picoult

The day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who comes. Then, in late morning, a gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. After setting up a perimeter around the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic.
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3. Juror #3 by James Patterson, Nancy Allen, narrated by Megan Tusing

The murder of a woman from one of Rosedale’s oldest families has the town’s upper crust howling for blood, and the prosecutor is counting on newcomer Ruby Bozarth’s inexperience to help him deliver a swift conviction. Ruby’s client is a college football star who has returned home after a career-ending injury, and she is determined to build a defense that will stick.
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4. Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks, narrated by Vanessa Johansson, Sean Cameron Michael

Hope Anderson is at crossroads. Looking for a break, she escapes to her family’s cottage in Sunset Beach, North Carolina to think things over. Tru Walls has never visited North Carolina but is summoned to Sunset Beach by a letter from a man claiming to be his father. When the two strangers cross paths, their connection is as electric as it is unfathomable…
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5. Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand, narrated by Erin Bennett

When Irene Steele’s husband is killed in a plane crash on the distant Caribbean island of St. John, her idyllic life is shattered. After Irene and her sons arrive at this faraway paradise, they make a shocking discovery: her husband had been living a secret life. As they untangle a web of intrigue and deceit, they have to face the truth about their family, and about their own futures.
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Non-Fiction

1. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown, narrated by Brené Brown

When we dare to lead, we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it’s necessary to do good work. In Dare to Lead, Brown shows us how to put those ideas into practice so we can step up and lead.
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2. Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward, narrated by Robert Petkoff

Bob Woodward reveals in unprecedented detail the harrowing life inside President Donald Trump’s White House and precisely how he makes decisions on major foreign and domestic policies. Woodward draws from hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand sources, meeting notes, personal diaries, files, and documents.
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3. Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution by Tucker Carlson, narrated by Tucker Carlson

In Ship of Fools, Tucker Carlson tells the truth about the new American elites, a group whose power and wealth has grown beyond imagination even as the rest of the country has withered. The people who run America now barely interact with it. Left and right are no longer meaningful categories; rather, the rift is between those who benefit from the status quo and those who don’t.
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4. Killing the SS: The Hunt for the Worst War Criminals in History by Bill O’reilly, Martin Dugard, narrated by Bill O’reilly

Killing the SS is the epic saga of the self-styled ‘Nazi hunters.’ Among them were a French husband and wife team, an American lawyer who served in the army on D-Day, a German prosecutor who had signed an oath to the Nazi Party, and a death camp survivor. Over decades, these men and women scoured the world, tracking down the SS fugitives and bringing them to justice.
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5. Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking, narrated by Ben Whishaw

Stephen Hawking not only unraveled some of the universe’s greatest mysteries but also believed science plays a critical role in fixing problems here on Earth. Now, as we face immense challenges on our planet—including climate change, the threat of nuclear war, and the development of artificial intelligence—he turns his attention to the most urgent issues facing us.
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Page to Screen in November 2018

Posted on October 31, 2018 by Lena Yang

Going to the movies this November? Get the best experience by listening to the books they were based on before seeing the film adaptations.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms: The Secret of the Realms by Disney Book Group, narrated by Nicola Barber
Expected release date: November 2

When Clara Stahlbaum receives a beautiful yet mysterious egg-shaped box from her late mother, she wonders what it means. Searching for answers, Clara soon finds herself in a magical world—the Four Realms—where she meets a host of colorful and curious new friends and discovers the fascinating link between the Realms and her dear mother.
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A Private War by Marie Brenner, narrated by Marie Brenner
Expected release date: November 2

In February 2012, Marie Colvin crossed into Syria on the back of a motorcycle. A veteran war correspondent known for her fearlessness, outspokenness, and signature eye patch, she was determined to report on the Syrian civil war. But she had no idea that the story she was looking for in Syria would be her last, culminating in the explosion of an improvised device that sent shock waves across the world.
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The Girl in the Spider’s Web by David Lagercrantz, narrated by Simon Vance
Expected release date: November 9

When Blomkvist learns of a young female superhacker from a source—a hacker resembling someone Blomkvist knows all too well, he turns to Lisbeth Salander for help. She, as usual, has her own agenda. The secret they are both chasing is at the center of a tangled web of spies, cybercriminals, and governments around the world, and someone is prepared to kill to protect it…
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Film Adaptation: The Grinch) by Dr. Seuss, narrated by Walter Matthau
Expected release date: November 9

The Grinch, whose heart is two sizes too small, hates Who-ville’s holiday celebrations, and plans to steal all the presents to prevent Christmas from coming. To his amazement, Christmas comes anyway, and the Grinch discovers the true meaning of the holiday.
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The Road to Jonestown (TV Adaptation: Jonestown: Terror in the Jungle) by Jeff Guinn, narrated by George Newbern
Expected release date: November 17

In this riveting narrative, Jeff Guinn examines Jim Jones’s life, from his extramarital affairs, drug use, and fraudulent faith healing to the decision to move almost a thousand of his followers to a settlement in the jungles of Guyana. Guinn provides stunning new details of the events leading to the fatal day in November, 1978 when more than nine hundred people died after being ordered to swallow a cyanide-laced drink.
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My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, narrated by Hillary Huber
Expected release date: November 18

Growing up on the outskirts of Naples, Elena and Lila learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else. As they grow—and as their paths repeatedly diverge and converge—Elena and Lila remain best friends whose respective destinies are reflected and refracted in the other.
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Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham: An Agatha Raisin Mystery, by M. C. Beaton, narrated by Penelope Keith
Expected release date: November 19

The local ladies all deem Mr. John a wizard, so when Agatha Raisin finds a few grey hairs on her head, she makes a beeline for the handsome Evesham hairdresser. And as well as sorting out her hair it soon becomes clear the charming man also has designs on her heart—but their budding romance is cut short when Mr. John is fatally poisoned in his salon.
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The Front Runner by Matt Bai, narrated by Rob Shapiro
Expected release date: November 21

In May 1987, Colorado Senator Gary Hart—a dashing, reform-minded Democrat—seemed a lock for the party’s presidential nomination and led George H. W. Bush by double digits in the polls. Then, in one tumultuous week, rumors of marital infidelity and a newspaper’s stakeout of Hart’s home resulted in a media frenzy the likes of which had never been seen before.
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Wreck-It Ralph (Film Adaptation: Ralph Breaks the Internet) by Irene Trimble, Disney Press, narrated by Andrew Eiden
Expected release date: November 21

Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph is about a video game villain who wants nothing more than to be the good guy for a change. But when Ralph finally gets his chance, he discovers that being the hero isn’t as easy as it looks. Soon the entire video game world is at stake, and if Ralph doesn’t play to win, it could mean ‘Game Over’ for every game in the arcade!
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Dirty John and Other True Stories of Outlaws and Outsiders by Christopher Goffard, narrated by George Newbern
Expected release date: November 25

The story of “Dirty John,” a conman who terrorized a Southern California family, wasn’t unfamiliar terrain to its writer, Christopher Goffard. Over the course of two decades at newspapers from Florida to California, Goffard has reported probingly on the shadowy, unseen corners of society. This book gathers together for the first time “Dirty John” and the rest of his very best work.
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If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin, narrated by Bahni Turpin
Expected release date: November 30

Tish and Fonny have pledged to get married, but Fonny is falsely accused of a terrible crime and is imprisoned. Their families set out to clear his name, and as they face an uncertain future, the young lovers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions—affection, despair, and hope.
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Anna and the Apocalypse by Barry Waldo, Katharine Turner, narrated by Fiona Hardingham
Expected release date: November 30

Anna Shepherd is a straight-A student with a lot going on in her life, which is why she’s looking forward to skipping town after graduation—but then a zombie apocalypse majorly disrupts the holidays season. It’s going to be very hard to graduate high school without a brain. It’s up to Anna, her friends, and her frenemies to save the day.
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STAFF PICK: Killing Commendatore by Haruki Murakami

Posted on October 9, 2018 by Lena Yang

Title: Killing Commendatore
Author: Haruki Murakami
Narrator: Kirby Heyborne

Killing Commendatore sees Japan’s most celebrated author return with a lengthy, surreal homage to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s beloved The Great Gatsby.

The novel opens in typical Murakami fashion with a perplexing prologue of a faceless man looking to have his portrait painted. As the opening draws to a dreamy end, the narrative dives into the life of a disillusioned, mildly successful portrait painter who leaves Tokyo after his marriage abruptly falls apart. After a weeks-long meander along the Japanese coast, he settles in the mountains in the secluded home of Tomohiko Amada, a famous Japanese painter. As our uninspired, nameless narrator attempts to reinvent his artistic career, a series of surreal incidents disrupt the thus-far tame and simple narrative.

Late one night, a rustling prompts the protagonist to investigate the attic, and it is there that he discovers a painting titled “Killing Commendatore” wrapped snugly in paper and tucked into a corner. The painting—a vivid portrayal of the titular murder in Mozart’s Don Giovanni—captivates the protagonist and he spends weeks basking in its presence. Then, his enigmatic neighbor—a tech mogul with a shock of white hair who is a thoroughly convincing Gatsby—orders his portrait painted. Before long, the narrator begins to hear a bell echoing through the night beginning precisely at 1:45 a.m., and thus follows a series of strange events involving a two-foot tall idea of a man, a missing thirteen-year-old girl, a Nazi assassination attempt, and a journey into the underworld.

Killing Commendatore is a return to the poetic magic realism that Murakami is known for. It is a novel bursting with elements that will seem familiar to his fans: an unnamed, disillusioned male narrator, flashes of the surreal, an abundance of metaphors, and, of course, pasta and cats.

At 28 hours and 30 minutes, this nearly 700-page brick of a novel develops in slow, mystifying fragments which often meander into inaction. Yet, consuming the book never feels like a chore. Murakami teases the mystery with each mounting chapter, and Kirby Heyborne’s exquisite narration draws listeners immediately into the ever-more bewildering life of our anonymous narrator.

Although Killing Commendatore will not appeal to everyone, the novel is nevertheless a reminder that at age 69 with a plethora of novels and short stories under his belt, Haruki Murakami is still at the top of his game.

10 Ways to Listen to Audiobooks this Fall

Posted on October 4, 2018 by Michelle

As much as I enjoy the summer, fall has always been my favorite season. I love the changing of the leaves, the excitement of being spooked, and catching up with family around a crowded Thanksgiving table (the food is a bonus). If you’re looking to make the most of this season, we’ve got 10 great audiobooks to pair with 10 fun fall activities. Tell us which is your favorite in the comments!

1. Apple picking
Don’t have anyone to go apple picking with? Take in the scenery solo while getting lost in an audiobook and orchard.
September by Rosamunde Pilcher, narrated by Jilly Bond

In Strathcroy, Scotland, retiree Violet Aird watches as her son Edmund’s marriage and family threaten to fall apart. But in the picturesque countryside of green fields, purple blooms, and glittering lakes in the month of September, a local ball will help wounds heal and hearts mend.
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2. Making a Halloween costume
My artistic skills are mediocre at best, but that hasn’t stopped me from spending hours working on the perfect Halloween costume. This painful for me (but fun for some) process is best enjoyed with a spooky audiobook playing in the background.
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts, narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Iona Sheehan arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an optimistic attitude, and a talent with horses. Not far from the castle where she’s spending a week, she lands a job at the local stables and meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself — and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems.
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3. Pumpkin carving
Remember when I said my artistic skills are mediocre at best? Nothing is scarier than how poorly and hilariously I carve a pumpkin, but it’s one of my favorite fall traditions. Pairing it with a hauntingly good author (Robert Galbraith, a pseudonym for J.K. Rowling) makes pumpkin carving even more memorable.
Lethal White by Robert Galbraith, narrated by Robert Glenister

When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike’s office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.
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4. Hiking through fall foliage
Fall is the ultimate season for embracing change, and who more perfect to narrate the theme of this season than the fabulous Brené Brown? Walking through a forest or park with changing leaves always inspires me to think about how I want to transform myself and my thinking — and this audiobook is the perfect way to start.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, narrated by Brené Brown

From thought leader Brené Brown, a transformative new vision that teaches us the power of vulnerability. Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. Based on years of pioneering research, Brown dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and argues that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage.
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5. Baking fall treats
Who doesn’t love a baked seasonal treat? An audiobook won’t care if your baking skills are more Easy Bake Oven than Martha Stewart — and what better story to listen to while baking than one of our favorite cozy mystery series?
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke, narrated by Suzanne Toren

Hannah is feeling the heat when she agrees to bake apple turnovers for a fundraiser and partake in the
charity talent contest. But when Hannah discovers the MC dead with one of her apple turnovers in his hand, she realizes someone has murder on the menu.
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6. Waiting for trick-or-treaters
Whether you live in the middle of nowhere and are lucky to get one trick-or-treater or live somewhere that requires you to blow out your pumpkin’s candles once you run out of candy, playing a fun, Halloween mystery is a unique way to greet your trick-or-treaters. Bonus points if you play it loud enough that they can hear it from the street!
Candy Corn Murder by Leslie Meier, narrated by Lisa Larson

Lucy’s annoyed that her husband Bill and his friend Evan have been working nonstop on their pumpkin catapult. But when the day of the contest arrives, Evan is nowhere to be found, until a catapulted pumpkin reveals his corpse — and Bill is blamed. If Lucy wants to find the real killer, she’ll have to step into an old ghost story.
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7. Hosting a Halloween party
Avoid having your guests shift uncomfortably when The Monster Mash comes onto the speakers and surprise them with this quintessential horror story. Narrated by Eliana Shaskan in a tone that will raise the hairs on your arm, you’ll wish the party would quiet down so you can soak in every scary detail.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty, narrated by William Peter Blatty and Eliana Shaskan

Summoned to a case of apparent possession, Father Karras is skeptical at first — then horrified. The victim, a 12-year-old named Regan, seems to be controlled by a malignant supernatural force that makes her swear, blaspheme, scream, and perform appalling acts. With his faith in God and humanity tested to the limit, Karras turns to the ultimate solution: exorcism.
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8. Cozying up with a cup of apple cider or hot chocolate
The best way to beat a cold day? Curling up with your favorite blanket, a cup of something warm, and a story that’s filled with so many juicy twists and turns that you might just have to stay cozied up until it’s done (what a shame!).
A Willing Murder by Jude Deveraux, narrated by Susan Bennett

When Sara Medlar decides to remodel a grand old mansion, she doesn’t plan on staying with her estranged family — and not being the only houseguest. Jackson Wyatt has his own room, and though she can’t deny his good looks, no one’s ever irritated her quite like he does. But when two skeletons are accidentally uncovered in the quiet town, they’re thrust together to unravel the small town’s dark secrets.
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9. Preparing Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday: it’s noncommercial, involves a delicious home cooked feast, and time spent with family and friends. It’s also the ultimate time to practice the art of gratitude, which we would all benefit from if we did it more. This audiobook will help give you that warm, fuzzy Thanksgiving feeling all year long.
365 Thank Yous by John Kralik, narrated by John Kralik

At 53, John Kralik hit a low: his law firm was failing, he was struggling through a painful second divorce, his kids were distant, he was living in a crappy apartment, his girlfriend left him, he was 40 pounds overweight, and his dreams were out of reach. Then, during a lovely walk, John was struck by the belief that his life might become at least tolerable if he could find some way to be grateful for what he had.
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10. Making fall crafts
Painted mason jars, leafy wreaths, and gourd displays have been racking up my craft board on Pinterest for months. Now that it’s fall, I’m finally setting aside some time to make them. Dive even deeper into the fall spirit with an audiobook that practically makes the season a character.
It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas, narrated by Rosalyn Landor

Lillian Bowman was shocked when the insufferable and snobbish Marcus, London’s most eligble aristocrat, swept her into his arms. Lillian was overcome with a passion for a man she didn’t even like. Marcus was a man in charge of his own emotions, but with Lillian, every touch was exquisite torture, every kiss an enticement for more. Yet how could he consider taking a woman so blatantly unsuitable as his bride?
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Tag Archives: audio

October’s Top 10 Audiobooks.com Member Downloads

Page to Screen in November 2018

audiobooks_com