Sound Commentary - Your Wise Guide to Audiobooks and Audio Book Reviews

BIOGRAPHIES AND MEMOIRS

Benedict, Jeff. Little Pink House. A True Story of Defiance and Courage. Read by Maggi-Meg Reed. 7 CDs. 8.5 hrs. Abridged. Hachette audio. 2009. 978-1-60024-481-0. $29.98. Cardboard; content; author, reader notes.  *JSA Maggi-Meg Reed's... reading is filled with appropriate frustration, anger, outrage, sadness.... a moving and inspiring listening experience.  Jean Palmer, March, 2009.

Hemphill, Stephanie. Your Own Sylvia:  A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath. Read by Paul Boehmer, Cassandra Campbell, Mark Deakins, Robertson Dean, Susan Duerden, Justine Eyre, Kimberly Farr, Stephanie Hemphill, Rosalyn Landor, Ann Marie Lee, John Lee, Carrington MacDuffie, Arthur Morey, Kirsten Potter, Kate Reading and Simon Vance. 4 compact disks.  4 hrs. 52 mins.  Listening Library.  2007.  978-0-7393-8087-1.  *SA  This exquisitely rendered audiobook is sure to transcend young adults' general indifference to biography and poetry.  Listeners should indeed all find their own Sylvia here.  Francine Levitov, April, 2009.

Myron, Vicki, Bret Witter. Dewey. The Small-Town Library Cat who Touched the World. Read by Suzanne Toren. 4 CDs. 4.5 hrs. Abridged. Hachette Audio. 2008. 978-1-60024-382-0. $22.98. Cardboard; content, authors, reader notes. *JSA   This audiobook will surely become one of the classic animal stories. Dewey's story provides a positive, hopeful note for a world that needs and can appreciate such a message. Susan Allison, January, 2009.

Winchester, Simon. The Man Who Loved China.  The Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom.  Read by the author. 8 CDs. 9.25 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. 978-1-4361-0712-9. $92.75. Vinyl binder; contents notes. *SA . . . Winchester['s] . . . complete knowledge of his fascinating subject is apparent in his delightful reading. He is both the astute scholar speaking fondly of his subject and . . .  a prophet of China's future.  Nola Theiss, June, 2009.

DRAMA

Giron, Arthur. Moving Bodies. Full cast production. 2 CDs.  117 mins. LA Theatre Works. 2008. 1-58081-392-5. $25.95. Vinyl binder; plot, cast notes. *SA This play is an inspiring listening experience and will open the world of physics to anyone who listens. British stage and screen actor Alfred Molina's ...New York accented portrayal of [Richard] Feynman is nothing short of extraordinary....  Jean Palmer, March, 2009

Stoppard, Tom.  Arcadia. Read by Kate Burton and a full cast. 3 compact disks.  2 hrs. 46 mins.  LA Theatre Works.  2009.  978-1-5808-1596-3.  *A As a playwright whose work has come to stand for all that's best about the contemporary idea play, the incomparable Tom Stoppard can do the impossible.  Francine Levitov, September, 2009.

HISTORICAL FICTION

Cornwell, Bernard. Agincourt. Read by Charles Keating. 13 CDs. 16 hrs. Harper Audio. 2009. 9780060780968.  $39.99. Cardboard; plot, author notes. *SA Charles Keating['s]... presentation is stupendous. Janet Julian, August, 2009.

Kent, Kathleen. The Heretic's Daughter. Read by Mare Winningham. 9 CDs. 10 hrs. Hachette Audio. 2009. 978-1-60024-450-6. $34.98. Cardboard; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Winningham brings her vocal talents to ...capturing perfectly the whirlwind lunacy of the era.  Janet Julian, September, 2009.

Pears, Iain. Stone's Fall. Read by Roy Dotrice, John Lee and Simon Vance. 19 CDs. 24 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6291-6. $100.00. vinyl binder; plot, author, readers notes. *SA Accomplished British narrators ...Dotrice, ...Lee and ... Vance are superb and show awesome continuity as they interpret characters who narrate all parts of the novel. Bette Ammon, December, 2009. 

Shaara, Jeff. The Steel Wave. A Novel of World War II. Read by Paul Michael. 17 CDs. 21 hrs. Books on Tape. 2008. 978-1-4259-4816-3. $129.00. Vinyl binder; plot notes. *SA  Second of a trilogy. A must for students of World War II, reluctant readers, and future history majors.  John Boyd, May, 2009.

Stott, Rebecca. The Coral Thief. 8 CDs. 9 hrs. Tantor Media. 2009. 978-1-4001-1338-5. $34.99. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Elegant language, lots of philosophy and history of the era, and a brilliant reading by multi-award-winning British actor and narrator Simon Prebble.... Jean Palmer, December, 2009.

HISTORY & CURRENT EVENTS

Alden, Edward. The Closing of the American Border. Terrorism, Immigration, and Security since 9/11. Read by Robertson Dean. 9 CDs. 11.5 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2008. 978-1-4332-4706-4. $90.00. Vinyl binder; content, author, reader notes. *SA This thoughtful and well researched study [on immigration] is a great listen.  Nola Theiss, August, 2009

Egan, Timothy. The Big Burn. Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America. Read by Robertson Dean. 9 CDs. 10 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. 978-1-4418-0695-6. $89.97. Vinyl binder; content, author notes. [Dean's] authorative, expressive but controlled narration...keeps it absorbing and briskly-paced. Pat Dole, December, 2009.

Ehrenreich, Barbara. Bright-Sided. How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America. Read by Kate Reading. 6 CDs. 8 hrs. Macmillan audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2009. 978-1-4172-0836-1. $29.99. Cardboard; content, author notes. *SA Narrator Reading ...brings a gravitas and professionalism that the book deserves....Refreshing, entertaining, and eye-opening book and narration.... must listening. Jean Palmer, December, 2009.

Lyall, Sarah. The Anglo Files. A Field Guide to the British. Read by Cassandra Campbell. 8 CDs. 10 hrs. Tantor Audio. 2008. 978-1-4001-0835-0. $38.99. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Well done!! Much will surprise even firm Anglophiles. Jean Palmer. April, 2009.

Scahill, Jeremy. Blackwater. The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army. Read by Tom Weiner. 12 CDs. 14.5 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2007. 978-1-4332-1185-0. $99.00. Vinyl binder; content, author, reader notes. *A This well-written, in-depth expose is forcefully read by narrator Tom Weiner.... John Boyd, January, 2009.  

Paine, Thomas Rights of Man. Read by David Rintoul. 4 CDs. 1.25 hrs. Naxos Audiobooks. 2008. 978-962-634-878-9. $28.98. Vinyl; contents, reader notes. *SA  These are eternal words of wisdom from a man of principle.  Today's politicians should read them again and again.  Janet Julian, March, 2009.

INSPIRATIONAL

Emotional Awareness. Overcoming the obstacles to psychological balance and compassion. A Conversation between (Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the Fourteenth)  Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman, Ph.D. Foreword by Daniel Goleman. Read by Richard Gere and Paul Ekman, Ph.D. 8 CDs. 10 hrs. Macmillan Audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2008. 978-0-7927-5643-9. $79.95. Vinyl binder; content, author, reader notes. Includes bonus archival recordings of the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman. *SA . . . a vital model and example of the fusion of East and West. . . . two intelligent, thoughtful, men, openly conversing about the basic elements of what unites us as human beings.

LITERATURE AND CLASSICS

Baldwin, James. Another Country. Read by Dion Graham. 13 CDs. 16.25 hrs. Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America. 1962/2008. 978-0-7927-6051-1. $110.95. no pkg. *SA . . . the picture skillfully painted is rich, informative, and entertaining. Again, narrator Dion Graham makes the audio an especially opulent delight.  Nancy Chaplin, June, 2009.

Chaucer, Geoffrey.  The Canterbury Tales.  Read by Martin Jarvis and a full cast. J.U. Nicholson, Translator. 17 compact disks.  21 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2008. 978-1-4332-4971-6.  *SA   The Nicholson translation balances as much of the meter, rhyme and syntax of the original as practical with a sometimes quaint but easily comprehensible updated vocabulary, thus retaining the flavor of the old work without compromising accessibility to modern readers.  Francine Levitov, March, 2009.

Chaucer, Geoffrey.  The Canterbury Tales.  Read by Bill Wallis and a full cast. Burton Raffel, Translator. 18 compact disks. 22 hrs. 23 mins. Sound Library:BBC Audiobooks America. 2008.  978-0-7927-5650-7.  $129.95 *SA The Raffel translation. . . keeps Chaucer's approximate line numbers but uses only contemporary English. . . .  This gives the work a distinctly modern tone that . . .  bring[s] out the universality of the stories themselves and allows the excellent cast more flexibility in their characterizations.  Francine Levitov, March, 2009.

Lawrence, D. H. Sons and Lovers. Read by Paul Slack. 13 CDs, 16 hrs. Naxos Audiobooks. 2008. 978-962-634-891-8. $81.98.  Boxed set; cardboard; plot, reader notes. *A  [Slack] reads with pathos and great emotion, with rage and with passion; it is difficult to imagine a better rendition. Sue Rosenzweig, April, 2009.

Norris. Frank. McTeague. Read by Stacy Keach, Carol Kane and a full cast. 13 compact disks. 10 hrs. 53 mins. LA Theatre Works. 1993. 978-1-5808-1323-5. *SA almost two-dozen male and female actors . . . .  Their voices, differing in tone and attitude, rotate randomly . . .  turns the standard narrative into a dynamic Greek-type chorus which vividly emphasizes the societal pressures with which the McTeagues must contend. Francine Levitov,  January, 2009.

Updike, John.  Rabbit, Run.  Read by Arthur Morey.  10 compact disks. 12 hrs. 6 mins. Books on Tape.  1960/2008. 978-1-4159-5852-0.  Vinyl binder; contents notes $90. *SA. 

Updike, John. Rabbit Redux.  Read by Arthur Morey.  13 cds.  15 hrs.  58 mins. Books on Tape. 1971/ 2009.  978-1-4159-5854-4. Vinyl binder; contents notes. $110. SA. 

Updike, John.  Rabbit is Rich.  Read by Arthur Morey. 17 cds. 19 hrs. 24 mins. Books on Tape.  1981/2009. 9781415958568. Vinyl binder; contents notes. $120. *SA. 

Updike, John, Rabbit at Rest.  Read by Arthur Morey.  18 Cd. 22 hrs. 14 mins.  Books on Tape.  1990/2009. 978-1-4159-5858-2. Vinyl binder; contents notes.  $129. * SA 

Updike, John, Rabbit Remembered. Read by Arthur Morey.  6  Cds. 7 hrs. 1 min. Books on Tape.  2000/2009.  978-1-4159-5930-5. Vinyl binder; contents notes.  $60. SA.  John Updike's Rabbit quintet is likely to be the closest we will ever get to a time machine.  For all who want to explore 50 years of Americana with a lovingly unsparing guide, there's now the opportunity. . . . Morey excels.  He is more than a convincing performer.  He is Harry Angstrom.  Don't miss this series.   Francine Levitov,  August, 2009.

Waugh, Evelyn. Brideshead Revisited. Read by Jeremy Irons. 10 CDs. 10 hrs. Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America. 2008. 978-0-7927-5794-8. $94.95. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA  We get the stuttering gay Anthony Blanche, the pompous Rex Mottram, the earnest 10-year-old Cordelia, the aging Lord Marchmain, the drunken Sebastian, Sebastian's German hanger-on Kurt, an Irish priest--Irons does them all convincingly.  Janet Julian, April, 2009.

MODERN FICTION

Akpan, Uwem. Say You're One of Them. 2009. Read by Robin Miles, Dion Graham, and Kevin Free. 10 compact disks. 11 hrs. 9 mins. Sound Library/BBC Audiobooks America. 978-1-60788-366-1. $110.99. *SA Beautifully performed by all of its readers with a sensitivity and an array of convincing voices and accents that will hold its audience firmly in the moment, this is a production of the highest quality. Francine Levitov, December, 2009.

Austen, Jane and Seth Grahame-Smith. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. 2009. Read by Katherine Kellgren. 9 compact disks. 11 hrs. 4 mins. Brilliance Audio. Produced by Audible, Inc.  978-1-4418-1677-1. $97.97. *SA Pulling all of this together in a way not to be missed is the amazing Katherine Kellgren. She does the narrative sections in a convincing English drawing room accent and gives individual voices to all of the characters, varying and modulating her pace, pitch and tone to keep their dialog consistent with their personalities. . . . Great fun! Francine Levitov, November, 2009.

Barbery, Muriel. The Elegance of the Hedgehog. Translated from the French by Alison Anderson Read by Barbara Rosenblat and Cassandra Morris. 8 CDs. 9.5 hrs. HighBridge Audio. 2006/2009.  978-1-59887-025-4. $29.95. Cardboard; plot notes. *SA ...Rosenblat ...and....Morris ... are outstanding.   Carol Kellerman, October, 2009.

Barker, Pat. Life Class. Read by Russell Boulter. 6 CDs. 8 hrs.Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America. 2008. 978-0-7927-5239-4. $64.95. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Russell Boulter's semi-voiced narration, as he alters his tones and accents to portray the variety of people, is superb. Pat Dole, July, 2009.

Bauermeister, Erica. The School of Essential Ingredients. Read by Cassandra Campbell. 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6260-2. $80.00. vinyl binder; plot notes. *SA  Cassandra Campbell's soft, breathy, sensual fully-voiced reading [of this fairy tale/cooking manual].... is outstanding audio. Jean Palmer, March 2009.

Fellowes, Julian. Past Imperfect. Read by Richard Morant. 14 CDs. 16.75 hrs. BBC Audiobooks America. 2009. 978-0-7927-6690-2. $115.95. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA  Richard Morant's... dazzling reading picks up on all the class and accent subtleties so important to the Brits, also the humor, the pathos, the anger, and the sheer fun of it all. Well done! Jean Palmer, November, 2009.

Harrison, Jim. The English Major. Read by Mark Bramhall.  6 CDs. 7 hrs. Blackstone Audio, Inc. 2008. 978-1-4332-4664-7. $60.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *A  Warm, witty, occasionally laugh out loud funny. Written and read by brilliant English majors both. Mark Bramhall's performance is award winning!  Jean Palmer, January, 2009.

Hay, Elizabeth. Late Nights on Air. Read by Paul Hecht. 9 CDs. 10.75 hrs. Recorded Books. 2007/2008. 978-1-4361-6007-0. $. 2008. Vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. *SA Paul Hecht's brilliant...performance is perfectly matched with the text. His deep baritone, his seemingly effortless subtle voice changes and flawless, insightful dramatization match Hay's edgy, carefully crafted writing perfectly. Jean Palmer, February, 2009.

Houghteling, Sara. Pictures at An Exhibition. Read by Mark Bramhall. 7 CDs. 8.75 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6078-3. $80.00. vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA  American actor Mark Bramhall's... voices and accents for all the major characters are exact, distinct, superb... His French is impeccable. Dazzling reading of an exceptional novel. Jean Palmer, May, 2009.

Ishiguro, Kazuo. Nocturnes. Five Stories of Music and Nightfall. Read by Mark Bramhall, Kirby Heyborne, Lincoln Hoppe, and Simon Vance. 6 CDs. 6.75. hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6545-0. $50.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author notes. * Diverting, witty, sometimes funny, frequently poignant, these stories entertain and move. Jean Palmer, Octobe, 2009.

Kent, Kathleen. The Heretic's Daughter. Read by Mare Winningham. 9 CDs. 10 hrs. Hachette Audio. 2009. 978-1-60024-450-6. $34.98. Cardboard; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Winningham brings her vocal talents to ...capturing perfectly the whirlwind lunacy of the era.  Janet Julian, September, 2009.

Lehane Dennis. The Given Day. Read by Michael Boatman. 20 CDs. 24 hrs. Harper Audio. 2008. 978-0-06-166151-8. $75.00. Cardboard; plot, author notes. *SA  Michael Boatman[']superb performance... is truly extraordinary Sue Rosenzweig, July, 2009.

Picoult, Jodi. Change of Heart. Read by a full cast. 12 CDs. 15.25 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. 978-1-4281-8058-1. $123.75.Vinyl binder; plot notes. *SA . . . performances mesh into an emotionally wrenching story that provides insight into the lives of the primary characters.  Melody Moxley, June, 2009

Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. A Novel. Read by Octavia Spencer, Bahni Turpin, and Jenna Lamia. 15 CDs. 18 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6125-4.  $120.00.     Vinyl binder: plot, author, reader notes. *SA Part comedy, part tragedy, this well-crafted novel is a suspense-filled sociological examination. It engages and rewards. Nancy Chaplin, May, 2009.

  Verghese, Abraham. Cutting for Stone. Read by Sunil Malhotra. 19 CDs. 24 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6211-4. $129.00. Vinyl binder; plot notes. *A ... impossible to stop listening to until the story ends.  Sue Rosenzweig, September, 2009.

Williams, Carol Lynch. The Chosen One. Read by Jenna Lamia. 5 CDs. 5.5 hrs. Macmillan Audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2009. 978-1-4272-0706-2, $24.99. Cardboard; plot, author notes. *SA  Lamia's searing, poignant performance will stay with listeners long after the book ends as she draws listeners in and never lets go.... Stephanie Squicciarini, November, 2009.

Wolfe, Tom. The Bonfire of the Vanities. Read by Joe Barrett. 22 compact disks. 26 hrs. 30 mins. 2009. Blackstone Audio. 978-1-433-28841-8. $140 *SA Between Wolfe and Barrett this audiobook comes so alive that you can literally smell the inside of the arraignment pens in Bronx Criminal Court.  Francine Levitov, September, 2009.

Wroblewski, David. The story of Edgar Sawtelle. Read by Richard Poe. 18CDs. 21.75 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. 978-1-4361-4958-7. $123.75. vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. *SA This ... wonderful piece of literature ... will be enjoyed by adults and older teens... and especially those who are dog lovers.  Sue Rosenzweig, September, 2009.

MYSTERIES

Bazell, Josh. Beat the Reaper. Read by Robert Petkoff. 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Hachette Audio. 2009. 978-1-60024-432-2. $29.98. Cardboard; plot, author, reader notes. *... this novel of revenge and survival is an entertaining find, especially with Robert Petkoff's exacting staccato delivery and galloping narration.... Sopranos fans will love this. Jean Palmer, April, 2009

Bradley, Alan. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Read by Jayne Entwistle. 8 CDs. 10 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6448-4. $80.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *JSA.  Brilliantly written and charmingly read. Jean Palmer, July 2009.

Castillo, Linda. Sworn to Silence. Read by Kathleen McInerney. 9 CDs. 11.5 hrs. Macmillan Audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2009.  978-1-4272-0668-8. $39.95. Cardboard; plot. Author notes. SA Fans of Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, and Jonathan Kellerman will love this and look forward to the next Kate Burkholder mystery in the works. Jean Palmer, July, 2009.

Deaver, Jeffery, Lisa Scottoline, Lee Child, Joseph Finder, David Hewson, Peter Spiegelman, S.J. Rozan, Erica Spindler, John Ramsey Miller, James Grady, P.J. Parrish, Jim Fusilli, David Corbett, John Gilstrap, Ralph Pezzullo. The Chopin Manuscript. A Serial Thriller. Read by Alfred Molina.  6 CDs. 6 hrs. Brilliance Audio. Produced by Audible, Inc. 2007.  978-1-4233-7703-0. $82.25. Vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. *SA The fifteen member assemblage of authors provides a smooth and seamless . . . all work in literary unison. The superbly talented British actor Alfred Molina displays real skill in producing many accents in his excellent fully voiced reading.  Miles Klein, April, 2009.

Fowler, Christopher. Ten-Second Staircase. A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery. Read by Tim Goodman. 11 CDs. 13.75 hrs. Clipper Audio/Recorded Books. 2006/2007. 978-1-4361-6061-2. $99.95. vinyl binder; plot notes. *SA  The writing is deliciously contrived and the historical contexts are cleverly intertwined.  Tim Goodman, who stretches himself to encompass two elderly men who sound different and does the same with all the other men, women, and young people, is a superb narrator.

Goodwin, Jason. The Snake Stone. Read by Stephen Hoye. 9 CDs. 11 hrs.Tantor Audio. 2007/2009. 978-1-4001-1011-7. $34.99. Vinyl binder; plot, author notes. *SA [Hoye] gives The Snake Stone the royal, full-voiced treatment complete with accents, convincing females, cranky old men, and an intelligent main character.  Highly recommended.  Janet Julian, June, 2009

Gores, Joe. Spade & Archer. The prequel to Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon. Read by Scott Brick. 7 CDs. 8.75 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6061-5. $80.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Scott Brick is so good at the ordinary guy; he is truly memorable as Sam Spade.  Mary Purucker, September, 2009.

Knopf, Chris. Hard Stop. A Sam Acquillo Hamptons Mystery. Read by Richard Ferrone.  8 CDs. 9 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2009.  978-1-4332-5878-7. $80.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Independent, vodka-swilling Sam Acquillo is back ...and Listeners will look forward to the next Acquillo. Jean Palmer, August, 2009.

Larsson, Stieg. The Girl who Played with Fire. Translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland. Read by Simon Vance. 15 CDs. 18.5 hrs. Books on Tape. 2006/2009. 978-1-4159-6436-1. $100.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA  Vance is positively mesmerizing as he narrates.....Once begun, listeners will find it almost impossible to turn it off.  Sue Rosenzweig, October, 2009.

Macdonald, Ross. Black Money. A Lew Archer Novel. Read by Grover Gardner. 6 CDs. 7.5 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 1965/2009. 978-1-4332-7841-9. $76.00. vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Ross Macdonald is one of the greatest American noir novelists, and this is arguably his best. ... A classy narrator in a classic of the genre. Five stars! Jean Palmer, October, 2009.

May, Peter. Blacklight Blue. The Third of the Enzo files. Read by Simon Vance. 8 CDs. 9.5 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2008. 978-1-4332-5210-5. $60.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA  Vance is superb . . . speaking a variety of languages including Spanish and French with conviction.  His narration is exciting and emotional as he takes the listeners on a roller-coaster ride filled with danger and revelation.   Sue Rosenzweig, May, 2009.

Patterson, Richard North. Eclipse. Read by Peter Francis James. 11 CD.  14 hrs. Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America.  2009.  978-)0-7927-6000-9. Vinyl Binder $99.95. *SA  . . . the palpable horror and tension, enhanced brilliantly by the superb fully-voiced, perfectly-paced narration of Peter Francis James, is what drives the book and will hold its readers in rapt attention.  Francine Levitov, May, 2009.

Penny, Louise. The Brutal Telling. A Three Pines Mystery. Read by Ralph Cosham. 11 CDs. 13 hrs. Blackstone Audio. 2009. 978-1-4332-9709-0. $105.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA A moving, poignant novel -- arguably the best so far in the series. Jean Palmer, November, 2009.

Robb, J.D. Promises in Death. Read by Susan Ericksen. 10 CDs. 12 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. 978-1-4233-6513-6. $102.97. Vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. *SA. Ericksen must channel these characters in her sleep because she just gets better and better with each recording. Bette Ammon, December, 2009.

Smith, Alexander McCall.  Teatime for the traditionally Built. A No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Novel. Read by Lisette Lecat. 7 CDs. 8.5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2009. 978-1-4407-1555-6. $92.75. vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. *SA The narrative skills of Lisette Lecat... are outstanding.... a charming and believable story. Pat Dole, August, 2009.

Todd, Charles. A Duty to the Dead. A Bess Crawford Mystery. Read by Rosalyn Landor. 8 CDs. 10 hrs. BBC Audiobooks America. 2009. 978-0-7927-6687-2. $79.95. vinyl binder. SA.  Accomplished stage and screen British actress Rosalyn Landor creates an appealing [heroine] Bess Crawford....Entertaining listening. Jean Palmer, November, 2009.

Walker, Martin. Bruno, Chief of Police. Read by Robert Ian Mackenzie. 7 CDs. 8.5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008/2009. 978-1-4407-0411-6. $77.75. Vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. This will charm anyone who loves the food and landscape of France so familiar from tourist brochures and films, and, of course, complex murder mysteries. Jean Palmer, May, 2009.

Woods, Stuart. Loitering with Intent. A Stone Barrington Novel. Read by Tony Roberts. 6 CDs. 7.75 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6525-2. $80.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *SA Prolific, award-winning author Stuart Woods' latest Stone Barrington thriller is in top form here.... Outstanding performance; perfect all around. Jean Palmer, May, 2009. 

ROMANCE

Bauermeister, Erica. The School of Essential Ingredients. Read by Cassandra Campbell. 5 CDs. 6 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. 978-1-4159-6260-2. $80.00. vinyl binder; plot notes. *SA  Cassandra Campbell's soft, breathy, sensual fully-voiced reading [of this fairy tale/cooking manual].... is outstanding audio. Jean Palmer, March 2009.

Geras, Adele. A Hidden Life. Read by Maggie Mash.  14 CDs. 16.25 hrs. Clipper Audio/ Recorded Books. 2007/2008. 978-1-4361-9231-6. $123.75. Vinyl binder; plot notes. *SA  It is Mash's reading that turns this family saga series of evocative, moving, sometimes suspenseful vignettes into an outstanding listening experience. Jean Palmer, April, 2009.

Heyer, Georgette, Cotillion. Read by Phyllida Nash. 10 CDs. 12.25 hrs. Sound Library: BBC Audiobooks America. 2008. 978-0-7927-5774-0. $94.95. vinyl binder. JSA* The true natures of the characters become obvious through Nash's deft reading, finding fear, bravado, deceit, high insteps and genuine kind hearts.  Jodi Israel, May, 2009. 

Heyer, Georgette. Sylvester. Read by Richard Armitage. 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Naxos Audiobooks. 2009. 978-962-634-025-0. $22.98. Plastic; plot, reader notes. *SA   British heart-throb Richard Armitage couldn't be a better choice for reader…[and he]…. makes this exceptionally fun to listen to.   Jean Palmer, August, 2009.

Kenyon, Sherrilyn. Acheron. Dark Hunter, Book 12. Read by Holter Graham. 19 CDs. 23.5 hrs. Macmillan Audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2008. 978-0-7927-5473-2. $134.95.Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes.* SA  Series fans will be satisfied by the depth and breadth of the history of this seminal character. Highly recommended. Jodi Israel, January 2009.

Kleypas, Lisa. Tempt Me at Twilight. The Hathaways, Book 3. Read by Rosalyn Landor. 8 CDs. 10.75 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. 978-1-4233-8999-6. $ . vinyl binder; plot, reader notes. *SA  A fun listen; top notch Romance. Jean Palmer, November, 2009.

SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

Bradbury, Ray. The Martian Chronicles. 2009. Read by Stephen Hoye. 8 compact disks. 9 hrs. 30 mins. Blackstone Audio. 978-1-433-293-4988. *SA  In reissuing Chronicles, Blackstone Audio could not have chosen better than Stephen Hoye to narrate this work. The soft, almost caressing voice he uses to read the narrative has a misty otherworldly quality. . .  Francine Levitov, November, 2009.

Bradbury, Ray. We'll Always Have Paris. Read by Jesse Bernstein, Mark Bramhall, Marc Cashman, and Kirsten Potter. 5 compact disks.  5 hrs. 9 mins.  Books on Tape.  2009.  978-1-4159-6357-9.  *SA Bernstein, Bramhall, Cashman and Potter are equally adept at pacing and enhancing Bradbury's curious and haunting mood pieces and were cast especially well for the particular stories that they were chosen to perform.  Francine Levitov, April, 2009

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. Read by the author. 7 CDs. 7.75 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008. 978-1-4361-5884-8. $77.75. Vinyl binder; plot notes. *JSA  [Gaiman] delights and frightens. Listeners should know that, in spite of the violent beginning, this is indeed a children's book . . . . Recommended for ages 10 and up.  Miles Klein, February, 2009.

Harrison, Kim. White Witch, Black Curse.  The Hollows, Book 7. Read by Marguerite Gavin. 15 CDs. 18.5 hrs. Harper Audio. 2009. 978-0-06-171469-6. $44.99. Cardboard; plot notes. SA* Harrison's following grows with every book and this one highlights why. Urban fantasy collections will be enriched with this purchase.  Jodi Israel, June, 2009.

TRUE CRIME

Summerscale, Kate. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher. A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective. Read by Simon Vance. 8 CDs. 9.75 hrs. HighBridge Audio. 2008. 978-1-59887-849-3. $34.95. Cardboard; plot, author notes. *A  Vance makes every bit of minutiae come alive in this winner of the 2008 BBC Samuel Johnson Prize for Non Fiction. Where there is dialog, he gives each character a voice that seems to fit perfectly.  Sue Rosenzweig, January, 2009.

Thompson-Cannino, Jennifer & Ronald Cotton with Erin Torneo.  Picking Cotton. Our Memoir of injustice and redemption. Read by Richard Allen and Karen White. 7 CDs. 8 hrs. Tantor audio. 2009. 978-1-4001-1152-7. $33.99. Vinyl binder; contents, authors, reader notes. *SA   . . . White captures the angst of the rape victim, the anger and fear of a young woman trying to avenge herself and then trying to forgive herself . . . . Richard Allen reads with a soft, deep voice . . .  thick with honey when talking about his family and forgiveness and sharp with anger and frustration when trying to describe his surviving in prison . . . A must hear.  Nola Theiss, June, 2009.

YOUNG ADULT & CHILDREN

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Wintergirls. Read by Jeannie Stith. 6 CDs. 7 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009. 978-1-4233-9186-9. $29.99. Cardboard; plot, reader notes. *SA Stith's amazing, fully-voiced narration wavers .... [Anderson's] books speak to teens in a way that parental preaching cannot.... Sue Allison. August, 2009.

Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing life of Octavian Nothing. Traitor to the Nation. Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves.  Read by Peter Francis James. 11 CDs. 13.5 hrs. Listening Library. 2008. 978-0-7393-6788-9. $75.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *JSA Actor Peter Francis James, an outstanding reader, tackles this challenging, sometimes difficult, book and makes the 18th century style of writing (in the style of Voltaire, Rabelais, or Locke) come alive. Mary Purucker, June 2009.

Baskin, Nora Raleigh. Anything But Typical. Read by Tom Parks. 3 CDs. 4 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2009 978-1-4233-8128-0. $24.99. Cardboard; plot, reader notes. *JSA  Tom Parks' narration ... builds an understanding and sympathy for Jason's "different-ness," which can actually apply to anyone who feels he doesn't belong.  Sue Allison, September, 2009.

 Bauer, Joan. Peeled. Read by Kathe Mazur. 5 CDs. 5.5 hrs. Listening Library. 2008. 978-0-7393-6791-9. $45.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *JS Kathe Mazur's narration is warm, witty, and engaging....  Melody Moxley, July, 2009.

Dowd, Siobhan. Bog Child. Read by Sile Bermingham. 7 CDs. 8.75 hrs. Listening Library/Random House Audio. 2008/2009. 978-0-7393-8540-1. $45.00. vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *JSA  Dowd's narration is perfect. Her lyrical Irish voice detects and shares all the nuances of a story filled with adventure, history, mystery, intrigue, sorrow and joy. Mary Purucker, December, 2009

Forman, Gayle. If I Stay. Read by Kirsten Potter. 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Listening Library/Random House. 2009. 978-0-7393-8084-0. $45. Vinyl binder. Ages 14-17. *S This relatively short audio will leave an indelible mark on listeners, their hearts, and their souls. Not to be missed.  Stephanie Squicciarini, October, 2009.

Garner, Alan. The Owl Service. Read by Wayne Forester. 4 CDs. 5 hrs. Naxos Audio. 2008. 978-962-634-931-1. $28.98. Plastic; plot, reader notes. *JS Forester is superb.... Twilight readers and others who like to be frightened should enjoy this Carnegie Medal and Guardian Award winner. Mary Purucker, July, 2009.

Heiligman, Deborah. Charles and Emma. The Darwins' Leap of Faith. Read by Rosalyn Landor. 6 CDs. 7.45 hrs. Listening Library/Random House. 2009. 978-0-7393-8049-9. $50.00. Vinyl binder; content, author, reader notes. *JSA  ...reads like a modern romance that should appeal to many....Landor's warm, sensitive...reading... will make it accessible to many ... especially younger listeners. Jean Palmer, March, 2009

Hiaasen, Carl. Scat. Read by Ed Asner. 8 CDs. 9.33 hrs. Listening Library/Random House. 2009. 978-0-7393-7130-5. $60.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *JSA Who else but Ed Asner...  could read with just the right panache.... Fantastic family listening. Jean palmer, March, 2009.

Jocelyn, Marthe.  Would You? Read by Renée Raudman. 3 CDs. 3.75 hrs. Listening Library. Random House Audio. 2008/2009. 98-0-7393-8009-3. $38.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes.  *SA  Listeners will be changed once they complete the path with Natalie, clearly feeling how quickly life itself can change.  Stephanie Squicciarini, May, 2009.

Lisle, Janet Taylor. Highway Cats. Read by James Jenner. 2 CDs. 2.5 hrs. Recorded Books. 2008/2009. 978-1-4407-2036-9. $30.75. Vinyl binder; Plot notes. *JSA   Award winning author Janet Taylor Lisle's little gem of a fantasy... will provoke lots of important, involving discussion. .... reader James Jenner's narration takes this a step beyond perfection....Jean Palmer, June, 2009.

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Faith, Hope and Ivy June. Read by Karen White. 5 CDs. 6.33 hrs. Listening Library. 2009. 978-0-7393-8053-6. $34.00. Vinyl binder; plot, author, reader notes. *J Hearing the story narrated does much to bring the story to life and draws the listener into the action....highly recommended for middle graders and parents interested in recognizing and combating social stereotypes whose seeds are often sown in the early years. Susan Allison, October, 2009.

Newmark, Elle. The Book of Unholy Mischief. Read by Raul Esparza. 10 CDs. 11.5 hrs. Recorded Books. 1008/2009. 978-1-4361-5115-3. $123.75. Vinyl binder; plot notes.  *SA  Actor Esparza's magical reading absorbs, embodies and realizes Luciano's amazing tale even as he captures the Renaissance and Venice. Ambitious, outstanding audio!  Jean Palmer, December 2009.

Ryan, Pam Munoz. Riding Freedom. Read by Melissa Hughes. 2 CDs. 2.5 hrs. Audio Bookshelf. 1998/2009. 978-0-9814890-4-9. $34.95.  vinyl binder; plot. JSA  This powerful story of one young woman's drive for independence and accomplishment will inspire any listener; and Hughes outstanding reading makes it accessible to younger listeners. Jean Palmer, March, 2009.

Volponi, Paul. Hurricane Song, a novel of New Orleans.. Read by Jacob Norman. 2 CDs. 2 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2008. 978-1-4233-8218- 8. $24.99. Cardboard; plot notes. *SA  Volponi's remarkable story graphically describes the devastation wrought by Katrina .... Reader Jacob Norman's strong African-American voice and local accents brings to life both the pathos and brotherhood.... Sue Allison, July, 2009. 

Zindel, Paul. The Pigman. Read by Eden Riegel and Charlie McWade.  4 compact disks.  4 hrs. 30 mins.  Graymalkinmedia.  2009.  978-1-9351-6900-0.  *JSA One of the earliest books to give young adult readers some credit for maturity and intelligence while speaking to them on their own level about their own issues, the book is as eloquent and timely today as it ever was.  Francine Levitov, June, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

By Francine Levitov and Jean Palmer

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