Monday, August 31, 2009
ON THE DIVINITY OF SECOND CHANCES by Kaya McLaren, read by Cassandra Campbell, Susan Denaker, et al.
This delightful novel of a family turning crises into opportunities is narrated by several different actors. Each character gets a distinct voice, from Grandma Pearl to Phil, Anna, their three grown children, and, from time to time, even the moon.
Listen now. Time 3:35
Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 4.1 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Comment here: Sunday, August 30, 2009
A PASSAGE TO INDIA by E.M. Forster, read by Meera Syal
Expect to enter into the heart of India with this audiobook's combination of Indian music, rich description, and Meera Syal's compelling reading. She gives a thoughtful reading of Forster's famous novel that reveals colonial India through the eyes of both Indian and British residents. Listen now. Time 3:12 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.9 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
LITTLE BEE by Chris Cleave, read by Anne Flosnik
Worlds collide in this remarkable performance when Little Bee, a Nigerian girl orphaned by violence, meets Sarah, a dissatisfied British professional away on holiday. As the point of view shifts between Little Bee and Sarah, their respective pasts come to life, offering surprises and twists. Anne Flosnik gives a lyrical performance. Listen now. Time 3:43 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 4.3 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
DIRK GENTLY'S HOLISTIC DETECTIVE AGENCY by Douglas Adams, adapted by Dirk Maggs, and performed by Harry Enfield, Billy Boyd, and a Full Cast
Like the author's classic HITCHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, this zany novel imaginatively combines science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and trendy philosophy into a humorous and thought-provoking brew. "Holistic" gumshoe Dirk Gently encounters time-travel, space aliens, ghosts, and an electric monk, among other weirdnesses. This audio theater is expertly layered with sound, music and voices, and it's paced to keep the listener ever alert to the abrupt, lightening-fast transitions. Listen now. Time 3:03 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.5 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
ABOVE THE LAW by Tim Green, read by Bernadette Dunne
Attorney Casey Jordan's investigation into the killing of an illegal Mexican immigrant by a Texas senator takes her up against some powerful factions. Bernadette Dunne gives a masterful performance, smoothly slipping from character to character. Listen now. Time 2:35 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.5 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Monday, August 24, 2009
CRAZY FOR THE STORM: A Memoir of Survival by Norman Ollestad, read by the author
Ollestad’s memoir opens with his recollection of being in a plane crash in California's Sierra Madre mountains at the age of 11. He recounts the lessons he’d learned from his ambitious, demanding father that ultimately helped him survive. Listen now. Time 2:42 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.1 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Friday, August 21, 2009
THE WELL-DRESSED APE: A Natural History of Myself by Hannah Holmes, read by Joyce Bean
In a fascinating and engrossing nonfiction work, the author looks at her biological identity as Homosapiens in our world's ecosystem. Bean's narration--neutral yet warm--balances the work's considerable science and research. Listen now. Time 2:53 Download now as an mp3 file. Size: 1.7 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
TEA TIME FOR THE TRADITIONALLY BUILT by Alexander McCall Smith, read by Lisette Lecat
In Book 10 of the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, we find Precious looking into reasons for the failure of a popular football club. Lisette Lecat is the perfect performer for these extraordinarily charming tales of Mma Ramotswe, lady detective in hot and dusty Botswana. Listen now. Time 2:43 Download now as an mp3 file. Size: 3.2 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
HENRY'S FREEDOM BOX by Ellen Levine, read by Jerry Dixon
When a picture book has won a Caldecott Honor Medal for illustration it takes a particularly skilled narrator to capture the story’s words AND the visual elements that were celebrated. Jerry Dixon manages both with his gentle, intimate presentation for this readalong book & recording program. Kids ages 8 and up will love this one. Listen now. Time 2:22 Download now as an mp3 file. Size: 2.8 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
GRACELING by Kristin Cashore, performed by David Baker and a Full Cast
Cashore's well-developed characters and fantasy adventure are completely realized in this full-cast production. Graceling Katsa is gifted with special talents that include the "grace" to fight and kill. A perfect Young Adult listen. Listen now. Time 3:08 Download now as an mp3 file. Size: 3.6 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Monday, August 17, 2009
READING MAGIC: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox, read by the author
Australian children's book author Mem Fox is also an international literary specialist. She uses her sparkling vocal personality to promote reading aloud to children.. Listen now. Time 3:00 Download now as an mp3 file. Size: 1.8 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Friday, August 14, 2009
BASEBALL GREAT by Tim Green, read by the author
Welcome to baseball in the twenty-first century! Author and narrator Tim Green smacks one out of the park with his portrayal of Josh, a gifted middle school baseball player who is faced with painfully intense pressures that make him question the game that he was born to play. Great for ages 8 and up. Listen now. Time 2:34 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.5 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
THE VOICES OF JANET EVANOVICH: A CONVERSATION WITH C.J. CRITT
In today's special SoundReview, AudioFile editor Robin Whitten chats with narrator C.J. Critt about Janet Evanovich's hugely popular romance series. Listen as Critt revs up a scene from Evanovich's NASCAR romance, MOTOR MOUTH. Listen now. Time 4:48Wednesday, August 12, 2009
THE VOICES OF JANET EVANOVICH: A CONVERSATION WITH LORELEI KING
In this special SoundReview, AudioFile editor Robin Whitten catches up with narrator Lorelei King to talk about narrating Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Listen here as King reads from FINGER LICKIN’ FIFTEEN and talks about building a voice for an Evanovich character. Listen now. Time 7:15Tuesday, August 11, 2009
PACKING THE COURT by James MacGregor Burns, read by Norman Dietz
Most of us take for granted that the Supreme Court will decide the most divisive issues of our day, but is this what the Constitution's framers had in mind when they wrote that document? Narrator Dietz has an assured, deep, rich voice that lends authority and gravitas to the book. Reviewed by Bob Grundfest. Listen now. Time 2:54 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.4 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Monday, August 10, 2009
THE BOAT by Nam Lee, read by the Recorded Books Repertory Company
This collection of seven short stories read by seven different narrators is a tour de force of both writing and narration. The talented and varied narrators represent a cross section of styles and voices. Reviewed by Bob Grundfest. Listen now. Time 3:03 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.5 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Friday, August 07, 2009
SATCHEL, Larry Tye, read by Dominic Hoffman
Satchel Paige has been called the best pitcher of his generation, and possibly of all time, but coming of age in a segregated America delayed his progression towards fame. Narrator Hoffman has a pleasant, insistent voice that propels that narrative forward and gives the text a sense of urgency. Reviewed by Bob Grundfest. Listen now. Time 3:03 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.5 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
ANGEL'S TIP by Alafair Burke, read by Eliza Foss
Using cold cases and pattern recognition NYPD investigator Ellie Hatcher chases clues to catch a serial killer who specializes in leggy, young blondes. Eliza Foss works each sentence with a marvelous intelligence, conveying the exact mood of a speaker with the slightest shift of timbre. Listen now. Time 2:48 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.3 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
EVIDENCE NOT SEEN: A Woman’s Miraculous Faith in the Jungles of World War II by Darlene Deibler Rose, read by Lorna Raver
A newly-married Christian missionary follows her husband to 1938 New Guinea. Their plan to bring God’s message to a native pigmy people meets unimagined hurdles of disease, starvation, and war. This memoir is beautifully performed by Lorna Raver. Listen now. Time 2:54 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.7 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
THE KING OF RAGTIME by Larry Karp, read by Mirron Willis
In this period mystery, listeners are immersed in the syncopated rhythms of ragtime with real life characters Scott Joplin and Irving Berlin. Narrator Willis never strikes a false note--he fashions living human beings of all colors, textures, and dispositions with only his smooth, sultry voice. Listen now. Time 2:09 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.3 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Monday, August 03, 2009
THE BOOK OF NIGHT WOMEN by Marlon James, read by Robin Miles
The calypso lilt of narrator Robin Miles gives listeners an immediate sense of this novel’s setting: an eighteenth-century Jamaican sugar plantation. The rhythm of her speech really transports you--yet doesn't cover the tension and the turbulence below the surface. Listen now. Time 2:35 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
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