Tuesday, September 29, 2009
CHEEVER: A Life by Blake Bailey, read by Malcolm Hillgartner
One of the most important American postwar writers, John Cheever is a fascinating biographical subject, and he is very much alive in Malcolm Hillgartner's reading.
Listen now. Time 2:24
Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.4 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Comment here: Monday, September 28, 2009
SCAT by Carl Hiaasen, read by Edward Asner
Hearing Ed Asner’s narration is a bit like hearing a great tall tale told by a favorite grandfather. His gruff tone and quirky interpretations of Hiaasen's usual over-the-top oddballs make a fine program for listeners ages 10 and up. Listen now. Time 2:42 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.6 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Friday, September 25, 2009
DREAMS MAY COME by Richard Matheson, read by Robertson Dean
Matheson's (I AM LEGEND) novel opens with the death of the main character and reveals the afterlife as a wonderful, perfect place. Narrator Dean's delivery reveals the fear and wonder of a man as he discovers what lies after death. Listen now. Time 2:53 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.4 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
PICCADILLY JIM by P.G. Wodehouse, read by Martin Jarvis
From the creator of Jeeves and Wooster comes the story of a British ex-newsman and reforming playboy who finds himself pretending to be an imposter impersonating himself. Narrator Jarvis dives in with comic voicing and expert pacing. Listen now. Time 2:44 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.2 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö, read by Tom Weiner
Another excellent police procedural about Martin Beck and his colleagues of the Stockholm Homicide Squad, and once again, Tom Weiner gives a performance that is pitch-perfect for the material. Listen now. Time 2:55 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, September 21, 2009
HOUNDSLEY AND CATINA AND THE BIRTHDAY SURPRISE by James Howe, read by Peter Pamela Rose
Narrator Rose captures a charming cat and a thoughtful dog—two friends who attempt to cheer each other up with birthday surprises. A great listen for kids ages six and up. Listen now. Time 2:23 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.4 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
STONE'S FALL by Iain Pears, read by Roy Dotrice, John Lee, and Simon Vance
Pears' fascinating story follows the fate of an English arms supplier and his mysterious wife. John Lee, Simon Vance, and Roy Dotrice share the microphone, each doing an impeccable job with accents and narrative turns. Listen now. Time 2:57 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.7 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
EYE OF THE CRICKET by James Sallis, read by G. Valmont Thomas
Lew Griffin is an African-American writer and teacher in New Orleans who sometimes does investigations. He has a novelist's mind full of dreams, memories, and literature as he looks for the shape of a book, or for various missing persons, in this case, his long-gone son. Narrator Thomas can make you laugh out loud or make you grip the edge of your seat. 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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
DEATH OF A DORMOUSE by Reginald Hill, read by Di Langford
Reginald Hill takes a break from his excellent series about Yorkshire policemen Dalziel and Pascoe to produce a different kind of mystery. As Trudi Adamson works through her shock at the death of her husband, listeners come to understand that Trudi's husband was not who he seemed to be. This combination of author Hill and narrator Di Langford is great, and we'll hope for a sequel. Listen now. Time 2:33 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, September 14, 2009
THE SCARECROW by Michael Connelly, read by Peter Giles
L.A. TIMES crime reporter Jack McEvoy has the chance to free an innocent convict and catch a serial killer at the same time. Peter Giles delivers the story with crisp and compelling narration. Listen now. Time 2:59 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, September 11, 2009
The Voices of Agatha Christie: A Conversation with Rosalind Ayres
September 12th through the 20th is Christie Week! In celebration of Agatha Christie, Robin Whitten speaks with Rosalind Ayres, narrator of several of Christie's Miss Marple mysteries. Listen now. Time 10:18 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. SoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The Voices of Agatha Christie: A Conversation with Hugh Fraser
September 12th through the 20th is Christie Week! In celebration of Agatha Christie, Robin Whitten speaks with Hugh Fraser, narrator of dozens of Christie audiobooks. Listen now. Time 7:12 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. SoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING, by T.H. White, read by Neville Jason
Narrator Jason's narrative voice, easy pacing, and host of individual characterizations transport listeners into T.H. White's classic retelling of the tales of King Arthur. Listen now. Time 2:20 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.4 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
ON THE JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta, read by Rebecca Macauley
Taylor Markham, an Australian high school student, spends her senior year trying to make sense of her personal history in this well-crafted coming-of-age story. Narrator Macauley is adept at getting the full, riotous range of teen emotions and makes the narration feel intimate and authentic. Great for all young adult listeners. Listen now. Time 2:46 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.6 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Friday, September 04, 2009
THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Stieg Larsson, translated from the Swedish by Reg Keeland, read by Simon Vance
In this sequel to the international sensation, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, listeners meet Lisbeth Salander—an antisocial genius and hacker—and Mikael Blomkvist—publisher of a national news magazine. Simon Vance's reading of the breathless plot is faultless. The narrative is warm and enticing; the violence quick and crisp. Listen now. Time 2:58 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.4 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
VANISHED by Joseph Finder, read by Holter Graham
This devilishly plotted thriller of disappearances and deception in the world of corporate finance is so engrossing that you may not even mind when you are stalled in traffic. Holter Graham's range and engagement are impressive. Listen now. Time 2:50 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, September 02, 2009
THE ART OF MAKING MONEY: The Story of a Master Counterfeiter by Jason Kersten, read by Jim Bond
This entertaining book tells the story of Art Williams, a small-time thief who became one of the world's most successful U.S. currency counterfeiters. Narrator Bond has a rich, friendly, accessible voice that inspires our trust, which is ironic given that the book is about a crook. Reviewed by Bob Grundfest. Listen now. Time 3:11 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 1.9 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
NEW DEAL OR RAW DEAL? How FDR's Economic Legacy has Damaged America, by Burton Folsom, Jr., read by Alan Sklar
This book directly rebukes the government's response concerning the economic crisis of 2008 and the Obama Administration's efforts to alleviate its effects. Narrator Sklar's deep, resonant voice builds tension and develops the author's points. Reviewed by Bob Grundfest. Listen now. Time 3:21 Download an excerpt as an mp3 file. Size: 3.9 MBSoundReview support comes from Harper Audio,
Scholastic Audio, Hachette Audio, and Full Cast Audio.
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