Audiobook Reviews (11)

Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman (Narrated by Johnny Heller)

I was pleasantly surprised to step out of my comfort zone and listen to something so different and thought-provoking as this novel. Told from the perspective of a teenager with cerebral palsy, a teen who has never uttered a word or controlled any of his movements, this a powerful story that will make you step into a mind you never thought you'd glimpse. The narrator's voice fit perfectly with Shawn's character and made the short listen enjoyable and compelling.

Book:  ★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? Very much so.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (Narrated by Mandy Williams and Justine Eyre)

While this was a book that failed to meet some of my expectations, specially in the romance department, I did enjoy the world-building and the fresh take on dragons. Most of all though, I enjoyed the audio. I love accents, and the narrators accent made the high fantasy part of it even more alive. Seraphina's wonderful voice was very well represented by the main narrator, and I would recommend this audio to all high fantasy readers/listeners. The other narrator plays Seraphina's mom and does it just okay.

Book:  ★★★
Narrator 1:  ★★★★★
Narrator 2: ★★★
Recommended audio? Yes
(Amazon)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (Narrated by Noah Galvin) 

A gem of a book gorgeously narrated in a gem of an audiobook. You've gotta love Charlie and his unique voice and innocence. The narrator made Charlie come to life and even his naivety came through brilliantly. One of the best audios I've listened to this year! (I couldn't help it, I used the movie poster image. So excited!)

Book:  ★★★★★

Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? OMG, yes.
(Amazon)


More:

- Audiobook Reviews (1)
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- Audiobook Reviews (10) 

JIAM Giveaway: Signed Enclave Audio CDs!

 

For those of you who adore audiobooks like me, this is part of JIAM Giveaway Hop hosted by Reading Teen!

Enter to win a SIGNED audiobook (CDs) of Enclave by Ann Aguirre!

Open international, ends June 15.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What is OverDrive? (Audiobooks, E-books & more)

Apparently we don't even need to go to the library anymore. Free audiobooks and e-books from home? Yes, please.

You know how much I love audiobooks and I was looking forward to joining Audible, when my librarian mentioned Overdrive. So, what is it? From the site:

OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, and other digital content. We deliver secure management, DRM protection, and download fulfillment services for publishers, libraries, schools, and retailers--serving millions of end users globally.

Our support for iPod®, iPhone®, iPad™, Android™, Sony® Reader, Kindle® (US libraries only), and thousands of other mobile devices, makes our library platform the most compatible library download service. We also offer the largest collection of premium audiobooks, eBooks, music, and video for the library – all available on a single website for browsing, checking out, and downloading.

A peek at my wishlist:

Okay, I am by no means and expert, in fact I still need to figure quite a few things out, but I have already downloaded and listened to 5 audiobooks and read some rented books on kindle. I'm not sure how similar the selection of titles is for different states or areas but if you head to the main site and enter your zip code it'll probably take you from there.

Facts:

• Unlike other audiobook/ebook rentals this is through public libraries so it is FREE, of course.
• You need to download the OverDrive Media Console. 
• There is an OverDrive app, but many titles are not available from there. You can still use your device though, just use console and then transfer. 
• Many e-books can go directly to your Kindle or Kindle app and you can use your Adobe Reader.
• You can place holds on popular titles.

Issues I've encountered:

• There is a maximum amount of items allowed at a time. In my case it's 5 titles, no matter the format.
• My main issue with it so far is that there is no way to return some titles. So, if you already borrowed 5 for 14 days, for example, and you're done listening to all in 7 days, you must still wait til they expire. (There are some exceptions).
• If you place holds, you must leave room (from the X titles allowed) for when your hold is ready. Once they email you about the title's availability you only have 2 days to checkout or you lose your hold(remember: no returns)

I hope this helps some of you get access to free books in a different, modern and convenient way. They have a super updated collection, including in YA!  The only thing you need is a Library Card number from a library that offers this service, which many libraries now do.

Audiobook Reviews (8)

Incarnate by Jodi Meadows (Narrated by Katherine Taub)

This story was definitely not for me. It's a somewhat slow-paced paranormal romance with the unbelievably good/nice love interest and the plot strictly dependent on its paranormal features. The audiobook however, was very well performed and it kept me listening for some reason. I loved Anna's voice and the way the narrator put so much emotion into reading her character. So I do suggest you if you pick this one up, try the audio.

Book:  ★★
Narrator:  ★★★★
Recommended audio? I wouldn't have finished the book if I'd read it, so yes.
(Audible)

Cinder by Marissa Mayer (Narrated by Rebecca Soler)

This story was so intricate and managed to involve so many different aspects that it just blew me away. The audio was also extremely well performed. I love how some narrators manage to pull you in somehow. This is a fully-enjoyable, wildly creative, feel-good retelling of the fairytale we all love. Part dystopia, part fantasy, part sci-fi, part romance, this is a book for everyone. And the audio is even better!

Book:  ★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? YES, definitely!
(Amazon / Audible)

Purity by Jackson Pierce (Narrated by Jackson Pierce)

To be honest, at first impression Jackson's narrating was flat and monotonous. As the story went on, I stopped thinking of it as Jackson's flat voice and started thinking of it as Shelby's disinterested, grieving voice and that changed my perspective. Even though the characters were a little uni-dimensional for me, being able to er, "hear Shelby" made me connect with her a bit more. It's such a short audio and the own author reads it so it was well worth listening.

Book:  ★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★
Recommended audio? If only to listen to Pierce, yes. I respect authors who read their own book well.
(Audible)


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Audiobook Reviews (6)

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare  
(Narrated by Ed Westwick & Heather Lind)

I was a little hesitant to read this one because Cassie's books last year were not my favorite. CoFA was a little disappointing for me. Oh, but this made me fall in love with Cassie again. Over and Over. CP is much much better than the first one. And it's just SO unbelievably GOOD that it almost makes me want to end my no-paranormal rule. The audio was good, I felt Ed narrator better and clearer than in his last audio. The female narrator was not my favorite either, but she did a decent job and I loved the story, so it compensated.

Book:  ★★★★★
Narrators:  ★★★★
Recommended audio? Yes
(Amazon)

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (narrated by Steve West & Fiona Hardingham)

I definitely enjoyed this one a lot listening to it than reading it. Even though it's gorgeously written and it makes you want to crawl into the beautiful words, the story just failed to grab my attention for at least half of the book. Then I picked up the audio to finish it, and found that the delicious accents of the narrators kept me engaged and satisfied. I enjoyed the second half a lot more! The female narrator was specially good. 

Book:  ★★★
Narrators:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? Yes!
(Amazon)

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (Narrated by Khristine Hvam)

This book was absolutely spectacular! Laini Taylor is an artist of words. She can wrap you in her prose and make you feel warm and fuzzy. And the reader they selected to narrate the audio was the perfect fit for such exquisite writing and the perfect voice for Karou. I loved loved loved this one!

Book:  ★★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? YES!
(Amazon)


More:
- Audiobook Reviews (1)
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Tempest Audiobook Giveaway!!

Enter to win a copy of the audio version of Tempest by Julie Cross! (US Only, ends Feb 17th)

Thanks to the lovely people from Macmillan Audio.

Not sure if you'll like it? Check out the excerpt below!

Giveaway: GLOW Audiobook!

One winner will receive:

Rules:

• Open to US and Canada.
• Ends December 31st, 2011.

Audiobook Reviews (5)

In which I talk about audiobooks I've listened to.

Enclave by Ann Aguirre (Narrated by Emily Bauer)

One of the reasons I love dystopia so much is that there are endless possibilities to mess up the world in a credible & scary could-happen way. And the fact that in world they live underground in what used to be the subway, is fascinating. Even though this is one of those weird books where the first half does not match the second half, I quite enjoyed it because the narration was superb. I loved the voice and her pace and felt entranced while listening. I believe that if I had read it, I wouldn't have enjoyed it quite so much. 

Book:  ★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? Yes!
(Amazon)

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann (narrated by Simon Jones)

It has been a while since I've read something so magical and special. This is a middle grade title that has very accurately been compared (in a very good way) to Harry Potter. And since I listened to the Harry Potter audio, I cant help but compare the audio versions as well. Fabulous male narration that envelops the reader in the story and turns our reality into the world within The Unwanteds. If you have middle-grade readers at home this will be a wonderful way to introduce them to the amazing world of audio. A beautifully meaningful story and a storytelling that makes it a classic. 

Book:  ★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? Absolutely!
(Amazon)

Feed by M.T. Anderson (Narrated by David Aaron Baker)

I wish all audiobooks has special sound effects to make them cooler. Out of the enormous amount of audios I've heard, very few have anything more than a starting music and plain narration. This one? It has an awesome radio-style static and channel shifting that gives 'the feed' of the character that much more richness. You can listen to the feed as if it was in your head, and believe me, it's creepy and annoying. Poor Titus! The narration was pretty good too, but this is worth picking up if only for the fact that the feed comes to life. 

Book:  ★★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★
Recommended audio? Yep!
(Amazon)


More:
- Audiobook Reviews (1)
- Audiobook Reviews (2)
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Favorites in Audiobooks

From the ones I've listened to (find a list here) my top 5 favorites, which means the ones that were a complete pleasure to listen to, from the story to the reader, are:

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly, read by Emily Janice Card & Emma Bering

Summer series by Jenny Han, read by Jessica Almasy

Split by Swati Avashti, read by Joshua Swanson

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Jenna Lamia, Emma Galvin, Pierce Cravens & Dan Bittner.

Stolen by Lucy Christopher, read by Emily Gray


And my top 5 favorite readers, which you learn to appreciate and end up picking up faster the ones with reader you like, are (Yes, of course they match my favorite audiobooks!):

Joshua Swanson. LOVE HIM. Seriously. He won some award for Split, which he MORE THAN deserves. He's the reader in Split, The Things a Brother Knows, The Homelanders series, Three Rivers Rising, The Dreamhouse Kings Series and like, a gazillion more.

Emily Janice Card. If you listened to Revolution, she was Andi. She's also the reader in: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, What Comes After, Charmed Thirds, The Lost Gate.

Jenna Lamia. She reads Tell Me A Secret in the Free Podcast. She also reads as Grace in The Wolves of Mercy Falls series. More: The Chosen One, The Adoration of Jenna Fox, The LA Candy series, (adult) The Help.

Emma Galvin. She's Isabel in The Wolves of Mercy Falls series! She also reads DIVERGENT. More: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Strings Attached, Hold Still, The Eternal Ones and the sequel, The Glee books, (adult, but written by Melissa Marr) Graveminder.

Jessica Almasy. She is the one and only Belly (Summer series). Belly made me fall in love with audiobooks. So, Jessica did that. She's also the reader in: Drought, Ten Miles Past Normal, Oh My Gods, Dirty Little Secrets, Intertwined.