The Physics of Sorrow is a fragmented, refleFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Toby Stephens Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
The Physics of Sorrow is a fragmented, reflective novel blending myth, history, and personal anecdotes. Narrator Georgi tells his life story. I really enjoyed the start of the novel about the Minotaur. Later on, we learn about family history, like his boyhood years in communist Bulgaria, the abandonment of his relatives, and some other family secrets.
This was my second novel by Georgi Gospodinov. My first was Time Shelter. Again, I really enjoyed the start and hoped for a different novel. But I'm used to the author's style, so now I can appreciate his works more.
I also recommend the audio format. I think it's much easier to get through....more
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Natalie Naudus; André Santana; Michael Crouch; Steven Crossley
4 weird and creepy short stories: * This Skin Was Once MineFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Natalie Naudus; André Santana; Michael Crouch; Steven Crossley
4 weird and creepy short stories: * This Skin Was Once Mine * Seedling * All The Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn * Prickle
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity!...more
Jon Fosse is the winner of the 2023 Nobel Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Kåre Conradi Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Jon Fosse is the winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Signe lies on a bench in front of her house by the fjord. The house she once shared with Asle. In fact, it is an old house that once belonged to her husband’s family. She remembers her life with Asle and the night he disappeared at the sea. This was over 20 years ago. Fosse successfully weaves together stories of more family members from different periods. We learn about Signe’s marriage to Asle and the stories of Asle’s ancestors. It feels like the house is telling its own story.
Jon Fosse deservedly won the Nobel Prize last year. I love his repetitive style (especially on audio). With so few words and repetitions, he tells so much more on some other level.
This was my second audiobook by Jon Fosse, narrated by Kåre Conradi, and I loved it again. If you want to experience Fosse's work but are concerned about the repetitive style, try it in audiobook format. The narrator is really perfect for reading this author.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
The year is 1901. Ada Byrd moves to Lowry Bridge, where she will teacFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Natalie Naudus Content: 2 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
The year is 1901. Ada Byrd moves to Lowry Bridge, where she will teach at a local elementary school. We get to know the town and the inhabitants through her diary entries. Besides that, we also learn her story - why she came to Lowry Bridge and what happened to her sister.
It’s probably me. Literary horror is one of my favorite genres, and I have a picture of what it should be like. I like slow-paced novels, but only if slow pacing makes sense. I wish this novel would start at roughly 50 or even 60% because I considered giving up on it several times while reading the first half. Although the second half was much better, even very good, it couldn’t make up for the first part. The damage was done. I appreciate themes like resistance against the patriarchy. But unfortunately, I think this often felt forced, and emphasizing it constantly overshadowed the primary purpose of the novel.
I am sure that despite what I wrote above, many readers will like this novel. If you like slow-paced historical fiction and feminist sapphic horror, this book might be a good choice.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Morning and Evening is a beautiful story oFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Kåre Conradi Content: 4.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Morning and Evening is a beautiful story of a man named Johannes, of young Johannes, just born and old, reminiscing about his life. These two are probably the same person (but we cannot be completely sure).
Fosse, with his sparse prose and simple everyday moments, tells the life story of Johannes. It's a quiet story, but yet so impactful.
I love Fosse's writing - it's sparse and poetic, and the use of repetition is surprisingly good. This novel, despite the writing, works wonderfully as an audiobook, too. The narrator, Kåre Conradi, did an excellent job reading this.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Finally, after a long time, I listened to a Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Andrea Gallo Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Finally, after a long time, I listened to a tech audiobook. About robots! Yes!
The author, Daniela Rus, a leading roboticist and computer scientist, presents us with intriguing ideas about what the future in the field of robotics will bring us. The author mainly refers to robots that work in symbiosis with humans, from wearable robots to self-driving cars. While some solutions are in use today, others are momentarily just ideas and will not be available anytime soon.
I like how the author enthusiastically talks about her work and inspires the readers. But we, readers (potential users of these robots), are significantly less patient than scientists. We would like everything to be done immediately. Meanwhile, scientists get excited about every little progress on the way to a solution.
An enjoyable read for those interested in technology, computer science, and robotics. In the audiobook edition, the narrator, Andrea Gallo, reads the book with the same enthusiasm as the author wrote it.
Thanks to Recorded Books for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Mara Wilson Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Although The Singularity is a relatively shortFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Mara Wilson Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Although The Singularity is a relatively short novel, it’s very well-written and original. The non-linear narrative presents the story of two women. Author intertwines the themes of motherhood, refugees, and loss.
Balsam Karam is a Swedish writer and librarian of Iranian Kurdish descent, and she obviously knows the topics covered here. The narrator, Mara Wilson (known for Matilda), did an amazing job. She narrates this sad novel perfectly.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
I didn’t know much about Maria Callas before I started this novel, anFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Lorelei King Content: 2.5 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
I didn’t know much about Maria Callas before I started this novel, and I am quite interested in (semi)biographical novels of people I find important. Diva reveals the story of the famous opera singer of Greek descent, Maria Callas. She was, and still is, considered one of the best, if not the best, opera singers of all time. Her incredible musical talent earned her the nickname “La Divina”.
I was hoping for an in-depth life story of Maria Callas. Even though she was also known for her relationship with the Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis, I hoped the main focus of the story would not be on that. Also, the novel Diva often gave me telenovela vibes. And I didn’t want to read only a story about glamour, rich people, and romance.
In the end, the novel is ok; it is informative. If you know nothing about Maria Callas, you will learn some facts after reading this novel. But honestly, I would have expected more depth.
I finished the novel, thanks to the audio format. I doubt I would bother with reading a book. One other thing I appreciated and enjoyed in audio format was the short recordings of Diva singing.
In short - not my type of novel. 2.5★. I'm torn about how to round it. Maybe rounded to 3★ for the audiobook version?
Thanks to Head of Zeus Audiobooks for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
A young woman wakes up the morning after a pFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Anna Burnett Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
A young woman wakes up the morning after a party covered in bruises and scratches. She doesn't remember what happened. As we follow her story after that morning, the puzzle slowly comes together piece by piece. She later meets Helene, who seems perfect in every sense.
Short novel, only 4 hours 40 minutes in audiobook form. Although weird and creepy, Dead Animals is an excellent novel.
Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Phoebe gets lost in the woods of West Virginia.Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Adam Varah Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars Complete audiobook review
Phoebe gets lost in the woods of West Virginia. While she searches for her way back, she meets a strange creature. This creature turns out to be goblin Gnish-Gnash. Soon, a whole new world opens up for Phoebe, one with goblins, trolls, wizards, and magic. On this journey, she also discovers something about herself.
Simple but engaging plot, it's a middle-grade fantasy novel. It contains many positive messages, as befits such a book.
Thanks to Wild Rose Press for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
In the novel, we follow the case of 10-yearFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Jessica Regan Content: 5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
In the novel, we follow the case of 10-year-old Lucy, who is suspected of murdering a small child. Tom is a tabloid journalist. He intends to learn as much as possible from Lucy’s family. So, he pays for the hotel for the family and a limitless supply of alcohol. Of course, with the hidden motive of getting exclusive newsworthy information. A story from the past then unfolds. We learn the story of the family and the stories of individual members: Carmel (Lucy’s mother), Richie (Lucy’s uncle and Carmel’s brother), and John (Carmel’s father). Problems, weaknesses, and failings of ordinary people.
Inspired by some true crime cases. Ordinary Human Failings is a shocking story but sounds realistic and ordinary enough that it really could be a true crime story. I read Megan Nolan for the first time, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the novel.
Thanks to Hachette Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Talonsister is a slow-paced and quite complexFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Jot Davies Content: 3.5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Talonsister is a slow-paced and quite complex high fantasy novel with many characters and subplots. The setting and story are inspired by the UK and its history.
Leven is a retired herald who served eight years in the Imperium’s army. She has no memory of before she joined the army. Now, after the serving, she has strange visions of some foreign place. She is travelling with Cillian, the druin. Accompanied by the envoy of the Imperium, Kaeto, bone-crafter Gynid Tyleigh is searching for the new Titan bones. Ynis is a 16-year-old girl raised by griffins who lives surrounded by them in the north. They are isolated, so she never saw another human. She lives as griffins do and flies with her talon-sister, T’rook.
I needed really a lot of time to get invested in the story, and in the first half, I didn’t know how to feel about the story. The last quarter of the story was more engaging and faster-paced.
I liked the extraordinary narration by Jot Davies, who did an amazing job of bringing to life so many human and nonhuman characters.
Thanks to Bolinda Audio for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Moji and her sister Mar Mar live in Tehran. TFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Nikki Massoud Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Moji and her sister Mar Mar live in Tehran. They love the stories from The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night that their grandfather reads to them. Right before the Islamic Revolution, the father goes to study in America, and the family is supposed to go with him. But they can't go to America from Iran. The family travels to Europe and tries to get to America from there. After several attempts, they succeed and join their father. Later, the family returns to Iran and finds everything much changed after the revolution.
At the beginning of each chapter, there are excerpts from The Book of a Thousand Nights and a Night. The House on Sun Street is autobiographical and tells the story of young author Mojgan Ghazirad and her memories of the Islamic Revolution. I liked the novel and the history and culture of Iran woven into this story.
The narration by Nikki Massoud is excellent.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
Winner of the 2023 National Book Award for TFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: André Santana Content: 5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
Winner of the 2023 National Book Award for Translated Literature
Raimundo, at the age of seventy-one, finally decides it’s time to learn to read and write. He is encouraged to do so mainly by a letter received over fifty years ago by his youthful love, Cicero. At a young age, he wanted to continue his education. But his father thought it better for him to help the family by working. The story consists of current life and memories from the past. Raimundo recalls his forbidden love and his father’s beatings. Now he’s living with Suzzanny, a dear friend who went through a lot like he did.
The Words That Remain is a very moving novel that deals with the violence and homophobia in the rural part of Brazil. It is a very well-written novel, lyrical, with beautiful language. It is also a very emotional read. The narrator did an excellent job bringing this story and feelings of Raimundo to life.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
My Favorite Scar is quite a dark novel, criFormat: audiobook ~ Narrator: Stacy Gonzalez Content: 4 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars Complete audiobook review
My Favorite Scar is quite a dark novel, crime, and a coming-of-age story of fifteen-year-old Ámbar, who is on the road from one city to the next with her gangster father, Víctor Mondragón. A guy with a snake tattoo kills her father's best friend, and they set off on a ride across Argentina to avenge his friend. Meanwhile, Ámbar wants to be like an average teenager and not patch up Víctor’s bullet holes in motels.
This is not a usual coming-of-age novel. It is pretty violent, so it's appropriate for adults only.
Thanks to Recorded Books for the advance copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own....more
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