Audio
-- Library Journal, 02/15/2010
Black, Sonny F. Bulletproof Love. 4 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 4½ hrs. Blackstone Audio and Buck 50 Prods. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4417-2078-8. $49; 4 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. F
In narrating Black's latest tale of gangsta love—following Gangsta Bitch (2008)—Angela Yee (I'm Not Neat but I'm Organized!) takes great pains to enunciate clearly. The net effect is that of a school child reading aloud, the sentences perfectly formed but the words all weighted equally. The characters are two-dimensional, the story is gratuitously graphic in language, sex, and violence, and the production, too, is lacking: there are no meaningful pauses between chapters, and the intermittent music tends to overpower the narration. This is hardly a feminist tale. Here, women are chattel whose only worth is what's between their legs, life is pointless, and everyone expects a violent death. Not recommended.Jodi L. Israel, MLS, Salt Lake City
Card, Orson Scott. Hidden Empire. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 9 hrs.Macmillan Audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2009. ISBN 978-0-7927-6622-3. $89.95; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; 8 CDs. retail ed. Macmillan Audio; Playaway digital; digital download. F
With this sequel, Card returns to the near-future world he first introduced in Empire (2006), also available from Macmillan Audio and BBC Audiobooks America. Here, power-hungry U.S. President Averell Torrent orders a quarantine of Africa to control a pandemic plague, a move that positions him to use his country's technological supremacy to create a worldwide American empire. Audie Award winner Stefan Rudnicki, nationally syndicated talk-show host Rusty Humphries, and the author himself read, all delivering superb performances. The intricate plot supplemented with futuristic technoaction may not appeal to listeners who disagree with Card's take on power politics or his conservative philosophy; the title is essential for Card's fans, however. [The Tor hc was described as "a fast-paced, well-crafted sf thriller," LJ 11/15/09.—Ed.]Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Great Modern Stories. 4 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 5 hrs. CSA Word. 2009. ISBN 978-1-934997-36-9. $26.95. F
These 23 previously published stories spanning 20 years and written by contemporary luminaries including Haruki Murakami, Doris Lessing, and A.S. Byatt run the gamut from thrillers to light fiction, with a few character studies thrown in. As read by Janet McTeer, Martin Jarvis, Harriet Walker, Rosalind Ayres, Walter Lewis, and others, this audio will keep listeners' attention throughout (all the stories are presented with British accents, lending a bit of elegance to the collection). Though there is no discernible logic to the arrangement, the collection works exceedingly well as a whole. For short-story fans and anyone wanting something a little different from the traditional audiobook experience.Donna Bachowski, Orange Cty. Lib. Syst., Orlando, FL
Grisham, John. Ford County: Stories. 7 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 8½ hrs.Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-307-70212-8. $60; 7 CDs. retail ed. Random Audio; digital download. F
Grisham's (www.jgrisham.com) first collection of short stories, in which he returns to the Ford County, MS, setting of his first novel, A Time To Kill (1989)—also available from Books on Tape and Random Audio—proves his talent beyond the genre of legal thriller. The author himself reads, his Southern accent adding to the authenticity of the characters, including a data collector from an insurance company with an aptitude for blackjack, a man dying of AIDS, and a trio of misfits on a road trip to Memphis. These are just some of the quirky individuals whose stories Grisham expertly weaves together in a crazy-quilt style to create a picture of life in Ford County. Listeners will love it; highly recommended. [See Major Audio Releases, LJ 10/15/09; the Putnam hc, which was published in November 2009, was a New York Times, USA Today, and LJbest seller—the pb will publish in July 2010.—Ed.]Theresa Stoner, St. Joseph Cty. P.L., South Bend, IN
Hornby, Nick. Juliet, Naked. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 9 hrs. Recorded Bks. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4407-5830-0. $92.75; 1 MP3-CD. library ed.; 8 CDs. retail ed. Penguin Audio; Playaway digital; digital download. F
Hornby's (www.nicksbooks.com) sixth novel, following Slam (2007), centers on Tucker Crowe, a reclusive musician about to release his first album in 22 years; Duncan, Tucker's No. 1 fan; and Duncan's girlfriend, whose uncomplimentary review of the album incites a reaction from Tucker himself. The characters are all wonderfully drawn by Hornby; he is especially skilled at revealing the thought processes of the men, who seem so easily to become entangled and obsessed. Bill Irwin, Ben Miles, and Jennifer Wiltsie do an excellent job of narrating, keeping the characters straight and the story moving along for listeners. Fans of Woody Allen's early movies will love this novel, with its wordy, neurotic, and comic turns; for medium and large public libraries. ["Fans of...High Fidelity will be excited to learn of Hornby's return to a pop culture-infused story about mucked-up modern romance," read the review of the Riverhead hc, LJ 8/09.—Ed.]Barbara Valle, El Paso P.L., TX
Howard, Linda. Ice. 4 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 5 hrs. Books on Tape. 2009. ISBN 978-0-3077-0266-1. $30; 4 CDs. retail ed. Random Audio; digital download. F
Anticipating a treacherous Maine ice storm, military man Gabriel McQueen arrives home on leave just in time to rescue high school nemesis Lolly Helton from the impending weather, along with two meth addicts who have taken her hostage. New York Times best-selling author Howard's follow-up to Burn (2009) is another intense stand-alone thriller that takes listeners on a wild ride and doesn't let up until the end. Expertly read by Fred Sanders (Born To Run), it will appeal to Howard's fans and to fans of Julie Garwood, Iris Johansen, Tami Hoag, and Jillian Hoffman. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 7/09.—Ed.]Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ
Roby, Kimberla Lawson. A Deep Dark Secret. 4 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 4¾ hrs.Recorded Bks. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4407-2890-7. $72.75; Playaway digital; digital download. F
Jillian was just seven when her stepfather slowly and systematically began robbing her of her innocence. Five years later, she is a highly intelligent, polite young girl who knows that what's been happening in her bedroom is wrong but is too terrified to tell anyone. Unlike books like Sapphire's Push, which is set amid poverty and drug addiction, New York Times best-selling author Roby's (www.kimroby.com) latest novel portrays the trauma of child abuse as it exists in middle-class America. Actress/narrator Cherise Boothe's (www.cheriseboothe.com) adept performance and the story line succeed in grabbing listeners, though Jillian as a character occasionally comes across as too mature, stifled, and sophisticated for a girl her age. A quick and fascinating listen that may cause some to wonder what's going on behind closed doors in their own neighborhoods.Valerie Piechocki, Prince George's Cty. Memorial Lib., Largo, MD
Blumenthal, Sidney. This Town. 2 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 1½ hrs. L.A. Theatre Works. 2009. ISBN 978-1-58081-652-6. $25.95; Playaway digital; digital download. DRAMA
While the United States is involved in serious negotiations with Eastern European countries, the Washington Press Corps discover what they believe to be a true conspiracy raging right under their noses—one involving the First Dog. A talented full cast—including Richard Kind, Jane Lanier, Joe Liss, and Alan Wilder—brings to life journalist/former presidential aide Blumenthal's amusing parody of the media and politics, though it is sometimes difficult to distinguish among the many characters, and the recurrent news announcements, while often amusing, occasionally underwhelm. That said, this audio's production quality and entertainment value are first-rate. Recommended for fans of political satires and those liking audio dramas and full-cast performances.Lance Eaton, Peabody, MA
de Waal, Frans. The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Society. 8 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10 hrs. Tantor Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4001-4355-9. $59.99; 8 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. SCI
Biologist/ethologist and Los Angeles Times Book Award winner de Waal (Peacemaking Among Primates) here explores the evolution of empathy, similarities between animal and human approaches to social interactions, and their implications for modern society. Two-time Audie Award nominee Alan Sklar (see Behind the Mike, LJ 3/1/09) handles the Dutch words and scientific terms with aplomb; his narration is expressive, clear, and accent-free. Combining research from the fields of biology, psychology, philosophy, and anthropology and informed by examples from current events, this title is a joy to experience in audio. Highly recommended for anyone interested in human evolution and animal behavior. [The Harmony: Crown hc was described as "insightful" and recommended "for those who enjoyed Marc Bekoff's Wild Justice or de Waal's Our Inner Ape," LJ 8/09.—Ed.]Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
DuLong, Jessica. My River Chronicles: Rediscovering America on the Hudson. 9 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 10 hrs.Tantor Media. 2009. ISBN 978-1-4001-4413-6; $69.99; 9 CDs. retail ed.; 1 MP3-CD. retail ed.; Playaway digital; digital download. AUTOBIOG/TRAV
Blending Hudson River lore with an account of her personal journey from dot-com desk job to a career in fireboat engineering, DuLong tells of her initiation into the world of engines, mechanics, and work aboard the antique fireboat John J. Harvey. In smart, captivating prose, she delves into early New York State history as well as into the role Harvey played post-9/11, taking listeners to the Manhattan waterfront and poking into forgotten areas of the Hudson. DuLong herself reads in a cogent and pleasant manner that lends clarity to her material. Listeners will love this unusual mix of history, adventure, feminism, and blue-collar know-how. Highly recommended for large public libraries.Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo
Gladwell, Malcolm. What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures. 10 CDs. library ed. unabridged. 13 hrs. Hachette Audio from BBC Audiobooks America. 2009. ISBN 978-1-60024-995-2. $94.99; 10 CDs. retail ed. Hachette Audio; Playaway digital; digital download. SOC SCI
Gladwell's (www.gladwell.com) three previous nonfiction works were all No. 1 New York Times best sellers. Here, he collects 22 of his favorite essays for The New Yorker into the categories of "Minor Geniuses," "Human Relations," and "How We Make Predictions." Whether he is discussing the invention of the Ronco Veg-O-Matic or the fall of Enron, Gladwell's commentary is well researched, informative, and often delivered from an unexpected point of view—hence, the title. Gladwell himself reads, and though his breathy voice is soothing, his performance can be choppy. Nonetheless, this collection is definitely worth purchasing. It will appeal to Gladwell's many fans as well as to anyone who enjoys following a well-presented argument; perfect for a longish commute. ["Fans of Gladwell's writing will want to add this to their bookshelves," read the review of the Little, Brown hc, LJ 11/15/09, a New York Times, USA Today, and LJ best seller.—Ed.]Joanna Burkhardt, Univ. of Rhode Island Libs., Providence
Gupta, Sanjay, M.D. Cheating Death: The Doctors and Medical Miracles That Are Saving Lives Against All Odds. 7 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 7 hrs. Hachette Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-60024-795-8; digital download. HEALTH
Practicing neurosurgeon, CNN medical correspondent, and best-selling author Gupta presents a nonfiction medical thriller about cutting-edge medical treatments ranging from therapeutic hypothermia to fetal surgery and informed by real-life stories and the latest medical research. Through his well-paced, distinct, and accent-free reading, Gupta displays his high comfort level with public speaking, using minimal medical jargon and providing clear and simple definitions. The sound quality is excellent, and the musical interludes meld nicely with the narration in the transitions between chapters. The only fault in this production is the lack of thought continuity between discs. Recommended for health-care professionals, students, and anyone interested in health care and advances in life-saving treatments. [Includes a bonus interview with the author; "Expect demand at public libraries from CNN viewers and readers of popular nonfiction," read the review of the Wellness Central hc, LJ 8/09.—Ed.]Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
Rigsby, Scott with Jenna Glatzer. UnThinkable: The Scott Rigsby Story. 7 CDs. retail ed. unabridged. 8¼ hrs. Oasis Audio. 2009. ISBN 978-1-59859-661-8. $27.99; digital download. AUTOBIOG
In 1986, Rigsby, then 18 years old, sustained injuries in an automobile accident that resulted in brain trauma and the amputation of his legs. In this inspirational memoir, Rigsby—together with biographer Glatzer (Celine Dion: For Keeps)—tells of his subsequent difficulties, which included struggles with depression and drug and alcohol abuse. Crediting hard work, reaffirmation of his Christian faith, and the help of his friends, Rigsby relates how he eventually became the first double amputee to complete the Ironman World Championship, in 2007. Narrator Jon Gauger (The Seven Pillars of Health) does a workmanlike job of presenting Rigsby's story, which is recommended for listeners with a taste for Christian stories and inspirational tales. [Includes a bonus interview with the author.—Ed.]Stephen L. Hupp, West Virginia Univ. Parkersburg Lib.
