Audio

Fiction

Attorney Tim Farnsworth has lately been falling prey to a compulsion to walk away from home and job and to keep walking, until he collapses from exhaustion. National Book Award finalist Ferris (Then We Came to the End) lays out the toll this takes on his body, marriage, and career in nearly sadistic detail. There exists a delicious tension between the compassionate tone with which he reads this very sad tale and the horrors he inflicts on his characters as author. Beautifully written (though Ferris may be overreaching in his musings on Cartesian dualism); an excellent choice for any library. [The Little, Brown hc was "highly recommended," LJ 11/1/09; producer Scott Rudin (No Country for Old Men) has bought the film rights.—Ed.]—John Hiett, Iowa City P.L.

Vamps, fairies, and murder, oh my! All five of New York Times best-selling author Harris's (www.charlaineharris.com) Sookie Stackhouse stories can now be found in one place: "Fairy Dust" (from Powers of Detection, 2004), "One Word Answer" (from Bite, 2005), "Dracula Night" (from Many Bloody Returns, 2007), "Lucky" (from Unusual Suspects, 2008), and "Gift Wrap" (from Wolfsbane and Mistletoe, 2008). Southern Vampire aficionados will be delighted by series narrator Johanna Parker's dead-on delivery of Sookie's hometown spunk; her Southern twang is a joy to hear. A great match for admirers of this series; watchers of the HBO show it inspired, True Blood; and fans of Kim Harrison's "Hollows" titles.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix P.L.

Set in 1962 Southern California, the late Isherwood's (Goodbye to Berlin) classic 1964 novel is a stream-of-consciousness, day-in-the-life portrait of George, a middle-aged college professor who must adjust to being on his own after the death of his longtime partner, Jim. Narrator Simon Prebble (www.simonprebble.com) effectively captures George's loneliness, despair, and disillusionment with his mundane affairs as he persists in his regular routines. For appreciators of serious literature; expect requests owing to Tom Ford's Oscar-nominated 2008 film adaptation. [Two other of Isherwood's works—Christopher and His Kind and Prater Violet—are also newly available on audio from this publisher.—Ed.]—Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence

Oates's follow-up to Little Bird of Heaven (2009) tracks the evolution of an ill-fated relationship between Katya Spivak, an impoverished teen working as a nanny at a wealthy beach enclave, and Marcus Kidder, a charming and successful children's book author old enough to be her grandfather. Marcus's sinuous, unflinching seduction of Katya is a testament to Oates's ability to make readers/listeners feel like voyeurs. Actress Angela Goethals brightly and expressively narrates this gothic tale, recommended where there is a high demand for literary fiction. [A "short but satisfying novel," read the review of the Houghton hc, LJ 5/15/09; seven other of Oates's works are also available from BBC Audiobooks America.—Ed.]—Carly Wiggins, Consolidated Community Schs. Lib., Newberry, MI

Gold Dagger Award winner Temple follows up Bad Debts with this second entry in his Jack Irish series (both titles were published in the United States by MacAdam/Cage in 2005 and are newly available from Bolinda Audio). Here, Jack finds himself running for his life after agreeing to help an old friend of his father's locate his missing son. Narrator Marco Chiappi (An Iron Rose) delivers the Australian accents and double entendres brilliantly. Particularly enjoyable are his spirited reading of Temple's action-packed descriptions and his voicing of Jack's internal reasoning as he works out the convoluted mystery. Those liking a roller coaster of a story that is also well written and skillfully presented will enjoy this series, whose protagonist evokes Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe.—Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

In this sixth stand-alone novel from Vachss (www.vachss.com), a band of homeless men endeavors to help one of its group relocate his book collection and must manipulate strangers into assisting with the task. The story is told in the first person by aging Japanese fighting master Ho, whom Christopher Lane does a fine job of narrating, his deep voice and rhythmic cadences reinforcing Ho's reliability. Lane is equally as adept in his rendering of Target, a character who speaks only in bursts of rhyme. The setting, characters, and story are believable, and the sound of the language captivates; recommended for most public libraries. ["Fans of the grittier Burke series may miss the rapid pace and violence they've come to expect," read the review of the Pantheon hc, LJ 11/1/09.—Ed.]—Juleigh Muirhead Clark, Colonial Williamsburg Fdn. Lib., VA

Eggers's nationally best-selling autobiographical tale, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and an LJ Best Book of 2000, comes for the first time to audio. Actor/narrator Dion Graham (see Behind the Mike, LJ 11/1/09) reads with enthusiasm and is able to keep pace with Eggers's rapid-fire thoughts and ramblings as he navigates his way through the uncharted territory of parenthood while at the same time trying to figure out his own place in the world. Gen X-ers particularly will appreciate Eggers's perspective on life and the pop-culture references, though the humor can be appreciated by all. [The Vintage pb was "highly recommended," LJ 11/15/99.—Ed.]—Theresa Stoner, St. Joseph Cty. P.L., South Bend, IN

British historian Hunt (Building Jerusalem) draws on letters and archives to shed new light on the life of Friedrich Engels, delving into Engels's more human side (e.g., his gregariousness), while not shying away from the more brutal aspects of his philosophy and beliefs. Actor/narrator Norman Dietz delivers a solid, steady performance of this impressive material that will likely stimulate further interest in and analysis of this influential historic personality. Students and professors of Russian history as well as erudite lay listeners will want this; essential for all university libraries. [The Metropolitan: Holt hc was described as being "eminently readable," LJ Xpress Reviews, 9/4/09.—Ed.]—Dale Farris, Groves, TX

Internationally best-selling writer Lapierre (A Thousand Suns) recounts South Africa's tragic history, telling the stories of those who have both worked for and against apartheid: e.g., cardiologist Wouter Basson, who purportedly devised poison weapons to use against South Africa's blacks, and Helen Lieberman, founder of a social service agency that assists the disinherited there. The text is greatly enhanced by Simon Rudnicki's nuanced use of a slight Anglo African accent to voice the blacks (e.g., Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu) and an Anglo Dutch accent to voice the Afrikaners. A concise, up-to-date account that beautifully translates to audio; an excellent choice for public libraries and high school students.—Nann Blaine Hilyard, Zion-Benton P.L., IL

Yale psychology professor Nolen-Hoeksema follows up Women Who Think Too Much (2003) and Eating, Drinking, Overthinking (2005)—abridged recordings of which are also available from Macmillan Audio—with this program designed to help women make the most of their individual mental, identity, emotional, and relational strengths. She includes dozens of written exercises (available as downloadable PDFs via us.macmillan.com) to help pinpoint and build these strengths. The author's own reading of the well-abridged text is clear and reassuring; however, while the exercises are very useful, they require a significant time commitment. Those seeking a condensed but comprehensive self-help program are sure to benefit from this reasonably priced title.—Beth Farrell, Portage Cty. Dist. Lib., Garrettsville, OH

The Peases (www.peaseinternational.com), internationally best-selling authors of Why Men Don't Have a Clue and Women Always Need More Shoes (2003)—also available from Books on Tape and Random Audio—continue their research into heterosexual relationships, basing their advice on scientific research primarily in the area of evolutionary theory. Their wry senses of humor and wordplay, however, don't always translate into the best listening experience, despite the pleasant and enthusiastic performances by Australian actors Chelsea Bruland and Jeff Prewett. Special features like quizzes just fall flat in audio format. For those wanting a fun relationship book grounded in scientific research, though the paperback or ebook edition would be preferable to the audio.—Johannah Genett, Hennepin Cty. Libs., Minneapolis

New York Times best-selling author Pink (A Whole New Mind) here summarizes his extensive research into what motivates humans, particularly in work environments, outlining three main elements of motivation: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. His own steady, energized narration helps maintain listener interest in this oftentimes detailed, tedious material that goes beyond the work of many classic psychologists. Recommended for those interested in the psychology of human behavior and business leaders desiring new ideas to help enhance productivity and morale within their organization. [The Publishers Weekly best-selling Riverhead hc was recommended for "the sort of person who's jazzed by management seminars and team-building exercises," LJ 11/15/09.—Ed.]—Dale Farris, Groves, TX