Columns : EDITOR'S PICK OF THE MONTH
Children/Young Adults
by SoundCommentary Staff
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
SoundCommentary is a Review Source on the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database, www.childrenslit.com.
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*The Cheshire Cheese Cat by Carmen Agra Deedy
by Jean Palmer
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
The old blue alley cat Skilley is tired of scrounging for food in the market places of 19th century London and looks to Ye Old Cheshire Cheese Inn as a possibility for permanent and comfortable housing as a “mouser,” despite his handicap in that arena.
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*To End All Wars by Adam Hochschild
by Jean Palmer
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
Adam Hochschild’s brilliant, moving To End All Wars seeks answers as to how and why the war went on as long as it did.
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Featured Stories
The Garner Files by James Garner
by Jean Palmer
Thu, Feb 02, 2012
James Garner grew up during the Depression in a small town, Norman, Oklahoma, most of which he remembers fondly,
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Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die by Jon Katz
by Mary Cummings
Thu, Feb 02, 2012
“Good pacing and a comforting tone are essential for this sort of theme, and [narrator Tom] Stechschulte has both.” 1
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Red Mist by Patricia Cornwell
by Pat Dole
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Kate Reading's excellent semi-voiced narration differentiates the characters skillfully....”
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*Retirement Heist by Ellen E. Schultz
by Jean Palmer
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
Retirement Heist explains “what really happened....to the retirement benefits of millions of Americans at thousands of companies” and “how the global retirement industry will continue to capture retirement wealth earned by many to enrich a relative few.”
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*A Thousand Cuts by Simon Lelic
by Joseph DiMercurio
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
In most mysteries it is who that is the question but, in A Thousand Cuts who is never in question.
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*Trackers by Deon Meyer
by Sue Rosenzweig
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“This is the most complicated of Meyer's stories to date and the listener must pay very close attention to Book I in particular, in order to sort out the events and players.”
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Florence and Giles by John Harding
by Susan Allison
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Listeners drawns to mysteries that lead through many macabre twists and surprising turns, that gradually reveal hidden clues, that confound with supernatural activity, and chill, will love FLORENCE & GILES.”
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Mrs. Nixon by Ann Beattie
by Nola Theiss
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Mrs. Nixon almost made me sad for Pat Nixon who once again is obscured by a more dominant personality.”
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Dragon's Time by Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
by Hugh M. Flick
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
The mantra for this tale is: “You cannot break time, but you can cheat time.”
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*Fire Season by Philip Connors
by Mary Cummings
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Sean Runnette’s narration is flawless. His voice convincingly conveys the author’s lyrical passion for his topic.”
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In a Dog's Heart by Jennifer Arnold
by Carol Kellerman
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“The book is loaded with useful information for anyone considering their first dog or learning more about how to make your pet the best ever. 1
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Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer
by Carol Kellerman
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Kathe Mazur creates appropriate voices for all the characters in this emotion-packed story of love and relationships. Particularly noteworthy is her voice for Carley’s younger daughter Margaret, a real charmer.”
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I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck
by Carol Kellerman
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Tuck was born in Paris and has lived in South America. Her intimate knowledge of setting gives her stories a fascinating authenticity.”
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Mindfulness by Mark Williams and Danny Penman
by Nancy Chaplin
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“This simple two-CD production says it all about an equally simple practice that an increasing body of scientific evidence says can increase well-being.”
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*Heat Rises by Richard Castle
by Carol Reich
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“For an author who doesn't actually exist, 'Castle' has written quite an enjoyable novel!”
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Catacombs by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
by Erika Kosin
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
In this sequel to Catalyst, the magical powers of the Kafraka Beetles, have caused a boy named Jubal and a Barque cat named Chester to develop the ability to communicate with each other telepathically
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The Price of Civilization by Jeffrey D. Sachs
by Nancy Chaplin
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
Even the title is enough to make the cynical sigh, “If only it could be so.”
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Pity the Billionaire by Thomas Frank
by Nancy Chaplin
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Frank manages to parse a distinction between the libertarian view of “true” free market capitalism and the “crony” variety, but refuses to defend the odor of either. But it does help clear some of the muddle from the rhetoric raging today.”
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The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
by Susan Allison
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Listeners who relish good romances will be instantly engaged in these parallel stories of love, mystery and suspense in England, one set in a staid 1960s and the other in the present.”
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*The House in France by Gully Wells
by Sue Rosenzweig
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“In this outrageous, touching, and funny memoir Gully Wells uses her family's house in France to tether the strings of her life in London, the United States and, of course, France.”
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*The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
by Bette Ammon
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Performed by the inimitable Jim Dale, this atmospheric fantasy captures the listener’s fancy and never lets go.”
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Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
by Mary Purucker
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Lorelei King does her usual excellent job narrating the really rather normal sounding Stephanie, the raucous and lovable Lula, Grandma and all the rest. Good fun.”
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Why Read Moby Dick by Nathaniel Philbrick
by Mary Cummings
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Given the author’s enthusiasm for Melville, it is hard to imagine anyone else doing the narration. Philbrick provides a good clear presentation, and his authority over the subject matter, as well as his passion for it, is obvious.”
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*The Tudor Secret by C.W. Gortner
by Janet Julian
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Managing this huge cast of characters is narrator Steve West, who... gives the novel a full-voiced treatment, from the smooth cool Cecil, the boyish stableboy, the autocratic Dudleys, various courtiers male and female, the nasal twang of a murderer, the insinuating voice of Sir Francis Walsingham (eventually Elizabeth's Secretary of State), and the headstrong Elizabeth herself.”
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African Dawn by Tony Park
by Sue Rosenzweig
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“Listeners will get a real feel for how difficult and uncertain life was and is like during the transition to independence [in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe], along with a realistic picture of efforts to save the rhinoceros from extinction.”
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*Seize the Day by Saul Bellow
by Nola Theiss
Wed, Feb 01, 2012
“This classic Saul Bellow short novel captures the character of Tommy Wilhelm, a 40-something former salesman, former Hollywood extra, former husband who has lost his way.”
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