The Litigators by John Grisham

The Litigators audiobook John GrishamWhat’s it About? A steady pace and carefully constructed narrative characterize The Litigators, the latest offering from the king of the legal thriller, John Grisham. The story centers on the changing fortunes and legal education of attorney David Zinc who trades a high salary and the monotony of trust law for the turbulent adventures of the “boutique” law firm of Finley and Figg.

Mere blips on the legal community’s radar, the small firm of Finley and Figg offer Zinc a new perspective on the practice of law and the definition of justice. Seasoned in the art of quickie divorces, will preparation and a steady stream of drunk driving cases, the barely-getting-by Chicago attorneys stumble upon the makings of a lucrative class action lawsuit. With little experience or resources, Figg prepares his associates for a David versus Goliath fight against one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

The cholesterol drug ‘Krayoxx’ is blamed for numerous deaths across the country and its manufacturers are suddenly bombarded with civil suits. The case against Krayoxx builds quickly threatening to sully a public reputation that has already cost the pharmaceutical company millions to keep clean. Lawyers swarm around the case as it gains media attention looking for ways to profit from both the success and failure of the suit. The reader joins the optimistic but highly unprepared attorneys of the Finley and Figg law firm as they journey into the largest case of their collective lives and quite possibly their entire careers.

Is the Narrator any Good? Despite several awards under his belt I would not classify Dennis Boutsikaris as one of the best voices in the world of audiobook narrative. His slow steady interpretation of the text may be viewed as subtle talent to some but for me it came across as a distinct lack of personality. Good narration engages the reader and leaves them wanting more. I found Boutsikaris’ narration forgettable to say the least. The masculine yet uniform performance lends itself to the genre but there is certainly room for improvement.

Perhaps the most distracting part of Boutsikaris’ narrative is his abrupt stops in between chapters. For long time listeners of audiobooks the breaks are akin to the pause heard when listening to a book on tape. As an indication of a new chapter its a little dated not to mention jarring. Long time book listeners may find themselves reaching instinctively for the eject button to turn the cassette over; I know I did.

The Verdict? The Litigators is a well reasoned and thoughtfully written reflection of class action lawsuits in the current social and political climate; it just takes a while to get started. Grisham’s tendency to overwrite his narrative shows in the superfluous addition of a second story line and a cutesy epilogue. Yet under the clutter, and stretched out across an eleven hour period, The Litigators is a nice, easy to follow story about career changes, turning a profit and living the day to day life of an American attorney.

 Download The Litigators by John Grisham from Audible.com. 
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A Game of Thrones: Book 1 of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones audiobookWhat’s it about? George R.R. Martin has crafted a unique and relatable world to place the exquisite characters he creates in A Game of Thrones. The land of Westeros is reminiscent of medieval Europe with a few unusual twists; the seasons of summer and winter last for a decade or more and mythical creatures like dire wolves and dragons roam the land. A Game of Thrones follows three separate story lines in three different geographical locations.

In the North of the Seven Kingdoms Eddard Stark is the lord of Winterfell and strives to govern his land with a stern, but just hand. He struggles to teach his heir, Robb, to be an honourable leader and set an example for his other five children. When a dead mother dire wolf is found, and her six puppies are adopted by each of his children, Eddard Stark realizes that the motto of his house is becoming a reality. Winter is coming.

To the North of Winterfell, a giant wall of ice exists to protect the people of the seven kingdoms from the Barbarian “Wildlings” and other Northern threats. Eddard Stark’s bastard son Jon leaves his family to join the Watch on the Wall, and discovers a deadly threat to the safety of the entire Seven Kingdoms.

In the East, an exiled prince plots his return to the Westeros. He is slowly gathering every tool at his disposal to return to his murdered father’s seat and reclaim the Iron Throne that is rightfully his. Prince Viserys and his younger sister Daenerys make an allegiance with a powerful, nomadic tribe of mounted warriors in an effort to begin building an army.

With threats mounting from the North and the East, the Stark family must decide with whom their allegiance lies as the struggle for the Iron Throne begins. George R.R. Martin’s characters will completely consume you as you watch them mature and grow through the series.

Is the narrator any good? Because A Game of Thrones is filled with such a rich and diverse cast of characters, a talented and adaptable narrator is required to portray the many personalities. Roy Dotrice brings each character to life and makes them instantly recognizable by their accent, or the cadence of their voice. He is consistent throughout the entire audiobook and makes each of his characters distinct.

The verdict? The plot of A Game of Thrones is so unique and unpredictable that it captivates the listener from the first chapter through to the last. Pairing Roy Dotrice’s excellent performance with George R.R. Martin’s fantastic writing creates a listening experience that you can lose yourself in whether you’re stuck in gridlock, or on a 12 hour flight. I couldn’t stop listening to this audiobook and was so relieved that there were five more books in the series, as I didn’t want it to end. Whether or not you are a fan of epic fantasy, I highly recommend A Game of Thrones.

 Download A Game of Thrones from Audible.com. 
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Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

steve job audiobookWhat’s it about? This timely release gives us a unique insight into the life and thinking of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, the man who gave us  the iPod, iPad, iPhone, and Pixar, and in doing so he revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.

Walter Isaacson conducted more than 40 interviews with Jobs over two years — as well as 100+ interviews with Jobs’ family members, key colleagues from Apple and its competitors — and the result is an extraordinary and definitive account of arguably the greatest innovator of his generation.

Is the narrator any good? Dylan Baker gives a solid, professional reading of this book and his voice is well suited to the subject.

The verdict? Steve Jobs was a complex individual, and Walter Isaacson has done a brilliant job of capturing his essence (warts and all). While listening to this audio book I would one moment be enthralled with his creative genius, the next horrified with how much of a jerk he could be to his colleagues and even his family. But love him or hate him, there is no doubt the story of Steve Jobs is fascinating.

Tied in with this story are many thought-provoking themes: open vs. closed systems, engineering vs. art, family vs. work. There are also many business lessons:  focus on the product; make the product simple to use; focus on excellence at every turn; and be one or two steps ahead of the competition. In summary, this is a compelling portrait of a flawed genius. I highly recommend this audio book.

 Download Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson from Audible.com. 
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Slaughterhouse-Five or The Children’s Crusade: A Duty Dance with Death by Kurt Vonnegut

Slaughterhouse-Five audio bookWhat’s it about? This work is considered one of the most important novels of the 20th Century.  In a nutshell, it’s about the bombing of Dresden during World War II.  Billy Pilgrim, a Chaplain’s Assistant for theU.S. military, is captured by the German’s during the Battle of the Bulge.  Somehow, Billy manages to live through the capture, unscathed by theDresden bombing, and survive the war.  As he’s living out his war memories, Billy Pilgrim becomes “unstuck in time,” and is able to jump between different time periods in his life.  These time periods vary.  At times, you are living out his daughter’s wedding, where Billy Pilgrim is kidnapped by outer space beings from the planet Tralfamadore.  At Tralfamadore, Billy is kept in a zoo, living with a former pornographic film star named Montana Wildhack as his partner, as the Tralfamadorians observe their human trains and behavior.

Back on earth, Billy Pilgrim lives a mundane life as an optometrist, who struggles at suppressing his maddening obsession with telling the world about his outer space time travels.  Vonnegut’s fatalism is expressed by the fact that Pilgrim’s life and death proceed as planned, despite the fact that he is fully aware of what he is to expect from each event and decision.  Throughout these distant moments in Billy Pilgrim’s existence, he is repeatedly sent back to re-live World War II and the Dresden bombing.

Is the narrator any good? Ethan Hawke adds another facet to this audio book that’s already bouncing with turns and twists.  Mr. Hawke’s voice is lively and morphs into every complex character within the book.  He convinces you that he’s German, that he’s an American from Indianapolis, or that he’s even the sound of birds after a massacre.  Throughout the book, Vonnegut includes a lot of traditional limerick to help express his characters’ point of view, which Mr. Hawke reads on key, with melody and all.

The verdict? Slaughterhouse-Five is a rare book.  It’s funny, yet has its extremely poignant and poetic moments.  Having a talented actor like Ethan Hawke read this audio book highlights the wonderfully subtle mood changes that occur throughout this masterpiece.  As I was listening to this audio book, I couldn’t help but pause it at times, think, and go back to enjoying this cerebral ride.  If you are interested in a literary work that trespasses into every genre without delicate grace, but a very unique and brash character, I highly recommend the Slaughterhouse-Five audio book experience.

 Download Slaughterhouse-Five from Audible.com. 

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The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain audiobookWhat’s it about? The Art of Racing in the Rain is told through the perspective of Enzo; a philosophical and opinionated dog who embarks on a soul-changing journey with his human family.

Enzo begins his story with his first meeting with Denny Swift, a young race car driving bachelor.  His blunt and witty narration, paired with his pure heart, immediately captivate you and keep you spellbound for the entire book. As Denny meets his future wife, gets married and discovers the joy of a new baby, Enzo acts as a loyal and unwavering force for Denny. He is an integral part of the family, and celebrates their triumphs and mourns their losses with startling perspective.

When a devastating sequence of events leaves Denny reeling and clinging to the threads of his life, Enzo is the lone driving force to persevere and fiercely defend Denny as he tries to reclaim his family and career. The world of auto racing acts as an undercurrent throughout the book as Enzo discovers that the same principles required to succeed in racing are required to succeed in life. The reader is taken on a life-altering tour through the faithful and ever-observant perspective of a loyal friend. The story leaves you uplifted, satisfied and deep in personal introspection.

Is the narrator any good? Christopher Evan Welch has an edgy, masculine voice that perfectly conveys the attitude and emotion in Enzo’s voice. He is also the narrator of the Oscar winning movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Enzo’s wry brilliance is nicely articulated by Welch’s tone and emphasis. There are many facets to Enzo’s character, as he is ruled by selfless canine devotion at some times, and bitterness for his lack of opposable thumbs at other times. Welch adapts his performance wonderfully to each of the intricacies of Enzo’s colorful personality.

The verdict? Although told in the first person voice of a dog, this story doesn’t become exaggerated and cute. Garth Stein provides an honest and gritty look at the human condition, with an underlying optimism that ultimately prevails. The story is colored by Enzo’s staunch loyalty that will have you alternately cheering and weeping. His sense of humor highlights the absurd moments in life that we take for granted and will leave you with a smile on your face. Because the perspective of a dog isn’t jaded and world-weary, the reader is able to get a clairvoyant look into the significance of our routine actions and decisions.

This audio book has altered the way I approach my life and even my relationship with my dog! I often catch myself trying to emulate Enzo’s mantra, “That which you manifest is before you”. It is a great listen from start to finish.

 Download The Art of Racing in the Rain from Audible.com. 

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The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help audio bookWhat’s it about? The Help begins in 1962 in Jackson, Mississippi where the civil rights movement is just beginning. Kathryn Stockett beautifully illustrates the emotional climate of this tumultuous time through the perspective of three unique and courageous women.

Aibileen Clarke is a 53 year old black maid who has recently lost her only child and pours all of her energy and love into the upbringing of the white daughter of her employer. The death of her son has planted a bitter seed of resentment towards the white population of Jackson that she struggles to hide. Minny Jackson is Aibileen’s fiery best friend who refuses to be oppressed into the subservient role occupied by so many of her friends. Her sassy attitude has earned her nothing but trouble in the town of Jackson. Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan is a debutante from one of the most prominent white families in Jackson. She has recently graduated from university and is struggling to find a balance between her dream to be a writer, and the desire to conform to the traditional interests of her friends in the Junior League.

An opportunity arises for these three women to work together to express their frustration and discontent with the commonplace social injustices they experience every day. The three points of view complement each other perfectly for a deeply engrossing, heartbreaking and uplifting story.

Is the narrator any good? Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin and Octavia Spencer do an extraordinary job of adding another dimension to the already exquisite characters of these three Southern women. Their accents are impeccable and transport you into the deep South, where you begin to form an intimate relationship with Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter. Each voice is distinct, and perfectly suits the personality of each character. I believe this audio book is a much richer experience than simply reading the text, as the multiple narrators add so much depth and passion to the book.

The verdict? The Help is truly a unique audio experience. The coupling of a captivating storyline and the enthralling and emotional narration creates an exceptional listening experience. By the end of the book I felt I had formed a relationship with each of these women and was emotionally invested in each of their stories. Kathryn Stockett takes on a sensitive issue with poise, honesty and a great sense of humour. There were times when I burst into laughter while listening to this book, and other times when I was moved to tears. The rave reviews are well deserved. This is one book that must be experienced through the medium of an audio book.

 Download The Help from Audible.com. 

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Kill Alex Cross by James Patterson

Kill Alex Cross audiobookWhat’s it about? Kill Alex Cross is the latest action packed thriller from prolific author James Patterson. Detective Alex Cross races against an invisible clock to save the President’s abducted children and prevent Saudi terrorists from poisoning Washington D.C.’s public water system. A full cast of contrasting characters move the story along as members of the terrorist group known as ‘The Family’ are chased around the city by detective Cross and members of every possible law enforcement agency in the country. The nation is in turmoil and only Cross and his mixed band of associates stand between normalcy and a leap into national chaos.

There is no lack of drama in this absolute whirlwind of a tale. The story switches from the tampering terrorist’s perspective to the federal agents following up sources to the calm cold dictation of the first family’s abductor. Patterson is a story teller pure and simple. His clean writing style lends itself well to the audio book medium.

Is the narrator any good? The role of narrator is shared between Andre Braugher and Zach Grenier. A little coarse at first hearing, listeners quickly fall into step with the masculine edginess of the dual narration. Two narrators is not for everyone but the long list of characters in Kill Alex Cross makes two voices appropriate. Both Braugher and Grenier are obviously experienced in changing the tone and pitch of their voices depending on the age and gender of the character. Gender changes are smooth and believable enough not to interfere with the fluidity of the tale.

Forget falling asleep to Kill Alex Cross. A considerable number of sound effects punctuate the storyline. The wailing police sirens and chapter change signals are unnecessary and a little messy. Because of the additional audio effects you may want to bring the volume down a notch or two. That’s no reflection on the story of course. The plot and pace coupled with the clipped gruff tones of the narrators are enough to keep you vigilant. Details come thick and fast and alert listening is a must to keep up with the tale.

The verdict? This is an unabridged recording of just under seven hours and fun to listen to in one sitting. If your schedule dictates breaks in the listening you can bet you’ll be pressing “play” as soon as able to find out what happens next. Patterson fans are not going to be disappointed with this latest in the well established Alex Cross series. Patterson’s imagination does its usual job of creating incredible flights of fancy just possible enough to keep you interested and carry you along for the length of this audio book adventure.

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Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick

Ghost in the Wires Audio BookWhat’s it about? During the 1990′s Kevin Mitnick was the world’s most notorious computer hacker. Driven by curiosity and compulsion, Mitnick  gained access to the computers and networks of the world’s biggest companies, including Motorola, Sun Microsystems, and Pacific Bell. As the authorities began to close in on him, he created several false identities, and went on the run until he was finally nailed in February 1995. While Mitnick has already been the subject of two books, a movie and countless articles, Ghost in the Wires gives him a chance to tell his side of the story and set the record straight on what he calls the “Myth of Kevin Mitnick”.

Is the narrator any good? Ray Porter is perfect for this audio book – his narration is spot on.

The verdict? From the moment I started Ghost in the Wires I couldn’t stop listening. This audio book is a fascinating look at hacking and what Mitnick calls “social engineering” — basically, persuading or tricking people into revealing information. Listening to this audio book I found I had mixed feelings towards Mitnick. On the one hand, he is a brilliant, interesting and funny guy who didn’t hack out of malice or to make a profit (in prison he tells former Wall Street trader “I didn’t do it for the money; I did it for the ­entertainment”). On the other hand, he often comes across as arrogant and lacking any remorse making it hard to feel sympathy for him.

If you have a moderate interest in computing and like fast-paced crime stories ala Catch Me If You Can  you’ll enjoy this audio book.

 Download Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick from Audible.

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