Almost wordless: A pair of Canada Geese were defending this mini-island in the middle of the river and honking at anything that passed by. Possible nesting spot? Perhaps. I’ve seen geese build nests in worse places.
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William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back
by Ian Doescher
Genre: Science Fiction / Humor
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publish Date: March 18, 2014
Format: Hardcover 176 pages | Audio 3½ hours
Rating: 4½ of 5
From the Publisher:
The saga that began with the interstellar best seller William Shakespeare’s Star Wars continues with this merry reimagining of George Lucas’s enduring classic The Empire Strikes Back.
Return to the star-crossed galaxy far, far away as the brooding young hero, a power-mad emperor, and their jesting droids match wits, struggle for power, and soliloquize in elegant and impeccable iambic pentameter. These two plays offer essential listening for all ages.
My Thoughts:
I am amazed at how well Star Wars can be transformed into a Shakespearean play. The Empire Strikes Back is my favorite Star Wars movie and this mash-up of classic literature and science fiction does not disappoint. It is clever, well-written and entertaining. The humor of the original movie shines through and I found myself smiling and laughing often at our heroes escapades.
The book itself is a slim, hardcover volume divided into five acts. Accompanying each act are several charming black and white sketches of various scenes. What makes them special is that the characters we are so familiar with are depicted in Elizabethan dress, with frilly collars on their robes, enhancing the image of Shakespearean times.
Audio Production:
Narrators: Daniel Davis, Jonathan Davis, Jeff Gurner, January LaVoy, Marc Thompson.
Although I didn’t set out to review the audio, I ended up listening to the first few acts and definitely want to mention how good the audio production is. It is performed as a play, including background music and sound effects – think of light sabers buzzing, R2D2 whistling, Chewbacca’s roar and Darth Vader’s booming voice and heavy breathing. Add in a narrator giving stage direction and it was easy to visualize the play in action.
A full cast of narrators with sound effects doesn’t always work and can make the audio production annoying, but in The Empire Striketh Back it is a superb addition and added to my enjoyment. The multiple narrators all performed with passion and emotion making this an audiobook I highly recommend.
May the verse be with you.
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Source: Review copies provided by Quirk Books and Random House Audio.
© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Welcome to Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia of To Be Continued, a place where readers share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.
After several years of being on tour with different blogs as the monthly host, the Mailbox Monday Blog is now the permanent home for the meme.
Here’s what arrived in my mailbox last week:
New Arrivals
That Night by Chevy Stevens from St. Martins Press.
As a teenager, Toni Murphy had a life full of typical adolescent complications: a boyfriend she adored, a younger sister she couldn’t relate to, a strained relationship with her parents, and classmates who seemed hell-bent on making her life miserable. Things weren’t easy, but Toni could never have predicted how horrific they would become until her younger sister was brutally murdered one summer night.
The Painter by Peter Heller from Random House Audio.
Peter Heller, the celebrated author of the breakout best seller The Dog Stars, returns with an achingly beautiful, wildly suspenseful second novel about an artist trying to outrun his past.
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New Giveaway
Win a copy of Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman:
Beth Hoffman’s bestselling debut, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, won admirers and acclaim with its heartwarming story and cast of unforgettable characters. Now her unique flair for evocative settings and richly drawn Southern personalities shines in her compelling new novel, Looking for Me.
To enter, fill out the form. US addresses only by midnight 5/10.
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© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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April Rapid Reviews
In keeping with 2014 goals I am writing more short, concise, timely reviews with a quick overview and what I enjoyed or didn’t enjoy about the book. Using a Rapid Review format makes it easier for me to stay caught-up.
This wraps up most of my April reading. I also read Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French and William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back by Ian Doescher. Those review will be posted in the next week or two.
My Wish List by Grégoire Delacourt
Publisher: Penguin Audio | March 2014
Format: Audio Download | 3½ hours | Rating: 3 stars
Audio Listening Level: Easy – Intermediate
Jocelyne lives in a small town in France where she runs a fabric shop, has been married to the same man for 21 years, and has raised two children. She is beginning to wonder what happened to all those dreams she had when she was 17. Could her life have been different? Then she wins the lottery – and suddenly finds the world at her fingertips. But she chooses not to tell anyone, not even her husband – not just yet. Without cashing the check, she begins to make a list of all the things she could do with the money. But does Jocelyne really want her life to change?
I choose this short novel to listen to during the Readathon last weekend thinking it would be an uplifting fantasy. Instead, it was a bit of a downer. Initially Jocelyne dreams about all the nice ways the lottery winnings can change her life, but when her husband discovers the check and realizes she has been keeping this huge secret, things begin to go wrong. While she outwardly believes her marriage is fine, there are many problems beneath the surface.
The ending was unexpected and not necessarily to my liking, but the majority of the novel was an interesting reflection on life, relationships, marriage and asks the question – does having more money and more possessions make life happier, or is there more to the equation?
Audio production:
The book was narrated by Jilly Bond. Nicely paced and easy to listen to with the right amount of emotion and tension in the conflicted Jocelyne’s voice.
Defending Jacob by William Landay
Publisher: Blackstone Audio | January 2013
Format: Library Audio CD | 12½ hours | Rating: 4½ stars
Audio Listening Level: Intermediate
Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than 20 years. He is respected in his community, tenacious in the courtroom, and happy at home with his wife, Laurie, and son, Jacob. But when a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: his 14-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student.
This has been on my to-read list for a while so I was pleased when my bookclub chose it as their April read. Once I started this book I couldn’t stop listening – it was fascinating. I enjoy legal thrillers so I knew I would probably like the book, but was totally drawn in with the complexity, conflict and drama.
This was a perfect choice for bookclub discussion. Those with and without children had some different opinions about the parents decisions, especially Andy’s behavior, but almost everyone enjoyed the book. The topic that received the most discussion was the ending. I wasn’t thrilled with it but it was an understandable outcome.
Audio production:
The book was narrated by Grover Gardner, an excellent choice who added just the right nuance to the voices for this emotional thriller. The early part of the story requires a little extra attention to detail but once the characters and plot became clear, it was easy listening.
A Nice Little Place on the North Side: Wrigley Field at One Hundred
by George F. Will
Publisher: Random House Audio | April 2014
Format: Audio Download | 5 hours | Rating: 4 stars
Audio Listening Level: Easy
In A Nice Little Place on the North Side, leading columnist George Will returns to baseball with a deeply personal look at his hapless Chicago Cubs and their often beatified home, Wrigley Field, as it turns one hundred years old. Baseball, Will argues, is full of metaphors for life, religion, and happiness, and Wrigley is considered one of its sacred spaces. But what is its true, hyperbole-free history?
Filled with anecdotes and history, this is a fast read and informative look at Wrigley Field, the Cubs and baseball in general. While primarily about the history of the Cubs organization and Wrigley field, it also touches on some of the great players, famous ballparks and historic moments in baseball.
As a lifelong Cub fan, I am well aware of the reasons why the World Series is so elusive. It was no surprise to learn that Cubs attendance is the least affected by winning performance of all teams in baseball. Cub attendance in 2006 was 94% of capacity even though the team finished in last place. Attendance increased or stayed the same even in losing years. There is no incentive for management to improve the team regardless of what they say. And it has been that way for 70 years!
While the book was entertaining and fun to listen to, I remain a grumpy Cub fan.
Audio production:
Narrated By Mark Deakins in a ‘sportscaster-like’ announcer’s voice, it was easy listening. My only gripe was the mispronunciation of several player’s names.
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Source: Review copies for My Wish List and A Nice Little Place were provided by the publishers.
© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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The Weight of Blood
by Laura McHugh
Narrated by Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Shannon McManus and Sofia Willingham
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Random House
Publish Date: March 11, 2014
Format: Audio, 10 hours
Audio Listening Level: Intermediate – Difficult
Rating: 4½ of 5
From the Publisher:
The Weight of Blood is an urgent look at the dark side of a bucolic landscape beyond the arm of the law, where a person can easily disappear without a trace. Laura McHugh proves herself a masterly storyteller who has created a harsh and tangled terrain as alive and unforgettable as the characters who inhabit it. Her mesmerizing debut is a compelling exploration of the meaning of family: the sacrifices we make, the secrets we keep, and the lengths to which we will go to protect the ones we love.
My Thoughts:
The small Ozark Mountain town of Henbane holds many secrets, and Lucy Dane is haunted by two of them. Folks still whisper about her mom, Lila’s, disappearance years ago when she was only an infant, and now her friend Cheri has been gruesomely murdered.
The Weight of Blood tells two stories, decades apart. The first takes place in the present and is told from Lucy’s point of view. The second, decades earlier, is Lila’s story, and the one I found most compelling. In the second half of the novel the author departs from the alternating points of view of Lucy and Lila, introducing points of view from several other characters. While making it a little more challenging to follow, this added a layer of complexity and insight into the minds of the other characters.
We move between the past and the present as the two story lines are deftly woven together into a suspenseful mystery. In the present, Lucy struggles to find answers to the decades-old mystery of what happened to her mom plus her growing guilt at not having been a better friend to Cheri. In the past, Lila’s story unfolds. Young Lila’s parents were killed in an accident and when none of her relatives could provide a home for her, she was placed in foster care. Upon reaching legal age, she leaves Iowa and sets out on her own to accept a job in Henbane working for Crete Dane, Lucy’s uncle. But Lila was naive and didn’t understand the implications of the employment contract she signed. Her troubles were just beginning.
The characters were well-developed and interesting, with the atmosphere of the Ozarks a character in itself. The fact that Lila was not from the area, and was darkly beautiful, almost exotic, created another layer of tension among the townspeople that lingered into the present. Some of the secrets eventually revealed were creepy but realistic of what families will do to protect each other, and how those considered to be “outsiders” are treated.
Audio Production:
I enjoyed the audio although I did have to work a little harder than usual. Even with three excellent narrators, the listener needs to pay close attention to the story for the changes in time period and the many changes in point of view. It was made even more challenging by the fact that some of the characters are present in both time lines and the narrators voices often sounded similar. This did not diminish my enjoyment of the book; however, those new to the audio genre might want to try something a little easier to follow before diving into an audio of this complexity.
Audio sample:
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Source: Review copy provided by Random House Audio.
© 2014 Under My Apple Tree. All rights reserved.
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Almost wordless: Flowers and leaves are finally opening on the trees.
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I am thrilled to welcome Beth Hoffman today with a guest post. Beth is the author of the bestselling novel Looking for Me, which releases today, April 29th, in trade paperback.
In The Garden – with bestselling author Beth Hoffman
Not long ago I got the idea that the kitties should have a screened porch. I wanted them to have a place where they could enjoy warm days and go in an out as they pleased, which meant the porch would have to be securely attached to the house. I drew up a design, including a cupola, and waited for my husband to come home from work.
He’s a big-hearted guy who almost always indulges my ideas, which is saying a lot because they inevitably involve long hours of work. My husband is a structural engineer and a talented woodworker, and no matter how busy he is, somehow he finds the time to transform my sketches into reality.
With the measurements recorded and a detailed materials list, off he went to the lumber store. I had no idea how involved the building of the kitty porch would be, but my husband never complained. He even built a brick foundation for the porch that matches our historical home. Frankie (one of our rescues) is on the porch in this photo, but he’s solid black and nearly invisible except for his green eyes.
Below is the view of the garden from inside the porch, which is accessed through the laundry room. Our cats, Frankie and Oreo, enjoy warm breezes while watching the birds and squirrels. They’ll often sleep in a slant of sun for hours on end.
To insure wild critters couldn’t break in, there’s heavy-duty wire mesh behind the bug-proof screen. Oreo and Frankie love their porch, and my husband and I do too.
My thanks to Beth for stopping by Under My Apple Tree and giving us a peek at her lovely garden and patio. What a beautiful view for the animals and the people too.
About the Book
Teddi Overman loves her family and the simple life they share on their Kentucky farm, but when high school graduation nears and her mother pushes her towards secretarial school, Teddi knows it’s time to strike out on her own and pursue her dream of working with antiques. Gifted at refurbishing furniture and possessing an uncanny knack for uncovering
the beauty and history in what other people discard, Teddi leaves Kentucky in the middle of the night and makes her way to Charleston, South Carolina. There, Teddi builds a new life for herself, and makes her dream come true in a small antiques shop frequented by a cast of quirky customers and friends. But each time Teddi, now thirty-six years old, leaves Charleston and visits the farm of her youth, she’s drawn to the mysterious beauty of Red River Gorge, where her brother went missing at the age of seventeen. Though everyone believes that her beloved brother is dead, Teddi never gives up hope of finding him. When circumstances lead her to clean out the old barn, Teddi makes a discovery that challenges her in ways she never could have imagined. And while trying to fit together the pieces of her family’s shattered past, Teddi unwittingly finds herself among the ruins.
About the Author
Beth Hoffman was the president and co-owner of an interior design studio before becoming a full-time writer. Looking For Me is her second novel. She lives with her husband and two cats in Kentucky.
Beth Hoffman’s Spring/Summer 2014 Tour:
NAPERVILLE, IL, Anderson’s Bookshop, May 1
WICHITA, KS, Watermark Books, May 6
KANSAS CITY, MO, Unity Temple (with Rainy Day Books), May 8
WOODSTOCK, GA, Foxtale Book Shoppe, May 13
FAIRHOPE, AL, Page & Palette, May 15
EVANSVILLE, IN, Vanderburgh Public Library, June 15
Giveaway
To celebrate the paperback release of Looking for Me, I have one copy to give away to a reader with a US mailing address. To enter, fill out the form below on or before midnight, May 10, 2014. One entry per person or address. I will draw a random winner who will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond.
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