It's been quite awhile since I've written one of these mini-review post. I've been on a lot of quick road trips these past few weeks, so I've worked my way through quite a few audiobooks. Bear with me as I play catch up.
Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok, read by Grayce Wey
Awesome, awesome read! The author took her own experience of coming to a slum in NYC from Hong Kong at an early age and created Kimberly's own story. From working in a factory as a child to making her way into a prestigious private school and then falling in love with a factory boy, the reader truly becomes involved in the hardships of Kimberly, her mother, and the other characters of the story, as well as their triumphs. You will cheer for them and cry with them when things are really bad.Grayce Wey was the perfect reader for this story. Her slight accent gave an authenticity to the book that other readers could not possibly have achieved, making it more believable and realistic.
Overall rating: 5 out of 5
Girl in Translation
Jean Kwok
Audiobook
Penguin Audio
978-0142427996
April 2010
Borrowed from my local library
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen, read by Hope Davis
Well, this one was a bit of a surprise. Last minute trip to NY, meant last minute audiobook, so I had no idea what this one was about, though I've previously enjoyed books by Quindlen. It started out a little slowly, with main character Mary Beth describing her seemingly mundane life with a husband, a dog, and three teenaged children. And narrator Davis has a nice flow to her voice that gives a sense of calm and quiet to the story. For the first 1/4 of the story I was drawn in by the beautiful descriptions and simplistic story of a family doing rather typical things...summer camps, prom night, and a boyfriend break-up take up most of the pages. Then it got complicated and I was glued to my seat of the car. A horrific tragedy strikes Mary Beth's family (one I was totally not expecting, due to my lack of reading of the summary) and Quindlen gets character emotions SO well, that you'll be completely rocked.
A heartbreaking, yet incredibly well-written story. You won't be able to put it down.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Every Last One
Anna Quindlen
Audiobook
Simon & Schuster Audio
978-1442334007
April 2010
Borrowed from my local library
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
4 Comments on Mini Audiobook review, last added: 7/15/2010
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I'm glad the Quindlen one is good. I bought it (the book, not the audio version) at Costco last time I was there. I've loved the other Quindlen books I've read, so I'm excited for this one!
I'm really glad that you enjoyed Aberdeen County. I read it a few months ago and just could not bond with Truly at all. I made my way through the end but was not pleased overall.
All of these except for the Twilight book have been on my wish list - sounds like they need to stay there!
Oooh, thanks for your reviews, dear! Neither of my libraries have GIRL IN TRANSLATION, so I put in a request for purchase. Sounds great!