Audio

Fiction

In this follow-up to Acito's How I Paid for College (2004), aspiring actor Edward Zanni attempts to make a living in 1980s New York City with the help of his high school friends. Actor/narrator Jeff Woodman, who read the first title, also available from Recorded Books, is an expert at dialects, bringing high energy to this fun, campy romp, which will have listeners laughing aloud. Recommended for public libraries.—Phillip Oliver, Univ. of North Alabama Lib., Florence

Bell continues his New York Times best-selling Alex Hawke series with this spellbinding fifth entry, following Spy (2006). Audie® Award-nominated series reader John Shea places listeners directly alongside Hawke and the other characters. His accents—e.g., British, Russian, "Noo-Yawk," Jamaican—are so excellent that listeners will forgive his occasional lapses in pronunciation. Highly recommended. [The Atria hc was "recommended for public libraries," LJ 8/08.—Ed.]—Joseph L. Carlson, Vandenberg Air Force Base Lib., Lompoc, CA

Available for the first time on CD, this fifth book in Anthony Award® winner Box's Joe Pickett series—whose earlier entries are also available from Recorded Books—has the game warden investigating a suspicious death in Wyoming's Grand Tetons. Box's elegant prose draws listeners in, while series narrator David Chandler's strong delivery defines Pickett's struggles against nature, humanity, and himself. Highly recommended for all fiction collections. [The Putnam hc was recommended "for libraries with other series titles and for Tony Hillerman and Michael McGarrity fans," LJ 5/1/05.—Ed.]—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC

The New York Times best-selling author continues her Deravenel family saga—following The Heir—with this contemporary retelling of the life of Queen Elizabeth. Actress/narrator Katherine Kellgren's (katherinekellgren.com) clear yet intense reading brings a sense of complication and consequence to this character-driven story, whose elements of boardroom intrigue, betrayal, and family secrets and obligations will appeal to Taylor's fans. For public libraries.—Denise A. Garofalo, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY

Three Indiana University co-eds find New York City's nightlife horrifically uninviting in this solid, engaging follow-up to Dead Connection (2007) featuring Det. Ellie Hatcher and her partner, J.J. Rogan. Initially teased in all directions, the team goes on doggedly to resolve the crimes. Actress/narrator Eliza Foss (Goodnight, Irene) reads Burke's well-defined characters capably. Recommended. [The Harper hc was "highly recommended for all public libraries," LJ 7/08.—Ed.]—Joyce Kessel, Villa Maria Coll., Buffalo

Originally a serialized, downloadable-only audio exclusive, this memorable and gripping work (NewsBriefs, LJ 11/15/08) won Best Audiobook of the Year at the 2008 Audies®. Deaver wrote the first and last chapters, while 15 of today's top thriller writers—including Lee Child and Lisa Scottoline—wrote the chapters in between, each keeping to his or her unique flavor, energy, and style. Stage/screen star Alfred Molina's reading is splendid; his execution of the numerous accents, masterly. Highly recommended for all libraries.—Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. Lib., PA

Evans's debut military/fantasy novel, the first in the "Iron Elves" series, is not for the light fantasy reader. In it, Evans demonstrates his knowledge of military tactics, but listeners may be bored by the clichéd characters and dialog. Michael Kramer's (The Devil You Know) deep voice is pleasing, though at times the low end is booming and distorted. Not recommended as an audio acquisition. [The Pocket hc was an LJ Best Fantasy Book of 2008 and received a starred review, LJ 7/08.—Ed.]—Johannah Genett, Hennepin Cty. Lib., Minneapolis

Le Guin (A Wizard of Earthsea) makes literary fantasy read like historical fiction in this well-wrought tale that will appeal to fans of both. The title character briefly appears anonymously in Virgil's Aeneid; just as Le Guin here writes words for Lavinia, so, too, does actress/narrator Alyssa Bresnahan truly give her a voice, also expertly depicting Latinum's other characters. Certain to appeal to a broad readership; the coming-of-age aspect may also make this of interest to YAs. Highly recommended. [The Harcourt hc received a starred review, LJ 3/1/08.—Ed.]—Lisa Anderson, Metropolitan Community Coll. Lib., Omaha

When a Vermont sheriff's deputy is murdered, Joe Gunther is called to lead an investigation that soon spreads out of state. This 19th book in Mayor's fine regional series features myriad characters and frequent scene changes. While the story is interesting, Mayor's usual strong sense of place is absent here, nor are the characters as compelling as in previous episodes. And while Christopher Graybill's (chrisgraybill.com) delivery is polished and dramatic, it lacks any regional accents that might have enhanced the New England setting. For medium and large fiction collections.—Janet Martin, Southern Pines P.L., NC

The National Book Award® and Pulitzer Prize® winner returns to the American West of Brokeback Mountain with this collection, which opens with a former ranch hand telling his granddaughter his life's secrets. It is difficult to distinguish where each story begins and ends owing to the lack of any demarcation. Additionally, there are hardly any pauses between the stories; narrator Will Patton (Thirteen Moons) reads each successive title as though part of the previous tale. Recommended for public libraries with larger audiobook collections.—Beth Traylor, Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libs.

Alice was settling into her career as a school librarian when she met Charlie, the likable but aimless and least ambitious son of a patrician family. They fell in love and married—and he eventually became President of the United States. In New York Times best-selling author Sittenfeld's (Prep) first-person portrait, Alice must be careful when expressing her opinions, especially when incidents from her past arise unexpectedly. Kimberly Farr's (The 19th Wife) carefully modulated reading astutely conveys the sense of guardedness Alice must feel. Highly recommended for popular fiction collections.—Nann Blaine Hilyard, Zion-Benton P.L., IL

In this sequel to The Witches of Eastwick (1984), listeners will find the witches—now widows—older but not wiser. The first third is hindered by details of the witches' petty dissatisfactions with life and their aging bodies, but the narrative advances delightfully once they reestablish their friendships and return to Eastwick. Narrator Kate Reading (Sweetness in the Belly) gives a solid performance of lisping Jane, earthy Alexandra, and sultry Sukie. For large public libraries. [The Knopf hc was recommended "for most libraries," LJ 9/1/08.—Ed.]—Carly Wiggins, Allen Cty. P.L., Fort Wayne, IN

Brother Yun (Living Water) is an exiled Chinese evangelical Christian preacher and proponent of the Back to Jerusalem missionary movement. In this international best seller, he relates his experiences as an underground preacher in Communist China. Cristofer Jean, as the voice of Yun, and Jeany Park, as the voice of Yun's wife, Deling, offer sincere, well-modulated performances. A very intense title that may seem inspirational to some and fanatical to others. For strong Christian nonfiction collections.—Beth Farrell, Portage Cty. Dist. Lib., Garrettsville, OH

Amazingly, 150 years after the publication of The Origin of Species, Darwin's seminal work on the theory of evolution remains the authoritative tract on the subject. Veteran narrator David Case (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) provides an authentic English accent that suits the material well; his diction is precise, making his narration easy to follow. Though this title has previously been recorded on audio, Tantor Media's addition of a full-text PDF ebook is a tremendous enhancement. Highly recommended for all collections.—Gloria Maxwell, Metropolitan Community Coll.-Penn Valley Lib., Kansas City, MO

In this 1946 diary, originally published in France and translated here into English for the first time, Humbert (1896–1963) tells of her work in the French Resistance, her capture and deportation to Germany, and her three years of forced labor. While the entire account is of considerable historical value, the section focusing on her imprisonment is particularly compelling in its portrayal of brave women in wartime. Joyce Bean (The Long Road Home) narrates with clarity, capturing just the right emotional tone for this material. Highly recommended.—Nancy R. Ives, SUNY at Geneseo

Blogger (scienceblogs.com/cortex) and Seed magazine editor-at-large Lehrer presents a deft and fascinating analysis of how five writers, a painter, a composer, and a chef discovered truths about the brain that took science decades to realize. Actor/musician/narrator Dan John Miller's (Generation Text) rich, smooth reading forms an impressive foundation to this esoteric work, which will definitely appeal to those interested in Eastern philosophies and theoretical physics as well as to fans of Fritjof Capra's The Tao of Physics and Gary Zukav's works. Highly recommended for university libraries supporting philosophy, psychology, and theoretical physics curricula.—Dale Farris, Groves, TX

The best-selling novelist writes here about her return to her New Orleans roots and her Catholic faith. Fans of Rice's novels Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt (2005) and Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana (2008) will likely find this memoir interesting. The narration by Kirsten Potter (Red Helmet) is appropriate for the subject matter—lively and subdued as necessary. [The Knopf hc was called "a must," Xpress Review 9/16/08; bonus interview with the author.—Ed.]—Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence

Sanborn's follow-up to The Fred Factor (2004) is rife with prosaic writing and simplistic platitudes about the titular effect that occurs when people transcend routine "performances" and make themselves "indispensable" to their organizations. Lacking the how-to advice its title promises, it overrelies on bulleted factors and lists. While Sanborn's reading is clear, his voice is indistinguishable from those of oily-sounding, bland radio announcers; tuning him out is effortless. Not recommended.—Douglas C. Lord, Connecticut State Lib., Middletown

Screen/TV legend Wagner has tales to tell in this autobiography offering an insider's look at Hollywood from the late 1940s to the present day—about his life as an actor, his famous cohorts, and his two marriages to Natalie Wood (listeners expecting full disclosure may be disappointed). Wagner himself reads, lending his anecdotes and remembrances a particular intimacy. Photographs from his personal collection are viewable on a computer. For libraries as interest warrants.—Pam Kingsbury, Univ. of North Alabama, Florence