Book Review: Presidio by Randy Kennedy

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Presidio 
Author: Randy Kennedy
Read By: George Newbern
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Mystery | Suspense | Thrillers
Released: August 21st 2018
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

Set in the 1970s in the vast and arid landscape of the Texas panhandle, this darkly comic and stunningly mature literary debut tells the story of a car thief and his brother who set out to recover some stolen money and inadvertently kidnap a Mennonite girl who has her own reasons for being on the run.

Troy Falconer returns home after years of working as a solitary car thief to help his younger brother, Harlan, search for his wife, who has run away with the little money he had. When they steal a station wagon for the journey, the brothers accidentally kidnap Martha Zacharias, a Mennonite girl asleep in the back of the car. Martha turns out to be a stubborn survivor who refuses to be sent home, so together these unlikely road companions attempt to escape across the Mexican border, pursued by the police and Martha’s vengeful father.

The story is told partly through Troy’s journal, in which he chronicles his encounters with con artists, down-and-outers, and roadside philosophers, people looking for fast money, human connection, or a home long since vanished. The journal details a breakdown that has left Troy unable to function in conventional society; he is reduced to haunting motels, stealing from men roughly his size, living with their possessions in order to have none of his own and all but disappearing into their identities.

With a page-turning plot about a kidnapped child, gorgeously written scenes that probe the soul of the American West, and an austere landscape as real as any character, Presidio packs a powerful punch of anomie, dark humor, pathos, and suspense.

Presidio is the story of a car thief named Troy who is returning home to help his brother Harlan track someone down. Turns out Harlan’s wife has run off with all of his money, and Troy feels an obligation to help out after years of being off on his own. I enjoyed getting to know Troy through his journal entries mixed into the book. It is a bit strange to remember that there was a time without surveillance everyone and someone could just hop from motel to motel, stealing cars and clothes and whatever else. The descriptions of the small towns in the Texas desert were so vivid and accurate I felt like I was back in one. 

I felt the story was very well written and moved right along, and I really enjoyed it as an audio book. The narrator, George Newbern, has just a hint of a Texas accent, which sounded perfect for the characters. There was enough of a difference in each character voice to tell them apart as well. I was a little sad when the story was over as I wanted it to just keep going.

Audiobook Review: Three Things About Elise by Joanna Cannon

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Three Things About Elise
Author: Joanna Cannon
Narrator: Paula Wilcox
Reading Level: Adult Fiction
Genres: Mystery | Suspense
Released: August 7th 2018
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

The bestselling author of the “remarkable…masterfully constructed, pitch-perfect” (Booklist, starred review) debut The Trouble with Goats and Sheep delivers a suspenseful and emotionally satisfying novel about a lifelong friendship, a devastating secret, and the small acts of kindness that bring people together.

There are three things you should know about Elsie. The first thing is that she’s my best friend. The second is that she always knows what to say to make me feel better. And the third thing…might take a bit more explaining.

Eighty-four-year-old Florence has fallen in her flat at Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. As she waits to be rescued, she thinks about her friend Elsie and wonders if a terrible secret from their past is about to come to light. If the charming new resident is who he claims to be, why does he look exactly like a man who died sixty years ago?

From the acclaimed, bestselling author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep, Three Things About Elsie is a story about forever friends on the twisting path of life. As we uncover their buried secrets, we learn how the fine threads of humanity connect us all.

Three Things About Elsie is a beautiful story about friendships and kindness. It follows Florence (Flo) Claybourne and her friends Elsie and General Jack, who are residents of Cherry Tree Home for the Elderly. Flo, Elsie, and Jack feel like a band of elderly misfits getting up to no good as they try to ‘open the drawers’ of Flo’s memories and figure out exactly what happened 60 years ago. The story is mostly told from Flo’s perspective, as she lies on the floor waiting for someone to find her after she’s fallen.

The story is full of wonderful little twists and turns as we piece together Flo’s past, and how it relates to the new resident at Cherry Hill. Some twists you might see coming, others come out of nowhere. But for me, the heart of the story is not in the mystery they’re trying to solve, but the kind hearts of each of the characters. The book is full of introspection and characters wondering what they’re leaving behind and how they’ll be remembered. The caretakers at Cherry Hill, like Miss Ambrose and Handy Simon, don’t think their lives have any meaning and they’re not leaving behind any kind of legacy. Flo often wonders who will look at her photo when she’s gone and miss her. We learn about the ‘long second’ and the choices that change other people’s lives. I loved finding out how so many of the lives in the story were connected, though they never knew it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book. The narrator did a wonderful job of keeping me engaged. My only criticism is that there was no delineation between chapters. As with reading a paper book, I like to finish a chapter (when possible) before closing the book for the moment.

Audiobook Review: The Dead Zone by Stephen King

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THE DEAD ZONE
Author: Stephen King
Narrator: James Franco
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Thriller
Released: April 25, 2017
Review Source: Simon Schuster Audio

Never before on audio! A #1 national bestseller about a man who wakes up from a five-year coma able to see people’s futures and the terrible fate awaiting mankind in The Dead Zone—a “compulsive page-turner” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).

Johnny Smith awakens from a five-year coma after his car accident and discovers that he can see people’s futures and pasts when he touches them. Many consider his talent a gift; Johnny feels cursed. His fiancé married another man during his coma and people clamor for him to solve their problems.

When Johnny has a disturbing vision after he shakes the hand of an ambitious and amoral politician, he must decide if he should take drastic action to change the future. The Dead Zone is a “faultlessly paced…continuously engrossing” (Los Angeles Times) novel of second sight.

The Dead Zone is such a unique story.  Well, all of Stephen King books are amazing and unique.  He is one of my all time favorite authors.  Definitely my favorite author in his genre.  I've been reading his books since I was a teenager, which I won't mention how long ago that was, I'll just say for a LONG TIME.  Every single book I have loved for different reasons.  He is an effin genius.  How one man can come up with so many different interesting bizarre concepts for books I'll never understand.

This story is about a hero, Johnny Smith, that really gets dealt a pretty crappy hand.  I actually really love his character.  Through everything he goes through he still perseveres.  It's really painful to listen to sometimes because I was routing for him the whole time and hoping things would work out for him.

James Franco was the narrator of this book.  I thought he did a pretty good job of narrating.  His voice was kind of nasally as some points but other than that I really was enthralled listening to him tell me the story.  He kept my attention the whole time.

I am rating this book 4 stars because I loved the story when I read it but listening to it brought the story to life on a whole different level.  I highly recommend all of Stephen King's books!

Audiobook Review: Royally Matched by Emma Chase

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Royally Matched
Royally #2
Author: Emma Chase
Narrartor: Andi Arndt and Shane East
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Released: February 21st 2017
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

Some men are born responsible, some men have responsibility thrust upon them. Henry Charles Albert Edgar Pembrook, Prince of Wessco, just got the motherlode of all responsibility dumped in his regal lap.

He’s not handling it well.

Hoping to force her grandson to rise to the occasion, Queen Lenora goes on a much-needed safari holiday—and when the Queen’s away, the Prince will play. After a chance meeting with an American television producer, Henry finally makes a decision all on his own:

Welcome to Matched: Royal Edition.

A reality TV dating game show featuring twenty of the world's most beautiful blue bloods gathered in the same castle. Only one will win the diamond tiara, only one will capture the handsome prince’s heart.

While Henry revels in the sexy, raunchy antics of the contestants as they fight, literally, for his affection, it’s the quiet, bespectacled girl in the corner—with the voice of an angel and a body that would tempt a saint—who catches his eye.

The more Henry gets to know Sarah Mirabelle Zinnia Von Titebottum, the more enamored he becomes of her simple beauty, her strength, her kind spirit…and her naughty sense of humor.

But Rome wasn’t built in a day—and irresponsible royals aren’t reformed overnight.

As he endeavors to right his wrongs, old words take on whole new meanings for the dashing Prince. Words like, Duty, Honor and most of all—Love.

Royally Matched, the second of the Royally series, and definitely just as entertaining as the first. Henry John Edgar Thomas Pembrook, Henry for short, The Prince of Wessco’s world was just turned upside down. If you’ve read Royally Screwed, you know *spoiler* that Henry is now first in line to the throne. All his life he knew it wasn’t something that was going to happen, he was the second born he got to ride through life without the responsibility of a country's well being on his shoulders. Well that all changed when his brother fell in love with a non-royal and love won over ruling his country.

Henry hasn’t always had the best reputation, he was the party boy, lady killer, but all that needs to change now that he is to become King. His grandma suggests him to find a bride and Henry is presented with a bachelor type show to find his blushing bride to be. While his grandma probably won’t agree with this decision he decides to do it anyways and keep it secret. That’s when he meets Sarah, whose sister is a contestant, and she has a hard time wanting to fall for him. She’s read the classic romance novels and knows that Henry is the type of wild love that will eventually end in a heartbreak, so she guards her heart.

I was completely enamored by this series. I love the royals and I cannot get enough of these princes and their lady woes. And then we get into the narrators and they have accents and I just cannot help myself from literally swooning out loud. Also, a favorite part of mine while reading Royally Matched was the internal issues both characters had to overcome. I related SO much with Sarah and couldn’t get enough of her story and then Henry and his ending, I couldn’t help but love him even more, but you’ll have to read it to find out ;) ;).

The Royally Series is a series you’re not going to want to miss out on. The covers are gorgeous, the stories are to die for, and the narrators are just the absolute best. Emma Chase has easily become one of my favorite authors over the past year and I cannot wait to read more from her.

Audiobook Review: Royally Screwed by Emma Chase

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Royally Screwed
Royally #1
Author: Emma Chase
Narrator: Andi Arndt, Shane East
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Release Date: October 18th 2016 
Review Source: Library | Simon & Schuster Audio

Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, Crowned Prince of Wessco, aka His Royal Hotness, is wickedly charming, devastatingly handsome, and unabashedly arrogant; hard not to be when people are constantly bowing down to you.

Then, one snowy night in Manhattan, the prince meets a dark haired beauty who doesn't bow down. Instead, she throws a pie in his face.

Nicholas wants to find out if she tastes as good as her pie, and this heir apparent is used to getting what he wants.

Dating a prince isn't what waitress Olivia Hammond ever imagined it would be.

There's a disapproving queen, a wildly inappropriate spare heir, relentless paparazzi, and brutal public scrutiny. While they've traded in horse drawn carriages for Rolls Royces, and haven't chopped anyone's head off lately, the royals are far from accepting of this commoner.

But to Olivia, Nicholas is worth it.

Nicholas grew up with the whole world watching, and now Marriage Watch is in full force. In the end, Nicholas has to decide who he is and, more importantly, who he wants to be: a King... or the man who gets to love Olivia forever. 

Firstly let’s start with what initially drew me in, the cover. Like, hello, what are you about? Does it even matter? I need you on my shelf. Then I see that it’s Emma Chase and she has been on my tbr list for forever now, so score, finally, and then lastly my library has it available on audiobook so I can dive right in during my overnights at work. And then right when I thought I couldn’t be anymore excited to start this book I start the audiobook and the narrator has an accent, kill.me.now. Then I got super bummed that the book wasn’t longer and I haven’t even made it through the first chapter yet. 

Royally Screwed follows sexy Prince Nicholas Arthur Frederick Edward Pembrook, who apparently has an incredibly long name, but also an incredible face and accent with a side of arrogance and charm. He’s next in line to become king and with the downfall of his country he has been told he needs to make some major changes but after meeting a dark haired beauty while in New York, Nicholas isn’t sure what to do. 

Then we have sassy hardworking Olivia Hammond who has lost her mother and is trying to keep her family and family business afloat working her butt off and then one day without a clue who he is the Nicholas happens upon her bakery and her life is forever altered. Like, hello where is Prince Harry, and why is he not walking into my job?

So I’m going to be completely honest, since I have read/listened to Royally Screwed I have gone and read all but maybe two of Emma Chase’s books. I am obsessed. Her characters are witty, she can write a male POV (which I tend to cringe on a lot), and stories that just suck you in. I can’t wait to continue this series, and with anything Emma Chase comes out with in the future. 

Audiobook Review: Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick

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Scrappy Little Nobody
Author: Anna Kendrick
Narrator: Anna Kendrick
Genre: Nonfiction - Humor
Release Date: November 15th 2016
Review Source: Library | Simon & Schuster Audio

A collection of humorous autobiographical essays by the Academy Award-nominated actress and star of Up in the Air and Pitch Perfect.

Even before she made a name for herself on the silver screen starring in films like Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air, Twilight, and Into the Woods, Anna Kendrick was unusually small, weird, and “10 percent defiant.”

At the ripe age of thirteen, she had already resolved to “keep the crazy inside my head where it belonged. Forever. But here’s the thing about crazy: It. Wants. Out.” In Scrappy Little Nobody, she invites readers inside her brain, sharing extraordinary and charmingly ordinary stories with candor and winningly wry observations.

With her razor-sharp wit, Anna recounts the absurdities she’s experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture as only she can—from her unusual path to the performing arts (Vanilla Ice and baggy neon pants may have played a role) to her double life as a middle-school student who also starred on Broadway to her initial “dating experiments” (including only liking boys who didn’t like her back) to reviewing a binder full of butt doubles to her struggle to live like an adult woman instead of a perpetual “man-child.”

Enter Anna’s world and follow her rise from “scrappy little nobody” to somebody who dazzles on the stage, the screen, and now the page—with an electric, singular voice, at once familiar and surprising, sharp and sweet, funny and serious (well, not that serious). 

Shut. The. Front. Door. This audiobook is pure gold.. If you’re even remotely a fan of Anna Kendrick you have got to pick this book. And better yet, you have got to listen to her read it on audio, it was a BLAST. 

So really, there isn’t a whole lot I can say about this book; it’s a book, about Anna Kendrick written by Anna Kendrick and read by Anna Kendrick about her being a scrappy little nobody. She dives into her insecurities that we can all relate to and she tells us hilarious anecdotes. Then by the end of the book I was convinced her and I could be best friends, still do actually. 

Basically that’s all you need to know. Anna is hilarious, awkward, down to earth, a little bit of a stoner, and someone you really want to keep listening to. It made me even more excited for her future career. I was first introduced to Anna when she was in Twilight and she was one of the cast members I made an effort to support their career long after and I’m glad that I have. So if you’re not acquainted with Anna I would do yourself a favor and pick up her book and a couple of her movies. 

Audiobook Review: Girl Online: Going Solo by Zoe Sugg

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Girl Online: Going Solo
Girl Online #3
Author: Zoe Sugg
Narrator: Hannah Tointon
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: November 22nd 2016
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

The third novel in the New York Times bestselling Girl Online series by the award-winning YouTuber and blogger Zoe “Zoella” Sugg.

Penny’s life is back to normal.

As Penny starts the school year she’s ready to face the world—alone. Noah has gone off the radar after ending his world tour early, and no one, including Penny, knows where he is. So when she accepts Megan’s invitation to visit her performing arts school, it seems like an opportunity to make some new friends.

Helping everyone else seems to be the right remedy—Elliot needs her friendship more than ever, and she meets Posey, who she can really help with her stage fright. But is charming Scottish boy Callum the right kind of distraction? And can Penny truly move on when Noah’s shadow seems to haunt her around every corner?

Girl Online has been an utter delight! I have listened to all three books on audio and they have been some of my absolute favorites. I love the accent of the narrator, they really make it sound authentic, adding in typing sounds, everything. This makes it an absolute delight to listen to and really pulls me in only to focus on what’s happening in Penny’s life.

Girl Online: Going Solo picks up after Noah broke my heart. I mean Penny, my bad ;). Penny’s back in school, back to blogging, back with her favorite sidekick Wiki aka Elliot. She’s trying to navigate life after Noah, who has been radio silent since the breakup, but it’s tough when she doesn’t know if he’s okay and always feels his ghost. We’ve watched Penny battle anxiety throughout the entire series, but we also watched her grow to accept it and find ways to healthily battle anxiety attacks. This is one of the main reasons why I have enjoyed this series, aside for the cute fun stuff, Penny does deal with some heavy anxiety that many people deal with, and to incorporate that into this story was important to me. I also can appreciate the growth Penny has with her friends, whether it was making new ones, strengthening current ones, and ending toxic ones; we’ve all been there at some point in life.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this entire series on audio, Hannah Tointon was perfect, so entertaining and authentic. I have completely enjoyed the Girl Online series and Girl Online: Going Solo was a great conclusion to this series. I hate saying goodbye but I loved to get to know Penny, Elliott, Noah, and everyone else we met on this ride.

Audiobook Review: Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes

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Hidden Bodies
You #2 
Author: Caroline Kepnes
Narrator: Santino Fontana
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Thriller
Released: February 23rd 2016
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Joe Goldberg is no stranger to hiding bodies. In the past ten years, this thirty-something has buried four of them, collateral damage in his quest for love. Now he’s heading west to Los Angeles, the city of second chances, determined to put his past behind him.

In Hollywood, Joe blends in effortlessly with the other young upstarts. He eats guac, works in a bookstore, and flirts with a journalist neighbor. But while others seem fixated on their own reflections, Joe can’t stop looking over his shoulder. The problem with hidden bodies is that they don’t always stay that way. They re-emerge, like dark thoughts, multiplying and threatening to destroy what Joe wants most: true love. And when he finds it in a darkened room in Soho House, he’s more desperate than ever to keep his secrets buried. He doesn’t want to hurt his new girlfriend—he wants to be with her forever. But if she ever finds out what he’s done, he may not have a choice...

This is an Adult novel recommended for ages 18+ due to mature subject matter. 

There is something very special about Joe Goldberg. He's so special that in a weird sense he will sew himself to your heart, literally. His psychotic and stalk-ish ways are indeed terrifying but his cleverness will warm your inside.

In You, the first book of this series, Joe will take you in a freaking mother-BEEP roller coaster. When I first started listening to the book, I hated it. Who in their right mind would listen to this man read about a man stalking a college girl? No one. To the point where he finds her home address, follows her everyday, and would watch her do everything, AS IN EVERYTHING. He's INSANE!! He thinks of the craziest sh*t and here I was wondering why the f*ck I was listening to this story. But as I continued, because in a messed up way I needed to know what he would do next. And in a more f*cked up way, Joe will somewhat warm your heart - in my case, he did. As I continued following his story, getting in his mindset, I'd noticed that this maniac is lonely and only wants to loved. And just as I was thinking he had found his happiness and will turn into a good guy (HA, the lies I told myself!) and whatnot, he does the unthinkable and blows my mind. Seriously, WTF?! I didn't see the ending of You coming. Let me put it out there, Joe is a serial killer, and in a very f*cked up way, you, the reader, will fall in love with him.

In Hidden Bodies, we follow Joe do more crazy sh*t, he kills more people, and still in a messed up way, you still love him. LIKE... HOW?! MIND BLOWN, AGAIN. I usually try not to use profanity but with You series, it's the only way to get it all out. Especially when you're listening to the audiobook, because Santino Fontana is freaking Joe. There is no other explanations. He reads this story with perfection and it feels so real. Like if you'd Joe sitting right next to you telling you his batsh*t adventures in Los Angeles. Like a friend trying to tell you his life story is worst to make your shitty day better. This story is so intense and hysterical and OH SO GOOD. It never slows down! In each chapter there is always something happening and you just want to stay all night listening because you don't want to miss out on anything.

So there, I freaking love a serial killer. I love Joe Goldberg. I love his references to our pop culture, I love how he doesn't give a f*ck what people think of him and I just love how true he is to himself. He doesn't bullsh*t and he will cut you in a heartbeat if he thinks you're playing with him. He is an asshole and will belittle you if he thinks you're dumb. He's rude but gosh, he is just stating the truth for the most part. And I love him!

If you're sensitive, then this is not a story for you. If you want to read something that will have you saying WTF every other minute, keep you on the edge of your seat, then freaking listening to You series. There is so many plot twists that you will keep you entertained from the very beginning of Joe's story, no, with Joe himself, to the very end. Honestly, Joe is such an entertainer and will you laugh out loud. You will come to terms that he is a genius, because indeed he is. Beyonce got nothing on him! He take entertainment to a whole new level. So go read/listen his story.

Audiobook Review: The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle

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The Great American Whatever
Author: Tim Federle
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Released: March 29th 2016
Review Source: Simon & Schuster Audio

From the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Five, Six, Seven, Nate! and Better Nate Than Ever comes a laugh-out-loud sad YA debut that’s a wry and winning testament to the power of old movies and new memories—one unscripted moment at a time.

Quinn Roberts is a sixteen-year-old smart aleck and Hollywood hopeful whose only worry used to be writing convincing dialogue for the movies he made with his sister Annabeth. Of course, that was all before—before Quinn stopped going to school, before his mom started sleeping on the sofa…and before Annabeth was killed in a car accident.

Enter Geoff, Quinn’s best friend who insists it’s time that Quinn came out—at least from hibernation. One haircut later, Geoff drags Quinn to his first college party, where instead of nursing his pain, he meets a guy—a hot one—and falls hard. What follows is an upside-down week in which Quinn begins imagining his future as a screenplay that might actually have a happily-ever-after ending—if, that is, he can finally step back into the starring role of his own life story.

The Great American Whatever follows high school student Quinn Roberts as he navigates life after the death of his sister and the absence of his father. Cue the best friend, Geoff, who refuses to let Quinn become a recluse and forces him to shower, get a haircut, and get out of the house, maybe even to a party.

From the very beginning we’re painted a vivid picture of where Quinn is in life. He hasn't showered in close to a month, delivery drivers are coming to his bedroom instead of the front door and he's avoiding anyone and everyone (except for the ones that coming with pizza). Quinn’s life use to revolve around movies, writing screenplays, something him and his sister had always done together. Ever since her passing Quinn hasn't been up to doing much of anything, especially screenplays. Geoff comes to help him out of the cave he's buried himself in and have a better summer, a summer worth remembering. Cue the cute boy, the kissing, the lessons, the grief, and the anger.

So I did this book on audio and it was flippin’ epic! It was read by the author himself, so he obviously knew the perfect inflections and how the story should be told. It reminded me a lot of when I did Me Earl and the Dying Girl on audio;  not the story per say but the voice and the storyteller and the person telling me the story. I just had a blast listening and there's a lot of humor in it, so it was basically stand up comedy at times. But no matter what you have to check this book out! Either audio or physical or ebook or is there anything else I'm missing? Listen to Nike and just do it.