Heather K (Dentist in my Spare Time)

Not even Greg can make me like this one

Reviewed: 04-11-20

It's been a long time since I've read Mary Calmes, and now I remember why.

Holy crap, the descriptions. Anyone who has read Mary Calmes knows what I mean, but it was so excessive in this book that I could barely keep listening. Polo shirts with contrasting buttons and in a deep, forest green. That's one shirt!, but the descriptions are for everyone and everything. It's endless.

But it wasn't the descriptions that really killed this book for me, it was the insane way that Kaenon forgave all of his tormentors in about five seconds. All they had to do was complement him in an "aw, shucks" way, and they were best friends again. JUST NO. I've never even been through abuse like his and I felt triggered.

I rolled my eyes at how everyone loved Kaenon and found him irresistibly attractive, and how opportunities fell in his lap (because Mary Calmes). I went along with the mysticism elements because, sure. But there was no excuse for the draggy plot and half-cooked romance. I think there was an actual romance there, but I'm not sure. It went from attraction to some deep love somehow, but I must have missed the transition.

My only thing to raise this above one star was the killer narration by the always amazing Greg Tremblay. Greg is such a pro, and he really gave his book his all. I love him, and it's the only reason I bought this book in the first place, many moons ago.

Time for another long, long break from Mary.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

Life changing

Reviewed: 04-11-20

I've read many, many books on weight loss and dieting over the years, mostly to try to get healthier and in order to understand my body better because I'm a science geek. This book outshines them all.

It takes a lot convincing to change your mindset from the ingrained "calories in, calories out," but Dr. Fung is very compelling. Listening to his book changed my whole mindset about food, sugar, and fake sugar (which is my true weakness). It was truly life changing.

An excellent book with lots of science to back it up. You'll never look at food the same way again.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Just... not enough content

Reviewed: 04-11-20

I'm in love with Celeste Barber, and I check her Instagram feed every day. Honestly, she deserves to earn $1,000,000 just for posting the stuff that she does, shining a light on the hilarity of celebrity culture, in a light, accessible way. Her social media is GOLD.

However, and I say this time and time again, a funny person does not make a funny book. Or even an interesting book, for that matter...

Look, it just isn't captivating to read about someone from a loving home who used to take dance lessons and has ADHD. I can literally point you to 100 people I know with the same exact story. You have to be an INSANELY skilled writer to make that stuff interesting. Celeste Barber just... isn't.

I wanted more insight on her social media posts, her interactions with celebrities, and basically all the gossip that separates her from just listening to patients talk about their school life while I work. I listen to that other stuff every day. This was supposed to be interesting.

There are not going to be any books written about my fascinating life (*snorts*), so I guess I'm not one to talk, but Celeste Barber truly doesn't have enough content to fill a whole book. And I'm saying that from a loving, honest place.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Intense

Reviewed: 04-11-20

I've heard only good things about Not My Father's Son by Alan Cumming, and it turned out as expected: a powerful, beautifully narrated story.

Though I obviously knew of Alan Cumming and his work, I knew very little about his personal life before I started this audiobook. I had no idea he had such a traumatic childhood, and I found myself in awe of his resilience.

The story told in this book is just a segment of Alan's interesting life (thanks, Wikipedia!), but it focuses on a very painful part of his past and how it colored the rest of his life. I enjoyed listening to Alan's retelling of the events in his story, even if it was difficult to hear at times.

A very good memoir, and recommended for all those who love audiobooks.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Le sigh

Reviewed: 04-11-20

Okay, I'm going to stop trying with N.R. Walker because I just never seem to like any of her stuff. I just... don't.

I seem to be in the minority, but I found Elements of Retrofit to be tedious, unconvincing, and just plain boring. Not even the age gap and one of my usually reliable narrators could keep my interest.

*shrugs*

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A bit slow... don't kill me

Reviewed: 04-11-20

A Gentleman in Moscow was one of my husband's favorite books of the year, and so I had to try it. While I liked the book, I didn't love it, and though my husband is sure that's because I'm into books with more instant gratification, I maintain that he just likes things that are, well, more boring (see exhibit A: his obsession with "Air Disasters," as seen on the Smithsonian Channel...).

The audio for this book took me almost two months to get through, which says a lot because I've listened to far longer books in under a week. The narrator, Nicholas Guy Smith, does an excellent job with the nuances of the story, even if he sounds older than the characters at times. I can't really fault the narrator for anything, but listening to a book where not much happens felt like a bit of a chore at times.

I found the book both simultaneously fascinating and dull. The stories were all amusing or enlightening, but the story is basically just the every day life of a member of the formal royal class who is stuck in a hotel for decades. It is interesting, but only just so. The writing was exquisite, but that only took me so far.

I liked the story, but I'm not one of those readers who is obsessed with it. I get it, and I see you, my friends, even if you are siding with my husband over me. I think the book was worthy of my time and energy, but I'm happy that it's over now.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Not too shabby

Reviewed: 04-11-20

*3.5 stars*

I don't typically love M/F contemporary romances, but I enjoyed Butterface, mostly due to a really great narration job from both the male and female narrators.

I've read stories about atypical beauties, but it's very, very unusual to get a romance with a heroine who is truly... not attractive. I mean, when you look at the real world, there is a big range of attractiveness levels, and those people who aren't conventionally pretty deserve their love stories to be told too, damn it!

I was thrilled to read a love story with a female MC who has a, well, butterface. However, I think the plot of the story rested on that face a little too much at times.

The romance was actually very cute, but I found the plot to be a bit draggy and a lot thing. It took me about three weeks to listen to the whole thing, and that's a long time for me. There just wasn't much substance there aside from the chemistry between the two MCs (which isn't something to sneeze at, I might add).

A really unique story and a cute one at that, I would still recommend it to all contemporary romance fans.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

This series!

Reviewed: 04-11-20

Gah! The sex, the FRUSTRATION, the meddling! Guys, it's the delicious Wake Up Married serial!

This is a second read though for me, first time in audio, and I have to say, John Solo absolutely kills the narration. I have certainly judged him too harshly in the past because... wow. He IS Will and Patrick. I'll hear his voices in my head now when I think of those two guys.

The story was almost excruciating to listen to in audio, though, because I wanted to slap Will sooooo hard this time around. The series is so frustrating but so, so good. And Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths absolutely KILL those sex scenes. OMG, do those ladies get me.

A must listen for fans of the series, or if you are considering getting these books in audio for the first time Will/Patrick experience, don't hesitate!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Meh

Reviewed: 04-11-20

Okay... I guess.

I think my expectations were a bit too high for my first Victoria Schwab.

I'm not typically a middle grade reader, but I think if I was I would have enjoyed this one a bit more. It was a very predictable story, and it felt geared towards ages 9-12 more. My 10 year-old nephew would probably love it.

I listened to the whole thing because it was short, but even the decent narration didn't help keep my interest. It took me about two weeks to listen to a story that was just over 5 hours long, and that's not a great sign.

Fine, I guess, but I would recommend only for a younger audience or a seasoned middle grade reader.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Um, boring...

Reviewed: 04-11-20

Am I the only one who thought this was overhyped and a little boring?

I don't have anything bad to say about this book, but I also wasn't compelled to keep listening to it. The audio was good, but the story seemed to drag on and on for me. Everyone else I know loved it, so take my opinion with a big grain of salt.

*shrugs*

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful