Page to Screen ~ Argo

Title: Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled off the Most Audacious Rescue In History 

Author: Antonio Mendez
Copyright: 2012
Type:  fiction
Pages: 310
Series: no

Reason for Reading

Saw the movie and wanted to see if it was like the actual book

Summary:

The true account of the 1979 rescue of six American hostages from Iran

On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and held dozens of Americans hostage, sparking a 444-day ordeal and a quake in global politics that still reverberates today. Beaneath this crisis another shocking story was known by only a select few: six Americans escaped the embassy and hid within a city roiling with suspicion and fear. A top-level CIA officer named Antonio Mendez devised an ingenious yet incredibly risky plan to rescue them before they were detected. Disguising himself as a Hollywood producer, and supported by a cast of expert forgers, deep-cover CIA operatives, foreign agents, and Hollywood special-effects artists, Mendez traveled to Tehran under the guise of scouting locations for a fake science fiction film called "Argo." While pretending to find the ideal film backdrops, Mendez and a colleague succeeded in contacting the escapees and eventually smuggled them out of Iran.

After more than three decades, Antonio Mendez finally details the extraordinarily complex and dangerous operation he led. A riveting story of secret identities, international intrigue, and good old-fashioned American ingenuity, Argo is the pulse-pounding account of the history-making collusion between Hollywood and high-stakes espionage. 

The Problems: 

* The movie clearly couldn't do everything that was in the book and of course the movie had to make it more action. 

* The book had a lot going on that didn't need to be in it. There was a lot of back information that wasn't very interesting like about what was happening during the time that hostages were hanging out waiting to be rescued and doing absolutely nothing except working on their tan. 

The Wins:

*The book did explain how the CIA got to point of using undercover with mask and makeup to help with agents and how that department was made. 

*The movie did a good job at showing how serious the situation was and is for hostages and how terrifying it was for those that went through it and those that were the ones on the outside including survival guilt. 

*It was also good to see how well and bad Hollywood was portrayed in this movie. 

Goodreads Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? Yes and no I think the movie was better personally and would recommend it over the book personally but if you prefer to read then yes. 

Review ~ Churchill by Paul Johnson

Title: Churchill 

Author: Paul Johnson
Copyright: 2009
Type: biography
Pages: 192
Series: no

Reason for Reading
Love biographies wanted to know more about Churchill

Summary:

An acclaimed historian presents a revelatory look at the greatest statesman of the twentieth century

For eminent historian Paul Johnson, Winston Churchill remains an enigma in need of unraveling. Soldier, parliamentarian, Prime Minister, orator, painter, writer, husband, and leader—all of these facets combine to make Churchill one of the most complex and fascinating personalities in history.

In Churchill, Johnson applies a wide lens and an unconventional approach to illuminate the various phases of Churchill’s career. From his adventures as a young cavalry officer in the service of the Empire to his role as an elder statesman prophesying the advent of the Cold War, Johnson shows how Churchill’s immense adaptability combined with his natural pugnacity to make him a formidable leader for the better part of a century. Johnson’s narration of Churchill’s many triumphs and setbacks, rich with anecdote and quotation, illustrates the man’s humor, resilience, courage, and eccentricity as no other biography before.

Winston Churchill’s hold on contemporary readers has never slackened, and Paul Johnson’s lively, concise biography will appeal to historians and general nonfiction readers alike. 

Thoughts/Opinions

I really enjoyed this audio book. It didn't obviously go into the whole history of Winston Churchill. It did hit on his early life briefly and it hit on his time building up into the man that he was suppose to be and how he became the man he was. The audio did a very good job and building up to help us understand how he became the man he is and how many times he succeeded only to fail and have to pick himself back up and start from scratch. I thought it was well written and it was fantastically done. What was great about it is that every part was needed and not overly written to where you wished they had cut something out. In fact every part of the audio was something that was needed. 

Goodreads Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? I think that this is something that you should read if you like biographies and want to know more about Winston Churchill

Review ~ The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks

Title: The Zombie Survival Guide

Author: Max Brooks
Copyright: 2006
Type: fiction
Pages: audio
Series: no

Reason for Reading: It sounded fun and hey I like zombies anyway I can get them

Summary:

From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, World War Z, TheZombie Survival Guide is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now. Fully illustrated and exhaustively comprehensive, this book covers everything you need to know, including how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry, ways to outfit your home for a long siege, and how to survive and adapt in any territory or terrain.

Top 10 Lessons for Surviving a Zombie Attack 

1. Organize before they rise! 
2. They feel no fear, why should you?
3. Use your head: cut off theirs.
4. Blades don’t need reloading.
5. Ideal protection = tight clothes, short hair.
6. Get up the staircase, then destroy it. 
7. Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
8. Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
9. No place is safe, only safer. 
10. The zombie may be gone, but the threat lives on. 

Don’t be carefree and foolish with your most precious asset—life. This book is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now without your even knowing it. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead. It is a book that can save your life.

Thoughts/Opinions

I have to say that while at first I wasn't too impressed it was a very good how to guide which equals boring for someone driving. I mean you are telling me what type of weapon and how to shoot it and then how to go to the second floor and save water. It felt like a guide book that was step by step which is exactly what it is. However, when one is driving in a car it means that a person is very bored listening to it and let's be honest I don't have the best attention span when it comes to reading how to guides.
The reader was good but there was no way to make this book interesting unless you were really trying to prepare for a zombie attack and then well by all means take notes b/c I am sure that this will save your life at some point. That being said it was not something that I want to listen to. There were some laugh out loud moments of course like taking a bicycle over other transportation (if I could do that I wouldn't have to get in shape  as the book constantly reminded me to do) but all in all it was just kind of boring to listen to. Definitely not a sit down and read for enjoyment kind of book which is why it got such a low score from me. If you truly want to learn how to survive an attack by all means check it out but it is a how to guide nothing more. 

Goodreads Grade: 3 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book to others? Yes if you want to prepare for the future of zombies running around. 

Challenges: 

Audio Book Challenge

Out Do Yourself Challenge
New To Me Author

Review ~ Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer by Seth Grahame-Smith

TITLE: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer
AUTHOR: Seth Grahame-Smith
COPYRIGHT: 2010
TYPE: Fiction
PAGES: Audio - 11 hrs
SERIES:  No

REASON FOR READ:

I mean come on Abraham Lincoln as a vampire slayer... there were two outcomes it could either be a really good book or a horribly horribly bad book...

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Indiana, 1818. Moonlight falls through the dense woods that surround a one-room cabin, where a nine-year-old Abraham Lincoln kneels at his suffering mother's bedside. She's been stricken with something the old-timers call "Milk Sickness."

"My baby boy..." she whispers before dying.

Only later will the grieving Abe learn that his mother's fatal affliction was actually the work of a vampire.

When the truth becomes known to young Lincoln, he writes in his journal, "henceforth my life shall be one of rigorous study and devotion. I shall become a master of mind and body. And this mastery shall have but one purpose..." Gifted with his legendary height, strength, and skill with an ax, Abe sets out on a path of vengeance that will lead him all the way to the White House.

While Abraham Lincoln is widely lauded for saving a Union and freeing millions of slaves, his valiant fight against the forces of the undead has remained in the shadows for hundreds of years. That is, until Seth Grahame-Smith stumbled upon The Secret Journal of Abraham Lincoln, and became the first living person to lay eyes on it in more than 140 years.

Using the journal as his guide and writing in the grand biographical style of Doris Kearns Goodwin and David McCullough, Seth has reconstructed the true life story of our greatest president for the first time-all while revealing the hidden history behind the Civil War and uncovering the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation. 

THOUGHTS/OPINION:

I have to admit this book surprised me and that is saying something now and days. It is a rare day when a book especially an audio book can suck me in so much that I don't want to leave my car because I want to know what is going to happen next but this book did just that. The author did such a great job at weaving in the "journals" of Abraham and the history of this fascinating man's stories that I was shocked that I found myself going sure that could work. And weeks later I am still talking about it to people and telling them you have got to read this book. That is not something that I do very often. The way the journal, history and telling of the story are put together I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with this writer that I went out and picked up his 3 other books. 

THINGS I LIKED

I have no idea where to start. I loved how the writer weaved seamlessly the telling of Abraham's life into him actually hunting vampires to the point where I was like well... that could have happened. I enjoyed it immensely. 

I liked the concept its not something I would have put together and it was a pleasant surprise. As I put in the reason for reading this had 2 outcomes it could have been really good or bad. Lucky for me this turned out really well and I enjoyed it. 

The characters were very interesting including the completely made up one Henry and I enjoyed him enough I went out and got his own book just because I enjoyed how much of a role he played in Abraham's story. 

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

My main complaint throughout the story is the constant counting as an audio book I have no idea what the counting was for or what it was about. But they were constantly counting from 5 or 2 or 3 and it wasn't chapters b/c they still made sure to read me the damn chapters as well. 

Also reading me the footnotes at the precise moment of the footnotes is very jarring and took away from the freaking telling of the story and I didn't like it (just a pet peeve of mine) it could've waited until the end or wasn't actually needed nor necessary for a fiction novel. 

Favorite part or line from story:

I have to say that Henry was the interesting part of the story not to mention the diaries kept me on the edge of my seat. The way the author weaved history and the vampire story line so seamlessly into one another blew my mind. I was blown away by it. 

FINAL GRADE: 4 out of 5 stars but thinking of changing this to 5 out of 5 the more I think on it

Would you recommend this story?Yes and I do to a lot of people

Is this a part of a reading challenge?

 Audio Book Challenge

Out Do Yourself Challenge
New To Me Author

Alphabet Title Challenge 

Review ~ The Best Yes by Lisa Terkeurst

TITLE: The Best Yes  

AUTHOR: Lisa Terkeurst
COPYRIGHT: 2014
TYPE: christian self help
Audio - 7 hours
SERIES:  
no
REASON FOR READ:

Love the thought about it. Learning how to make wise decisions in the midst of endless demands seemed like a great read at the time.

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Are you living with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule and aching with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul?

Lysa TerKeurst is learning that there is a big difference between saying yes to everyone and saying yes to God. In "The Best Yes "she will help you: Cure the disease to please with a biblical understanding of the command to love. Escape the guilt of disappointing others by learning the secret of the small no. Overcome the agony of hard choices by embracing a wisdom based decision-making process. Rise above the rush of endless demands and discover your best yes today. 

THOUGHTS/OPINION:

This audio book surprised me with information. It was and is a Christian book so please keep that in mind before picking it up. If you are opposed to hearing how to make a decision based on prayer or the Bible than no this is no the book for you. However, if like me, you are not opposed to that than this wasn't a bad book. I enjoyed her stories of real life applications. The woman who read the book was believable and had an easy going voice that wasn't rushed or harsh. I felt as if this audio book was a good match for me. I learned how to say no with love and how not to put off decisions. I enjoyed the book enough that I have recommended it to my mother and a few of my friends. I have to say that I wish that I had bought a copy now instead of checking it out from the library I have enjoyed it that much. I am at next pay period going to buy the actual book to digest it a little slower than pushing through an audio like I tend to. As with any self-help book there were parts that felt that were repeated over and over and I felt as if that maybe they could have taken it out. I didn't need the summary and the book could have been shorter. I also don't appreciate the chapters being read to me and it is jarring to me when that happens. I have to say that I with audio books I think I do better with fiction books opposed to self help books because I found that I kept wanting to repeat and listen to parts over and over an then I wanted to take notes but since I was driving that was hard to do. 

FINAL GRADE: A

Would you recommend this story? Yes I think this was biblical sound book that did help me come to some decisions and helped me to recognize where I need additional help in certain areas of my life. 

Is this a part of a reading challenge?

Out Do Yourself Challenge

New To Me Author

Audio Book Challenge 

Review ~ If you Ask Me (and of course you won't) by Betty White (audio)

TITLE: If You Ask Me (and of Course You won't)
AUTHOR: Betty White
COPYRIGHT: 2011
TYPE: Audio/Biography 
PAGES: audio (2.5 hours)
SERIES:  no

REASON FOR READ:

B/c it's Betty White!!!

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity. If You Ask Me mixes her thoughtful observations with humorous stories from a seven- decade career in Hollywood. Longtime fans and new fans alike will relish Betty's candid take on everything from her rumored crush on Robert Redford (true) to her beauty regimen (I have no idea what color my hair is and I never intend to find out") to the Facebook campaign that helped persuade her to hostSaturday Night Live despite her having declined the hosting job three times already.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:

First off let me start off by saying I am a HUGE Betty White fan. I love me some Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, SNL and Mary Taylor Moore Show. I think Betty is hysterical. Also for the record I am not certain what I had expected going into this. Part of me wants to say that I thought it would be more about what life is like being Betty White. And honestly I had no idea this is like the 4th book she has put out so I guess long story short (to late) that I was going to get a "this is how to be Betty White" story. Instead what I got was a little bit here, little bit there, and some over here. I learned nothing really new and nothing all that great. I enjoyed the book but it is for sure not one I would recommend to a lot of people. I felt almost as if it was a "my life is great I have nothing to complain about, no scandals, and honestly I just don't talk about anyone in a negative light. While that is awesome and my respect increased for Betty I have to say at the same time my level of boredom also increased as I listened. 

The stories she told felt disconnected almost like she would change thoughts about a different topic before really getting to the heart of something. Or she jumped from Hot in Cleveland story to Mary Taylor Moore, to a chimp, to growing up, to her husband and back to Hot in Cleveland. For someone who loves going down rabbit holes I had a hard time keeping up with the leaps. 

All in all it was a quick audio and enjoyable to listen to Betty White talk and laugh. Not a complete waste of time, but not something I will listen to again. 

Favorite part or line from story:

I have no idea what my natural hair color is and I don't intend to find out. 

FINAL GRADE: 2 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this story? If you are a fan of Betty White it is an interesting listen and doesn't take too much of your time. 

Is this a part of a reading challenge?

 Audio Book Challenge

Out Do Yourself Challenge
New To Me Author

Alphabet Title Challenge

Review ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowlings

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: JK Rowlings
Copyright: 2000
Type: Young Adult
Hours: 11 hours 48 minutes
Series: 
Book 3 in the series

Reason for Listening:
Absolutely love this series and thought it would be fun to hear it in audio version.

Summary from Goodreads:
For most children, summer vacation is something to look forward to. But not for our 13-year-old hero, who's forced to spend his summers with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who detest him. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig.

As it turns out, Harry isn't punished at all for his errant wizardry. Instead he is mysteriously rescued from his Muggle neighborhood and whisked off in a triple-decker, violently purple bus to spend the remaining weeks of summer in a friendly inn called the Leaky Cauldron. What Harry has to face as he begins his third year at Hogwarts explains why the officials let him off easily. It seems that Sirius Black--an escaped convict from the prison of Azkaban--is on the loose. Not only that, but he's after Harry Potter. But why? And why do the Dementors, the guards hired to protect him, chill Harry's very heart when others are unaffected?

Thoughts/Opinions:
Jim Dale the man who narrates this novel does a fantastic job of not only remembering what each character sounds like but by keeping them all sorted and slightly different. I really enjoyed listening to this book. It brought back good memories for me and at the same time forced me to slow down and savor it. When I read it the first time I push through so fast that I hardly remembered the small details that were so greatly important later on.
I also enjoyed it because it half way brought back the movies to me and filled in the gaps that the movies left out...
Mr. Dale does a fantastic job with the pacing and keeping the story fresh. He never sounds tired or bored and I found his voice to be strangely hypnotic.
Great story (I am not going to review the actual story due to the fact SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE) however it was a fantastic 12 hours of sweet bliss to listen to. I found myself wanting to get back in the car to hear what would happen next.

My previous review of the books can be found here

Final Grade: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you Recommend this story: Yes it is an excellent series and the audio books do it complete justice.

Challenges
Audio Book Challenge
Out Do Yourself Challenge

Currently Listening To

Title: If You Ask Me (and of course you won't)
Author: Betty White
Copyright: 2011
Hours: 2.5 hours

Summary from Goodreads: 
It-girl Betty White delivers a hilarious, slyly profound take on love, life, celebrity, and everything in between. 

Drawing from a lifetime of lessons learned, seven-time Emmy winner Betty White's wit and wisdom take center stage as she tackles topics like friendship, romantic love, aging, television, fans, love for animals, and the brave new world of celebrity. If You Ask Me mixes her thoughtful observations with humorous stories from a seven- decade career in Hollywood. Longtime fans and new fans alike will relish Betty's candid take on everything from her rumored crush on Robert Redford (true) to her beauty regimen (I have no idea what color my hair is and I never intend to find out") to the Facebook campaign that helped persuade her to hostSaturday Night Live despite her having declined the hosting job three times already. 

Featuring all-new material, with a focus on the past fifteen years of her life,If You Ask Me is funny, sweet, and to the point-just like Betty White.

Challenges:
Audio Book Challenge
Out Do Yourself Challenge
New To Me Author

Currently Listening To

Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: JK Rowlings
Genre: YA Fantasy
Length: 26.5 hours

Goodreads Summary
Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His best friends Ron and Hermione have been very secretive all summer and he is desperate to get back to school and find out what has been going on. However, what Harry discovers is far more devastating than he could ever have expected.

ChallengesAudio Book Challenge

Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

TITLE: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

AUTHOR: JK Rowling

TYPE: young adult, fantasy

AUDIO LENGTH: 8 hrs 17 minutes

SERIES

Yes 7 book series

REASON FOR LISTENING:

It is hands down one of my favorite series (shockingly enough there is only a handful of these) so I thought I would see what Harry Potter is like with audio. 

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable muggle aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's a wizard, just as his parents were.

But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.

From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.

THOUGHTS/OPINIONS

I have to admit that this audio was done very nicely. First off there were different voices that didn't make me clench in agony like a lot of people do. I understood each of the characters and who was talking solely based on his tone and pronunciations of each word. I was amazed how he kept them all straight to be honest. 

There really wasn't a down side to this series thus far. It obviously follows the book. The pacing was perfect there was influx to the voices so that you could hear him panting when the person was, or sighing, or crying. I did enjoy remembering all the characters and how they fit together. 

The only negative thing and trust me when I say it was small was how he would say Harry when he wanted to sound exacerbated or annoyed it was like Haaaarrrrreeee UGH got on my nerves. 

Shy of that everything else was rather enjoyable and I have to say I never imaged 8 hours of my life flying by so quickly. 

Recommend to a Friend? Yes if you enjoy audio books this is definitely a must listen to

Goodreads Grade: I think I gave it 4 out of 5 stars simply due to link and it is a first novel even for JK 

Keeping or Passing: I bought it ... sue me

Challenges:

Audio Book Challenge

Out Do Yourself Challenge

Currently Listening To: #HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowlings

Title: Harry Potter: And the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: JK Rowlings
Series: Harry Potter #3
Length: 11 hours 48 minutes

Summary: 

For most children, summer vacation is something to look forward to. But not for our 13-year-old hero, who's forced to spend his summers with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who detest him. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig.

As it turns out, Harry isn't punished at all for his errant wizardry. Instead he is mysteriously rescued from his Muggle neighborhood and whisked off in a triple-decker, violently purple bus to spend the remaining weeks of summer in a friendly inn called the Leaky Cauldron. What Harry has to face as he begins his third year at Hogwarts explains why the officials let him off easily. It seems that Sirius Black--an escaped convict from the prison of Azkaban--is on the loose. Not only that, but he's after Harry Potter. But why? And why do the Dementors, the guards hired to protect him, chill Harry's very heart when others are unaffected?

Challenges:
Audio Book Challenge

Currently Listening To

Title: Harry Potter: And the Sorceror's Stone
Author: JK Rowlings
Series: Harry Potter
Length: 8 hours and 17 minutes

Goodreads Summary: 
Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable muggle aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's a wizard, just as his parents were.

But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright.

From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.

Challenges:
Audio Book Challenge

2015 Audiobook Challenge

This one is hosted by Avanti Ciera and more info can be found HERE.
I am going to shoot for Audio (b/c I have gotten into it this year) I am aiming for Silver which is 76-150 hours... 2 Stephen King books should do that ;)

My List and Hours:
1. Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowlings 8 hrs 11 minutes
2. Harry Potter: And the Prisoner of Azkaban 11 hours and 51 minutes
3. Harry Potter: And the Order of the Phoenix 27 hours
4. Side Jobs by Jim Butcher 13 hours 15 minutes
5. If You Ask Me (and of course you won't) by Betty White: 2.5 hours
6. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher 10 hours 6 minutes

Run Time thus far: 72 hours and 26 minutes