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

Review ~ Turn Coat #10 by Jim Butcher AUDIO REVIEW

TITLE: Turn Coat

AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2009
TYPE: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy
PAGES: 420 / AUDIO
SERIES: yes
1. Storm Front
2. Fool Moon
3. Grave Peril
4. Summer Knight
5. Death Masks
6. Blood Rites
7. Dead Beat
8. Proven Guilty
9. White Night
10.Small Favor
11. Turn Coat
12. Changes
12.5 Side Jobs
13. Ghost Story
14. Cold Days
15. Skin Game

REASON FOR READING:
I love this series and thought it would be a good spot to remember Harry from while conducting my first time through with audio books

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:
When it comes to the magical ruling body known as the White Council, Harry keeps his nose clean and his head down. For years, the Council has held a death mark over Harry's head. He's still thought of as a black sheep by some and as a sacrificial lamb by others. But none regard him with more suspicion and disdain than Morgan, a veteran Warden with a grudge against anyone who bends the rules.

Like Harry.

So when Morgan turns up asking for help, Harry isn't exactly eager to leap into action. Morgan has been accused of treason against the White Council, and there's only one final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, he wants his name cleared, and he needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog.

Like Harry.

Now Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less than agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head.

Like Harry...

THOUGHTS/OPINIONS 
This one was a little difficult for me. While I enjoy the story line I found at times I was let down and then other times I was impressed. I thought the "main" villain of the skin walker was a bit too much for the story line and I was reminded in this story that Harry never wins. He always gets his ass handed to him in every battle and either gets saved or gets lucky. It was tough to constantly see him getting beat up, beaten, broken, or other people killed. I also didn't enjoy the whole White Court story line as much as I have in the past. Morgan was also very annoying and I found Molly was too which is strange b/c I really enjoy Molly or at least I thought I did.
The main problem with this series is the repetition which I am certain I have stated this before. I think by the time you get to book 10 the reader should very well know why the blue beetle is called such and what Pub looks like as well as Mister and Mouse. We know and if we don't we should not be reading book 10 in a series.
That being said it is a book that needed to be read in order b/c you have to know about the White court from past books, you need to understand Harry's relationship with Morgan and the White Counsel and this one sets up the next few books with the Grey Counsel which play an interesting role. So while this one isn't one of my top 5 of the series it is an important book that sets up the latter half of the series nicely.

THE WINS: 
I enjoyed the reading and pacing of the James Marsters on this series He really is the voice of Harry Dresden to me and I mean that I am currently listening to Ghost Story and it is another author reading it and boy can I tell a difference.
I enjoyed diving back into this world and getting to know how the story is weaved together. That is definitely one of the perks of reading book 1 and book 10 at the same time. I can now understand and see how Mr. Butcher is fitting all the pieces into place and how they are all weaving and coming together.

ARE YOU KEEPING OR PASSING ON IT: Had to pass on it borrowed it from library but thinking I might end up purchasing it on Audio books via web.

GOODREADS GRADE: Keeping this one at 4 out of 5 stars

RECOMMEND IT TO A FRIEND: Always :)

OTHER REVIEWS BY THIS AUTHOR:
Storm Front Audio Review
Summer Knight Review
Death Masks Review
Blood Rites Review
Dead Beat Review
Proven Guilty Review
White Night Review
Small Favor Review
Changes Audio Review
Changes Original Review

Review ~ Storm Front (Book #1 Harry Dresden) Audio

TITLE: Storm Front

AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2000
TYPE: fantasy/urban fantasy
PAGES: AUDIO
SERIES:  yes…

1.      Storm Front

2.     Fool Moon

3.     Grave Peril

4.     Summer Knight

5.     Death Masks

6.     Blood Rites

7.     Dead Beat

8.     Proven Guilty

9.     White Knight

10.  Small Favor

11.   Turn Coat

12.  Changes

1   12.5 Side Jobs

      13.  Ghost Story

    14.  Cold Days

     15.   Skin Games

REASON FOR READING: 

Have read this series numerous times over and was wanting to hear it in audio version

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Harry Dresden -- Wizard

Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

THOUGHTS/OPINION:

This is the one that started off this 14 year obsession.  Here we meet the might Harry Dresden before he is mighty. This is when he is still discovering who he is as a wizard and where he stands. As well as who his friends are and who he should trust. Again great reading you can tell that James is still learning who he is as the character and there were some voices that weren’t the same but that was due to not knowing who or where he wants to go with the characters yet. That being said I still enjoyed it. Mr. Butcher is also finding his footing here with where he wants to go with the story and the character.  The story at times feels like it drags as Mr. Butcher finds his footing and pacing. There were times I wanted to scream SPEED IT UP!  There were other times when I was happy for more description due to knowing what he was setting up for other books down the line.

THE PROBLEMS:

Pacing was a problem for a while

Backstory is always a problem with this series Mr. Butcher has to explain everything over and over like why the blue beetle is the blue beetle and what wizards can and can’t do etc..

Harry is still finding his voice and at times it comes across as too hard when it doesn’t need to be.  Almost as if Harry is trying too hard to be hard.

Harry always gets the snot beat out of him repeatedly over and over with no chance to win

THE WINS

The world itself is nicely done

The voices and timing of reading is done very well.

I could visualize everything that Harry did the colors and descriptions. I could feel why he thought what he though and his emotions. The writing was done nicely other than pacing. The story line in general was beautiful great story about a 3^rd eye drug and other wizards. It was nice to see Harry under so much pressure to take up bad magic and still refrain.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? Library book passing on it (have determined that I only read them once so no reason to buy them)

Goodreads grade: 4 out of 5 stars

Would you recommend this book?  Love this story and series can’t help it have re-read numerous times. 

Currently Listening To...

Title: Fool Moon (#2 Harry Dresden Series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Copyright: 2001

Summary 
Harry Dresden--Wizard
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment.

Business has been slow. Okay, business has been dead. And not even of the undead variety. You would think Chicago would have a little more action for the only professional wizard in the phone book. But lately, Harry Dresden hasn't been able to dredge up any kind of work--magical ormundane.

But just when it looks like he can't afford his next meal, a murder comes along that requires his particular brand of supernatural expertise.

A brutally mutilated corpse. Strange-looking paw prints. A full moon. Take three guesses--and the first two don't count..

Currently Listening To...

Title: Turn Coat (#11 Harry Dresden Series)
Author: Jim Butcher
Copyright: 2009

Summary: 

When it comes to the magical ruling body known as the White Council, Harry keeps his nose clean and his head down. For years, the Council has held a death mark over Harry's head. He's still thought of as a black sheep by some and as a sacrificial lamb by others. But none regard him with more suspicion and disdain than Morgan, a veteran Warden with a grudge against anyone who bends the rules.

Like Harry.

So when Morgan turns up asking for help, Harry isn't exactly eager to leap into action. Morgan has been accused of treason against the White Council, and there's only one final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, he wants his name cleared, and he needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog.

Like Harry.

Now Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less than agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head.

Like Harry...

Review ~ Changes by Jim Butcher (book #12)

TITLE: Changes

AUTHOR: Jim Butcher
COPYRIGHT: 2010
TYPE: fantasy/urban fantasy
PAGES: AUDIO
SERIES:  yes…

1.  Storm Front (re-read review)

2.     Fool Moon

3.     Grave Peril

4.     Summer Knight

5.     Death Masks

6.     Blood Rites

7.     Dead Beat

8.     Proven Guilty

9.     White Knight

10.  Small Favor

11.   Turn Coat

12.  Changes (original review)

12.5 Side Jobs

13.  Ghost Story

14.  Cold Days

15.   Skin Games

REASON FOR READING: 

Have read this series numerous times over and was wanting to hear it in audio version

SUMMARY (from Goodreads):

Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover—until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it—against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child

THOUGHTS/OPINION:

Hello I forgot how freaking INTENSE this book was my goodness...

Okay I have to say that while White Knight is by far my  favorite book that I have read up until Cold Days this one is just wow. I have been listening to Book 1 Storm Front and this one side by side (one in the car and one on my phone) and I can tell a massive difference in writing skills from the two 10 fold. The writing here is crisp, on point, exciting, and jammed pack with action from the moment Susan calls to the moment it ends. I have to admit this is the book that I was like HOLY CRAP where can they go with it from here. It is amazing to see how much Harry has changed and learned. Yet at the same time is still the same Harry. Then again the length he will go to save his daughter nearly broke my heart. This book ends on such a cliff hanger that I wanted to rip my hair out begging for  more and it reminded me of when I first read this book in 2010 and how upset I was that I had to wait another WHOLE FREAKING YEAR to see how the cliff hanger ended OMG seriously. Thankfully the library was waiting for me and I could grab the next in the collection. I have to put a warning here. If you have not read the whole series you need to while this book could stand alone and Mr. Butcher has done a good job of it a lot of the story lines tie in from other books. Mr. Butcher is excellent at using lines and characters from all of his previous 11 books to help this one tie into the over all picture and story arc of Harry Dresden. 

NOW ON TO THE REVIEW OF THE AUDIO

THE PROBLEMS:

The main problem with audio books is the fact that someone is reading them to me and they don’t move as fast as I would like. So that resulted in many a times where either I drifted off or rolled my eyes like, “come on man speed it up.”

That being said the reader James Marsters does a fantastic job when reading. His voices of the different characters especially the women were disconcerting at times and yet still done with a masterful flare.

THE WINS

Mr. Marsters did a fantastic job with the influx of the voice and when Harry yelled James did and when Harry whispered so did James.

His voices were so good I found times when I actually didn’t realize there were not separate voices in the story. I began to look forward to what Butters, Susan and Harry sounded like. Each character was done in such a way I could distinguish between who was talking without clarification.

The story was interesting in its own right but with Mr. Marsters it was heightened in the right amount at the right times. I found myself tensing when I should and sad when I knew that others were. I almost got to the point when Mr. Marsters mentioned someone tilted their head I found I was doing the same thing.

Very good book read by a very talented man who seemed to understand the character.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? This was a library borrow that I am passing on simply due to the fact I won’t re-listen.

Goodreads grade: 4 stars

Would you recommend this book? Yes but I happen to be a massive fan of the whole series.  

Audio books vs. actually reading a book

Audio books vs. reading a book....

Recently due to my job I have been listening to a lot of audio books... I started off with a serious one "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl then to mix things up I went with a Stephen King novel. A really, really long one which I will admit after 30 hours of time I found myself turned off from being read to. For some reason I can sit for hours and read and read and read but you give me a 30 hour Stephen King novel and I find myself skipping parts, rolling my eyes at others, and nit picking. So needless to say for a short while I was completely turned off by the whole audio book thing.

Then I had a brilliant thought. Why not try a book I had already read so I can see what is the real difference of audio books is verses reading. So since I am a big big fan of Jim Butcher I thought why not listen to one of his books to see what the difference is. Well frankly my friends it all depends on how you view being read to. I personally hate it. I enjoyed Changes by Jim Butcher mainly due to the fact that the person reading it made it sound really good (It's Spike from Buffy). And I know the story and yet there were times I found myself going "OH MY GOD PICK IT UP ALREADY"

I think the main problem I have is the speed at which I read. Normally I read very fast and I tend to skim as I read unless I feel it is something to really pay attention to (i.e school books, test, instruction manuals) but normally I am a speed reader. With audio I am forced to listen to EVERY SINGLE WORD and let me be honest I get bored very easily. So with audio books I find myself especially towards the end wanting to rush ahead. That's not to say the book was bad or that the reader of the book is bad it just shows me 2 things.

1) The book is really that good and I am dying to get to the end or 2) the book has way way way too many descriptors in it and I just can't take knowing how many lamps, beds, chairs, the color paint or how the apartment is laid out.

I DON'T CARE for that much description I don't need it and to be quite frank it is the part of books that I skip over and skim anyway so having to listen to it word by word was harder.

Alright sorry I am done with this rant moving on. So I guess in conclusion I am still on the fence when it comes to audio books. So I checked out one more from the library and am trying audible.com to see if I enjoy it enough to "buy" books on there (thus far I am thinking no.) So I am in an attempt to find books for free to listen to online which my library doesn't do yet so if you know of any place that allows a person to "check" out audio the way a library should I would appreciate the heads up. That being said I am still going to keep trying to enjoy audio until I am completely fed up. My thoughts are there are books I don't enjoy reading so the same surely has to be for audio right?

Anyway what are your thoughts on audio books? Do you love them? Hate them? If you love them then which are some of your favorites for me to try?

Currently Listening To

Title: Storm Front
Author: Jim Butcher
Copyright: 2000

Summary:
Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations.
Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.
No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or
Other Entertainment.

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he’s the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the “everyday” world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don’t play well with humans. That’s where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever.

There’s just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry’s seeing dollar signs. But where there’s black magic, there’s a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry’s name. And that’s when things start to get… interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

Currently Listening To

Title: Changes #12
Author: Jim Butcher
Copyright: 2010

SUMMARY:
Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover—until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the blood-lust of the vampiric  Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna  Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it—against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his child

Review ~ Bossypants by Tina Fey

Title: Bossypants

Author: Tina Fey
Copyright: 2011
Type: Autobiography
Pages: Audiobook
Series:
NO

Reason for Listening:
I absolutely loved her on SNL and wanted to know more about her. I thought this would be a good way.

Summary: 
Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV.

She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon—from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence.

Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy.

Thoughts/Opinions:
If you enjoy snark then this is the book for you. She covers everything from her thoughts on Hilary Clinton, Sara Palin, breast feeding, to college and then some as well as 30 Rock. She can be offensive but come on if you realize anything you know anyone who writes for SNL and acted on the show can be offensive in a lot of ways. After all isn't that how they make their money?!

There were a few things that I rolled my eyes on and there were a few moments when I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. SERIOUSLY if you ignore everything else listen to her honeymoon story cause let me tell ya it was freaking funny and I still chuckle over it. 

All that aside it was 5 CD's and a lot of talking (DUH) not a Stephen King amount of talking but still. The audio was paced well and it ebbed and flowed when it needed to. Where there boring moments yes but also exciting ones. Did she dish on anyone no so if you are looking for gossip keep right on looking!

All in all not bad and not my favorite. Glad I gave it a shot though so anyone who is a fan as by now already read it and loved it so I will end it with that. 

Favorite Part: 
Honeymoon story hands down

New Author Challenge