Meh. 

I listened to this book via audiobook at 1.5 speed. I didn’t love the narrators voice, but to each their own. 

This book just didn’t quite do it for me. It seemed completely unbelievable, even from the beginning of the book when Owen goes missing and his wife is sitting around, comfortably drinking coffee. Very unrealistic. And the rest of the book continues on that same trajectory. Strong detective work by family members tho! Gotta give credit where credit is due. 

*I read The Four Winds via audiobook at 1.25 speed.  Julia Whelan narrates this novel beautifully. Her voice is smooth and changes slightly with every character*

Wow. I can honestly say this is the first book that has ever had me in tears. I was sobbing while listening to several parts of this book.

And I learned so much! I didn’t realize how completely ignorant I was to what people actually went thru during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. I found myself googling historical facts and discussing all the things I’d come to learn with my husband. This heart-wrenching story taught me about a part of history I had never been interested in, and yet I couldn’t put it down! I can’t say enough about this beautiful story. I highly recommend it to all, especially those who love strong and fierce female characters in literature. 

Five stars for The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.  

I listened to this book via audiobook at 1.25 speed. It’s narrated by Tom Hanks, and I could listen to him talk all day, apparently - because that’s pretty much what I did. 

I listened to this book because it had rave reviews and was narrated by Tom Hanks, what was there to lose??  Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy this book.  I really wanted to love it, but it never quite came together for me. The story of a bond between brother and sister was sweet and believable, however the rest of the plot was a bit too scattered for my liking and did not hold my attention. But Tom Hanks voice was enough to get me to the end of the book. 

**Give this audiobook a listen at least past the first 45min and you will LOVE it!!**

I listened via audiobook at 1.30 speed. At first I struggled with the Australian accent of the narrator (Barrie Kreinik), and all the detail given at the beginning of the book. But it quickly fell into place and I found the narration perfect for this heart-wrenching story. 

This book is far deeper than the description portrays. Subject lines of autism, narcissism, sexual abuse, and surrogacy are impossibly and beautifully intertwined in this story about deep rooted family secrets. I couldn’t put this book down and absolutely fell in love with Fern and Wally. 

I almost DNF this book, but I’m so glad I gave it a little bit longer to settle out; otherwise, I would’ve truly missed out on a great book. 

Just couldn’t get into it/follow it. 

I “read” this book via audiobook at 1.25 speed. Narration was clear and the narrator used different voices for the characters, tho she wasn’t the best voice actress I’ve ever heard. Kinda reminded me of a kindergarten teacher changing her voice to match different characters. Not a paid voice actress, but not too horrible either. 

I wasn’t expecting this to be in the YA category, but I def think it fits. The story was, for sure, unbelievable - but isn’t that what some people want in a book? There were twists and turns I didn’t see coming. And part of me wished I had taken notes while listening so that I could keep up with the ever evolving plot. 

This was a fun listen, and one I did not want to put down!

I listened via audiobook (at 1.25 speed) and this book broke me. Every American should give this book a listen. I’m not sure how it would read as a physical book, but the audible was incredible!  Narration was clear and gave personal touches with 45 different voices sharing stories of New Yorkers, residents of Arlington Va, firefighters, and many many more. 

I was a sophomore in high school when 9/11 happened and it was extremely eye opening to listen to the many different views and stories now, as an adult, with a husband and children of my own.  

The insiders information about what took place on Air Force One, in The Oval Office, and the in the elementary school in Florida where President Bush was reading to students and notified of the days events; all of it is just mind blowing and feels like intimate information that I’d never been privy to. 

16 hours of audio. I listened over the course of four days, and it never got old.  Run, don’t walk, to your local library and listen to this book for free using the Libby app. 

I’ll start with the good stuff. I liked the parts of the book when it felt like Nora was in my head, saying things I’ve only muttered to myself or complained about with other moms. It’s actually normal to think these things?? It must be, if a complete stranger has the exact same thoughts that I’ve rarely spoken aloud. Hmmm, interesting. 

However, I mostly did not enjoy this book. It was too slow paced for my liking, it almost felt like homework to finish it. The end moved along much faster, which was great! I just wish it would’ve happened earlier in the book, you know, before I wasted more of my precious “mom time” on it. 

The narrating in this audiobook is perfect! I read this book in college because it was part of the curriculum but it has stuck with me and I thought I should reread it after a decade+ has passed. Still eerily good. It’s interesting to think about what could be and sobering to feel as tho we are there already.

Disclaimer: I listened via audiobook from Libby and highly recommend the experience to any/everyone. 

What a sweet book. It’s YA but still held my interest every step of the way; in fact, I couldn’t wait to do dishes/laundry so I could put in my airpods and press play again. 

The way the author depicts OCD as well as other mental health disorders was lovely and true. The young and innocent romances were sweet and made me believe in good people again. 

The narrator was great. He used different voices and spoke clearly enough that I was able to listen at 1.25 speed with no issues. 

Even if you’re not into YA (I didn’t think I was anymore) give this book a listen, and go ahead and listen to the quick authors note at the end of the book ♥️