Audio Books

[jimbo5544]

Hi, Jim,

 

D I dare ASK how the book is going <g>?

 

Lynn

 

You know the more I think about it, he always (at least now a days) writes with another author. Kind of makes me feel like somebody else is doing all the writing and his name is added for the "sell" factor.

 

Jim

[LynnAB]

Sorry, had been very busy the last couple of days. OK, I have finished the book and I agree that you could question whether Patterson wrote this book. More of a Nicholas Sparks type of read/listen.

 

Jim

 

 

Okay, now I can talk <g>. I guess I'll start with a question. Why is it at the beginning of the book Michael was invisible to everyone except little children? Then by the time Jane had grown up, everyone could see Michael? That was the first thing that jumped out at me, but maybe I missed something. Not that this plot was so deep that I SHOULD have missed something, but you never know.

 

I just kept thinking "come on," throughout this whole book.

 

My favorite part was the coffee ice cream with hot fudge topping (also MY favorite, with mint chocolate chip running a close second.)

 

Any comments about the book?

 

Lynn

[jimbo5544]

Okay, now I can talk <g>. I guess I'll start with a question. Why is it at the beginning of the book Michael was invisible to everyone except little children? Then by the time Jane had grown up, everyone could see Michael? That was the first thing that jumped out at me, but maybe I missed something. Not that this plot was so deep that I SHOULD have missed something, but you never know.

 

I just kept thinking "come on," throughout this whole book.

 

My favorite part was the coffee ice cream with hot fudge topping (also MY favorite, with mint chocolate chip running a close second.)

 

Any comments about the book?

 

Lynn

I cant say that I knew why? Thought the same thing as well. I actually jumped back to make sure I had not missed something. Not a typical Patterson book, thats for sure. Kind of got to a point where I just accepted it instead of rationalizing what was happening.

 

Jim

[LynnAB]

I cant say that I knew why? Thought the same thing as well. I actually jumped back to make sure I had not missed something. Not a typical Patterson book, thats for sure. Kind of got to a point where I just accepted it instead of rationalizing what was happening.

 

Jim

 

 

That's exactly how I listened to the book, too. I just accepted Michael was invisible, then not, just an imaginary friend, then a real man. I don't believe there is any OTHER way to "take" that book. Very simplistic and bordering on childish, I felt. I can't say it was BAD, but it sure was "fluffy." I certainly didn't "take" the meaning to be this grand love crossing time, etc., etc. I've been reading reviews that describe it sort of like that, but seriously!

 

Now that YOU have commented, I don't think we "missed" anything. I really feel there was a loose end there ... probably one of the most important parts of the book (if there was such a thing) that was just dropped flat. Oh, well.

 

I do think this was for the "sell" factor. I agree 100% with you.

 

Lynn

[Barb_and_Sean]

How about Bag of Bones by SK, heard that one? Read by the author.

 

I really enjoyed the book "Bag of Bones" and would love to hear him actually read it. I may need to try that one first.

[Barb_and_Sean]

Robert McCammon wrote several books that were in a similar vein as Stephen King. One, in particular, has a definite "The Body/Stand By Me" kind of vibe and is called "Boy's Life". It's a very good coming of age story with a horror bend. Later on he sort of 'retired' from writing and disappeared for awhile and showed back up with a book (a very very long book, that is sometimes sold as two seperate volumes) called "Speaks The Nightbird" which is a fantastic story set in the Carolina territory in the late 1600's with a witchcraft trial arc. Now he has come out with a sequel, which is called "The Queen of Bedlam" which has the same main character and is set in 1702 New York... it's got beautiful prose and the setting is fun and really interesting. If it's on audio book you really ought to try it out. And if not... try it anyways. It's really quite good... in my opinion, anyways.

[GlassBeagles]

Okay, now I can talk <g>. I guess I'll start with a question. Why is it at the beginning of the book Michael was invisible to everyone except little children? Then by the time Jane had grown up, everyone could see Michael?

 

Lynn

 

In answer to your question it is mentioned, when Jane is little, that Michael can be seen when he wants to be. I just assumed that since he was on "vacation" he would want to be seen by people.

 

Since I hadn't read any reviews I didn't have any expectations and just enjoyed it as a light fantasy/romance.

[LostAgain]

My librarian suggested the Creative Zen V Plus and that's what I have. I did listen to one audio book, but then got hooked on free podcasts. I listen when I can't sleep at night.

[LynnAB]

In answer to your question it is mentioned, when Jane is little, that Michael can be seen when he wants to be. I just assumed that since he was on "vacation" he would want to be seen by people.

 

Since I hadn't read any reviews I didn't have any expectations and just enjoyed it as a light fantasy/romance.

 

 

That's kind of what I thought ... about an explanation for Michael being seen or not.

 

I didn't know anything about the book before listening to it either and enjoyed it mostly because the narrator was so wonderful. In all honesty, though, I think it was a very weak plot ... even to the point of Jane's mother being soooooooooooooo terrible throughout Jane's life and then when she's dying she says oh, I loved you so much, etc., etc. My feeling is if a new author wrote this book, it wouldn't have sold. Even on a fantasy level, there were problems with the plot that didn't have a good enough explanation, in my opinion. Of course, this is only MY opinion <g>.

 

Lynn

[LynnAB]

My librarian suggested the Creative Zen V Plus and that's what I have. I did listen to one audio book, but then got hooked on free podcasts. I listen when I can't sleep at night.

 

 

Yes, I looked at the Creative Zen V Plus, too. I decided on the Cowon, but I like both very much.

 

Oooh .... I'm interested. Where do you find free podcasts? What types? That's an area I haven't touched upon yet. I'd love some advice! Thanks!

 

Lynn

[jimbo5544]

That's exactly how I listened to the book, too. I just accepted Michael was invisible, then not, just an imaginary friend, then a real man. I don't believe there is any OTHER way to "take" that book. Very simplistic and bordering on childish, I felt. I can't say it was BAD, but it sure was "fluffy." I certainly didn't "take" the meaning to be this grand love crossing time, etc., etc. I've been reading reviews that describe it sort of like that, but seriously!

 

Now that YOU have commented, I don't think we "missed" anything. I really feel there was a loose end there ... probably one of the most important parts of the book (if there was such a thing) that was just dropped flat. Oh, well.

 

I do think this was for the "sell" factor. I agree 100% with you.

 

Lynn

 

I was more disappointed with it being a Patterson book than disappointed with the story, I guess I just expected more.

 

Jim

[jimbo5544]

In answer to your question it is mentioned, when Jane is little, that Michael can be seen when he wants to be. I just assumed that since he was on "vacation" he would want to be seen by people.

 

Since I hadn't read any reviews I didn't have any expectations and just enjoyed it as a light fantasy/romance.

 

I agree with it being light and the fantasy/romance angle. Even in his fantasy books in the past tho, there was more.....beef (for lack of a better word).

[jimbo5544]

I really enjoyed the book "Bag of Bones" and would love to hear him actually read it. I may need to try that one first.

 

I think SK did a great job with the read. The book wanders a little (from my opinion anyway), but it is definitely worth reading/listening to.

[jimbo5544]

Robert McCammon wrote several books that were in a similar vein as Stephen King. One, in particular, has a definite "The Body/Stand By Me" kind of vibe and is called "Boy's Life". It's a very good coming of age story with a horror bend. Later on he sort of 'retired' from writing and disappeared for awhile and showed back up with a book (a very very long book, that is sometimes sold as two seperate volumes) called "Speaks The Nightbird" which is a fantastic story set in the Carolina territory in the late 1600's with a witchcraft trial arc. Now he has come out with a sequel, which is called "The Queen of Bedlam" which has the same main character and is set in 1702 New York... it's got beautiful prose and the setting is fun and really interesting. If it's on audio book you really ought to try it out. And if not... try it anyways. It's really quite good... in my opinion, anyways.

 

I will add him/them to my short list, thanks for the lead. Feel free to mention any others!!!

[LynnAB]

I agree with it being light and the fantasy/romance angle. Even in his fantasy books in the past tho, there was more.....beef (for lack of a better word).

 

 

 

 

I sooooo agree, Jim <g>.

[jimbo5544]

I sooooo agree, Jim <g>.

 

On a whim, I went to the James Patterson web-site and looked at his anthology, he must be doing exactly as we thought. He has 8 books released in 07 - 08. No way he is writing all of those.

 

Jim

[LynnAB]

On a whim, I went to the James Patterson web-site and looked at his anthology, he must be doing exactly as we thought. He has 8 books released in 07 - 08. No way he is writing all of those.

 

Jim

 

 

Aha! That's outrageous.

[jimbo5544]

Aha! That's outrageous.

 

Probably even more so, I bet he gets the lion share of the check as well. Of course we say that, I would probably be happy with either check.....

[Guest carlogesualdo]

My Palm Treo has a fantastic mp3 player on it, and if I buy new memory cards, I've basically got unlimited storage to carry whatever I want. Thankfully the memory cards have gotten incredibly cheap. Now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure my Palm Z22 the same mp3 player on it as well.

 

My Sony Walkman is really portable and lightweight, and it does remember where you left off...as long as you never have to recharge it. As soon as you plug it into a computer (the only way to recharge that I know of - dumb), it reverts back to the first track on the player. It's also not the best for playing music through headphones. It's a lot like listening to AM radio in the days of mono sound. It's not very robust, although it does fine when I plug it into my car stereo. That's where it stays these days.

 

I listen to my Treo mp3 through the headphones and the sound quality is far superior. Using the stylus, it is really easy to navigate to any track and it does have bookmark capabilities. By far, though, my favorite part about it is that I'm only limited by the space on my Treo and on the card I have inserted. Switch the card, and I've got that much more space to work with. Now if I only had that much time to listen to audio boooks.

 

I really like the V.I. Warshawski series of books by Sarah Paretsky. Maybe you'll remember the movie from the late 1980s with Kathleen Turner? Or maybe not... The movie was set up to make her more like the female version of Fletch. In the books, not so much. She's just a female private detective. One worth reading about, I thought.

[LynnAB]

Probably even more so, I bet he gets the lion share of the check as well. Of course we say that, I would probably be happy with either check.....

 

 

I agree with what you're saying, Jim. It just bothers me because he is SUCH a successful writer. He sure doesn't need to just sell his name on anything just for the sale. This book is really out of character. It's funny because I don't even read JP's other books. They're not my style (as you know), but still ... this book could have been written by a real amateur (like me).

 

Now I'm in the midst of OTHER books that are really NOT my reading style at all. I'm listening to Eckhart Tolle's THE POWER OF NOW and A NEW EARTH simply because a friend of mine is soooooooooooo fascinated with them and has been following the whole thing on Oprah. I didn't see ANY of the episodes on Oprah and knew nothing about these books other than hearing ABOUT them. I finished the first book last night and am determined to listen to the other one just so I'm able to talk about them with people. These are SOOOOOOOOOO not me, though <g>.

 

Have you read either book? I guess they make good book club books because they evoke lots of opinions and discussion material.

 

Sigh! NEXT I am back to my fun mysteries <g>.

 

Lynn

[2cruisemates]

I really like James Patterson. The Honeymoon and the Quickie are great! Good narration as well.

[jimbo5544]

I agree with what you're saying, Jim. It just bothers me because he is SUCH a successful writer. He sure doesn't need to just sell his name on anything just for the sale. This book is really out of character. It's funny because I don't even read JP's other books. They're not my style (as you know), but still ... this book could have been written by a real amateur (like me).

 

Now I'm in the midst of OTHER books that are really NOT my reading style at all. I'm listening to Eckhart Tolle's THE POWER OF NOW and A NEW EARTH simply because a friend of mine is soooooooooooo fascinated with them and has been following the whole thing on Oprah. I didn't see ANY of the episodes on Oprah and knew nothing about these books other than hearing ABOUT them. I finished the first book last night and am determined to listen to the other one just so I'm able to talk about them with people. These are SOOOOOOOOOO not me, though <g>.

 

Have you read either book? I guess they make good book club books because they evoke lots of opinions and discussion material.

 

Sigh! NEXT I am back to my fun mysteries <g>.

 

Lynn

Have not heard or or read either. Let me know what you think.

 

Jim

[jimbo5544]

I really like James Patterson. The Honeymoon and the Quickie are great! Good narration as well.

 

Liked both myself. The quickie was very good, although the ending was a little forced...kind of an epilogue thing.

[jimbo5544]

My Palm Treo has a fantastic mp3 player on it, and if I buy new memory cards, I've basically got unlimited storage to carry whatever I want. Thankfully the memory cards have gotten incredibly cheap. Now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure my Palm Z22 the same mp3 player on it as well.

 

My Sony Walkman is really portable and lightweight, and it does remember where you left off...as long as you never have to recharge it. As soon as you plug it into a computer (the only way to recharge that I know of - dumb), it reverts back to the first track on the player. It's also not the best for playing music through headphones. It's a lot like listening to AM radio in the days of mono sound. It's not very robust, although it does fine when I plug it into my car stereo. That's where it stays these days.

 

I listen to my Treo mp3 through the headphones and the sound quality is far superior. Using the stylus, it is really easy to navigate to any track and it does have bookmark capabilities. By far, though, my favorite part about it is that I'm only limited by the space on my Treo and on the card I have inserted. Switch the card, and I've got that much more space to work with. Now if I only had that much time to listen to audio boooks.

 

I really like the V.I. Warshawski series of books by Sarah Paretsky. Maybe you'll remember the movie from the late 1980s with Kathleen Turner? Or maybe not... The movie was set up to make her more like the female version of Fletch. In the books, not so much. She's just a female private detective. One worth reading about, I thought.

 

I kind of remember the movie, but I will try one of the books as a listen. MP3 (and all players) have some a long way. There are moany options now.

[LynnAB]

Have not heard or or read either. Let me know what you think.

 

Jim

 

 

Here are a few books I'm having a hard time giving my opinion on ... again <g>. To me the books are beautifully and intellectually written. Mr. Tolle's command of the English language is amazing. On the other hand (you just KNEW I'd have another comment, right?), a lot of what people are raving and raving about to me seems very basic and obvious. Maybe it's just me <g>. I've listened to both books already and have downloaded the 10 podcasts that were on Oprah where Eckhard Tolle and Oprah discuss the second book with people around the world who call in via Skype.

 

Bottom line: I'm not sure how much I "learned" from these books, but I've enjoyed listening to them.

 

Have a Happy 4th of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Lynn