jenniferrabbit
Hennepin County Library
jenniferrabbit's Completed Shelf
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Lark!Lark!, Downloadable AudiobookThe Herald Angels Sing
by Andrews, DonnaDownloadable Audiobook - 2018Downloadable Audiobook, 2018
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Dec 21, 2019
The Wind in the WillowsThe Wind in the Willows, Downloadable Audiobook
by Grahame, Kenneth, 1859-1932Downloadable Audiobook - 2006Downloadable Audiobook, 2006
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Dec 21, 2019
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Nov 29, 2019
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Oct 16, 2019
Comment:
I am a real fan of Robin McKinley, but I listened to only about half of Chalice on audiobook, read by Rachael Beresford, and would not recommend it in this format. The various voices were not easy to identify and the transitions were also unclear. Actually, I didn't much like the character either, but I will give the story another try, in print this time, and update my report then.I am a real fan of Robin McKinley, but I listened to only about half of Chalice on audiobook, read by Rachael Beresford, and would not recommend it in this format. The various voices were not easy to identify and the transitions were also unclear. …
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Sep 26, 2019
Comment:
What a whining, sniveling annoyance of a "heroine"! I wouldn't have read more than a chapter of this book if it wasn't a bookclub assignment. Maybe the point was to show how a long-term depressive with a current case of PTSD can live through and escape an evil plot against her. Well, she did that certainly, but sheesh. The small glimpses of rural Norway were well done, the characterization of the other people was competent. The glitter of the yacht and its occupants gave us a clear picture of the story's opulent setting. But Lo's endless "poor me" attitude, even when things were apparently going well, spoiled what might, perhaps, have been a decent plot. For a tremendously satisfying alternate tale of evil goings on aboard a cruise ship try "Terns of Endearment" by Donna Andrews.What a whining, sniveling annoyance of a "heroine"! I wouldn't have read more than a chapter of this book if it wasn't a bookclub assignment. Maybe the point was to show how a long-term depressive with a current case of PTSD can live through and…
Command DecisionCommand Decision, Downloadable Audiobook
by Moon, ElizabethDownloadable Audiobook - 2008Downloadable Audiobook, 2008
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Jul 08, 2019
Comment:
I have been reading Elizabeth Moon since the first Paksenarrion book came out, and either I missed this Vatta story or totally forgot it. I listened to Command Decision while dog walking - it's an engaging story that immediately follows Engaging the Enemy, where the elderly Cordelia escaping from drug-induced coma and winning a powerful government position. (Hmm, sounds pretty lame when I write it down, but it was a very good book.)
It took several days to get used to the narration of Command Decision. Cynthia Holloway's reading seemed slowed down fractionally, and unnaturally distinct. This might be due to the digitizing from the original tape, the need to add time to the book to fulfill some requirement, or just her reading style.
I would recommend Command Decision, but if I read it again it will be in printed, rather than audiobook form.I have been reading Elizabeth Moon since the first Paksenarrion book came out, and either I missed this Vatta story or totally forgot it. I listened to Command Decision while dog walking - it's an engaging story that immediately follows Engaging…
What Would Maisie Do?What Would Maisie Do?, BookInspiration From the Pages of Maisie Dobbs
by Winspear, Jacqueline, 1955-Book - 2019Book, 2019
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Jun 01, 2019
Comment:
Not a addition to the Maisie series, this is a journaling book with essays about Maisie’s approaches to life, guiding readers to reflect upon their own experiences and to record their responses.
My rating partly reflects my disappointment that it's not a mystery, and partly my feeling that the essays are rather stuffy and pretentious. I'm sure other readers will have a much kinder and more appreciative feel for this book.Not a addition to the Maisie series, this is a journaling book with essays about Maisie’s approaches to life, guiding readers to reflect upon their own experiences and to record their responses.
My rating partly reflects my disappointment that…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added May 20, 2019
Comment:
Terry Pratchett is my favorite male author. It is amazing to me how he is able to see the absurdity of the world, and tell stories in fantasy mirroring our real world without any hint of sarcasm or despair. My favorite series is Witches, but Monstrous Regiment is right there among my top picks. A bone-deep feminist without the cant. Sorely missed.Terry Pratchett is my favorite male author. It is amazing to me how he is able to see the absurdity of the world, and tell stories in fantasy mirroring our real world without any hint of sarcasm or despair. My favorite series is Witches, but…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Apr 25, 2019
Comment:
A good read with an interesting depiction of London during the Blitz, and other historical snapshots (I didn't know Joseph Kennedy, our ambassador to England at this time (and JFK's father) ) was an isolationist and a Nazi sympathizer.) Taken as a whole this was not my favorite Maisie, I felt the characterization was not as strong and the plot a rather scattered presentation. I didn't always have a clear grasp of the characters other than Maisie's family and Billy.A good read with an interesting depiction of London during the Blitz, and other historical snapshots (I didn't know Joseph Kennedy, our ambassador to England at this time (and JFK's father) ) was an isolationist and a Nazi sympathizer.) Taken as a…
The Elephant of SurpriseThe Elephant of Surprise, Book
by Lansdale, Joe R., 1951-Book - 2019Book, 2019
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Apr 25, 2019
Comment:
I am a big Hap and Leonard fan, but this book was disappointing. The writing and characterization were great as always, however there was barely any plot - just a long exchange of violence in a book-long cross country chase through a dreadful tropical storm. Like a binge on candy, it was fun while it lasted - in the end left me unsatisfied.I am a big Hap and Leonard fan, but this book was disappointing. The writing and characterization were great as always, however there was barely any plot - just a long exchange of violence in a book-long cross country chase through a dreadful…
The Golden Tresses of the DeadThe Golden Tresses of the Dead, Book
by Bradley, C. Alan, 1938-Book - 2019Book, 2019
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Feb 09, 2019
Comment:
Stronger than some of the latter stories. Flavia and Dogger’s new detective agency solves the case of the human finger concealed in Feely’s wedding cake, and the shenanigans of two missionary’s returning from Africa.
I particularly liked the growing respect Undine gets in this book: the contempt with which she was treated previously really bothered me. Also, the opening sonnet puzzled me and I went back and read it several times - I was glad when Flavia (via a Daffy flashback) explained .Stronger than some of the latter stories. Flavia and Dogger’s new detective agency solves the case of the human finger concealed in Feely’s wedding cake, and the shenanigans of two missionary’s returning from Africa.
I particularly liked the…
Fool's QuestFool's Quest, Downloadable Audiobook
by Hobb, RobinDownloadable Audiobook - 2015Downloadable Audiobook, 2015
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2018
March UpcountryMarch Upcountry, Downloadable Audiobook
by Weber, David, 1952-Downloadable Audiobook - 2005Downloadable Audiobook, 2005
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Nov 10, 2018
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Nov 06, 2018
Comment:
Good writing, good characterization, carefully woven plot, but I didn’t really like it. Toby, a young man who works in an art gallery is beat up by burglars and left for dead. He does not completely recover physically, including some brain damage and PTSD issues. He moves to a family country house to take care of a dying uncle. Renewing relationships with cousins brings up hints of forgotten past episodes, and then police show up to investigate a skeleton found in the hollow of a big elm in the garden. Because Toby has holes in his memory and overwhelming anxiety the reader can’t tell reality from fantasy, or whether the other characters are presenting honest pictures of the past. I found this interesting enough to keep reading (the writing is great) but the ending was unsatisfactory to me, and on the whole, I would not give it a rousing recommendation.Good writing, good characterization, carefully woven plot, but I didn’t really like it. Toby, a young man who works in an art gallery is beat up by burglars and left for dead. He does not completely recover physically, including some brain damage…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Sep 05, 2018
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Sep 04, 2018
Comment:
A bit disappointing. All the kingdom’s magicians belong to a school that controls what may be studied. A gardener with strong, unschooled magic joins the maintenance staff and unknowingly sets the school on another path. Many characters, characterization mostly shallow stereotypes: it was hard for me to relax and enjoy the story for what it is, because it takes itself so seriously.A bit disappointing. All the kingdom’s magicians belong to a school that controls what may be studied. A gardener with strong, unschooled magic joins the maintenance staff and unknowingly sets the school on another path. Many characters,…
Island of the MadIsland of the Mad, BookA Novel of Suspense Featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
by King, Laurie R.Book - 2018Book, 2018
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Jun 24, 2018
Comment:
Excellent. Blackshirts are taking over Venice as Mary and Sherlock search for a young heiress who fled from a greedy uncle, who kept her locked up in an English insane asylum. I felt this was well up to the earlier volumes of the series... I agree that some of the the last few were not so hot, but I would unreservedly recommend Island of the Mad. I especially liked the descriptions of the wild parties the "smart set" indulged in as WWII crept up on them. Elsa Maxwell appears, and Cole Porter... and who knew Mary Russell introduced water skiing to Europe?Excellent. Blackshirts are taking over Venice as Mary and Sherlock search for a young heiress who fled from a greedy uncle, who kept her locked up in an English insane asylum. I felt this was well up to the earlier volumes of the series... I…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Apr 19, 2018
Comment:
Okay. Mostly pretty dull, but picks up towards the end. Lots of description, narrative and explanations of family relationships, very little action. A great premise: Ky’s team, which fled with her from unknown military guarding a supposedly uninhabited island (in the previous book), has been kidnapped, drugged and held incommunicado. The setup and background goes on for 200 pages – the rest of the book is good, more like what I expect of Moon. By the Acknowledgements I infer Moon has been seriously ill – I wish her the best and hope she recovers enough to continue writing. I have been a great fan since back in the Paksenarrion days.Okay. Mostly pretty dull, but picks up towards the end. Lots of description, narrative and explanations of family relationships, very little action. A great premise: Ky’s team, which fled with her from unknown military guarding a supposedly…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Apr 12, 2018
Comment:
Good. I got this by accident, it’s the Alpha and Omega series and I’m not a fan. I mistook it for the Mercy Thompson series, but there’s enough overlap so I didn’t get lost. Bran has gone to Europe and left Charles in charge. Some force is tracking the damaged werewolves, who are not part of Pack but live on the mountain that falls under the Marrok’s protection. Charles and Anna rally the pack to find the intruders and warn the wildlings. Bran remains, inexplicably, out of touch.
I read this intermittently, not too hooked, until suddenly Charles was engaged in battle with a Kodiak bear. Wow! Did that ever get my attention! I read the rest without stopping, as fast as I could turn the pages.
I think readers of the series, being more into the politics and personalities within the pack, would become engaged much sooner than I was.Good. I got this by accident, it’s the Alpha and Omega series and I’m not a fan. I mistook it for the Mercy Thompson series, but there’s enough overlap so I didn’t get lost. Bran has gone to Europe and left Charles in charge. Some force is…
Once There Was A StoryOnce There Was A Story, BookTales From Around the World, Perfect for Sharing
by Yolen, JaneBook - 2017Book, 2017
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Mar 20, 2018
Comment:
Excellent. Fables, fairy tales and bible stories delightfully told by Yolen and charmingly illustrated by Jane Dyer. Great for reading to everyone who’s given up demanding Goodnight Moon every night and also great for independent readers.
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2018
Comment:
Excellent. Joe King Oliver is a private detective, an ex-cop who had been framed, fired and sent to prison for sexual assault. Although freed when charges were dropped he had been brutalized in prison and his spirit broken. Years later he received an apology from the woman who filed the false accusation, and now is investigating the police corruption that lead to his arrest. Great writing, compelling characters, believable (as thrillers go) plot.Excellent. Joe King Oliver is a private detective, an ex-cop who had been framed, fired and sent to prison for sexual assault. Although freed when charges were dropped he had been brutalized in prison and his spirit broken. Years later he…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Feb 28, 2018
Comment:
Worse than disappointing. Although this was on the library’s “new” announcement, the original copyright was 2001, a decade before I started reading the series. In this book Hap and Leonard are ruthless, amoral and boringly, mindlessly sexual: hence, I suppose, “Outrageous.” Got a lot of good reviews, though – guess it’s just me.Worse than disappointing. Although this was on the library’s “new” announcement, the original copyright was 2001, a decade before I started reading the series. In this book Hap and Leonard are ruthless, amoral and boringly, mindlessly sexual:…
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Feb 01, 2018
Comment:
Short stories, all excellent. I especially liked the Schemdrick ones. Beagle is one of the few authors (LeGuin is another) who writes both great novels and great short stories.
I'd Rather Be ReadingI'd Rather Be Reading, BookA Library of Art for Book Lovers
by De la Mare, Guinevere, 1976-Book - 2017Book, 2017
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Dec 07, 2017
Comment:
Very good. A small, friendly book about books and reading: essays, remembrances and quotes by various authors, and a really nice section of book-related art.
jenniferrabbit's rating:
Added Dec 07, 2017
Comment:
Hmmm. Doctor from the previous book "Italian Shoes" has become gloomy, irritating, self-pitying and fatalistic, making a tedious read with no satisfactory conclusion. I'm a fan of the Wallander series, and I liked "Italian Shoes", so this was a big disappointment to me.Hmmm. Doctor from the previous book "Italian Shoes" has become gloomy, irritating, self-pitying and fatalistic, making a tedious read with no satisfactory conclusion. I'm a fan of the Wallander series, and I liked "Italian Shoes", so this was a…
Comment: