Audible Book Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

This is a surprisingly touching listen!

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
By: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone

Series: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-20-11
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Teen & Young Adult, Cancer, Diseases, Humor
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost): He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t know he’s alive), frequently finds himself sitting across from his school counselor (who bribes him with candy), and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute). Oh, Steven has parents, too (the kind that embarrass him). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven’s world is turned upside down as he is forced to deal with his brother’s illness, his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece, the band, overdue homework, girls, and of course, Dangerous Pie (yes, you have to listen to the book to find out what that is).
In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity.
©2005 Jordan Sonnenblick (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Review:
Steven is a ‘mostly’ normal 13-year-old with two working parents and a sort of pesky younger brother, 5-year-old Jeffrey. Steven plays drums in the school jazz band, stares at the back of the popular girl he’s crushing on and he finds friendship with the young piano player who is always kind to him. Things are going along fine in eighth grade until Jeffrey is diagnosed with Leukemia.

Steven’s mother has to leave work and the family struggles with treatments, care and costs. His parents don’t have much time for Steven who continues to put forth a good front. But in truth Steven is shutting down at school where no one knows why. His teachers send him to the school counselor who bribes him with candy to encourage him to talk. The only time Steven gets away from his thoughts is when he is in the groove playing his drums.

Then one day Steven’s mother gets sick and he and his dad have to rush Jeffrey to the hospital. Now Steven sees a whole new view and starts to open up to his family and friends.

This wonderful story is told in pitch perfect first person. Jordan Sonnenblick does a remarkable job developing the characters, especially Steven. The story is extremely touching and even brought tears to my eyes. Don’t judge this by the cover or the title – it is well worth picking up and reading/listening!

Audio Notes: Joel Johnstone does a perfect narration. Just as the story is pitch perfect, the narration is pitch perfect. I am very glad that I picked this up on Audible.

Source: 4/30/2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: Genesis by Ken Lozito

I enjoyed this fast moving military sci fi.
Genesis
By: Ken Lozito
Narrated by: Scott Aiello

Series: First Colony, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-27-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Studios
Genre: Colonization, Military Sci Fi, Space Fleet
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5

Publisher's Summary
A mission gone wrong. Innocent lives have been lost.
Escaping wrongful imprisonment wasn't something Connor had in mind, but being put into stasis aboard Earth's first interstellar colony ship was something he couldn't have prepared for.
For 300,000 colonists, the new colony brings the promise of a fresh start...a second chance. Connor might be the wrong man for the colony, but he's the right man to see that it survives what's coming.
A new world with new challenges, but the mission has changed.
If you loved Old Man's War and Ender's Game, you'll love Genesis from First Colony, a new military science fiction series.
©2017 Ken Lozito (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Review:
Colonel Connor Gates is hot on the tale of a criminal mastermind. He thinks his elite team of ‘Ghosts’ has the leader cornered. Instead, the mission explodes around them, taking millions of innocent lives. Connor goes to sleep wondering what charges he will have to face. He isn’t at all prepared for what he learns when he wakes up – over a hundred years in the future.

Connor was smuggled aboard the Earth’s first interstellar colony ship. The 300,000 colonists and their leaders had set out to establish a peaceful society. They have security but no true military experience. This might have worked fine if the ship had arrived at the expected planet. When the ship is detoured to a different planet they must deal with natural predators that weren’t planned for.

Connor is invited to tour the planet base and begin to think where he might fit. It doesn’t take long for him to see gaps and weaknesses in the security system. This riles the man in charge of the local force. But increasing predator attacks make it clear that Connor has a better plan to protect the people. He sets out to train a dozen men and women to be a new special search and rescue team. Can they get the defenses in place before losing people, even the newly trained team, to the surprisingly clever beasts?

Connor is a well-developed dedicated and intense character. He is not a superhero but has the skills and instincts that are needed for the colony. I especially enjoyed the fast-paced military action as well as the mysteries that are presented. Why was the ship diverted? What secrets are contained in the ancient city that seems to be affecting the enemy beasts? What is the true danger revealed by the encrypted message sent through time and space to warn the colonists?

I will be picking up more in this series. I recommend this to readers who enjoy military sci fi and first colony stories.

Audio Notes: I’ve enjoyed the narration of Scott Aiello on other works and he does another good job on this one. He presents the characters with different voices and fitting emotions. He helps put the listener in the middle of the action. I am very glad I listened to this on audio.

Source: 8/30/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post September 29, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 30, 2019

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

This was a better week althugh my secretary had a sick child in office several days and our clerk was out three days due to another death in her family.
I have the appointment with the eye specialist this week so I get to know what is best to do.
Our weather is hot, in the 90s again. We've prayed for rain and cooler weather.

I had a good week of reading/listening. We've ordered a new battery for my Kindle so I hope that will help. It should be in this week. I finished four audiobooks and one NetGalley. I posted two reviews on the blog and one on Goodreads. Also comments on another in the book highlight. I also posted the usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to The Bookish Libra. Suzanne is a bookworm, a 40-something lover of books (eclectic tastes) who also happens to be a wife and soccer mom.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post September 22, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday September 23, 2019.

• A2019- Audible Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood; Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy, Literary Fiction; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway September 27, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/03/2019.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: The Remnant (Left Behind #10) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins; Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Religious Fiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR- Goodreads Review: Light in August Free Bonus: Faulkner in 5 Minutes! by Audible Staff, Oliver Wyman Narrator; Genre: NonFiction; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement September 29, 2019.

Finished Reading:

1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Genesis
By: Ken Lozito
Narrated by: Scott Aiello
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
This was a fast paced colony sci fi.
I'm still working on the TBR.
Source: 8/30/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
By: Jordan Sonnenblick
Narrated by: Joel Johnstone
Series: Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie, Book 1
Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
This is a surprisingly touching listen!
Source: 4/30/2017 Audible Daily Deal $1.95.
Publisher's Summary
Thirteen-year-old Steven has a totally normal life (well, almost): He plays drums in the All-Star Jazz Band, has a crush on the hottest girl in school (who doesn’t know he’s alive), frequently finds himself sitting across from his school counselor (who bribes him with candy), and is constantly annoyed by his five-year-old brother, Jeffrey (who is cuter than cute). Oh, Steven has parents, too (the kind that embarrass him). But when Jeffrey gets sick, Steven’s world is turned upside down as he is forced to deal with his brother’s illness, his parents’ attempts to keep the family in one piece, the band, overdue homework, girls, and of course, Dangerous Pie (yes, you have to listen to the book to find out what that is).
In a debut that has won raves, Jordan Sonnenblick digs deep into the heart of a family in crisis with humor, hope, and impressive sensitivity.
©2005 Jordan Sonnenblick (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Free College, Dude
By: The Wall Street Journal
Narrated by: Alexander Quincy
Length: 5 mins
No review but my summary is here.
Source: 9/9/2017 Free Audible.
This article discusses the problems with the "free college" plan as put forth by Hillary Clinton. Several points: although college tuition might be free, room and board are not and are not affordable for the less wealthy. Also, the college may be free to attend but the cost will be paid back by the recipient for years through taxes. The article noted that when Pell grants were increased (under President Obama), college prices also increased canceling out the advantage of the increases.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Light in August Free Bonus: Faulkner in 5 Minutes!
by Audible Staff
Oliver Wyman, Narrator
I enjoyed this quick listen. My review is linked above.
Source: 9/9/2017 Free Audible.
Publisher's Summary
William Faulkner: a titan of American literature. You probably already know all about his life and work, right? No? Don’t sweat it! In five minutes, we’ll bring you up to speed on this national treasure. First, we’ll fill you in on a few key facts about his career, and then we’ll hit five important aspects of his writing that are guaranteed to impress friends, family, and potential dates.
Faulkner in 5 Minutes! was written by a humble group of Faulkner fans from the Audible staff. We hope you enjoy this short piece and that it helps you get a little more out of Faulkner.
Be sure to check out our incredible performances of Faulkner’s Light in August and The Wild Palms now.
©2010 Audible, Inc. (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

5. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Storm Rising
by Ronie Kendig
I totally enjoyed this intense, complex suspense.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on the book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Death in the English Countryside
Murder on Location Series, Book 1
By: Sara Rosett
Narrated by: Sarah Mollo-Christensen
Series: Murder on Location Series, Book 1
Length: 6 hrs and 54 mins
I've enjoyed how this has started.
Source: 9/29/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95.
Publisher's Summary
Location scout and Jane Austen aficionado Kate Sharp is thrilled when the company she works for lands the job of finding locations for a new film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, but then her boss, Kevin, fails to return from a scouting trip to England. Kate travels to England to salvage Kevin's and the company's reputation before word gets out that he is missing.
Things go from bad to worse when Kate arrives in Nether Woodsmoor, a quaint village of golden stone cottages and rolling green hills, only to find no trace of Kevin except his abandoned luggage. Even the rumpled, easygoing local scout they consulted, Alex, doesn't know where Kevin might be.
Increasingly worried about Kevin and with an antsy director waiting for updates about the preproduction details, Kate embarks on a search that includes a pub-crawl and cozy cottages as well as stately country manors. But Kevin remains missing, and she begins to suspect that the picturesque village and beautiful countryside may not be as idyllic as they seem.
©2014 Sara Rosett (P)2018 Tantor

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson
Released: September 24, 2019, I was holding off on this but I should have started it in August, not September.
I am looking forward to this.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Combining prayers in two languages--words and images--this contemporary prayer guide will help you spend time in conversation with God.
As people of faith, we all struggle at times to sustain a flourishing prayer life--a loss felt all the more keenly in these times of confusion, political turbulence, and global calamity. This unique book offers a timeless solution for the spiritual and skeptical alike.
Combining story-driven reflections with visual and written prayers, this simple 40-day prayer guide will help you reconnect with God as you rediscover your own ongoing conversation with Him. Using the familiar refrains in the Lord's Prayer as a guide, this groundbreaking resource invites you to reconnect with God creatively and organically.

3. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Fledgling
by Molly Harper
The first book was fun so this should be good too.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
“Molly Harper’s Changeling is masterful fantasy—a spunky Cinderella story with a heroine who’s equal parts compassion, determination, and pure magical delight.” —Rachel Vincent, author of the Soul Screamers series and The Stars Never Rise, on Changeling
Days away from completing her first year at Miss Castwell’s Institute for the Magical Instruction of Young Ladies, Changeling-born Sarah Smith might just get away with posing as an upper-class Guardian girl named Cassandra Reed.
But strange visions of a Lightbourne destroyed by Miss Morton’s revenant army keep Sarah from enjoying her achievement. Plus, the Mother Book, Sarah’s one secret advantage and the ultimate entrée in Guardian society, suddenly stops revealing itself to her…putting her in a precarious position with the Guild. On top of all that, her former lady’s maid left Miss Castwell’s, and the new hire is, well, taking some getting used to.
If it weren’t for her two best friends, Alicia McCray and Ivy Cowel, who will do anything to protect her secret, Sarah doesn’t know if she’ll make it another year. When the three girls take summer holiday with Alicia’s family (chaperoned by an exacting and very disapproving Mrs. McCray), a relaxing vacation in Scotland is the last thing they’ll find.
Mrs. Winter is thrilled that Sarah is spending time with the influential McCray family, but Sarah can’t help but feel that her real purpose is to find other Changeling children like her, and free them to realize their own magic. Can she find genuine satisfaction in her accomplishments when she knows there are others like her out there who need her help? Will the three girls uncover the deeply-held secrets they’re looking for in the mysterious mountains of Scotland? Will the Mother Book finally start talking to her again? And will Sarah come to understand the importance of her connection with Ivy and Alicia, and the true nature of her own power…before it’s too late?

One Paris Summer
by Denise Grover Swank
On hold for now while I read some of my NetGalley titles. Then I'll give it a little more time.
Click on book title for full description.

I'm continuing to pick titles from my list of TBR audiobooks under 10 hours.
I am deciding as I get to the next one although I have lined up some for Fraterfest (October 10-15).


September 29, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I finished a 5-day study this week: Flourish In Identity and plan to start a new plan tonight or Monday. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed five books and posted three reviews. I have three reviews to post this week.
I have been adding newer reviews to NetGalley, Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible. (Eventually, I will add older reviews.)
No change to author queue again this week.
My NetGalley shelf is now at 8 unread. My last feedback ratio was 93% which may be the best I'll ever get to unless adding a few more reviews/feedback ups that. I am now starting titles I received in July. [Plus I have 4 old titles (2012-13.)]
I have three author ebook titles left in queue. I plan to get caught up on these too- I better start soon.
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.]

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and (yours truly). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.
No new review titles.
I remembered to pick a free Amazon Prime book this month. 
Seven audios: two at Chirp; three Audiobook.com (one free) and two free Audible Originals.
I downloaded 20 free kindle titles this week. (Note these are in my Amazon library, NOT on my Kindle until I download and transfer them.) Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

9/22/19 Chirp Audio Deal Purchase $1.99:
The Life We Bury
By: Allen Eskens
Narrated by: Zach Villa
Length: 8 hrs and 23 mins
I was interested in this suspense and the price is right!


9/22/19 Audiobooks.com Two for One Credit - Two Romantic Suspense titles:
Hide and Seek
By Mary Burton
Narrated By: Christina Traister
Duration: 9 h 57 min
I like this author's work.


The Anatomist's Wife
By Anna Lee Huber
Narrated By: Heather Wilds
Duration: 11 h 47 min
This sounded good too.


9/27/19 Chirp $1.99
A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder
Written by Dianne Freeman
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman
This sounds like another historical mystery I will like.



Received 9/27/19:

I got a good deal on these three items-- 2/3rds the final price was shipping. The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis is our Ladies Book Club reading this month.
The two books are books 1 and 4 of The Seven Sleeper Series set that I've had on my shelf waiting to fill in the gaps. Now I have all 10.

Free

September Prime First Reads

The Dressmaker's Gift 
by Fiona Valpy





9/22/19 Audiobooks.com September VIP
Ungifted
By Gordon Korman
Narrated By: Richard Poe, Andy Paris, Andrea Gallo, Jonathan Todd Ross, Celeste Ciulla, Suzy Jackson, Erin Moon, Mark Turetsky
Duration: 6 h 16 min
This sounds fun.

September Two Free Audible Originals:
The Sisters
By: Dervla McTiernan
Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
Length: 3 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 09-05-19



Body of Proof
An Audible Original
By: Darrell Brown, Sophie Ellis
Narrated by: Darrell Brown, Sophie Ellis
Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins
Release date: 09-05-19

I picked up 20 free titles at Kindle this week to add to my Kindle library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 29, 2019

Our Sunday School teacher shared some “God-incidences” (not coincidences) that are discussed in Jonathan Chan’s new book the Oracle. We agreed that God uses ordinary people, even non-believers, to accomplish and fulfill His plans.

We shared communion in church service. Then Pastor proceeded to complete his series: Culture Shift. Last week he reminded us that our Hope must be on a firm foundation. This week he noted how we are often challenged to make a decision right now: there is a limited supply; this may be the last one or the last chance. Advertising leans to pressure for instant gratification.

Long-range plans used to be ten, even thirty years. Now long-range is considered to be two to five years! Christians have a view of time in terms of eternity. There is an ongoing tension in choices between now or long time.

Sin is a willful disregard of eternity. Jesus tells his disciples that he must go away, to His Father, so he can prepare a place for them and return for them. John 14:3.

Eternity is imminent.

In light of that, how do we live? We may need to be ready to suffer too. 1 Peter 4:3. Christians in Iran are growing. They have no building but in their hearts. They are living lives at risk. If you have suffered for Christ, you are finished to sin.

The Point: Setting you mind on eternity shapes every decision and every priority in your life.

Eternity should move us to prayer; dedicate yourself to love which covers a multitude of sins; use your gifts to serve on another. 1 Peter 4:7-10.

We have been collecting offerings this month for Fire Bible to serve people in Serbia. Skipping a meal out and giving a $10.00 gift of a Fire Bible is an investment in eternity.

I went to my pages of songs and this is one that I found that fits well.

I got chills listening to it even though this isn’t my usual choice of music.

1 Peter 4:7-10 (NIV)
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.


Lord, please help me to keep my eye on eternity and not things of this temporary world.

Audible Book Review: The Remnant (Left Behind #10) by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins

I was surprised how I jumped right into the story.

The Remnant
(Left Behind #10)
by Tim LaHaye
Narrated by: Jack Sondericker
Series: Left Behind [Abridged], Book 10
Length: 3 hrs and 12 mins
Abridged Audiobook
Release date: 02-05-15
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Genre: Christian, Inspirational, Religious Fiction
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

The Great Tribulation unfolds as the forces of evil and the armies of God prepare for mankind's ultimate battle. Millions of Christians are protected by God as the anger of the Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, burns against them.

Review:
The Remnant is the 10th book in the Left Behind series. The series begins with a handful of characters who are left behind when their loved ones disappear with many other Christians. That is when the star characters realize that the Godly messages they were told, but didn’t believe, were true. Many of them gather together establish the Tribulation Force to fight the coming lawlessness and rise of the antichrist.

The Remnant picks up right where the last book, Desecration, left off. The personable and powerful Antichrist, Carpathia, is gleefully about to eliminate the believers at Petra by dropping nuclear bombs on them. The Christian leaders, known as The Believers, are still involved in spreading the message of God’s salvation. They are prepared to die if that is what God has in store for them.

The antichrist team is unaware that there is a Christian spy in the New Babylon headquarters. This one man is able to coordinate aid to the believers who are spread around the world. His inside information may save the lives of many although even he can’t stop a bomb. But someone he knows can -- the supernatural hand of God.

It really has been years since I read the early books in the series. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly the characters and plot were brought back to my mind. I like the action that is a large part of the story. There were scene shifts, for example from Jordan to Chicago, which are only distinguished by the change in characters. I had to get used to recognizing those changes. This would be more difficult to follow for anyone not familiar with the series, but I would recommend this to those who have read the series.

Audio Notes: Jack Sondericker does a fine job with the narration. He provides distinct voices for the characters. This version was abridged and there were occasional moments in the presentation that seemed to jump from one scene to another which I suspect were portions of the longer story bypassed. That did not hurt the story for me. I was fine listening to the abridged audio.

Source: 2003 Audible. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.