Audible Book Review: Patti Smith at the Minetta Lane by Patti Smith

I enjoyed this artist sharing about her songs and her life.
Patti Smith at the Minetta Lane
Words and Music
By: Patti Smith
Narrated by: Patti Smith

Length: 1 hr and 23 mins
Performance
Release date: 11-01-18
Language: English
Publisher: Audible Original
Categories: Live Events, Storytellers
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5

About This Audible Original
Patti Smith at the Minetta Lane features live audio of performances captured over three evenings in September of 2018 at the Minetta Lane Theatre in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village, woven into a single, one-of-a-kind audio event. Pioneering artist and writer Patti Smith commands the stage to perform original spoken-word stories from her life, interwoven with the music of her beloved catalogue, played live by Smith, her son and daughter–Jackson and Jesse Paris Smith–and longtime collaborator Tony Shanahan. What transpires is a personally revelatory showcase, an intimate portrait of an icon, focusing on family and taking stock of a near to 50-year career devoted to artistic integrity.
©2018 Patti Smith (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Review:
I chose this audiobook in hopes that I would recognize the songs. Patti Smith was coming into her career about the time I was finishing law school. I really don’t recall her from my college days probably because I enjoyed more of the folk artists of the day rather than the rockers.

I didn’t recognize the songs but I enjoyed them along with the poetry and the memoirs of her life. It was nice that it was a family affair. I recommend this for all the elements.

Audio Notes: The performance and presentation felt like an intimate performance which the listener gets to attend. I’m glad I selected this.

Source: November 2018 Free Audible Original. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Audible Book Review: The Ruins of Gorlan, Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1 by John Flanagan

I enjoyed this adventure fantasy where a young ranger battles monsters.

The Ruins of Gorlan
(link is to a newer release)
Ranger's Apprentice, Book 1
By: John Flanagan
Narrated by: John Keating

Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
Published March 13th 2008 by Recorded Books
Genre: Action & Adventure, Children, Ages 11-13, Fantasy
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.5

Publisher's Summary
The international best-selling series with over FIVE million copies sold in the US alone!
They have always scared him in the past - the Rangers, with their dark cloaks and shadowy ways. The villagers believe the Rangers practice magic that makes them invisible to ordinary people. And now 15-year-old Will, always small for his age, has been chosen as a Ranger's apprentice. What he doesn't yet realize is that the Rangers are the protectors of the kingdom. Highly trained in the skills of battle and surveillance, they fight the battles before the battles reach the people. And as Will is about to learn, there is a large battle brewing. The exiled Morgarath, Lord of the Mountains of Rain and Night, is gathering his forces for an attack on the kingdom. This time, he will not be denied....
Here is the fantasy adventure that launched the Ranger's Apprentice series, an epic story of heroes and villains that has become an international phenomenon. Perfect for fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, T. H. White’s The Sword in the Stone, Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series, and George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire series.
©2006 John Flanagan (P)2019 Listening Library

Review:
Will is a 15-year-old orphan who has arrived at the age of “choosing” where the children are chosen for their apprenticeships. Will doesn’t know the name of his father but knows he died a hero in battle. The castle Lord has been kind to Will and the other orphans. Will wants to join the warriors to fight for his Lord, but Will is small and wily. He isn’t brawny for battle, he isn’t inclined to smithy work or cooking or most of the other training areas. After all the other children are chosen Will is left thinking he will be relegated to the farms as an unskilled workhand. Then he learns that one guild master has taken notice of him – he is chosen as a Ranger’s apprentice.

The Rangers are able to blend in the shadows. They scout and spy and learn to defend themselves in special ways. Will, with a sharp brain, quick reflexes and eagerness to find his place, is a good listener and fast learner. He would just like to earn a smile or sign of approval from his master/mentor, Halt.

The first year of training is nearly completed and Will is hoping to be approved by the full Ranger council. But before the ceremony can take place news comes that the exiled enemy, Morgarath, is back to remove the other leaders and take over the kingdom. He has raised and controls some powerful, evil monsters and has already killed several other leaders. He now has his eyes set on Gorlan. As everyone at Gorlan prepares for battle, Will, Halt and two other Rangers set out to fight the monsters.

I appreciated the author’s handling of young teen issues such as bullying and early interaction with those of the opposite sex. The trepidations and struggles of the young people are emotions anyone could relate to. The battles are fraught with danger but for the most part end with good defeating evil. This is appropriate for young people and for adults who like castles, knights, scouts and battles to defeat the monsters. I would be inclined to read/listen to more in the series.

Audio Notes: John Keating does a great job with the narration. He captures the voice of the characters, the emotional struggles and the intensity of the danger. The narration added to my enjoyment of the story.

Source: February 2013 Audible Purchase. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.

Sunday Post October 13, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 14, 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.

Last week was busy as I was pushing through work on my desk which is what I do when I go out of town. Even if I'll only be out of office for three days. We are off on a weekedn cruise with our children and six grandchildren. I've set this post up early so I suspect there will be more reading to show next week that didn't get in this week.
We are still haveing hot weather back home although a couple of morenings were quite lovely.

I had a good week of reading/listening. I am very happy that my Kindle with new battery is working! Yay! At the time I was preparing this post I had finished three audiobooks and one NetGalley. I posted two reviews on the blog and the usual memes.

I visited 18 blogs last week.
Shout Out this week to The Eater of Books. Alyssa appears to like all things fantasy... and hard work too.
Thank you to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post October 6, 2019/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday October 7, 2019.

• MBS September 2019 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR- Audible Book Review: Death in the English Countryside by Sara Rosett; Genre: Amateur Sleuth, Cozy Mystery; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

• NG2019- #NetGalley Book Review: Fledgling by Molly Harper; Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Teen & YA; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 11, 2019. Open Worldwide. Ending 10/17/2019.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement October 13, 2019.

Finished Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Ghost Talkers
By: Mary Robinette Kowal
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
Length: 8 hrs and 14 mins
Release date: 08-16-16
I enjoyed this ghosting tale.
Source: 8/2/18 Sci Fi Sale $4.95 each.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

Yours Truly, Thomas
by Rachel Fordham
This is a sweet story similar to Signed Seal and Delivered.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

The Monster Men
By: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Narrated by: Sean Murphy
Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
Release date: 09-05-18
I picked this TBR for FRATERFEST.
Source: 2018 December Audible Purchase $.82.
They called him Number Thirteen, the latest and best of Dr. von Horn's attempts to create life from chemicals. He found himself an almost-human on von Horn's hideaway jungle island off the coast of Borneo. He saw the monsters that had preceded him and grew used to those dreadful travesties of humanity.
Not until Number thirteen met the American girl who was von Horn's prisoner did he realize how different he was from the others. Then, monster or not, he turned against his master and his "brothers" and threw in his lot with the girl in a desperate attempt to escape the island of terror.

4. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)

Lullaby
By: Jonathan Maberry
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Length: 37 mins
Release date: 10-04-18
Another TBR for FRATERFEST
Source: 10/29/2018 Free Audible Original.
About This Audible Original
The fears and horrors of being a new parent take on a shocking dimension in in this heart-stopping original story, only from Audible. A young married couple, Matt and Gillian have just bought a gorgeous house located next to a lake in the Catskills. They want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city to raise their baby girl, Hope, in relative peace and quiet. When night falls, however, their dream home becomes a house of nightmares. Matt and Gillian soon learn that darkness takes many forms. And sometimes, darkness is hungry.
New York Times best-selling author and Bram Stoker Award winner Jonathan Maberry delivers a haunting Audible Original that will give listeners the Halloween creeps all year round. Scott Brick, the man with the golden voice, perfectly captures the experience of hearing a classic ghost story told around the campfire.
This product features adult language and themes.
©2018 Jonathan Maberry (P)2018 Audible Originals, LLC.

Currently Reading:
1. Audio/Smartphone (ATBR)
I'm not sure what I'll be listening to by the time this posts. Maybe a children's book since I'll be with the grandkids or maybe another TBR for Fraterfest.
Here are two for Fraterfest or October
FREE: Crackanory Too Cracked for TV - 1h 38m 2017
Alien: Out of the Shadows 4h 28m left 2016


2. eBook/Kindle (TBR)
I selected some "horror" titles for FRATERFEST and hope to read one or two even while with the kids.
These are nine short titles I may pick from:
Jupiter’s Revenge: An Amber Cook Sequel (The Horror Diaries Vol.18) (2018) 19pgs
Awaken: A Horror Short Story (2018) 20pgs
DARK REALITY-A Horror Tale by Billie Sue Mosiman (2012) 27
Trial by Fury (A Righteous Novella) (Righteous series) (2011) 29
Investing Isobella: A Sci-Fi Horror (2018) 38
Zombie Betrayal by Robert DeCoteau (2011) 43
Fated Hearts (A Paranormal Romance Novella) (2012) 46
Turned at Dark: A Bonus Shadow Falls Short Story (2011) 53
The MacKinnon Curse (The Beginning novella) (MacKinnon Curse novel Book 4) (2012) 55


3. Audio CD/Car (A2019)

The End of America?: Bible Prophecy and a Country in Crisis
by Jeff Kinley
Tom Parks (Narrator)
I am engaged by this. (At disc 5 of 7.)
This is our Ladies Book Club reading to be discussed 10/19.
Source: Print books for book club; I picked up the Audio CD for about $7.00 ($1.64 plus 5.46 shipping).
Click on book title for full description.

4. eBook/Kindle (NG2019)

May It Be So Forty Days with the Lord's Prayer
by Justin McRoberts; Scott Erickson
I am doing this for the 40 days so it will be listed for a month or so.
Source: 2019 NetGalley.
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).


October 13, 2019 - I am still enjoying the devotions and readings with the One Year Bible plan through You Version App. I didn't do another study but spent some time on May it Be So. [You can check out audio of the One Year Bible Plan on the companion commentary online.]

I completed four books and posted three reviews. I have four 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 7 unread. I added another review and got my feedback ratio to 94%.
I am still working on 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.
Three audios from Chirp.
One kindle title 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

I had a hard time didn't resisting these for $.99 each at Chrip

Elemental Thief
Written by Rachel Morgan
Narrated by Arielle Delisle





A Fistful of Evil
Written by Rebecca Chastain
Narrated by Elise Arsenault





Break the Rules
Written by Claire Boston
Narrated by Kathryn LaPlante

Free

I added at least 1 free Kindle title 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 October 13, 2019

Earlier in the year our Sunday School assistant teacher started a new study entitled Renewing Your Mind.

He reminded us that we were Chosen as part of God’s plan.
God's plan is a mysterious plan. His plan came even before He created man.
Man cannot thwart God's plan.
God wants your life, your mind, your soul because He redeemed it.
See for example Proverbs 8:22-23; John 1:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:7; and 2 Timothy 1:9 …

This is a song shared with the message:

Do you feel the world is broken, we do.

A Verse for Today
2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway October 11, 2019

Happy Friday! We're off today for a short cruise with our children and grandchildren. We are excited to spend time with all the family.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the October 4, 2019 Pick. There were no automatic wins this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. There were no titles blocked.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from October 4, 2019 Pick:
CAROL L gets a Touch of Texas
and
NATALIJA gets a GC.

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

I love smiling with books, don't you?
Image found at Pinterest attributed to Carmel Trebes.

New Book Group #87 August 23, 2019

PAIRS:
Joan Johnston The Bodyguard and The Bridegroom
Nora Roberts: The MacGregor Grooms (1998) and The MacGregor Brides (1997)
SINGLES:
Siren's Song by Trish Albright (personally autographed)
Dawn Encounter by Jennifer Blake
Flame Lily by Candace Camp (spine creasing)
The Wedding Promise by Carolyn Davidson
The Devil's Daughter by Lara Drewry
Touch of Texas by Tracy Garrett (now Texas Gold)
Captain's Paradise by Kay Hooper
Open Season by Linda Howard AUDIO CASSETTES
Innocent as Sin by Elizabeth Lowell (hardback)
Tempt Me by Lucy Monroe
Abandon by Carla Neggers
The Perfect Gift by Christina Skye


New Book Group #86 June 7, 2019
Another group of variety from my shelves.

SINGLES:
Forged in Steel by Maya Banks
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Eco-Sisters: The Car by P. Ryan Hembree and Mary Ann Gustin
Forget Me Not by Vicki Hinze
Preaching to the Corpse by Roberta Isleib
Show No Fear by Marliss Melton
Pursuit by Karen Robards
Murder at Granite Falls by Roxanne Rustand
A Question of God's Balance (Vol 1) by Joseph Thek
King by Right of Blood and Might by Anna L. Walls


New Book Group #85 March 22, 2019
A variety from my shelves.

Roxanne Becknel: When Lightning Strikes
SINGLES:
Summer Skies by Judith Christenberry
Windfall (two stories) by JoAnn Ross
Daddy's Little Cowgirl (two stories) by Judith Bowen and Kimberly Raye
Almost Forever by Linda Howard
The Forever Year, Cold Pursuit, Lover's Lane and Temporary Sanity (Reader's Condensed)
ToxiCity by Libby Fischer Hillmann

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Homecoming
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
SINGLE
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Three Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback:

Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Stella Cameron: Key West
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Killing Time by Linda Howard
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES
Best Laid Plans by Allison Brennan
Darkness Tell Us by Richard Laymon
Cooking Most Deadly by Joanne Pence


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
James Patterson NYPD Red 2 and NYPD Red 3
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon by Lacey Baker
The Final Judgment by Richard North PattersonAudio Cassettes
Firebird by Janice Graham
No Getting Over a Cowboy by Delores Fossen
The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

SINGLES
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
White Night by Jim Butcher
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff


This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring by Jillian Hart
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,278+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!