Audible Book Review: How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe

This course is very informative. I am glad I listened to it and got the pdf before the free download became unavailable in my library.
How Great Science Fiction Works
By: Gary K. Wolfe, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Gary K. Wolfe

Series: The Great Courses: Genre Fiction
Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
Lecture
Release date: 01-08-16
Publisher: The Great Courses
Genre: Nonfiction, Science Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
Robots, spaceships, futuristic megacities, planets orbiting distant stars. These icons of science fiction are now in our daily news. Science fiction, once maligned as mere pulp, has motivated cutting-edge scientific research, inspired new technologies, and changed how we view everyday life - and its themes and questions permeate popular culture. Take an unparalleled look at the influence, history, and greatest works of science fiction with illuminating insights and fascinating facts about this wide-ranging genre. If you think science fiction doesn't have anything to do with you, this course deserves your attention. And if you love science fiction, you can't miss this opportunity to trace the arc of science fiction's evolution, understand the hallmarks of great science fiction, and delve deeply into classics while finding some new favorites.
These 24 captivating lectures reveal the qualities that make science fiction an enduring phenomenon that has been steadily gaining popularity. You'll grasp the context and achievements of authors like Arthur C. Clarke, H.G. Wells, Isaac Asimov, Ursula K. LeGuin, and many more. You'll experience the wonder, horror, and incredible imagination of works like Frankenstein, the Foundation series, Stranger in a Strange Land, and dozens of more recent stories as well. You'll also see this genre's influence in movies like Star Wars and TV shows like The Twilight Zone.
Science fiction can take us places in time and space where no other form of fiction can - outer space, the far future, alternate universes, unfathomable civilizations. The best science fiction expands our imaginations and makes its mark on our reality. And while few writers would ever claim to predict the future, sometimes authors get it almost eerily right: Gernsback describing radar in 1911, Bradbury describing giant flatscreen TVs in 1951, Gibson inventing "cyberspace" in 1984, and so on.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.
©2016 The Great Courses (P)2016 The Teaching Company, LLC

Review:
This lecture is very informative on the history of science fiction writing themes, notable authors and their works. The material is presented in logical groupings, and it kept my interest. It supplies a great resource for me to look for more authors and works in the genre that I will want to read/listen to. What this course DID NOT clearly include, though implied by the title, is what writing features make great science fiction. I know that I have often commented on the “irony” aspects of science fiction stories that I read. I was hoping to learn the elements of the genre to look for as I read.

There were some genre features shared such as the fact that science fiction is deemed to be a category presenting future worlds although time travel and alternate worlds fit too. Science fiction is distinguished from fantasy which generally contains more world building than connection to possible realities. The material presented described the creative use of futuristic technologies that often became real in a matter of years. It made me wonder if science developed on the creative ideas or if the authors had leaks of real projects.

Another part of the features that did contribute to the writing of science fiction are subsets such as the various means to make space travel possible and “The Artifact” as a specific theme to build stories on. The course also covers post-apocalyptic and dystopian themes. I enjoyed hearing authors and titles that I am familiar with. And now have more to look for. I do recommend this to anyone interested in the history of science fiction.

Audio Notes: The author does a good job narrating this lecture material. As noted in my comments above, the material is grouped well and makes the listening move along well. I am glad that I got to listen to the free book while available in my library. But I am also very glad to have the pdf available for future resource material.

Source: September 2022 Audible Plus Catalog. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Nonfiction goals.

Audible Book Review: The Last Tribe by Brad Manuel

I liked this post-apocalyptic which is full of characters and survival rather than guns and gore.

The Last Tribe
By: Brad Manuel
Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 22 hrs and 42 mins
Release date: 06-14-16
Publisher: Podium Audio
Genre: Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Post-Apocalyptic
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Imagine being alone in the world, one of only a handful to survive a global pandemic. Not only do you struggle to find food, water, and shelter but you also deal with the sadness and losing everyone you know and everything you have.
Fourteen-year-old Greg Dixon is living that nightmare. Attending boarding school outside of Boston, he is separated from his family when a pandemic strikes. His classmates and teachers are dead, rotting in a dormitory-turned-morgue steps from his room. The nights are getting colder, and his food has run out. The last message from his father is to get away from the city and to meet at his grandparents' town in remote New Hampshire. Knowing the impending New England winter could be the final nail in his coffin, Greg packs what little food he can find and sets off on his 100-mile walk north with the unwavering belief that his family is alive and will join him.
As the fast-moving and deadly disease strips away family and friends, Greg's father, John, is trapped in South Carolina. Roadblocks, a panic-stricken population, and winter make it impossible for him to get to his son. John and his three brothers appear to be immune, but they are scattered across a locked-down United States, forced to wait for the end of humanity before travelling to the mountains of New Hampshire.
Spring arrives, and the Dixons make their way north to find young Greg. They meet others along the way, slowly forming the last tribe of humanity from the few people still alive in the Northeast.
©2015 Brad Manuel (P)2016 Podium Publishing.

Review:
A fast-moving global pandemic has eliminated most of the people within two months. There is no clear reason why certain people survive and others do not. Surprisingly in this world, four Dixon brothers seem to be immune. Even more surprising, one of their wives survived too. The four brothers are spread across the Eastern United States from South Carolina to Ohio. John, Todd, Paul, and Hank agree to meet in the spring at their childhood home in Hanover, New Hampshire.

John is in Charleston, with two of his sons who survived. His fourteen-year-old son, Greg, is away at boarding school in Massachusetts. In their last phone call John told Greg to get to Hanover to wait for the rest of the Dixon men. After all of the others at his school appear to be dead, Greg sets out alone on his journey north. Along the way he is stunned to stumble upon another living person. Thirteen-year-old Rebecca is a young genius who is determined to survive.

Paul and Hank live in Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, respectively. They react differently when their wives and children die leaving them alone. They have to decide how to travel north and whether they should travel before winter.

Todd lives in Raleigh and is relived that his wife, Emily, and two young sons, have survived. Emily is determined to continue to educate their boys even as they travel to meet the rest of the family. They have a surprising visit to the Governor’s house before they proceed on their journey, adding some interesting companions along the way.

John and his sons have the furthest distance to travel. Young adult, Matt is prepared to help his father as soon as they can get control of young Craig who is suffering grief and anxious to get to Greg. When they get Craig focused on fishing, he can add his skills to their survival.

A handful of other survivors are discovered along the various journeys. There is a fine dilemma between finding others to rebuild society and finding others who are safe to trust. This is a totally character driven post apocalyptic story. Rebecca, the child genius, and extreme organizer, is a fascinating character. The other characters are well developed I was engaged by the character interactions which kept the story interesting. Although there is no heavy action, I enjoyed all of the survival observations and techniques.  I recommend this to post-apocalyptic survival fans who would enjoy character strengths as a change of pace.

Audio Notes: Scott Brick is a talented narrator. He delivers clear voices and appropriate emotion. I enjoyed the audio entertainment.

Source: 05/17/2020 Audible Credit pick. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and 2023Alphabet goal.

Audible Book Review: Forging Zero: The Legend of ZERO by Sara King

This is a good space sci fi.
Forging Zero: The Legend of ZERO
By: Sara King
Narrated by: Liam Owen

Series: Legend of ZERO, Book 1
Length: 21 hours and 54 minutes
Published: December 17, 2013 by Sara King
Genre: First Contact, Science Fiction, Space Exploration
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

The Legend of Zero begins the epic journey of 14-year-old Joe Dobbs in a post-apocalyptic universe following a massive alien invasion of Earth. The oldest of the children drafted from humanity's devastated planet, Joe is impressed into service by the alien Congressional Ground Force - and becomes the unwitting centerpiece in a millennia-long alien struggle for independence.
Once his training begins, one of the elusive and prophetic Trith appears to give Joe a spine-chilling prophecy that the universe has been anticipating for millions of years: Joe will be the one to finally shatter the vast alien government known as Congress. And the Trith cannot lie. But first Joe has to make it through bootcamp.

Review:
Joe Dobbs accidentally got impressed into service by aliens who take children to train as expendable military forces. Joe is 14 which is above the age they take but he got pulled into the ship after he attacked the aliens. Bootcamp is hard. The alien troop leaders are pretty harsh and most of them would be glad to kill Joe in training. But one supervisor has received a prophesy that makes him think that Joe is part of the future to destroy the Congress government. This creates a quandary because he isn’t sure if he wants to allow Joe to fulfill the prophesy or just kill him now.

As the oldest of the captured children, Joe tends to take care of the younger kids. His small team of kids begins to look up to him and trust him to lead them safely. But at some point they are going to find out that he has kept his prophesy a secret and some may see that as a betrayal.

I did have a little confusion early in the story trying to figure out which of the aliens were good and which bad. I enjoyed the relationships that developed between the children. The level of growth in Joe’s personality, and reluctant determination to shield his team, was intriguing. Initially this seems like a good story for young people, but then it adds suffering, sexual content, and graphic violence that might not be comfortable for all readers. I became invested in the characters and was sad when they became disillusioned and separated.

The author tells the story from Joe’s view and the reader, like Joe, is unaware of a lot of the political intrigues that are going on. The last quarter of the book rushes forward in time, skipping a lot of the time during which Joe’s character and position change. This was a bit awkward and disappointing. The end leaves the door open for more adventures but I am sorry that the books are not available in audio format. It is less likely that I will continue with the series in digital. I recommend this to fans of first contact and space exploration stories.

Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Liam Owen. The voice and energy fit the characters for the most part – I’m not so sure there was strong distinction among the alien characters. I am very glad I had this on audio and wish the next in the series was available in audio format.

Source: 11/28/2016 Audible Sale. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023Numbers goals.

#NetGalley Audio Book Review: The Prayer Warrior by Traci Wooden-Carlisle, D. Tina Batten

This is an engaging, positive Christian novel.

The Prayer Warrior
By: Traci Wooden-Carlisle, D. Tina Batten
Narrated by: Anita Faye Thomas

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins
Publisher: TAWCarlisle
Genre: Christian Fantasy, Spiritual Realm
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
There is a thin line between the natural and the spiritual realm.
Ms. V., a humble servant of the Lord, has been placed on assignment at Center of Hope Christian Academy.
By day, she serves as a trusted counselor for students, giving them a safe haven to pour out their innermost feelings while providing professional and honest truth wrapped in a firm kindness and love that inevitably draws them closer to Jesus. Not to be outdone, the faculty also bends her ear from time to time.
By night, Ms. V. enters the spiritual realm and takes her place on the battlefield as one of God's faithful prayer warriors. She wields her whispering sword, slicing through the enemy's plans to bind the precious hearts under her charge.
Her assignment's burden on her physical body is taxing, but can she withstand the strain and remain victorious?
Saving souls is her true mission, but at what cost?
Listeners are in for a journey of spiritual intrigue and biblical insight as they experience the ramifications of each character's life-altering decision.
Note: The digital and paperback versions come with a reader's-choice alternate ending. We chose the ending for you in this audiobook for uninterrupted listening pleasure. Enjoy.
©2021 D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle (P)2022 D. Tina Batten and Traci Wooden-Carlisle.

Review:
Ms. V is a devout Christian who serves as a counselor at the Center of Hope Christian Academy. She clearly cares about the teens she works with, listening to their problems, observing behaviors in classes and on campus, providing sound guidance, and covering all the situations with prayer.

At night, Ms. V steps into the spiritual realm with a warrior’s sword and the word of God to battle the enemy that wants to steal the hearts of her students. The spiritual battles are taxing on Ms. V, but she is willing to stand firm as long as God calls her to save souls.

The story opens with the images of the spiritual battles which caught my attention. Then the story moves into Ms. V’s interaction with the students and her co-workers. We meet a good handful of young people struggling with teenage issues including sexual pressures, predatory situations (even in the church), and bullying. There is also a co-worker who is dealing with bitterness and jealousy whose attitude is eventually changed. Ms. V shows consistent and unconditional love to everyone she is in touch with. Her behavior reveals a beautiful character and wonderful legacy all because she is willing to humbly serve her faithful God.

The story is very upbeat and endearing. The writing is direct and an easy read (and listen) for adults and teens. I am sort of curious about the alternate endings in the digital and print versions. I recommend this to any Christian who is looking for an inspirational story. I also recommend it to non-believers who are open minded to such inspiration.

Audio Notes: Anita Faye Thomas does a lovely job with the narration. She brings Ms. V alive and helps draw the listener into the spiritual and physical lives of the characters. I am glad I had the opportunity to listen to this.

Source: December 2022 NetGalley. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, 2023Alphabet, and 2023NetGalley goals.

Sunday Post February 5, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday February 6, 2023

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 past week my daughter was out several days due to flu. It is so unfortunate that her immune system seems to be unable to fight any bug. One other staff member was out a day due to her baby having a bad fever. Seems to be just teething, not flu or anything else, thank goodness.

I had to juggle the title office with the law practice. I had a large commercial deal which closed nicely on Friday and will fund on Monday. I keep plugging away on probates and some litigation cases. I settled an easement case and filed a new foreclosure -- one closes another opens.

These three friends live three houses away. When I stopped my car one morning last week they cooperated by lining up at the fence so I could get a picture through my passenger window!

My continuing prayers include prayers for more unity in all nations and a calmer atmosphere in 2023.

We had a week of reasonably nice weather with some cooler nights. That should continue for the week until next weekend dips cold again. I can't imagine the cold that New England went through last week. I hope everyone is staying warm.

I finished two audios (again) and posted three reviews with my memes.

I visited 16 blogs last week.
Shout out this week to BOOKBUGWORLD. I like Rejitha's view of sharing about books on her blog: "Like a book club with no definite time limit."

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post January 29, 2023/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 30, 2023.

• MBS December 2022 Reading List Wrap Up.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: At Love's Command, Hanger's Horsemen, Book 1, by Karen Witemeyer; Genre: Christian, Historical, Romance, Western; My Rating: 4.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.75; Narration 4.75.
  

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Soul Taken, A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 13, by Patricia Briggs; Genre: Paranormal, Supernatural, Urban; My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.
  

• NG20222: #NetGalley Audio Book Review: Coup de Grâce by Paul Centeno; Genre: Adventure, Steampunk; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.0.
  

• Sunday Words of Encouragement February 5, 2023 - Humble Yourselves to God!
  

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Heaven's River
Bobiverse, Book 4
By: Dennis E. Taylor
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 16 hrs and 57 mins
I enjoyed the entertainment of this space adventure.
Source: October 17, 2021 - September 2021 Audible Credits.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

To the Far Blue Mountains
Written By Louis L'amour
Narrated By: John Curless
Duration: 9 hours 19 minutes
This story is full of swashbuckling sea battles and Indian filled land battles.
Source: 9/17/2022 One Credit at Audiobooks.com
Click on book title for full description.

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

 
Cat o' Nine Tales
The Jane Yellowrock Stories
By: Faith Hunter
Narrated by: Khristine Hvam
Series: Jane Yellowrock
Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
I'm enjoying this collection of paranormal stories with Vampire hunter Jane Yellowrock and her friends.
This fits my Number goal.
Source: April 2021 Audible Plus Catalog free audio.
Publisher's Summary
For the first time - in one Audible-exclusive collection - it's 13 stories of Jane Yellowrock, the shape-shifting skinwalker and vampire hunter for hire whose business card reads, "Have Stakes - Will Travel". Jane carries inside her the soul of her Beast, the mountain lion's soul which merged with hers when she accidently performed black magic as a child. Now, she and her Beast stalk the dark streets of New Orleans, bringing rogue vampires true death.
In Cat o' Nine Tales, you'll discover how Jane turned into a big cat for the first time; how she and Molly became friends; how Rick LaFleur got his tattoos. You'll go along on some of Jane's early vamp hunts. You'll even hear two short tales through Bruiser's eyes.
Once you experience these stories set in the fantastic world of this New York Times best-selling series, you'll surely agree with Kim Harrison that Jane Yellowrock is "smart, sexy and ruthless".
The stories included in Cat o' Nine Tales are:
"WeSa and the Lumber King"
"The Early Years"
"Cat Tats"
"Kits"
"Haints"
"Signatures of the Dead"
"First Sight"
"Blood, Fangs and Going Furry"
"Dance Master"
"Cajun With Fangs"
"Golden Delicious"
"Beneath a Bloody Moon"
"Black Water"
©2013 Faith Hunter (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

2. Audio Smartphone (ATBR)

The Yankee Widow
By Linda Lael Miller
Narrated By: Jack Garrett
Duration: 14 h 37 min
I like Civil War settings and
this could be counted as an "occupation".
Source: 5/8/2021 Two for One Credit Deal at Audiobooks.com
Summary
A richly layered saga is set against the backdrop of the Civil War In The Yankee Widow, gifted storyteller Linda Lael Miller explores the complexities and heartbreak that families experienced as men took up arms to preserve the nation and defend their way of life. Told in a smart, assured and compelling voice, this is the story of Caroline, the young wife and childhood sweetheart of Jacob, who together live on a farm raising their daughter, Rachel, just outside of Gettysburg. When Jacob joins the Northern army to do his duty and help save the Union, no one anticipates he will not return. Caroline gets news that he is wounded and has been taken to Washington, DC, with his regiment, and so she must find her way there and navigate the thousands of other wounded soldiers to find him. Thus begins this novel that focuses on the strong women and men of both sides and both races who sacrificed so much and loved so well during this critical juncture in American history.

I had a hard time chosing the next book so I might change my mind when I get there. :-)

February 5, 2023 - I am enjoying this new plan on YouVersion. I totally enjoyed watching the devotion videos so I am doing another BibleProject plan: The Full Story - "From the beginning to the Amen" .  I have never done a Chronological reading before.
I added Matthew so I could follow along with my son who is reading with the BOBs (Band of Brothers). I will add the applicable New Testament book to read along.
I did another five day study during the week that was good: Be A Living Sacrifice.
I am five days into a 21 day plan: The Sauce: Seek First.

I finished two audio titles and reviewed three so I am still making slow progress. I am now behind 5 reviews for January and 2 for February.  I'll continue to work on these.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
My ebook on NetGalley was on my old phone and will expire before I finish it.
I plan to listen to one of the two audiobooks in the next two weeks.
I still have the two old ebook titles.
I have one author review in my queue that I need to start reading on my computer.
(Plus a few that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
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: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me, and newest to the team, Emma at Words and Peace. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

I purchased one daily deal at Audible and found one free audio at Audible Plus.
I didn't get any free Kindle titles again this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

2/2/223 Audible Daily Deal $3.99.

The Spare Man
By: Beth Pugh
Narrated by: Emily Durante
Duration: 7 h 38 min
This Sci Fi is a murder mystery in space.

Free

2/5/2023 Audible Plus Catalog.

Metropolitan Stories, A Novel
By: Christine Coulson
Narrated by: Jill Eikenberry
Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins
I haven't been to a museum in a while and this got my interest.


No new titles added to Kindle library. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.