I recently binged all five of the existing audiobooks for Miranda Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series, and I wanted to share some bite-sized reviews for this awesome series and host a giveaway for a copy of one of the audiobooks.
Audio
Rating: 3.5 stars
Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrator: Christina Delaine
Release date: November 11, 2014
Publisher: Audible Studios
Length: 8 hours, 49 minutes
Length: 8 hours, 49 minutes
Novel
Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: December 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review:
On the one hand, I remembered why I love Catching Jordan so much—it's funny, it's swoony, it's realistic, it's got a badass girl who goes for what she wants, it showcases amazing platonic girl/guy friendships (sometimes it feels like this is a YA unicorn). On the other, DANG JORDAN JUST PICK ONE. On the third hand, YAY for a narrator who gives southern characters ACTUAL SOUTHERN ACCENTS. DANG, Y'ALL IT SHOULDN'T BE THAT HARD. On the other OTHER hand, the narrator's southern accent for some of the characters was whiny and cringe-worthy (here's looking at you, Kristen!).
But overall, still a great book with decent narration. I appreciate Christina Delaine's work in maintaining the southern accents and even giving each character their own unique tone and twist on the accent. I knew immediately who was speaking with every character, and that's always a plus for me.
Book vs audio: Stick with the book. Although I appreciate Christina Delaine including southern accents, I can see it grating on anyone who isn't used to a good southern twang. Readers will appreciate the humor just as much while reading as they would while listening to it.
But overall, still a great book with decent narration. I appreciate Christina Delaine's work in maintaining the southern accents and even giving each character their own unique tone and twist on the accent. I knew immediately who was speaking with every character, and that's always a plus for me.
Book vs audio: Stick with the book. Although I appreciate Christina Delaine including southern accents, I can see it grating on anyone who isn't used to a good southern twang. Readers will appreciate the humor just as much while reading as they would while listening to it.
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Audio
Rating: 4 stars
Narrator: Jorjeana Marie
Release date: November 11, 2014
Publisher: Audible Studios
Length: 7 hours, 7 minutes
Novel
Rating: 5 stars
Pub Date: October 1, 2012
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review:
On the one hand, I enjoyed listening to Stealing Parker a lot more than I initially remember enjoying the book. On the other hand, I have discovered my tastes have changed somewhat over the past few years, and part of the plot of SP is a big fat NO NO in my opinion. (man, I just realized I have a LOT of hands!)
While Stealing Parker is not one of my favorite books in the Hundred Oaks series, I'm glad that I reread it and was able to fall in love with the story a little bit more. I definitely recommend the audiobook as Jorjeana Marie gave a wonderful performance as Parker and all the other characters as well. I'm definitely bookmarking more of her YA books to listen to in the future!
Random complaint: having a Brian and a Ryan in this book is a poor naming choice. Although it's not a problem when you read, things get a little fuzzy in the audio version. So, authors, when you're naming your characters, make sure you say them all together aloud.
Also, because of the whole changing tastes thing, and my now being an adult, I have a LOT more thoughts about the book overall so keep your eyes out because I'll have a full review of Stealing Parker to share soon.
Book vs audio: Audio. Readers might distance themselves from the emotion of Parker's story, which is a good way to become judgmental of Parker (I've done it!). Listening to the audio will keep you invested as Jorjeana Marie makes an emotional and nuanced performance.
While Stealing Parker is not one of my favorite books in the Hundred Oaks series, I'm glad that I reread it and was able to fall in love with the story a little bit more. I definitely recommend the audiobook as Jorjeana Marie gave a wonderful performance as Parker and all the other characters as well. I'm definitely bookmarking more of her YA books to listen to in the future!
Random complaint: having a Brian and a Ryan in this book is a poor naming choice. Although it's not a problem when you read, things get a little fuzzy in the audio version. So, authors, when you're naming your characters, make sure you say them all together aloud.
Also, because of the whole changing tastes thing, and my now being an adult, I have a LOT more thoughts about the book overall so keep your eyes out because I'll have a full review of Stealing Parker to share soon.
Book vs audio: Audio. Readers might distance themselves from the emotion of Parker's story, which is a good way to become judgmental of Parker (I've done it!). Listening to the audio will keep you invested as Jorjeana Marie makes an emotional and nuanced performance.
Purchase Links:
Audio
Rating: 4 stars
Narrator: Holly Fielding
Release date: November 11, 2014
Publisher: Audible Studios
Length: 8 hours, 19 minutes
Length: 8 hours, 19 minutes
Novel
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: March 1, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Check out my review for Things I Can't Forget here.
Check out my review for Things I Can't Forget here.
Review:
Definitely enjoyed this one. Not only did I love the story again, the narration was pretty dang good. Holly Fielding did a great job with all the characters, making them unique and believable. I'll definitely listen to more of her work. A couple minor narrator complaints. It really does bother me when narrators pronounce mischievously incorrectly, Holly's voice for Matt changed, and originally she used a masculine tone for Jordan before changing it mid-scene. I think that's just a bit sloppy, like when Jordan first appeared, Holly didn't know she's a female character. But overall, great performance, good book.
Book vs audio: Like with Stealing Parker, reading the book creates distance between the reader and the story. Listening really puts the audience in Kate's head, and it's easier to understand her point of view and empathize with her. Give the audiobook a go.
Book vs audio: Like with Stealing Parker, reading the book creates distance between the reader and the story. Listening really puts the audience in Kate's head, and it's easier to understand her point of view and empathize with her. Give the audiobook a go.
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Audio
Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrator: Monika Smith
Release date: November 11, 2014
Publisher: Audible Studios
Length: 7 hours, 2 minutes
Novel
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: December 3, 2013
Review:
I forgot how much of a jackass Jack is in Racing Savannah. I mean, he is incredibly charming, but he's also a complete jackass. Not for the entire book or he'd be completely worthless as a love interest, but during crucial character-and-relationship-building moments, Jack shows just how much of a flawed human being he is (please don't let me scare you away. He has some really big great moments too!). Jack is definitely among my least favorite of the love interests, but his redemption arc is pretty impressive.
As for the narration, Monika Smith is possibly my least favorite of the five narrators used for the Hundred Oaks audiobooks. Her voice works for Savannah, who is pint-sized so yeah, a high-pitched, young sounding voice is believable. But her voices for Vanessa, Rory, and Jack sound little kid-ish, and that always weirds me out for a teen novel. Like, I just can't take you seriously having discussions about sex and college and relationships and careers if you sound like you're 7. Monika wasn't horrible; she just wasn't great. Hence, middle of the road audiobook for me. I've heard worse, but I've also heard a whole lot better.
Book vs audio: Mmm, this is more of a toss-up than the others. Book has a slight edge just because of Monika's young-sounding voice.
As for the narration, Monika Smith is possibly my least favorite of the five narrators used for the Hundred Oaks audiobooks. Her voice works for Savannah, who is pint-sized so yeah, a high-pitched, young sounding voice is believable. But her voices for Vanessa, Rory, and Jack sound little kid-ish, and that always weirds me out for a teen novel. Like, I just can't take you seriously having discussions about sex and college and relationships and careers if you sound like you're 7. Monika wasn't horrible; she just wasn't great. Hence, middle of the road audiobook for me. I've heard worse, but I've also heard a whole lot better.
Book vs audio: Mmm, this is more of a toss-up than the others. Book has a slight edge just because of Monika's young-sounding voice.
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Audio
Rating: 3.5 stars
Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrator: Nancy Wu
Release date: July 3, 2014
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Length: 7 hours, 41 minutes
Length: 7 hours, 41 minutes
Novel
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: July 15, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review:
This is the funny thing about ratings. I originally gave the first two Hundred Oaks books 5 stars when I read them, but then I gave the others 4 stars, although Breathe, Annie, Breathe is my favorite of the series, and I like it better than Jordan and Parker. Just goes to show how books and taste can change. I definitely started rating a bit harder. But anyway. Annie is such a phenomenal book. It's very much a love story, but it's also a falling out of love story. Annie's motivations are so much fueled by the boyfriend she lost, and it's hard for her to focus on anything but him because of the depth of their relationship and the immense guilt she feels. The Hundred Oaks books all balance plenty of light fluff with the heaviness of growing up and facing adult decisions, but somehow Annie feels the heaviest, probably because it deals with death and all its finality.
That's why I'm only giving this audio 3.5 stars. Annie is a really complex book, but I didn't quite get all of that from Nancy Wu's narration. I didn't hate it, I just didn't love it. She didn't bring out all the emotions in her performance, and I really expected and wanted that.
Book vs audio: Read the book. I most definitely recommend reading the book over listening to the audio.
Book vs audio: Read the book. I most definitely recommend reading the book over listening to the audio.
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Giveaway:
One winner will receive a digital copy of any Hundred Oaks audiobook of their choice (Catching Jordan, Stealing Parker, Things I Can't Forget, Racing Savannah, or Breathe Annie Breathe) from Audible via the Send This Book feature. Open to anyone who can receive an audiobook this way. Terms and conditions of Send This Book are listed here. Entrants must be 13+ with parents' permission. Giveaway is open until 12 AM CST March 7. Please enter via Rafflecopter below; winner will be chosen at random, and odds are determined by number of entries. I reserve the right to disqualify any entries that are not in accordance with my giveaway policies as stated in the Review & Site Policies tab at the top of the page. Good luck!
