mkduds's reviews
727 reviews

Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum

3.0

Audiobook review. Not the typical book I pick up but it was fairly light (besides the death) and fun. A quick listen with a great narrator. 

Deacon King Kong by James McBride

4.0

Audiobook review. I enjoyed this a ton, even if it took many listens to get into it and follow all the characters. But I could listen to Dominic Hoffman read anything and McBride creates the most intricate worlds. What a combo! This book explored the ties that bind us, especially among your neighbors. 

I did prefer H&E but I would still recommend this.

Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

3.0

Read to my kids. This book holds up pretty well considering it’s nearly 70 years old! It made for good discussions about sending kids to their rooms and whether that makes sense and what to do with your emotions. 

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

3.0

Audiobook review. I struggled to pay attention to this book. I listened to it twice in fact. And the second time, I still couldn’t follow the end. I did enjoy most of it - the story of the enslaved women and their relationships and connections. 

Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano

4.0

Audiobook review. I love Ann Napolitano. This book is so so good and a beautiful story about family and relationships and siblings and connections on a plane. 

Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Moshe Kasher

3.0

Audiobook review. It was obvious that this book was written a while ago - I’m not sure he could say some of these things today, even in a memoir. But, I enjoyed this telling. Kasher is very funny and wow what a childhood! 

Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

4.0

Audiobook review. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and fun and the narrators stupendous. I also did not know where this story would go. 

Domestic Violets by Matthew Norman

3.0

Audiobook review. I really enjoyed this book. It was mostly about family, and I love stories about the inner workings of people who are tied together in some way. Norman is proving to be an author I want to read more of. 

(Sadly, I didn’t love this narrator…his female voices were tough to listen to.)

The Women by Kristin Hannah

4.0

Audiobook review. 
The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because it was a tough book. I’m so glad Hannah wrote it but as a military spouse, it was difficult to read. But Hannah told this story so beautifully and with compassion. 

Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman

4.0

Audiobook review. I read this in two days - I just enjoyed it so much. It was fun to read about Baltimore (a place I love) and middle-aged adults figuring out love. And I really related to the Hopkins and Stanford dilemma. This was like a modern family version of High Fidelity. I’m excited to read more by Norman.