The Correspondent

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Will stay with me as long as I live, and most likely beyond. Perfect performances.

Ready Player One

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heard about this book for years, but put it off, because it's part of a genre I don't usually enjoy. Was bored the other day, and figured I'd listen to the first few minutes. Was instantly hooked on this epic journey, and regret that it took me so long to dive in. Pretty close to perfect, and definitely unforgettable. Good narration.

O-Town Concert At Foxwoods: April 17, 2026

Photo Credit: Eric Bain

 That's right! Got to see my boys again! Still can't believe Eric came with me. We had a great day of shopping, good food, some gambling, and an awesome concert. Eric even begrudgingly admitted O-Town puts on a good show. You could have knocked me over with a feather when he said that. Such a wonderful day! Wish I had gotten to me them again, but refused to pay the ridiculous meet and greet price. Oh, well. Can't believe I almost forgot to mention that I turned  $25 free play into $78! So cool! Thank you, King Kong slot machine.

Babies!

Photo Credit: Jill Rock

 Steven gave me these a couple months back. Going to be so cool watching them grow. They are quite a bit bigger than this picture now. Have to take another soon so you all can see the progress.

Fugly

Fugly by Jenny Rachel Weiner
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Wanted so much more from this, though I'm not exactly sure what. Good performances.

The Never King

The Never King by Nikki St. Crowe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed the story, but the sexual scenes were quite a bit too much for me. For that reason alone, don't think I'll be continuing the series. Fantastic performances.

The Perfect Play

The Perfect Play by G.S. Carr
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Corny, but sweet. Good narration.

All My Darkest Impulses

All My Darkest Impulses by Lisa Unger
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Much potential, but didn't follow through enough to keep me interested. Good narration.

What Lies in the Woods

What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Figured it out towards the end, but that didn't detract from the enjoyment. Great mystery. Good narration.

Technically Speaking

Technically Speaking by Michael Elliot
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Don't quite know how I feel about this one. I'm all about a happy ending, but also expect consequences for underhanded actions. Everything below deck was just glossed over, and that doesn't sit well with me, no matter the reasons. Excellent performances.

The Line

The Line: Deadly Ambition Collection by Tim Weaver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! Talk about a swerve! So good. Decent narration.

The Silent Muse

The Silent Muse: Deadly Ambition Collection by Lauren Ling Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Didn't expect the story to go in all those different directions. Very enjoyable. Good narration.

Month Of The Master!

 As some of you may know, June is my birthday month. More the last few years, without even realizing, I've read the Bill Hodges Trilogy by Stephen King in the beginning of June. So, this year, I figured why not dedicate the entire month to the master of storytelling. I read quite a you of his books, so many are going to be rereads, but I definitely want to squeeze some new-to-me books in along the way. Going to be great fun. Can't wait to dive even deeper into the twisted, absolute genius mind of Mr. King.

A Fatal Delivery

A Fatal Delivery: Deadly Ambition Collection by Lauren Oliver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Quick, fun mystery. Good narration.

You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone

You'll Miss Me When I'm Gone by A.R. Torre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love a smart female lead. Deliciously twisty story. Good narration.

The Roommate: Deadly Ambition Collection

The Roommate: Deadly Ambition Collection by Andrea Mara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deliciously evil antagonist. Fantastically dark story. Good narration.

The Price of Honey (Deadly Ambition Collection, #1)

The Price of Honey by Liane Moriarty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fun, and entirely different then what I expected. Would like to hear more from these characters. Good narration.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "To love someone is to be interrupted, and inconvenienced."

Burying the Honeysuckle Girls

Burying the Honeysuckle Girls by Emily Carpenter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rich, engrossing, fantastical story. Will stay with you, as it has me. Great performance.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "If history doesn't repeat, it certainly rhymes."
-Mark Twain

Beyond Nitro: Untold Stories from the WCW Era: NITRO Book Collection 2

Beyond Nitro: Untold Stories from the WCW Era: NITRO Book Collection 2 by Guy Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another home run! Thought I knew most everything about this era of wrestling, but this book has plenty of stories I've never heard. The amount of exhaustive research, and passion for this product is obvious. Great listen. Surprisingly fun narration.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "Intention doesn't erase impact."
-Darlene To Izaiah

So Cute!

Artist Credit: Tuesday
Photo Credit Latisha Todman

 This is the latest painting on the window of the main entrance to the apartment building where I live. Thought it was adorable, and people should see.

He'll Be Waiting

He'll Be Waiting by Liz Alterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great story, with a couple genuinely unexpected moments. Good narration.

A Place to Die For

A Place to Die For by A.M. Strong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the best books I've listened to so far this year. Didn't expect the ending twist. Will definitely be looking into more work by this author. Great performance.

Sunset Springs

Sunset Springs by Kacen Callender
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

Lack of connection with characters, unimaginative narration, and an unsatisfying ending all add up to this one being a waste of time.

The Answer Is No

The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Funny, deep, emotional, surprisingly poignant. Didn't expect a short listen to take me on such a trip. Love! Love! Love! Great performance!

Quote Of The Moment…

 "Busy isn't the problem; lack of priority is."
-Nina Rose

The Baby Group

The Baby Group by Jade Lee Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy smokes. What a twisted tale. Absolutely fantastic. Hope the story continues at some point. Great narration.

Hanging With My Best Friend!

Photo Credit: Steven Dvorkin

Hold Your Breath

Hold Your Breath by Wendy Walker
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Wanted so much more from this. Predictable, and disappointing. Uninspired narration.

My Therapist, My Lover

My Therapist, My Lover by Cris Beam
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dark, difficult, strange listen. Underwhelming narration.

The Truth Is…

 The Broadway revival is officially happening! Absolutely cannot believe it. Know I'm a little late with the news, but it's taken a little while to wrap my head around everything. Never thought I'd be lucky enough to see a revival At all, let alone two. It's surreal. No major news yet, but the production is rumored to be eyeing the Winter Garden, and will open in the spring of next year. Rachel Zegler will be reprising her Oliver award winning role. More casting announcements expected soon. Signed up to be notified the moment tickets go on sale, and have everything crossed that I get a pair for me and Eric. What an incredible dream birthday that would be. We shall see…

Funny, But Not So…

The Christmas Pawdcast

The Christmas Pawdcast by Emily March
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Incredibly sweet, and utterly adorable. Great performances.

Half Light

Half Light by Tayari Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heartfelt story about the bonds of family, and importance of maintaining connection. Good narration.

Finally!

Photo Credit: Jill Rock

 Have wanted to paint my nails for years, so, when a friend offered to assist a while back, I finally did. Really like the way they came out. Don't know if I'll ever do them again, but at least I can put a check mark on the list.

My Boy!

 

Photo Credit: Jill Rock

Took these recently. Love how he looks like he's contemplating the mysteries of the universe in one, and telling me to fuck off in the other. He's always felt things so deep. :-)

Beautiful!

 Photo Credit: Jill Rock

Took these from my bedroom window early in the morning a while back. Love how they came out.

These Summer Storms

These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

No doubt this is going to be one of my favorites of the year, if not all time. Funny, raw, real. Kind of absolutely perfect. Unforgettable. Goes without saying that narration is flawless.

After Dark

After Dark by Minka Kent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Will catch you from the very beginning, and keep you positively gripped until the end, when everything falls apart. I understand an antagonist not getting full comeuppance happens sometimes, but this is ridiculous. Absolutely no consequences for anything that happens. What a disappointment. Great performances.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "I tell everything, then go home and suffer."
-Mary (From The Musical Merrily We Roll Along)

Grateful: My Long, Strange Trip...to the WWE Hall of Fame

Grateful: My Long, Strange Trip...to the WWE Hall of Fame by Eric Bischoff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Saw this in my Audible recommendations, and figured I would check it out. A decent listen, but everything has a rose tint to it, if you know what I mean. Enjoyable overall, with a few nuggets I hadn't heard. Decent narration.

Let The Dead Sleep

Let the Dead Sleep by Michael Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Great mystery/thriller that kept me guessing. An awesome performance only enhances enjoyment.

Beautiful Bloom!

 Photo Credit: Latisha Todman

 Christmas cactus bloomed recently, and thought I would share. So pretty. So vibrant.

The First to Die at the End

The First to Die at the End by Adam Silvera
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Didn't get me as much as the first one, but still an emotional listen. Uneven narration.

In Five Years

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unspeakably beautiful; almost painfully so. This book found its way to me exactly when I needed it. It will live with me forever. Perfect. Good narration.

September 22, 2022: As perfect as the first reading.

March 2, 2026: Been a while since I listened to this beautiful book, and the impact is always the same. Just absolutely beautiful, and life affirming.

Still Life 2

My thoughts, after completing a second playthrough. Being completely honest, there isn't much redeemable here. Constant unnecessary backtracking, inexcusably horrible voice acting, absurdly nonsensical, unnecessarily difficult puzzles, and an unsatisfying ending. Funnily enough, those things also provide a fair bit of humor, and some genuinely laugh out loud moments along the way. Is that enough to waste your time? Definitely not. Steer clear of this one.