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.

We Used to Live Here

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Holy sh*t! What a ride! Took a while to catch me, but didn't let go once it did. Talk about unexpected twists. Won't soon forget it, and hope a sequel is in the works. Good performances.

View all my reviews

The Ravine: A Novel

The Ravine: A Novel by Maia Chance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Incredibly creepy. Really like the supernatural element. Think I will check out more books by this author. Good narration.

Something Like Daybreak

Something Like Daybreak by Jay Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Don't think I'll ever be able to find words to express what I'm feeling writing this, One of the most beautiful books I will ever read/listen to. I went through every emotion within 51 minutes. My god. To be reunited with these characters is an incredible gift. Thank you, Jay Bell. Great narration.

Happy Birthday To The Greatest Star!

Happy 84th birthday, Barbra! Timeless in beauty, class, and talent. A constant inspiration, and a once-in-a-lifetime queen.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "You can't sideline a long time for a good time."

-Latisha Todman

11!

Photo Credit: Jill Rock

 Can't believe it has been eleven years since Oliver came home to stay. I met him the day before, but the lady  I got him from took him back to give him a bath, and make him a little more presentable. Remember being so excited that night I don't think I slept at all. It's been an incredible eleven years, and I wouldn't change one thing. Couldn't ask for a sweeter, more loyal best friend. Here's to many many more years.

Makes Perfect Sense To Me…

 

The Death and Life of Dominick Davidner (Middle Falls Time Travel, #3)

The Death and Life of Dominick Davidner by Shawn Inmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one got me right in the heart. I want a love like this. Unforgettable. Good narration.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "When love is the answer, it doesn't matter what the question was."
-Carrie (From The Book The Death And Life Of Dominick Davidner)

The Redemption of Michael Hollister (Middle Falls Time Travel, #2)

The Redemption of Michael Hollister by Shawn Inmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What to say about this book? If I'm being honest, I was nervous to see how Michael would be redeemed, and hoped it was in believable fashion. Happy to report it is, and that this book, and series as a whole thus far, is going to stay with me for a long time. So grateful that I found this author, and cannot wait to continue this amazing journey. Good narration.

Woman Down

Woman Down by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Quite the mixed bag this one. Absolutely love the mystery in the beginning, and the end wraps everything up satisfyingly. My problem is the middle. Way too much sex for my taste. I know I'm not the target audience, but it bordered on gratuitous. Even excusing that, I don't like an indecisive, weak main character. Something just didn't completely click for me. Great narration.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "Grace does not require amnesia."

-Savannah Chrisley

Quote Of The Moment…

 "I don't dabble, I dominate."

-Anita to Anastasia

A Play For Love

A Play for Love by Trilina Pucci
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was just okay. Had some cute moments, but felt kind of forced. Good performances.

Second Act Romance

Second Act Romance by Julie Soto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love any story with musicals as a backdrop. Sweet, funny, and fluffy. Nothing revolutionary, but definitely enjoyable. Good performances.

Time Will Tell

Time Will Tell by Hannah Bonam-Young
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Adorable, sweet, and all other sticky words. Surprisingly poignant as well. Actually got a little emotional with the way everything wrapped up. Fabulous performances.

Quote Of The Moment…

 "No one is illegal on stolen land."
-Billie Eilish

Fake News…

Quote Of The Moment…

 "Love is why grief exists."

-Unknown

Accidentally Yours

Accidentally Yours by Christina Lauren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Predictably adorable. Smiled quite a few times while listening. Good performances.

Dark Matter

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wish I could give it ten stars. Am quite sure this is going to be one of, if not my favorite audiobook of the year. Definitely going to stay with me. Perfect performance.