#wrongplacewrongtime #gillianmcallister #lesleysharp #thesepreciousdays #annpatchett
A lot could be said about my August selections. These are the things that immediately come to mind. First of all, I’m sure my followers who are far more tech savvy than I realize that ChatGPT designed my graphic this month. For my book selections, I unrepentantly chose a chaotic look at time travel. Some of you may recall my near miss last month with a book I thought was time travel. Well, this month I got it right and all I can say is that worn out statement, “be careful what you wish for.” Book two is me trying to redeem myself for succumbing to the time travel temptation and also for allowing myself to be overcome by life to the extent that I only have two books to recommend for August. We’ll blame it on the heat! From time to time I like to review a book of short stories or essays, and since I found one by a favorite author serving as her own narrator, I’m offering it to those who occasionally need a short listen. I loved it and hope all of you will as well.
By Gillian McAllister
Narrated by Lesley Sharp
Have you ever made the statement “If I could do that over…”? What if there was a tragic, life-changing event in your life, and suddenly you find yourself propelled backward a day at a time, then months, then years. What if you are able to make decisions and changes that will alter that tragic outcome? Would you do it? Could you do it? Or would you merely act as an observer and let things progress toward the original outcome. That is a decision Gillian McAllister’s bewildered protagonist Jen must make in a book that may or may not change your mind about what things you would change if you could go back in time. Whatever you are thinking at this point, I’m telling you … don’t blink or you may miss one of the hints or twists or things that go bump in the night the author throws at you in Wrong Place Wrong Time. I’m also telling you to pay close attention to details or you could miss a turn as you race to keep up with the storyline. My only spoiler is that I had to listen to the last few minutes a second time to make sure I heard what I thought I heard! This book may change your answer to “If I could do that over…”. Narrator Lesley Sharp does an excellent job of keeping up with the characters and their accents, and I’m temporarily cured of any desire for books involving time travel.
Written and Narrated by Ann Patchett
Do you ever wonder when you’re reading or listening where a favorite author finds inspiration for his or her storylines? I do. Do you ask yourself if the author just made it up, or if that scene that breaks your heart is based on a memory from the author’s past? Do you wonder if those characters are real people or people the author imagined? If you ever ask yourself any of those questions then These Precious Days by Ann Patchett will likely give you some insight as you read or listen to the author’s voice. Occasionally I like to review a book of short stories or essays for those of you who have issues with the time commitment of a full length book. Maybe you don’t like getting involved with a storyline that you can’t finish in a timely manner. Yes … I’m guilty of neglecting to finish a book quickly and having to go back and refresh myself a bit before continuing. These Precious Days is more than a collection of short stories or essays. It is a look into the heart of this author who has written so many compelling books with characters that stay with you long after the last lines of her work are spoken or read. I think you will find yourself not only having a clearer vision of the author, but you will be able to imagine how her stories found her and how her characters were born out of the life she has lived. Read this book, or better still, listen to this book. Yes, Ms. Patchett has had luminaries such as Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks narrate her books, but she is an exceptional narrator of her own work, and you will come to know her better as she performs for you.
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