SYNC - Free Audiobooks for Summer 2013

[tubemonkey]

Week 5 -- exp 03 Jul

• Rotters -- download here -- US & Canada only
• Frankenstein -- download here -- no restrictions

Rotters by Daniel Kraus -- narrated by Kirby Heyborne -- unabridged (16.4 hrs)

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2012 Odyssey Award Winner

His mother’s untimely death forces 16-year-old Joey Crouch to travel from Chicago to a small town in Iowa to live with Harnett, the father he has never known. Incessantly bullied by teachers and students, Joey discovers the awful truth behind the foul odor that permeates the shack he shares with Harnett. Far from being the “Garbage Man’s” son, as his classmates believe, Joey learns that he is heir to the ancient tradition of grave robbing. Kirby Heyborne expertly plumbs the depths of Joey’s despair and growing fascination with the grotesque trappings of his new occupation. As Heyborne relentlessly draws the listener into the ghastly details of the grave, he creates distinctive, bone-chilling voices for Harnett, the evil Boggs, and the community of diggers in this shocking YA novel. -- AudioFile Magazine

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley -- narrated by Jim Weiss -- unabridged (10.0 hrs)

“Jim Weiss, noted for his spirited, thoughtful storytelling for children, tries something different with this very adult classic. He does it well. Though initially his reading seems affected, caricaturing rather than characterizing, the listener is quietly swept up, especially after Dr. Frankenstein creates his monster. From that point on, Weiss reads with a slight European accent that adds to the novel’s gothic tone and makes the story even more moving.” -- AudioFile Magazine

[tubemonkey]

Week 6 -- exp 10 Jul

• Carter Finally Gets It -- download here -- no restrictions
• She Stoops to Conquer -- download here -- no restrictions

Carter Finally Gets It by Brent Crawford -- narrated by Nick Podehl -- unabridged (8.4 hrs)

Meet Will Carter, but feel free to call him Carter. (Yes, he knows it’s a lazy nickname, but he didn’t have much say in the matter.) Here are five things you should know about him:

1. He has a stuttering problem, particularly around boobs and belly buttons.
2. He battles Attention Deficit Disorder every minute of every day…unless he gets distracted.
3. He’s a virgin, mostly because he’s no good at talking to girls (see number 1).
4. He’s about to start high school.
5. He’s totally not ready.

Join Carter for his freshman year, where he’ll search for sex, love, and acceptance anywhere he can find it. In the process, he’ll almost kill a trombone player, face off with his greatest nemesis, suffer a lot of blood loss, narrowly escape death, run from the cops (not once, but twice), get caught up in a messy love triangle, meet his match in the form of a curvy drill teamer, and surprise the hell out of everyone, including himself.

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith -- narrated by LA Theatre Works -- dramatized (1.9 hrs)

Love, lies, and dysfunctional families. Sound like your last family gathering? Try this one on for laughs. Two randy young gents, Charles and George, set out to woo the alluring and upper-crust Kate and Constance. But inexperienced Charles is shy and clumsy around upper-class ladies, so it s the barmaid who catches his eye. But is she really who she seems? Bawdy high-jinx, popped pretensions, and good dirty fun are the hallmarks of this romping frolic that s kept audiences laughing for over two centuries.

[tubemonkey]

Week 7 -- exp 17 Jul

• The Peculiar -- download here -- no restrictions
• Oliver Twist -- download here -- no restrictions

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann -- narrated by Peter Altschuler -- unabridged (7.6 hrs)

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

“The door between the human and faery worlds has been closed since the end of the Smiling War in Victorian England. The surviving humans and faeries are living in a precarious peace when children—changeling children—begin to go missing. A thrilling tale of mystery and suspense, Stefan Bachmann’s debut novel is populated by memorably named characters and punctuated by descriptive and playful language, all of which are wonderfully captured by the deft narration of Peter Altschuler. A theatrical delight, Altschuler employs a variety of British accents and is meticulous in his pacing, flawlessly heightening the tension at times, while slowing down to consider a character’s internal debates. Most notably, villains become more sinister with Altschuler’s cringe-worthy delivery. Recommended for family road trips.”

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens -- narrated by Simon Vance -- unabridged (16.1 hrs)

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award

“You see the book’s title, and you make certain assumptions. It’s a classic. It’s uniquely English. And it will capture (or recapture) your imagination as only great books can. If you’ve never read it, let this version be your introduction. If you’ve already experienced it in print, then indulge yourself in a terrific audio experience. From the very start, narrator Simon Vance raises a banner that announces a once-in-a-lifetime performance that exquisitely matches narrator and text.”

[koland]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Week 7 -- exp 17 Jul

• The Peculiar -- download here -- no restrictions
• Oliver Twist -- download here -- no restrictions

The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann -- narrated by Peter Altschuler -- unabridged (7.6 hrs)

Anyone manage to get part 5 of this one to download? I keep getting an error msg on it.

[sqdancer]

Originally Posted by koland

Anyone manage to get part 5 of this one to download? I keep getting an error msg on it.

Seems to have worked for me. I downloaded it earlier this evening and it seems to be playing okay.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by koland

Anyone manage to get part 5 of this one to download? I keep getting an error msg on it.

I got all parts on the initial download.

[koland]

Thanks for checking ... after four tries, I finally got part 5. Don't know what the issue was, or why that one part only kept failing.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by koland

Thanks for checking ... after four tries, I finally got part 5. Don't know what the issue was, or why that one part only kept failing.

Weird; but glad you finally got it.

[tubemonkey]

Week 8 -- exp 24 Jul

• Grave Mercy -- download here -- US & Canada only
• Hamlet -- download here -- no restrictions

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers -- narrated by Erin Moon -- unabridged (14.2 hrs)

In this medieval fantasy, Ismae is marked by a blood-red stain, which predicates that father sell her nuptials as if she were a prized pig. But her wedding night reveals that she’s been chosen by Mortain, god of death, to be his vengeful assassin. Narrator Erin Moon ably handles this twisty tale of intrigue. She smoothly delivers French pronunciations and medieval vocabulary as she describes Ismae’s convent training and life at Brittany court. While Moon misses a few aural cues, she manages multiple voices superbly. Overall, she elevates the story with her warm and tender portrayal of a young woman who must understand her role as a spy, avenger, and lover.

Hamlet by William Shakespeare -- narrated by LA Theatre Works -- dramatized (3.2 hrs)

This American-accented HAMLET is a churning, turbulent production with many fine moments resulting from its fast pace. This energy may inevitably lead to a few missed opportunities for quiet and meditation (or for the listener to have a respite), but the overall effect is satisfying. The greatest range is shown by Emily Swallow as Ophelia. Stacy Keach is also excellent—imposing, chilling, and nuanced as the ghost. Josh Stamberg plays Hamlet as tormented and confrontational. One of his finest touches enhances the outset of the recorder scene with restraint and calm. Listeners who follow along with a text of the play will best keep up with the rapid pace.

[gbermor]

I haven't been able to downlaod Grave Mercy, I keep getting a 404 error message. Was anybody able to download it?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by gbermor

I haven't been able to downlaod Grave Mercy, I keep getting a 404 error message. Was anybody able to download it?

It's only available in the US and Canada. You're in Puerto Rico, so it looks like it's blocking US possessions. I had no trouble getting it; but then, I'm in Seattle.

[koland]

Likely a quick trip to a US IP would fix the download issue.

[gbermor]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

It's only available in the US and Canada. You're in Puerto Rico, so it looks like it's blocking US possessions. I had no trouble getting it; but then, I'm in Seattle.

I've been able to download all their other books and I downloaded Hamlet without problems. So don't understand why not Grave Mercy. What frustrates me is that this is the books I was most looking forward to "reading". Oh well...

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by gbermor

I've been able to download all their other books and I downloaded Hamlet without problems. So don't understand why not Grave Mercy. What frustrates me is that this is the books I was most looking forward to "reading". Oh well...

Were you able to download - Of Poseidon, Bless Me Ultima, Rotters? Those were also georestricted.

[gbermor]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Were you able to download - Of Poseidon, Bless Me Ultima, Rotters? Those were also georestricted.

Those didn't interest me so I didn't try. I should have said I had no problem downloading some of the previous books. However this is the first time I've encountered georestrictions and it's safe to say I don't like it! I bought and read Grave Mercy last year and enjoyed it, guess I'll just reread it.