Blog Archives

Episode 95; Uncommon Type, Review

30/1/2018

Tom Hanks has one of the most recognisable faces in the world, as well as one of the best known voices a fact that this audiobook of his short stories takes advantage of in the best way possible.

Uncommon Type 'Some Stories' is a book of 17 short stories penned by Hanks himself. The stories themselves look at characters as they explore themselves and the world around them. This makes for an interesting listen as we get to glimpse at the wonders of normality.

My biggest disappointment with the book is not getting a profanity message directed at me ala Graham Norton. Otherwise I enjoyed my time with Uncommon Type.

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Audiobook Details

Some Stories
By: Tom Hanks
Narrated by: Tom Hanks
Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
Unabridged
Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

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Episode 94; How to Build a Universe, Review

30/1/2018

How to Build a Universe An Infinite Monkey Cage Adventure, to give it its full name is part book companion to the Infinite Monkey Podcast, part science book and part chance for Robin Ince, Profeesor Brian Cox and Alexandra Feachem to have fun and entertain the listener.

In these three areas the book is a success. You may not be able to build a universe on the books completion but you will have more of a insight on the theory of its creation.

Read with humour by the three writers this is a great listen and well worth your time. I just wish it was longer (I'm greedy that way).

how_to_build_a_universe_review.mp3
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Audiobook Details

By: Prof. Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Alexandra Feachem
Narrated by: Prof. Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Alexandra Feachem,Eric Idle - foreword
Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 19-10-17
Language: English
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 93; The Sacrifice Box, Review

30/1/2018

Rules are generally created for a reason and for September Hope Rules mean more to him than most. The reason for this is one summer spent with his 'friends' and the discovery they make.

Told within 3 well defined time periods writer Martin Stewart sets about creating believable characters with a strong sense of themselves. Some are likeable and some are not the key is each has a hook that you can not ignore.

The narration by Christos Lawton helps to round off this rather fine production.

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Audiobook Details

By: Martin Stewart
Narrated by: Christos Lawton
Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 25-01-18
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

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Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 92; Desert Oath, Review

29/1/2018

The prequel to Assassin's Creed Origin is a look at the early life of Bayek of Siwa. You do not need to have played the game to appreciate this tale of a young man coming to terms with his destiny but it acts as a nice follow on to the story

Oliver Bowden again is able to draw the narrative from the digital world to the page with aplomb. Mixed with the subtle but intriguing narration from John Banks and you have a combination that can easily dip a hand into your pocket.

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Audiobook Details

By: Oliver Bowden
Narrated by: John Banks
Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 23-11-17
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audiobooks

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 91; The New American Revolution, review

24/1/2018

Kayleigh McEnany spent most of 2016 declaring on TV that Donald Trump could become President of the United States. In The New American Revolution McEnany travels through some of the major decision points as she saw them in getting a change at the White House.

She does this in an interesting fashion by seeking out real people who were affected by issues that the candidates either offered solutions to or failed to recognise.

While the book makes good points it is not for all but the message between the lines is an interesting one that if you ignore your electorate for long enough they will bring you down.

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Audiobook Details

By: Kayleigh McEnany, Sean Hannity - foreword
Narrated by: Kayleigh McEnany
Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 09-01-18
Language: English
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
Site - @BackwardsCom

Episode 90; The Innocent Wife, Review

19/1/2018

The allure of a death row inmate is too much for one South west of England teacher to bare as she sets about helping to exonerate the him from his sentence.

Sam is a complex character who provides our point of view for the story. Her unease is palpable especially due to the narration of Christina Cole. Her vocal performance of Sam especially is very strong especially in her more vunerable moments.

Overall this book has a lot pull though it may not appeal to all.

the_innocent_wifereview.mp3
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Audiobook Details

By: Amy Lloyd
Narrated by: Christina Cole, Lorelei King
Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 28-12-17
Language: English
Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 89; Endurance, Review

17/1/2018

For many Ernest Shackleton was one of the best explorers of his time however it is perhaps his biggest failure that lead to him achieving immortality.

Endurance; Shackleton's Incredible Journey, tells the story of man versus the elements in such a way that if it was fiction you would say it was too far fetched to be believable. However thanks to first accounts (in the form of diaries and letters etc) Alfred Lansing has manged to create a narrative that is sure to shock without ever feeling sensationalised.

This is a must listen to book for anyone interested in adventure but more importantly the strength of the human condition.

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Audiobook Details

By: Alfred Lansing
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 04-24-08
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 88; Games with the Dead, Review

17/1/2018

Games with the Dead: A PC Donal Lynch Thriller

Following the life and cases of PC Donal Lynch, writer James Nally has created a complex character who has an unusual 'power' of being bale to receive messages from those who have recently passed away. This is obviously a benefit to a Police Officer but it can also be a huge burden to carry.

Games with the Dead is the thrid book in this series but easily accessible to new listeners.

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Audiobook Details

Written by: James Nally
Narrated by: Aidan Kelly
Length: 10 hrs and 30 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:28/12/2017
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
Site - @BackwardsCom

Episode 87; The Butchering Art, Review

16/1/2018

The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine, to give it its full tittle is a look at the life and achievements of Joseph Lister.

At a time when surgery was a gamble thanks to poor hygiene standards Lister transformed the surgical approach from a squalid affair to one that actively promoted the cleanliness we are accustomed to today.

The book itself does a great job in giving Lister context allowing for quite a few anecdotes which help to give the listening experience a greater depth.

the_butchering_art_review.mp3
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Audiobook Details

Written by: Lindsey Fitzharris
Narrated by: Sam Woolf
Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:17/10/2017
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
Site - @BackwardsCom

Episode 86; The Chalk Man, Review

11/1/2018

C.J. Tudor is a name you may not have heard of before but after listening to The Chalk Man its one that you certainly but into your database.

The story covers 2 time periods and explores the events surrounding the discovery of a body in the woods by Ed and his group of friends.

The meat of the book however is a look at Ed's character and the way he has changed in 30 years, including his relationship with his gang.

The dual narration is first class with both narrators taking on a Ed from a different age, both adding something different to his voice while keeping true to the character.

the_chalk_man_review.mp3
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Audiobook Details

Release Date:11/01/2018
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Written by: C J Tudor
Narrated by: Andrew Scott, Asa Butterfield
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
Unabridged Audiobook

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
Site - @BackwardsCom

Episode 85; Moon Over Soho: PC Peter Grant, Book 2, Review

11/1/2018

It's been a while but it's time for a review of the second book of the Peter Grant series. This time Peter becomes embroiled in a music related crime with magical overtones.

The mixture of a recognisable world mixed with magic make this a relatable story but one still able to shock with ease.

The team up of Ben Aaronovitch and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is a match made with a type of narrative magic.

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Written by: Ben Aaronovitch
Narrated by: Kobna Holdbrook-Smith
Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
Series: Peter Grant, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:18/07/2011
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group Limited

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Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 84; 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers, Review

10/1/2018

An intriguing look at the early response of the US Special Forces in Afghanistan after the events of 9/11. Filled with detailed accounts of conflicts this book has high drama due to the fact is deals with real life. However there is another side to the book which is slower and shows the other side of the Special Forces, their desire to connect with the people of Afghanistan.

A strong story that at times be full throttle while at others the exact opposite. This is due to the desire for Doug Stanton to retell the story the best way he can and real life does have peaks of troughs. Altogether though a strong story.

12_strong_review.mp3
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Audiobook Details

Written by: Doug Stanton
Narrated by: Jack Garrett
Length: 16 hrs and 40 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07/12/2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 83; Batman: Nightwalker: DC Icons, Book 2, Review

9/1/2018

A young Bruce Wayne is put into a precarious position akin to the most famous Starling of all time in this new entry into the DC Icons series. Setting the scene in a pre-Batman world Marie Lu has put together an intriguing look at the young Master Wayne and given him a complex tale to try to resolve.

The narration by Will Damron helps to give the depth to the story in needs especially in the "prison" scenes.

Overall this is an exciting entry into the DC Icons series and well worth a listen.

batman_nightwalker_review.mp3
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Audiobook Details

Written by: Marie Lu
Narrated by: Will Damron
Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04/01/2018
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
Site - @BackwardsCom

Episode 82; Murder on the Orient Express, Review

9/1/2018

A classic crime novel from one of the greatest writers in the genre read by one of the best thespians of the modern era, what could possibly go wrong? In all honesty not much as Branagh brings the complex story to life in a superb performance.

This is a magnificent story in its construction and even though I knew the reveal it still had me on a knife edge waiting for our sleuth Poirot to reveal how he came to his conclusion.

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Audiobook Details

Release Date:19/10/2017
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Written by: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Kenneth Branagh
Length: 6 hrs and 12 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 81; The Unexpected Truth About Animals, Review

9/1/2018

Forget what you thought you know as Lucy Cooke becomes a zoological Morpheus and takes us on an unexpected journey through into the world of 13 animals ranging from Penguins to Hippos.

The book does an excellent job in explaining how our beliefs have become established and why they are fundamentally ridiculous. Expect to take a new look at the "sex shy" Panda and the feminist Hyena.

The narration by Lucy Cooke gives the book a perfect finish as she is vibrant and her obvious knowledge flows through her performance.

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Audiobook Details

Written by: Lucy Cooke
Narrated by: Lucy Cooke
Length: 10 hrs and 28 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:30/11/2017
Publisher: Random House Audiobooks

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 80; Fire and Fury, Review

8/1/2018

Publicity can be one of the most difficult barriers to getting a book in to the hands of the public. Though Michael Wolff may have inadvertently found a way to become a best seller. Write about a man with a huge Twitter following in such a way that he publicly denounces your book before it is even released.

Fire and Fury in itself is a look at the inner workings of the American Government in 2017 and most of all President Donald Trump.

Within the review I look at the book as its own entity as well as the information it contains.

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Audiobook Details

Release Date:05/01/2018
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Written by: Michael Wolff
Narrated by: Michael Wolff, Holter Graham
Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 79; HALO: Legacy of Onyx, Review

3/1/2018

Taking a look at the other side of war, Legacy of Onyx focuses on the plight of Molly Patel a survivor of a strike against her home planet that costs her everything. However instead of being a survival story in terms of conflict Matt Forbeck concentrates on the need to rebuild life and live with the consequences of armistice.

The civilian focused tale is however not short of conflict as the remnants of the Covenant are still out there ready to put a spanner in the works of peace.

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Audiobook Details

Written by: Matt Forbeck
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
Series: Halo (Dietz)
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:14/11/2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio / Halo Books

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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Episode 78; Parental Discretion Is Advised, Review

3/1/2018

Parental Discretion Is Advised: The Rise of NWA and the Dawn of Gangsta Rap

In terms of cultural phenomenon the rise of Gansta Rap in the 1990's was very hard to ignore. At the precipice of the rise were the members of NWA. In this revealing account Gerrick D Kennedy explores the lives of each of the collective as in terms of pre, during and post their affiliation with the band.

The book shines a light on the creative differences involved as well as the opposition to the groups work. Mostly however it is a look into the very essence of making your voice heard.

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Audiobook Details

Release Date:05/12/2017
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Written by: Gerrick D. Kennedy
Narrated by: Guy Lockard
Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

If you would like to connect with Paul please don't hesitate to reach out on twitter on the following handles

Paul - @wellbeingosteo
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