jenbsbooks's reviews
2129 reviews

 I was almost 10 years old when Mount St. Helens erupted. I remember hearing a bit about it ... I'd been born in Washington, but had moved when I was just two years old (still, the folks had some connection). I hadn't read any of the "I Survived" books before, but picked up a bunch for the my Little Free Library, and figured I'd give one a read.

Glancing at the reviews, I think the top one by Shelia says it all ... I like historical fiction as it's often a more interesting way to learn about things, within a story, and while I always take information with a grain of salt, and try to learn more and verify things to know what is true (I really appreciate when author's tell us exactly what is fact and what they made up in author's notes). Here ... if felt wrong to suggest that the kids could have survived with just burns, simply pulling shirts over their face to breathe through the ash, were there helicopters flying looking for survivors right after? (did the author has some factual research of some people actually surviving that way that close/within 8 miles? Seems like that would have been mentioned in the author's notes. I would be very interested in knowing more about any real life survival stories) ... it just seems to defeat the purpose of "teaching" about the event to provide inaccurate information as such a key point. I feel like I learned a little, but more about volcanos in general than THIS eruption.

This was a quick and easy read. It's definitely aimed at the younger audience ... my 10 year old self probably would have really liked it more than I did (although I read a lot of YA), and thought less critically about it. The writing was very simple, basic - short chapters ending on mini-cliffhangers (which is good to keep a reluctant reader engaged). I felt like the Skeleton Woman legend was odd, didn't really fit (distracted) ... I guess there needed to be some reason for the kids to go up (and go up again).

So ... eh ... I wonder if the others are more researched and factual. I peeked at the "Further reading and learning" and put one of the books on hold. Might have to check out some articles to learn more.

Ironically - I thought I'd grab one of the "I Survived ..." series in part for a quick change between books, a male narrator (as my before and after were female MCs/narrators) ... of course I grabbed the one that had a girl MC for the first time (I didn't really look, just grabbed this...). 

For those who need to know ... YES, the dog dies. This is set up as a mystery to find out who killed the dog, but it ends up uncovering a lot more.

As with many of my books of late, I had this in all three formats ... physical book, Kindle and audio. I went primary with audio, which was good, but looking at the text, there are things there that don't translate to audio. I didn't really miss all the illustrations in audio, but there are a LOT. Also some different ways the text is presented. Super short chapters, and because our MC is autistic and he is writing this book, he decides instead of simple chronological chapters to only use prime numbers (so that chapters run from 2-233). These little chapters are listed in the audiobook ... but there's really no chapter breakdown in the TOC in Kindle (which makes it hard to find my spot when moving between formats, have to flip through a lot). No TOC at all in the physical copy. 

Right off, the "voice" is different. The slightly stilted, absolutely factual and direct reflection. I've read another book (The Eagle Tree) from the mind of an autistic child, and this reminded me of that. In "regular" writing, I'd get annoyed with the constant "he said" "she said" but here, I know that's just the way Christopher thinks. He isn't flowery, using a thesaurus to change up the "said" to other options (commented, replied, cried, shouted, answered, announced, etc...) nor to use simple dialog without listing the speaker. Simple/straight-forward presentation. 

One might do a quick double-check ... the author of this book isn't named Christopher, right? No, this is a novel, and while nothing at all paranormal, it's just that little bit beyond completely realistic to have it be "real" ...

In the book, there were some notations - in kindle, a click will take us to a back page where a footnote explanation is given. In the physical book, these footnotes are just at the bottom of the page. In audio, they are just given immediately (a pause, an aside, and  back to the story). I do prefer the audio presentation and think most of these could have (should have?) just been included in parenthesis in the text (I don't like to have to stop and check the footnote). I do agree with though, that the math proof should simply be referenced and included in the back in the appendix IF the reader does want to check it out (but not included there in the text). 

I enjoyed the story - the mystery that starts about who killed the dog, and ends up unraveling SO much more. The unique voice was an interesting change and will make this memorable. There weren't any discussion questions included IN the book, but a Google search brought up several study guides, which I always appreciate, as they often make me delve a little deeper or think about things I might not have with just a quick read on my own.

While YA, there was a bit of proFanity (x28) and some simple talk of sex (nothing explicit/descriptive ... remember our narrator. Straight-forward).  First person. Past tense.

Coming here to write my review and The Library Extension pops up with the audio in Hoopla! I could have listened to this rather than reading it with my eyes (I have so much more ear time than eye time!) Oh well. I made more notes and highlights reading it myself, although I don't have my usual access (having borrowed on KU, and my KU expired but I still have the book as long as I don't close it on my Kindle, but I usually work from my computer screen, cut&paste portions from the KindleNotes). 

Other than a HUGE change at the beginning of the book, much of this still happened very traditionally. Mr. Bennett comes of very badly in this book (not the first time). Having inherited a fortune, but keeping it to himself, leaving the ladies to worry what would happen to them upon his death. And then, what a funny joke. Jane and Elizabeth appreciate the wealth, but not how their father handled it. They actually own Netherfield, and her father's agent was the one who leased it to Bingley. There's a house in London and a cottage by the sea.  The girls don't flaunt their newfound wealth (Darcy is slow to learn of it) but word does get out.

I was really enjoying this. Seeing Jane as so strong, and making changes that improved everyone, even Elizabeth. Marked change in Mrs. Bennett as well. Lydia is still Lydia (a little improved but still ...)  I think that was part of the problem with the ending ... it felt too familiar to one I read recently [book:Faults of Understanding: A Pride and Prejudice Variation|58349721]. When it devolves into attempted murder and an action ending ... you lose me a little.

Reading this myself, there were many of the British spellings (connexions, manoeuvre, fibre, practising, neighbourhood, analysing, recognised) ... I recall the "Author's Note" (not this author, can't remember who) that went viral, gently reminding readers that American ways/spellings are NOT world-wide (and gave a bunch of Zzzzzzzzzzz to appease the reader from the start). Other words I note: roiling, careening, rifling (kind of thought it would have been riffling, through piano music, rifling is more violent). Other less common words: supercilious, vociferated, panegyric, indubitably, celerity, remonstrating, obsequious ...

I found some typos and errors (which I figure I wouldn't have noticed in audio, I'm assuming the narrator would catch them?) "In additional to the lessons ..." should it just be "in addition to the lessons?  Elizabeth challenge Kitty and Lydia (should be challengED), has when it should be was (I just checked the audio here, the narrator caught and corrected that one) ... also at one point it said the SIX DAUGHTERS ... later, the six Bennett ladies, which is fine to include mama, but the earlier one is wrong (and still stated in the narration). 

Highlights -
It is best to begin as you mean to go on.
Wishes are rather worthless, are they not?
What was the lady thinking, not producing a son?
"I will not be contradicted!"
A handsome face and charming manners do not always a good man make.

"allow his wife to ramble about the estate to her heart's content, indulging in frivolity and fun, reading novels..."

She could not have appeared more stricken if I had slapped her right across the face.
*** sometimes men think "I don't hit women" but words/actions can feel the same :(

"more trivial possessions such as his books" -- Elizabeth flinched at such treasured objects being so slandered. 

She released the breath she was not aware she had been holding.
Forcing a calm she did not feel, Elizabeth took a measured breath.
It was a dream she had not even known she had dreamt ...


Mr. Bennet ....
"he had been kind and indulgent to her, but only so far as her interests aligned with his"
"a man who has not a care for his wife's feelings and can treat her greatest worries and fears as a joke"

I really liked this. It's one I'd feel comfortable recommending, there were some things to think about. Some things for ME to think about (might need to "private notes" some thoughts) even though it appears to be just a light beach read romance.

I'd snagged a physical copy somewhere (thrift store, LFL?) and got the audio and Kindle copy from the library. It is a popular, new release, so I did have a bit of a wait. I went almost exclusively with audio (narrator was great, matched perfectly), but I like having the text on hand. I did stop and highlight a couple things ("He keeps trying to lick my elbow."  ... that is SUCH a BlackhamBoy thing but I hadn't ever heard it happening anywhere outside of our house!)  There were more things I would have highlighted/made notes, it's just not always possible to stop while listening and find my spot in the text. There was an Author's Note - and the AUTHOR stepped in to voice that. I ♥ that, it makes it SO much more personal! Glad to have the text copies (physical/Kindle) because they had a Q&A with the author, and discussion questions that weren't in audio. I always appreciate little things that make me stop and think and delve a little deeper. 

Lots of DOG moments - lots of MOM moments. Her conversations with her mother reminded me a little of [book:North of Happy|27391973] ... "talking" to one who has passed away. Our MC is a professional organizer (a little reminiscent of [book:Snap Out of It|62000011] ... and a couple of things made me remember reading  [book:Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff|35540769] - the "pick 10 books to keep, sort into four piles ..." 

This had that ... supposed to be helpful and inspiring, but kindof just makes me feel worse about myself, moments ... that's a personal problem and I still enjoyed the book even with connecting to the worst parts, without the positives. 

No proFanity. Some sex, but pretty much closed door. 



I remember really enjoying Nora Goes of Script, I couldn't remember if I'd read Same Time Next Summer (I had, same time last summer ... liked it, but wrote in my review "I'm not sure I'll remember this ...).

I liked this a lot ... I'm so used to all the mystery/thrillers being about murder, I appreciated this one featuring a theft instead. This is one I put on hold after hearing some rave reviews. I didn't really even read the blurb to know what it was about. Lots dealing with racism here. This whole has as much about black issues as it does about music. It also had a slight similarity to The Queen's Gambit for me. Just the young prodigy, facing the odds, all the buzz about them, ending up going against a Russian master. 

I had this in all three formats; Physical, Audio and Kindle. I went primarily with the Kindle. The narration was very good. Happy to have the Table of Contents match between the audio and Kindle copy. As with many/most physical books, the TOC is lacking there. For me, I like seeing the TOC, it can help me compartmentalize the book. I can see right off that there are seven parts, with multiple (continuing chronological) chapters in each. That the first section has Day 1/Day2/Day3-4/Day17 ... of the violin being missing. Then the next parts do NOT show that, because they shift back in time, each part/chapter with it's own heading. We don't get back to the present "Days" until Part 5/Chapter 25 (really, the chapter before/24 is "Theft" which reflects on the day of again). I marked this as a "two timeline" book, as we have the present, and the past (the past covers years). It was an interesting reflection and build up to the present day. 

There were author's notes (included in all formats) and discussion questions - only in the Kindle edition. 

Third person/past tense (with a bit of "future tense" here and there). 

I don't believe we are given a specific date for the "present" ... but it's contemporary. Sad that racial profiling and such is still such a problem. I just read [book:All American Boys|25657130] recently, showcased in that book as well. Sad to hear in the author's notes that those were based on real life experiences. 

I'm not sure it was ever addressed HOW Ray became so proficient ... I know there are prodigies, but can one LEARN to read music in school orchestra? I never participated in it myself (piano my only instrument) but I thought it orchestra brought together kids who already know the basics (and how else but from private lessons, which Ray never had). In The Queen's Gambit, we see how the young chess prodigy learns there. I would have liked to know more about how Ray picked things up at the beginning. His family life situation was so sad ... his mother only wanting him for what he could provide for the family (would rather he work at Popeyes than attend college on a full scholarship), and how the whole family just assumed that the windfall from selling the violin would be split amongst them ("we'll even split it seven ways, so you get your own portion and not share with your momma") Really? And the white family that just stepped in and wants "their" violin back. 

There were really two mysteries going on ... the theft of the violin in the present, and the rightful ownership of the violin.

I appreciated the music throughout - in audio, some music playing between chapters. Lots of music/instrument talk within. 

I wasn't overly surprised at the reveal ... which is actually refreshing! I think psychological thrillers today try so hard to have the "unbelievable twist" ... and it IS usually just that. Unbelievable. Eye rolling. Here ... that could have actually happened!

ProFanity x44 ... some slight talk of sex, there is the challenge of racism throughout, 6 uses of the N word. 

Add me to the "ahhhh" group who loved this story. I found a physical copy in a Little Free Library and snagged it, even though I still went with my digital options from the library (audio/kindle). I've enjoyed having all three formats, even though it's overkill. The audio was wonderful, a perfect voice match for our MC/Coyote. Quite a few quotes saved in the Goodreads Quotes section, and I made quite a few highlights to save myself. I enjoy picking up the physical book and leafing through, remembering moments throughout the book. I SHOULD put this in my Little Free Library to continue on its journey, but I kind of want to keep a copy for my personal bookshelf too (although, with SO many books out there, will I get around to re-reading it?)

This reminded me a bit of [book:Savvy|2133795] - another book which features a young girl as the MC, with a unique voice. Savvy has even more of a twang (and unfortunately the audio there did NOT match, so I'd just recommend reading that one). More "magic" in that one, but the girls really do have a similar feel, in the way they think and talk. 

This book also reminded me a little of [book:Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting|59836844] - with the bus, and a bunch of characters coming together and finding friendship and almost family. 

Loved all the book talk - the various books mentioned.

This was two books in a row (just finished Worst Case Scenario by T.J.Newman) where a car accident claims the lives of multiple family members - and as mentioned in the review for that book, it just brings back memories of hearing about our son's basketball coach. Strong parallels, as the father and middle child are now going on alone, while the mother and two other children were killed in a horrible crash. I already think about them more than one would think, even without similarities showing up in the books I'm reading. 

Listening to the audio, I didn't make as many notes/highlights as I'm sure I would have if I'd been reading it on Kindle. Lots of little profound statements/life lessons like "I remembered how he talked to folks. How he didn’t raise his voice, but talked soft. How he talked right into their eyes. Person to person. Always kindness..." and funny things like Salvador saying "You told Lester you were as good at driving as Rodeo!” and Coyote replying “Rodeo’s not that good a driver.”

So - two thumbs up. Yup, I cried a couple of times here. 
YA, but this old lady absolutely enjoyed it. I think it was a stand-alone when first written, but a sequel was just released. I'll probably read it. 

I liked this a lot ... instant action, right out of the gate. Although, that's one of my complaints, regarding the Table of Contents. If you start at Chapter 1 ... you've missed stuff.

Yes, I'm a TOC snob. I notice them, use them as I switch between formats. Here, I had the Kindle copy (when I first borrowed it from the library, I thought it was only available in Libby ... sigh. I'm also a Kindle snob. But when I checked again, there was the Kindle option, yeah!) and the audio. I didn't have a physical copy - physical copies generally don't even bother with a TOC at all.  ANYWAY ... in the TOC, there's the Author's Note, then chronological chapters. Headings (a countdown to zero hour) is included in each chapter, but not in the TOC ... I think I would have preferred to have the info right there in the TOC too (seeing the timeline more clearly/all together. I realize at times it can be a spoiler). ANYWAY ... In Kindle, the starting section doesn't have a "label" (chapter 0, prologue) ... if someone just looked at the TOC, decided to skip the Author's Note and just went to Chapter 1 - they have just missed an essential opening. In audio, the Author's Note isn't listed, it's there in the "Dedication" (again, people might skip that) ... the "Title" section has important details, and then there's the sentence/portion list "Two Hundred and Ninety (misspelled in the audio edition as Ninty) Lives ... I just wish TOCs were always included (in print) and that they were actually as helpful (list headers ... dates, povs, locations) and were CONSISTENT between formats. Here, it was only the beginning that had inconsistencies. 43 chapters and a Coda (epilogue). 

This really kept my interest - just non-stop action. This is one of those books that kind of plays in your head like a movie. I could almost visualize the scenes happening (I'll have to examine my imagination to see if I actually assigned any particular actors to any roles). In a way, there was a little TOO much action? So many characters! So many shifting scenes. 

One storyline that hit hard was the family whose van crashed ... single survivor (still trapped) a little five year old boy. Back in 2021, I remember hearing the news of a horrible crash, our son's basketball coach, his little boy in a car seat the sole survivor. Just hard to read/visualize such a similar scene. And the scenario ... stay and save one or continue on and all hands to save everyone? There are several more chapters dedicated to this situation, but then other chapters follow the nuclear plant, the nearby school, the president watching from afar, the people who are trying to find a safe spot, some specialists who are coming in to try and help.

There was an "underwater" scene ... it felt a little too similar to some of the situations in the Drowning book (like the author had learned some scuba stuff, so figured she'd put it in again). Much of the nuclear talk is above my pay grade, but to make the possibility here sound worse than Chernobyl ... that does paint a picture (the HBO series really brought that to life).   There were some heart stopping moments that were really well done, brought on the feels. 

Overall, there was so much happening, and so quickly, I don't know that I really got to know the characters ... there are a few that made more of an impact. Little Conner, Dani, Matt (wanted to slap him at times), Matt's dad Steve, Joss ... Nice to have a President of the US who is appears calm and capable (just imposing Trump or Biden in this role ... don't really want to think about that). 

ProFanity x23.  Other words I note: roiled (x5) a couple careen (occasionally I see career used in the same way, but careen is 90% of the time), 5 smirks, 1 scowl.

Goodreads isn't super social for me, but I do have friends and followers. Those reviews appear at the top before the rest of the community reviews. I think this book has the most interaction of my f&f ... 57 of my 182 friends have marked this as read.

I had watched the movie, but it was a few years ago and I didn't really remember much of it except that I liked it. That being said, I dislike the movie image taking over the cover. Dawsey and Juliet seem older in the book. I had no idea the book was written in letter format. One of my favorite books from years ago is A Woman of Independent Means (all the letters there are only outgoing from the MC). In a more recent short story, [book:Evidence of the Affair|41715227] - we get letter to/from two people. Letter writing is similar to journal writing (often a journal is "to" someone, as AnneFrank addresses her writings to "Kitty", and recently in [book:Drinker of Ink|199485037] - the entries are addressed to "progeny") ... so books written in journal format (also [book:The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1|52085140]) have a similar feel. Here, in AUDIO, different narrators really bring the various individuals to life.

While yes, the title alludes to a "bookclub" of sorts, I was happily surprised at all the book references within. About books in general, about specific books/authors, about how a book club could work. 

I always appreciate being able to learn a little something from historical fiction. When authors can drop in interesting tidbits that will stick in my memory. Things like grinding birdseed into flour, the Germans tracking the births/deaths of animals (I believe it was the first time I'd heard this) ... reviews on other things, like sending children away, rationing, concentration camps, etc. 

Words: Scant, Rifling, just one smirk/one scowl

I had this in all three formats. There is a map in the print copy (doesn't translate to audio) as well as an author's note and discussion questions (not included in audio). The Table of Contents was very limited, just divided into two parts, not any of the individual letters listed. The audio TOC had additional "first line" breaks. I was glad I didn't need to move between formats - I would have had to listen for the date given in a letter and use that for reference (at least it stayed chronological) and flip through until I found my spot. 

I really enjoyed the different voices, and the way people present the facts/story in a letter (although, I don't know that I use dialog/actual quotes). For a time I collected all my outgoing mail (emails) and years later, it it interesting (to me only, I'm sure) to look through and remember. 

Maybe not a total 5*, but solid 4.5 ... I really enjoyed it, will remember it, wouldn't mind having a copy (and I have an extra to put in the LittleFreeLibrary). I have seen the corresponding movie. Definitely could be a "bookclub" book, lots of potential for discussion. 

So I absolutely LOVED this author's Lock In and Dispatcher series. The Kaiju Preservation Society ... that was just okay for me. This one? Unfortunately, it was the latter again (I guess I'll need to try the "Old Man's War" series for a tie-breaker). I made it through this, but just never fully engaged, didn't really enjoy it, and I can't say why. Ironically, if one of my boys saw the book and asked me if they should read it, I'd say "definitely give it a go" as I think it's ME it just didn't click with.  This was just a little silly, snarky, over the top, maybe similar to my feelings toward the Dungeon Crawler Carl  or Murderbot series, that others seem to love and were just okay for me. 

Even beyond Dungeon Crawler Carl, I've enjoyed a "smart cat" in the 3am series. The cover ... it's a little too silly I think. I prefer the paperback cover. I had one show up in my Little Free Library (and I'll admit, I snagged it, but I'll now put it back in rotation). Had a bit of a wait to get the Kindle copy from the library. I went primarily with the audio. 

Easy conversational tone - first person/past tense. Simple, chronological chapters (28 of them). I had to buy the audio on Audible, as it's exclusive there. Will Wheaton did pretty good. Some different voices and such. There was a little author's note at the end ... explaining he got Covid while writing, not really anything profound as some author's notes are. It was included in the audio (author's notes seem to be about 50/50 inclusion, and sometimes the author's notes have essential info to the understanding of the story!) I do wish the author's notes were voiced BY the author, just to make it more personal. Hearing it in the same voice that did the narration for the book ... just impersonal (if practical). 

So ... ehh. There were moments I thought "that was funny" but thinking that instead of actually laughing? Maybe that was my mood. Maybe it's the bit of an "Austin Powers" feel that just isn't me. There was quite a bit of proFanity (kindle count at 62 - which is more than I would have guessed). 

I'd heard good things - had a bit of a wait at my library to get both the audio and kindle copy (I like to have both formats). A bit more sexual than I'm now comfortable with (there was a time I sought out some steamy, now it just feels cringe). Beyond a couple sex scenes (which not as explicit as some, those who like "smutty" probably wouldn't even consider this that), there was a lot of talk about sex - two timelines, so much of in the past/younger ... and again, as I've aged, reading about 17 year olds having sex just feels icky. Profanity (x42).

Overall though, I actually got into this story. There was a time I even got emotional. 

I liked their "favorite word?" exchanges ... I can't even clarify a favorite color, haven't ever thought about a favorite WORD - and yet, there are words I notice. Deign, Dias, Roiled ... and some words I actively dislike, especially when overused (smirk).  Reminded me a little of [book:Mordacious|30367410] which also had a 'word' theme in the book (about the zombie apocalypse). 

There were two timelines, the present and the past. Both from Macy's POV. I liked that the present was written in present tense, and the past was written in past tense. There were headers (in the Kindle copy ... not in audio, more on that later) giving the NOW // THEN and the date, but I don't always stop at the end of a chapter (life happens) and so the tense was very helpful when jumping back in to remember if it was the past or the present.  

I think I struggled most at about 75% in ... SPOILER

Macy and Elliot have just had sex, reuniting after 11+ years of no contact and both of them breaking up with their current relationships. The whole book has been building to the "something" that happened that broke their teenage romance up. I get a little annoyed when the "something" is alluded to almost every chapter and so slow to reveal ... as was the case here. So we find out Elliot cheated-ish ... what Macy saw, Elliot's side, which she never heard because they never spoke again ... and it wasn't just because of that. But because Macy's dad was killed in a car accident, which happened pretty much because of the situation. It all felt just a little manipulative and frustrating - the back in forth in time, the slooooow reveal, the miscommunications. It's chap41, right after they have sex and Elliot is basically (while still inside her, the book points out) saying how long it took him to want anyone else, Macy's mind is "a little like being in the eye of a tornado. All around me thing are happening, but inside my head, it's so quiet" and then Elliot "Oh my God, I just realized what I've said." And I'm left thinking, "what, what did you say? what does any of this mean". The next chapter is the past, where we relive Macy pretty much getting drunkenly proposed to over the phone, driving up to find Elliot naked with another girl. So yeah Elliot, apparently it didn't take you long to want someone else. Shift back to the present, again, just moment post-sex, Elliot gives his side (drunk, I thought it was you. My personal disgust at drinking inserted here). Macy "Metal screeches against asphalt in my ears" ... she's practicing her breathing, trying to calm down AND ELLIOT JUST WALKS AWAY. Really???? At this point I hated Elliot so much I wondered if he had set the whole thing up just to mess with Macy and be "the one who walked away" this time.  That abrupt change shifting all my feelings for Elliot to negative, and I checked out. That he saw her at the house and came over ... and then they FINALLY talk about what happened after ... that she had supposed to check in with her dad, she didn't, he came up, they were returning home when there was a car accident and he died.  The "metal screeching" ... from the previous "now" chapter had foreshadowed enough that I then knew what had happened and was expecting it (it was still super sad, I'll admit I cried a little bit)

So here was a MAJOR FRUSTRATION ... which isn't really the writing, but the production of the audiobook, moving between formats. As mentioned above in my spoiler, Elliot says "I just realized what I said." and the chapter ends on this cliffhanger, because apparently he said something awful/profound. Um ... what did he say? I went to rewind my audiobook just a bit to relisten and must have bumped something, because I lost my place. AND THE AUDIOBOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS IS PRETTY MUCH USELESS. It's just Now  Then  Now  Then ... no dates. I had the Kindle copy and was able to flip through and figure out that it had been Chapter 41, Now: Sunday December 31, that's where I was at. Then Chapter 42: Then: January 1 Eleven Years Ago. I swear it took me 20 minutes (seems like Libby likes to take her time when you are impatiently trying out chapters attempting to find your spot) trying out all the chapters around where I thought I might be, listening for the date given in audio at the start of the chapter, then skipping ahead when it wasn't the right one. Seriously, SO frustrating! A TOC is supposed to be helpful. If there are chapter#s (which, they weren't give in the book - chronological chapter numbers are helpful!) put them in the TOC, if there are headers which include dates, POVS, locations, put that in the table of contents! And make the TOC the SAME for audio and kindle, and YES, include a TOC for the print book too (I didn't have a copy of the print book to check, but it seems like 95% of today's print books don't bother with a TOC).  Yes, I'm a TOC snob, and if can absolutely affect my enjoyment and reflection of a book. 

I was able to get into the story,  remember the characters and situation. Conversational and easy to read/listen to. Nothing super profound (those moments when I want to stop listening, find my place in the kindle copy and make highlights/notes ... and good thing since moving between formats was not user friendly here). Not really one I'd recommend to family/friends due to the content (profanity and sex). I liked the title tie-in. My audio and Kindle copy had two different covers too, which again contributed to the lack of continuity between formats.