Random House Audio

Library Bookwatch, August, 2004

Random House Audio

1745 Broadway, New York NY 10019

www.randomhouse.com/audio

Terry Brooks' Elfstones Of Shannara (0739304283, $25.95) is the second volume of the classic series, enjoys Charles Keating's excellent television background and narrative skills, and tells of a magical Ellcrys tree which is loosening the spells keeping Demons from taking vengeance on the land. Another perilous journey is undertaken to save the protector tree in Brooks' exciting Shannara sequel. Dean Koontz's The Taking (0739301890, $39.95) receives Ari Meyers' extensive TV acting background and screenplay roles as her strong narrative voice lends to the story of a ceaseless rain which isolates a small town and brings terror to their world. Suspense rises and proves irresistible here. Kent Haruf's Eventide (073930-9390, $34.95) receives George Hearn's skilled Broadway voice, a smooth representation for a novel telling of a long winter faced by isolated brothers and a small town alike. Alienated families and confrontations between good and evil keep the small town together in this gentle story of change. Isaac Asimov's I, Robot (0739-312707, $27.50) comes just in time for the movie release and represents a powerful pairing of science fiction plot and actor/writer Scott Brick's smooth performance on tape. The robots of the future are controlled by three basic rules to harm no humans--so why does one human investigator into murder suspect that robots have become all too human--to the point of being able to violate the ingrained rules against harming their masters? A gripping account of human encounters with robots of the future. Danielle Steel's Second Chance(0553757180, $29.95) benefits from narrator Matt Walton's extensive theatre background as it tells of one Fiona, content with her life in the jet set, until she falls for a conservative widower with two daughters. Two very different people find their families, ideals, and lives disrupted by romance and new awakenings here. Robert Ludlum's Bourne Supremacy (07-3931114X, $18.00) enjoys Darren McGavin's powerful rendition as it tells of one Jason Bourne, an exert assassin plagued by his former life just as he is facing a dangerous killer who can threaten the world. The abridged cd presentation loses none of the power of its full-length presentation and preserves all the highlights. Dennis Boutsikaris and author Charles Palahniuk share readings on Palahniuk's Stranger Than Fiction (0739312383, $25.95), bringing to life the oddball true stories of characters as diverse as an assembly line worker who works as a hospice volunteer driver by night, or weight trainers who live oddly regimented and drug-controlled lives. Essays and pieces from the author of Fight Club are engrossing and make Stranger Than Fiction a solid listening choice.