All Ears Audio Book - Summer Listening Program

Mystery

	Pillars of the Earth Because this book is so long, I saved it up for our holiday vacation. It was worth the wait! The book blends in history, romance, and strong character development. Although I had read this book 15 years ago, I found the audio version absolutely captivating. Wonderful! Also recommended: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. - Julie
	The Good Husband of Zebra Drive Have you ever been so mesmerized by an audiobook that you have sat in car after a long trip and continued to listen? This is the series that first did that to me. After 8 books, I still hooked. Audio at its best. - Lilly
	Playing for Pizza A fun story of a 3rd string NFL quarterback who blows a big game and finds that his best option is to play football in Italy for a while. You get a look into the lives of the small time European football teams, the fun of living in Italy, and the thinking of players, coaches, agents, and sports writers. - Lee
	Blond Faith I have become hooked on Walter Mosley’s story telling. And Blond Faith is no exception. Riveting, but not too dark, don’t miss what may be the last of the “Easy Rawling” books. Also recommend: The Man in the Basement (stand alone book) by Walter Mosley. – Lilly
	The Afghan A face-paced, thriller from the celebrated master of espionage best known for the riveting novel The Day of the Jackal. - Carolyn

Fiction

	In the Company of the Courtesan If you are a historical fiction buff, you will absolutely LOVE this book. Set in Italy, during the 1500’s, this book weaves a fascinating tale about Fiammetta Bianchini, a famous courtesan. Told by Fiammetta’s servant, a dwarf named Bucino, this book paints a captivating picture of Renaissance Venice. A beautiful story! - Julie
	Shantaram This is a hard-hitting saga that has garnered enough attention and rave that it is being made into film. Roberts writes of a man—tortured, physically and internally all the while finding peace and wisdom in his travels. - Wilson
	The Yiddish Policemen’s Union A wonderfully written novel that combines elements of mystery, romance and fantasy. Fans of Mr. Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize winning The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay will not be disappointed. - Carolyn
	Everyman Thought-provoking, compelling, and succinct. An ideal introduction to Mr. Roth. Also recommended: Plot Against America: A Novel by Philip Roth. - Carolyn
	On Agate Hill Heartwarming tale of the South after Reconstruction. This audio narration enhances the story with a strong cast of readers and melancholy folk songs. Beautiful story! Also recommended: Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns. - Julie
	Catch-22 I fell in love with this amazing book all over again after hearing it on audio. Mr. Sanders does an excellent job narrating the by-now classic exploits of the bombardier named Yossarian. - Carolyn
	A Thousand Splendid Suns Hosseini’s second book to his runaway debut, The Kite Runner, gives another compelling story of life in Afghanistan following WW II through the fall of the Taliban. Also recommended: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. - Wilson
	The Blood of Flowers Like a precious Persian carpet, Amirrezvani has woven a beautiful story of a girl in 17th century Persia who changes her destiny with her rug-making talents. A wonderful tale that would be an ideal selection for a mother-daughter book club. - Julie
	Nineteen Minutes This is a compelling but graphic novel by shock topic author Jodi Picoult. Nineteen Minutes is about the events and influences that had led Peter, a troubled teenager, to bring panic to a community by going on a shooting spree at his school. Also recommended: Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. - Wilson
	Natural Born Charmer …Light fiction. Laughing out loud funny, romantic, sexy. - Ann
	Run Another hit by the author of Bel Canto! I loved this book from the beginning all the way to the end. - Julie
	What is the What A perfect example of a book that is immeasurably enhanced by its narration. This novel is written in the first person and it the story of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. - Carolyn

Non-Fiction

	The World Without Us Hopeful -- but not for humans. It is gentle, scientific, and a reasonable statement of how the Earth will become without us. Also recommended: The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue, and I Am Legend by Richard Matheson. - Carolyn
	Three Cups of Tea Three Cups provides a fresh perspective on the challenges of bringing positive change within a culture very different from one’s own. Fascinating story. Terrific book club selection. - Lilly
	The Assault on Reason Taking a step aside from the natural environment, Gore refocuses his energy on the political environment. Also recommended: The World is Flat 3.0 by Thomas Friedman. - Wilson
	Look Me in the Eye Robison succeeds in his goal of “helping those who are struggling to grow up or live with Asperger’s” to see how it “is not a disease” but “a way of being” that needs no cure except understanding and encouragement from others.” Also recommended: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon. – Lilly
	The Blind Side You don’t have to know much of anything about football to appreciate Mr. Lewis’ characteristic ability to wow his audience with a story well-told. - Carolyn
	Screamfree Parenting A fresh approach to parenting that eliminates the battles, the bickering, the frustrations and guilt while allowing children the space to learn and grow. - Ann
	Banker to the Poor You’ll be inspired as you follow the twists and turns of how micro-lending has become a significant financial tool, helping the poorest of the poor gain economic stability one village at a time. Instructive for anyone thinking out side of the box. - Lilly
	Infidel A remarkable memoir by a woman who escaped abuse and an arranged marriage in Africa to become one of Holland’s leading female politicians. Also recommended: Inside the Kingdom by Carmen Bin Ladin. - Michael
	The Nine Picking up where Bob Woodward’s The Brethren (1979) left off, you’ll gain valuable insight into the judges as people and the judicial process they work within. Also recommended: My Grandfather’s Son: A Memoir by Clarence Thomas. - Lilly
	This I Believe …Explores the beliefs and values of the famous person and the everyday person in a sometimes funny, sometimes inspirational, but always heart warming way. - Michael
	The Age of Turbulence During his tenure as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan had to be extremely careful about what he said or didn’t say because the financial world hung on his every word. Finally he is free to share his thoughts with us fully. I particularly enjoyed the 2nd half of the book. Think you will too. - Lilly
	Inside the Kingdom Fascinating account by swiss-born sister-in-law of Osama Bin Ladin. - Ann
	The Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Clean up Your Writing Remember Elements of Style by Strunk & White from your school days? Grammar Girl’s is just as informative but much more entertaining! Wish it were longer. - Ann
	The Conscience of a Liberal Explains the negative political trends of the last thirty years at the hands of a small, wealthy elite, and how Americans can effectively place the American democracy back into the hands of the people. - Michael
	China Road NPR China correspondent Gifford journeyed for six weeks on China's Mother Road, Route 312. Interesting perspective from the common people. - Ann
	Einstein You'll know Albert like your own grandfather after reading this. This book covers the complete life of Albert Einstein, from his childhood (he never did fail a math test) and early attraction to science and math to his love life, his children, his education, his employment, his many great theories and discoveries, his relationship with all of his famous peers, his rise to public fame, his sincere beliefs in freedom from oppression, 2 world wars, his role with the bomb, to his life in the US - and through it all his modest, humble private life. - Lee
	Animal, Vegetable, Miracle In this book, Barbara and her family make the effort to live off of the land, and to eat only food grown holistically. This is a refreshing take on food and lifestyle. Also recommended: Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan. - Wilson
	Richistan This book was a real eye-opener for me. I came away astounded by how the new rich live. Makes you stop and think about what too much of a good thing can do to you. - Ann
	The God Delusion This highly controversial book forces you to review your own beliefs in the existence of God. Thought provoking and unsettling, but memorable. Also recommended: The Language of God by Francis Collins. - Julie
	Write It When I’m Gone DeFrank does a tremendous job of exploring the other, often personable and warm side of President Gerald Ford. Regardless of political affiliation, you walk away thoughtful. Favorite audio book experiences ever. - Michael
	The House of Mondavi Spanning four generations of vision, wine, rivalry and betrayal, this is the story of the Mondavi family, and their 21st century battle for an empire. - Wilson
	Buddha A novelization of the Buddha’s life. Not only a great story, but an approachable introduction to the foundation of Buddhism. Also recommended: Buddha by Karen Armstrong. - Michael
	McIlhenny’s Gold Fascinating corporate profile on a family-owned empire built on a single product - Tabasco sauce. - Ann

Business

	4-Hour Work Week Blueprint for on your own terms. Also recommended: The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. - Wilson
	The Joy of Living Best meditation book I have ever read. It goes through the theory and the practical side of meditation. - Ann

Young
Adult

	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows As the last installment to this epic fantasy series, HP7 is again read perfectly by Jim Dale. It is the final conclusion to a story we’ve all come to adore. Also recommended: Mister Monday: Keys to the Kingdom, Book 1 by Garth Nix. - Wilson
	The Book Thief Although this book is considered a Young Adult title, it is also a fantastic story for not-so-young adults. Narrated by Death himself, this book is set in Nazi Germany in a small town not far from Dachau. This powerful story describes the absolute best in human nature and, sadly, the worst. I guarantee you will be moved by this book. - Julie

Humor

	Born Standing Up This is a sharp-witted, funny, and heartfelt memoir by one of the greatest comedians of our time. Also recommended: The Pleasure of My Own Company by Steve Martin, and Schultz and Peanuts by David Michaelis. - Carolyn

Sci-Fi

	Making Money The perfect laugh-out-loud, light and easy leisure read. Stephen Briggs’ narration is fantastic. - Carolyn