Feedback/Ideas for Audible.com and Audible Applications

Recommendations for Audible

I wish that I could provide feedback directly from the iPhone or Android app. I wish that if the application crashed it would save which items have been read or marked as finished.

In the list of books it would be nice to see how many stars each book has been rated and to be able to sort them by rating (IN APP).

I would like to be able to login to the app with biometrics (thumbprint). The android app integrates the store better than the iphone app.

When rating books, there are too many clicks required. Seems like the multiple stars could all just be on the initial screen (with the list of recommended books) rather than clicking overall stars, being redirected, then submitting and going back. When doing this to multiple books it becomes very tedious.

It would be nice to integrate the Listener page better with other book lover's social media like Shelfari and GoodReads or even blogs so that feedback can be auto posted to Amazon, Shelfari, GoodReads, and Blogs.

Why haven't improvements been made to the gamification of the Audible application? I earned most of the badges a few years ago, but no new badges ever appear or rewards for earning them, or the ability to compete with friends. Most of the application seems to just revolve around the antiquated "share feature" which in its default form is annoying and spammy. I read a lot of books and if I shared every book, every badge, and every other thing from the application with the default verbiage... it would annoy my friends. There seems to be little motivation to this, but if people could earn points or rewards for commenting, inviting friends, sharing books, and writing reviews - more people might be involved. It could track the number of people invited, make a competition out of books read, or for every 100 books offer 1 free credit.

The tracking for the number of titles in my library seems to always be off. It would be awesome if books returned would show up somewhere. I'm not sure if I would accidentally repurchase a book I didn't like, but at least I could see the books I rated poorly and the "similar" books recommended.

Design & Laws for Usable Systems

• Dix, Finlay, Aboud & Beale (2003): Introduction to “Human-Computer Interaction.”

UX Can Be Fatal

John Hudson 

Week 1 Reading Reaction - UX can be fatal.

COLLAPSE

The chapter from Reisberg’s book was filled with a useful spread of history, theory and principles of cognitive psychology. I found it to be an interesting overview of the psychological foundation for HCI (covered more in-depth in the other readings). I appreciated the computer metaphor provided by Reisberg as he explained the concept of “working memory.” This has proven useful in my own professional career when considering a list of feature or benefits. List too many and it becomes all too overwhelming for the user!

Mob Mentality Shames Average People into Infamy

I stumbled onto a series of stories. They are about people whose lives have been altered or ruined by Internet attention. The catalyst for each story's popularity is different. Some of the stories may resonate and seem deeply offensive, others may not resonate. The common denominator (seems to be) that an ordinary (not famous) person/people became infamous for an action that triggered hundreds of thousands of people. Basically lots of people shared stories because they agreed/disliked or felt something after seeing an interpretation of a situation.

AUTHOR: Gail Carriger

I made this drawing as a nod to the Finishing School series. I loved the books and made a quick doodle of some of the characters.

BOOK REVIEW: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette and Espionage is a spin off of Gail Carriger's steam-punk world that started with, "The Parasol Protectorate." I loved the Parasol Protectorate and many of Gail's other books. The Parasol Protectorate includes: Prudence, Soulless, Heartless, Blameless, and Changeless. More on that series in another review.

BOOK REVIEW: Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Waistcoats and Weaponry is a book in a series about daring adventure through Scottland, Britain, and the ether. This book in the series focuses more on werewolves and the reader finally gets to know more about Lady Kingair (Sidheag Maccon).

BOOK REVIEW: Fairest: The Lunar Chronicles - Levana's Story UNABRIDGED by Marissa Meyer (Book Series)

Now begins the waiting game

This book includes a preview of the final book, winter. So, I'll spend the next 6-8 months patiently waiting for it to come out and then probably forget half the plot.

The book just before this one left so, so many unanswered questions on the table so I'm glad from the preview that it sounds like we will be skipping back forward to the present.

This book in the series is all set in the past to give us a character background on the queen, her husband, and the two princesses.

Some is expected but most is not. I want to day more but would hate to spoil the book. I enjoyed the mini story but wish this was book .5 and not placed where it is but then again it's good to have a little mystery and this would ruin too much of that for book 1-3.

Disappointed that I still don't know what happened next other than the winter teaser. Now begins the waiting game.

BOOK REVIEW: Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger

Waistcoats and Weaponry is a book in a series about daring adventure through Scottland, Britain, and the ether. This book in the series focuses more on werewolves and the reader finally gets to know more about Lady Kingair (Sidheag Maccon).

Book Series Review: Until the End of the World by Sarah Lyons Fleming

I'm not typically a fan of horror, zombies, or books that mess with my emotions as broadly as this book did. That being said, all four books in this series where addictive, well written, kept me guessing, and thoroughly had me on edge in one way or another.

The author of Until the End of the World, Sarah Lyons Fleming, has a way with words that is not only unique but makes her one of the better authors I've discovered in 2015. If you choose to listen to this series instead of read it, the Audible version read by Julia Whelan is an excellent choice. She adds to the characters with her tone, pitch, and pauses.

It's been a long time since a book made me sad, angry, scared for the characters, and truly helps you understand how everyone feels when they love, have great loss, and are in a struggle for their friends and their lives on top of normal daily struggles like love, babies, family, work and friendships. It was fun to watch the various characters grow up as they where challenged and overcame the odds. Not everyone survives and parts of the book get fairly graphic with death, danger, and the worst humanity has to offer. Really makes you think what would happen if something terrible befell the world, on the other hand I'm constantly annoyed with their tactics for preparing of eminent danger - I mean you know its coming, have the whole world as your free shopping mall and are going to make due with a chain link fence and some leather?

• Until the End of the World - Book 1
• So Long, Lollipops: The Free Until the End of the World Novella - Book 1.5
• And After: Until the End of the world, Book 2
• All the Stars in the Sky: Until the End of the World Book 3

Book Review: Arcadia Falls by Carol Goodman

This murder mystery is a sad tale that merges real life mysteries from the past with the present. Most of the magical twists and turns are nothing more than personal secrets bottled up like a volcano and presented with beautifully written descriptors.

I enjoyed this short book. It immediately pulled me in and moves along at an even keel. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romance novels, murder mysteries, or stories about people discovering their genealogy.

Written by: Carol Goodman

Narrated by: Jen Taylor

Looking for Reading Material. What is YOUR Favorite Book?

I love Books

I adore reading books of all kinds. There are few genres that I will completely rule out. Horror and westerns do not generally appeal to me, but I have read a little of both.

Big books, short books, happy books, books of adventure, true tales, educational novels, fantasy novellas and books of dystopian futures have all pulled me into their little worlds and broadened my perspective. I really need to blog more and share my personal favorites, thoughts, and tid bits on all these books. I try to keep up but it seems easier to read than it is for me to write. With that in mind, I'd love your suggestions. I have a long que at is it both of sponsored books, freebies from authors, and even finished books that need blogged about but I'd love to know my friend's favorites. Please leave your favorite book in the comments of this post so everyone can benefit.

One of my favorite books is the Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. You can find more of my favorites by viewing the favorites genre of this blog or skimming through the 5 star reviews

It's not Often I Return Books Unfinished...

Book Review: The Last Testament by David Javerbaum

I began this book like any other, with an open mind and an eagerness to get connected with the narrator and characters. That never happened. I tried to start the book multiple times and just didn't enjoy the narrator or story line. It's a satire on religion that, for me, was hard to listen to. A narrator change might have made a big difference, but who knows. You can't win them all.

My latest book purchases

Reviews coming soon!

Purchase Summary

Arcadia Falls

Written by: Carol Goodman

Narrated by:

A Big Thanks to Craig Halloran

This post is going to be short, but should entice you to stay tuned. Craig Halloran and I connected recently thanks to an introduction from Brian Rathbone.

Craig generously provided me with copies of his series, The Chronicles of Dragon. I've already finished the first book of seven (books 8-10 coming soon). I'm steadily on pace to finish the rest of the series in the next couple weeks, but I'm a little afraid the beautiful weather has been distracting me from writing. So, this is an advanced thank you to Craig and heads up to anyone who reads this blog: I will be reviewing all seven of Craig's books, doing a give away, and an author interview very soon.

Until then, happy reading.

Quote: The Four Brothers of the Spirit

The Four Brothers of Spirit

“The child is taught from earliest consciousness that she has these four brothers with her in the world wherever she goes, and that they will always look after her. The brothers inhabit the four virtues a person needs in order to be safe and happy in life: intelligence, friendship, strength and poetry. The brothers can be called upon in any critical situation for rescue and assistance. When you die, your four spirit brothers collect your soul and bring you to heaven.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Findley's Lass (The Clan MacDougall Series, Book 2) by Suzan Tisdale

Book Review: Findley's Lass

Book Author: Suzan Tisdale

"I write romance blended with mystery and intrigue and bad guys that you just want to see hang. Perfectly imperfect heroes and heroines.

And always a happily ever after. -- Suzan Tisdale"

Quote: A Soul without Wisdom and Little Grace

A Soul Without Wisdom

“I filled the song with everything I wished I could teach him about life. I tried to reassure him with every line about how the world is hard and unfair sometimes, but that it's all OK beacuse he is so loved. He is surrounded by souls who would do anything to help him. And not only that- he has wisdom and patience of his own, buried deep inside his being, which will only reveal themselves over time and will always carry him through any trial. He is a gift from God to all of us.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Diary: A BIG Thank You to Brian Rathbone

Thank You, Author Brian Rathbone

Brian found me on Twitter shortly after I started posting my book blog posts on social media. We hit it off as online friends. He's funny, I'm nerdy, and well I thought he was so interesting that I had to check out his site. I love indie authors and fantasy books so I figured I'd enjoy his work, so far I was definitely right. After following the link from his Twitter profile, I noticed a few things where broken on his site and walked him through fixing him. In the long run, a lot more things broke and we reconnected. That led to a whole new website. I'm proud to present BrianRathbone.com. It still has a ways to go but is leaps and bounds ahead in design, analytics, among other nerdy things.

Quote: The Tempest

The Tempest

“Go back to bed so that, when the tempest comes, you'll be strong enough to deal with it. And the tempest is coming, dear one. Very soon. But not tonight.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love