Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash’s Greatest Album by Danny Robins

My edition: Audible Owned
Time: 2h 22m
Series: Standalone
Genre: Non-fiction, Music
Publish: Audible Original Dec. 12, 2018
Rating: 3 stars

Synopsis:

This is the story of one of the greatest records ever made – Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison – and its shocking and tragic aftermath. Join award-winning journalist Danny Robins on the 50th anniversary of the album as he takes you on a road trip back to 1968, a pivotal year in US history, to investigate the dramatic and unlikely friendship between Johnny Cash, American icon, and Glen Sherley, armed robber and Folsom inmate; and how that friendship was violently torn apart. 

This five-part series features narration, interviews, and dramatic reconstruction to explore aspects of the story that have, until now, not been widely known.

Please note: contains strong language and adult content.

As an Audio Show – free for members – when you add Folsom Untold: The Strange True Story of Johnny Cash’s Greatest Album – to your library, you’ll get all five episodes, each with a runtime of about 30 minutes.

Review:

I am new to the audio book world. This year I have challenged myself to read or listen to five audio books. As the first book of the year, I thought it was an okay story.

The narrator tried to make this seem like it was such a big mystery but really it’s just a story not many know. Plus his voice reminded me of a mix between the guy who played the pharaoh in the second Night at the Museum, you know, the one with the lisp and one of the nature documentary narrators.

While I do know who Glen Sherley is, I didn’t know how or when he died. Nor did I know the story behind his and Johnny’s friendship. I wouldn’t say I’m a huge Johnny Cash fan because I didn’t know Glen Sherley lived with Johnny. Plus Johnny was best man at Sherley’s wedding. Wy sure did though. When I explained what I was listening to and what it was about, all I had to say was the guy wrote Greystone Chapel, and went to live with Johnny. Wy’s answer… Oh yeah Glen Sherley. Glad he knew.

While this was insightful, and I learned much, I really couldn’t get past the narrator’s voice. I loved the music mixed in and I loved the recordings of him and his producer interviewing everyone. He just made the story seem so big and so important to know when in reality it’s a tragic real life story of a man who helped another out of prison and into a music career. But that man couldn’t re enter into citizen life.

If you like Johnny Cash I recommend. The story goes into Johnny’s life right before the album, during the album, and after the album.

Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo

My edition: Kindle owned
Pages: 355
Series: Bellevue Bullies #1
Genre: Sports Romance, NA
Publish: Sep. 6th, 2014
Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis:

“Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but 

I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.

She’s my game changer.”




“He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.

Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.
You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?

Especially when you’re boarded by love.”

Review:

I really thought I wasn’t going to like this book. Turns out I was wrong. I’m glad when I’m wrong about a book. Well just the ones I think I won’t like but end up liking.

Jude Sinclair is a total ladies man. He’s captain of the hockey team, and is about to go into the draft. One day after practice he notices the finest backside he’s ever seen. Deciding he needed to see the face, he meets Claire. When Claire walks away, he follows. They have a flirting match in which Claire leaves Jude wanting more.

Claire dances burlesque at Ms. Prissy’s, goes to school, and teaches dance at her soon to be aunt’s dance studio. Claire finally decided to have a boyfriend only to find out he slept with someone else and gave that person crabs. Good thing it didn’t get far with him. The next day Claire is ripping down posters of now ex-boyfriend that previous girl (now with crabs) is putting up all over campus. While doing this she meets Jude. A man who finally ignites a spark in Claire’s heart but she’s going to make him work for it.

Super cute story. I’ve been in the mood for a sports romance and this happened to hit the spot. As previously mention in another review I sorted my kindle by author and am reading A-Z. This is the third book I’ve read in this method and I’m not disappointed.

Boarded by Love has been on my TBR list for a while now, so it feels good to finally cross it off.