Audio Magic

Some people got greedy when they went through the talent line.  As someone severely lacking in the areas of athleticism, musical ability and statistics, just to name a few, I acknowledge that this is a fact both sad and true.  A shining example of an overabundance of talent is Jim Dale.  Most people are familiar with him as the incredibly gifted narrator of the audio Harry Potter series; if you haven't listened to these on an endless road trip across the country, you are missing out! 

But a little investigation has proven that he is just disgustingly over endowed in MULTIPLE areas.  As evidence, I provide a brief bio from one of his publishers, Random House:

"Jim Dale has won a record ten Audie Awards, two Grammy Awards, and seven Grammy nominations as a narrator.  As an actor, he has received a British Academy Award nomination, a Tony Award, five Tony nominations, and four Drama Desk Awards.  As a writer, he has received an Academy Award nomination for the song 'Georgy Girl'"

Good grief, can the guy just stick to one thing?!  Despite the fact that I am green with envy, I recommend another amazing audio series he has done, written by Charlie Fletcher, called the Stoneheart Trilogy.  It is the riveting story of George and Edie, two teens from present-day London who can see the "un-London" world of statues who move and talk--and kill.  Fletcher creates a fantastic world filled with evil "taints", dragons, minotaurs, gargoyles, etc. (animals and other non-human creatures who have no soul and cannot speak), who fiercely battle the "spits", soldiers, queens, friars, etc. (talking human statues who are made in the "spitting" image of man).  It becomes a war for control of the great city of London itself, and George and Edie, who discover that they are makers or sculptors, have a major role to play in the fight. 

The complications along the way--a couple of untrustworthy sphinxes dispensing cryptic advice, an immortal crow who has the memory of the world, a deadly stone vein in George's hand that is moving towards his heart--make this more than the usual action/adventure series.  And best of all?  You can read the paper book, download the e-book, or listen to the talented Jim Dale as his voice takes you to a parallel world in London that surely must exist.