New Reviews: Personal Growth

This authoritative guide to end-of-life care covers every imaginable issue that older people face as they move closer to death from illness or old age. It was written by a plain-speaking physician whose experiences with patients and his own parents make him skeptical about the value of heroic medical procedures to prolong life. A long-standing part of Western medicine, such... Read More

Loretta J. Ross delivers her audiobook in an authentic-sounding voice. A longtime activist, Ross provides a detailed discussion on the practice of "calling in" people who need education and support on difficult issues. This is different from "calling out" someone, either in person or on social media, an approach Ross asserts may feel good in the moment but has limited positive... Read More

Poet Maggie Smith's newest audiobook expands her purview to offer all kinds of artists helpful advice about what she sees as the 10 essential elements of creativity: attention, wonder, vision, play, surprise, vulnerability, restlessness, tenacity, connection, and hope. Her light, sweet-sounding voice often assumes a poet's studied rhythmic cadence as she narrates with... Read More

In a fast-paced world in which everyone wants quick answers, Elizabeth Weingarten's goal is to help listeners turn their struggles with uncertainty into pivotal moments for growth. Sadly, narrator Lauren Ezzo's pleasant but monotonous delivery undercuts this audiobook's dynamic energy. As listeners are advised to embrace uncertainty as a conduit for creativity and personal... Read More

In a short audio program Clint Hurdle, former player and manager in Major League Baseball, offers 25 nuggets of wisdom gleaned from the sport. In an enthusiastic and almost impish tone, narrator Chris Sorensen presents the lessons, such as: Don't keep score (1), build the house (14), and celebrate others' successes (25). In the preface, Hurdle lists each bit of wisdom, and in... Read More

The affection many listeners will feel for the Australian author during the opening passages of this audiobook will grow steadily as he describes overcoming personal challenges on his way to becoming a successful actor, husband, and father. With his humility and perspective, his stories from childhood to the present (he's 60 now) are captivating, and the lessons he shares are... Read More

Brian Nishii delivers a performance that could not be better suited to this touching, well-documented personal growth audiobook. The author, a psychology professor and native of Japan, explains through vivid personal stories and accessible research that meaning and purpose in life are not enough. We can stay busy working for something we believe in, something important, but... Read More

Writer Brad Meltzer is one of those rare people whose voice exudes sincerity, honesty, and a love of humanity. This brief work is largely based on the commencement speech he gave at his son's graduation from the University of Michigan. As anyone who's ever attended a speech by Meltzer knows, his words are always inspiring and real. Here, he talks about his own career and life,... Read More

Listening to bestselling author Judith Viorst narrate her own stories and poems--and share tales from others about life in the "final fifth"--is a special experience. Listeners will appreciate the bittersweet humor and candid reflections on the ups and downs of life in one's 90s. Viorst shares her own journey, including moving from the home where she raised her children to a... Read More

Author and mortality expert Joanna Ebenstein sounds lovely in this sincere and well-organized reminder that death is coming, so live now as well as you can. Performing this audiobook (whose title is Latin for "remember you must die"), she is a gentle messenger, full of grace and charm as she explains how writers, thinkers, and people in ancient cultures embraced mortality to... Read More

The personal approach of the author's narration is perfect for this nonfiction title about the art of conversation. Jefferson Fisher promotes connection rather than division, and his country drawl ensures that his message is relatable and real. The three "c"s of communication-- control, confidence, and connection--will resonate with listeners because of Jefferson's... Read More

Philanthropist Melinda French Gates, a woman of significant personal and financial means and privilege, deftly writes and narrates this relatively brief reflection on life's transitions. Gates focuses on the days that follow a series of catastrophic events. The ex-wife of Microsoft Founder Bill Gates provides a helpful, consistent, upbeat text and audio performance. Her warm... Read More

With previous books on entrepreneurship and travel behind him, author Chris Guillebeau now offers this eye-opening guide to taking the stress out of managing our time. He makes his case with multiple examples of how we needlessly put pressure on ourselves--with oppressive deadlines, indecision about priorities, and constant worry about how to make our lives meaningful. He's a... Read More

Podcast host and life coach Mary Marantz narrates her exceptional guide in a tone that fits the diligent research and personal introspection that make it so helpful. Sounding at once humble and confident, her vocal character inspires openness to her thinking about how creative people can become productive and fulfilled. She surveys fascinating research on how achievement is... Read More

Retired basketball coach George Raveling's audiobook is a road map to living a productive life. He says that can be achieved by reading, giving, listening, and doing everything you can to leave the world a better place. Golden Voice JD Jackson handles the reflective audiobook with the right amount of emotion. It's not a memoir, but Raveling describes his upbringing and lays out... Read More