New Reviews: Personal Growth

NEW YORK TIMES travel columnist Rosenbloom narrates her provocative and timely rumination on the merits of solo travel. Her energetic delivery reflects her familiarity with her own work. Rosenbloom's crisp narration has an effective cadence, but her French and Italian pronunciations are sometimes off. Little matter, the substance of this audiobook--her singular travels and... Read More

A plethora of Japanese philosophy, history, and culture are revealed in this prescription on living life with ikigai--a Japanese concept that encapsulates living life with purpose and pleasure. Narrator Matt Addis conveys a sense of wonder as he reveals examples on how ikigai is deeply immersed in Japanese life. Despite instances when overmodulation distorts some words, Addis's... Read More

If you were among the millions who loved EAT, PRAY, LOVE, then Mohammadi's memoir is one that will feel reassuringly familiar. The author takes us into the heart of Italy while dealing with her own heartbreak. As narrator, Mohammadi reads Italian proverbs and phrases with a musicality that gives them the kind of authenticity needed for a travelogue. Her enthusiasm for all... Read More

Integrity--it's who you are when no one is looking. In this unique look at legendary coach John Wooden, the listener will find that the man was the same coach with the youth who attended his summer basketball camps that he was with his star college players. Sean Runnette delivers this work with the skill and care of a seasoned narrator who understands greatness. The strength of... Read More

A conversation between a young man and an old man answers the age-old question: How can one be happy? Noah Galvin and Graham Malcolm create an engaging conversation as they narrate the parts of the younger and older man, respectively. Speaking as the young man, Galvin's youthful voice projects confusion, disbelief, indignation, and even anger at the audacious theories put... Read More

Iconic figure skating champion Scott Hamilton is also known for his energy and positive personality. Both are reflected in his writing and performance of his audiobook. Hamilton's theme that competition and winning are positive life opportunities may not be common or popular, but he makes a compelling argument in their favor. He is also a cancer survivor who is now battling... Read More

Karen Cass offers a polished narration of Helsinki-based writer, editor, and broadcast journalist Pantzar's audiobook. The work is part memoir and part informal study on the Finnish quality of sisu--loosely translated as courage, resilience, and grit. This audiobook takes listeners on a journey to Finland, exploring Nordic-inspired life choices that seem to make Finnish people... Read More

Author and narrator Kate White exudes a contagious confidence as she explains why women should replace "good girl" instincts with "gutsy girl" ones. White's smooth narration reveals the determination and assuredness that she says are necessary for all women to own their dreams. White asserts that defining your brand and taking a bolder, gutsier approach to getting what you... Read More

This important and often personal summary of how age affects happiness is served well by the equanimity and grace of Robert Fass's narration. Whether it's author Rauch's personal journey, his fascinating data, or his sensitive portraits of the experts he interviews, Fass captures all of this author's intensity and colorful writing. In our later years, after the inevitable... Read More

While confronting life and love after divorce and the challenges of caring for an elderly parent, journalist John Leland undertook a transformative assignment on aging and living well. Robert Petkoff capably narrates Leland's close examination of six men and women who have lived long enough--each over 85 years--to offer surprising, and often reassuring, insights to those who... Read More

As writer and narrator, psychologist Ellen Hendriksen offers up her expert advice on the subject of social anxiety. Her voice resonates with the confidence and intensity needed to assure listeners that it is possible to overcome social anxiety by confronting one's inner critic and challenging oneself. Hendriksen describes her own struggle with social anxiety in a bold manner... Read More

Drawing on an extensive background in divorce law, Sexton highlights for those still married how NOT to mess up their marriages and end up in his office. Sexton delivers stories, tips, and advice with lots of energy--and some frustration that well-meaning people can make such dumb mistakes. Listening is absorbing, slightly horrifying, and memorable: His images--comparing... Read More

Actress and author Lauren Graham, best known for her work on TV's "Gilmore Girls" and "Parenthood," gives a warm, cheerful performance of her brief audiobook. The work is based on the 2017 commencement address Graham gave at her high school alma mater. In it she reflects on her high school experience as well as other successes and failures, advising graduates to "find joy in... Read More

Alan Lightman challenges listeners to step away from the electronic to-do lists found in our in-boxes or on our voicemails. His slightly raspy voice and purposeful advice urge us to move away from days filled to the brim with things to do and towards hours spent wandering in markets or in nature. Lightman comes across as a wise elder, like your hipster grandfather or... Read More

Don Hagen's narration persuasively conveys the importance of dreams and daydreams in this investigation of the vital relationship between the unconscious and conscious minds. Philosophy, science, and psychology are interwoven into a practical step-by-step program on how to tap into the unconscious and connect to the forces, beliefs, and ideas that shape our personalities.... Read More

In today's world in which everyone is being pushed to do more, do it better, and do it more quickly, all without making any mistakes, embracing mediocrity is discouraged. Emily Woo Zeller narrates this short self-help book, which emboldens the listener to revel in doing just enough to coast comfortably through life without going the extra mile. Reflecting the tone of sarcastic... Read More

Narrator Pete Cross charms listeners with a combination of self-confidence and humble respect for his audience. His reactions to the startling information in this audiobook bring narrator and listeners together in a state of wonder about the potential to live much longer than is currently expected. The author says that evolution did not program us to live much past our 20s... Read More

Stephen Thorne narrates this lively guide to midlife's dilemmas with the color and verve of an expert storyteller. His seemingly endless range of tonal and phrasing patterns is fun to hear and attuned to every nuance in the author's personable writing. Setiya, a popular MIT philosophy professor, is an optimistic writer. His message, at once wise and youthful, is that while... Read More

Author and narrator Jan Chozen Bays takes listeners on a journey into self-awareness as she examines the importance of eating mindfully. She unhurriedly explores how we can improve our physical and spiritual health by discovering a joyful relationship with food. Her soothing voice emanates a tranquil presence perfectly suited to the instruction on how to recognize the different... Read More

Stacey Abrams's engaging narration will stoke listeners' ambitions and teach minority leaders to take a stand and make a difference. Her clear voice holds power as she shares relatable stories of how she's grown as a leader. She details obstacles that minorities face and strategies to overcome them, illustrating examples with personal stories from her life and the lives of... Read More

Reading in journal-entry format, a cast of 8 narrators brings listeners the insights of 64 successful people across a range of professions.The list of experienced narrators includes Will Damron, Kaleo Griffith, Dominic Hoffman, Hillary Huber, Sumalee Montano, Arthur Morey, Fred Sanders, and Karissa Vacker. They give us advice from varied sources, from female firefighters to... Read More

Hearing this Zen-like lesson on how to get more satisfaction from our time will calm listeners who strive for be productive but are never happy. The author's narration is authentic, even with her clipped enunciation, so hearing her voice will help listeners feel connected to her personal journey and graceful approach to life. With her often soothing recommendations, she shows... Read More

In this striking collection of personal growth suggestions, each of the chapters on the authors' 20 secrets seems to end too soon. That's not because the familiar advice needs more elaboration but because these authors, narrating alternate chapters, write and narrate with a special sauce that will make listeners want to hear more. With their lovely cadences and relaxed tones,... Read More

To help listeners cope with today's fast-paced, noisy world, narrator Joan Halifax's meditative voice takes us by the ear and reorients us toward serenity. In doing so, she references years of interviews with a wide range of people, including medical professionals and parents, among many others. To prove the value of slowing down, she outlines five "edge states" that contribute... Read More

Geneen Roth shares her years of struggling with body image, weight, and eating issues in a kind, meditative voice. As she narrates her journey from food obsession to staying in the moment, the listener alternates between simply leaning in to her confessions and being attentive to the wisdom of a life coach who wants listeners to live their best lives. Roth threads together her... Read More

Narrator Paul Michael Garcia paces his reading of this clearly written and comprehensive parenting manual so that every bit of advice and explanation is easy to understand on first listen. Writing from both personal experience and interviews, gay dad Eric Rosswood includes both practicalities that most new parents will encounter, such as explicit directions for changing truly... Read More

Dolly Parton, a queen of the country music scene, grew up dirt poor in Appalachia. In this audiobook, which is part biography and part self-improvement, the listener learns how to live the Dolly Parton way. Therese Plummer's slight Appalachian intonations go well with the text, though her drawn-out syllables may have the listener a bit distracted at times. However, when... Read More

Renowned educator Ken Robinson guides listeners through the many decisions and repercussions parents are likely to face as they set off on different pathways for their child's education. With his British accent and mature voice, Robinson has all the vocal markings of a teacher but with the wisdom, candor, and kindness one rarely expects. His pacing is deliberate and steady, but... Read More

After Carol Monda reads the introduction by the book's editor, narrator Fred Sanders's expert phrasing captures the ideas in this moving audiobook. But too often his tone is that of a warning rather than expressing the author's warmth and optimism. However, his overseriousness fades as the audio progresses and doesn't diminish the author's wisdom about how Zen practice can... Read More