New Reviews: Personal Growth

Resonant, heartfelt performances by the British-Nigerian actor Hakeem Kae Kazim and Archbishop Tutu's daughter, Mpho, will transport listeners in a visceral way to that place and time when so much healing was needed in South Africa. With calm intensity, Kazim delivers the author's melodic prose and thoughtful teachings; both narrators read the first-person stories of victims... Read More

Author Jon Acuff's entertaining narration encourages listeners to maximize their potential and finish their projects. FINISH reexamines the premise that Acuff put forth in his previous book, START: Starting is the hardest part of a goal. In his lively and encouraging narration, Acuff now explains why finishing is even harder than starting and describes how to overcome the... Read More

Read by the author, this audiobook delivers a thorough examination of how and why we make our daily choices. Gretchen Rubin explains her well-researched, home-grown four-tendencies matrix in a conversational tone. Her casual style gives listeners the sense they're hearing advice while having a cup of coffee with a friend. Rubin uses changes in pitch and speed to help to... Read More

Jenny Funnell narrates this guide to simplifying life in a clipped, businesslike British accent that's a fine match for Dominique Loreau's no-nonsense advice on simplifying one's life. Funnell speaks with the authority Loreau earned through years of living, studying, and reflecting in Japan--ultimately leading to this collection of practical tips for building a calm, elegant... Read More

With his theater background and two Odyssey honors under his belt, it's no surprise that Tim Federle provides a stellar performance of his latest book. A swelling musical introduction places the listener in a theater, awaiting the start of a magnificent show. Federle's narration delivers on the promise, with anecdotal evidence backing up his suppositions on the similarities... Read More

With good cheer, author Meik Wiking (THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE) offers friendly-sounding advice on why the Danes are consistently named among the world's happiest people, and steps we can all take to increase our personal happiness. Tips include biking to work, getting to know your neighbors, volunteering, and saving money for future experiences that you can look forward to. As... Read More

Byron Katie's latest book, like her others, focuses on vanquishing painful thoughts by courageous self-examination of our words and assumptions. Her co-author, Stephen Mitchell, an expert on the ninth- century Buddhist text THE DIAMOND SUTRA, ably narrates the introductory chapters. The rest of the audiobook has the clear-speaking Katie explaining her views or conversing with... Read More

Jen Hatmaker's twelfth book is an unreservedly honest and heartfelt guide to how women can approach their messy lives with moxie. The self-described low-grade Christian author narrates her own story. She provides anecdotes not included in the written text, which add more fun to the listening experience. The chapters start with interesting quotes delivered in her upbeat Southern... Read More

People don't find happiness; they make it happen with daily actions that make a difference, according to a life coach who is an appealingly assertive writer and a crackerjack narrator. Her performance is the embodiment of confidence without arrogance and a desire to help that is authoritative but never pushy. Speaking to each listener personally throughout this audio, she... Read More

Science journalist Caroline Williams visited neuroscientists to learn what works and doesn't work to improve brain functioning. She narrates her information-packed discoveries quickly but with the clear articulation of a UK resident and the charm of someone who sounds open to the world. While listeners will have to focus to absorb the sheer amount of information she's... Read More

Mo Gawdat, both the author and narrator of this equation for happiness, presents his philosophy on happiness as well as his personal story of finding happiness even in the midst of family tragedy. Gawdat's reading is engaging and personal. While his exploration of happiness goes back many years, his process was tested with the sudden death of his son. While his narration is... Read More

Fashion editor turned meditation guru Suze Yalof Schwartz never loses her connection with listeners as she explains how she discovered meditation, how busy people can adopt the practice, and why it works. She's a recovering Type-A New Yorker who still speaks quickly but sounds appealingly breezy. She sounds like your neighborhood friend who enjoys being helpful. Here she offers... Read More