New Reviews: Personal Growth

The Danish happiness investigator and author of THE LITTLE BOOK OF HYGGE and THE LITTLE BOOK OF LYKKE is back, this time with a look at the mechanisms of memory. In a chatty, friendly tone and with lots of self-deprecating jokes, Wiking urges us to ask ourselves how we will remember the good times in our lives and offers ways we can create experiences that are worth... Read More

Author/narrator Elizabeth L. Cline frankly reveals how our closets contribute to world poverty and pollution. Her voice is as clear as her sobering message. She explains that fast fashion is one of the largest water polluters on the planet as well as significantly contributing to landfills, creating carbon emissions, and profiting from the poverty of laborers who usually work... Read More

Hypnotic music and Kate James's deeply soothing voice set the tone for this essential guide on creating calm. Australian mindfulness coach, James discusses how we live in an age when nonstop technology is changing our brains, relentless social media distorts our view of reality but leaves us feeling isolated, and having more satisfies us less and less. In such times, knowing... Read More

Maggi-Meg Reed provides an articulate performance of Congdon's beacon for artists who are searching for a deeper understanding of what makes their art unique. Reed's fluid narration demystifies the process of discovering and defining one's artistic voice, gently walking the listener through what Congdon describes as "an exercise of discipline, discovery, experimentation, and... Read More

No one but Gyles Brandreth could write and narrate such an entertaining guide to the idiosyncrasies of the English language. The focus is on British and American English, especially clarifying differences that are sometimes quite amusing. Brandreth's sparkling style is more conversational than scholarly. Hearing his diverse accents as he demonstrates the origins of various... Read More

Kaleo Griffith narrates this meditation on the role of plants in our lives in a thoughtful tone. When author Summer Rayne Oakes moves to the city, she can't imagine herself not being surrounded by nature. Her solution? She fills her home with plants and in this audiobook shares how caring for them can offer a modern-day remedy to much of what ails us: inattention, stress,... Read More

The well-known hip-hop artist Common authentically narrates a love story about his past and present relationships. It encompasses his family, friends, and some of his intimate partnerships. In a deeply reflective tone, he conveys both admiration and passion. His story is also connected to vulnerable and traumatic experiences. When he speaks of his daughter, it is clear that he... Read More

This audiobook uses the Apollo program as an extended metaphor to offer advice on cooperation and success in our careers and everyday lives.The Apollo missions to the moon remain legendary for accomplishing a seemingly impossible task within a tight deadline. Peter Noble's narration is welcoming, although it's somewhat disorienting to hear a British accent recounting this... Read More

Author Kevin Harney narrates his audiobook with the same sincerity, candor, and kindness that he advocates using when one is saying no. Although the word "no" is often associated with selfishness and guilt, Harney enthusiastically explains that saying no actually allows us to say yes to our passions and God-given talents. Harney's firm but gracious tone defines his diverse menu... Read More

Author/narrator Veronica Rueckert is an outspoken woman who wants to help listeners find value in their own voices and start speaking out. As a public radio host and trained opera singer, Reuckert's own voice is the perfect choice for narration. Her tone is friendly, conversational, and exceedingly encouraging throughout. Her performance of vocal fry and uptalk help to cement... Read More

The young author's over-the-top language and discussions about every type of sex you can imagine make this useful audio a challenge to narrate authentically. Erin Bennett's performance has few, if any, interpretive flaws, but her vocal personality--somewhat conservative and mature--doesn't fit the author's streetwise persona. Though the mismatch is obvious, Bennett's... Read More

First and foremost, this audiobook is a "how to" survival manual for would-be performance professionals. Becoming a working actor does not necessarily mean becoming a star. It does mean becoming someone who can earn a living in show business. David Dean Bottrell offers his often humorous, sometimes sad, always honest bits of wit and wisdom through personal anecdotes and... Read More