Nina Alvamar narrates this collection of 27 essays in which author Ann Hood muses about her childhood, jobs, children, marriages, and the steady force that food and cooking have been throughout her life. Alvamar skillfully bridges the gap between listener and author, creating a strong emotional connection as she reads Hood's stories of learning to make her mother's meatballs and her grandmother's tomato sauce and of cooking with her own children. Listeners are invited into a variety of kitchens to eat tomato pie at a summer beach rental; to feed soft food to a baby in a second-floor walkup in Providence, Rhode Island; and to savor fresh salmon with friends in Oregon. Each essay ends with a recipe or two, read by Alvamar.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2018
Duration: 6 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781980017646
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
James Michener tells the real stories behind the man and his books. The recording is read with skill and consistency although the reader does little to enhance the robust, larger-than-life incidents related in the book. Due to the first-person narrative format, there is no opportunity for the narrator to change his voice. This makes some chapters monotonous as they go on and on in the typical Michener style. The listener may also become confused because the stories are not told chronologically. This is not a great choice for the audio format, but Michener fans may stick with it to the end.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 22 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In a quest for a sense of inner contentment and self-worth, Gloria Steinem brings the reader on a journey of investigation and discovery. Steinem reads the text herself in a straightforward and friendly, but not intimate, presentation which is so easy to listen to it invites repetition--thus ensuring the painless relearning of the lessons of the book. It's difficult to tell from the reading that this audiobook is abridged; each section can stand alone. Nonetheless, the listener wished the book were unabridged. Steinem left me wanting to learn more.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
