Narrator Janina Edwards perfectly captures the graceful cadence and dignity of a woman in her 90s as she reminisces about her childhood in Depression-era Memphis. She pays tribute to her stepbrother, Robert Johnson, who took her to county fairs and entertained children by singing nursery rhymes and playing guitar. Author Annye Anderson fills in the gaps between Brother Robert, who came to Sunday dinner after playing the juke joints on Saturday nights, and the hugely influential "chased-by-hell-hounds" legendary Delta-blues guitarist whose 1937 recordings are now part of American and pop culture myth. Edwards adopts a righteous tone as the audiobook discusses and humanizes the thorny subject of artistic and cultural appropriation. Anderson's family never owned or profited much from her brother's iconic songs.
Pub Date: June 9, 2020
Duration: 4 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781549184604
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A different kind of rock star memoir, rooted in astrology and conveyed with gentle grace and intelligence.
Orzabal relates his history as a rock star with a conscience. Orzabal is a member of Tears for Fears, the 1980s pop duo that continues to record and perform. Their early ubiquitous hits remain staples on streaming services and movie soundtracks. Orzabal relates his unique path to stardom and shares the difficult story of his life of artistry and tragedy in a weathered British lilt. While his artistic compatriots may have enjoyed the usual spoils of pop stardom, Orzabal sought primal scream therapy. Orzabal's performance here is engaging and therapeutic.
A different kind of rock star memoir, rooted in astrology and conveyed with gentle grace and intelligence.Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063455153
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 21, 2026
Joseph does his energetic best to explain the games and puzzles, but without visuals, this audiobook leaves us wanting more.
Joseph offers a completely original look at Stephen Sondheim’s life—as a game and puzzle aficionado. A master of musical theater, Sondheim believed lyrics were “an elegant form of puzzle.” He hosted game nights at his home with celebrities Leonard Bernstein, Meryl Streep, Tony Kushner, and many others. Joseph describes games such as Hostilities, The Murder Game, and cutthroat Anagrams. Quotes from other Sondheim biographies and numerous personal anecdotes reveal that some critics felt Sondheim’s game nights were self-indulgent, held only to prove he was the smartest person in the room, while others agreed that the nights were occasionally mean-spirited and frequently naughty but always fun.
Joseph does his energetic best to explain the games and puzzles, but without visuals, this audiobook leaves us wanting more.Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 29 mins
DD ISBN: 9798216552475
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Review Posted Online: today
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