Paul Boehmer's thoughtful, well-paced narration encourages close listening to this beautifully written personal memoir and guide to the seventeenth-century Dutch master painters. When Pulitzer Prize-winning author Benjamin Moser relocated to the Netherlands, he sought to understand his place in a foreign country by delving into the lives and work of Rembrandt, Fabritius, Lievens, Vermeer, ter Borch, and many others. The result is partly art history essays and partly an attempt to answer questions such as why do we make art and how should we relate to it. Oddly, throughout the narration Boehmer changes his voice to a lower register with an echo effect for random passages. If unintentional, this may be an unfortunate editing error that is puzzling to the listener.
Pub Date: Oct. 31, 2023
Duration: 12 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781696613422
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
If Lawson can do it, perhaps that means her listeners can, too.
With good-humored narration, Lawson reminds listeners that sometimes, even when everything feels like it's falling apart, the best thing you can do for yourself is bedazzle the deer head you've been storing in your garage. With contagious conviviality, Lawson provides this solution—alongside other, perhaps more relatable, ones—to help her audience break their cycles of depression, anxiety, and/or endless scrolling. Lawson's laughter bubbles out as she speaks. Her fear is made palpable with every. Emphasized. Word. Her cheery voice quavers with a lifetime of self-imposed nervousness. Yet she narrates (and writes) on. Lawson uses open-hearted honesty to work toward the best version of herself.
If Lawson can do it, perhaps that means her listeners can, too.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281992
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: April 11, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Dubner's joy in discovery shines through in his quest to understand Handel's legendary work.
Some may love Handel's Messiah. Author Dubner is obsessed with it. The host of the popular Freakonomics podcast embarks on a journey to uncover the history of the music and better understand the composer. The audiobook follows a podcast template. Dubner interviews historians and locals in Dublin, unfolding the fascinating story of how Messiah came to be and how it changed Handel's life. Dubner considers key points about the business of music, the particulars of instrumentation, and religious politics. The music, voices, and occasional sound effects are woven together naturally and effectively.
Dubner's joy in discovery shines through in his quest to understand Handel's legendary work.Pub Date: March 24, 2026
Duration: 2 hrs, 48 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668177266
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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