After immediately drawing listeners in with his reading of Ariely’s riveting first chapter, narrator Simon Jones continues to hold them close with his relaxed diction and skillful handling of this audiobook’s pathos. Jones’s vocal elegance and thorough understanding of the author’s message promote unexpected engagement with Ariely’s extended essay on what motivates people not just to do their jobs but to really commit themselves to their work or to whatever they are doing. Though Ariely, a psychology professor at Duke, is a career academic, he serves up a fascinating array of memorable research and insights without ever sounding removed from people’s everyday experience of what moves them to become engaged. Jones’s pleasing voice and tasteful interpretations make this audio a memorable listen for anyone interested in what moves us to do what we do.
Pub Date: Nov. 15, 2016
Duration: 2 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508224136
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A resonant, gut-wrenching memoir that may inspire listeners to hit a dusty trail of their own.
Kessler, prolific author of nonfiction, intrepidly narrates this immersive memoir of her 500-mile pilgrimage on the Camino Francés after the devastating loss of both her husband and her daughter in the same year. Kessler’s tone is clear, even during the more heartbreaking chapters that revolve around her husband’s cancer and daughter’s drug use. Her tale, which toggles between the depths of grief and musings on consumerism or finding “uncomplicated joy in a Spanish tortilla,” exhibits the kind of harmonious braiding that makes a memoir soar. At the end of some longer sentences, Kessler’s delivery frays with a slight tiredness, but that lends to the big-picture experience of what is, indeed, a really long walk.
A resonant, gut-wrenching memoir that may inspire listeners to hit a dusty trail of their own.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654361
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Author/narrator Sophie Lucido Johnson brings a conversational tone to her discussion of the importance of close relationships beyond family. Her direct and personal tone, steady pacing, and approachable rhythm guide listeners through reported stories, research, and lived experience. Her easy-sounding narration suits the audiobook's blend of analyses and anecdotes as she shifts naturally between reflective passages and practical examples of shared living, mutual care, and chosen family. Emotional moments are conveyed with warmth, while more informational sections remain grounded and accessible. Johnson's companionable delivery supports her emphasis on connection and helps listeners stay engaged as ideas build. Overall, the author's performance makes this audiobook an intimate, thoughtful, and well-paced experience.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797195162
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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