In a restrained voice, author/narrator Grace Talusan conveys how much she has had to hold back, how much she has endured, and how strong she truly is as she delves deep into a past that has left her with innumerable emotional and physical scars. Talusan came to the U.S. from the Philippines at the age of 2 but encountered as many troubles here as she left behind. Her story simmers with potent gravitas as she describes her life as an immigrant, a person of color, a victim of family sexual abuse, and a woman unable to reproduce after having had her breasts and ovaries removed due to a genetic predisposition to cancer. In a voice with a hint of raspiness, she moves through her story with deliberateness and sincerity that sit heavy with listeners while also inspiring and giving comfort to those who share such experiences.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2019
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
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
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