In a rare piece of flawless author narration, Haven Kimmel continues her memoir begun in A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY. This second installment acknowledges the courage and hopes of Kimmel’s mother, who rejoined the world after spending the first 20 years of her married life reading books on the living room couch. Although decades have passed since Kimmel lived these stories, she has forgotten none of the amazement, confidence, or confusion of childhood. Both her writing and her voice capture the naïveté, joy, frustration, and poignancy of everyday events in such a way that listeners leap back in time with flashes of understanding. Kimmel’s childlike speaking voice flavors even the sad parts of the story with a sweetness that both honors and softens the profundity of growing up.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2006
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Karen Chilton's fluid alto is a good fit for this biography of Thomas Jefferson. The authors are more or less successful in their attempt to present the third president in the context of his times. What we are presented with is a very human being--possessing great intellect, filled with flaws and contradictions, and still immensely fascinating nearly three centuries after his birth. Chilton's pacing and inflection are never off. She narrates with a calm demeanor, competently affecting various accents for quotes and ably giving subtle expression to the narrative. It all adds up to an enjoyable listening experience.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2016
Duration: 14 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781501909993
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This rags-to-riches memoir recounts the business life of Sam Wyly as he made his way from IBM salesman in the early 1960s to the owner of Sterling Software and Michael's stores, as well as a chain of restaurants, among other companies. Along the way, Wyly tells of his investment strategies, his business partners, his successes, and his failures. Phil Gigante reads this business story with a steady voice that lulls listeners instead of exciting them. In addition to the occasional odd pronunciation, Gigante's voice is barely modulated, and he fails to engage emotionally. Nonetheless, this title offers an interesting view of how to invest in your business, making it grow while weathering an ever-changing economy.
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2008
Duration: 9 hrs
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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