This audiobook is chock-full of scientific experiments proving that the Buddhist state of enlightenment founded by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, works just as well as antidepressants to alleviate suffering from mental illness, addiction, and anxiety. Narrator Steven Crossley has the unenviable task of making clear both Siddhartha's history of perfecting enlightenment and the contemporary scientific experiments that show a statistically significant improvement for people with specific illnesses after they practice enlightenment, now reborn as mindfulness. Crossley delivers the material with aplomb. However, as illuminating as this audiobook may be, the average listener may find the depth of the scientific data to be daunting. One's own enlightenment might be better achieved by listening to less theory and more methodology. E.E.S © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: April 26, 2016
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780062445193
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners looking to examine joy from a faith-based perspective will find much to reflect on.
In this audiobook, Bowler poses the question, "What is joy?" Narrating her own work, she muses on this theme, discussing finding joy in the ordinary, the role of emotions, recapturing past joy, and the way her faith has shaped her interpretation and experience of joy. Bowler’s narration is down to earth as she talks about her experience battling Stage 4 cancer shortly after her mother's death. She also tackles big ideas about duty and obligation, shared emotion, toxic positivity, how to convert faith into something concretely good, the secret of miracles, and taking risks to achieve joy.
Listeners looking to examine joy from a faith-based perspective will find much to reflect on.Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 58 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217176564
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: April 1, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
For Brandy fans, this audiobook memoir is a must-listen.
1990s R&B superstar Brandy narrates her first memoir with warmth and candor. Brandy recounts her early years in Mississippi surrounded by family and music. From church choir to a teen singing group, Brandy describes the passion that drove her toward her first record deal and television series. When her teen stardom takes a toll, she experiences heartbreak, health concerns, and other difficulties. Brandy’s unwavering love for her family is a strong throughline, as is her admiration for her idol and mentor, Whitney Houston. Brandy narrates with a warm, expressive voice that will be familiar to fans. Her even pace and slight Mississippi accent make this audiobook a relaxing listening experience.
For Brandy fans, this audiobook memoir is a must-listen.Pub Date: March 31, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 7 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488235832
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
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