Armstrong outlines 12 compassionate steps to live by to make our lives more meaningful and selfless. Her delivery is boldly profound, making it obvious that her knowledge on the subject of compassion is deep, and her eloquent performance is enhanced by a refined British accent. It’s no surprise that Armstrong was awarded the TED Prize for her theories, after which she plunged straight away into working on the Charter for Compassion, a project resulting in a formula to make the world a better place. Armstrong proudly describes how contributors to the charter include influencers from the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu religions. Her insights and broad research provides listeners with diverse viewpoints from both ancient philosophers and modern leaders, resulting in valuable life lessons. Armstrong’s passionate and intelligent delivery convinces listeners that there’s a better way to live and that compassion is the key. B.J.P © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Dec. 28, 2010
Duration: 6 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9780307881755
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Claudette Monica Powell wanted to be a nun since she watched the movie A NUN'S STORY at age 7. Now she is Sister Monica Clare, Sister Superior of the Community of Saint John Baptist, an Episcopal order of women in rural New Jersey. A former acting student at New York University, Sister Monica Clare delivers an approachable, folksy account of her long and often painful path to the convent. Her chaotic and abusive childhood led to a loveless marriage, intensifying her already towering insecurity. Now she has a TikTok, @nunsenseforthepeople, with 200,000 followers. An energetic and engaging storyteller, Sister Monica Clare relays tidbits from her Hollywood days, as well as details of monastic life in this warm and engrossing memoir.
Pub Date: April 29, 2025
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217064878
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Colm Tóibín's consummate narration of his new collection of essays charms and educates in equal measure. The 11 pieces, written between 1995 and 2022, explore topics ranging from Catholic popes and the author Marilyn Robinson to Tóibín's homosexuality, treatment for testicular cancer, and childhood in Ireland. An award-winning journalist, novelist, and poet, Tóibín is analytical, elegiac, and often very funny, with a great eye for the telling detail. His soft, slightly nasal tenor and gentle Irish intonation are interestingly mellifluous; "power" becomes "paar" and "carefully" is "kerfully." He narrates deliberately, giving listeners time to absorb the writing. Occasionally, he lingers over words and phrases for maximum effect. It's a poet's approach, which works. The result is entrancing.
Pub Date: Jan. 17, 2023
Duration: 9 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797153230
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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