Author Katherine Wilson does a wonderful job narrating her memoir, which begins with an internship at the American Consulate in Naples. Wilson deftly portrays her awkward younger self as she learns a completely different way of life in Naples, thanks to the Avallone family, who take her in as one of their own. Wilson captivates listeners by portraying her own complex emotions without overdoing it. She'll have listeners' mouths watering from her descriptions of sumptuous meals--and have them laughing over cultural misunderstandings and tearing up during touching moments. She candidly describes how learning a new way to eat helped her overcome her binge eating disorder, and how she learned to stand up for herself and for those she loves. Italian words and phrases, immediately followed by their English translations, add to the charm of this delightful memoir.
Pub Date: April 19, 2016
Duration: 8 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780147524317
Publisher: Random House Audio
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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