Producing the first human genome—the DNA sequence—took 13 years and cost millions of dollars. With advances in technology, start-up companies hope to do it for individuals in a doctor’s office and charge less than $1,000. Since certain sequences correlate with known disease states, experts hope to provide patients with predictive and prophylactic actions to prolong their lives. Narrator Johnny Heller dominates the audiobook’s dense technical language. As always, Heller’s sandy voice moves quickly, even when the science gets heavy. He employs plausible accents for characters of Serbian, Australian, and British descent. Heller cannot, however, give meaning to the author’s excessive use of acronyms—SNP, EGFR, and PGD—all defined at some point but easily forgotten.
Pub Date: Sept. 22, 2010
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Tantor Media
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A life-affirming, entertaining listen that finds comedy and meaning even in the darkest moments.
In this memoir presented through a collection of essays, actress and author Gurwitch takes listeners on a humorous journey following a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis. Refusing to become a “cancer warrior,” she instead embraces being a self-proclaimed “cancer slacker,” offering practical advice laced with levity rather than despair. Rejecting the idea that one should live each day as if it were one's last, Gurwitch relishes in joy in the ordinary. She goes on tour with a metal band as their “Merch Girl” and shares her unfiltered thoughts on everything from bread to ketamine therapy to juicers. Her warm, conversational delivery evokes the feeling of listening to an honest, witty friend.
A life-affirming, entertaining listen that finds comedy and meaning even in the darkest moments.Pub Date: March 17, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 3 mins
DD ISBN: 9798992377095
Publisher: Zibby Books
Review Posted Online: March 10, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
A direct and constructive approach to health advice.
Emanuel sorts through the immense body of health research and wellness advice and comes up with six rules for well-being. Sounding welcoming and down-to-earth, Emanuel meticulously explains guidelines for living a long and healthy life. With the understanding that health advice needs to coexist with and complement a variety of lifestyles and that flexibility is needed because everyone is different and nobody’s perfect, he cites research and channels his expertise to provide a no-nonsense course of action. He is witty, energetic, and blunt as he discusses topics including social connection, mental health, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and self-destructive behavior.
A direct and constructive approach to health advice.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781696621359
Publisher: HighBridge
Review Posted Online: May 12, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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