Marcia Butler narrates her memoir of rising above difficult circumstances through music as she struggles to overcome her challenging family life while pursuing a career as a professional oboist. Her delivery is clear and well paced even as she recounts the pain of growing up with an abusive father and an emotionally absent mother, and later finding herself in dysfunctional relationships with the men who would come into her life. In the midst of these personal challenges, she pursues mastery of her instrument. At times, Butler's narration comes off as self-involved, but given all she has experienced, baring her soul to the listener is an act of bravery. The narration is bookended by short oboe performances, a fitting addition that provides context for the listener.
Pub Date: 2017
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781478964155
Publisher: Hachette 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:
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:
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN:
Publisher: Dove Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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