Tavia Gilbert demonstrates the value of a skilled professional as she narrates what might easily have been a wandering and disconnected work. In a series of brief chapters, NEW YORK TIMES book critic Michiko Kakutani picks her 100+ favorite books "to read and reread," a solid and eclectic list with a number of surprises. The listings are alphabetical by author, and the sequences often wildly mismatched. But Gilbert's expert timing and vocal shading bring purpose and direction, highlighting the author's sharp insights and abiding enthusiasm for good books of every kind. Kakutani effectively sums up each book's unique character and appeal, and listeners will be sure to add a half dozen or more fresh titles to their listening lists before they've finished.
Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2020
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593394960
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Inspiring collections of Angelou reading her poetry. These selections showcase Angelou's smooth, lyrical voice and her warm vitality. Her innate rhythm celebrates her verse and offers the poems to listeners as they should be remembered. Occasionally Angelou comments between the selections, and occasionally she interjects a resonant laugh.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: N/A
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ranjit Madgavkar narrates these essays on how forces beyond their control--for example, war, imperialism, language, climate change--influence people's lives. His strong but clear Indian accent never lets listeners forget that author Ghosh is a native of West Bengal, a fact that explains Ghosh's strong interest in colonialism, anti-colonialism, and the history of South Asia. The opening essays about the participation of Indian soldiers in the disastrous British Mesopotamian campaign of WWI are particularly fascinating. Madgavkar approximates different accents in the quotations from authors of other nationalities, making clear where they begin and end. Even without knowledge of South Asia, listeners will comprehend these essays because Madgavkar gets across the emotions.
Pub Date: Jan. 18, 2026
Duration: 19 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798228648760
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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