Making good use of his clear voice and youthful passion, psychotherapist Barry Michels does most of the narrating of this audiobook—which is a good thing because his coauthor’s voice is flat and unappealing. Michels’s enthusiasm works less well during segments when the writing drifts into moralizing, but what dominates the presentation is the sophistication and power of these ideas on how to overcome common blocks to happiness such as denial, self-sabotaging anger, creativity blocks, anxious or negative thinking, and lack of motivation. An example of its usefulness is the distinction the authors make between unnecessary fears and the motivating urgency we need to summon when complacency stalls our growth in important areas. This intelligent, memorable guide has some fascinating ideas on personal authority and how one's higher power can impact personal growth challenges.
Pub Date: May 29, 2012
Duration: 7 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780307987662
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A resonant, gut-wrenching memoir which may inspire listeners to hit a dusty trail of their own.
Kessler, prolific author of nonfiction, intrepidly narrates this immersive memoir of her 500-mile pilgrimage on the Camino Francés after the devastating loss of both her husband and her daughter in the same year. Kessler’s tone is clear, even during the more heartbreaking chapters that revolve around her husband’s cancer and daughter’s drug use. Her tale, which toggles between the depths of grief and musings on consumerism or finding “uncomplicated joy in a Spanish tortilla,” exhibits the kind of harmonious braiding that makes a memoir soar. At the end of some longer sentences, Kessler’s delivery frays with a slight tiredness, but that lends to the big-picture experience of what is, indeed, a really long walk.
A resonant, gut-wrenching memoir which may inspire listeners to hit a dusty trail of their own.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 42 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668654361
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: tomorrow
Author/narrator Sophie Lucido Johnson brings a conversational tone to her discussion of the importance of close relationships beyond family. Her direct and personal tone, steady pacing, and approachable rhythm guide listeners through reported stories, research, and lived experience. Her easy-sounding narration suits the audiobook's blend of analyses and anecdotes as she shifts naturally between reflective passages and practical examples of shared living, mutual care, and chosen family. Emotional moments are conveyed with warmth, while more informational sections remain grounded and accessible. Johnson's companionable delivery supports her emphasis on connection and helps listeners stay engaged as ideas build. Overall, the author's performance makes this audiobook an intimate, thoughtful, and well-paced experience.
Pub Date: Nov. 11, 2025
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781797195162
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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