Rebecca Romney, an author and dealer in rare books, narrates her intriguing exploration of eighteenth-century women writers in a mellow, welcoming voice. A longtime Jane Austen fan, she set out to explore the other women writers Austen might have been reading. Romney interweaves Austen's life with the life stories of these pioneering authors, her own reactions to their writing, her love of old books, and her adventures in the world of book collecting. The result is engaging, deeply informative, and often fun--particularly for lovers of rare books and Austen. Romney is not an animated narrator, but that's okay. She conveys her passion for the topic through skilled changes in pitch and intensity, and her pleasant tone is enjoyable throughout.
Pub Date: Feb. 18, 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781797189604
Publisher: Simon & Schuster 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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