Comedian Samantha Irby’s droll humor, unflinching realness, and impeccable timing are on full display in her narration of her latest audiobook. In essays ranging from the mostly serious to the mundane, she blends outrageous humor with heartfelt emotion. Whether she’s talking about the messy realities of living in a body; being a Black, queer woman in small-town Michigan; stepparenting; or her general distaste for socializing, her frank, friendly voice will draw listeners in. Stretching out words for emphasis, frequently modulating her volume, extending pauses, and adding sarcastic asides are just a few of the ways she turns this audiobook into what feels like live storytelling. This book is meant to be read aloud; Irby infuses every word with her wit, delight, and no-nonsense attitude. L.S. 2021 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: March 31, 2020
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9780593170694
Publisher: Random House 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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