Actor Valerie Bertinelli gives an affecting narration of her heartfelt memoir about love, family, grief, and food. In a warm, conversational tone, she urges listeners to be more intentional about finding joy in their lives. She is a delightful storyteller as she shares anecdotes about her television work, including her recent projects for The Food Network, as well as remembrances of cooking Italian recipes with her family and Indonesian dishes with her former mother-in-law. Best of all is her pride in her son, Wolfgang, and her affection for her late husband, musician Eddie Van Halen. The care this couple displayed for each other, even after their divorce, will inspire listeners to find the best in others. A rewarding listen.
Pub Date: Jan. 18, 2022
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780358628965
Publisher: Mariner Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Shalhoub’s tone is thoughtful, expressive, and enjoyable right to the last recipe.
In a smooth and natural-sounding voice, actor Shalhoub invites listeners to the table to hear the story of his family’s annual reunions, which have taken place for decades during summers in Door County, Wisconsin. Brought up by Lebanese American parents as one of 10 children in Green Bay, Shalhoub reflects on his father’s survival of wartime hunger and the smells of bratwurst and stuffed grape leaves he grew up with in his mother’s kitchen. His daughter, Josie Adams, helps him fill this memoir with delicious recipes, lifelong remembrances, and the logistics of how dozens of relatives descend on one piece of property each year to enjoy countless card games and zany talent shows.
Shalhoub’s tone is thoughtful, expressive, and enjoyable right to the last recipe.Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 52 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668194560
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2026
An entertaining memoir by a true all-American of popular culture.
Bradshaw's football career ended in the 1980s, and these days he's probably most widely known for his ubiquitous cultural presence in movies, commercials, and reality television. Bradshaw takes a long and detailed look back at his consequential life decisions. He's a gifted narrator and storyteller, the kind of guy who can instantly build rapport with his audience. It's no surprise this audiobook is entertaining and occasionally moving. As Bradshaw reflects on the characters he's played over the years, essentially simple variations of himself, his voice reflects a self-effacing humility. Bradshaw has been able to build his extended second career with this warm approachability.
An entertaining memoir by a true all-American of popular culture.Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9781400260294
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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