Listen to Top 100 Audiobooks in Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

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Title: The Yellow Envelope

Subtitle: One Gift, Three Rules, and A Life-Changing Journey Around the World

Author: Kim Dinan

Narrator: Laurence Bouvard

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-21-17

Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 24 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

After Kim and her husband, Brian, decide to quit their jobs to travel around the world, they're given a yellow envelope containing a check and instructions to give the money away. There are only three rules for the envelope: Don't overthink it, share your experiences, and don't feel pressured to give it all away. Through Ecuador, Peru, Nepal, and beyond, Kim and Brian face obstacles, including major challenges to their relationship. As they distribute the money to people they encounter along the way, they learn that money does not have anything to do with the capacity to give but that it is the giving of ourselves that is transformational.

Members Reviews:

Inspired and Motivated

I listened to this book while driving from Dallas, TX to Santa Fe, NM on a solo trip with intention of recharging the batteries of my soul and reconnecting to the Mother Earth I love so dearly. I feel like this book came to me magically at the most ideal time. My new fiancé and myself have been diving deep into the depths of our shadow selves over the last 8 months and these self journeys have brought many trials and tribulations to our relationship. I feel more inspired and motivated than I ever have to embark on an adventure similar to this with him. I am so grateful for you sharing this story with the world and am so hopeful that many others will be impacted as strongly as I have been.

With love,

Courtney Roberts

Beautiful and Inspiring book, but

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would highly suggest buying the book to read for yourself. It was painful to listen to the multitude of mispronounced words and an excruciating attempt at foreign languages by the narrator.Having said that...Don't miss this book if you are an adventuresome Spirit!

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Title: Seven Days in Usha Village

Subtitle: A Conversation with Dr. Sebi

Author: Beverly Oliver

Narrator: Beverly Oliver, Herman Washington

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-20-17

Publisher: Beverly Oliver

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 28 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

From November 6 to November 12, 2005, natural healer and herbal medicine specialist Dr. Sebi shared details about his autobiography and his life's work with author Beverly Oliver at his healing center in Honduras, Central America. Usha Village is the setting for Seven Days in Usha Village: A Conversation with Dr. Sebi. Herman Washington narrates the voice of the late Dr. Sebi.

Members Reviews:

Very thought provoking

This book will really open your eyes to some powerful things. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

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Title: The Chronology of Water

Subtitle: A Memoir

Author: Lidia Yuknavitch

Narrator: Christina Delaine

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 04-11-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 41 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

This is not your mother's memoir. In The Chronology of Water, Lidia Yuknavitch expertly moves the listener through issues of gender, sexuality, violence, and the family from the point of view of a lifelong swimmer turned artist. In writing that explores the nature of memoir itself, her story traces the effect of extreme grief on a young woman's developing sexuality that some define as untraditional because of her attraction to both men and women. Her emergence as a writer evolves at the same time and takes the narrator on a journey of addiction, self-destruction, and ultimately survival that finally comes in the shape of love and motherhood.

Critic Reviews:

"This isn't a memoir 'about' addiction, abuse, or love: it's a triumphantly unrelenting look at a life buoyed by the power of the written word." (

Publishers Weekly)

Members Reviews:

Bad choice of narrator

The book is fantastic but the narrators delivery is forced and distracts from the story. Nails on a chalkboard.

Vicious, Moving, and Artful

What did you love best about The Chronology of Water?

Yuknavitch writes gorgeous sentences. I often found myself rewinding just to listen to the way she makes "a sentence hum" to paraphrase her own description of her writing.

What did you like best about this story?

Her life is shocking and sometimes difficult to stomach, but her nonlinear account of these events makes the narrative easier to read.

What three words best describe Christina Delaines performance?

Though there is no doubt in my mind that Delaine is a talented performer, her reading of this book sometimes overshadowed the writing. Her vocal patterns are artistic, certainly, but can be repetitive or overly theatrical. She has the tendency to go from very quiet to ear-piercingly loud, so I often had to keep my hand on the volume control.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Halfway through the book, I started to become disenchanted with the constant rage and self-destruction she depicts and re-enacts through language. Then there was a turning point near the end that put the rest in perspective.

Any additional comments?

Though this was an incredible book, I almost wish I had read it traditionally rather than listening to an audiobook. It's not that Delaine's performance ruined the book, rather I would have liked to take the book at my own pace with more neutral inflections.

The narrator is beyond annoying to listen to

The narrator is beyond annoying to listen to and doesn't seem to fit the tone of the book well

Narrator is very obnoxious

I have a lot of respect for the author and I think I would've really enjoyed the book if I had read it. However, the narrator overacts the story so frequently and created a relationship of annoyance between me and the story. She impersonates accents, elongates and accentuates words excessively and overall makes the story really hard to listen to and pretentious sounding . Do yourself a favor and read this story instead of listening.

Screeching voice--Superb Story

What did you like best about The Chronology of Water? What did you like least?

This story is captivating, and the writing is lyrical and beautiful.

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Title: Summary of Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Author: Billionaire Mind Publishing

Narrator: Dave Wright

Format: Unabridged

Length: 46 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-22-17

Publisher: Billionaire Mind Publishing

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 59 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Please note: This is a summary and not the original book.

Count your blessings every single day.

Trevor Noah never had an easy life growing up. Growing up as the son of an illegal birth, Trevor had to be hidden away every time and his existence should never be known.

Born a Crime is Trevor Noah's brave and inspiring journey towards adulthood as he was finally liberated by the end of South Africa's tyrannical white rule. How did a boy who has been running and hiding away all his life manage to achieve such great success?

"Often, people who can do, don't because they're afraid of what people that can't do will say about them doing." (Trevor Noah)

Born a Crime is a book of a mischievous boy's journey towards greatness. Filled with emotions, Born a Crime made it to become the number-one New York Times best-seller. This inspirational and compelling story will never let you down.

PS: Feeling unmotivated and lost with your life? Harness the power of gratitude and realize how great your life already is with this book!

Members Reviews:

FIVE STARS!!!

A MUST listenor better yet listen to Trevor Noah read the story of his childhood in South Africa. He was an crime. His mother was black, his father was white and that was illegal. Bill Gates is right. This is one of the best books to read this summer.

excellent job

Excellent. Inspiring, funny. Incredible story told by excellent writer, intertwining history through a personal account of life. Well done, and looking forward to Trevors next book.

learning funny

Really enjoyed his style of writing which was witty and full of humor even when discussing difficult topics. I learned so much about South Africa and apartheid by listening this book. Highly recommended to everyone

Surprisingly moving as well as funny

A light path to growing up poor and biracial and a large complex society. It could've been a really dark story and absolutely had wicked times. The experience sees life as a background while feeling it is definitely comedic view His Mother is a striking woman. The connection between them is lovely. She is a flawed hero and an amazing partner.

Author nailed it.

Born a Crime is a book of a mischievous boy's journey towards greatness. Filled with emotions, Born a Crime made it to become the number-one New York Times best-seller. This inspirational and compelling story will never let you down.

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Title: Deep Undercover

Subtitle: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America

Author: Cindy Coloma, Jack Barsky

Narrator: Stephen Bowlby

Format: Unabridged

Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-17

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 307 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

One decision can end everything...or lead to unlikely redemption.

Millions watched the CBS 60 Minutes special on Jack Barsky in 2015. Now, in this fascinating memoir, the Soviet KGB agent tells his story of gut-wrenching choices, appalling betrayals, his turbulent inner world, and the secret life he lived for years without getting caught.

On October 8, 1978, a Canadian national by the name of William Dyson stepped off a plane at O'Hare International Airport and proceeded toward customs and immigration.

Two days later, William Dyson ceased to exist.

The identity was a KGB forgery, used to get one of their own - a young, ambitious East German agent - into the United States.

The plan succeeded, and the spy's new identity was born: Jack Barsky. He would work undercover for the next decade, carrying out secret operations during the Cold War years - until a surprising shift in his allegiance challenged everything he thought he believed.

Deep Undercover reveals the secret life of this man without a country and tells the story no one ever expected him to tell.

Members Reviews:

Very interesting story, well read.

Fascinating story of a life lived in parallel time to my own, but completely different. Raised in East Germany after the War, this brilliant young boy finds a pathway to success in a most unusual way: by agreeing to be a spy. Lots of twists and turns. And a surprising ending.

Amazing

Loved it. The ending is so good. Definitely listen at 1.5x or 2x speed. Reader is way too slow.

Outstanding

Loved this true story. I couldn't stop listening. I definitely recommend you give this book a chance

Loved it!

A very fascinating inspiring story and well done audio book. Couldn't stop listening. Loved it!

Interesting story of an unusual man.

This book is worth checking out! Fair warning, it gets a little preachy towards the end, but this man led a very interesting life.

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Title: Scared Selfless

Subtitle: My Journey from Abuse and Madness to Surviving and Thriving

Author: Michelle Stevens

Narrator: Michelle Stevens

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-17

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 216 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Michelle Stevens has a photo of the exact moment her childhood was stolen from her: She's only eight years old, posing for her mother's boyfriend, Gary Lundquist - an elementary school teacher, neighborhood stalwart, and brutal pedophile. Later that night Gary locks Michelle in a cage, tortures her repeatedly, and uses her to quench his voracious and deviant sexual whims. Little does she know that this will become her new reality for the next six years.

Michelle can also pinpoint the moment she reconstituted the splintered pieces of her life: She's in cap and gown, receiving her PhD in psychology - and the university's award for best dissertation.

The distance between these two points is the improbable journey from torture, loss, and mental illness to healing, recovery, and triumph that is Michelle's powerful memoir, Scared Selfless.

Michelle suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression and made multiple suicide attempts. She also developed multiple personalities. There was "Chelsey", the rebellious teenager; "Viscous", a tween with homicidal rage; and "Sarah", a sweet little girl who brought her teddy bear on a first date.

In this harrowing tale, Michelle, who was inspired to help others heal by becoming a psychotherapist, sheds light on the all-too-real threat of child sexual abuse, its subsequent psychological effects, and the best methods for victims to overcome their ordeals and, ultimately, thrive. Scared Selfless is both an examination of the extraordinary feats of the mind that are possible in the face of horrific trauma as well as Michelle's courageous testament to their power.

Critic Reviews:

"A riveting memoir that takes readers on a roller coaster ride from the depths of hell to triumphant success." (Dave Pelzer, author of A Child Called "It")

Members Reviews:

Horrifically Needed (Some Stories Need To Be Told)

This is one of those true stories that is so sadistic, disgusting, sad, and horrifying that it is hard to finish, but out of respect for Michelle Stevens I made myself listen.

Stories I have heard before of childhood molestation and physical abuse (that no one should ever have to endure) can not touch her heart wrenching tale. Made a sex slave to her piece of %$!* step father by the age of eight and not protected or even noticed by her mother, young Michelle endured emotional brain washing, physical, sexual, and mental abuse that should have killed her and would have killed most adults that I know. No teacher (stories written and pictures drawn), no school counselor (acting outrageously out of her normal character), no doctor (she almost bled to death from a botched at home forced abortion), or family member (she and her mother were isolated ) ever read the signs (multiple or split personality disorder) that even Michelle says she displayed, but I for one am thankful Michelle has told her story because in turn I will be very aware of the signs that children might show who are being abused. I could go into further details that go so far out that they almost become to hard to believe, but I will just finish by saying this is a well written and great narration of horrifically but absolutely needed work.

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Title: Revolution for Dummies

Author: Bassem Youssef

Narrator: Bassem Youssef

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 12 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-21-17

Publisher: HarperAudio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 322 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

"The Jon Stewart of the Arabic World" - the creator of The Program, the most popular television show in Egypt's history - chronicles his transformation from heart surgeon to political satirist, and offers crucial insight into the Arab Spring, the Egyptian Revolution, and the turmoil roiling the modern Middle East.

Bassem Youssef's incendiary satirical news program, Al-Bernameg (The Program), chronicled the events of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, the fall of President Hosni Mubarak, and the rise of Mubarak's successor, Mohamed Morsi. Youssef not only captured his nation's dissent, but stamped it with his own brand of humorous political criticism, in which the Egyptian government became the prime laughing stock.

So potent were Youssef's skits, jokes, and commentary, the authoritarian government accused him of insulting the Egyptian presidency and Islam. After a six-hour long police interrogation, Youssef was released. While his case was eventually dismissed, his television show was terminated, and Youssef, fearful for his safety, fled his homeland.

In Revolution for Dummies, Youssef recounts his life and offers hysterical riffs on the hypocrisy, instability, and corruption that has long animated Egyptian politics. From the attempted cover-up of the violent clashes in Tahrir Square to the government's announcement that it had created the world's first "AIDS cure" machine, to the conviction of officials that Youssef was a CIA operative - recruited by Jon Stewart - to bring down the country through sarcasm. There's much more - and it's all insanely true.

Interweaving the dramatic and inspiring stories of the development of his popular television show and his rise as the most contentious funny-man in Egypt, Youssef's humorous, fast-paced takes on dictatorship, revolution, and the unforeseeable destiny of democracy in the modern Middle East offers much needed hope and more than a few healing laughs.

Members Reviews:

The Jon Stewart of the Middle East

Bassem Youssef earned the nickname The Jon Stewart of the Middle East with his popular satirical news show in Egypt. Political pressure ultimately forced him to flee his country during the Arab Spring, and here he finally tells the whole story with dry, weary humor. The part that blows my mind the MOST is that this man was a freaking HEART SURGEON before the revolution, and he fell into becoming a hugely successful TV news host basically on a whim. Once he got a taste, there was no turning back. Talk about stumbling into your life's calling.

Youssef's trademark seems to be that he jokes about whatever he wants, totally irregardless of pressure from Egypt's leaders, his bosses, or popular opinion. He sticks to his guns, opinions be damned. It's what made him so successful but was also ultimately his downfall. There are so many moments in his story where you're like "Bassemmmmmm, don't do it." But then he does it, and you're just left in awe of his single-minded commitment to forbidding anyone from interfering with his content.

I also have a soft spot for stories with close male friendships, and Youssef's real-life friendship with Jon Stewart is very touching. Youssef was a fan first, and you can tell he's still totally starstruck by Stewart, but Stewart became his mentor and ultimately his friend.

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Title: Hal Moore

Subtitle: A Soldier Onceand Always

Author: Mike Guardia

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 03-07-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 36 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Hal Moore, one of the most admired American combat leaders of the last 50 years, has until now been best known to the public for being portrayed by Mel Gibson in the movie We Were Soldiers. In this biography, we finally learn the full story of one of America's true military heroes.

A 1945 graduate of West Point, Moore's first combats occurred during the Korean War, where he fought in the battles of Old Baldy, T-Bone, and Pork Chop Hill. At the beginning of the Vietnam War, Moore commanded the First Battalion of the Seventh Cavalry in the first full-fledged battle between US and North Vietnamese regulars. Drastically outnumbered and nearly overrun, Moore led from the front, and though losing 79 soldiers, accounted for 1,200 of the enemy before the communists withdrew. This battle pioneered the use of "air mobile infantry" - delivering troops into battle via helicopter - which became the staple of US operations for the remainder of the war. He later wrote of his experiences in the best-selling book We Were Soldiers Once...and Young.

Members Reviews:

Hal Moore: A Soldier Once . . . And Always

The true story of Hal; Moore rivals, "It doesn't take a Hero" the book written by General Norman Schwarzkopf. Hal Moore describes the details of both the Korean and Vietnam war and the issues with taking an objective. loosing many men and then giving up the objective due to political influence in both wars. His earlier life as a West Point plebe and subsequent rise to 3 star general is very interesting reading. The description of the La Drang valley fight early in the Vietnam war was spot on, as I was in country at the time having served 2 tours in Vietnam. it was later made into a movie with Mel Gibson, "We were Soldiers." He accurately describes the life of one of the greats soldiers of all times Command Sergeant Major Plumley. Hal Moore could have easily put on a 4th star if he hadn't taken the option to retire after 32 years. There is a great picture of Plumley and Moore standing together in full dress as they were old men on line. Read the book, it is great!! L Lee Parmeter Author

Not my normal genre, but glad I read it!

This book covers a time period that I was not really familiar with and through Hal Moore I learned those qualities that I hope still are being taught to those who serve our country. In fact, they are qualities that set an example for me as an individual also. In reading this account I got a sense of how important it is to have the commander in chief of our military (The president of The United States) a person with integrity who regards each individual serving our country as too valuable to be lost at a negotiation table or used as pawns on a chessboard so to speak.

There were times during the battles discussed when the higher powers dictated a certain area was to be taken or the frontline in a battle was to be moved to a certain point, which our soldiers then did their utmost to follow those orders - even at the lose of precious human life, only to later have it then seemingly lose its importance. Situations like that certainly give me pause as to the motivating factor behind the initial decision.

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Title: A Night in the Pech Valley

Subtitle: A Memoir of a Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the Global War on Terrorism

Author: Grant McGarry

Narrator: Corey M. Snow

Format: Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 02-21-17

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 86 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A Night in the Pech Valley is Grant McGarry's account of what it takes to become an Army Ranger and what life is like in the 75th Ranger Regiment. More importantly, it is about an operation in the most dangerous terrain for US forces anywhere in the world. The Pech Valley is surrounded by Taliban-filled mountains on the Pakistan border in the Kunar Province, where the mountain peaks push 10,000 feet. On the night of August 18, 2010, a platoon of Army Rangers were on a direct action raid to capture or kill a high value target, and this is the story of the Rangers who ferociously fought through the night and into the next morning. A Night in the Pech Valley is dedicated to Army Ranger, SPC Christopher Shane Wright, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Pech Valley on the morning of August 19th, 2010.

Members Reviews:

RANGER UP! Then buy this book

If this doesn't get your blood stirred up, I don't know what will.

I enjoy these style of books.

I'm a wounded veteran also. However, I was so far separated from legitimate action, I couldn't even compare my career in the military with these heroes.

Thank you for your service.

The story flows great, allowing the opportunity for the reader to gain all the info needed for the story. (The writer didn't deliver too much info to make it boring or too complicated)

As a reader it's easy to read this story and be entertained and go on to the next book. The author created this book for that. However, the larger picture was these are Americans, Heroes, Lives lost, Real human bodies injured. Let's don't skip that part by. Even if it's just taking a quiet moment to remember them. Let never forget our heroes!

Compelling description of one Ranger's experience

I'm a heavy consumer of audio books. I enjoy books on history, science, and the occasional piece of fiction. With a son beginning his military career, I've also purchased a number of memoir type books about the military's special operations forces, including Rangers, SEALs, etc.

A Night in the Pech Valley by Grant McGarry is among the best audio books I've listened to. I found the author's story to be an interesting and realistic account of life in the regiment, including what it takes, mentally and physically, for a young man to successfully complete the journey from RASP (aka RIP) through training and deployment. The level of detail strikes a perfect balance: enough detail to paint a realistic of what the author experienced but without boring or unnecessary minutiae. This is the audio version of a 'page turner'.

Finally, the narrator is very good, with a strong, clear voice that avoids the monotone that can ruin a good story.

Great Story

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed when the author mentioned Centennial High School. I live five minutes away from Centennial, my two oldest sons graduated from Centennial and my youngest will be attending next year.

Any additional comments?

Great story.

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Title: Rise

Subtitle: How a House Built a Family

Author: Cara Brookins

Narrator: Cara Brookins

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 01-24-17

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 132 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

After escaping an abusive marriage, Cara Brookins had four children to provide for and no one to turn to but herself. In desperate need of a home but without the means to buy one, she did something incredible.

Equipped only with YouTube instructional videos, a small bank loan, and a mile-wide stubborn streak, Cara built her own house from the foundation up with a work crew made up of her four children.

It would be the hardest thing she had ever done. With no experience nailing together anything bigger than a bookshelf, she and her kids poured concrete, framed the walls, and laid bricks for their two-story, five-bedroom house. She had convinced herself that if they could build a house, they could rebuild their broken family.

This must-listen memoir traces one family's rise from battered victims to stronger, better versions of themselves, all through one extraordinary do-it-yourself project.

This program is read by the author.

Members Reviews:

An extraordinary story so beautifully written

This book is a rare glimpse of what it's like to walk in the shoes of someone extraordinary. It will simultaneously uplift and humble you... making your seemingly insurmountable problems seem trivial in comparison.

Many people would be paralyzed with the idea of having to raise 4 kids as single mother with a full-time job coupled with freelance work. Now consider adding the threat of a stalker haunting you and your kids safety on a daily basis. Mix in having to cope with emotional scars left from a violent marriage. Next imagine what its like to build a house from scratch with limited resources and no experience under these conditions. Finally imagine doing all this hard physical labor with no more than 3-4 hours of sleep a night and you'll begin to appreciate what Cara Brookins and her children endured for 9 months.

This must-read memoir will take you to shockingly dark recesses of thought begotten from Cara's uncompromising and raw honesty. It will also make you weep, cheer and celebrate the power of the human spirit.

Inspirational. Truly Healing...

My dad was nuts... so I was truly intrigued by this memoir; after all, I've spent decades trying to rebuild my life, my psyche, from the ground up.

I can't tell you what a joy "Rise" was. This is for people who have fear in their backgrounds, fear in their lives that they'd like to live without. This is a book for people who are ready to let go of sadness so they have room for happiness.

Brookins has some pretty spectacular children: A nurturing organizer, a traumatized man child looking for hope, a preteen who draws happy pictures but has night terrors, and a rambling two-year old who just wants love and cookies. It was mind boggling being with them on this extraordinary journey where the hard work of growing up and healing is done with the firing of a nail gun, the watching of a YouTube video, and with a million tiny acts of faith.

Expect vivid depictions of the terror they lived through, from "ordinary" throat strangling abuse, through the devastations of schizophrenia and obsession. I was happy that Brookins got her children away from the former, but there was no getting away from the latter. Horrifying.