Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Letters of a Woman Homesteader

Author: Elinore Pruitt Stewart

Narrator: Flo Gibson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 4 hrs and 31 mins

Language: English

Release date: 11-04-14

Publisher: Audio Book Contractors

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

These lively, captivating letters are filled with sentiment and the excitement of pioneer life. Peopled with fascinating characters, they reveal the beauty and joy of living and working on the prairie.

Members Reviews:

Great stories told very well

I recently moved to Wyoming, guess I ought to change my profile, but anyway, wanted to learn some more about my new home state. . I found this book by accident and really loved it!!

A young widow with a two year old daughter moves to Wyoming. She is courageous, but also has help and it is a wonderful set of stories of her new life. I wish it covered more of her life.

She writes her physical descriptions with a poets eyes and words, really so easy to listen to.

I love Flo Gibson, I enjoy her very much and she does an excellent job of narration.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Hey True Blue

Author: John Williamson

Narrator: John Williamson

Format: Unabridged

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-20-14

Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Williamson takes us through his life, from growing up on the land in the Mallee and Moree in a family of five boys, to being the voice of Australia.

John got a lucky break that kickstarted his music career with 'Old Man Emu', which he wrote and performed on New Faces in 1970.

After huge initial success, his music career floundered for a decade until he reinvented himself by chronicling the subjects and issues that are close to his heart.John's songs are all about Australia he expresses his love of our land 'Mallee Boy', his outrage at environmental destruction 'Rip Rip Woodchip', his pride in the Australian character and spirit 'Hey, True Blue' and captures our sense of humour 'Old Man Emu'.

His life story is also all about Australia his love of the land, the importance of family, and what it really means to be true blue.

He has performed at huge public events, ranging from the Sydney Olympics, to the NRL grand finals and Steve Irwin's funeral.Beyond the songs, John has revealed barely anything about his private life in his 40-year career.

He opens up here, talking about the tough times, the great times and what matters to him. In his distinctive Australian accent, he tells it like it is.This is a journey across the breadth of Australia, and beyond.Read by the author, Hey True Blue also includes excerpts of his iconic song of the same name.

Members Reviews:

I understand that great performers have to have a big ego

I understand that great performers have to have a big ego, otherwise they wouldn't want to stand up in public and sing and although I was very interested to read about John Williamson's background, at times the ego got in the way and made the story irritaing. Despite this it is a very interesting book for anytone who is interested in the life of such a prominent Australian performer who has done such a great deal for Australian music.

The very best

Real Aussie music. The very best

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Maybe I Should Drink More

Author: Stephanie Sparer

Narrator: Elisabeth Rodgers

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Language: English

Release date: 10-03-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Maybe I Should Drink More, like most audiobooks about young adults trying to find their place in the world, starts with a breakup. Stephanie Sparer explores the oddities of life in a series of candid essays about dating failures and dating wins, self-actualizing, work, and the slew of anxieties that come free with your college diploma. Her prose raises questions such as, Do five people equal a party? Am I attracted to this dude or just his plaid shirt? Am I working hard enough? Should I relax more? Maybe I should drink more?

Maybe you should just read this book for the answers and stop looking at the synopsis.

Members Reviews:

Right now, you may want to drink more, but first read this book.

What makes this book such an entertaining read is similar to what made Seinfeld such an endearing television show. No matter how silly, awful, or downright ludicrous the story was, people still felt they could easily relate to the characters in those scenarios, and likely see themselves responding the same way. The same is true for "Maybe I Should Drink More."

In this book, Stephanie Sparer gives an entertaining and often irreverent glimpse into the triumphs, trials, and idiosyncrasies of her life. Covering everything from bad dates to the uncomfortable flights sitting next to odd people, no story ever feels out of place, and better yet, each story has at least something that we can all relate to.

The best authors write stories (true or not) which allow the reader to see themselves inside the narrative, much like a literary mirror. This book is no exception.

Funny relationship insigjts

Very funny. Not a Jewish girl with bows in my hair but I could be. A look at the relationships we've all had. Not good, bad and worse told with humor.

You should read this book. Do it now!

A lot of people write creative non-fiction, and like most genres; few of them are very good at it. Some are informative, detailed, and dull, while others are entertaining but not very realistic. Ms. Sparer has found the balance and excels at maintaining an interesting narrative while also evoking pathos. The author's ability to bring you into her world is simply awe-inspiring.

Individually, the essays in this collection are funny; sad; scary; and heart-warming; with good humor and a sardonically positive attitude running throughout. While the subject matter varies widely, and each essay stands alone quite well, when read in order they also tell a cohesive story which I found rewarding. I look forward to reading more from this author.

... while I will read a book and then feel better about myself because my life isn't as bad as ...

Every once in a while I will read a book and then feel better about myself because my life isn't as bad as I thought it was. This book is one of them. If you want to laugh at other people's stories (dating especially), this book is for you.

Excellent Story Telling

Stephanie Sparer has a true gift for story telling. She cares deeply about connecting with her readers and this compilation of stories is a testament to her ability to articulate the human experience as something that sometimes deserves to be laughed at despite how painful some incidents are for us. Her personal experiences are fun to read about and at the same time, they resonate with any reader who has gone through a bad relationship or has just simply been looking for a friend with whom to talk and joke.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Gift of Love

Subtitle: One Woman's Journey to Save a Life

Author: Amy Clipston

Narrator: Erin Bennett

Format: Unabridged

Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-23-14

Publisher: Zondervan

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 3 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Their odds were 100,000 to one.

Her faith was 1 in a million. In The Gift of Love, best-selling fiction author Amy Clipston shares her story of almost losing the love of her life to kidney disease and the ultimate sacrifice that kept their family together. An ordinary woman who cherishes family above all else, Amy was challenged in every way - from her strength of character to the depths of her faith to the close-knit family that surrounds her. Enduring the good, the bad, and the really bad, she was determined to help her husband once again be the husband and father their family needed.

Amys story will give hope and encouragement to anyone who finds themselves waiting on God. Staring down adversity, Amy and her family received the most important gift of all, the gift of love. And regardless of your situation, this gift can be yours, too.

An inspirational story of strength and determination, The Gift of Love is the triumph of one womans faith against all odds, and a soul-filling reminder that no matter how hard life gets, it is worth fighting for.

Members Reviews:

Such a touching story!

This story is full of emotion, sadness, fear, illness, courage, hope and life. Quite a combination, but every single one is necessary for the reader to understand all that Amy Clipston went through in trying to help her husband. First, I need to say thank you to Amy for her willingness to open up about such a personal time in her life. To put your story out like that must have been extremely difficult. Second, I applaud her willingness to spread the word about the importance of organ donation! It is something that I know not a lot of people know about, and even the ones that do have questions, or struggle with decision making. This story might help those people.

Ms. Clipston did a fabulous job of explaining the donation process in a way that is understandable to those not in the medical field. Not once did I find myself wishing I had a dictionary because I didn't understand what she was talking about! This is crucial in writing a story like this, and I am sure was difficult in the writing process. It's almost like writing a story for a young child, you have to break down the words in a way that they will understand. I think Amy has mastered that. She also kept the story simple. She didn't overload the story with too many facts or memories; or share things that would have been a little bit too much information for this book to have a maximizing effect. If it was crucial to her journey, she included it.

Perhaps even more amazing was her ability to be so open and honest about her feelings during this journey. Some authors may have tried to mask their hurts, wishes, or frustrations. Amy did the opposite, and by including these thoughts you were able to empathize and connect with her. I admire her for being so honest and not sugar coating her experience.

There are many reasons for you to read this. Maybe you want to find out about organ donation. Maybe you just want to know a little bit more about Amy and her family. Perhaps you could use a little hope and inspiration. This is the book for you. Don't wait another minute and read it today!!

Love Is the Best Gift

This is a wonderful true story about the love of a woman for her husband and her desire to see him whole again.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Mountain to Mountain

Subtitle: A Journey of Adventure and Activism for the Women of Afghanistan

Author: Shannon Galpin

Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Language: English

Release date: 09-16-14

Publisher: Tantor Audio

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Being inspired to act can take many forms. For some, it's taking a weekend to volunteer, but for Shannon Galpin, it meant leaving her career, selling her house, launching a nonprofit, and committing her life to advancing education and opportunity for women and girls. Focusing on the war-torn country of Afghanistan, Galpin and her organization, Mountain2Mountain, have touched the lives of hundreds of men, women, and children. In her lyrical and honest memoir, Galpin describes her first forays into fundraising, her deep desire to help women and girls halfway across the world, and her love for adventure and sports.

During her numerous trips to Afghanistan, Shannon reaches out to politicians and journalists, as well as everyday Afghans, to cross a cultural divide and find common ground. She narrates harrowing encounters, exhilarating bike rides, humorous episodes, and the heartbreak inherent in a country that is still recovering from decades of war and occupation.

Critic Reviews:

"Shannon Galpin's lovely cycling saga is an inspiring and illuminating window into the lives of modern-day Afghan women and their continuing struggle to ride their own path to freedom, recognition, and equality." (Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner)

Members Reviews:

Nice mission; skip the rape scenes

Clearly the author has a very nice mission she is attempting to share with the readers and is doing wonderful job in Afghanistan with her advocacy. I could have done without the two chapters focused on the details of her sisters rape and her rape. It was too much and took away from the rest of the book rather than adding value. I understand including the fact it occurred to illustrate her reasons for starting this mission, but a whole chapter dedicated to the explicit details may have been helpful for her to purge it from her essence, but it added nothing to the book.

Self-discovery in Afghanistan

What made the experience of listening to Mountain to Mountain the most enjoyable?

I am fascinated by the stories of women in countries like Afghanistan that require them as mothers and wive sbut who want them to be hidden away. Shannon Galpin's Mountain to Mountain is a wonderful biography about one woman's organization, team, and self-discovery against the backdrop of Afghanistan.

What other book might you compare Mountain to Mountain to and why?

The Underground Girls of Kabul, in the Land of Invisible Women. There are several parallels between these books, and yet each approaches a traditional culture at a different angle.

What about Emily Woo Zellers performance did you like?

I loved her performance; she is an actress with incredible talent. her accents are a bit flat, and dialogue is not her strong suit, but this is minor when compared to the emotional performance she gave.

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

When Shannon realized she was not as strong as she thought. She wanted a brutal attack not to define her, even as she came to the realization that NOT wanting it to define her defined her more than the attack ever did.

Any additional comments?

A terrific book that peaks into the culture of a war-torn country that is still in the process of rebuilding.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Power of Two: A Twin Triumph over Cystic Fibrosis

Author: Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, Anabel Stenzel

Narrator: Linda Kerr

Format: Unabridged

Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-26-14

Publisher: University Press Audiobooks

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

For most people, a diagnosis of cystic fibrosis means the certainty of a life ended too soon. But for twin girls with the disease, what began as a family's stubborn determination grew into a miracle.

The tragedy of CF has been touchingly recounted in such books as Frank Deford's Alex: The Life of a Child, but The Power of Two is the first book to portray the symbiotic relationship between twins who share this life-threatening disease through adulthood. Isabel Stenzel Byrnes and Anabel Stenzel tell of their lifelong struggle to pursue normal lives with cystic fibrosis while grappling with the realization that they will die young. Their story reflects the physical and emotional challenges of a particularly aggressive form of CF and tells how the twins' bicultural heritage - Japanese and German - influenced the way they coped with these challenges.

Born in 1972, 17 years before scientists discovered the genetic mutation that causes CF, Isabel and Anabel endured the daily regimen of chest percussion, frequent doctor visits, and lengthy hospitalizations. But they tell how, in the face of innumerable setbacks, their deep-seated dependence on each other allowed them to survive long enough to reap the benefits of the miraculous lung transplants that marked a crossroads in their lives: "We have an old life - one of growing up with chronic illness - and a new life - one of opportunities and gifts we have never imagined before." In this memoir, they pay tribute to the people who shaped their experience.

The Power of Two is an honest and gripping portrayal of day-to-day health care, the impact of chronic illness on marriage and family, and the importance of a support network to continuing survival. It conveys an important message to both popular and professional listeners as it addresses key psychosocial issues in chronic illness throughout the sufferer's lifespan and illuminates the human side of advances in biotechnology.

Even as gene therapy and stem-cell research increase the chances for eradicating CF, this stirring account portrays its effects on one family that refused to give up. These two remarkable sisters have much to teach about the power of perseverance - and about the ultimate power of hope.

The book is published by University of Missouri Press.

Critic Reviews:

"A book of hope and a must-read for any parent of a CF child or a person living with CF." (Boomer Esiason, NFL Pro Football Player, President, Boomer Esiason Foundation, Parent of CF Child)

"Isabel and Anabel's memoir of their extraordinary battle with cystic fibrosis is at once uplifting and frightening, touching and tough, but always powerful and filled with life and spirit, alike." (Frank Deford, author of Alex: The Life of a Child)

Members Reviews:

Moving and well written story

This is a fantastic book. Well written. Educational. Easy to relate to.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: My Mom My Hero

Subtitle: Alzheimer's, a Mother and Daughter's Bittersweet Journey

Author: Lisa R. Hirsch

Narrator: Jannie Meisberger

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-23-14

Publisher: My Mom My Hero

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

A daughter's newfound love. When Lisa Hirsch found out her mother, Ruth, had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, her love, appreciation, and caring for her mother was transformed. To Lisa's surprise, it has brought her and Ruth closer together than they've ever been.

My Mom My Hero tells the story of this mother-daughter relationship through a series of entries from Lisa's internationally popular blog. Ultimately, this is an uplifting and inspirational audiobook for anyone who's going through the difficult and often lonely ordeal of caring for a loved one who suffers from this devastating illness.

Critic Reviews:

"My Mom My Hero is filled with love and a deep appreciation for the human spirit." (Laura Stein, best-selling author)

"This book is a rare gift for anyone who reads it." (Holly Robinson, author of Sleeping Tigers and The Wishing Hill)

"My Mom My Hero is a light of inspiration in a world that can be dark and frustrating." (Franz Wisner, New York Times best-selling author of Honeymoon with My Brother and How the World Makes Love

Members Reviews:

Good feeling verses daily challenges of caregiving

Good insight to how the daughter feels about her mother and long distance involvement and things she does with her mother. Living in another state made her visits and time with her mother limited. Therefore somewhat limited on the daily challanges and difficulties experienced as a full time caregiver. Also many of the replies from her blog were just accolades for the care the author give her mother. I know from experience there is a major difference between a full-time caregiver and someone that visits occasionally from out of state. They don't deal with the most difficult conditions with the patient.

Encouraging

Wonderful read for anyone who us dealing with this horrible disease of Dementia/Alzheimer's, or for those of us thinking we might be fixing to. Reminds us not to take things for granted and to be willing to love and take care of those who first took care of us. I can relate to the author. Thank you four sharing your journey!

How Can Children Help a Parent when They Are Miles Apart?

ourselves. The author told us how her mother changed from one day to another and how she herself coped with those changes.

Some readers have criticized the author for writing this book when she doesn't live near her mother; she lives several states away from her. However, physical distance separates many families. Children move away, or the parents may move to another location. This book tells how the author deals with her mother's disease and stays in touch with daily phone calls to her mother and with visits when possible.

It is a good idea to be informed about dementia, and we need to know not just the medical facts but also how dementia affects others in the family. The author reveals both good and bad days.

I was my moms caregiver and lived in a different state than she did so my time with her was limited much like the author of this

My husband bought this book for me when my mom was diagnosed with dementia. I cant begin to explain how this book helped me and continues to help. I was my moms caregiver and lived in a different state than she did so my time with her was limited much like the author of this book.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Confessions of a Token Black Girl

Author: Danielle Small

Narrator: Lisa Renee Pitts

Format: Unabridged

Length: 42 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-01-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 8 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

Confessions of a Token Black Girl is a snappy comedic tale framing Danielle's first-hand experiences in Wisconsin and other places as the perpetual 'token black girl,' fraught with dark moments and hate crimes. It's a coming-of-age-story but instead of finding herself during a road trip, Danielle found herself through the effects of racism. This book humorously chronicles Danielle's quest for understanding what black identity means to her - instead of what it means to everyone else.

Members Reviews:

Yes!

Yes! I related so much to this story, thank you so much for telling it!!

Wow. My first full review of anything.

I've never read a book before that felt so much like it was written for me and my life. It was real, funny, and more relatable than any thing I can think of. Thank you, Danielle.

Insightful, Intelligent and Unparallel Take on Racism

Danielle Small did a superb job showcasing and verbalizing all the thought of most "time. Black girls" like myself. She put in to great sarcastic prospective just how ridiculous the phrase and unwanted role is to us women who are brilliant, bright and unique. Kudos!

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Storm

Subtitle: A Family's Battle with Mental Illness

Author: Michael R. Lewis

Narrator: Sean Schroeder

Format: Unabridged

Length: 51 mins

Language: English

Release date: 06-13-14

Publisher: Michael R Lewis

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 10 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

In the 1950s, mental illness was in the closet, a condition rarely discussed beyond immediate family members. A young mother struggles with bipolar disorder, abusing alcohol and prescription drugs before seeking psychiatric help. Their solution: mind-altering shock and insulin treatments.

Her husband, fighting to keep the love of his life, focuses on her recovery, working two jobs to cover the costs of a decade-long cycle of depression. Her son, just entering his teenage years, feeling abandoned and lost in his anger at the disintegration of the family by forces he can't understand, explores the dark side of his character.

There are no winners in this family tragedy, just survivors. The familial strands are stretched and strained, almost to the breaking point.

"The Storm" is a testament to the resilience of families and individuals, not the triumph of modern medicine or the saving grace of a miracle. It is a story of love and responsibility overcoming adversity of the worst sort, of going ahead when the future is most uncertain.

Members Reviews:

A heartfelt story of a family dealing with mental

What disappointed you about The Storm?

The length . I think Mr Lewis could have discussed the effect that his mother's illness had on him as an adult ad not just his turbulent childhood.

Would you ever listen to anything by Michael R. Lewis again?

Yes

What does Sean Schroeder bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

Mr Schroeder did a good job with narration and listening to books allows me to multitask.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Painted a clear picture of the family dynamics of mental illness.

Good story and very well told

If you could sum up The Storm in three words, what would they be?

story of hope

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Storm?

The whole story was excellent especially about how the author grew up.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was just before the author went away to college. He was talking with he father about his father's regret. Very well done.

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

see above

Any additional comments?

The narrator did an excellent job. His tone and pace easily drew me into the story.

wonderful insight on mental illness

If you could sum up The Storm in three words, what would they be?

Descriptive , entertaining and informative

Which character as performed by Sean Schroeder was your favorite?

I really felt for the author and connected to some of what he experienced as he was growing up

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I would use the same sub-title

Any additional comments?

The author's words had me feeling as though I was there. They were very descriptive and heartfelt. I also enjoyed listening to the lilt of the narrator.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Accidental Feminist

Subtitle: The Life of One Woman Through War, Motherhood, and International Photojournalism

Author: Toby Molenaar

Narrator: Daniel Joanna

Format: Unabridged

Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-06-14

Publisher: Audible Studios

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Bios & Memoirs, Personal Memoirs

Publisher's Summary:

This is the story of an independent woman who is a model for our timephotographer Toby Molenaar. It begins in Holland during World War II, when her country is decimated by the occupying German army and she is literally left to starve. As a little girl, she learns to be self-sufficientsurvival is the order of the day.

After the war, she finds love in Switzerland, marries, and starts a family. Her perfect life soon unravels however, when she meets the irresistible writer Fred Grunfeld, a foreign correspondent for Time, Life, and other magazines, and the new couple settles in Mallorca. Fred takes her along on his travels covering the world for various publications, from Alaska to Argentina, India, and China. Reinventing herself yet again, Toby learns her new trade as a photographer and becomes an eminent photojournalist.

When Husband Number Two leaves and her life in Mallorca evaporates, she is ready to carry on, taking on her own international assignmentsuntil Husband Number Three enters the picture, in France, and a new child is born.

Courage, indomitable spirit, an open mind, and accountability only to herself are the stuff of this fascinating and inspirational story.

Members Reviews:

A must read book.

Toby Molenaar's book is an incredible book that will make you laugh and cry. Not only is it a memoir, but readers will learn so much about history, travel and photography -- not to mention about a life richly lived. Molenaar is a beautiful writer who has been incredibly generous about sharing her life on so many levels.

A woman for all seasons

This is a story of courage, passion and artistic expression that inspires. The writing is honest, compelling and oft times startling in it's description of the personal experiences Toby Molenaar encountered during her remarkable life and career as an international photographer. All beautifully observed in words and photos that transports the reader into a world of adventure, travel and the powerful story of a most remarkable woman.

You will laugh, you will cry

A remarkable woman. A remarkable life.

She had access to places no men could reach. And did so with the subtle vision of an outstanding human being.