JANUARY 24, 2020
So...iguanas fell from the sky
The National Weather Service in Miami issued an unusual alert earlier this week:Falling iguanas possible tonight.Ever curious about natural phenomena, we dug into this mysterious missive to learn that iguanas start to stiffen and fall out of trees when temps drop to the 30s and 40s (!). But don't assume they're dead—when frozen iguanas thaw, they can feel threatened and bite. These fascinating facts have us reaching for one of our favorite recent listens about strange animal behavior.
In other animal-adjacent news...
Do androids dream of electric sheep? Or do artists dream of humanoid lambs? All we know is, we’re legitimately terrified of the newly restored Lamb of God in the Ghent Altarpiece, the 15th-century masterpiece credited as the world’s first major oil painting. The viral restoration one-ups our previous favorite, Ecce Homo, by being alarmingly detailed and, apparently, totally accurate. Turns out Great Courses professor Dorsey Armstrong was right—medieval imagination was lit!Maybe the (screen-obsessed) kids are alright?
Editor Courtney has always espoused aneverything in moderationapproach to screen time for her kids (and all so-called vices, if we’re being honest), which is why she latched onto a new report stating
there doesn’t seem to be any evidence base that would explain the level of panic and consternationaround the psychological effects of glowing screens on children. Scientists pored through 40 studies on screen time to conclude that, per the New York Times,
the phone is just a mirror that reveals the problems a child would have even without the phone.🤯 For Courtney’s recommended listens on mindful parenting, check out audible.com/parentallistening.
We'll just be over here swooning…
A handful of choice photos from a recent awards event had the gossips buzzing about the possible reunion of one of America's all-time favorite former celebrity couples. Whether this becomes the greatest shipping success of 2020 or not, we thought it was urgently important that everyone know there's a whole genre of romance dedicated to second chance stories, and now feels like the ideal time to escape. We can dream, right?What about a royally happily ever after?
Following their romantic courtship and fairy-tale wedding, no one could have predicted the bombshell announcement that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are stepping away from royal life—unless you’re romance writer Alyssa Cole. It’s a plot twist familiar to the author of the Reluctant Royals series, where princesses save princes and royal lovers escape their gilded bubbles and dysfunctional families. In a recent op-ed for The Washington Post, Cole applauds the Sussexes’ royal rebellion:In this new storybook ending, people don't have to wallow in the toxic mire because that's how things are in this family. Black women don't have to stay strong in the face of racist vitriol as some kind of perverse toll for being in the public eye. You can pack your bags and leave, and even the disappointment of the queen of England can't stop you.We couldn't have written it better ourselves!
In other news
- We bid a fond farewell to Jim Lehrer, longtime PBS news anchor and debate-moderator extraordinaire.
- Hank Azaria (finally) said he will no longer voice Apu for The Simpsons. Now we wait to find out whether the character disappears...or continues from an authentic South Asian perspective.
- Coronavirus news has us a little on edge, so we’re turning to editor Sam’s thoughtful collection of sci-fi listens about plagues for some solace and perspective.
- As we gear up for this weekend’s Grammy awards, we’re digging into some of the best music memoirs of all time.
- R.I.P. Mr. Peanut who was declared dead at 104 by his official Twitter account. With likes and retweets numbering in the 100s of thousands, we’d call this a branding win for the late legume.
Audiobooks in This Edition
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Ep. 28: Our Listens for The Best Year Yet
- De: The Audible Editors
- Duración: 54 m
- Grabación Original
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
Listen in as the editors share their resolutions and recommendations for a year of inspired and inspiring listening.
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Not enough book titles
- De Seattlelistener en 01-26-20
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Blade Runner
- Originally published as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
- De: Philip K. Dick
- Narrado por: Scott Brick
- Duración: 9 h y 12 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
It was January 2021, and Rick Deckard had a license to kill. Somewhere among the hordes of humans out there lurked several rogue androids. Deckard's assignment: find them and then..."retire" them. Trouble was, the androids all looked exactly like humans, and they didn't want to be found!
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This is the original Do Androids Dream of Electric
- De D. ABIGT en 08-29-10
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Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- De: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrado por: Dorsey Armstrong
- Duración: 5 h y 6 m
- Grabación Original
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more. With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths.
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Interesting, but centered on Britain
- De Ximena en 04-10-20
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The Art of Screen Time
- How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life
- De: Anya Kamenetz
- Narrado por: Anya Kamenetz
- Duración: 8 h y 10 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
Finally there's a no-nonsense, don't-panic, evidence-based guide to one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: managing a world where screens are everywhere we look. With this book, Anya Kamenetz - a journalist, an award-winning expert on both education and technology, and a mother of two young children - takes a refreshingly practical approach. She surveys both the experts and hundreds of fellow parents to find out how they really manage screens at home - for their children and themselves.
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A well-structured survey for intensive parents
- De Tom Craven en 09-11-18
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A Princess in Theory
- De: Alyssa Cole
- Narrado por: Karen Chilton
- Duración: 11 h y 27 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn't have time for fairy tales . . . or the patience for constant emails claiming she's betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she's learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly email won't convince her otherwise. Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed.
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Inclusive Royal Romance
- De AudioBookHoe en 08-10-18
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The Truth About Animals
- Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlife
- De: Lucy Cooke
- Narrado por: Lucy Cooke
- Duración: 10 h y 28 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
Mary Roach meets Sam Kean and Bill Bryson in this uproarious tour of the basest instincts and biggest mysteries of the animal world. In The Truth About Animals, Lucy Cooke takes us on a worldwide journey to meet everyone from a Colombian hippo castrator to a Chinese panda porn peddler, all to lay bare the secret - and often hilarious - habits of the animal kingdom. Charming and at times downright weird, this modern bestiary is perfect for anyone who has ever suspected that virtue might be unnatural.
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Great listen, highly recommend
- De Thomas en 06-26-18
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Ep. 28: Our Listens for The Best Year Yet
- De: The Audible Editors
- Duración: 54 m
- Grabación Original
-
General
-
Narración:
-
Historia
Listen in as the editors share their resolutions and recommendations for a year of inspired and inspiring listening.
-
-
Not enough book titles
- De Seattlelistener en 01-26-20
-
Blade Runner
- Originally published as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
- De: Philip K. Dick
- Narrado por: Scott Brick
- Duración: 9 h y 12 m
- Versión completa
-
General
-
Narración:
-
Historia
It was January 2021, and Rick Deckard had a license to kill. Somewhere among the hordes of humans out there lurked several rogue androids. Deckard's assignment: find them and then..."retire" them. Trouble was, the androids all looked exactly like humans, and they didn't want to be found!
-
-
This is the original Do Androids Dream of Electric
- De D. ABIGT en 08-29-10
-
Medieval Myths & Mysteries
- De: Dorsey Armstrong, The Great Courses
- Narrado por: Dorsey Armstrong
- Duración: 5 h y 6 m
- Grabación Original
-
General
-
Narración:
-
Historia
The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more. With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths.
-
-
Interesting, but centered on Britain
- De Ximena en 04-10-20
-
The Art of Screen Time
- How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life
- De: Anya Kamenetz
- Narrado por: Anya Kamenetz
- Duración: 8 h y 10 m
- Versión completa
-
General
-
Narración:
-
Historia
Finally there's a no-nonsense, don't-panic, evidence-based guide to one of the biggest challenges facing parents today: managing a world where screens are everywhere we look. With this book, Anya Kamenetz - a journalist, an award-winning expert on both education and technology, and a mother of two young children - takes a refreshingly practical approach. She surveys both the experts and hundreds of fellow parents to find out how they really manage screens at home - for their children and themselves.
-
-
A well-structured survey for intensive parents
- De Tom Craven en 09-11-18
-
A Princess in Theory
- De: Alyssa Cole
- Narrado por: Karen Chilton
- Duración: 11 h y 27 m
- Versión completa
-
General
-
Narración:
-
Historia
Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn't have time for fairy tales . . . or the patience for constant emails claiming she's betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she's learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly email won't convince her otherwise. Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed.
-
-
Inclusive Royal Romance
- De AudioBookHoe en 08-10-18
-
The Truth About Animals
- Stoned Sloths, Lovelorn Hippos, and Other Tales from the Wild Side of Wildlife
- De: Lucy Cooke
- Narrado por: Lucy Cooke
- Duración: 10 h y 28 m
- Versión completa
-
General
-
Narración:
-
Historia
Mary Roach meets Sam Kean and Bill Bryson in this uproarious tour of the basest instincts and biggest mysteries of the animal world. In The Truth About Animals, Lucy Cooke takes us on a worldwide journey to meet everyone from a Colombian hippo castrator to a Chinese panda porn peddler, all to lay bare the secret - and often hilarious - habits of the animal kingdom. Charming and at times downright weird, this modern bestiary is perfect for anyone who has ever suspected that virtue might be unnatural.
-
-
Great listen, highly recommend
- De Thomas en 06-26-18
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Tension City
- Inside the Presidential Debates, from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain
- De: Jim Lehrer
- Narrado por: Jim Lehrer
- Duración: 5 h y 16 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
From the man widely hailed as “the Dean of Moderators” comes a lively and revealing book that pulls back the curtain on more than 40 years of televised political debate in America. A veteran newsman who has presided over 11 presidential and vice-presidential debates, Jim Lehrer gives readers a ringside seat for some of the epic political battles of our time, shedding light on all of the critical turning points and rhetorical faux pas that helped determine the outcome of America’s presidential elections—and with them the course of history.
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Jim Leher is a jewel of a journalist.
- De carole en 05-28-12
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Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits
- De: Debbie Millman
- Narrado por: Nicole Vilencia
- Duración: 10 h y 26 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
We are now living in a world with over 100 brands of bottled water. The United States alone is home to over 45,000 shopping malls. And there are more than 19 million customized beverage choices a barista can whip up at your local Starbucks. Whether it’s good or bad, the real question is why we behave this way in the first place. Why do we telegraph our affiliations or our beliefs with symbols, signs, and codes? Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits contains 20 interviews with the world’s leading designers and thinkers in branding.
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Great book, I couldnt connect with the narrator
- De Joe Oviedo en 02-07-15
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Break Shot: My First 21 Years
- Words + Music, Vol. 2
- De: James Taylor
- Narrado por: James Taylor
- Duración: 1 h y 33 m
- Grabación Original
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
"I’m James Taylor and I’m a professional autobiographer", says the celebrated folk singer at the start of this tender audio memoir. Through decades of music by one of the best-selling musicians of all time, who created classics like "Fire and Rain" and "Carolina in My Mind", James Taylor has doled out his history in the poetry of his work. Taylor says his early life is, "the source of many of my songs", and Break Shot is a tour of his first 21 years in rich, new detail.
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Love His Music, Love His Story
- De M. Batt en 01-31-20
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The Plague
- De: Albert Camus
- Narrado por: James Jenner
- Duración: 10 h y 52 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
In the small coastal city of Oran, Algeria, rats begin rising up from the filth, only to die as bloody heaps in the streets. Shortly after, an outbreak of the bubonic plague erupts and envelops the human population. Albert Camus' The Plague is a brilliant and haunting rendering of human perseverance and futility in the face of a relentless terror born of nature.
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Translator Please!
- De Placeholder en 06-04-11
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Duct Tape Parenting
- A Less-Is-More Approach to Raising Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient Kids
- De: Vicki Hoefle, Alex Kajitani - foreword
- Narrado por: Vicki Hoefle
- Duración: 8 h y 51 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
There's a new set of 3Rs for our kids - respect, responsibility, and resilience - to better prepare them for life in the real world. Once developed, these skills let kids take charge, and let parents step back, to the benefit of all. Casting hover mothers and helicopter parents aside, Vicki Hoefle encourages a different, counterintuitive, yet much more effective, approach to parenting: for parents to sit on their hands, stay on the sidelines - even if duct tape is required!
Witty and straight-shooting, Duct Tape Parenting entertains as it informs parents how to do less in order to raise more confident, capable children.
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Parenting for the long haul
- De Kathi en 03-04-13
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Springfield Confidential
- Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons
- De: Mike Reiss, Mathew Klickstein
- Narrado por: Mike Reiss
- Duración: 7 h y 28 m
- Versión completa
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General
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Narración:
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Historia
Four-time Emmy winner Mike Reiss - who has worked on The Simpsons continuously since episode one in 1989 - shares stories, scandals, and gossip about working with America’s most iconic cartoon family ever. Reiss explains how the episodes are created and provides an inside look at the show’s writers, animators, actors, and celebrity guests. He answers a range of questions from Simpsons fans and die-hards and reminisces about the making of perennially favorite episodes.
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Story was arrogant and the delivery was terrible..
- De Tyler en 06-20-18