SEPTEMBER 6, 2019
Picky eaters, you’re on notice.
After a summer full of daily trips to the ice cream truck (and zero to the farmer’s market), Editor Courtney had already vowed to restart healthier habits in her family—and then a new report gave her the perfect opening. Just published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the study found that a 17-year-old boy had gone blind, after subsisting for seven years on a diet of just five things: fries, potato chips, white bread, ham, and sausage. The upshot? Well, as Michael Pollan might say (and does, via narrator Scott Brick, in In Defense of Food's iconic opening line):Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.
Fortunately, self-improvement doesn’t have to be quite so terrifying.
Our social feeds are blowing up with photos of kids heading back to school, which has some of us sleepless with worry while others just want in on the fun. Partly as a distraction from back-to-school fretting, and partly to get our learnin’ on, several of us editors committed to self-improvement via The Great Courses, and it was a ton of fun to discover what each of us got out of our chosen areas of study. Check out all the audio learning fun.Anonymous no more.
We were stunned when Chanel Miller revealed her identity on Wednesday as the woman who was sexually assaulted by Stanford swimmer Brock Turner in 2015. Turner was found guilty and sentenced to six months in prison, of which he served three before being released. If Chanel Miller’s riveting victim impact statement is any indication, her forthcoming memoir Know My Name promises to be a powerful account of reclaiming one’s identity after incomprehensible trauma. At the time of Brock Turner’s sentencing in 2016, Miller’s victim impact statement was delivered anonymously in the courtroom. But she isn’t anonymous anymore. Her name is Chanel Miller, and everyone’s about to know it.Continuing her #GOAT🐐 status…
Serena Williams celebrated her 100th US Open singles win this week, as she progressed to the semi-finals. The only thing we’ve successfully done 100 times in our lives is eaten 100 cookies. And listened to 100 books, of course. We’ll be cheering Serena on this weekend as she goes for a record-breaking 24th major title.Speaking of GOATs—we’re #3! Just don’t ask us what for 😇
Our Garden State headquarters is a point of pride here at Audible—New Jersey is renowned for its abundant farmland, rich American history, Sopranos and Sinatra lore, and its many, many psychopaths. Wait, what?! According to a recent study, NJ ranks third in the country for highest number of psychopaths, giving new meaning to the term “psychopathic state.” Should we start secretly consulting Hare’s famous psychopathy checklist, à la Jon Ronson? *eyes colleagues suspiciously* Maybe if we ever move to Connecticut (they’re #1!).Extra credit:
- Earthsea is in development as a TV series. It’s not the first TV adaptation of Ursula Le Guin’s beloved fantasy series, but you won’t hear us complaining. Bring it!.
- Michigan State University received a record fine for failing to protect students from sexual abuse in the Larry Nasser scandal. The heartbreaking case—and the institutional failures that enabled it—is the subject of the Audible Original Twisted
- This week we’re mourning the loss of Dorothea Benton Frank, the writer of more than 20 perfect summery beach listens who brought to life her beloved home in the South Carolina “Lowcountry” barrier islands. Rest well in eternal summer, Dorothea ❤️
- The Booker Prize shortlist was announced, complete with a few heavy hitters, fresh-faced debuts, and intriguing omissions—get the scoop over at The Guardian.
—the audible editors
PS—Are you following us on Facebook? Join us next Thursday at 2pm ET for a live event with Marcus Samuelsson and find out what’s cooking with the chef and Our Harlem creator!
Audiobooks in This Edition
-
The Everyday Guide to Wine
- By: Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 157
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 138
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 137
Every time you open a bottle of wine, you embark on a journey through a world of sensations. Yet for all its pleasurable qualities, wine can be bewildering in its mystery and complexity. Unlocking the secrets of wine is the key to heightening your appreciation of this rewarding experience. Whether you’re a novice looking to master the basics, an enthusiast who tours vineyards, or something in between, there’s no better way to learn about wine than from a wine expert.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Please do more wine education!
- By JD on 02-13-20
-
Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation
- By: Mark W. Muesse, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark W. Muesse
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,724
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,115
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,041
Meditation offers deep and lasting benefits for mental functioning and emotional health, as well as for physical health and well-being. These 24 detailed lectures teach you the principles and techniques of sitting meditation, the related practice of walking meditation, and the highly beneficial use of meditative awareness in many important activities, including eating and driving. You will also learn how to use the skills of meditation in working with thoughts and emotional states.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Intermittently thought-provoking
- By David on 12-29-13
-
Writing Creative Nonfiction
- By: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 716
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 624
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 617
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Not what I expected but useful
- By Nancy on 04-14-14
-
Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive
- By: Peter M. Vishton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Peter M. Vishton
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,653
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,301
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,258
Parenting advice isn't hard to find. There are thousands of books on the subject, as well as a multitude of websites. Much has also been written on the science of child development. What's been lacking, however, are sources of reliable advice that bring together the scientific research and its real-world applications.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Valuable Information, But Lots of Citations
- By Rich on 03-24-15
-
Know My Name
- A Memoir
- By: Chanel Miller
- Narrated by: Chanel Miller
- Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8,672
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7,723
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7,678
She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford's campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral. Now, she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Just, thank you.
- By Alysha DeShaé on 09-25-19
-
Zoology: Understanding the Animal World
- By: Donald E. Moore, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Donald E. Moore III
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 217
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 186
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 184
In these 24 lectures, The Great Courses teams up with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, to take you behind the scenes of the animal world. Dr. Moore has crafted a wonderful introduction to zoology that brings you up close and personal with a breathtaking variety of animal species through the eyes of a trained zoologist.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
America Centric
- By Joe van Rensburg on 04-28-20
-
The Everyday Guide to Wine
- By: Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan
- Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 157
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 138
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 137
Every time you open a bottle of wine, you embark on a journey through a world of sensations. Yet for all its pleasurable qualities, wine can be bewildering in its mystery and complexity. Unlocking the secrets of wine is the key to heightening your appreciation of this rewarding experience. Whether you’re a novice looking to master the basics, an enthusiast who tours vineyards, or something in between, there’s no better way to learn about wine than from a wine expert.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Please do more wine education!
- By JD on 02-13-20
-
Practicing Mindfulness: An Introduction to Meditation
- By: Mark W. Muesse, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Mark W. Muesse
- Length: 12 hrs and 29 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 4,724
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 4,115
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 4,041
Meditation offers deep and lasting benefits for mental functioning and emotional health, as well as for physical health and well-being. These 24 detailed lectures teach you the principles and techniques of sitting meditation, the related practice of walking meditation, and the highly beneficial use of meditative awareness in many important activities, including eating and driving. You will also learn how to use the skills of meditation in working with thoughts and emotional states.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Intermittently thought-provoking
- By David on 12-29-13
-
Writing Creative Nonfiction
- By: Tilar J J. Mazzeo, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Tilar J J. Mazzeo
- Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars 716
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 624
-
Story4 out of 5 stars 617
Bringing together the imaginative strategies of fiction storytelling and new ways of narrating true, real-life events, creative nonfiction is the fastest-growing part of the creative writing world. It's a cutting-edge genre that's reshaping how we write (and read) everything from biographies and memoirs to blogs and public speaking scripts to personal essays and magazine articles.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Not what I expected but useful
- By Nancy on 04-14-14
-
Scientific Secrets for Raising Kids Who Thrive
- By: Peter M. Vishton, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Peter M. Vishton
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 2,653
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 2,301
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 2,258
Parenting advice isn't hard to find. There are thousands of books on the subject, as well as a multitude of websites. Much has also been written on the science of child development. What's been lacking, however, are sources of reliable advice that bring together the scientific research and its real-world applications.
-
4 out of 5 stars
-
Valuable Information, But Lots of Citations
- By Rich on 03-24-15
-
Know My Name
- A Memoir
- By: Chanel Miller
- Narrated by: Chanel Miller
- Length: 15 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 8,672
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 7,723
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 7,678
She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford's campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral. Now, she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Just, thank you.
- By Alysha DeShaé on 09-25-19
-
Zoology: Understanding the Animal World
- By: Donald E. Moore, The Great Courses
- Narrated by: Donald E. Moore III
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 217
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 186
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 184
In these 24 lectures, The Great Courses teams up with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, to take you behind the scenes of the animal world. Dr. Moore has crafted a wonderful introduction to zoology that brings you up close and personal with a breathtaking variety of animal species through the eyes of a trained zoologist.
-
3 out of 5 stars
-
America Centric
- By Joe van Rensburg on 04-28-20