Audiobooks by David Friedkin

LoveReading Top 10

1. And Away...

   The long-awaited first autobiography by national treasure Bob Mortimer. Bob Mortimer's life was trundling along happily until suddenly in 2015 he was diagnosed with a heart condition that required immediate surgery and forced him to cancel an upcoming tour. The episode unnerved him, but forced him to reflect on his life so far. This is the framework for his hilarious and moving memoir, And Away… Although his childhood in Middlesbrough was normal on the surface, it was tinged by the loss of his dad, and his own various misadventures (now infamous from his appearances on Would I Lie to You?), from burning down the family home to starting a short-lived punk band called Dog Dirt. As an adult, he trained as a solicitor and moved to London. Though he was doing pretty well (the South London Press once crowned him 'The Cockroach King' after a successful verdict), a chance encounter in a pub in the 1980s with a young comedian going by the name Vic Reeves set his life on a different track. And now, six years on, the heart condition that once threatened his career has instead led to new success on BBC2's Gone Fishing. Warm, profound, and irrepressibly funny, And Away… is Bob's full life story (with a few lies thrown in for good measure.)  

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2. The Man Who Died Twice

   Brought to you by Penguin. Features an exclusive interview between author Richard Osman and narrator Lesley Manville. THE SECOND NOVEL IN THE RECORD-BREAKING, MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING THURSDAY MURDER CLUB SERIES BY RICHARD OSMAN It's the following Thursday. Elizabeth has received a letter from an old colleague, a man with whom she has a long history. He's made a big mistake, and he needs her help. His story involves stolen diamonds, a violent mobster, and a very real threat to his life. As bodies start piling up, Elizabeth enlists Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron in the hunt for a ruthless murderer. And if they find the diamonds too? Well, wouldn't that be a bonus? But this time they are up against an enemy who wouldn't bat an eyelid at knocking off four septuagenarians. Can The Thursday Murder Club find the killer (and the diamonds) before the killer finds them? What people are saying about THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB: 'A warm, wise and witty warning never to underestimate the elderly' VAL MCDERMID 'So smart and funny. Deplorably good' IAN RANKIN 'Smart, compassionate, warm, moving and so VERY funny' MARIAN KEYES 'Thrilling, moving, laugh-out-loud funny' MARK BILLINGHAM 'Pure escapism' GUARDIAN 'Funny, clever and achingly British' ADAM KAY 'As gripping as it is funny' EVENING STANDARD © Richard Osman 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

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3. The Betrayals

   From the Number 1 bestselling author of THE BINDING ‘Another triumph’ Erin Kelly ‘Totally addictive’ Joanna Glen ‘A rich delight’ Sandra Newman ‘Just beautiful’ Joanna Cannon ‘Dizzyingly wonderful’ The Times If everything in your life was based on a lie Would you risk it all to tell the truth? At Montverre, an exclusive academy tucked away in the mountains, the best and brightest are trained for excellence in the grand jeu: an arcane and mysterious contest. Léo Martin was once a student there, but lost his passion for the grand jeu following a violent tragedy. Now he returns in disgrace, exiled to his old place of learning with his political career in tatters.   Montverre has changed since he studied there, even allowing a woman, Claire Dryden, to serve in the grand jeu’s highest office of Magister Ludi. When Léo first sees Claire he senses an odd connection with her, though he’s sure they have never met before.   Both Léo and Claire have built their lives on lies.  And as the legendary Midsummer Game, the climax of the year, draws closer, secrets are whispering in the walls…

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4. Win at Losing: How Our Biggest Setbacks Can Lead to Our Greatest Gains

   An engaging, inspiring exploration of the surprising value of setbacks-and how we can use them to succeed As an award-winning sports journalist, Sam Weinman has long studied the ripple effects of losing. But as a father of two competitive boys, he struggled to convince them that failing-whether losing a hockey game or bombing a math test-can actually be a critical part of success. So he sought out the perspectives of men and women who have turned significant setbacks into meaningful comebacks-and sometimes even new careers-to illustrate how we can not only overcome defeat but grow stronger from the experience. Blending firsthand interviews and advice from professional athletes, business executives, politicians, and Hollywood stars with expert analysis from leading psychologists and coaches, Win at Losing reveals how renowned figures-from Emmy Award-winning actress Susan Lucci to golfer Greg Norman and politician Michael Dukakis-have prevailed and even triumphed in the aftermath of loss, humiliation, and rejection. In showcasing the ways our most difficult moments can be turned into powerful growth opportunities, this lively and moving guide asks readers to redefine what constitutes success and failure, and offers an essential blueprint for harnessing the power of setbacks to achieve what we want in life.

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5. The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed

   SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE from director Ridley Scott, starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver The sensational true story of murder, madness, glamour, and greed that shook the Gucci dynasty, now fully updated with a new afterword On March 27, 1995, Maurizio Gucci, heir to the fabulous fashion dynasty, was slain by an unknown gunman as he approached his Milan office. In 1998, his ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani Martinelli--nicknamed 'The Black Widow' by the press--was sentenced to 29 years in prison, for arranging his murder.  Did Patrizia murder her ex-husband because his spending was wildly out of control? Did she do it because her glamorous ex was preparing to marry his mistress, Paola Franchi? Or is there a possibility she didn't do it at all? The Gucci story is one of glitz, glamour, intrigue, the rise, near fall and subsequent resurgence of a fashion dynasty. Beautifully written, impeccably researched, and widely acclaimed, The House of Gucci will captivate readers with its page-turning account of high fashion, high finance, and heart-rending personal tragedy.

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6. A Touch of Darkness

   Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone's failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows-and it's forbidden. Contains mature themes.

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7. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman's Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economi

   Includes an audiobook-exclusive 7 Daily Habits Guide! While ninety percent of the world's millionaires are men, only ten percent are women, making it difficult for women to wield the economic power that will create lasting equality. Rachel Rodgers, founder of Hello Seven, a company that coaches women in scaling their businesses and their lives to seven figures, says it's time for a change. Women deserve the economic power and equality that comes with wealth, and we all have it in us to be millionaires. We Should All Be Millionaires details a realistic, achievable, step-by-step path to become a millionaire within the next three years. Whatever is currently stopping you from having seven figures in the bank--whether it is doubt, feeling overwhelmed, imposter syndrome, trying too many things, or simply not knowing where to begin--this book shows you how to clear every obstacle in your way. We Should All Be Millionaires will forever change the way you think about money and your ability to earn it. In this book, Rachel Rodgers--mother of four, attorney, business owner, and self-made Black millionaire--shares the lessons she's learned both in her own journey to wealth and in coaching hundreds of women through their own journeys to seven figures. Inside, you'll learn: - Why earning more money is not "selfish" or "greedy" but in fact, a revolutionary act that brings the economy into balance and creates a better world for all. - Why most of the financial advice you've heard in the past (like "skip your daily latte to save money") is absolute nonsense. - An eye-opening history lesson on how women and people of color have been shut out of the ability to build wealth for centuries-and how we can fix this. - How to stop making broke-ass decisions that leave you feeling emotionally and financially depleted, and start making million dollar decisions instead. - Why aiming to earn $100K per year is not enough, and why you need to be setting your goals much higher. - The crucial ingredients you need if you are serious about becoming a millionaire: including your million-dollar vision, million-dollar squad, and more. - Strategies to bring more money in the door and fatten your bank account immediately. (Including Rodgers' $10K in 10 Days Challenge which hundreds of women have completed-with incredible results.) It's time to construct an entirely new attitude about money, claim your power, and build the financial security that you need and deserve.

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8. Silverview: The Sunday Times Bestseller

   Brought to you by Penguin. Julian Lawndsley has renounced his high-flying job in the City for a simpler life running a bookshop in a small English seaside town. But only a couple of months into his new career, Julian's evening is disrupted by a visitor. Edward, a Polish émigré living in Silverview, the big house on the edge of town, seems to know a lot about Julian's family and is rather too interested in the inner workings of his modest new enterprise. When a letter turns up at the door of a spy chief in London warning him of a dangerous leak, the investigations lead him to this quiet town by the sea . . . Silverview is the mesmerising story of an encounter between innocence and experience and between public duty and private morals. In this last complete masterwork from the greatest chronicler of our age, John le Carré asks what you owe to your country when you no longer recognise it. © The Literary Estate of David 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

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9. Flora's Travelling Christmas Shop

   ‘A gloriously festive, warm and cosy hug of a book. If this doesn’t get you in the mood for mince pies, eggnog and pine tree scents, nothing will!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ’Tis the season for mulled wine, mince pies, and magic under the mistletoe… Flora loves Christmas more than anything else in the world, so she’s gutted when her Scrooge-alike boss fires her from Deck the Halls Christmas emporium. But now she finally has a chance to follow her dreams – and what better place to start than the home of Christmas? Before she can say ‘sleigh bells’, Flora’s on her way to Lapland in a campervan-cum-Christmas-shop. She can’t wait to spend her days drinking hot chocolate and taking reindeer-drawn carriage rides, but something Flora didn’t expect was meeting Connor, a Norse god of a man who makes her heart flutter and snowflakes swirl in her stomach. There’s just one problem: Connor hates Christmas. Can Flora convince Connor of the joys of Christmas – and will she find a festive romance along the way? The perfect Christmas romance for fans of Debbie Johnson, Holly Martin and Jenny Colgan. Readers LOVE Flora’s Travelling Christmas Shop! ‘An absolutely delightful festive feel good book! Perfect for snuggling up with… a steaming mug of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire! Fabulous.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘This was such a sparkling fabulous read and I devoured every word!… Rebecca Raisin is a force to be reckoned with.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A quirky heroine, a lovely story and filled with festive vibes – just fabulous!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I love Rebecca’s books but this one is definitely one of my favourites to date.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Rebecca Raisin has done it again… I’ve loved all of [her] books and this is no different, it just has a little Christmas sparkle on top!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Well written, cosy and comforting. Great escapism.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Such a great read. Rebecca Raisin is a fab author!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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10. The Facilitator, Part 2

    The game was over - but who had won? Mackenzie Miller thought his life was perfect. He had the woman of his dreams but there was one last piece of his life puzzle to fit. Could he do it in time? Lauren Perry thought her life was perfect. She had the man of her dreams but when humiliation comes full circle is she brave enough to face it head on? More importantly, what happens when your list of fantasies has been achieved? A new list has to be explored, of course. The Facilitator, part 2 follows on from The Facilitator - this erotic romance features graphic scenes of sex and very colourful language - you have been warned!

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