Biography & Memoir Audiobooks

La La Land: Oxford Guides to Film Musicals

"In this Oxford Guide to Film Musicals, author Hannah Lewis gives listeners fascinating new insights into the development, style, and reception of the 2016 film musical La La Land. Directed by Damien Chazelle with music by Justin Hurwitz, the film tells the story of a romance between an aspiring actress and jazz pianist as the two pursue their dreams in Los Angeles. It uses a vintage form to tell a modern story and its blend of nostalgia and realism made it an instant classic even as it prompted a range of critical and audience responses. Drawing on extensive personal interviews with director Damien Chazelle, composer Justin Hurwitz, choreographer Mandy Moore, and lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the book explores La La Land's aesthetic approach to the film musical genre, particularly its engagement with and subversion of the classic Hollywood musical's stylistic and narrative expectations. Lewis offers audiences ways of listening to the film's depiction of jazz, focusing especially on how race and genre intersect in its narrative. She also reveals new insights into the film's reception, showing how the critical response from its premiere to its place at the Academy Awards reflected broader cultural expectations and understandings of the film musical and its continued appeal for twenty-first century audiences."

Hannah Lewis (Author), Dara Brown (Narrator)

Audiobook

Collisions: A Physicist's Journey from Hiroshima to the Death of the Dinosaurs

"To his admirers, Luis W. Alvarez was the most accomplished, inventive, and versatile experimental physicist of his generation. During World War II, he achieved major breakthroughs in radar, played a key role in the Manhattan Project, and served as the lead scientific observer at the bombing of Hiroshima. In the decades that followed, he revolutionized particle physics with the hydrogen bubble chamber, developed an innovative X-ray method to search for hidden chambers in the Pyramid of Chephren, and shot melons at a rifle range to test his controversial theory about the Kennedy assassination. At the very end of his life, he collaborated with his son to demonstrate that an asteroid impact was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, igniting a furious debate that raged for years after his death. Alvarez was also a combative and relentlessly ambitious figure who testified as a government witness at the security hearing that destroyed the public career of his friend and colleague J. Robert Oppenheimer. In the first comprehensive biography of Alvarez, Alec Nevala-Lee vividly recounts one of the most compelling untold stories in modern science, a narrative overflowing with ideas, lessons, and anecdotes that will fascinate anyone with an interest in how genius and creativity collide with the problems of an increasingly challenging world."

Alec Nevala-Lee (Author), Christopher Grove (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Perfect Organism: An Alien: Isolation Companion

"An unofficial guide to Alien: Isolation, the greatest, scariest horror game ever made. There aren’t many computer games that can justify an entire book, but for superfans, Alien: Isolation is truly extraordinary and Perfect Organism reveals all there is to know about every aspect of this masterful game. Discover the rationale and authenticity of the set design and art direction, learn about the alien’s unnerving abilities to second-guess the players and the importance of its unique height, find out more about the importance of the dynamic audio and the use of seventies archive soundbites, as well as the darkly beautiful music. And immerse yourself in the technical brilliance of the level design and the user interface, before reading about the deleted content, and the scenes and features that never made the final cut. Alien: Isolation is a game of remarkable depth, complexity, and detail, and together with a level-by-level mission guide, this audiobook will answer all of your questions, as well as many you haven’t yet thought to ask!"

Andy Kelly (Author), Angus King (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Year of Dating Myself: How My Solo Tour Healed More Than Just My Heartbreak

"Abby knew her pattern all too well: get her heart broken, swear off dating, find a man 'worth' breaking that vow for . . . Rinse. Repeat. However, after leaving a particularly traumatic relationship, Abby realized that something had to change if she wanted to kick the pattern. One night while purchasing a solo concert ticket, an epiphany was born: she needed a year in which she was her own dating interest. One full year to give herself the care and consideration that she once gave to romantic partners. A year to treat herself the way she wished a partner would. A year where she stepped outside of her comfort zone and broke free from codependency. The Year of Dating Myself: How My Solo Tour Healed More Than Just My Heartbreak is a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and the capacity to heal after heartbreak. What started out as a way to refocus her priorities quickly developed into something far bigger than she could've ever predicted. The year became a chance to reconnect with her ailing mother, get answers to her biggest genetic fear, remember the power of friendship, and realize all the inner strength that she had all along. She once spent years waiting for her fairytale prince to come and save her. In this story, the princess saves herself."

Abby Rosmarin (Author), Jensen Olaya (Narrator)

Audiobook

Menagerie Manor

"Brought to you by Penguin. A classic Gerald Durrell title reissued by Penguin to celebrate the centenary of his birth The Manor of the title is Les Augrès Manor in Trinity, Jersey. Inside, we find a remarkable collection of pen portraits of some of the creatures of Gerald Durrell's Zoo. We also discover some of the timeless lessons Durrell learned about making real and sustaining his childhood ambition of having his own zoo - and why conservation matters more than ever. 'This book is a certain joy' New Statesman 'Animals come close to being Durrell's best friends. . . . He writes about them with style, verve, and humour' Time © Gerald Durrell 1964 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Gerald Durrell (Author), Anne Dover, Julian Wadham, Roy McMillan (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Man Who Changed the Way We Read: The Story of Allen Lane and Penguin Books

"Brought to you by Penguin. The story of Penguin Books, Allen Lane and how they changed the world, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Penguin By founding Penguin books and popularizing the paperback, Allen Lane not only changed publishing in Britain, he was also at the forefront of a social and cultural revolution that saw the millions of people given access to what had previously been the preserve of a wealthy few. In Penguin Special, Jeremy Lewis brings this extraordinary era brilliantly to life, recounting how Allen Lane came to launch his Penguins for the price of a packet of cigarettes; how they became enormously influential in alerting the public to the threat of Nazi Germany; and how Penguin itself gradually became a national institution, like the BBC and the NHS, whilst at the same time challenging the status quo through the famous Lady Chatterley case. Above all, it is the story of how one often fallible, complex man used his vision to change the world. © Jeremy Lewis 2005 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Jeremy Lewis (Author), Steve John Shepherd (Narrator)

Audiobook

Elvis, Rocky & Me: The Carol Connors Story

"Carol Connors has lived her dream, and she shares her remarkable success story in her wild ride memoir Elvis, Rocky & Me. This special audiobook edition features two original bonus songs: “You Loved My Night Away” and “Only the Music, Only My Song.” As an entertainer Carol has done it all with her singer/songwriter talents recognized with two Oscar, five Emmy, one Grammy, and two Golden Globe nominations, along with a wall in her home proudly decorated with the gold and platinum records she’s received. Carol is one of the female pioneers of music for film and television. She made her mark in music at age sixteen when she recorded the hit song “To Know Him Is to Love Him.” The enormous success of that song was the start of a career that is still going strong. She has written music for a diverse range of artists including Dionne Warwick, Billy Preston and Syreeta, and Plácido Domingo. She wrote the international hit record “With You I’m Born Again” by Billy Preston and Syreeta, one of the most successful songs of the duo’s career. Among Carol’s proudest accomplishments is her co-writing the Oscar-nominated theme “Gonna Fly Now” for the blockbuster film Rocky. Carol’s personal life is every bit as fascinating as her show business career. While she never chose to marry, she’s dated such famous names as Elvis Presley, Robert Culp, and David Janssen. Today, she continues to lead an active and productive lifestyle with her dedicated charity work and taking time to enjoy even the simple pleasures. Carol’s story is not only an entertaining listen, but stands as an inspiration to anyone hoping to reach and even exceed their own dreams."

Carol Connors, Steve Bergsman (Author), Kathy Garver (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fred West Tapes: Secrets of the Fred & Rose West Murder Investigation - The chilling new book fr

"THE CHILLING NEW BOOK FROM BESTSELLING AUTHOR, HOWARD SOUNES THAT SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE FRED & ROSE WEST MURDER INVESTIGATIONS Thirty years since the death of Fred West and the conviction of his wife Rose, in 1995, the West murder case exerts a magnetic fascination for true crime readers. The Wests claimed twelve victims, young women and girls including members of their own family. Nine mutilated bodies were found buried under their home at 25 Cromwell St, Gloucester, the so-called House of Horrors. Author Howard Sounes wrote the first major book about this extraordinary case, Fred & Rose, having broken stories about the investigation as a journalist. As well as being the first to use this title, which has been much copied since, he was the first to use the phrase House of Horrors, and has become the leading expert in the West case. He is the presenter of a hit podcast series about the murders; and Senior Producer on the new series for Netflix, Fred & Rose West: A British Horror Story, which he also features in. While his first book, Fred & Rose stands as a true crime classic, Sounes's new book - The Fred West Tapes - sheds wholly new light on the investigation, bringing readers into the interview room as detectives quizzed Fred West. The Fred West Tapes will draw a new generation and a global audience to the case. The Fred West Tapes incorporates remarkable new evidence and primary source testimony, including the experiences of the West children and victim families. With never-before-seen and heard testimony and evidence, this is a fascinating journey into the twisted mind of serial killer Fred West and his marriage to Rose, his partner in crime."

Howard Sounes (Author), Howard Sounes (Narrator)

Audiobook

Further: Seeking the Distant Limits of Cycling Endurance

"'A unique and funny writer with a true understanding of what it takes to make it as an elite cyclist' Chris Boardman Further immerses the reader in the world of endurance cycling as well-known former professional cyclist Michael Hutchinson talks to ultra-distance athletes, exercise scientists, nutritionists and psychologists - 'those who've done it and those who understand it'- as he unpicks both the physical and mental demands, attempts to understand the key to successful endurance, and tries not to get himself accidentally killed while riding a frankly terrifyingly long-distance event."

Michael Hutchinson (Author), Michael Hutchinson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Glory of Giving Everything: The Taylor Swift Business Model

"Unlock the secrets to business success with the powerhouse strategies of Taylor Swift In The Glory of Giving Everything: The Taylor Swift Business Model, author Crystal Haryanto delves into the extraordinary business dynamics behind Taylor Swift's career. This book addresses how Swift has not only revolutionized the music industry but has also created a sustainable brand that resonates deeply with fans. Haryanto provides valuable insights on leveraging personal branding, fan engagement, and innovative marketing in today's competitive landscape. Packed with timeless lessons, this book outlines how Swift's unique approach to her audience turns fans into avid consumers, making them an integral part of her success. Listeners will discover the intricacies of strategic networking and collaboration through a fascinating analysis of Swift's career. In the book: ● Discover how personal branding can be adapted to different markets ● Learn the importance of viewing customers as stakeholders in your business ● Explore effective strategies for maximizing viral marketing and merchandising"

Crystal Haryanto (Author), Mirai (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Anna oder: Was von einem Leben bleibt - Die Geschichte meiner Urgroßmutter (Ungekürzte Le

"Eine Frau vor ihrer Zeit - die berührende Suche nach dem Leben der eigenen Urgroßmutter Tief im Sauerland, 1887. Eine junge Frau kommt den Weg hinauf ins Dorf Cobbenrode. Dort soll Anna Kalthoff die neue Lehrerin werden. Doch sie wird es nicht bleiben. Denn Anna widersetzt sich bald den Erwartungen des Ortes und den Regeln ihrer Zeit. Sie entscheidet selbst, was sie zu tun und zu lassen hat, wie sie leben und wen sie lieben will. Und es wird ihr nicht schaden. Zwei Jahrhunderte später ist diese inspirierende Frau schon fast gänzlich in der Vergangenheit versunken. Einige Fotos, Poesiealben, Postkarten, ein Kaffeeservice, ein Verlobungsring: Viel mehr stand Henning Sußebach nicht zur Verfügung, als er sich auf die Spuren seiner Urgroßmutter Anna begab. Nach einem Jahr der Suche verfestigte sich das Bild: Da hat eine scheinbar gewöhnliche Frau ein außergewöhnliches Leben geführt, gegen allerlei Widerstände. Anna nahm sich, was sie vom Leben wollte. Männer, Arbeit, Freiheit! Diesem Willen hat der Autor seine Existenz zu verdanken. Sein Maßstäbe setzendes Hörbuch ist der Versuch, eine schon fast gänzlich verblasste Erinnerung zu retten. Es ist eine zauberhafte Annäherung an die Vorfahren, ohne deren Entscheidungen und Mut es uns nicht gäbe. Und es ermuntert, nach den Annas zu suchen, die es in jeder Familiengeschichte gibt."

Henning Sußebach (Author), Nina Petri (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wildfire: On the Front Lines with Station 8

"Every year wildfires ravage forests, destroy communities, and devastate human lives, with only the bravery of dedicated firefighters creating a barrier against even greater destruction. Throughout the 2016 wildfire season, journalist Heather Hansen witnessed firsthand the heroics of the Station 8 crew in Boulder, Colorado. She tells that story here, layered with the added context of the history, science, landscape, and human behavior that, year-by-year, increases the severity, frequency, and costs of conflagrations in the West. She examines the changes in both mindset and activity around wildfires and tracks the movement from wildfire as something useful, to something feared, to something necessary but roundly dreaded. Wildfire shares the drama, hardships, and experiences of the firefighters who try, sometimes in vain, to prevent destruction when a spark flares out of control. Hansen tells the rich and frightening stories of the firefighters themselves and the challenges they face: a safety system struggling to keep up with fire seasons that are lengthening, fires that are becoming more extreme, and agencies that are struggling to cover the bills."

Heather Hansen (Author), Sharmila Devar (Narrator)

Audiobook