Audiobooks narrated by Catherine Bailey

The Lost Girls of Autism: How Science Failed Autistic Women - and the New Research that's Changing t

"Including a preface read by the author, Gina Rippon. 'A compelling exploration. Rippon is easily the most engaging communicator of neuroscience research working today. A truly fascinating must-read' - Elinor Cleghorn, bestselling author of Unwell Women 'Powerful and well-researched. The Lost Girls of Autism shines a much-needed spotlight on a critical issue' - Dr Maureen Dunne, author of The Neurodiversity Edge The history of autism is male. It is time for women and girls to enter the spotlight. When autistic girls meet clinicians, they are often misdiagnosed with anxiety, depression, personality disorders - or receive no diagnosis at all. Autism's 'male spotlight' means we are only now starting to redress this profound injustice. In The Lost Girls of Autism, renowned brain scientist Gina Rippon delves into the emerging science of female autism, asking why it has been systematically ignored for so long. Generations of researchers, convinced autism was a male problem, simply didn't bother looking for it in women. But it is now becoming increasingly clear that many autistic women and girls do not fit the traditional, male, model of autism. Instead, they camouflage and mask, hiding their autistic traits to accommodate a society that shuns them. Urgent and insightful, this is a searching examination of how sexism has biased our understanding of autism. Informed by the latest research in psychology and neuroscience, The Lost Girls of Autism is a clarion call for society to recognize the full spectrum of autistic experience."

Gina Rippon (Author), Catherine Bailey, Gina Rippon (Narrator)

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The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History

"Brought to you by Penguin. The story of the ancient world’s most spectacular library, and the civilization that created it When a team of Victorian archaeologists dug into a grassy hill in Iraq, they chanced upon one of the oldest and greatest stores of knowledge ever seen: the library of the Assyrian emperor Ashurbanipal, seventh century BCE ruler of a huge swathe of the ancient Middle East known as Mesopotamia. After his death, vengeful rivals burned Ashurbanipal’s library to the ground - yet the texts, carved on clay tablets, were baked and preserved by the heat. Buried for millennia, the tablets were written in cuneiform: the first written language in the world. More than half of human history is written in cuneiform, but only a few hundred people on earth can read it. In this captivating new book, Assyriologist Selena Wisnom takes us on an immersive tour of this extraordinary library, bringing ancient Mesopotamia and its people to life. Through it, we encounter a world of astonishing richness, complexity and sophistication. Mesopotamia, she shows, was home to advanced mathematics, astronomy and banking, law and literature. This was a culture absorbed and developed by the ancient Greeks, and whose myths were precursors to Bible stories - in short, a culture without which our lives today would be unrecognizable. The Library of Ancient Wisdom unearths a civilization at once strange and strangely familiar: a land of capricious gods, exorcisms and professional lamenters, whose citizens wrote of jealous rivalries, profound friendships and petty grievances. Through these pages we come face to face with humanity’s first civilization: their startling achievements, their daily life, and their struggle to understand our place in the universe. 'In this remarkable book, Wisnom takes her readers on a spell-binding tour through one of antiquity’s great monuments to knowledge: the Library at Nineveh. As she surveys the clay tablets that were buried in a blaze millennia ago, a lost world of learning and literature comes back to life' Sophus Helle, translator of Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic © Selena Wisnom 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Selena Wisnom (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Sister in Law: Fighting for Justice in a System Designed by Men

"Brought to you by Penguin. LONGLISTED FOR THE 2025 WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION Discover the essential, must-read book about how the UK legal system is failing women, as told by one of Britain’s foremost lawyers. For more than quarter of a century, Harriet Wistrich has fought the corner of people from all walks of life let down by our justice system. She has been at the forefront of some historic and ground-breaking legal victories, from helping the victims of taxi driver and serial rapist John Worboys, to representing a pioneering group of the women caught up in the ‘spy cops’ scandal – women deceived into forming long-term relationships with men later revealed to be undercover police officers. Litigation can be a long and rocky path of pitfalls and dead ends and there are defeats as well as gains, hours of painstaking work as well as courtroom drama. It takes collaboration, extraordinary tenacity and huge compassion, but Harriet Wistrich is proof that it is possible to demand better justice and to bring about important change. Exploring landmark cases, Sister in Law covers the shocking true stories demonstrating that, terrifyingly often, the law is not-fit-for-purpose for half the population and shines a feminist light on the landscape of arcane laws and systems skewed towards men. 'This is a brilliant and important book. Harriet is a trailblazer and has done so much to get justice for so many women.' - Victoria Derbyshire 'Compelling, inspiring, horrifying and humbling in equal measure. Everybody should read it.' - Professor Dame Sue Black, author of All That Remains ‘Every feminist should know Harriet Wistrich’s name. There is no one better to learn from if you want to Get Shit Done.’ - Helen Lewis, author of Difficult Women 'A shocking, sobering and galvanising account of her astonishing legal career fighting for women in a legal system that is all too often stacked against them' - Caroline Criado Perez ©2024 Harriet Wistrich (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

Harriet Wistrich (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Letters From Everest: Unpublished Letters from Mallory’s Life and Death in the Mountains

"‘An extraordinary treasure trove’ Andrew Marr A unique collection of unpublished letters from the climbing legend George Mallory to his family, revealing his innermost thoughts about people, places and mountains. On the 8th of June, 1924, George Mallory and Sandy Irvine were seen through a telescope on the upper slopes of Mount Everest. They were never seen alive again. In 1999, Mallory’s body was found below the ridge where he was last seen. In the 100 years since his disappearance, many words have been written about Mallory, but very little has ever been published of his own thoughts. Letters from Everest is an eye opening set of personal letters from Mallory to his family, collected and published for the first time by his great-nephew. In the letters, Mallory is completely open about his life, his climbing and especially the three Everest Expeditions he was a part of – 1921, 1922 and the last in 1924. His writing is full of extraordinary insights – most of which have never been published in any form. They are a unique collection – an actual reflection, possibly the one and only, of the thoughts of a climbing legend who walked into history a century ago."

George Mallory (Author), Catherine Bailey, Seb Humphreys (Narrator)

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The Escape Room

"Brought to you by Penguin. Eight contestants. One killer. Can you find the traitor? 'Wow! What a page-turner. I'm a Celebrity meets Lord of the Flies.' Emma Curtis ‘The pace never slackens.’ Faith Martin Everything is a clue. Bonnie arrives on a remote sea fort off the coast of England to take part in a mysterious reality TV show. Competing against seven strangers, she must solve a series of puzzles to win the prize money, but this is no game - and the consequences of failure are deadly. No one leaves. Under scrutiny from the watching public, the contestants quickly turn on one another. Who will sacrifice the most for wealth and fame? And why can't Bonnie shake the creeping sense that they are not alone? The only way out is to win. When the first contestant is found dead, Bonnie begins to understand the dark truth at the heart of this twisted competition: there's a killer inside the fort, and anyone could be next. If Bonnie wants to escape, she needs to win... Are you ready to play? ©2024 L. D. Smithson (P)2024 Penguin Audio"

L. D. Smithson (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Hellish Nell: Last of Britain's Witches

"Brought to you by Penguin. One of the last criminal trials using the 1735 Witchcraft Act was, improbably, in London in 1944. The accused was Helen Duncan, a middle-aged Scotswoman. This is her extraordinary story. Helen Duncan - known since childhood as 'Hellish Nell', for her uncontainable nature - was one of the most popular mediums of the twentieth century, holding seances around the country where she was believed to manifest the spirits of the dead. What happens when we die? It was the question of the age for a generation which had endured one world war and now was living through another. Mrs Duncan's seances offered an answer. But when she started foretelling naval disasters, she also attracted the unwelcome attention of the secret service. And so just weeks before the Normandy landings, absurdly, anachronistically, she was prosecuted for witchcraft and jailed. Was Nell a conjurer, a martyr or a security risk? Hellish Nell was first published in 2001 to widespread acclaim. It remains in this revised edition a fascinating window into the unsettled spiritual and psychological mood of the times: a sensational tale of spectacle, credulity and cruelty, and of Britain's last witch. ©2023 Malcolm Gaskill (P)2023 Penguin Audio"

Malcolm Gaskill (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Betrayal

"Brought to you by Penguin. Eve should never have married Don Hathaway. Yes, he gave her two beautiful children - Olly and Tabitha - but he is a bully. Worse than that, he hurts her. But, after one drunken rage too many, she has the courage to leave him. Eve is warned that it's a difficult path, yet she needs to give her children hope for the future. Don, however, is bitter. And getting away entirely from him proves impossible. Until the day, Eve tries to teach him a lesson - and it all goes horribly wrong. Eve loves her children but now she carries a terrible burden that she dares not share. Has she betrayed her and her children's futures? Betrayal is Lesley Pearse's brilliant new pageturner. Praise for Lesley Pearse: 'Storytelling at its very best' Daily Mail 'Gripping and suspenseful' Daily Express 'A twisting and intense read' Woman's Own ©2023 Lesley Pearse (P)2023 Penguin Audio"

Lesley Pearse (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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The Escape: An emotional and uplifting story about new beginnings set on the Cornish coast

"Brought to you by Penguin. Bel Carnegie's life is not perfect. Still recovering from her ex-husband's betrayal she lives with her narcissistic father in the family flat in Earl's Court. Then one summer she decides to swap the sweltering city for beautiful Cornwall. While renting a little cottage she finds that the sea, sunshine and new friends help heal her damaged heart. But Bel soon learns that you can't run from the past and it isn't long before it comes knocking once more . . . ©2023 Hilary Boyd (P)2023 Penguin Audio"

Hilary Boyd (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Men I’ve Loved Before

"What if The One was actually the one that got away? A riveting story of love and the paradox of choice from the Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author of Lies Lies Lies, Just My Luck, and Both Of You. Natalie and Neil everything they could want: a stylish London house, two high-flying careers, a close-knit group of friends and family. And best of all: an ideal marriage. Having children, they’ve agreed, would only disrupt their carefree lives. But then Neil turns thirty-five, and suddenly he’s longing for a baby. However, Nat has not had a similar change of heart. As they no longer agree on this fundamental issue, their once perfect relationship starts to crumble. Nat starts to think about her exes and wonders if one of the men she has loved in the past can offer her a future, or by looking over her shoulder is she simply going to trip up? Sunday Times Number One bestseller Adele Parks asks the ultimate ‘what if’ question in this insightful, smart, funny novel about revisiting your past… Praise for Men I’ve Loved Before: ‘A fabulous mix of comedy, real life and emotional depth’ Daily Express ‘A wicked pleasure’ Woman & Home ‘Observant, sensitive and we like this a lot!’ Closer ‘A dazzling novel full of emotional set-pieces and real insight into relationships between men and women… This is Parks at her best’ Heat ‘She is a particularly acute observer of relationship ups and downs, and her stories are always as insightful as they are entertaining’ Daily Mirror Praise for Adele Parks: ‘Adele Parks never takes her foot off the gas, every book is tighter, faster, better than the last’ Lisa Jewell 'Gripping, moving and elegantly written' Marian Keyes ‘Brilliantly twisty… but is also so insightful about human nature. A triumph’ Lucy Foley ‘A compelling take on one of those “what if” scenarios that we’ve all wondered about. Addictive, provocative and thoroughly relatable… brilliantly crafted’ T.M. Logan ‘An absolute joy’ Jane Fallon ‘As ever, Adele Parks does not disappoint – you’ll love it’ Ruth Jones"

Adele Parks (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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A Clergyman's Daughter: Penguin Modern Classics

"Brought to you by Penguin. Intimidated by her father, the rector of Knype Hill, Dorothy performs her submissive roles of dutiful daughter and bullied housekeeper. Her thoughts are taken up with the costumes she is making for the church school play, by the hopelessness of preaching to the poor and by debts she cannot pay in 1930s Depression England. Suddenly her routine shatters and Dorothy finds herself down and out in London. She is wearing silk stockings, has money in her pocket and cannot remember her name. Orwell leads us through a landscape of unemployment, poverty and hunger, where Dorothy's faith is challenged by a social reality that changes her life. (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

George Orwell (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Get Promoted

"Brought to you by Penguin. Are you stuck in a career rut? Are your former peers progressing ahead of you? Are you doing all the hard work but getting none of the rewards? Are you wondering what everyone else seems to know that you don't? Asking for a promotion ranks high on the list of life's most anxiety-inducing activities. Putting yourself out there to higher-ups can be intimidating, and competition can be fierce, especially in the current economic climate. And, of course, what if they say no? But it's also one of the most important things you can do for your career. If you want to move forward in your company or field, promotions are part of the game and they won't just be handed to you - you have to work - and ask - for them. Ready to take that next step? Penguin Experts Series: Get Promoted will give you everything you need to know before the big conversation. © Niamh O'Keeffe 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Niamh O'keeffe (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Ten Thousand Light-Years from Home

"Brought to you by Penguin. James Tiptree Jr, the pen name of Alice Bradley Sheldon, is widely considered to be one of the most influential American genre writers ever, and a pioneer of feminist science fiction. 10,000 Light Years from Home, her brilliant debut collection, displays all her trademark humour, intensity and originality, with dark dystopian thrills, fast-paced intergalactic satire and hardboiled tales of alien invasion. A startling and unforgettable depiction of humanity's experience among the stars, the collection includes some of Tiptree's most powerful stories: 'And I Awoke and Found Me Here on the Cold Hill's Side', 'The Man Who Walked Home' and 'Beam Us Home'. © James Tiptree Jr. 1973 (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

James Tiptree (Author), Catherine Bailey (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Catherine Bailey

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