Audiobooks narrated by Suzie Althens

The Secret World of Denisovans: The Epic Story of the Ancient Cousins to Sapiens and Neanderthals

"The first book for a general audience to chronicle the epic story of the Denisovans, ancient cousins to Sapiens and Neanderthals, who left traces of their DNA in modern-day humans In December 2010, scientists discovered a fragment of a finger bone in an isolated cave in Siberia. To their surprise, the bone contained neither Homo sapiens nor Neanderthal DNA. The DNA came from a previously unknown species of hominids―the Denisovans―who shared a common ancestor with both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. This discovery reshaped everything we thought we knew about the “out of Africa” theory. Scientists initially believed that Homo erectus inhabited much of Asia, but looking at Denisovan fossils and the genealogy of native populations in the Philippines reveals that the Denisovans made up a vast population, occupying much of East Asia and Oceania. But who were the Denisovans? How did they live? What did they look like? Paleoanthropologist Silvana Condemi and science journalist François Savatier tell the Denisovans’ story in The Secret World of Denisovans. Leading us through the excavation of Denisova cave, the sequencing of the Denisovan genome, and recent research on Denisovan fossils, Condemi and Savatier uncover how the Denisovans migrated to Asia, who they interacted with along the way, and why traces of Denisovan DNA can be found in modern-day humans. By studying the story of the Denisovans, we can better understand how humans evolved and populated the globe―and how we are more closely related to our prehistoric ancestors than we might think."

François Savatier, Silvana Condemi (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting

"Nurture a Heart that Waits with Joyful, Expectant Faith Step into the Advent season with The Art of Living in Advent, a beautifully crafted daily devotional by Sylvie Vanhoozer. Centered around the traditional French santons, or 'little saints,' this book invites you to imagine Christ's presence in your daily life―right where you are. Through thoughtful devotions and prompts for prayer and reflection, this devotional offers a creative and meaningful way to deepen your faith this Advent. With her daily devotions, Vanhoozer encourages listeners to recognize themselves as part of the nativity, welcoming Christ into the everyday. This Advent, discover how to nurture a heart that watches and waits with joyful, expectant faith. This devotional offers a pathway to quiet reflection, spiritual growth, and attentiveness to Christ. Key Features: ● Creative Engagements: Scripture, prayers, reflection prompts, and daily activities designed to inspire. ● Rich Tradition: Explore the story behind French santons and their connection to faith in the everyday. ● Daily Devotions: Each day includes a passage, devotional content, and practical applications focused on Christ's presence."

Sylvie Vanhoozer (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

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Stephen King's Maine: A History & Guide

"Much of Western Maine reads like a Stephen King novel. The dense dark woods and backcountry ponds. The century-old houses with gravel driveways and immense flower gardens, acres of farmland miles from a highway. Serpentine country roads dotted with farmstands, and picturesque main streets lined with battered pickups. Places where—especially during the dark and rainy days of October and November—things can get downright spooky. Author Sharon Kitchens identifies the locations that serve as the basis for King's fictional towns of Castle Rock, Jerusalem's Lot, Derry, and Haven. Drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and people who know King, the author sheds light on daily life in places that would become the settings for Carrie, Salem's Lot, The Dead Zone, Cujo, IT, and 11/22/63."

Sharon Kitchens (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Death by Chocolate Pumpkin Muffin

"One of the sweetest places to visit in Eastport, Maine, is Jacobia “Jake” Tiptree and Ellie White’s bakery, The Chocolate Moose, where people treat themselves to the most decadent desserts. But the island town also seems to cater to those with bitter dispositions . . . Decorations of cobwebs and creatures are just being taken down across Eastport’s picturesque houses as the community says farewell to Halloween and ushers in winter with the unique confections found only at the Chocolate Moose. Revelers have gathered on the waterfront for a party at local celebrity Hank Rafferty’s ramshackle mansion, known as Stone House. The home repair TV show star and his guests await a devilish dessert delivery from Jake and Ellie—who arrive just after Hank falls to his death from the house’s turret’s balcony. Despite his show’s popularity, Hank was not exactly beloved in Eastport, prompting the police to conduct a homicide investigation. Their number one suspect is the temperamental boyfriend of police chief Lizzie Snow, whom Hank openly hit on during the party. Although he may be hotheaded, Lizzie doesn’t believe her boyfriend is capable of killing anyone. And neither do Jake and Ellie. Plenty of people had motive to want Hank dead—a disillusioned admirer, a school bully, and a discontent wife among them. Did any of them take the murderous plunge, or is there another ghost in Hank’s shady past yet to be revealed?"

Sarah Graves (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Symbiosis: A Very Short Introduction

"Symbiosis, the sustained and intimate associations between unrelated life forms, is now recognized as a ubiquitous phenomenon, one that has shaped evolution since the origin of life and that continues to affect all species. This overview of symbiosis starts with a quick history of relevant early discoveries and researchers, and considers why symbiosis was so long neglected as a respectable topic of biological research and why it was a controversial topic. Today, symbiosis is widely appreciated as being everywhere in nature and as a pervasive influence on ecological communities. One chapter explores the fundamental drivers that lead to symbiotic associations, using examples to illustrate the nature of services exchanged between symbiotic partners. Another considers the evolutionary stability of symbiotic partnerships, which can quickly decay in the face of symbiotic cheating. A full chapter is devoted to the most consequential of all symbioses: the origin of the complex (eukaryotic) cell, and the origin of chloroplasts and green plants. Other triumphs of symbiosis described include the root-fungus associations that enabled plants to colonize land 450 million years ago, gut microbial communities that empower animals to utilize a wide range of foods, including plant fiber wood and sap, and coral-algal symbioses that resulted in the rise of coral reefs."

Nancy A. Moran (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

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Freedom to Heal: A Christian Clinician's Guide to Treating Child Sexual Abuse

"A Practitioner's Guide to Caring for Survivors of Sexual Abuse Tammy Schultz, Hannah Estabrook, and Adam David Dell have written a go-to resource for faith-based practitioners caring for survivors of sexual abuse. Drawing from their personal experiences and work with survivors, the authors discuss the integration of theology and mental health practices and the healing pathways of the counseling journey. They also incorporate current research into each chapter, offering evidence-based, practical guidance. This book reflects on biblical trauma narratives that show God's concern for survivors; helps counselors and caregivers compassionately comprehend survivors' experiences; suggests evidence-based therapeutic approaches and practices that address individualized needs; addresses vicarious traumatization and sustainable practices for clinicians and caregivers; and recommends interventions and resources to equip practitioners with next steps. While every client's experience is unique, there are common themes and challenges practitioners must understand as they craft personalized treatments. Freedom to Heal is an honest, compassionate guide for therapists, medical professionals, pastoral counselors, and others who endeavor to journey with trauma survivors."

Adam David Dell, Hannah Estabrook, Tammy Schultz (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

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The Extinction of Experience: Reclaiming Our Humanity in a Digital World

"Brought to you by Penguin. Drawing on decades of research, The Extinction of Experience is a philosophical defence of what makes us human – and a powerful, urgent call to reclaim ourselves in a digital world. Human experiences are disappearing. Social media, gaming and dating apps have usurped in-person interaction; handwriting is no longer prioritised in schools; and emotion is sooner expressed through likes and emojis than face-to-face conversations. With headphones in and eyes trained on our phones, even boredom has been obliterated. But, as Christine Rosen expertly shows, when we embrace this mediated life and conform to the demands of the machine, we risk becoming more disconnected and machine-like ourselves. There is another way. For too long, under the influence of corporate giants and tech enthusiasts, we’ve accepted the idea that change always means better. But rapidly developing technology isn’t neutral – it’s ambivalent, and capable of enormous harm. To improve our well-being, help future generations flourish and recover our shared humanity, we must become more critical, mindful users of technology, and more discerning of how it uses us. From TikTok challenges and algorithms to surveillance devices and conspiracy culture, The Extinction of Experience reveals the human crisis of our digital age – and urges us to return to the real world, while we still can. **A Lit Hub Most Anticipated Book of the Year** 'Essential reading in a dislocated world' KATHERINE MAY, author of Wintering 'A beautifully expressed ode to the vanishing components of life that remain unplanned, unresearched and unrecorded ... Excellent' ADAM ALTER, author of Irresistible © Christine Rosen 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Christine Rosen (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Origins of Elected Strongmen: How Personalist Parties Destroy Democracy from Within

"Since the end of World War II, democracies typically fell apart by coup d'état or through force. Today, however, they are increasingly eroding at the hands of democratically elected incumbents, who seize control by slowly chipping away at democratic institutions. To better understand these developments, this book examines the role of personalist political parties, or parties that exist primarily to further their leader's career as opposed to promote a specific policy platform. Using original data capturing levels of personalism in the parties of democratically elected leaders from 1991 to 2020, The Origins of Elected Strongmen shows that the rise of personalist parties around the globe is facilitating the decline of democracy. Personalist parties lack both the incentive and capacity to push back against a leader's efforts to expand executive power. As such, leaders backed by personalist parties are more likely to succeed in their efforts to dismantle institutional constraints on their rule. Such attacks on state institutions, in turn, reverberate throughout society, deepening political polarization and weakening supporters' commitment to democratic norms of behavior. In these ways, ruling party personalism erodes horizontal and vertical constraints on a leader, ultimately degrading democracy and raising the risk of democratic failure."

Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Erica Frantz, Joseph Wright (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Perfect Storm

"The next installment in Paige Shelton's Alaska Wild series, a gripping, atmospheric, traditional mystery series with a great wilderness hook. Beth Rivers needs to disappear. Her one-time kidnapper, Travis, is on his way to her town in Alaska, and she's losing time to get out quickly. The perfect spot for Beth and her boyfriend, Tex, to hide, presents itself in a camp in the woods, away from Benedict. But when their trip takes them by Blue Mine, a small community that has seen tragedy over the last couple months, plans get diverted. Beth and Tex bring the widow of a recently murdered man back to Benedict, for Police Chief Gril to investigate, only to find that nothing is quite what it seems. When the woman vanishes, Beth must be on the alert for further danger. Who knows what further unwelcome disappearances—or appearances—might be lurking in the unforgiving Alaska storms."

Paige Shelton (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

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He Called Me Sister: A True Story of Finding Humanity on Death Row

"Deeply poignant and astonishingly personal, this 'moving story of a death in Tennessee' (Bill Moyers) shows hope can endure, grace can redeem, and humanity can exist—even in the darkest of places. It was a clash of race, privilege, and circumstance when Alan Robertson first signed up through a church program to visit Cecil Johnson on Death Row, to offer friendship and compassion. Alan's wife Suzanne had no intention of being involved, but slowly, through phone calls and letters, she began to empathize and understand him. That Cecil and Suzanne eventually became such close friends—a white middle-class woman and a Black man who grew up devoid of advantage—is a testament to perseverance, forgiveness, and love, but also to the notion that differences don't have to be barriers. This book recounts a fifteen-year friendship and how trust and compassion were forged despite the difficult circumstances, and how Cecil ended up ministering more to Suzanne's family than they did to him. The story details how Cecil maintained inexplicable joy and hope despite the tragic events of his life and how Suzanne, Alan, and their two daughters opened their hearts to a man convicted of murder. Cecil Johnson was executed Dec. 2, 2009."

Suzanne Craig Robertson (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of a Shamanic Life

"A shaman can serve as a healer, storyteller, and a keeper of wisdom?but most of all, teaches Sandra Ingerman, “Shamans radiate a light that uplifts everybody. In our culture, we tend to focus on methods and forget that the greatest way we can offer healing to the world is to become a vessel of love.” With Walking in Light, this renowned teacher offers a complete guide for living in a shamanic way?empowered by purpose, focus, and a deep connection to the spiritual dimensions. “Shamanism remains so relevant because it continues to evolve to meet the needs of the times and culture,” teaches Sandra. Here you are invited to participate in the modern evolution of this ancient and powerful form of spirituality, featuring: - Foundational practices?lucid instruction on the shamanic journey, ceremonies, and other techniques for accessing the hidden realms of spirit - Compassionate spirits, allies, and ancestors?how to contact and build a relationship with your power animals and spiritual helpers - Healing from a shamanic perspective?practices that can integrate with and enhance any healing modality - Guidance for deepening your connection with the environment and the rhythms of the natural world - Ways to cultivate a rich inner landscape that empowers your intentions and actions in every aspect of your life, and much more Walking in Light: The Everyday Empowerment of a Shamanic Wisdomis a comprehensive resource filled with practical techniques, indigenous wisdom, and invaluable guidance for both new and experienced shamanic practitioners. Most importantly, Sandra Ingerman illuminates the meaning behind the practices?revealing our universe as a place where spirit is the ultimate reality, where our intentions shape our world, and where unseen allies support us on every step of our journey. This audiobook is skillfully read by Suzie Althens, and was produced and published by Echo Point Books & Media, an independent bookseller in Brattleboro, Vermont. Audio engineering by Mike Thal."

Sandra Ingerman (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

How To End Christian Nationalism

"Christian nationalism is a powerful and pervasive ideology, and it is becoming normalized. From Amanda Tyler, lead organizer of the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign, comes How to End Christian Nationalism, your vital companion for countering this dangerous ideology. Tyler draws on her experiences, conversations with pastors and laypeople, research, Scripture, her Baptist convictions, and her work as a constitutional law expert to help us confront Christian nationalist fervor. You'll learn how to distinguish Christian nationalism from the teachings of Jesus and to demonstrate how the former perpetuates white supremacy. This book also unpacks key truths we can share with others: Patriotism is not the same as nationalism. Religious freedom means little if it's not for everyone. Christians follow a gospel of love, not the idol of power. Here, you'll find stories of what Christians are doing to resist Christian nationalism in their churches and communities, plus ideas for your own work. From strategies for faith-rooted organizing to guidance for holding hard conversations with loved ones, Tyler offers practical ways to protect faith freedom for all. We've all seen what Christian nationalism can do. Now is the time for Christians to reckon with its harm. Now is the time to end it."

Amanda Tyler (Author), Suzie Althens (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Suzie Althens