Title: A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself
Author: Brigid Lowry
Narrator: Vanessa Rhodes
Genre: Self-help
Book Blurb:
A beautifully presented and uplifting collection of contemplative, wry, sometimes funny essays about living thoughtfully and with care amidst life's challenges. If you're struggling to maintain grace and good humour amidst daily potholes and pitfalls, Brigid Lowry may be just the warm, wise and witty companion you need. Informed by contemporary psychology and Zen Buddhism, Brigid's essays offer reflections on everything from friendship to grief, and from gratitude to self-care. Give this audiobook to a friend or gift it to yourself, A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself is all the encouragement you'll need to nurture you and those around you.
My Review:
Summary –
It’s time to show loving-kindness to ourselves. If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s we need to slow down and focus on what’s important. While we tend to be critical of ourselves, we need to be mindful of our need for loving-kindness. Brigid Lowry shares her insight through a series of humorous, insightful essays aimed at mindfulness through all of life’s ups and downs. Using tenants of Zen Buddhism and modern psychology with a fair amount of common sense, A Year of Loving Kindness to Myself is an audiobook you’ll want to listen to again and again. A perfect gift this holiday season.
Narrator’s overall voice –
Vanessa Rhodes’ voice has a soothing, lyrical quality to it which conveyed the message clearly of this book. She has a lovely accent and her inflections created such a calming effect. I honestly could listen to read the dictionary and it would be an enjoyable experience.
Does the narrator fit the characters?
Since this is nonfiction, this doesn’t really apply. Does Vanessa Rhodes create a meditative mood for the reader? YES!
Narrator’s reading style –
Vanessa Rhodes has a comforting reading style. She embodies what this book is about and I thoroughly enjoyed listening.
Narrator’s impact on reading experience –
Vanessa Rhodes makes this one of the best audiobooks I’ve read. It’s more than her voice, it’s the way she speaks the words.
Narrator’s pacing –
Vanessa Rhodes’ pacing is ideal, pausing when needed. Because the book’s theme is self-help, the pacing is so important. She allows the listener to contemplate what’s been talked about.
Audiobook flow –
The audiobook flows so well, I forgot I was listening to a book. It’s like having a conversation with an old friend. Yes, I talked back to the audiobook. Lol!
What makes this audiobook unique –
Vanessa Rhodes is what makes it so unique. I’ve listened to a lot of self-help audiobooks and sometimes it can rather dry but not with Vanessa Rhodes. She makes the words and ideas come alive.
Would I recommend this audiobook –
Yes! I think this is THE audiobook to give and receive this holiday season. Its life-affirming, life-altering, mindful message will change lives.
My Rating: 5 stars
Buy it Now:
Author Biography:
Brigid Lowry began her writing career by self-publishing two dreadful poems when she was eight. She spent her twenties living in a Buddhist community, veered into performance poetry in her thirties, and subsequently survived two marriages, raised a fine son and wrote eight award-winning young adult books. Her first essay collection, Still Life with Teapot: On Zen, Memoir and Creativity, was published in 2016. She is a poet, a Zen student, a creative writing teacher, an introvert who talks too fast, a drifter and dreamer who loves the world of words. Brigid believes in nectarines, coloured pencils and op shops, and in living with authenticity and joy.
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Reviewed by: Mrs. N