Non-Fiction AUDIOBOOK Recommendations

Atomic Habits | James Clear
Narrator: James Clear

Summary: Tiny Changes, Remarkable ResultsAtomic Habits will reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits—whether you are a team looking to win a championship, an organization hoping to redefine an industry, or simply an individual who wishes to quit smoking, lose weight, reduce stress, or achieve any other goal.

Recommendation: This audio book walks you through creating positive habits and dropping undesirable ones.  The author’s voice is clear, warm and friendly.  The tone is that of a great teacher — and the online website mentioned throughout the text is FULL of great information!  James Clear also has a daily email that you can subscribe to.
Note: Since it is January, books on popular New Year’s Resolutions will be hard to read/listen to right away.  Feel free to place a hold on popular titles to reserve your place in line.

---

Grateful American: A Journey from Self to Service | Gary Sinise
Narrator: Gary Sinise

Summary: Gary Sinise shares the never-before-told story of his journey from trouble-making Chicago kid to cofounder of the legendary Steppenwolf Theater Company, world-famous actor, and tireless advocate for America’s active duty defenders, veterans, and first responders.

Recommendation: Gary Sinise played Lieutenant Dan in Forest Gump. He is an amazing human.  He gives back and constantly thinks of our troops. This book will make you cry at least 3 times.  Trust me on that.  It will make you proud to be an American! It’s such a great listen.

---

The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work and Confidence
by: Mel Robbins
Narrator: Mel Robbins

Summary: The Five Second Rule shows you how to use the five second rule (simply counting down 5-4-3-2-1!) in your everyday life to create lasting productivity and change.  Mel Robbins has a famous TEDx talk—8 million people have watched it!

Recommendation: I read anything Mel Robbins writes.  She’s down-to-earth and no-nonsense without being mean. She makes you see the “why” in your actions.  The 5 Second Rule shows you how to find the motivation and act on your instinct quickly and without thinking about it.  You can talk yourself out of anything, but if you use the five second rule, you usually are up and going before you can stop yourself!

---

The Answer Is… : Reflections on My Life | Alex Trebek
Narrator: Ken Jennings and Alex Trebek

Summary:Combines personal anecdotes with Trebek’s thoughts on a range of topics, including marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality, and philanthropy. Trebek also addresses the questions he gets asked most often by Jeopardy! fans, such as what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s Saturday Night Live impersonation.

Recommendation: Alex Trebek talks about his life and how his experiences shaped him.  This book is mainly narrated by Ken Jennings, but the more sentimental chapters are narrated by Alex Trebek.  We all know and loved Alex Trebek on Jeopardy!….now invite him into your home or car and listen to his rich story, woven with genuine love, curiosity and thoughtfulness.

---

Born with Teeth | Kate Mulgrew
Narrator: Kate Mulgrew

Summary: “We know Kate Mulgrew for the strong women she’s played–Captain Janeway on Star Trek; the tough-as-nails ‘Red’ on Orange is the New Black. Now, we meet the most inspiring and memorable character of all: herself. By turns irreverent and soulful, laugh-out-loud funny and heart-piercingly sad, Born With Teeth is the breathtaking memoir of a woman who dares to live life to the fullest, on her own terms”– Hachette Book Group website.

Recommendation: Kate Mulgrew is an amazing narrator and author.  She shares her life as it was, and reflects upon it with maturity.  I still think about this book, and I read it in 2016!