Tavia Gilbert's Blog, page 3

On reading philosophy

 

What a lovely review of a difficult and important book — Hannah Arendt’s On Revolution, which is described as follows by the publisher: “From the 18th-century rebellions in America and France to the explosive changes of the 20th century, Arendt traces the changing face of revolution and its relationship to war while underscoring the crucial role such events will play in the future.”

My librarian/reviewer pal Francisca Goldsmith is a discerning listener, indeed, and I love that she captured...

Brooklyn Event with Stephanie Kallos – July 27th

If you’re in or near Brooklyn, please join me on July 27th for a conversation with my dear friend,Stephanie Kallos, the authorof one of my favorite book projects, Language Arts from Recorded Books(print edition from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). We hope to see you at the powerHouse Arena on Monday, July 27th at 7 pm, when Stevie and I will be talking about Palmer penmanship, offering you cupcakes and wine, and entertaining you with song! Recorded Books will be providing door prizes for the eve...

IT’S WHAT I DO receives Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine

I am thrilled to announce that my performanceof IT’S WHAT I DO: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War by Lynsey Addario for Blackstone Audio, has receivedAudioFile Magazine‘s Earphones Award. The text of the review can be found below, along with a direct link to the review and audio sample onAudioFile‘s website.

It’s What I Do: A Photographer’s Life of Love and War Author Lynsey Addario uses her camera to capture images of beauty and light as well as despair, horror, and every other human emo...

Chance audiobook encounters

I was in Darien, Connecticut this spring, performing live with Penguin Random’s Dan Zitt and actor Dennis Boutsikaris, at one of the most well-appointed, enthusiasticlibraries I’ve ever known. The library staff rolled out the red carpet for us, welcoming us into their community, graciously making us feel at home as we read selections from our audiobook projects and answered questions from the 100 passionate audience members/audiobook listeners.

After the performance and Q&A wrapped up, a soft-...

Celebrating Coco: An honest account of a most complicated character

This summer found me immersed in French — language, culture, and fashion — as I recorded one of the most challenging and captivating projects of my career. Voicing Rhonda Garelick’sMademoiselle: Coco Chanel and the Pulse of History for HighBridge Audio demanded my most impeccable French pronunciation and lyrical story-telling, and I enjoyed every minute. While fashion has never been my particular passion, I could not help but see the world differently (and understand and appreciate couture fa...

Making peace with the silent dark

Perhaps the most terrifying thing I can imagine is being alone — really, truly alone, in the dark, in silence. Despite my wish to be a different person, to be serene and calm and courageous and self-actualized, I check my email constantly — not once every ten minutes constantly, but once every minute constantly. I often feel like a hamster on a wheel in the quality of my attention, running running running, getting nowhere fast. I yearn for meaning and purpose, and I look for these outside mys...

Every Once In a While There’s an EXTRA Special Book…

and today I have the great pleasure of sharing one of these rare projects with you!

I was thrilled to be cast recently to narrate Jessica Lawson’s The Actual and Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher, a reimagining of the story of Mark Twain’s classic character. When I read the audition copy from Dreamscape Audio, I absolutely fell in love with Becky’s voice and Jessica’s writing. I always connect deeply with whatever material I’m narrating — one must, in order to do the very best possible job...

Sending a little love your way — new audio releases and giveaways!

Several years ago, when I was still a newish narrator, I was offered my first paranormal title ever, an action/adventure/romance written by Jeaniene Frost. Halfway to the Gravestarred Cat Crawfield, a half-vampire vampire killer, and Bones, a sassy British vampire bounty hunter. Cat was tough, snappy, and sarcastic, deadly Bones had a heart of gold and a checkered past, and the story of their relationship unfolded with plenty of mayhem, power-play, and sizzling chemistry. The book challenged...

A shift in focus

I just finished narrating lovely Janice MacLeod’s memoir PARIS LETTERS for Tantor, which tells the story of Janice’s decision to save enough money to leave her job and travel for a year. Janice ended up meeting and falling in love with the lovely Christophe, and rather than tourist-ing her way through foreign lands, eventually, she put down roots, committing to Paris and to her new love, creating and embracing a new life and career.

Janice and I had a wonderful conversation this weekend by Sky...

Vocal heartstrings

Sunday evening I was at the 5th Maine Regiment Museum on Peaks Island in Maine to hear my beloved Renaissance Voices perform their spring concert. My best friend sat next to me as we listened to the a cappella voices perform songs by Stephen Foster, William Billings, Faith York, Amy Beach. When Leah noticed I was trying, unsuccessfully, to hold back tears, she reached over to hold my hand tight.

It’s been exactly a year since I was on Peaks and last made music with these dear people, the twent...