AUDIOBOOK NEWS: Part 1 of 3

I’M SO BEHIND WITH NEWS:

The year is halfway over and it has truly been a whirlwind. Aside from juggling work – thank goodness, I got distracted by life’s challenges. I admire those who can handle it all and still post on their blogs. Care to share your secrets? 🙂 I’m so serious!!

In the spirit of June being Audiobook Month. #JIAM2015, I’ll attempt to take the time to post the books that were part of these six months of 2015:  FIRST ON TAP: The 90 lb weight-loss journey, THINspired written by ABC News correspondent Mara Schiavocampo.  

It takes great courage to confess one’s weaknesses for food and even greater courage to stand up every time one falls off the wagon of any diet.  I love that Mara has a great sense of humor; which can only help her readers identify with her struggles. I’m certain Mara is inspiring a number of women on their weight loss journeys. She has inspired me to find the courage to take a soul cycle class.  I’m still working on finding the time. 😳  Cycling or taking a spin class has never been my preferred exercise. Other than riding the exercise bike for 20-45 minutes in a gym,  I have always preferred exercise with more movement e.g. dance or yoga.  Regardless of my exercise preferences, I really want to try a soul cycle class. Who knows, I could surprise myself.  I digress.

Because Mara is a journalist, she presents interesting information about sugar being addictive and the research done on rats to prove this point. She also presents interesting points of view that a diverse group of women had regarding self-image. I’m always grateful to Tantor Media for giving me such interesting titles to read.  https://tantor.com/thinspired-mara-schiavocampo.htmlhttps://tantor-site-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/images/books/238×238/F0838_ThinspiredLost-238×238.jpg

JUNE IS AUDIOBOOK MONTH

Did you know June is Audiobook Month?  If you’ve never listened to an audiobook, this month is a perfect time to start. Go ahead, I dare you to have a new experience. Get caught listening to an audiobook.

If you have an audiobook on your mobile device, tell me what you’re listening to right now OR divulge the names of your favorites.  I enjoy meeting new people. On Twitter, join the many discussions about audiobooks or simply tweet your favorites using the hashtags #audiobookmonth #JIAM2015.

WORKING NEWS- WALMART COMMERCIAL

I’ve been so busy recording books that I haven’t had the chance to share my news. (updates on audiobooks coming)

NEWS: I have a Walmart national commercial that has been running for the past two weeks. I suspect you will see it a lot in the next couple of days because it was themed around Easter (‘Pasqua” in Italian). There could be other versions of the commercial to be shown off season. Fingers crossed.  In the meantime, I’ll continue to sit in gratitude for one of the “avails” turning into a booking in my favor. 🙂  It’s always the luck of the draw.  #GRATEFUL  My friend Lisa caught the spot on NBC, took a still with her phone, then posted this pic on Facebook.  I’m thrilled she took the time to post this because I was not paying attention. Friends are truly a treasure that can never be taken for granted. Click on the title and take a peek at my Walmart TV Spot  GRAZIE!

Audiobook News- Part 2

Part 2 of My Audiobook News:  I had the privilege to narrate  a compelling memoir of  an 8 year old girl sold into slavery by her parents. The book is called “Hidden Girl by Shyima Hall with Lisa Wysocky (Tantor Media).  When I began to do research about this author, her story sounded familiar to me.  After seeing Shyima’s interview on the Tavis Smiley show, her story became even more familiar to me.  I finally put the pieces together and recalled reading an article in the L.A. Times about the arrest of this girl’s captors.  I had some pronunciation questions and Tantor Media arranged for me to speak with Shyima on the phone.  I confess to being extremely excited about my first “narrator-author” contact.  What a Geek.. I know!!  Through our conversation, it was discovered that Shyima and I had someone in common.  This discovery brought an added ease and comfort for two strangers.  She was very kind and extremely helpful in answering my questions.

This painful story changed the course of a young girl’s life in a way that most could never understand. We have choices in our country that some take for granted.  The fact that this book was given to me not long after the tragedy of the missing school girls in Nigeria, felt like a gift in a strange way.  Like many, I was up in arms about the lack of media coverage regarding this horrible act.  I even sent an email to the editor of the L.A. Times to express myself about the lack of  newsworthy stories in our paper.

With social media today, one voice can make a difference. It has been demonstrated every day what a number of voices can do with social media use.  By sharing an incredibly courageous woman’s story, I hope to help her inform and educate others.  If there are other stories like Shyima’s to be told, perhaps her story will inspire others to tell theirs.  Human Trafficking and Modern Day Slavery does exist. It’s a worldwide problem that most adults aren’t aware of.  May Shyima’s story continue to enlighten, educate and empower many.  The publication for the audiobook is on June 25th.  June is #audiobookmonth. What are you listening to? Here’s the link on the Tantor Media site. http://www.tantor.com/BookDetail.asp?Product=F0350_HiddenGirl

Read by Robin Eller

Audiobook News..

I’m way behind with my audiobook news. Mamma Mia! So much for that agreement with myself to blog more often. Where does the time go?  If someone cares to share their secret regime of daily or weekly or monthly blogging, your suggestions will be most welcomed.  Well, the year still provides me an opportunity to attempt this agreement.

Since June Is Audiobook Month. #audiobookmonth and formerly known as #JIAM (on the Twitter feeds), it’s a great time to post my audiobook news.  Thus far, the year has provided me with some interesting audiobooks to record.  I’ll share a few highlights; however the two books that I would like to share deserve separate posts: First, I was thrilled to have recorded the memoir of six-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Toni Braxton.  The book is called UnBreak My Heart: A Memoir by Toni Braxton (Harper Collins Publishers).  For people who still think the entertainment business comes with no price…well, listening to this book will give one (at least) a better perspective of this artist’s journey.  Looking back on my life as a dancer, it was exciting for me to have “lived my rock star life” and toured with a music legend (James Brown).  As an audiobook narrator, I’ve recorded the story of another renowned artist. #verycool! http://http://www.amazon.com/Unbreak-My-Heart-A-Memoir/dp/B00JBL7RRI

Narrated by Robin Eller

 

 

NELSON MANDELA -R.I.P.

Last evening, I felt like I boarded the late freight when I discovered the news.  I came out of my S Factor class feeling incredible bliss. It was interrupted with a voice that told me to turn on my phone and connect back into the outside world. When basking in the after-glow of class,  I try to put off plugging back in to the world so quickly. Despite my initial resistance, I listened to this urge.  It pointed me to the numerous FB postings about Nelson Mandela’s death.  Driving home, there was such heaviness in my heart.

A unique man’s presence, felt worldwide, for so long has left this earth.  He was 94 and had a full life.  This man witnessed so much change in the world over so many decades!  I only hope the younger generations can understand the mark that Nelson Mandela made on the world and if not, they should educate themselves immediately, so they can understand his impact. I feel immense gratitude for this extraordinary and inspiring man. I echo Mohammed Ali’s sentiments “He taught us forgiveness on a grand scale.”

May the world truly aspire to live by Mandela’s example.

Rest in peace Nelson Mandela, your humaneness will never be forgotten.

A favorite of many Nelson Mandela quotes.

FRIENDSHIP IS….

Although I don’t blog as often as I should, there are moments when I’m itching to write all day, put something out there in the world and see if it resonates with anyone. On the other hand, I would never tend to my other responsibilities.  Today, I was searching to perhaps post something for “Throw Back Thursdays” on Facebook. Instead of a photo that spoke to me, I came across this beautiful poem about friendship.  This poem was given to me on one of the most important days in my life, by one of my best friends. My inner voice whispered rather loudly, “This poem is better suited for my blog… put it here.”

In a recent time of need for emotional support, I have been extremely touched by the generosity of dear friends.  These are my “middle of the night friends” who are near and far.  The comfort of these voices made a huge difference in my day.  In as much as I’d like to think that I’m super woman, I’m not. My friends remind me that they are there for me.. like the song says.. “You just call loud my name…. You’ve got a friend.”

Carissimi Amici: Mi avete toccato il cuore, vi porto nel mio. = My Dearest Friends: You touched my heart, I carry you in mine.  Suffice it to say: it was no accident to have stumbled across this poem today.   #gratitude_4_treasured_friends

Friendship Is…by Robin Cohen

Knowing there is another human being you can trust.

Realizing that someone else wants the best for you.

Sharing the grief times along with the great times.

Being together without needing to pretend.

Forgiving pretenses when they occur.

Cherishing together the joys and traumas of change and growth.

Nourishing one another’s dreams, hopes and decisions along the path.

Loving another person in spite of differences and imperfections.

Sending love even where you are not together or in agreement.

Coming to  your friend’s aid and expecting nothing in return.

Dancing through life together and soaring to new heights.

Taking right up where you left off, even after several years.

Giving freely when appropriate and taking graciously when needed.

Friendships are not instantaneous, they are earned.

Friendships withstand the storms and upheavals of time.

Friends know the difference between image and substance.

Friends bask in the glow of the others triumphs.

Friends will be there when you need them.

Friends are one of life’s greatest gifts.

Latest Audiobook News

I was super excited to know that the audiobook I recorded  was released as a major motion picture this month. It’s not often that an audiobook and a movie are released simultaneously.  The audiobook was released a few weeks prior to the movie.  Tee.. Hee!  Viva Gli Audiolibri!! Next week starts the prep for my next audiobook. In the meantime, head over to Tantor Audio to listen to Baggage Claim by David E. Talbert.  http://www.tantor.com/BookDetail.asp?Product=B1667_BaggageClaim

My First Audiobook Review

It’s always nice to read a good review. I’m super pleased because it’s my first in Audiofile magazine.  I’m grateful to Oasis Audio for giving me this book to narrate.  I must give credit to my engineer and friend, Zach (Mosaic Audio) for taking the trip with me. Zach is another superhero to me.  Here’s to many more positive reviews on my journey into the world of audiobooks.

My Audiobook Review
AudioFile audiobook review: LIFE INTERRUPTED By Priscilla Shirer , Read by Robin Ray Eller
Source: audiofilemagazine.com
Submitting to the order God has in mind for us figures heavily in this sweetly narrated lesson on how to handle interruptions in the ideal life we make for ourselves. The author, who has written other spiritual guides, is a wife, mother, broadcaster, and minister who uses biblical stories, especially that of the prophet Jonah, to show how unexpected setbacks are God’s way of redirecting us toward a destiny that is more suited to our true nature–and His will. Though many of these parables and lessons could drift into sentimentality, Robin Ray Eller’s narration elevates them into the realm of memorable inspiration. Even with her youthful speaking voice, she makes a mature and appealing case for the author’s message. T.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

 

Spoken Freely (A Special Project)

Audiobook Community gives back

Going Public In Shorts

I’m so proud to have been a part of this special project in conjunction with June is Audiobook Month (#JIAM).  The audiobook community found a way to give back and in support of  “Reach Out And Read” – a non-profit organization that advocates for childhood literacy.  This project was also in recognition of  “June Is Audiobook Month” #JIAM. It was truly a pleasure and an honor to be in the company of my esteemed colleagues and friends.

Check out my interview by a lovely Audiobook blogger: http://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/    As soon as time permits, look out for me expanding on my adventures in Italia.

FYI: All short stories are still available for download and the proceeds will go to Reach Out and Read. Check out the other narrators when you have time. It’s a great way to show your support for childhood literacy.

Here’s the link: http://goingpublicproject.wordpress.com/spoken-freely/

Although #JIAM has come and gone OR if you’ve never listened to an audiobook… it’s never too late to start.  Perhaps you’ll drop me a note and let me know what you’re listening to.