I always listen to essay collections and memoirs through audiobooks—it’s like eavesdropping on someone’s personal diary, but with permission. I love the rhythm of someone narrating their own life story—like we’re having a one-on-one conversation. It’s immersive, intimate, and let's be honest, who wouldn’t want Michelle Obama or Trevor Noah keeping them company during a long commute? Audiobooks deeply influenced my writing practice as I completed my memoir, Gather Me. Hearing the cadence of dialogue shaped how I crafted conversations or built tension in my own work. I took cues from my favorite writers and did my best to be completely vulnerable on the page. There’s nothing quite like listening to an author read their work—it will completely transform the way you experience your favorite storyteller! —Glory Edim
Glory's list
Walker's prose dances between the sacred and the everyday, tracing the lineage of creativity from generations of Black women who, in the face of oppression, nurtured beauty and resilience in their "gardens"—whether literal or metaphorical. I return to this audiobook again and again for creative inspiration.
The Light We Carry offers listeners a valuable lifeline! I loved her practical advice and strategies for maintaining hope and balance during challenging periods. Her book helped me navigate feelings of self-doubt and helplessness.
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith is like a love letter and a reckoning all in one, wrapped in sharp prose and tender wisdom. I love her heartfelt observations on new beginnings.
In Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood, Trevor Noah—comedian, talk show host, and accidental outlaw—takes you on a wild ride through his early life in apartheid South Africa. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, Noah’s memoir is a masterclass in resilience and humor.
I felt so many pangs of grief listening to Crying in H Mart. Michelle Zauner takes us on a deeply personal journey, exploring her Korean American identity and her complicated relationship with her mother.
Glory Edim has won numerous awards for her anthologies showcasing the talents and universality of Black women through literature. Her memoir, Gather Me, is an inspiring story of family, community, and resilience.
