Tag Archives: Audio

#WeThePeopleListen

#WeThePeopleListen post image

I think we can all agree that the political climate has been … volatile … of late.

It seems like everybody is so entrenched in their own side of [every possible] argument, that we’re forgetting that, no matter the party, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, income level, citizenship status … all of that … we are all Americans* for a reason.

We have more that pulls us together (like yarn and knitting patterns) than pulls us apart, so long as we don’t let the little differences drive big wedges. If you need to borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbor, does it really matter how they voted in the last election? When your kid’s school hosts a charity car wash, do you exclude cars with bumper stickers you don’t like? Or do you welcome them to get soaped up with everyone else? For the most part, all of us are just trying to live our lives and raise our families to be good and kind.

None of us needs the constant stream of hate that’s taken over the airwaves.

Independence Day is coming up fast, and it’s important to remember what that means–and what better way than to listen to the words of our founding fathers?

Penguin Random House Audio is joining with award-winning authors and like-minded partner organizations, including PEN America and the National Coalition Against Censorship, to stream audio recordings of both the U.S. Constitution, narrated by Boyd Gaines, and the Declaration of Independence, narrated by Frank Langella, under the banner “We the People Listen.”

“For many of us, it’s been years, if at all, since we’ve read the Constitution or the Declaration,” says Amanda D’Acierno, SVP and Publisher, Penguin Random House Audio. “Taking a little time this early summer to listen to these talented narrators bring the text alive is something we all need to do as we celebrate Independence Day this year.”

Listeners can stream the recording of both the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence until July 31 at www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/wethepeoplelisten.

If you’ve forgotten:

About the Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…

Drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 as an act of rebellion, the Declaration of Independence powerfully expresses the political principles of an emerging nation. As justification for severing ties with England, the Declaration of Independence presented a list of grievances against the King and declared the colonies to be sovereign states.

About the U.S. Constitution:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.…

Ratified in 1788, the U.S. Constitution remains a shining example of patriotism and compromise. In outlining the power of the three branches of government and establishing the rights of all Americans, the Constitution united the thirteen independent states and set forth the official viewpoint of a newly unified nation. Its most significant and insightful feature is that it can always be amended.

*And for those of you who are not in the U.S. of A, these words are just as wise, no matter where you live.

Audio Book Giveaway!

Audio Book Giveaway! post image

About the Contest:

It’s been ages since I had a giveaway … but that’s about to change!

Thanks to the folks at Penguin Random House, I get to give away not one, but FIVE audiobooks to you lucky, lucky knitters.

We all appreciate the quiet, contemplative nature of crafting–making things with your hands, manipulating yarn or fabric into new shapes and combinations. Being creative is one of the primary drives for anybody who makes things.

But sometimes, the act of creation isn’t enough on its own.

Maybe you’re working through a long swath of stockinette stitch, or you need something to distract and entertain you while your hands work. Knitting with a group of friends does this wonderfully–but friends aren’t always available.

Television can work, too. You can stream seasons of your favorite shows or catch up on your movie watching while you work … except, sometimes you need to concentrate on what your hands are doing. Looking back and forth to the screen is too distracting.

But still, you’re just that tiny bit bored. Or you’re shaken by the fact that, by sitting with your yarn, you’re not getting anything else done. Perhaps you’re torn between wanting to curl up with a good book and driven to knit.

Enter Audiobooks.

Audiobooks and crafting are practically made for each other. Your hands can work busily away while your brain follows daring exploits or indulges in romantic escapes. Listening to a good story takes us back to our youngest days when Mom would read to us. It’s relaxing in a way that watching television isn’t.

Which brings us to our giveway.

Thanks to their generosity, I have FIVE audiobooks to give away. Five!


THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd, read by Jenna Lamia and Adepero Oduye


THE READERS OF BROKEN WHEEL RECOMMEND by Katarina Bivald, read by Fiona Hardingham and Lorelei King


FLIGHT OF DREAMS by Ariel Lawhon, read by John Lee


THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Melanie Benjamin, read by Cassandra Campbell and Paul Boehmer


SHOPAHOLIC TO THE RESCUE by Sophie Kinsella, read by Clare Corbett

I want to read at least three of these, myself, but no. I’m offering these audio CDs to YOU instead.

To win, leave a comment below listing your top three choices. Winners will be selected by a random drawing and I’ll try to match up titles with your preferences, but make no guarantees. For the sake of shipping, winners must be in the United States.

But, there’s more–send friends over to enter and, as long as they tell me who sent them, you’ll get more chances to win!

Entries are open through Friday the 11th.

Enter now! Because story-telling never gets old.

These audiobooks were kindly donated by Penguin Random House. Thank you!

My Gush: Who can resist listening to a good story–especially if it frees up more time for your knitting?