In his book, “Overnight: Journeys, Conversations and Stories After Dark,” Dan Richards explores the unique experiences associated with staying awake through the night. He draws inspiration from Charles Dickens, who famously wandered the streets during a sleepless episode in 1860. Richards combines personal narrative with investigative journalism, revealing the lives of night-time workers and those who perform vital tasks while the majority of people rest.
Richards, identifying more with the night owl than the early riser, connects with various individuals including dock workers in Southampton, outreach personnel at St Mungo’s who assist the homeless, a search and rescue team in Lincolnshire, and night ferry staff transporting passengers from Aberdeen to Lerwick in Shetland. In the early morning hours, he visits The Dusty Knuckle bakery in Dalston, London, where young people from challenging backgrounds learn the craft of baking. He also engages with new mothers navigating the challenges of nighttime feedings amidst fatigue and hormonal changes.
As the narrator, Richards brings an evocative and enlightening quality to his reading. His emotional tone resonates as he shares his firsthand experience within the nocturnal environment of a hospital. Rather than being a mere observer, he recounts his time as a patient at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary during the early days of the Covid pandemic. Spending eight days in hospital, he describes his state as a “semi-delirious trance,” filled with fear for himself and his family, and focusing solely on the essential task of survival: “to breathe, to live.”
The audiobook, available through WF Howes, has a runtime of 9 hours and 3 minutes.
In “Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference,” author Rutger Bregman presents an encouraging message aimed at those who have achieved success. He urges them to leverage their skills for a greater purpose, advocating for actions that contribute to improvements in the world, such as addressing the climate crisis or preventing future pandemics. The narration is provided by Boris Hiestand and the book runs for 5 hours and 55 minutes.
Anna Sharpe’s “Notes on a Drowning” is a gripping and fast-paced thriller narrated by Hanako Footman. The story follows a legal aid lawyer and a Home Office adviser as they delve into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the drowning of a young woman in the Thames.
