Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World
- Author: Bob Goff
- Narrator: Bob Goff
- Length: 05:36:06
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 30/04/2012
- Publisher: Thomas Nelson
- Genre: Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Counseling & Inspirational
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about hearing an author narrate their own work – it’s like being invited to sit at their kitchen table while they share stories over coffee. That’s exactly the intimate experience Bob Goff delivers in the audiobook version of “Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World”. As someone who’s spent years collecting stories from roadside cafes in Marrakech to fishing boats in Vietnam, I can tell you Goff’s narration carries that same authentic warmth I’ve only encountered in the best oral storytellers.
Listening to “Love Does” while driving through the red rock canyons of Utah last month, I found myself pulling over repeatedly to jot down insights. Goff’s voice – brimming with mischievous joy and occasional cracks of emotion – transforms his already compelling stories into something profoundly personal. It reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca with Abuela Rosa, where simple tales became life lessons through the alchemy of voice and presence.
Goff’s central thesis – that love is an action rather than a sentiment – unfolds through wildly improbable anecdotes that somehow feel completely accessible. Whether he’s describing how he became the honorary consul for Uganda (by asking) or turning his law office into a treehouse, each story carries that rare combination of whimsy and wisdom. The audiobook format particularly shines in chapters like ‘I’m With You,’ where Goff’s voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper as he recounts smuggling Bibles into authoritarian countries – you can practically feel the desert heat and tension radiating from his words.
What makes this audiobook special is how Goff’s narration amplifies the text’s emotional resonance. When describing his tradition of taking his kids to meet world leaders for ice cream, his laughter bubbles up genuinely at the memory. During more poignant moments, like when he speaks about loss, you can hear his voice thicken slightly – these aren’t polished performances but authentic emotional transmissions. The production quality maintains beautiful clarity while preserving these human imperfections that make the listening experience so rich.
Compared to other inspirational Christian works I’ve reviewed, “Love Does” stands apart through its radical emphasis on action over theology. Where many books in this genre focus on proper belief, Goff cares about proper doing. This reminded me of conversations I’ve had with Buddhist monks in Thailand and Sufi mystics in Turkey – that universal truth that faith manifests through how we move through the world. The audiobook format makes this message even more potent, as Goff’s energetic delivery constantly prods you off the couch and into adventure.
If I had one critique, it’s that the audiobook’s breezy pace might initially mask the depth of Goff’s insights. Some profound reflections on forgiveness and purpose come wrapped in such delightful packaging that you might miss their weight on first listen. I found myself rewinding certain sections to fully absorb them – a small price to pay for such an engaging delivery.
For listeners who enjoy “Love Does”, I’d recommend pairing it with “The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning (another beautiful audiobook narrated by the author) or “Everybody, Always”, Goff’s follow-up work. But what makes this particular audiobook shine is how perfectly the medium matches the message – a book about love in action comes alive when delivered by the very person who lives these principles.
As someone who’s spent a lifetime collecting stories across continents, I can say Goff’s tales hold up with the best of them – not because they’re extraordinary (though they often are), but because they reveal how extraordinary ordinary life becomes when we approach it with courageous love. The audiobook format doesn’t just tell you this truth – through Goff’s vibrant narration, it lets you feel it in your bones.
With a heart full of stories and a suitcase always half-packed,
Marcus Rivera
