The Thinking Life: How to Thrive in the Age of Distraction

Forni examines our dependency on modern technology and explores the value of thinking and reflection in this treatise on slowing down in an age of constant digital distraction. Unfortunately, David Drummond's robotic narration is likely to cause some listeners to check their Facebook or tune into that episode of Jersey Shore they Tivoed last month. While clear, rhythmic, and understandable, Drummond reads each sentence with exactly the same inflection. The first syllable of nearly every sentence begins with a lower pitch, the second syllable has a raised pitch, and the third syllable returns once again the original pitch. The author's worthy and interesting subject just isn't done justice here. A St. Martin's hardcover. (Nov.)