I CAME ALL THIS WAY TO MEET YOU Writing Myself Home

Xe Sands's inviting midrange voice and wry, reflective tone harmonize well with novelist Jami Attenberg's memoir. Writing in the form of linked essays, Attenberg, now in her 40s, considers the benefits and drawbacks of her unscripted and spontaneous approach to life. About a trip to Europe, for example, she writes, "There were cheap direct flights from New Orleans to Frankfurt. All the borders were open. I clicked. I did not think twice about it. I would go wherever I wanted." Sands performs with her usual clarity, often with a hint of a smile. To these she adds a subtly offhand quality that's attuned to Attenberg's approach, which is lighthearted despite life's challenges, and insightful without brooding. A.C.S. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2022]