Narda Pitkethly’s 'Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance' Now Available as an Audiobook.
In January 2020, Narda Pitkethly, Founder and CEO of Nardagani, released her first novel, “Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance.” Now, Pitkethly’s memoir, which chronicles Narda’s brother (Jay) disappearance in September 2001, is available as an audiobook on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes, with Narda serving as the narrator.
One listener shared her thoughts on the audiobook version of the book: “Narda Pitkethly has a beautiful, calming, soothing voice and it was a joy listening to her narrate her own life story. A story which is, at times, jubilant, funny, awe-inspiring, and also heartbreaking. Narda quickly envelops her readers into the mystery of her brother, Jay's, disappearance, and then travels back in time to their childhoods, to explain how they got from Point A to Point B. Narda's father was a neurosurgeon in the military, so the family moved frequently. Being the only daughter and the middle child out of five children...she often felt unseen and, sometimes, even unloved.”
A few Q&As with Narda on the release of her audiobook:
Nardagani: Tell us about what motivated you to turn your story into an audiobook?
Narda Pitkethly: I enjoy listening to audiobooks, especially memoirs when the author narrates. Narrating my memoir felt like the next right thing to do. I enjoyed telling my story, in my voice, for my listeners.
Nardagani: What is your favorite chapter that you read?
Narda Pitkethly: My favorite chapter to read was “On the Run,” about my daughter. Sadie’s adventures in the wilderness as a young women are unique and extraordinary. Sadie’s voice comes out well. My biggest concern about narrating my book was performing the different voices. I watched lots of YouTube videos on how to make my voice into other characters, how to easily do this subtly, and it turns out I had fun with this. I believe Sadie’s voice comes through in this chapter, “On the Run.”
Nardagani: Why do you hope people purchase the audio version?
Narda Pitkethly: I am excited for people to listen to the audio version of my book. I’ve been told all my life that I have a soothing, engaging voice, that I ought to do voiceovers or be a radio host. On my TEDx Talk I have over 800 comments, and the many of the comments are about how much people like my voice. The readers who have reviewed my audiobook had read my book. They share how much more they got out of my story because of the way I told it, my intonation, and the emotion in my voice.
Nardagani: What do you think Jay would say about your memoir becoming an audiobook?
Narda Pitkethly: Jay would be thrilled with this story of triumph over adversity—his, mine, and many people who struggle with reading and have learned to read the Nardagani way. Most of our students learn Nardagani symbols easily. Some are ESL students who learn with our English speaking course online. Nardagani students often say, I want to learn English or sometimes users are looking for a system to help teach phonics for kids. I share more about this in “Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance” too.
I have gotten in the habit of listening to audiobooks, having someone read me a story as I’m driving down the road, out for a walk, making dinner, relaxing… I look forward to reading you my story as you relax, or go through your day.
Please click here to purchase the audiobook of “Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance”: Audible, Amazon, and iTunes.
Enjoy this preview from Chapter One of “Nardagani: A Memoir - Finding Light in the Shadow of a Brother's Disappearance”: