Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine
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Find your next great audiobook on our podcast, Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine. Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile Editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. All in 6 minutes or less. It’s short, sweet, and just what your ears need. Got a bit more time? Listen to the bonus episode featuring conversations with the best voices in the audiobook industry.
Available episodes
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Oldest first
23 hours ago
SMOKE by Joe Ide, read by Zeno Robinson
Zeno Robinson returns to narrate the fifth in Ide’s IQ series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Robinson’s skilled narration that grounds this audiobook using his gift for dialogue and skill with action sequences. Robinson eases listeners inside Isaiah Quintabe’s (IQ’s) weary mind as he departs L.A. to look for peace and rejuvenation in Northern California. But trouble follows, and Robinson accelerates the tempo as IQ traps a blackmailer, catches a serial killer, and prevents corporate backstabbing. Robinson is terrific with dialogue, and thankfully there’s lots of it. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of The Real Hergé, the true story of the inspiration behind cultural phenomenon Tintin.
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1 day ago
SUMMERWATER by Sarah Moss, read by Morven Christie
Morven Christie’s limpid, Scottish-inflected voice and gentle, enticing tone combine to lure listeners into Sarah Moss’s astonishing seventh novel as effectively as mermaids tempt sailors into the sea. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this memorable tale set at a Scottish holiday camp over the course of a long, rainy day, written in a series of linked vignettes. Each is its own vivid, heartfelt, mysterious, or humorous story that builds with the others toward an unexpected and shocking final drama. Christie’s narration keeps listeners rapt while maintaining rhythm with the action. An outstanding performance. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Frankenstein, a breathtaking Audie-nominated full-cast performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson.
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4 days ago
GIRL A by Abigail Dean, read by Ell Potter
Lex tries hard to ignore her past, when she was known as Girl A in the aftermath of escaping her abusive parents. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Lex’s story, narrated by Ell Potter with a strong yet subtle performance that helps build the psychological tension in the story. The narrative shifts time frames, and Potter’s characterization helps to distinguish the young Lex from the highly accomplished but flawed adult Lex. Potter’s careful pacing allows listeners to use their imagination without feeling the horror is being overly dramatized. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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5 days ago
YOU'LL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED TO LACEY by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar, read by Amber Ruffin, Lacey Lamar
Amber Ruffin and Lacey Lamar are sisters and co-narrators on a hilarious, rapid romp through a series of unfortunate events with the racially ignorant. Host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb discuss the comedic tone of the audiobook’s narration, which also simultaneously peels back the layers of how often and how absurdly poorly Lacey is treated. It is simultaneously infuriating and laugh-out-loud funny, thanks to the sisters’ sharp wit. Fun and educational, this is an engaging listen. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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6 days ago
JUST AS I AM by Cicely Tyson, Michelle Burford, read by Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Robin Miles
After a deeply touching foreword by Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis and an introduction from Cicely Tyson herself, narrator Robin Miles picks up the torch and delivers 16 riveting, thought-provoking hours of the life and times of the author. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed how this was one of her favorite celebrity autobiographies that she’s ever listened to, and especially poignant given the recent loss of the actress. This honest account of Tyson’s life also tells of the history and trials of Black women over generations. A must-listen audiobook thanks to the combined brilliance of Robin Miles’s performance and the genteel grace that pervades Tyson’s prose. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 23, 2021
PALE HORSE, PALE RIDER by Katherine Anne Porter, read by Chelsea Stephens
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this collection of Katherine Anne Porter’s fiction, which brings three of her novellas to audio. Until now, her only fiction on audiobook has been SHIP OF FOOLS. Chelsea Stephens gives this matchless storyteller her due in a precise, subtly nuanced performance. These three novellas, among the best in American literature, live as vibrantly here as they did 80 years ago. Porter’s Pulitzer prize-winning story of the 1918 flu pandemic gives the collection its title, and that somber image links the very different “Old Morality” and “Noon Wine.” Published by Audible, Inc.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 22, 2021
CONCRETE ROSE by Angie Thomas, read by Dion Graham
Narrator Dion Graham shines bright in this YA prequel, set 17 years before Thomas’s bestseller THE HATE U GIVE. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Graham’s skill at bringing this work to life. Listeners get to know Starr’s father, Maverick, at a sudden shift in his life--he’s become a father and is thrust into a whole new role as a caregiver. Graham adds to the emotional connection with the sound of his voice, easily shifting between Maverick’s sometimes frantic internal dialogue and the words he speaks aloud. It is a well-paced audiobook filled with nuances in both writing and performance, and difficult to put down. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 19, 2021
A PHO LOVE STORY by Loan Le, read by Ryan Do, Vyvy Nguyen
Ryan Do and Vyvy Nguyen charm listeners in a story of star-crossed lovers and mouthwatering foods, told in fast-paced alternating first-person chapters. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this sweet YA romance about two teens who fall for each other despite their family’s long-running rivalries. Bao Nguyen waits tables in his family’s Vietnamese restaurant, and Do conveys his anxieties about coasting without any real focus in school or out. When he has a chance encounter with Linh Mai, the daughter of his parents’ rivals, sparks fly. Nguyen’s compelling narration of Linh ensures that listeners hear the joys and fears she feels over her secret friendship--and relationship--with Bao. Both narrators convey the thrills of first love and the teens’ loyalty to their families and community. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 18, 2021
ANCESTOR APPROVED: INTERTRIBAL STORIES FOR KIDS by Cynthia Leitich Smith [Ed.], read by Kenny Ramos, DeLanna Studi
Kenny Ramos and DeLanna Studi bring a memorable intertribal powwow to life for listeners. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about this exciting new audiobook for children, featuring short stories from sixteen Indigenous authors. Diverse stories with overlapping narratives showcase the joys of coming together as a community while also highlighting the kids’ many different personalities and experiences. Ramos narrates with all of the nerves and excitement the boys are feeling over joining the festivities, and Studi captures the energy and emotions of the girl protagonists. The collection highlights for listeners that Indigenous people are still here, and that there’s no one story that represents what it’s like to be a Native kid. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 17, 2021
SHE PERSISTED: CLAUDETTE COLVIN by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Chelsea Clinton [Letter], read by Janina Edwards, Chelsea Clinton [Letter]
Janina Edwards’s steady and friendly narration suits this children’s biography about the life and activism of Claudette Colvin, who, when she was 15 years old, helped launch the Montgomery bus boycotts by refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss how this new audiobook, part of the SHE PERSISTED chapter book series, can inspire young listeners to learn more about historical and current racial injustices. Edwards’s warm narration conveys Colvin’s curiosity and bravery. Published by Listening Library.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 16, 2021
AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS By B.B. Alston, read by Imani Parks
Imani Parks brings a vibrancy to her narration of this brilliant new fantasy audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss B.B. Alston’s incredible debut, featuring a young Black girl launched into a supernatural adventure. Amari is worried -- her older brother Quinton has been missing for months. When she gets a mysterious package delivered, she suddenly learns that her brother was a superstar agent in the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. She’s determined to learn more and begins a hunt for clues as she competes for a spot as a Junior Agent. Kids looking for a fast-paced adventure full of magic will be thrilled with this listen. Published by Harper Audio.
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Feb 15, 2021
WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER by Tae Keller, read by Greta Jung
Narrator Greta Jung captures both the youthful and the adult voices in this Newbery Medal-winning story about family and magic. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about Jung’s skills at bringing the characters to life. Author Tae Keller’s story captures intergenerational relationships and blends Korean mythology into the story seamlessly. Lily is a quiet and thoughtful girl who wants to disappear at the first sign of conflict, very different from her confident older sister Sam. When the girls and their mother move in with their Halmoni, Lily realizes she’s being followed by a tiger that only she can see--and that tiger may be the key to healing her Halmoni. Published by Listening Library
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L…
Feb 12, 2021
In conversation with narrator Nicholas Boulton
In today’s bonus edition of Behind the Mic, Nicholas Boulton joins host Jo Reed to discuss his narrations of classics, historical romances, and more. Nicholas’s narration of Dickens’s DAVID COPPERFIELD is the star of our new podcast, Audiobook Break with AudioFile Magazine, and he and Jo share their thoughts on the character work that goes into voicing a Dickens classic and the challenges of narrating a work written more than a century ago. Listen to hear how Nicholas got his start as an actor and the different techniques he uses to bring characters to life in audiobooks, on stage, and in video games. Once you’ve listened, look for Audiobook Break and start enjoying DAVID COPPERFIELD, with three chapters a week of Nicholas Boulton’s narration thanks to our publishing partner, Naxos AudioBooks.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrat…
Feb 12, 2021
THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald, read by Sean Astin
This interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 masterpiece by narrator Sean Astin adds a new layer of pathos and empathy to the classic story. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Astin’s interpretation that gives millionaire Jay Gatsby’s story new emotions, and adds new insight into the tragic love story between Daisy Buchanan and Gatsby. Nailing the ending, Astin channels Nick’s longing to comprehend what has happened to him. Published by Dreamscape Audio.
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Feb 11, 2021
FEVERS, FEUDS, AND DIAMONDS by Paul Farmer, read by Pete Cross
Pete Cross does an excellent job narrating this hard-edged audiobook taking on the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, but with relevance to today’s COVID-19 pandemic. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the crisp voice Cross uses to narrate Harvard epidemiologist Paul Farmer’s true and sad account, one that gives listeners the gnawing sense that in pandemics and epidemics, care should always triumph over control, and that “stuff, staff, and systems” go a long way toward managing the sick. Published by Dreamscape Media.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 10, 2021
RESILIENCE by Harvard Business Review, read by Daniel Henning, Rachel Perry
Daniel Henning and Rachel Perry share the narrations in a collection of six timely articles from the Harvard Business Review. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed how both narrators deliver transparent and thoughtful performances. From “Mindfulness” to “Find Coaching in Criticism,” the authors deliver well-researched arguments that make listeners take notice and examine their assumptions. The text combines serious suggestions with case histories and insights into famous folk who have been exceptionally resilient. Published by Gildan Media.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 9, 2021
THE NEW MAP by Daniel Yergin, read by Robert Petkoff
Robert Petkoff is a clear and intelligent reader who suits the global scale and economic scope of Daniel Yergin’s audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how Petkoff’s forthright narrative style balances the complexity of the subject. Yergin, a Pulitzer Prize-winner and an energy consultant, understands current geopolitical stresses surrounding energy production and use. Written with the background of the coronavirus, Yergin’s book details the drastic economic effects of the pandemic. Activists may deride some of his assertions, but this audiobook provides a primer on today’s environmental challenges. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, www.pagechaser.com, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Feb 8, 2021
THE JOURNEYS OF TREES by Zach St. George, read by Daniel Henning
A surprisingly delightful audiobook takes what might be a dry subject--the migrations of forests and trees--and turns it into a compelling listening experience. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Daniel Henning’s animated narration of Zach St. George’s collection of stories, adventures, and scientific studies. Henning gives a nuanced performance as the author tackles the effects global warming is having on the forests, and tells the stories of how naturalists, scientists, and corporations are endeavoring to find solutions. Published by HighBridge Audio.
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Feb 5, 2021
ALEXANDER PUSHKIN: EGYPTIAN NIGHTS AND OTHER TALES OF ROMANCE AND IMAGINATION by Alexander Pushkin, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Stefan Rudnicki splendidly reads this collection of fiction by the Russian author Pushkin. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Pushkin’s best fiction on luck, fate, honor, and grandeur, including stories from “Tales of Belkin,” his novella “The Queen of Spades,” and other stories that provide insights into humans and Russian society. Golden Voice narrator Rudnicki has a resonant voice and an understanding of the flow and nuance of each story, and his deep baritone captures the atmosphere and detail. Published by Blackstone Audio.
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Feb 4, 2021
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS by Kenneth Grahame, Dina Gregory [Adapt.], read by a full cast
Meet Mistress Badger, Mrs. Mole, Miss Ratty, and Lady Toad. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this new production of Kenneth Grahame’s classic featuring a superb all-female cast. Led by Cush Jumbo, the actresses are completely comfortable with the author’s plush prose and elegant descriptions. With original music and on-location sound effects, this friendly tale will leave children captivated. Published by Audible, Inc.
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Feb 3, 2021
THE SURVIVORS by Jane Harper, read by Stephen Shanahan
Stephen Shanahan once again transports listeners down under—this time to Tasmania. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Jane Harper’s new Australian thriller, narrated with expertise by Shanahan. Kieran Elliot returns to his hometown to assist his parents’ move. When the body of a young woman is found on the beach, Kieran is drawn back into the memories of the terrible storm 12 years earlier that drowned his brother and friend. Shanahan keeps listeners engaged, and they will appreciate his delivery as Harper’s story depicts the varying ways survivors manage the pain and guilt of loss. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Feb 2, 2021
THE HAPPY PRINCE & OTHER STORIES by Oscar Wilde, read by Simon Jones
With a gentleman’s grace and a finely tuned ear for character voices, narrator Simon Jones does a wonderful job bringing to life this collection of children’s fairy tales by one of the English language’s greatest wits. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Jones’s skill with this collection and beyond, and how he makes the classics so listenable, fresh, and enjoyable—even if you think you might already be familiar with these stories. Although written for children, Wilde’s unique twists on children’s literature are a little edgier, a bit more playful, a trifle wiser, and more fun than your average fairy-tale fare. Published by Alison Larkin Presents.
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Feb 1, 2021
LOOKING TO GET LOST by Peter Guralnick, read by Jim Meskimen
Journalist and author Peter Guralnick offers a personal look at some of the last century’s most influential music artists and writers. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the audiobook narrated by Jim Meskimen with a steely timbre and vocal confidence. His intelligent performance of these captivating stories, insights, and reflections is a delight to hear, and he helps us share in the author’s enthusiasm. Guralnick writes about familiar artists and performers along with lesser-known performers, writers, and promoters who were just as critical to music’s ascendence in American culture. It’s an audiobook that musicians and music lovers will savor. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from Page Chaser, a book loving community that celebrates uplifting books with regular book sweepstakes, book clubs, great book deals, and much more!
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Jan 29, 2021
THE BOY, THE MOLE, THE FOX AND THE HORSE by Charlie Mackesy, read by Charlie Mackesy
Author and narrator Charlie Mackesy presents a heartwarming performance of an unlikely group of friends as they converse about life, hope, fear, and kindness while exploring the world around them. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this audio adaptation of a much loved illustrated work, which features a soundscape with music and wildlife sounds to transform the audiobook into a meditative and therapeutic experience. The short but memorable audiobook will leave listeners of all ages hopeful despite a world filled with uncertainty. It will also leave them hungry for cake. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy!
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Jan 28, 2021
A HOUSE AT THE BOTTOM OF A LAKE by Josh Malerman, read by Taylor Meskimen, Ozzie Rodriguez
Narrators Taylor Meskimen and Ozzie Rodriguez portray two teenagers in what starts out as a sweet summer romance but becomes something much more sinister. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the story of a truly unforgettable first date. James and Amelia go canoeing and discover a fully furnished house underwater. They become obsessed with the house and form an intense bond over the weeks of exploring the mysterious house—but a foreboding presence looms within the house and threatens to drive them apart. The narrators craft memorable characters while also setting a tone and pace that well suits the horror and romance of this audiobook. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy!
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Jan 27, 2021
THE NOM WAH COOKBOOK by Wilson Tang, read by Wilson Tang
Author and narrator Wilson Tang adds history and personality to New York’s Chinatown with his heartfelt dive into the neighborhood. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this cookbook that also offers a connection to the community. The audiobook is both a collection of lovely stories from the Chinese community in New York and Tang’s personal story of coming to own the Nom Wah restaurant and all those who supported him along the way. The stories are interspersed with chapters that help you tap into Tang’s enthusiasm for the food, walking listeners through the history of rice, noodles, and bao, definitely making you hungry with his engaging narration. Listen while you cook--or daydream of visiting Chinatown. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indu…
Jan 26, 2021
THE WHITE ROSE by Inge Scholl, read by Elizabeth Wiley, Heather Henderson, et al.
Two accomplished narrators, Elizabeth Wiley and Heather Henderson, recount the chronicle of the White Rose, a cluster of German students who opposed Hitler in 1942 and 1943. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this story that focuses on Hans and Sophie Scholl, siblings of the author. Both Wiley and Henderson are articulate and polished as they engage listeners in the hopeless but courageous struggle of this resistance group. Five male narrators provide documentation following the historical account. Listeners hear the exact words, in English, of the leaflets that condemned the young students. Published by Post Hypnotic Press.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy!
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Jan 25, 2021
A BRIEF HISTORY OF FASCIST LIES by Federico Finchelstein, read by Edoardo Ballerini
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this lucid and accessible discussion of the connection between fascism and lying made by Argentine historian Federico Finchelstein. Edoardo Ballerini narrates with a clear and agile voice for a story that is international in scope. The audiobook examines the twentieth century’s infamous fascist leaders and their followers, along with populist and fascist leaders of today. Ballerini demonstrates his ease with a broad range of languages to smoothly pronounce names and terms. His pacing, and the author’s writing, prevent any sense of drag, making this short audiobook rigorous enough to engage politically educated listeners as well as students eager to find expert guidance in developing historical understanding. Published by Post Hypnotic Press.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE G…
Jan 22, 2021
THE SEA IN WINTER by Christine Day, read by Kimberly Woods
Kimberly Woods’s soft voice draws out all of the roiling emotions in Christine Day’s middle-grade novel about recovery, loss, and hope. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this audiobook that provides young listeners with comfort and catharsis. Maisie is a 12-year-old Makah and Piscataway girl whose identity has revolved around ballet—but after tearing her ACL, she’s facing an uncertain future. Woods’s youthful voice embodies Maisie, whose anger and anxieties are beginning to overwhelm her despite the loving support of her family. Listeners who are facing loss and a year like none other will find Maisie’s story healing. She’s a role model for learning to express strong emotions and to ask for help. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to…
Jan 21, 2021
WINTERING by Katherine May, read by Rebecca Lee
In this gently told audiobook, author and podcaster Katherine May investigates the effectiveness of rest and refuge in challenging times. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss narrator Rebecca Lee’s pleasing British accent and sympathetic tone, which wonderfully capture May’s absorbing curiosity about the efficacy of slowing down to recover a sense of wellness and balance. May describes lifestyle changes she undertook when she became ill, adaptations by Finns in response to long winter nights, and the patterns of hibernation in dormice and other species. These discoveries will resonate with listeners facing a long winter and the uncertainties of the pandemic. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that ma…
Jan 20, 2021
REMOTE CONTROL by Nnedi Okorafor, read by Adjoa Andoh
Narrator Adjoa Andoh captivates listeners with Nnedi Okorafor’s stunning new sci-fi novella set in a near future Ghana. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Andoh’s skills with pacing and tone that keep her perfectly in tune with Okorafor’s compelling story, and she smoothly switches between the accents required to bring the vibrant characters to life. Sankofa is known as the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. As a young girl, she gains incredible power—and then kills everyone she loves in a tragic accident. Sankofa explores Ghana on foot as she works to gain control over her powers and hunts down the alien artifact stolen from her. Listeners will feel Sankofa’s anger, her longing for community, and her legendary strength. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY t…
Jan 19, 2021
CLASS ACT by Jerry Craft, read by a Full Cast
Listeners will delight in being back with friends from NEW KID, last year’s Newbery Award-winning graphic novel by Jerry Craft. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the full-cast rendition of this sequel to NEW KID, which continues the story of the kids of Riverdale Academy Day School. Jordan Banks is excited but nervous to be heading back to school as an 8th grader, and Jesus Del Orden’s bright voice matches his sweet and observant personality. Drew, compellingly narrated by Nile Bullock, has an easy time connecting with Jordan, but they both continue to feel uneasy about how their wealthy and white classmates—and teachers--treat them both. Subtle sound effects and the full cast’s lively performances help or middle-grade listeners imagine the bustling school hallways. Craft’s witty humor will have listeners laughing out loud, and seeking out the graphic novel companion. Published by Harper Audio.
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Jan 18, 2021
THE BLACK FRIEND by Frederick Joseph, read by Miebaca Yohannes
Miebaka Yohannes narrates with a conversational tone that mirrors Frederick Joseph’s engaging writing. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this YA audiobook that weaves together stories from Joseph’s own life and interviews with others to create an audiobook full of sincere and frank commentary. The audiobook touches on issues such as systemic racism, cultural appropriation, and becoming an “active accomplice.” Throughout, Yohannes amplifies the sincerity in Joseph’s writing—and the humor. Teen listeners will come away with a strengthened resolve to learn about and fight oppression. Published by Brilliance Audio.
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Jan 15, 2021
THE DECAMERON PROJECT by The New York Times [Ed.], read by a full cast
Narrators Robin Miles and Dennis Boutsikaris lead a group of first-rate voice talents in delivering a collection of short stories centered on the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE’s collection of contemporary North American authors including Margaret Atwood, Victor LaValle, and Dina Nayeri. They have published an astonishing array of fresh, personal and immediate takes on a world taken hostage by a virus. One hopes this is just the beginning of a fresh, breathlessly affecting, and essential literary conversation. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Jan 14, 2021
THE GOOD ANCESTOR by Roman Krznaric, read by Joe Jameson
Joe Jameson narrates Roman Krznaric’s impressive work of humanistic philosophy with the seriousness, clarity, and style that it merits. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this edifying excursion into how one can be a “good ancestor.” Packed with thoughtful suggestions and inspiring stories of people like environmental activist Greta Thunberg and case histories in countries from Iceland to China, this audiobook proposes sweeping changes in how people and governments behave. Published by Blackstone Audio.
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Jan 13, 2021
SILENCES SO DEEP by John Luther Adams, read by Jim Meskimen
Jim Meskimen narrates John Luther Adams’s exceptional memoir with conviction and recognition that these words are from a composer of music. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the way Meskimen narrates with great care and understanding, capturing an immersive text with a deliberate voice and well-paced cadence. Adams’s life and work in the solitude of Alaska bring the listener an appreciation of creativity. This soul-gracing work from an American original delves deeply into the intersections of ecology and art. Published by Blackstone Audio.
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Jan 12, 2021
WILDWOODS by Richard Nairn, read by Ruairi Conaghan
Anyone who appreciates impassioned environmental writing and enjoys the lilting sounds of a fine Irish accent will want to listen to this audiobook. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed his thoughts on both the naturalist Richard Nairn’s writing on the Irish woodlands and Ruairi Conaghan’s storyteller’s delivery. At once a personal story of the author’s own woodland care taking, it is also a meditation on what has happened to Ireland’s woodland, and why. This audiobook’s aim is to help heal the trees. Published by Bolinda Audio.
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Jan 11, 2021
PERESTROIKA IN PARIS by Jane Smiley, read by Suzanne Toren
Suzanne Toren narrates this fable with such subtlety and grace that the listener is effortlessly lulled into the fantastic world of talking and thinking animals. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minkoff discuss the magic of taking a trip to Paris, via Jane Smiley’s new audiobook. Toren’s portrayals of the animas--Perestroika, a thoroughbred racehorse; shorthaired German pointer; raven; and mallards--that inhabit this audiobook are splendid. Perestroika and Paris shine brightly, and this audiobook is a marvelous listening experience and alluring escape. Published by Recorded Books.
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Jan 8, 2021
GREENLIGHTS by Matthew McConaughey, read by Matthew McConaughey
The product of a self-imposed desert exile with his exhaustive collection of personal journals, Matthew McConaughey’s nontraditional memoir offers a series of philosophical reflections of his first 50 years and of life itself. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this tour-de-force one-man show that is much like an experimental film. Dark at moments, the eccentric McConaughey charms and enchants with his Texas twang. At the conclusion, McConaughey reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Jan 7, 2021
MARTIN EDEN by Jack London, read by Edoardo Ballerini
When you blend a master of lyrical language with an outstanding narrator, the result is an unforgettable listening experience. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this semi-autobiographical novel published in 1909, getting renewed attention with an award-winning feature film and Ballerini’s new narration of the audiobook. Martin, a working-class sailor, falls in love with a member of the upper class, Ruth, and he is inspired to educate himself so he may become worthy of her. However, when he does become a famous writer and scholar, he can’t connect with his working-class roots any more. Ruth abandons him, and he falls into despair. Ballerini makes London’s reality our reality, making this classic a choice listening experience.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulgi…
Jan 6, 2021
A HOUSE IN THE MOUNTAINS by Caroline Moorehead, read by Derek Perkins
In a calm, steady voice, Derek Perkins narrates this history of Italian resistance during WWII, with a focus on 1944 and 1945. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Caroline Moorehead’s concluding history in her Resistance Quartet, examining women’s role in the French and Italian Resistance. Perkins slips smoothly into the role of narrator of this lesser-known chapter of WWII, with four women from northwest Italy fighting to overthrow the fascist regime in Turin and the surrounding mountains. Published by Harper Audio.
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Jan 5, 2021
THE KINGDOM by Jo Nesbø, Robert Ferguson [Trans.], read by Euan Morton
This is an audiobook that grabs the listener’s interest at the start--and keeps getting better from there. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Euan Morton’s brilliant performance of a dark and violent standalone thriller from Jo Nesbø. The mystery focuses on brothers Carl and Roy, who share lifelong secrets and whose lives continue to intertwine in dark, depraved, and unnerving ways. Carl returns to the Norwegian town they grew up in, and there are an alarming number of murders, all of which thrust the town into a fearful frenzy. Nesbø’s complex story is powerful, and his dialogue is superb--couple that with Morton’s precise delivery and his ability to effectively mix inflection, tone, and pace, and the book is an audio page-turner. Published by Random House Audio.
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Jan 4, 2021
FAUCI by Michael Specter, read by Michael Specter
Journalist Michael Specter’s throaty voice and emotional yet precise delivery perfectly suit his examination of the coronavirus pandemic and the man who is trying to save us from it. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss this biography of Dr. Fauci, based on Specter’s profile for THE NEW YORKER. The gripping audio production blends interviews with Fauci (and Fauci’s wife, herself a bioethicist with the NIH), historical audio clips and news reports, and a fact-filled narrative that captures the listener’s attention as effectively as a suspense novel. This time, however, the terrifying plot points are real. Published by Pushkin Industries.
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Jan 1, 2021
AMERICAN SAVIOR by Roland Merullo, read by Dion Graham
What would happen if Jesus’s second coming occurred in America and he believed the best way to initiate a religious rebirth was with a run for President? AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss Dion Graham’s narration of a satirical story of the Messiah’s run for the White House, written by Roland Merullo. The story centers on Russ Thomas, a TV reporter who, along with a girlfriend, meets a stranger named Jesus who asks them to work on his presidential campaign. If you’re looking for something escapist and different, this one is a wild ride. Published by Post Hypnotic Press.
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Dec 31, 2020
WE KEEP THE DEAD CLOSE by Becky Cooper, read by Becky Cooper
Author and narrator Becky Cooper’s true-crime audiobook chronicles her meticulous and deeply personal investigation of a fifty-year-old murder case. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this audiobook where the real-life mystery is solved. In 1969, Harvard graduate student Jane Britton was found violently murdered in her apartment, and her unsolved murder was a Harvard myth, passed along for decades. Cooper felt a growing kinship with the enigmatic Jane and became determined to learn the truth about her murder. Cooper’s well-researched, suspenseful, and empathetic account is true crime at its finest. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Dec 30, 2020
THE UNSPOKEN by Ian K. Smith, read by Amir Abdullah
Narrator Amir Abdullah depicts Chicago’s wealthy enclaves, struggling neighborhoods, and mouthwatering foods while introducing the former-cop-turned-PI Ashe Cayne. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Abdullah’s engaging narration of this missing person mystery from author Ian K. Smith. Ashe Cayne is called on to find Tinsley Gerrigan, a billionaire’s adult daughter. When Ashe finds her, she’s living her own secret life outside of her family’s sphere--and when her boyfriend is found dead, things start to heat up. Abdullah has a rich, expressive voice--his excellent performance makes the text compelling in the audio format. Published by Brilliance Audio.
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Dec 29, 2020
I WANT TO BE WHERE THE NORMAL PEOPLE ARE by Rachel Bloom, read by Rachel Bloom
Actress and comedian Rachel Bloom narrates her own memoir showcasing her life story and her hilarious personality. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about Bloom’s story of growing up as someone who didn’t quite fit in, but discovered her own unique voice through theater. She goes on to become famous as the creator and lead actor in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” a musical TV show that broke barriers and dealt directly with the subject of mental health. It’s an audiobook that bursts with Bloom’s personality and voice--she even breaks out into song with multipart harmony and music--making it a book you definitely want to experience on audio. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Dec 28, 2020
THE COLD MILLIONS by Jess Walter, read by Edoardo Ballerini, Marin Ireland, Mike Ortego, and a Full Cast
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini anchors a full-cast performance of a story that takes place in Spokane, WA in the early 1900s. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this Earphones Award-winning story centered on a difficult time in America’s history, and Jess Walters’s memorable characters. Young brothers Rye and Gig take dangerous jobs in the hopes of improving their station in life, but nothing is easy. Events take a turn when they get caught up in the free speech movement and with union organizing. Narrators jump in with spot-on portrayals of activists, detectives, and more, giving backgrounds and ultimate fates of key characters. The outstanding production captures the heart of this affecting snapshot of life during the Progressive Era. Published by Harper Audio.
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Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and…
Dec 25, 2020
THE MISSING DIAMONDS by Annabelle Sami, read by Zenia Starr
Zenia Starr narrates a lively start to an exciting mystery series starring Zaiba, a determined 11-year-old on the lookout for a case. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Annabelle Sami’s new mystery that is perfect for family listening. The Royal Star Hotel is bustling with guests for Zaiba’s cousin’s Mehndi party, and when clever Zaiba, her younger brother Ali, and her best friend Poppy hear of a VIP guest, they’re determined to discover who it is--little do they know they’re stumbling onto a burglary! Starr’s bright narration and ease with shifting between British, Pakistani, and American accents will keep young listeners hooked as they try to solve the case of the missing diamonds--and dog!--along with Zaiba. Published by Bolinda Audio.
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Dec 24, 2020
THE DUKE WHO DIDN'T by Courtney Milan, read by Mary Jane Wells
Mary Jane Wells narrates a sweetly humorous romance between an incognito duke and a woman determined to lead her father’s sauce business to success. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed all that she loved about Milan’s latest historical romance, one that listeners will find discovers both real-world truths and a promise of hope. Jeremy Wentworth loves Chloe Fong, but the awkward fact that she doesn’t know he literally owns her home & entire village makes romance difficult. Wells perfectly captures Chloe’s brisk focus and Jeremy’s charming fecklessness, and Wells shows the deep respect and profound bond between them, especially with regard to their Chinese heritage. There’s much to love about this audiobook. Published by Courtney Milan.
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Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the c…
Dec 23, 2020
LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE by Kwame Alexander, read by Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander delivers three of his poems about the struggles of Black Americans to make a potent combination of elegy, protest, and celebration of Black triumph. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the impressive impact of this brief audiobook, and Alexander’s powerful performance. He begins the audiobook with a stirring foreword recounting a time as a child when he joined his school in protesting police brutality, his fear of police violence, and the power he felt through communal protest and song. Listen to hear his wonderfully performed poems “American Bullet Points,” “Take a Knee,” and “The Undefeated,” set to original music. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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Dec 22, 2020
SUPER FAKE LOVE SONG by David Yoon, read by Michael Bow
Narrator Michael Bow expresses the cynical wit of Korean American “super mega nerd” Sunny Dae. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about all there is to love about David Yoon’s newest teen romance. When Sunny gets a new neighbor, the ultracool Cirrus Soh, he invents a fairly impressive fake rockstar persona that results in stealing his older brother’s clothes, music, and swagger. Sunny ropes his best friends into the act, and they form a band, discovering the thrill of making music together. Bow is able to reflect Sunny’s cynicism, anxiety, growing confidence as he manages to keep the wool over Cirrus’s eyes--but only to a point. Bow reveals Sunny’s true self as he ultimately questions his relationships with Cirrus and his family, and finds his own identity. Published by Listening Library.
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Dec 21, 2020
MEDIOCRE by Ijeoma Oluo, read by Ijeoma Oluo
Ijeoma Oluo, the bestselling author of SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE, is back, this time taking a closer look at the legacy of white male supremacy in America. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about Oluo’s well-researched examination of how America’s systems have been built to prioritize white and male culture above all else--and that these systems can and must be rebuilt. Her narration is confident and clear, drawing listeners in with appropriate indignation and outrage, and listeners will be moved, disturbed, and inspired by her words. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan.
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Dec 18, 2020
UNCLE TOM'S CHILDREN by Richard Wright, read by Adam Lazarre-White
Narrator Adam Lazarre-White finds the distinct voice of each character in this seminal collection, written in 1938 by Richard Wright. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Wright’s collection that exposed the strange and coded universe of Jim Crow racism to the entire world with a hard-hitting essay and five remarkable and devastating short stories. Realistic, visceral, violent, and honest--these are stories that mattered and still matter today, and Lazarre-White reads them that way. Published by Harper Audio.
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Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan.
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Dec 17, 2020
CUYAHOGA by Pete Beatty, read by Feodor Chin
Narrator Feodor Chin reads this satirical novel with drama and wit. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Pete Beatty’s audiobook set in 19th-century Ohio and how the outsized characters make this tall tale an heir to the Western lore of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan. The listener is treated to all the hijinks--from a boat race to a bridge burning and a prodigious brawl. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Dec 16, 2020
MY ÁNTONIA by Willa Cather, read by Robert G. Slade
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff revisit Willa Cather’s classic, narrated by Robert G. Slade. He delivers the voices of Bohemians, Norwegians, and Russian immigrants with subtlety and captures the cadences of young and old--and most of all, inhabits the coming of age of the storyteller Jim Burden. Ántonia is one of American literature’s most striking heroines--strong, independent, spirited, and motherly, she survives and prevails. Published by Naxos AudioBooks.
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Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Frankenstein, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson.
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Dec 15, 2020
AMERICAN CHEESE by Joe Berkowitz, read by Charlie Thurston
Narrator Charlie Thurston embraces the fast pace of this entertaining cheese-focused romp. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed about how Thurston’s cadence, rhythm, and ability to mimic make Joe Berkowitz’s informative audiobook special. It’s at once a cheese-centered travelogue, an appreciation of all things cheese, and a celebration of those who make cheese. And it’s also a journey into the nether world of cheese competitions. It’s a listen for food lovers, cheese makers, and anyone who wants to discover more about the American artisan cheese world. Published by Harper Audio.
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Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan.
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Dec 14, 2020
OAK FLAT by Lauren Redniss, read by Lauren Redniss and a Full Cast
Author Lauren Redniss and a full cast of narrators transport the listener to the high, dry country of southeast Arizona’s Apache San Carlos Reservation. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this story of sacred lands threatened by development of their vast copper deposits. Lauren Redniss delivers the narrative that introduces listeners to the people and the issues, and this work of art celebrates the Apache culture and its close ties to the land. Published by Random House Audio.
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Dec 11, 2020
In Conversation with narrator Frankie Corzo
In today’s bonus edition of Behind the Mic, narrator Frankie Corzo joins host Jo Reed to talk about her audiobooks, including MEXICAN GOTHIC. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s eerie horror novel is one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of the year. This audiobook will not only creep you out, but it also captures the lush Mexican countryside. Frankie shares her story of how she got her start in acting and in audio, her thoughts on the immersive MEXICAN GOTHIC, and the joys of bringing complicated and multidimensional Latinx stories to life for listeners of all ages, including Meg Medina’s MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS.
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan.
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Dec 11, 2020
Interview with Robin Miles: 2020 Best Audiobooks
Narrator Robin Miles joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to talk about THE CITY WE BECAME, N.K. Jemisin’s remarkable and fantastical celebration of New York City’s spirit. THE CITY WE BECAME is one of AudioFile’s Best Sci-fi, Fantasy & Horror audiobooks of the year, and it’s an entirely engaging listening experience. Robin tells Michele about what has stayed with her from narrating this audiobook and the special preparation she took to make the many New York voices come to life. Published by Hachette Audio.
Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Audiobooks:
THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin, read by Robin Miles
THE HAUNTING OF H.G. WELLS by Robert Masello, read by Steve West
THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Andy Serkis
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, read by Frankie Corzo
THE SANDMAN by Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs [Adapt.], read by Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Neil Gaiman, James McAvoy, Samantha Morton, Bebe Neuwirth, Andy Serkis, Michael Sheen, and a Full Ca…
Dec 10, 2020
Interview with Adam Lazarre-White: 2020 Best Audiobooks
Adam Lazarre-White joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to discuss narrating one of the year’s best audiobook memoirs, A MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by Arshay Cooper. Adam talks about preparing for narrating this memoir, and the biggest challenges in recording the audiobook, and more. Discover the remarkable story of America’s first all-Black high school rowing team, and experience Adam’s engaging narration. Published by Macmillan Audio.
2020 Best Memoir Audiobooks:
INTIMATIONS by Zadie Smith, read by Zadie Smith
MEMORIAL DRIVE by Natasha Trethewey, read by Natasha Trethewey
MORE MYSELF by Alicia Keys, read by Alicia Keys, America Ferrera, Bono, Clive Davis, Craig Cook, DJ Walton, Jay-Z, Krucial, Leigh Blake, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Swizz Beats, Terri Augelo
A MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by Arshay Cooper, read by Adam Lazarre-White
SIGH, GONE by Phuc Tran, read by Phuc Tran
VESPER FLIGHTS by Helen Macdonald, read by Helen Macdonald
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks,…
Dec 9, 2020
Interview with Billie Fulford-Brown: 2020 Best Audiobooks
Narrator Billie Fulford-Brown joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb in this special episode to discuss HEADLINERS, Lucy Parker’s delightful enemies-to-lovers audiobook. The title earned a spot on AudioFile’s Best Romance Audiobooks thanks to Billie’s exquisite performance. She shares her thoughts on narrating Lucy Parker’s much-loved London Celebrities series and what she enjoys about romance audiobooks. Published by Harlequin Audio.
2020 Best Romance Audiobooks:
BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Lisa Kleypas, read by Brittany Pressley
BOYFRIEND MATERIAL by Alexis Hall, read by Joe Jameson
HEADLINERS by Lucy Parker, read by Billie Fulford-Brown
THE SINNER by J.R. Ward, read by Jim Frangione
THE TROUBLE WITH HATING YOU by Sanji Patel, read by Soneela Nankani
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic t…
Dec 8, 2020
Interview with Shayna Small: 2020 Best Audiobooks
Narrator Shayna Small joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to discuss her co-narration of Lesa Cline-Ransome’s historical picture book OVERGROUND RAILROAD. Shayna shares why she finds narrating audiobooks for children to be so important and about working on productions full of rich sound effects. Listen and discover a new family favorite. Published by Live Oak Media.
2020 Best Children’s & Family Listening Audiobooks:
BEFORE THE EVER AFTER by Jacqueline Woodson, read by Guy Lockard
KING AND THE DRAGONFLIES by Kacen Callender, read by Ron Butler
OVERGROUND RAILROAD by Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Shayna Small, Dion Graham, Lesa Cline-Ransome [Note]
¡VAMOS! LET'S GO EAT by Raúl the Third, read by Gary Tiedemann
WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, read by Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi, Robin Miles, Ifrah Mansour, Bahni Turpin, Hakeemshady Mohamed, Sadeeq Al, Dominic Hoffman, Christine Avila, Dion Graham, and a Full Cast
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Bes…
Dec 7, 2020
Interview with Sean Pratt: 2020 Best Audiobooks
Narrator Sean Pratt joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to talk about HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker, one of AudioFile’s 2020 Best History & Biography Audiobooks. Sean Pratt talks about narrating enthralling nonfiction audiobooks and establishing emotional connections with all of the family members in the story. It’s an empathetic audiobook that explores the toll that mental disease takes on a family. Published by Random House Audio.
2020 Best History & Biography Audiobooks:
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker, read by Sean Pratt
HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON by Jon Meacham, John Lewis [Afterword], read by JD Jackson, Jon Meacham
ODETTA by Ian Zack, read by Rosa Howard
THE QUIET AMERICANS by Scott Anderson, read by Robertson Dean
THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE by Erik Larson, read by John Lee
THE YOSEMITE by John Muir, read by Nick McArdle
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of REMEMBERING KOBE BR…
Dec 4, 2020
In Conversation with narrator Robert Bathurst
Narrator and actor Robert Bathurst joins host Jo Reed for a conversation about his journey to audiobook narration and his performances of the much-loved mystery audiobook series by Canadian author Louise Penny. ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE is Penny’s 16th outing starring Chief Inspector Gamache, and it’s one of AudioFile’s picks for the 2020 Best Mystery Audiobooks. Fans adore spending time with the residents of Quebec’s Three Pines and the insightful Gamache, and it’s a treat to discover more about the series from Earphones Award and Audie Award-winning narrator Bathurst
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan.
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Dec 4, 2020
Interview with Marisa Blake: 2020 Best Audiobooks
In today’s special edition of Behind the Mic, narrator Marisa Blake shares her thoughts on one of this year’s Best YA Audiobooks, WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by Jenny Torres Sanchez. She and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the challenging and powerful audiobook that tells the story of three teenagers escaping a gang leader in Guatemala and making their way to America. Published by Dreamscape.
2020 Best Young Adult Audiobooks:
THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta, read by Dean Atta
KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles, read by Lauren Ezzo, Christopher Gebauer, Christina Delaine, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, Korey Jackson, David DeVries
PUNCHING THE AIR by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam, read by Ethan Herisse
RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko, read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
STAMPED by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi, read by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi [Intro.]
WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by Jenny Torres Sanchez, read by Marisa Blake
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
T…
Dec 3, 2020
Interview with T. Ryder Smith: 2020 Best Audiobooks
Narrator T. Ryder Smith joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to talk about narrating FIRE IN PARADISE, Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano’s study of the devastating 2018 Northern California fire. Listen to hear how Smith balanced narrating the fire science and California history with voicing the dramatic personal portraits of the California residents. Published by Recorded Books.
2020 Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks:
CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson, read by Robin Miles
FIRE IN PARADISE by Alastair Gee, Dani Anguiano, read by T. Ryder Smith
A FOOL'S ERRAND by Lonnie G. Bunch III, read by JD Jackson
THE FRAGILE EARTH by David Remnick, Henry Finder [Eds.], read by Kaleo Griffith, Gabra Zackman, Cat Gould
HAD I KNOWN by Barbara Ehrenreich, read by Suzanne Toren
ON CORRUPTION IN AMERICA by Sarah Chayes, read by Sarah Chayes
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of FRANKENSTEIN, a breathtaki…
Dec 2, 2020
Interview with David Pittu: 2020 Best Audiobooks
On today’s episode, narrator David Pittu joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss THE LAST TOURIST. Olen Steinhauer’s CIA thriller is one of AudioFile’s Best Mystery Audiobooks of the year. David tells Michele about narrating an unsettling, immersive audiobook, and his work on the Milo Weaver series. Published by Macmillan Audio.
2020 Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks:
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE by Louise Penny, read by Robert Bathurst
HI FIVE by Joe Ide, read by Zeno Robinson
THE LAST TOURIST by Olen Steinhauer, read by David Pittu
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE by Michael Connelly, read by Peter Giles
ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware, read by Imogen Church
THE SEARCHER by Tana French, read by Roger Clark
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
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Dec 1, 2020
Interview with Marin Ireland: 2020 Best Audiobooks
AudioFile is celebrating the best audiobooks of the year, and in this special episode narrator Marin Ireland joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND. Rumaan Alam’s fascinating audiobook exploring race, class, family, and global catastrophe is one of AudioFile’s Best Fiction Audiobooks of the year. Listen to the episode to hear Marin’s thoughts on the audiobook -- and add it to your wish list. Published by Harper Audio.
2020 Best Fiction Audiobooks:
AFTERLIFE by Julia Alvarez, read by Alma Cuervo
DEACON KING KONG by James McBride, read by Dominic Hoffman
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND by Rumaan Alam, read by Marin Ireland
MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON (Dramatic Production) by Elizabeth Strout, Rona Munro [Adapt.], read by Laura Linney
THE PULL OF THE STARS by Emma Donoghue, read by Emma Lowe
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett, read by Shayna Small
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Today's episode of Behind the Mic i…
Nov 30, 2020
AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks
AudioFile Magazine is celebrating the best in this year’s audiobooks! Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten give a peek behind the scenes in the making of the 2020 Best Audiobooks list. In a year where audiobooks have meant so much to so many of us, choosing the titles that stood out above the rest was a difficult task. There are timely, heartfelt, and joyful audiobooks to dive into, all narrated with skill. Many of this year’s titles can provide you with an escape -- and others will push you to explore important cultural and political topics. We commend all of the narrators and everyone who works behind the scenes to create memorable and moving audiobooks for us all.
For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.co…
Nov 27, 2020
MAKE ME RAIN by Nikki Giovanni, read by Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni’s slightly raspy, slightly sibilant voice draws listeners into this important collection of poetry and prose. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Giovanni’s skill at wringing out all the humor, anger, and sorrow in her poetry. Warm tones express themes of quilts and songs and love, and her poet’s sense guides her tempo as she explores her perspectives on being Black in America. Her palpable anger recalls the death of Michael Brown in “Ferguson: the Musical,” and her heart seems to be breaking as she describes “the brother” getting up in the dark to drive to the Million Man March. Her tributes to lost loved ones are heartfelt, and she reminds listeners that “All is transition and love is forever.” Published by Harper Audio
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Nov 26, 2020
MAYA AND THE RISING DARK by Rena Barron, read by Soneela Nankani
Looking for something to entertain younger listeners -- or the whole family? Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Rena Barron’s middle-grade fantasy audiobook that shines thanks to Soneela Nankani’s animated performance. Maya has loving parents, good friends, and a welcoming community in Chicago. She also has just discovered that everyone’s been hiding a huge secret -- they have magic! Maya and her friends find dangerous magical creatures lurking in their neighborhood, and a sinister Lord of Shadows visits her in her dreams. When Maya’s father, an Orisha, is stolen away into the Dark world, she decides to use her newfound powers to rescue him. Nankani’s emotional connection will delight listeners of all ages, and sound effects amplify the tension and excitement. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Nov 25, 2020
APPLE (SKIN TO THE CORE) by Eric Gansworth, read by Eric Gansworth
Eric Gansworth is poetic, intense, and defiant as he delivers his coming-of-age story in verse, telling of his life growing up in an Onondaga family in the Tuscarora Nation. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly and Host Jo Reed discuss this moving, hilarious, and heartfelt memoir for young adult listeners. Gansworth traces how the government boarding schools divided his family, the impact of the Vietnam war on his older siblings, and his struggles to fit in both on the reservation and off. He adopted pop culture icons like the Beatles, Batman, and Star Wars as his own, and those influences shape his narrative as he traces his personal history. Published by Dreamscape
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 24, 2020
THE MIDNIGHT BARGAIN by C.L. Polk, read by Moira Quirk
Moira Quirk’s lively voice draws listeners into a magical Regency-inspired tale. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss C.L. Polk’s new fantasy audiobook that is sure to provide all the distractions you need right now. Beatrice Clayborn is a young ingénue entering her first “bargaining season” where eligible suitors vie for her hand. Once married, Beatrice will be forcibly cut off from any access to magic -- but she is desperate to become a sorceress. Quirk uses dramatic pacing and smooth transitions to balance the complex courtly politics and magical worldbuilding. Her voices for the mercurial spirits Beatrice summons are especially delightful. Published by Recorded Books.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/aud…
Nov 23, 2020
WE ARE NOT FREE by Traci Chee, read by a full cast
An outstanding full cast of narrators captures the experiences of fourteen teenagers who grew up together in San Francisco -- and were forced into incarceration camps because of their Japanese ancestry during WWII. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Traci Chee’s National Book Award finalist for Young People’s Literature, one that truly is a must-listen. Interconnecting chapters trace the lives of teenagers from 1942-1945 as they are uprooted from their homes, separated from family members, and living in desperate situations. Listeners feel their initial shock and anger, their joy at forming close friendships, and their despair when they are forced apart. Each chapter follows a different character’s story, with the narrator’s voice closely mirroring the character’s distinct and vibrant personalities. This work is timely and powerful, especially on audio. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Nov 20, 2020
WOMEN IN THE KITCHEN by Anne Willan, read by Imogen Church
Imogen Church’s lively narration pairs well with Anne Willan’s informative and playful survey of women cookbook writers who changed culinary history. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Church’s deliciously entertaining and painlessly educational performance that serves up fascinating insights about food and its preparation. Trace changes in kitchens from Hannah Wooley’s hearth fires in the mid-1600s to today’s stovetops presided over by Julia Child and Alice Waters. Church’s amiable British voice exudes enthusiasm; her beautiful pacing helps listeners digest many historical insights. Listen as you prepare your favorite dishes over the stove. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaud…
Nov 19, 2020
VIRGA & BONE by Craig Childs, read by Rick Adamson
Rick Adamson presents naturalist and adventurer Craig Childs’s essays about the deserts of the American Southwest in a fitting gruff, masculine voice. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten tells host Jo Reed about this audiobook for those who love deserts -- and those who long to visit them. During a pandemic, this might be exactly the listening experience many are after. Adamson narrates the journeys to deserts in Arizona, Utah, and the Monument Valley with a balance of restraint and enthusiasm, and the author’s deep love for and knowledge of the desert shine through. Published by Tantor Media.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 18, 2020
SERPENTINE by Philip Pullman, read by Olivia Colman
Actress Olivia Colman is a new voice to the His Dark Materials series, and she slips easily into Lyra’s boots. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this puzzle piece of an audiobook that helps to complete the full picture of Pullman’s fantastic world. Set after the events of THE AMBER SPYGLASS, this short story serves as an effective bridge between that book and the second in Pullman’s new Book of Dust trilogy, THE SECRET COMMONWEALTH. Colman captures Lyra and Pan’s rapid-fire, affectionate bickering flawlessly. Published by Listening Library.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 17, 2020
V2 by Robert Harris, read by David Rintoul
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten share their thoughts on Robert Harris’s latest audiobook V2, narrated with a detached air by David Rintoul. Wernher von Braun and his team of rocket scientists are on the verge of defection to the U.S. The story, told from the opposing perspectives of two fictional characters, von Braun’s colleague Dr. Rudi Graf and WAAF officer Kay Caton-Walsh, traces the impact of Hitler’s decision to unleash powerful V2 rockets on London and Antwerp. This audiobook is for those who love WWII history as much as they love taut fiction. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 16, 2020
THE PRACTICE by Seth Godin, read by Seth Godin
Entrepreneur, bestselling author, and speaker Seth Godin is back to narrate his newest audiobook on engaging our creativity. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten shares with host Jo Reed all that she loves about listening to Godin’s audiobooks. In this latest, Godin turns his attention to individual creativity with high-impact advice on how to share your art with the world. His narration is quiet but intense, assertive but not pushy, a combination that really holds your attention. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 13, 2020
AND NOW SHE'S GONE by Rachel Howzell Hall, read by Je Nie Fleming
Narrator Je Nie Fleming’s soft voice is a good match for this mystery audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a story about Grayson Sykes, a new private eye excited for her first serious case finding a doctor’s missing ex-girlfriend. Fleming highlights Gray’s frustrations at making rookie mistakes, her growing suspicion of foul play, and her conflicted feelings for her male boss. Fleming adds intensity to the dialogue as Gray gets closer to the truth. The story deals with tough themes, which are thoughtfully woven into the fast-paced mystery, making the experience of listening to the audiobook even stronger. Published by Macmillan Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 12, 2020
THE SILENCE by Don DeLillo, read by Laurie Anderson, Jeremy Bobb, Marin Ireland, Robin Miles, Jay O. Sanders, Michael Stuhlbarg
A group of people is meeting in New York for Super Bowl 2022 when the world’s electronics go down. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a multicast audiobook that chronicles a return to a world without modern technology. Listen as survivors of a plane crash are treated in a clinic also impacted by the blackout. Neighbors are forced to interact, and DeLillo reflects on the nature of humanity and who we’ve become. Marin Ireland’s centering narrative anchors the stellar performances, including Jay O. Sanders’s gruff sports gambler, reduced to watching a blank screen, and Jeremy Bobb and Robin Miles, a couple who survived the plane crash. The collective performances make the story resonate more deeply. Published by Simon & Schuster.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best…
Nov 11, 2020
THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig, read by Carey Mulligan
English actress Carey Mulligan narrates a wondrous audiobook about a woman’s existential journey between life and death. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this moving audiobook about what it means to have a good life. Nora Seed’s life has taken a dark turn—no job, many losses, and a relationship not worth continuing. When she attempts suicide, she wakes up in the Midnight Library which, much like a real library, contains many stories—all of which are hers. Carey Mulligan is a nimble narrator, and she maintains a strong narrative cohesion with her vibrant and humane portrayals of Nora and the recurring characters who appear in the various lives she explores. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouse…
Nov 10, 2020
GOODNIGHT BEAUTIFUL by Aimee Molloy, read by Val Toomey, George Newbern, Marin Ireland, Joel Froomkin
Sam and Annie are a young couple moving to upstate New York for a quieter life, and to support Sam’s mother—and then Sam disappears. Don’t read too much about this audiobook before you start listening, AudioFile’s Michele Cobb advises host Jo Reed—just jump right in. The multicast aspect of this audiobook is perfect for all the plot twists you experience, and the casting makes for an engaging listen. Published by HarperAudio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 9, 2020
CONFESSIONS ON THE 7:45 by Lisa Unger, read by Vivienne Leheny
Vivienne Leheny’s narration captures each character’s outward persona and true self in this captivating thriller. In today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb confess their love for a good thriller. Seatmates Selena and Martha swap confessions on a stalled train ride. Selena believes her husband is having an affair with the nanny, and Martha is having an affair with her boss. When the nanny disappears, Selena remembers that conversation, which leads to a shocking unraveling of lies. Leheny highlights vivid descriptions with her nuanced performance. Hang on to your earbuds—you’re in for a twisty ride. Published by Harlequin Audio
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 6, 2020
SNOW by John Banville, read by John Lee
Narrator John Lee does a masterful job bringing a devilish mystery to life. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this historical mystery set in rural Ireland in 1957. Listeners hear Lee’s pitch-perfect renditions of the locals and the Protestant gentry’s upper crust speech. He smoothly voices detective inspector Strafford, who like the people he is investigating, comes from the gentry. But Lee’s most memorable and affecting imitations are the local police and the innkeeper, his wife, and their endearing housemaid, all performed with authentic brogues. John Banville has written a nuanced whodunit; the clues are revealed like a complex pattern in a tapestry. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.…
Nov 5, 2020
A LIFE ON OUR PLANET by David Attenborough, Jonnie Hughes, read by David Attenborough
David Attenborough is best known for his BBC nature documentaries, with their stunning scenes of wild animals and their habitats around the globe. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff share thoughts on how Attenborough’s many skills at documentary filmmaking translate to the audiobook. His elegant prose and rounded tones serve his purpose to make a witness statement to his long broadcast career sharing the mysteries of the planet -- but much of the audiobook is a warning and prescription as well. Part autobiography and part ecology lesson, Attenborough proves a grand guide and perceptive interpreter of the world’s challenges. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 4, 2020
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X by Malcolm X, Alex Haley, read by Laurence Fishburne
Actor Laurence Fishburne expertly modulates his tone and suits his cadence to the scenes and dialogue in this audiobook following the life of Malcolm X. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff share their thoughts on this new narration of an outstanding life. The Black rights champion and faithful believer could not have a more compelling narrator. Fishburne’s extraordinary vocal talents elevate this classic critique of white privilege. He captures Malcolm X’s anger and commitment as the firebrand charts his evolution from street hustler to the charismatic voice of Black Muslims. Published by Audible, Inc.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 3, 2020
HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON by Jon Meacham, John Lewis [Afterword], read by JD Jackson, Jon Meacham
This stirring audiobook offers a memorable merging of author, subject, and narrator. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how JD Jackson voices John Lewis with an authenticity and nuanced nod to the Congressman’s rural Alabama roots. His powerful retelling of John Lewis’s life’s work fighting to bring civil and voting rights to Black Americans stays with the listener. Famed for overcoming the beatings he received and his many arrests for sit-ins, Lewis comes across in Meacham’s crystalline prose as a man who prevailed through nonviolence and an abiding religious faith. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Nov 2, 2020
THE FRAGILE EARTH by David Remnick, Henry Finder [Eds.], read by Kaleo Griffith, Gabra Zackman, Cat Gould
AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff and host Jo Reed discuss an eye-opening collection of climate change nonfiction from THE NEW YORKER magazine. Kaleo Griffith, Gabra Zackman, and Cat Gould narrate with engagement, clarity, and an admirable mix of insistence and calm. Written by many of the magazine’s most well-known authors, including Elizabeht Kolbert, Bill McKibben, Burkhard Bilger, Kathryn Schulz, and Ian Frazer, the pieces focus on “how we got here, where we are, and what we can do now.” The narrators’ articulate, unruffled readings are essential; they keep us listening to news that must no longer be avoided. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Oct 30, 2020
TRISTAN STRONG DESTROYS THE WORLD by Kwame Mbalia, read by Amir Abdullah
Listeners who loved the first TRISTAN STRONG audiobook are in for a treat -- Amir Abdullah has returned to narrate the next chapter. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about this middle-grade fantasy series that is packed with action and adventure and bursting with larger-than-life characters. Tristan, a Black seventh-grader, is helping on his grandparents’ farm when creatures from Alke burst onto the scene and the sinister Shambleman steals his grandmother away. Tristan, with help from the reluctant trickster god Anansi, travel back to Alke to rescue her and discover friends in danger. Amir keeps up with the fast-paced story, propelling listeners from one action scene to the next, while also sensitively touching on the impact of trauma. Truly excellent fantasy listening. Published by Listening Library.
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Oct 29, 2020
A PLACE AT THE TABLE by Saadia Faruqi, Laura Shovan, read by Nikhaar Kishani, Caitlin Kelly
Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan collaborate on a timely story about first-generation immigrants finding their place as they navigate the challenges of sixth grade. Nikhaar Kishani is the voice of Sara, daughter of Pakistani immigrants and a recent transfer from a small Islamic academy to a huge public school. Nikhaar smoothly narrates Pakistani words used in the text and uses subtle accents for Sara’s family, and listeners will feel for Sara as she uses sarcasm as a shield to hide her loneliness. Sara and her classmate Elizabeth pair up in an after-school cooking club and discover they have more in common than they thought, and slowly become friends. Caitlin Kelly has a bright and youthful voice as she voices Elizabeth, whose parents are Jewish and whose mother is British, and her enthusiasm for learning how to cook is infectious. Ideal for family listening to share in the joy of making good food, and to discuss the importance of standing up for what is right. Published by Houghton Mi…
Oct 28, 2020
BLACK SUN by Rebecca Roanhorse, read by Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab, Shaun Taylor-Corbett
This epic fantasy that includes political upheaval, taboo magic, and a hint of romance is voiced by four talented narrators who shape the intensity of the story. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Rebecca Roanhorse’s enthralling audiobook inspired by Pre-Columbian American civilizations. The narrators read four overlapping storylines, with each voice distinct and amplifying the action to drive the story forward. Nicole Lewis smoothly narrates as Xiala, a Teek woman hired to captain a canoe to bring a mysterious passenger to Tova before the solstice. That passenger, Serapio, is voiced by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, who has a straightforward narration that suits the vessel to a god. Cara Gee narrates as the Sun Priest Naranpa, and she and her city are unaware of the vengeance coming their way. Kaipo Schwab’s rhythmic voice joins later in the story, as Okoa, a younger man who sets sparks flying in Tova. An explosive ending will leave listeners anxious to discover what hap…
Oct 27, 2020
SPOILER ALERT by Olivia Dade, read by Isabelle Ruther
Isabelle Ruther narrates a charming IRL romance between online friends--one of whom happens to be famous. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the fun of listening to Olivia Dade’s audiobook about love found through fandom and a viral Twitter post. April Whittier has been active in fandom for years, and no one in her real-life circle knows until an interaction with TV star Marcus Caster-Rupp goes viral and the two end up on a date. Ruther gently teases out Marcus’s reluctance and vulnerability in sharing his true self with April, and she perfectly captures April’s sparkling wit, vivacious personality, and fierce intelligence. A joy to listen to. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of…
Oct 26, 2020
LEGENDBORN by Tracy Deonn, read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s dynamic narration draws listeners into a contemporary fantasy audiobook packed with ancient magic, Aurthurian mythology, and family legacies. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about Tracy Deonn’s debut YA audiobook featuring a secret magical society that you don’t want to miss. Bree is a 16-year-old Black girl whose grief and anger over her mother’s death drive her to find the truth about the Order of the Round Table -- and she discovers so much more than she could have ever imagined. A breathtaking listen. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became…
Oct 23, 2020
THE SEARCHER by Tana French, read by Roger Clark
Fans who've been anticipating Tana French’s next audiobook will not be disappointed. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Roger Clark’s standout performance. His American-Irish-British background makes him uniquely qualified to narrate a tense story of a Chicago cop trying to solve a mystery far out of his jurisdiction. He’s longing for a quiet retirement in the Irish countryside but is drawn into the disappearance of a local youth, and soon discovers that his quiet retreat holds many secrets and hidden dangers. It’s a slow burn of a story, and Clark narrates the dialogue, both rambling and tense, with particular ease and conviction. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar ti…
Oct 22, 2020
LAST BREATH by Sally Rigby, read by Clare Corbett
Narrator Clare Corbett flawlessly creates the accents and settings of Lenchester, England, while introducing Detective Chief Inspector Whitney Walker and her polar opposite, psychologist Georgina Cavendish. Host Jo Reed and AudioFIle’s Robin Whitten discuss a new British mystery from Sally Rigby, where an unlikely pair investigating a copycat serial killer discover an unconvicted murder suspect from 35 years earlier may have a role in the current case. This well-rendered step-by-step procedural, with its gripping conclusion, makes for an exceptional listen. Published by Podium Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the…
Oct 21, 2020
MARY SHELLEY'S FRANKENSTEIN by Kate McAll [Adapt.], read by a full cast
Perfect Halloween listening, guaranteed to give you chills. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten share their thoughts on a classic adapted for the stage -- MARY SHELLEY’S FRANKENSTEIN. It’s a riveting adaptation of a story within a story, as told by Mary Shelley, that is startlingly different from more familiar movie adaptations. Stacy Keach’s deep voice is perfect for the monster, who is self-educated and sophisticated, but still a creature of Dr. Frankenstein. Seamus Dever’s placid tones recall Captain Walton’s rescue of the doctor in the arctic, while smooth-voiced Adhir Kalyan becomes Frankenstein himself, mad scientist and giver of life. Published by L.A. Theatre Works.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of st…
Oct 20, 2020
A LAB OF ONE'S OWN by Rita Colwell, Sharon Bertsch McGrayne, read by Jackie Sanders
Jackie Sanders narrates a memoir on sexism in science from Rita Cowell, a leading microbiologist and the first woman to lead the National Science Foundation. Host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten discuss Jackie Sanders’s straightforward narration, mirroring Cowell’s strategy when dealing with obstructionist male colleagues—stay calm and avoid channeling melodramatics or anger. Cowell persevered in her career to make historical discoveries but faced systemic sexism and bias, and she does not shy away from detailing specific discrimination. An inspiring and illuminating listen for those in the sciences. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which…
Oct 19, 2020
ALICE'S FARM by Maryrose Wood, read by Dion Graham
Dion Graham is pure magic behind the microphone as he narrates a fun family-friendly story about Alice the rabbit and her furry companions. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Maryrose Wood’s new tale that feels like a classic. In the story, Alice makes a deal with other wild animals to grow a garden in order to keep the land from being bulldozed. A new hipster family moves in, unaware that the wild creatures are the ones keeping the farm running. Dion Graham pulls out all the stops, imbuing each character with such passion and personality that listeners will cherish every second of this beautifully woven tale. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's m…
Oct 16, 2020
ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware, read by Imogen Church
Imogen Church’s extraordinary narration of Ruth Ware’s newest suspense novel will keep listeners glued to their earbuds, unable to do anything else but listen wide-eyed and rapt. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this thrilling homage to Agatha Christie’s AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. Ware has taken the premise of an isolated house with an unidentified killer, cleverly updated the who, where, and what, and pumped up the dread with parallel first-person narrations. It’s witty, cunning, and addictive. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the first Latina pilot on the US…
Oct 15, 2020
THE WHITE COAT DIARIES by Madi Sinha, read by Soneela Nankani
Soneela Nankani creates a memorable portrait of Norah Kapadia, a brilliant medical student who is slightly baffled by the human aspects of patient care. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about this new audiobook from Madi Sinha that’s perfect for fans of medical TV shows. Nankani is fantastic as the narrator, capturing all of the characters perfectly. She seamlessly moves Norah from intern to resident and portrays a person listeners will laugh and cry with as her roller coaster life fills with complications. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the first Latina pilot on the US Aerob…
Oct 14, 2020
OLDER by Pamela Redmond, read by Sutton Foster
Viewers have seen award-winning actress Sutton Foster play Liza Miller in the television show “Younger” but now they can experience her audiobook performance in this highly anticipated sequel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this audiobook born of a TV comedy that follows Liza two years after she was caught lying about her age to land a job in publishing. Sutton Foster’s voice is engaging and enthusiastic as she makes Liza’s perspective genuine and elicits sympathy during her struggle to turn her story into TV. Fans of the “Younger” show and book won’t be disappointed by the sequel. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir F…
Oct 13, 2020
THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS by Jodi Picoult, read by Patti Murin
Dawn is thriving as a mom and wife with a fulfilling career when a plane crash leaves her second-guessing her life. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Patti Murin’s admirable narration of Jodi Picolt’s newest audiobook. Dawn’s near-death experience results in a deep yearning for a life left behind and for her true love, a British colleague. The audiobook gives listeners a chance to see the two different ways her life could go after the crash—does she return home to Boston and her husband and daughter, or does she get on a plane to go find the man from her past? Does she stick with being a doula, or does archaeology call to her? Listeners feel for Dawn and those impacted by her choices. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and…
Oct 12, 2020
LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND by Rumann Alam, read by Marin Ireland
Marin Ireland narrates Rumaan Alam’s stunning audiobook that explores race, class, family, and global catastrophe. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed about the National Book Award finalist performed by one of her favorite narrators. A married couple and their children head out of New York City to a quiet area of Long Island for a family vacation. However, the owners of their rental arrive unexpectedly after fleeing a blackout, and the two families—one white and middle class, the other Black and wealthy—cohabitate and try to figure out what’s happened. Whether Ireland is focused on the character dynamics or omnisciently describing the terrifying events of the world at large, she delivers an unforgettable powerhouse of a performance. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is n…
Oct 9, 2020
THE HIDDEN LIFE OF ICE by Marco Tedesco, Alberto Flores D'Arcais, Elizabeth Kolbert [Fore.], read by Joel Richards
Joel Richards emulates the quiet reverential voice of climate scientist Marco Tedesco as he navigates the vastness of ice-covered Greenland. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss an audiobook that illuminates the life work of scientists in the north. Richards’s nuanced, almost hushed narration reveals the exquisite silences, freezing temperatures, and harsh winds of one of the planet’s largest remaining arctic expanses. Published by Tantor Media.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the first Latina pilot on the US Aerobatic Team; the historical fiction novel Escaping Dreamland by NY Times bestselling author…
Oct 8, 2020
EAT A PEACH by David Chang, Gabe Ulla, read by David Chang
Chef David Chang takes listeners on a tour of his personal and professional successes and failures. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this audiobook that will be loved by foodies curious to know more about the founder of the popular Momofuku Restaurant Group and one of the most influential chefs in the world. His narration is brash, fast-paced, and in-your-face. Chang’s infectious passion for cooking comes through loud and clear. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the first Latina pilot on the US Aerobatic Team; the historical fiction novel Escaping Dreamland by NY Times…
Oct 7, 2020
DESERT NOTEBOOKS by Ben Ehrenreich, read by David Bendena
Narrator David Bendena succeeds in animating this provocative, nonlinear audiobook with his careful tone, judicious pace, close reading, and forward-moving cadence. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Ben Ehrenreich’s musings, reports, descriptions, and commentary. Bendena narrates with enough urgency to capture the author’s apocalyptic take on the fate of the planet, the political moment, and his own personal journey. DESERT NOTEBOOKS arrives at a most opportune time. Published by Dreamscape.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the first Latina pilot on the US Aerobatic Team; the historical fiction novel…
Oct 6, 2020
RED PILL by Hari Kunzru, read by Hari Kunzru
Hari Kunzru narrates his disturbing novel at a deliberate pace in an eerily calm tone that mimics his protagonist’s diminishing mental state. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this dystopian novel that ends just at the moment of the 2016 election. The protagonist has arrived in Germany after receiving a writing fellowship, but instead of working on the book, he’s drawn into an alt-right filmmaker’s show that unnerves him. Kunzru’s softly intoned English accent gives the audiobook a sense of otherness, and the plot unfolds as the protagonist’s mind descends into paranoia. Published by Random House Audio
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells…
Oct 5, 2020
OUTPOST by Dan Richards, read by Dan Richards
Dan Richards narrates his audiobook in a clear English accent that often sounds as if he’s telling the story on a late evening in a pub. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff talk about Richards’s self-effacing, witty, and intimate narration as he tells listeners about the value of remote and often romantic places. Much is to be learned and considered in his wandering to northernmost Norway, Iceland, Scotland, to the Mars Project, and to Desolation Peak. Published by Bolinda Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-defying story of how she became the first Latina pilot on the US Aerobatic Team; the historical fiction novel Escaping Dreamland by…
Oct 2, 2020
WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE by Renée Watson, read by Sisi Aisha Johnson
Narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson embodies all of the joy and light of fourth grader Ryan Hart. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the start of this new series from Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Renée Watson. Ryan tries hard to be the leader her parents expect her to be, but her competitive streak keeps getting in her way. Despite struggles, Ryan finds a way to shine. Each family member and friend comes to life with a distinct, realistic voice, but it’s the boundless energy and compassion that Johnson gives to Ryan that steals the show. Published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing print books and ebooks. This Fall, we are publishing an array of stellar titles -- Cecilia Aragon's memoir Flying Free which tells the odds-def…
Oct 1, 2020
BEFORE THE EVER AFTER by Jacqueline Woodson, read by Guy Lockard
Guy Lockard delivers an outstanding performance of Jacqueline Woodson’s brief, eloquent story of 12-year-old ZJ, whose father, a former pro football player, is suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The story is set in the early 2000s when little was known about the dangers of repeated head injuries in football, and listeners will follow the story of one family’s painful, slow realizations of loss. Lockard gives voice to the exhilarating before time with happy football games and fun with friends, and he compellingly shifts his tone and tempo as ZJ’s dad succumbs to the agonizing effects of this terrible condition. The novel in verse is beautifully enhanced by Lockard’s emotionally connected narration. Published by Listening Library.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Blackstone Publishing, a 30-years plus strong independent audiobook publisher that is now also publishing pr…
Sep 30, 2020
OVERGROUND RAILROAD by Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Shayna Small, Dion Graham
The rumble of train tracks, warm twangs of a banjo, and soft humming set the scene for this children’s audiobook tracing a family’s journey north during the Great Migration. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about this skillfully layered audiobook that mirrors the richness found in the picture book’s moving illustrations. Narrator Shayna Small embodies Ruth Ellen, a young Black girl who is escaping life on a tenant farm for a new life in New York. Dion Graham calls out as the conductor in a booming voice, and listeners feel they are riding the train north along with Ruth Ellen. Published by Live Oak Media.
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Sep 29, 2020
DEAR JUSTYCE by Nic Stone, read by Dion Graham
Powerhouse author and narrator duo Nic Stone and Dion Graham return to create a moving and hopeful audiobook, a companion to Stone’s debut, DEAR MARTIN. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss a beautifully delivered audiobook that is centered around 16-year-old Quan, a Black boy wrongly incarcerated in a juvenile detention center. Stone narrates her author’s note that frames her story and tells of her inspiration — teens she met who didn’t have the opportunities that her first book’s hero, Justyce, had. The audiobook is told in part through Quan’s letters to his childhood friend Justyce. Graham captures Quan’s plight in an unjust criminal system and the brightness and wit that thrive when he finds support. Published by Listening Library.
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Support for Behind the Mic comes from Hollywoodland Audiobooks, a new imprint celebrating the lives and works of Hollywood screen legends.
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Sep 28, 2020
¡VAMOS! LET'S GO EAT by Raúl the Third, read by Gary Tiedemann
Ride through the market with Little Lobo and his friends as they gather up a delicious feast for hungry luchadors before their wrestling match begins. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed about the fun and sweet audiobook that has been keeping her family happy (and hungry) together at home. Narrator Gary Tiedemann’s narration brims with delight as he zips young listeners from food truck to elote cart, perfectly matching the fun and busy energy of Raúl the Third’s sequel to ¡VAMOS! LET’S GO TO THE MARKET. Listeners will keep coming back to this perfect audio companion for its gusto and its goofiness. Published by Dreamscape.
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Sep 25, 2020
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE by Louise Penny, read by Robert Bathurst
Robert Bathurst is just about perfect narrating the 16th Chief Inspector Armand Gamache novel — this time, in Paris. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss what might be the best Louise Penny mystery yet. The Gamaches have left Three Pines, Québec, for Paris for the birth of their newest grandchild. When Gamache’s godfather, billionaire Stephen Horowitz, is almost killed, Gamache works to uncover an elaborate conspiracy. Penny’s intricate plotting and colorfully drawn characters never disappoint. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Sep 24, 2020
THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY by Thornton Wilder, read by Thom Rivera
A new audio version of the classic novel by Thornton Wilder is good news. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Thom Rivera’s narration of this brief but engaging audiobook. The story is set in the eighteenth century in colonial Peru at the moment one of the astounding rope bridges that crisscrossed the Andean gorges of the Inca Empire collapses. The story examines the lives of the five people who die together that day, uncovering layer after layer of relationships and purpose. Published by Harper Audio.
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Sep 23, 2020
THE LIONS OF FIFTH AVENUE by Fiona Davis, read by Erin Bennett, Lisa Flanagan
Erin Bennett and Lisa Flanagan provide a smooth and entertaining narration of this historical mystery set inside the New York Public Library on 5th Avenue. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Fiona Davis’s story featuring two timeframes set out like diary entries. Erin Bennett voices John Lyons, the library’s superintendent, and his wife Laura, a pioneering journalist and essayist, who lived and worked in the library in 1913. The story shifts to the granddaughter, Sadie, who curates the library’s rare book collection in 1993. Lisa Flanagan voices Sadie and Nick, a dashing detective who aids in Sadie’s investigation for missing books. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Sep 22, 2020
ANXIOUS PEOPLE by Fredrik Backman, read by Marin Ireland
Marin Ireland uses many theatrical gifts in her fine narration of this bittersweet novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the new audiobook from Fredrik Backman, the Swedish author of THE MAN CALLED OVE and BEARTOWN. To get the most out of this story, the reader must listen — Ireland is extraordinary. There are a multitude of characters, and each voice speaks in a sort of stream of consciousness. Ireland is able to capture the tone of each, showing a wonderful variety and range, inhabiting each individual. At a time when we are all anxious, this audiobook is just the respite. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Sep 21, 2020
WHEN THE DEAD COME CALLING by Helen Sedgwick, read by Julie Maisey
The blustery wild coast and a spirit-filled sea cave make an eerie setting for the small, almost forgotten village of Burrowhead. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how Julie Maisey rises to the challenge of narrating Helen Sedgwick’s new brooding mystery. DI Georgie Strachan and her assistants manage a small police force who rarely see violent crime — but suddenly, there are murders. Maisy captures the moody setting, with its violent weather and suspicious birds, as well as the homophobia, racism, and superstition of the small-minded townspeople. Published by Bolinda Audio
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Sep 18, 2020
INTIMATIONS by Zadie Smith, read by Zadie Smith
Listening to award-winning author Zadie Smith read her collection of six personal essays about life in the year 2020 is such a transcendent experience that when done, you’ll want to start again from the beginning. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Smith’s audiobook, which she reads with a smooth, warm, London-born voice and a quick but not too fast pace. The witty, observant, thoughtful essays touch on the pandemic, womanhood, America, families, classism and racism, reading and writing, and what makes life worthwhile. Published by Penguin Random House.
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Sep 17, 2020
MILL TOWN by Kerri Arsenault, read by Kerri Arsenault
Kerri Arsenault narrates her examination of Mexico, Maine, the mill town she grew up in, uncovering stories of corporate greed and malfeasance, communities torn between needing mill jobs and struggling to stay healthy, and so much more. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Arsenault’s narration and how her passion comes through with just the right amount of sincerity and caring. She never overdoes her heartbreaking depiction of the price a community must pay because of a corporation that cares only about the bottom line. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Sep 16, 2020
LIKE CRAZY by Dan Mathews, read by Dan Mathews
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Dan Mathews’s entertaining memoir about caring for his elderly mother in a raggedy old Virginia house. His voice is full of quiet amusement as he recounts the ups and downs of life with his larger-than-life mom, which includes spontaneous costume parties, vegan feasts, and home improvement mishaps. His lively, heartfelt performance adds a lot of depth to a lighthearted but ultimately moving book about a complicated mother-son relationship. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Sep 15, 2020
DEAR LIFE by Rachel Clarke, read by Rachel Clarke
Rachel Clarke’s authentic reading of her audiobook allows her humanity to shine and her written words to be transformed into a moving listening experience. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this memoir by a British doctor and former journalist who works with patients at the end of their lives. Her proper British articulation and relaxed phrasing are soothing, which softens the harsh physical realities she encounters in her end-of-life medical practice. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Sep 14, 2020
SITTING PRETTY by Rebekah Taussig, read by Rebekah Taussig
Rebecca Taussig’s humor and passion shine through in her lively delivery of this illuminating collection of essays about disability. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discusses this new audiobook with host Jo Reed. Taussig captures the ups and downs of ordinary life in a disabled body: dating, navigating her first year of teaching, searching for an accessible apartment. Part wake-up call, part call-to-action, this audiobook will resonate with anyone who lives in a body, disabled and nondisabled alike. Published by Harper Audio.
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Sep 11, 2020
YOU HAD ME AT HOLA by Alexis Daria, read by Seraphine Valentine
Seraphine Valentine narrates Alexis Daria’s charming romance where the two leads fall in love on the set of a new TV rom-com — and behind the scenes. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss costars Jasmine Lin and Ashton Suárez’s disastrous meet-cute and the roller coaster romance that follows. Both Jasmine and Ashton are hoping to make their new TV series a launching point for bigger steps in their careers, but they don’t count on falling in love. Valentine highlights all their complicated emotions and their intense connections when they finally give in. Perfect weekend listening. Published by Harper Audio.
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Sep 10, 2020
PUNCHING THE AIR by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam, read by Ethan Herisse
Ethan Herisse narrates this poignant novel in verse with a soft, slow, and somber tone, conveying all the intense emotions of Amal, a teenage boy who was wrongly incarcerated. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed about this powerful audiobook, co-written by author Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, one of the Exonerated Five. Both poets’ brilliance shines in every line, and as the verses build and deepen, Herisse increases the earnestness of Amal’s journey to hold onto hope. Published by Harper Audio.
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Sep 9, 2020
THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS by Micaiah Johnson, read by Nicole Lewis
Nicole Lewis captivates as she narrates a story of greed, love, redemption, identity — and interdimensional travel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about Micaiah Johnson’s thrilling sci-fi audiobook. Cara is a traverser who travels between alternate universes for a big tech company. When a routine job goes wrong, she discovers dangerous secrets that upend her understanding of her world, and all the others. Nicole Lewis inhabits Cara, and listeners will feel all the tension and drama as she navigates intrigue across dimensions. Published by Random House Audio.
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Sep 8, 2020
THE DEATH OF VIVEK OJI by Akwaeke Emezi, read by Yetide Badaki, Chukwudi Iwuji
Nigerian-American author Akwaeke Emezi's lyrical and heartbreaking third novel is brought to life by the extraordinarily gifted pairing of narrators Yetide Badaki and Chukwudi Iwuji. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss how Emezi’s prose comes to life in this audiobook centered around Vivek’s life and death in 1990s Nigeria. It’s an audiobook that explores grief, family, transgender identity, and societal expectations, with a vibrant third-person narration by Badaki and revelatory and powerful-first person narration by Iwuji as he portrays Vivek and his cousin, Osita. An impressive production of an unforgettable audiobook. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Sep 7, 2020
CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson, read by Robin Miles
Robin Miles’s powerhouse performance and Isabel Wilkerson’s excellent writing are perfectly matched in this stunning examination of the egregious effects of caste systems. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss how hearing Miles’s clear, warm, and passionate narration helps listeners understand and resonate with this deep exploration of the caste systems in India, the United States, and Nazi Germany. A must-listen. Published by Random House Audio.
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Sep 4, 2020
WHY WE DRIVE by Matthew B. Crawford, read by Ron Butler
Ron Butler’s narration of this mediation on the meaning of driving takes listeners by the lapels and gently shakes their preconceived notions. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this treatise on all the reasons to hit the open road and explore by car. Author Matthew B. Crawford champions both driving and fixing cars as ways to exercise our freedom, and he takes a deeper look at technological advances such as driverless vehicles. Perfect for listening as you traverse the open road, or daydream about it. Published by Harper Audio
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Sep 3, 2020
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HUNGER by Lisa Donovan, read by Lisa Donovan
Lisa Donovan smoothly narrates her memoir with a firm hold on its meaning and implications, reading with a clear, pleasing storytelling voice to reveal the twists and turns her life has taken as a pastry chef, wife, and mother. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff talk about her career successes and her real grievances about being underpaid and the commodification of her business. Donovan’s prose shimmers with sensory images and gustatory delights. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Sep 2, 2020
THANK YOU FOR VOTING by Erin Geiger Smith, read by Lisa Cordileone
Lisa Cordileone narrates an accessible and highly informed audiobook all about voting in America. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the narrator’s explanatory yet interrogative tone used to deliver a text that ranges across centuries, covering the Know Nothings, gerrymandering, and the backstories for passing amendments on voting issues. Author Erin Geiger Smith’s focus is on invigorating the process of voting and encouraging voters to get to the polls. Published by Harper Audio
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Sep 1, 2020
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY by Charles Dickens, read by Nicholas Boulton
Nicholas Boulton is simply a masterful narrator. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff discuss Boulton’s tour-de-force performance that shows the full complement of his vocal ability: he does all manner of English accents and dexterously captures age, gender, and geographical idiosyncrasies. Dickens’s gifts as a storyteller are well served by Boulton. In this age of binging, here is an audiobook that can be listened to and enjoyed over time.
Published by Brilliance Audio.
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Aug 31, 2020
EMPIRE OF WILD by Cherie Dimaline, read by Michelle St. John
Canadian actress Michelle St. John narrates this exhilarating novel with a sure sense of pace and a grip on its intense emotions. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff discuss the nuanced narration of the new novel from Cherie Dimaline (Georgia Bay Métis). The story centers around protagonist Joan’s quest to bring back her wayward husband, who has been entranced by a rugaro (half-man, half-wolf). The rendering of the Indigenous descendants of Ontario’s Métis people is done expertly.
Published by Harper Audio
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Aug 28, 2020
PAPER GIRLS by Alex Smith, read by Tim Bruce
Listeners join DCI Robert Kett, who is heading to Norwich to start a new life with his daughters after his wife’s disappearance. When a girl goes missing, he’s unwillingly dragged into the investigation. Host Jo Reed and AudioFIle’s Robin Whitten discuss this promising start to a new mystery series from Alex Smith, read with a skilled and straightforward style that suits the police procedural. Published by Zertex Media.
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Aug 27, 2020
MY LIFE AS A VILLAINESS by Laura Lippman, read by Laura Lippman
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about a series of essays from award-winning crime novelist Laura Lippman, which consider her past and present choices in her life, her career, and on herself. She brings plenty of attitude and a distinct style to her audiobook’s narration, and is both candid and self-critical. Her soft, expressive delivery finds a spot between performance and storytelling, especially when she's focused on stories of her family. Published by Harper Audio.
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Aug 26, 2020
A MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by Arshay Cooper, read by Adam Lazarre-White
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss a memoir that acts as a call to action about access for all communities to sports opportunities. Adam Lazarre-White delivers Arshay Cooper’s emotional and impressive true story of joining the first Black high school rowing team in the country in the 1990s. Cooper and his teammates create something great while navigating gang conflict, poverty, addiction, and systemic racism. A brand new documentary looks at this team’s success, and this audiobook makes for an excellent companion to the film. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Aug 25, 2020
KATHERYN HOWARD, THE SCANDALOUS QUEEN by Alison Weir, read by Rosalyn Landor
Rich historical fiction perfect for fans of Tudor history — complete with all the glamour, deceit, and tragedy. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Rosalyn Landor’s one-woman full-cast performance of Alison Weir’s newest historical fiction audiobook. The story of Henry VIII’s fifth wife reminds listeners of how deadly dangerous he was, and Landor captures young Katheryn’s joy in youthful pleasures, the glittering life at court, and the inevitable tragedy. Exceptional storytelling, A+ listening. Published by Recorded Books.
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Aug 24, 2020
In Conversation with SANDMAN Producer Dirk Maggs
On today's bonus episode of Behind the Mic, we're featuring a conversation between host Jo Reed and Dirk Maggs. Listen in as they discuss his decades of work bringing audio dramas to life.
If you love audio theater, then you know the work of Dirk Maggs. As a producer, director, and writer, his productions immerse listeners in the worlds that he creates. In a career spanning 30 years, he's won many national and international awards. Dirk first made a name for himself turning DC comics into audio productions, and when Douglas Adams heard those adaptations, he pulled Dirk in to bring his HITCHHIKERS' GUIDE TO THE GALAXY series back to audio. Dirk has also had a longtime collaboration with Neil Gaiman, which most recently has resulted in an audio adaptation of THE SANDMAN, Gaiman's beloved classic comic book series.
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Aug 24, 2020
FIRE IN PARADISE by Alastair Gee, Dani Anguiano, read by T. Ryder Smith
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss a comprehensive study of the devastating 2018 Northern California fire. T. Ryder Smith narrates with dramatic pacing, speeding up during the nail-biting personal stories and slowing down when explaining the fire’s causes and behaviors. Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano have written an outstanding study of how humans create and respond to disaster, which calls to mind the continuing dangers of California’s fire seasons. Published by Recorded Books.
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Aug 21, 2020
MEMORIAL DRIVE by Natasha Trethewey, read by Natasha Trethewey
Poet Natasha Trethewey’s emotional delivery adds to the impact of this harrowing memoir. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s memoir about her childhood in Mississippi, and her mother’s childhood in the segregated South. Grief, shock, love, anger, and guilt are all palpable in Trethewey’s voice as she offers listeners a detailed account of her mother’s abusive relationship, her own understanding of it, and the events that led to her mother’s murder. Though it’s a hard and often viscerally painful listen, it’s a worthwhile one. Published by Harper Audio.
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Aug 20, 2020
UNIVERSE OF TWO by Stephen P. Kiernan, read by Cassandra Campbell
Cassandra Campbell gives a stellar performance of this historical fiction audiobook, based on the life of 19-year-old mathematician Charlie Fisk who played a crucial role in creating the atomic bomb. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about Campbell’s performance of Stephen P. Kiernan’s novel, which blends romance, science, and heavier themes. Charlie has to leave his love, Brenda, so he can go manufacture the atomic bomb in Los Alamos, and the secrecy around his position puts a strain on their relationship as he struggles with the ramifications of his work. Campbell skillfully portrays a wide variety of characters, creating a vibrant portrait of an increasingly tense atmosphere. Published by Harper Audio.
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Aug 19, 2020
HOW DOES A SINGLE BLADE OF GRASS THANK THE SUN? by Doretta Lau, read by Yuta Takenaka, Andrea Bang
Narrators Andrea Bang and Yuta Takenaka add refreshing vitality to the voices in this eclectic collection of stories showcasing the perspectives of young Asian-Canadians. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb share their thoughts on Doretta Lau’s debut collection of fiction stories from 2014 that are now available on audio. Bang and Takenaka’s performances turn these engaging slices of life into provocative listening experiences. Published by ECW Press.
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Aug 18, 2020
TRUE STORY by Kate Reed Petty, read by Kirsten Sieh, Alexander Cendese, Cassandra Campbell
Three narrators deliver a tremendous performance of Kate Reed Petty’s remarkable debut novel about the long-term reverberations of a high school rumor about sexual assault. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about the multiple voices and points of view. Combining multiple styles—thriller, letters, essays, and memoirs—the bulk of the story is carried by Kristen Sieh as Alice, who spends 15 years trying to figure out what happened to her at a party. Listeners hear Alexander Cendese narrating as a lacrosse player, and one of the boys involved in the incident, and Cassandra Campbell cameos as a college essay editor. Timely, timeless, and riveting, this is an astonishing listen, and an AudioFile Earphones Award winner. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Aug 17, 2020
MIDNIGHT SUN by Stephenie Meyer, read by Jake Abel
Jake Abel’s skilled performance of the famous story told anew from vampire Edward’s point of view is sure to delight fans of the series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this new take on Stephenie Meyers’s teen series. This is Jake Abel’s first audiobook, and his smooth voice and subtle shifts in tone convey all the emotions of each character. Edward’s frustration over monotonous vampire life changes to vitriol when he meets the tantalizing and challenging human Bella. Listeners will feel all the excitement and awe as they explore the story with new eyes. Published by Hachette Audio
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Aug 14, 2020
BIG FRIENDSHIP by Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman, read by Aminatou Sow, Ann Friedman
The hosts of the “Call Your Girlfriend” podcast are warm, open, and matter-of-fact narrators as they share personal details about the path their friendship has taken. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss an audiobook that centers around relationships that rarely get their due — friendships. Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman sound comfortable and natural behind the mic as they trade off narrating their story and pull in the voices of friends and experts they interviewed during the course of writing their book. After you listen, call up a good friend for a chat. Published by Simon & Schuster.
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Aug 13, 2020
THE CARE AND FEEDING OF WASPISH WIDOWS by Olivia Waite, read by Morag Sims
Morag Sims has a bright and lively voice that matches the mood of Olivia Waite’s historical romance perfectly. Agatha Griffin is a widowed owner of a print shop in 1820s London, and is visiting her countryside warehouse when she discovers an alarming surprise — bees have taken up residence. She is pointed in the direction of resident bee expert Penelope Flood, and the two women strike up a friendship. When their smoldering passions eventually ignite, Sims’s adept use of textural cues fan the flames. Their seaside town, Melliton, is a fictional community one wants to climb inside and inhabit, and listeners will enjoy following Agatha and Penelope’s journey as they come to understand themselves and their love for one another. Published by Harper Audio.
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Aug 12, 2020
SOMETHING TO SAY by Lisa Moore Ramée, read by Sisi A. Johnson
Sisi Aisha Johnson creates a realistic and relatable cast of characters in a middle-grade audiobook about friendship, family, and moving out of your comfort zone. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss a story centered around 11-year-old Jenae, who wishes she were invisible and fears public speaking. When she makes a new friend with an outgoing kid at school and is pushed to debate on a school name change, she learns to make her voice heard. Lisa Moore Ramée’s audiobooks feature relatable young protagonists learning more about themselves and their role in making a difference and make for engaging listening. Published by HarperAudio.
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Support for Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, your library-first publisher who prides themselves on offering high-quality and accessible entertainment for the entire family. Dreamscape is passionate about their content and continually strives for excellence.
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Aug 11, 2020
THE VOTING BOOTH by Brandy Colbert, read by Robin Eller, Cary Hite
Two Black teens vote for the first time in an audiobook that takes place all in one day. Host Jo Reed and AudioFIle’s Emily Connelly discuss how the dual narration adds to the fun in Brandy Colbert’s YA novel that features a satisfying blend of character development and lessons about voter suppression, grief, and activism. Robin Eller voices Marva, who is first in line at the polls. When she sees Duke, voiced by Cary Hite, turned away because he isn’t on the registration list, the two pair up to make sure his vote is counted. Listeners will fall for Marva and Duke even as they are falling for each other. Published by Dreamscape.
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Aug 10, 2020
RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko, read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s evocative narration skillfully complements Jordan Ifueko’s vibrant multilayered fantasy. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed the many reasons she couldn’t hit pause on this audiobook, a coming-of-age story with magic, mystery, and adventure. Tarisai grew up isolated but discovers friends and found family when she joins the crown prince’s council. But she carries a violent secret — her mother has cursed her to kill the beloved prince. Abbott-Pratt’s richly expressive characterizations imbue a fascinating cast with warmth and complexity, making this a listen that fans of YA fantasy won’t want to miss. Published by Blackstone Audio.
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Aug 7, 2020
GOOD HUSBANDRY by Kristin Kimball, read by Kristin Kimball
AudioFIle contributor Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed about his delight with Kristin Kimball’s story of going back to the land, and her expressive narration. Kimball and her husband farm in upstate New York, and the audiobook breathes with the sounds, sights, and smells of their farm. They plow with enormous horses, feed hundreds through their CSA, and act as mentors for young farmers. You’ll be drawn into the inner workings of the farm, and the intimate murmurs of Kimball’s heart. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Aug 6, 2020
DIRT by Bill Buford, read by Bill Buford
Bill Buford narrates his culinary journey, taking listeners with him to Lyon, France, as he seeks to learn classic French cooking methods. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff discuss Buford’s self-effacing, witty, and experiential narrative style, and listeners are treated to an exceptional tour of French food, its history, and the particular joys of Lyon. He narrates as a friendly storyteller who is revealing the hidden world of French cooking, drawing you into the kitchen to cook alongside him. Published by Random House Audio
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Aug 5, 2020
WINE GIRL by Victoria James, read by Victoria James
Victoria James narrates her inside account of her remarkable rise to prominence as a sommelier in New York’s fine dining world. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff discuss how James became the youngest sommelier in the U.S. at age 21, and her earnest and persuasive narration as she tells her story. Despite exploitation, harassment, and abuse, she perseveres and prevails, all while giving listeners an inside peek at the world of fine dining. Published by Harper Audio
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Aug 4, 2020
A GRAIN OF SALT by Dr. Joe Schwarcz, read by Jonathan Yen
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff discuss all the science and pseudoscience about what we eat, uncovered by Canadian author Dr. Joe Schwarcz. This audiobook collects essays on nutrition, diet, and eating, in an attempt to apply scientific information about the foods we eat and address some wild internet claims. Narrator Jonathan Yen provides a clear and intelligent narration, and has the right tone for all the science — and the humor — found in this work. Published by Tantor Media.
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Aug 3, 2020
SALMON by Mark Kurlansky, read by Mark Kurlansky
Listen to this extraordinary history of salmon from Mark Kurlansky, the author of COD, SALT, and other focused and powerful examinations of the natural world. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Alan Minskoff discuss how salmon and the earth share fates, and threats to survival. Kurlansky narrates straightforwardly as he tells the story of the history of salmon, and how people have coexisted with salmon over time. In the end, the audiobook is a plea for the survival of the habitat where salmon still survive and thrive. Published by Random House Audio.
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Jul 31, 2020
SEX AND VANITY by Kevin Kwan, read by Lydia Look
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Kevin Kwan’s modern adaptation of A ROOM WITH A VIEW, with an enchanting narration by Lydia Look. Food, fashion, and romance all collide in an escapist listen perfect for fans of Kwan’s CRAZY RICH ASIANS. When Lucie meets George at an extravagant wedding, sparks fly. Years later, she must decide between her head and her heart when George re-enters her life. Lydia Look’s dramatic performance keeps the energy high and the dialogue extravagant, while also capturing the protagonists’ sweet nature and reserve amidst all the glamor. Listeners fond of Kwan’s series will not be disappointed. Published by Random House Audio.
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Jul 30, 2020
THE RULES OF CONTAGION by Adam Kucharski, read by Joe Jameson
A book steeped in math and epidemiology that addresses the basis for how a variety of contagion models — memes, malaria, financial crises — can document why things spread, and one day stop. While this isn’t a book addressing our current COVID-19 crisis, it does provide background information on concepts that will give you a stronger background in understanding what it means for something to go viral. British Narrator Joe Jameson delivers a narration that is immensely appealing to the ear and blends well with the author’s gift for narrative writing. It is a highly textured audiobook full of details, yet digestible. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Jul 29, 2020
THE GIRL FROM WIDOW HILLS by Megan Miranda, read by Rebekkah Ross
Narrator Rebekkah Ross handles Megan Miranda’s latest mystery with maximum intensity. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a mystery with a great premise — a sleepwalking 6-year-old disappears for days and is later discovered in a storm drain, becoming a reluctant celebrity. As the twentieth anniversary of her disappearance looms, her stress level soars, and she starts sleepwalking again — and finds a dead body. Surprises and secrets abound. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Jul 28, 2020
THIS IS MAJOR by Shayla Lawson, read by Shayla Lawson
Shayla Lawson narrates her collection of autobiographical essays, adding a layer of depth and personalization to her tales of Black girlhood and womanhood. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about her compelling insights on topics as far-ranging as microaggressions at work, American Girl dolls, or the idiosyncrasies of Twitter. Her narration is as varied as the essays, reflecting their topics with her nuanced delivery and making this an audiobook a true pleasure to listen to. Published by Harper Audio.
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Jul 27, 2020
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker, read by Sean Pratt
Dive inside an American family in this Oprah Book Club pick. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss an enthralling true story that features an Earphones Award-winning performance by Sean Pratt. His timing and subtle delivery bring the listener inside the minds of this family of 12 children, half of whom suffer from schizophrenia. This empathetic audiobook explores the toll that mental illness takes on a family. Published by Random House Audio.
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Jul 24, 2020
WHEN THE WORLD FEELS LIKE A SCARY PLACE by Abigail Gewirtz, read by Robin Miles
Robin Miles’s performance channels the type of wise and nurturing voice you’d expect to hear from a child psychologist who aims to help kids in today’s tumultuous world. Gewirtz is an expert in helping families under stress, and has created a highly useful teaching and learning tool. Robin Miles portrays the information as an expert, delivering Gewirtz’s wisdom in an accessible but authoritative manner. A specific up-to-date chapter covering COVID-19 is integrated well with other suggestions Gewirtz recommends throughout the audiobook. An ideal listen for parents who are looking for extra guidance in trying times. Published by Workman Audio.
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Jul 23, 2020
THE FIRST ACTRESS by C.W. Gortner, read by Gabrielle de Cuir
Gabrielle de Cuir’s luminous narration transports listeners into the turbulent life of acclaimed nineteenth-century French actress Sarah Bernhardt. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten tells host Jo Reed what she loved about the absorbing historical fiction audiobook, including the colorful and unique characters, descriptions of Paris and events, and lavish Golden Age opulence. De Cuir’s accents are impeccable as she portrays the romance, complex family dynamics, and the many people who influenced Bernhardt’s life. Published by Random House Audio.
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Jul 22, 2020
THE SANDMAN by Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs [Adapt.], read by James McAvoy and a Full Cast
James McAvoy leads an all-star cast in narrating the audio adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s iconic graphic novel series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this AudioFile Earphones winner, which is full of dark humor, horror, fantasy, satire, and mythology. It’s a total tour de force with a cinematic score, fitting for the epic story. McAvoy, who portrays Morpheus, the King of Dreams, leans hard on his polished English accent, and Neil Gaiman takes the role as the narrator with his storyteller’s voice. Listeners are swept up in a saga in which cats talk and nightmares walk, and won’t be able to hit pause once they begin. Published by Audible, Inc.
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Jul 21, 2020
MUZZLED by David Rosenfelt, read by Grover Gardner
Narrator Grover Gardner breathes life into listeners’ favorite dog-loving lawyer, Andy Carpenter. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this latest mystery, centered around a defense of a man declared dead in a boat explosion — but who reappears when he picks up his dog from Andy’s rescue charity. Gardner has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narration on the series, and his delivery suits Rosenfelt’s mysteries to a T. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Jul 20, 2020
THE PULL OF THE STARS by Emma Donoghue, read by Emma Lowe
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss an immersive audiobook about a pandemic and civil unrest — in 1918. Nurse Julia Power grapples with a web of concurrent social issues as she cares for patients in a Dublin maternity ward. Emma Lowe’s beautiful Irish lilt brings the story to life. Julia is united with two other seemingly dissimilar women, a physician with ties to the Irish independence movement, and a vibrant young volunteer from a Catholic boarding house. As circumstances around the women intensify, so will listeners’ investment in the outcome of their stories. Published by Hachette Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Jul 17, 2020
THE MUSEUM OF WHALES YOU WILL NEVER SEE by A. Kendra Greene, read by A. Kendra Greene
A. Kendra Greene’s enthusiasm and curiosity are contagious, and her love for Iceland is apparent in her delightful narration of an unusual travel book. Greene’s voice is rich and expressive, and she rolls through the Icelandic words with authenticity. There are 265 private museums in Iceland, a country with a population of 330,000, and Greene is a friendly and excited guide through them — including the phallological museum, the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft, and the Museum of Ghosts, Elves, and the Northern Lights. Her personable and smart narration makes one wish to visit Iceland immediately, but listening to her audiobook is the next best thing. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofi…
Jul 16, 2020
THE ROAD TO OXIANA by Robert Byron, read by Barnaby Edwards
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss what many believe to be the first example of great travel writing. Robert Byron’s account, published in 1937, details his travels across the Middle East to explore the farthest reaches of Persia and Afghanistan. British narrator Barnaby Edwards captures Byron’s historical commentary, humor, and bon vivant sensibility. Along with Byron and Edwards, we push through extreme heat, floods, and snow on foot, by horse, and by motorcar to visit the Mosque of Sheikh Lutfullah, Persepolis, and the crossroads village of Ghazni. Published by Naxos AudioBooks.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jul 15, 2020
FULL TILT by Dervia Murphy, read by Emma Lowe
Emma Lowe captures the author’s adventurous spirit, courage, and determination to ride a bicycle the 5,000 miles from London to New Delhi. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss Dervla Murphy’s epic adventure in 1963 that included taking on wolves, gun-toting bandits, and extreme temperatures, all by bike. Emma Lowe’s comfortable Irish lilt reflects the author’s amazing calmness and straightforward prose style, as well as her deep appreciation for those who helped her along her journey. Published by Naxos AudioBooks.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jul 14, 2020
THE YOSEMITE by John Muir, read by Nick McArdle
There’s never been a better time to indulge in John Muir’s inspiring observations of California’s iconic wilderness. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss Muir’s observations that were crafted over the two years he lived in a tiny cabin alongside Yosemite Creek. Narrator Nick McArdle is a Scotsman, like Muir, and the author’s words wash over listeners like a walk in the woods. McArdle imparts all of the author’s enthusiasm for every encounter with the park’s flora, fauna, and geology. Muir’s spirit of discovery and magical descriptions live on in this beautiful narrative trek through an awe-inspiring ecosystem. Published by Naxos AudioBooks.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start…
Jul 13, 2020
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS by Conor Knighton, read by Conor Knighton
Travel to every national park in the U.S. without leaving the comfort of your home. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss Conor Knighton’s fascinating audiobook documenting his year-long exploration of America’s national parks. The “CBS Sunday Morning” contributor has a natural talent for narration, with a style that is informed but informal. He weaves together national park history, trivia, and his own personal story for an engaging listen. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jul 10, 2020
THE THING ABOUT BEES by Shabazz Larkin, read by Shabazz Larkin
Shabazz Larkin and his family voice a lively audiobook all about appreciating bees. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly and host Jo Reed discuss this charming picture book read-along all about the role bees play in making food grow that’s also a loving story dedicated to Larkin’s sons. Buzzing bees, light piano music, and bongo drums add to the fun as Larkin explains how his kids share some sneaking and stinging tendencies with bees—and how essential they are to making his life sweeter, too. The atmosphere of joy and love listeners hear is reflected in the vibrant and textured illustrations found in the picture book. Perfect summertime listening for kids. Published by Live Oak Media.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to s…
Jul 9, 2020
A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A. Brown, read by A.J. Beckles, Jordan Cobb
Jordan Cobb and A.J. Beckles guide listeners through this vibrant new YA fantasy inspired by West African folklore. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the complex fantasy centered around Crown Princess Karina and Malik, who comes to her desert city seeking refuge and is swept up in a deadly competition. Cobb’s strong voice captures the ferocity of Karina’s actions as she attempts to assert herself in a new position of power. Beckles highlights Malik’s anxiety and love for his family. Both Malik and Karina are desperate to be reunited with lost family members and will do whatever it takes — though they each struggle with growing attraction to one another, even as they attempt to destroy one another. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best…
Jul 8, 2020
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett, read by Shayna Small
identical Black twins who run away from home, and whose lives divert when they choose very different paths. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss an audiobook that would be ideal for your next book group or for any listener seeking out a rich listen. Shayna Small’s narration brings the twins Stella and Desiree Vignes to life, and she creates lively and distinct voices for the entire cast. As we trace their lives, we meet their daughters and discover the impact of their choices on who their daughters become. It’s a story about searching for identity and becoming someone new centered around race, colorism, socioeconomics, and family. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start…
Jul 7, 2020
THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta, read by Dean Atta
Poet Dean Atta draws on his skills as a spoken-word performer to deliver his novel in verse, which features an intimate, empowering portrayal of a Black gay teenageer coming of age in Britain. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the power of hearing Atta’s poetry read by the author, whose casual and conversational delivery also highlights all of the emotions and rhythms of the poetry. The story centers around Michael, a mixed-race teen who is raised by his mother and whose voice matures as listeners hear him grow from a curious 6-year-old to a bold university student finding his voice through poetry and drag performances. Highly recommended listening, and the winner of this year’s YA Stonewall Book Award. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the be…
Jul 6, 2020
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, read by Frankie Corzo
Frankie Corzo’s velvety voice will bring you under her spell as she narrates this Gothic horror audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s new novel set in the 1950s in Mexico, starring Noemí Taboada, a clever 22-year-old socialite sent into the countryside to check on her recently married cousin. What she finds is, at first, merely odd — but is slowly revealed to be truly horrific. Frankie Corzo skillfully conveys Noemí’s initial alarm and growing terror as she unravels the many mysteries of High Place and its enigmatic inhabitants. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jul 3, 2020
THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins, read by Santino Fontana
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb revisit the Hunger Games, this time through the eyes of Coriolanus Snow. Narrator Santino Fontana captures fans’ attention and hearts with his impactful performance of the prequel to the popular YA trilogy. Listeners discover how Snow morphed from an impoverished, sentimental teenager into a man who became the merciless leader of Panem. Fontana’s consistent characterizations guide listeners through the multilayered story as he builds suspense and maximizes the excitement. Get a behind-the-scenes peek into Panem and the ever more dangerous Hunger Games. Published by Scholastic Audiobooks.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jul 2, 2020
RODHAM by Curtis Sittenfeld, read by Carrington MacDuffie
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss an alternate history from author Curtis Sittenfeld. In this topsy-turvy world, listeners get to explore the question: What would have happened had Hillary and Bill not married? Carrington MacDuffie offers a savory performance, morphing from a delectable sensuality to a refined maturity and crisp delivery. Listeners follow Hillary’s civic journey from senator to a presidential bid where she and Bill compete directly. A guilty pleasure for Hillary fans. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jul 1, 2020
WUHAN DIARY by Fang Fang, Michael Berry [Trans.], read by Emily Woo Zeller
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss dispatches from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Emily Woo Zeller’s melodious voice, clear diction, and thoughtful pacing are notable, and she expresses Fang Fang’s tone as she discusses daily life and the challenges of living through the pandemic in Wuhan. Emily Woo Zeller makes you feel as if you are listening to the author herself, which is how you know you are in skilled hands. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening.
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Jun 30, 2020
OBLIVION OR GLORY by David Stafford, read by Gerard Doyle
Golden Voice narrator Gerard Doyle’s Irish heritage and English drama training make him a natural for Scottish, English, and Irish accents, but his relaxed pace and mastery of story are what make his performances shine. His character voices can convince listeners they are hearing a full-cast narration. He has won numerous AudioFile Earphone Awards and an Audie Award for his narrations.
On today’s episode, AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss Gerard Doyle’s narration of OBLIVION OR GLORY: 1921 and the Making of Winston Churchill. David Stafford’s work centers around how 1921 was a pivotal year historically and for Winston Churchill personally. Gerard narration makes you feel as though he truly knows the man and is imparting his deep wisdom to you in a way that encourages you to listen more. Published by Blackstone Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edga…
Jun 29, 2020
Interview with Golden Voice narrator Emily Woo Zeller
Actor and narrator Emily Woo Zeller was inducted as an AudioFile Golden Voice this June. She is a marvel of a narrator with the ability to bring listeners into the story and capture the heart of a book. She narrates across many genres, including fantasy, science fiction, nonfiction, and stories of immigrants. She uses language and accents to voice audiobooks authentically, including many moving narrations of audiobooks by Asian and Asian American authors. She was nominated for an Audie Award for THE BRIDE TEST by Helen Hoang, and in 2018 won an Audie Award for FIRE ROAD by Kim Phuc Phan Thi.
In today’s episode, host Jo Reed interviews Emily Woo Zeller, and they discuss her journey into audiobook narration through voicing anime, her skills with narrating using accents, and what it was like narrating Fang Fang’s WUHAN DIARY in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about Emily Woo Zeller and her audiobook narrations at audiofilemagazine.com.
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Jun 29, 2020
HAD I KNOWN by Barbara Ehrenreich, read by Suzanne Toren
Suzanne Toren has been narrating audiobooks for more than 30 years, and she has more than 1,000 audiobooks to her credit. She has numerous AudioFile Earphone Awards, and is known for narrating history, biography, fiction, mystery, and current events titles. Her attention to detail with her narration serves her well in the variety of genres she narrates.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Suzanne Toren’s Earphone Award-winning narration of HAD I KNOWN, a collection of essays by journalist Barbara Ehrenreich. The audiobook gives listeners a perspective on the last 40 years in America and begins with an extended essay about the author’s time as a waitress and maid. Suzanne’s voice conveys the anger and the humor found in the essays that cover a range of issues, including poverty and Ehrenreich’s fight with breast cancer. Published by Hachette Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Jun 26, 2020
A DIVIDED LOYALTY by Charles Todd, read by Simon Prebble
Simon Prebble was among the first narrators honored as Golden Voices in 1995. He is much loved for his narrations of historical mysteries, literary fiction such as THE REMAINS OF THE DAY by Kazuo Ishiguro, and romance titles, such as Stephanie Laurens’s Cynster series. He won an Audie Award in Romance for his narration of Laurens’s UNTAMED BRIDE. AudioFile has honored 39 of his titles with Earphones Awards.
On today’s episode, AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss A DIVIDED LOYALTY, Charles Todd’s newest mystery starring Inspector Rutledge. Simon Prebble is the perfect narrator for this series, as he’s so skilled at highlighting the historical details that are the hallmark of the series. Simon narrates with ease as he helps create an almost palpable atmosphere that runs through the story, set in the mysterious Avebury with its neolithic standing stones. This is the 22nd title in the series but makes for an enjoyable listen even for those new to the Inspector…
Jun 25, 2020
PUSS IN BOOTS by Neil Fishman, Harvey Edelman, Khristine Hvam, read by Jim Dale and a Full Cast
Golden Voice narrator Jim Dale has probably brought more people to audiobooks than any other narrator. A generation grew up listening to his performances of the Harry Potter series. Jim was originally a musical comedy and dance man who performed in “Barnum” on Broadway. He brings his acting talents to his audiobook narrations, where he creates immensely imaginative and memorable character voices. He brings such energy to every audiobook he narrates, and curious listeners should explore his longform interview that was on the podcast this spring.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss PUSS IN BOOTS, a lively audiobook musical by Neil Fishman, Harvey Edelman, and Khristine Hvam. Jim Dale helms the narration of the story, with a full cast lending spirited performances to add zest to the script and songs. This is a family listen ideal for fans of musicals, folktales, and cats. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofi…
Jun 24, 2020
ALEXANDER THE GREAT by Anthony Everitt, read by John Lee
Golden Voice narrator John Lee is no stranger to British history, and he is skilled with all of the accents and speech patterns to make both historical and contemporary characters sound vibrant. John’s rich, smooth voice keeps momentum through long historical audiobooks, including DARKEST HOUR by Anthony McCarten, a 2019 Audie Award-winning History/Biography audiobook. He has a gift with many British accents and is able to set the tone and style for mysteries and histories set in England. One timely listen is THE PANDEMIC CENTURY by Mark Honigsbaum.
On today’s podcast, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss John Lee’s narration of ALEXANDER THE GREAT: His Life and His Mysterious Death, by Anthony Everitt. It’s a first-rate audiobook history examining a story now 23 centuries old, and John lends it his compelling voice. Discover an audiobook told with a freshness and clarity rarely experienced in a biography of an ancient figure. Published by Random House Audio.…
Jun 23, 2020
SOUP TO NUTS by Judith Deborah, read by Barbara Rosenblat
Barbara Rosenblat is one of AudioFile’s original Golden Voice narrators, and she is a wonderful chameleon who makes listeners believe in every character she voices. To listeners’ great delight, many of those characters are outrageous! She delights in Sue Townsend’s hilarious send-up of the royal family, THE QUEEN & I, and in Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones, or the iconic Amelia Peabody from Elizabeth Peters’s long-running mystery series. She has also narrated serious literary work, including SUITE FRANCAISE by Irene Nemirovsky, and is a master of accents. She has more than 60 AudioFile Earphones Awards to her name.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Barbara’s narration of a light romp that makes for great listening right now, Judith Deborah’s SOUP TO NUTS. Barbara creates wonderful vocal portraits of all of the vibrant characters in a touching story about food, friendship, and love. Comfort food and comfort listening for every seaso…
Jun 22, 2020
In Conversation with Golden Voice narrator Arthur Morey
Host Robin Whitten speaks with narrator Arthur Morey, one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voices, as we celebrate his excellent audiobook narrations. Arthur Morey has delighted listeners across genres, and especially in histories, biographies, and memoirs. He is a frequent name on AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of the Year list, most recently for E.B. White’s ON DEMOCRACY and REPORTER by Seymour M. Hersh. Listen to learn about his particular approach to narrating someone’s life story, and discover the story of a man and his horse in THE EIGHTY-DOLLAR CHAMPION: Snowman, the Horse that Inspired a Nation by Elizabeth Letts.
Learn more about Arthur Morey’s audiobook narrations at audiofilemagazine.com.
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library and the all-new Edgar Rice Burroughs Universe.
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Jun 22, 2020
THE PALADIN by David Ignatius, read by George Guidall
George Guidall is one of AudioFile’s original Golden Voice narrators, and he was honored with the accolade two decades ago. He continues to prove his talents with more than 100 AudioFile Earphones Award-winning audiobook performances ranging from science fiction to histories to spy thrillers. George is excellent at pacing his narrations, getting every emphasis of the author’s intent just right in dialogue, internal monologue, and descriptive text. He was honored with the Audio Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss George Guidall’s narration of THE PALADIN, David Ignatius’s new thriller. George gives a flawless performance, elevating the finely tuned novel into one that grips the listener. Former CIA officer Michael Dunne becomes the agency’s scapegoat when a project goes wrong, and he is out for personal vindication. Published by Recorded Books.
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Jun 19, 2020
THE EIGHTH SISTER by Robert Dugoni, read by Edoardo Ballerini
Edoardo Ballerini is a highly acclaimed narrator who was honored as an AudioFile’s Golden Voice last year. He won the Best Male Narrator Audie Award in the same year for his narration of WATCHERS by Dean Koontz, and in 2013 he won his first Best Male Narrator Audie Award for BEAUTIFUL RUINS by Jess Walter. Audiobook listeners love his smooth voice and easy delivery and his skill with a range of accents. He is known for excellence in his narrations across genres, including thrillers.
In today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Edoardo’s narration of THE EIGHTH SISTER, Robert Dugoni’s espionage thriller. It is the first in Dugoni’s new Charlie Jenkins series about a retired CIA caseworker called back for a mission tracking down an assassin in Russia. Nothing goes according to plan, and it’s a race for his life to get back home to his family. Edoardo’s skilled narration guides listeners through the many twists and turns and ratchets up the inte…
Jun 18, 2020
THE ROVER by Joseph Conrad, read by Stefan Rudnicki
Golden Voice narrator Stefan Rudnicki is an Audie Award winner and nominee for many Science Fiction and Fantasy audiobooks, and he is much loved by listeners in these genres. His distinct deep pitch and steady pace also make him a popular narrator for historical audiobooks and biographies. He has landed on AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of the Year list and has won numerous Earphones Awards over the course of narrating hundreds of audiobooks. He won a Grammy for Best Children’s Album for THE CHILDREN’S SHAKESPEARE. He is known for his gravitas and confidence in his narrations.
In today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Stefan’s narration of Joseph Conrad’s THE ROVER. This is Conrad’s last complete work, the story of a French sailor who, having spent the last fifty years of his life roaming the seas, returns home to France in the aftermath of the Revolution. Listeners can hear how Rudnicki’s resonant voice meanders through all the picturesque…
Jun 17, 2020
THE YELLOW HOUSE by Sarah M. Broom, read by Bahni Turpin
Bahni Turpin is an incredible narrator, honored as a Golden Voice by AudioFile Magazine in 2019. That same year, her narration of CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE, Tomi Adeyemi’s brilliant fantasy, won Audiobook of the Year. The previous year she took home the Best Female Narrator award for Angie Thomas’s powerful THE HATE U GIVE. Bahni is skilled at drawing out all of the emotion in the stories she narrates and conveying the intensity of the action or drama to listeners. Bahni has earned a spot on AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks list for many fabulous audiobooks, including children’s and teen titles, fiction, biographies, and memoirs.
On today’s episode, AudioFile’s Emily Connelly and host Jo Reed discuss Bahni Turpin’s narration of THE YELLOW HOUSE, Sarah M. Broom’s National Book Award-winning memoir. Broom has woven her family’s story into the broader story of New Orleans East, and Bahni narrates the vivid prose with a flawless performance. Listeners explore the structural…
Jun 16, 2020
LEAVING LYMON by Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Dion Graham
Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham is much loved by audiobook listeners and has won numerous Earphones Awards for his narrations. Dion narrates with dexterity and so much emotion, shifting nimbly from one rich character voice to another. He has won Audie Awards for his narrations, including TROMBONE SHORTY, the children’s picture book memoir packed full of music and joy. His narration of BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF earned him a nomination for a fantasy Audie Award this year and a spot on AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks list. Dion’s narrations shine in many genres, including literary fiction, fantasies, biographies, and children’s audiobooks.
Today, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Dion’s narration of LEAVING LYMON, Lesa Cline-Ransome’s historical fiction about a young Black boy growing up in the 1940s. In this Earphones Award-winning audiobook, listeners get to know Lymon, who appeared as a bully in her earlier book, Coretta Scott King Award-winner FINDING LANG…
Jun 15, 2020
Interview with Golden Voice narrator Ramón de Ocampo
Ramón de Ocampo is one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voices. These narrators are the best in the audiobook business, known for their skill and versatility in bringing stories across genres to life. Ramón’s recent accolades include a 2019 Audie Award nomination for Casey McQuiston’s romance RED WHITE & ROYAL BLUE and numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and Best of the Year audiobooks. He skillfully narrates a range of titles, including bestselling series for children, powerful works of historical fiction, and meaningful coming-of-age stories.
Listen to Ramón’s conversation with host Jo Reed about getting his start in the world of audiobooks, his emotional connections to the audiobooks he narrates, and the acting skills he uses to deconstruct the text and help listeners engage with the story. Learn more about Ramón’s audiobook narrations at audiofilemagazine.com.
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Libr…
Jun 15, 2020
HIDEAWAY by Nora Roberts, read by January LaVoy
January LaVoy was named an AudioFile Golden Voice narrator last year, and she has been captivating listeners for years with her narrations. This year she won several Audie Awards, including the Fantasy award for her narration of Alix E. Harrow’s THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY. She has more than 30 AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrations and is frequently on AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks lists in a range of genres. January brings so many of her acting talents to her narration work, and she’ll convince you that you’re listening to a full cast performance.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss January’s lively narration of HIDEAWAY, the newest romantic thriller from Nora Roberts. January creates a full cast of voices to bring each character to life. HIDEAWAY begins with the kidnapping of 10-year-old Caitlyn, whose family is considered “Hollywood royalty,” and the kidnapping changes her life in many ways. January expertly handles t…
Jun 12, 2020
BOWIE'S BOOKSHELF by John O'Connell, read by Simon Vance
Golden Voice narrator Simon Vance is a rock star in audiobook narration, with 71 Earphones Awards and 16 Audie Awards. He is a master of rendering character and at maintaining narrative pace and momentum. His pacing is vigorous without being too fast, his voice is endlessly listenable, and his interpretations of characters both major and minor are imaginative.
In today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss BOWIE’S BOOKSHELF, John O’Connell’s exploration of the books that changed the rockstar’s life. Simon Vance narrates with a professional tone as he introduces a wide-ranging stable of authors who affected Bowie’s evolution. Listeners learn more about Bowie and the connections between great literary works and his songs. The result is a literary mosaic that will satisfy Bowie devotees and possibly create new fans. Published by Tantor Media.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Aud…
Jun 11, 2020
THE SAFETY NET by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli [Trans.], read by Grover Gardner
Golden Voice narrator Grover Gardner has 40 years of audiobook narrating experience and more than 1,200 titles to his name, with numerous Earphones and Audie Awards. Grover’s voice has been described as “sandpaper and velvet,” and he is skilled with using pitch and tone variations to evoke rather than imitate regional accents in his work. He often conveys that he’s having a jolly time recording, narrating with a smile in his voice.
AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed journey to the Italian countryside with Grover’s narration of Andrea Camilleri’s THE SAFETY NET. In Commissario Montalbano’s latest adventure, listeners discover multiple mysteries, including one about the filming of a wall on the same day over years and an armed man in a middle school classroom. Gardner’s able narration brings out Montalbano’s droll sense of humor, dedicated work ethic, and humanity. Published by Blackstone Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Su…
Jun 10, 2020
ROADSIDE AMERICANS by Jack Reid, read by Johnny Heller
Golden Voice narrator Johnny Heller is known for his varied voice, energized delivery, seemingly breathless presentation, and nuanced accents. He has more than 30 AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been a finalist for a dozen Audie Awards for his work. In his stories for young listeners, he combines childlike innocence and silliness with a debonair sophistication.
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Johnny Heller’s narration of Jack Reid’s history of hitchhiking, ROADSIDE AMERICANS. He narrates engagingly with a sureness of tone and plainspoken style that suits the many interesting stories, personal histories, and critiques of hitching rides. The audiobook chronicles how hitchhiking mirrors the cultural trajectory of the country from the early clean-cut days to counterculture hitchhikers to the present decline. Published by Tantor Media
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the…
Jun 9, 2020
THE SHADOW KING by Maaza Mengiste, read by Robin Miles
Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles can boast 46 Earphones Award-winning audiobooks and multiple Audie Awards for her narrations. She is skilled at finding the perfect performance level for a specific audiobook, narrating lyrically or intensely as the piece demands. She is well known for her work with accents, including her narration of Zora Neale Hurston’s BARRACOON, one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of 2018. She brought New York City to life in N.K. Jemisin’s THE CITY WE BECAME, and her narrations of the author’s Broken Earth trilogy are fan favorites. Robin is also a coach and director, giving many new narrators guidance and support.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Maaza Mengiste’s THE SHADOW KING, read by Robin Miles with a flawless and emotional narration. In this Earphones Award-winning audiobook, listeners journey to Ethiopia in 1935 and 1974 through the eyes of a female resistance fighter. Mengiste’s beautiful writing draws…
Jun 8, 2020
In Conversation with Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan
Host Michele Cobb speaks with narrator Julia Whelan, one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voices, as we celebrate her excellent performances across a wide range of genres. Julia Whelan won the 2019 Audie Award for Best Female Narrator for Tara Westover’s EDUCATED and has narrated numerous Earphones Award-winning audiobooks. Today Michele and Julia discuss her narration of YOU CAN’T CATCH ME, Catherine McKenzie’s twisty audiobook about stolen identity, cults, and revenge. Hear Julia’s thoughts on the challenges and thrills of narrating this new psychological suspense audiobook.
Learn more about Julia Whelan’s audiobook narrations at audiofilemagazine.com.
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library and the all-new Edgar Rice Burroughs Universe.
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Jun 8, 2020
THE WRECK by Landon Beach, read by Scott Brick
Golden Voice narrator Scott Brick has narrated more than 800 audiobooks over his 20 years of narrations, and he has many prize-winning titles across genres. His voice is often characterized as masterful and authoritative, providing emotional power with small changes in his straightforward tone. He is well loved for his narrations of high profile series, including those by Brad Meltzer, Clive Cussler, and Frank Herbert.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Scott Brick’s lively narration of THE WRECK by Landon Beach. The audiobook’s plot about a treasure hunt makes for a fun beach read. Nate and Brooke Martin are in a struggling relationship. When they spend a summer on Lake Michigan, they find a gold coin, and this starts them on the hunt for lost treasure in the Great Lakes. Scott Brick amplifies all the drama and foreboding for a fun, engaging listen. Published by Landon Beach.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Jun 5, 2020
VAGABONDS by Hao Jingfang, Ken Liu [Trans.], read by Emily Woo Zeller
Emily Woo Zeller is one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voice narrators, with compelling narrations of popular favorites such as Marie Kondo’s THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP and Mary Roach’s GULP. To many listeners, she’s known for her numerous science fiction and fantasy narrations, and part of that comes from her success with creative and believable world-building. She was nominated for a 2020 Audie Award in romance for Helen Hoang’s deeply moving love story, THE BRIDE TEST. She’s a gifted teller of stories and has a special sensitivity for crafting emotional connections between the listener and the characters.
In today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Emily’s skills with world-building in VAGABONDS by Chinese author Hao Jingfang, translated by Ken Liu. A complex exploration of interplanetary diplomacy between Mars and Earth in 2201, it’s literary, contemplative science fiction with elegant prose. Emily balances the philosophical st…
Jun 4, 2020
MY WILD GARDEN by Meir Shalev, read by Arthur Morey
Golden Voice narrator Arthur Morey is known for his skill with nonfiction audiobooks, especially biographies and memoirs. He projects a fine sense of authority and intellectualism in his narrations, and listeners feel as though he has thought through the works as thoroughly as the author has. He can express the emotional tone of the author’s story with subtle believability.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Meir Shalev’s MY WILD GARDEN, a love letter to gardening that wends its way through foliage and flowers with a sweet, affectionate tone. Shaleve is a passionate gardener in Jezreel Valley in Israel, and Arthur helps listeners realize it’s just as much a rumination on life as it is about tending a garden. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library and the all-new Edgar…
Jun 3, 2020
WE DREAM OF SPACE by Erin Entrada Kelly, read by Ramón de Ocampo
Ramón de Ocampo is a standout narrator, and we’re pleased to name him one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voice narrators. He helps listeners feel an emotional connection to the characters in the audiobooks he narrates, whether they are playful friendships or difficult and more intense confrontations. He is celebrated often for his work on children’s and young adult audiobooks, and he connects well with young listeners. Ramón’s characters always seem real, and he’s attuned to the tempo and energy of what the author has written. His lively narration of Casey McQuiston’s RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE earned him a Romance nomination for the 2020 Audie Awards.
Today, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Ramón’s Earphones Award-winning performance of WE DREAM OF SPACE, Erin Entrada Kelly’s emotionally powerful story centered around the lives of three siblings and the tragedy of the 1986 CHALLENGER mission. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendati…
Jun 2, 2020
BEACH READ by Emily Henry, read by Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan is one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voice narrators, a well-deserved honor. We celebrate the best of the audiobook narrators to encourage listeners to seek out exceptional performers who have impressive narrations over a range of genres. Julia Whelan won the 2019 Audie Award for Best Female Narrator for her performance of EDUCATED by Tara Westover, and she is a frequent winner of AudioFile Earphone Awards and Best Audiobook selections. She’s stellar with dialogue, especially with characters in a group, and is sensitive to powerful emotions.
On today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss BEACH READ by Emily Henry, which highlights a lot of Julia’s skill with sassy first-person narration. This is a lovely get-away romance that takes place at a little lakeside town in Michigan. The story centers on two writers, January and Gus, who are stuck with writer’s block and bet one another that they can write and sell a book in the other’s genre…
Jun 1, 2020
Interview with Golden Voice narrator JD Jackson
JD Jackson is one of AudioFile’s 2020 Golden Voices, and he is a skilled and versatile narrator with a long list of impressive credits to his name. He narrated two of this year’s Pulitzer Prize-winning audiobooks, Jericho Brown’s poetry collection THE TRADITION and Colson Whitehead’s historical novel THE NICKEL BOYS. His narration of THE NICKEL BOYS also earned JD a 2020 Audie Awards nomination for Best Male Narrator.
Listen in to JD Jackson’s conversation with Jo Reed about his love of storytelling, getting his start in acting and narrating, the joys of falling into the rhythm of reading well-written prose, and the emotional impact of narrating sermons from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Learn more about JD Jackson’s audiobook narrations at audiofilemagazine.com.
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library and the all-new Edgar Rice Burroughs Universe.
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Jun 1, 2020
TEMPTATIONS by Otis Williams, Patricia Romanowski, read by JD Jackson, Otis Williams
June is audiobook month, and this June we are celebrating our Golden Voice narrators on the podcast all month long. Golden Voices are the stars of the audiobook universe. We kick off our celebration with JD Jackson, a narrator with amazing range who performs with confidence and believability. He was nominated for a 2020 Audie Award for THE NICKEL BOYS by Colson Whitehead, winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for fiction — and he also narrated THE TRADITION by Jericho Brown, this year’s Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry.
Today host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss JD Jackson’s narration of Otis Williams’s memoir TEMPTATIONS, which Jackson reads in his soulful baritone. Hear a clip of his narration and tune in later today for a bonus interview with JD Jackson. Published by Tantor Media.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of the complete Edgar Rice Burroughs Authorized Library and the…
May 29, 2020
ALL ADULTS HERE by Emma Straub, read by Emily Rankin
Emily Rankin’s expressive narration and graceful tone guide listeners through this sympathetic story of the extended Strick family. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about the familiar themes of family life found in Emma Straub’s new and absorbing audiobook. Rankin superbly distinguishes three generations of the Strick clan, giving each character a unique and compelling persona and exposing their vulnerabilities and longings. A warm and insightful story to lose yourself in. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Read by the actor Peter Capaldi, WATERSHIP DOWN is an exciting ad…
May 28, 2020
THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES by Grady Hendrix, read by Bahni Turpin
What if your true crime book club devolved into an actual mystery—with vampires? Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this edgy story about darkness that lurks where we least expect it. There’s an air of disquiet in Bahni Turpin’s charming Southern drawl as she narrates as Patricia, a mother in a quiet town whose only excitement is getting together with her book club. Then an unassuming stranger moves to town, and the book club turns into a sisterhood of vampire slayers. Turpin’s delightful rendition of the ensuing gore, crisp expletives, and eerie suspense makes this horror story an enthralling listening experience. Published by Blackstone Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and…
May 27, 2020
KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles, read by Lauren Ezzo, Christopher Gebauer, Christina Delaine, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, Korey Jackson, David DeVries
Fifty years after four young people were shot by the National Guard at Kent State University, Deborah Wiles gives us an honest fictional account enhanced by this production. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the moving and powerful narration of this young adult novel in verse. The narrators give voice to several witnesses, each with a unique perspective. We hear the truth as perceived by students, townies, the National Guard, and others. Published by Scholastic Audiobooks.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Read by the actor Peter Capaldi, WATERSHIP DOWN is an exciting adventure story and an engaging…
May 26, 2020
IF IT BLEEDS by Stephen King, read by Will Patton, Danny Burstein, Steven Weber
Surrender to the worlds that Stephen King has created. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about the horror author’s latest collection of novellas, featuring gems for longtime fans and new listeners alike. Stephen King was honored earlier this year with a lifetime achievement award from the Audio Publishers Association, and the care he takes with his audiobook narrations is apparent. Three narrators familiar to Stephen King fans return to narrate a coming-of-age tale, a story of a descent into darkness, and what our reviewer calls “King’s most imaginative work in years.” Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as in…
May 25, 2020
MORE MYSELF by Alicia Keys, read by Alicia Keys and a celebrity cast
Musician Alicia Keys delivers her memoir with a rich, inviting style, and listeners are treated to cameos from family and friends. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss this celebrity memoir that makes for an outstanding listen. Keys’s famous friends including Oprah, Bono, and Michelle Obama chime in during chapters relevant to their expertise or those that describe shared moments with the author. Keys herself is confident, warm, and personable as she narrates her story of becoming who she wanted to be rather than what others expected. Published by Macmillan Audio.=
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Re…
May 22, 2020
FAIR WARNING by Michael Connelly, read by Peter Giles, Zach Villa
Investigative reporter Jack McEvoy is back in Connelly’s thrilling series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the creepy and engaging dual narration. Peter Giles returns to portray McEvoy, the persistent and self-righteous investigator. When a one-time hookup becomes a murder victim, Jack connects the dots between her death and others across the country. Zach Villa provides the calm and creepy voice of the serial killer, The Shrike, an unusual but effective way to amp up the intensity of this audiobook. This is a fast paced and engaging listen. Published by Hachette Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of li…
May 21, 2020
NAVIGATE YOUR STARS by Jesmyn Ward, read by Jesmyn Ward
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten appreciate the poise and directness of Jesmyn Ward’s narration of her 2018 commencement address. The author of SING, UNBURIED, SING and SALVAGE THE BONES performs the moving speech she shared with the 2018 graduates of Tulane University. With raw emotion, Ward describes her disappointment and disillusionment when, after college graduation, she had no job offers or prospects to follow her passion, writing. Ward proclaims a powerful and persuasive message: Look beyond the horizon, set your sights on a star, and sail toward it. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new g…
May 20, 2020
THE LAST TOURIST by Olen Steinhauer, read by David Pittu
Ex-CIA operative and outsider Milo Weaver is caught up in a web of changing alliances in Steinhauer’s latest thriller. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about the meticulous yet conversational narrator, David Pittu, who uses subtle yet distinctive characterizations to make the story come alive. It’s a twisty thriller and needs your attention – there are many subtleties you don’t want to miss. The action takes place around the globe, and listeners will admire Steinhauer’s writing and Pittu’s skill as they create an unsettling, immersive experience. Published by Macmillan Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new gene…
May 19, 2020
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX by Adrienne Raphel, read by Adrienne Raphel
Author and narrator Adrienne Raphael’s voice is bursting with enthusiasm as she dives into the world of crossword puzzles and cruciverbalists, or people who do crossword puzzles. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten tells host Jo Reed why she enjoyed learning more about this pastime shared by many since crosswords first appeared in 1913. Whether you’ve enjoyed solving crossword puzzles all your life or are newly discovering the hobby in quarantine, this is sure to be an engaging listen. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Read by the actor Peter Capaldi, WATERSHIP DOWN is an exciting adventur…
May 18, 2020
In Conversation with Steven Weber, Actor and Narrator
Actor and narrator Steven Weber is known for his roles in “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Wings,” and “Indebted.” He has narrated audiobooks by Harlan Coben and Stephen King, and has starred in audio dramas from L.A. Theatre Works. In our bonus episode, he speaks with host Jo Reed about his career—creating engaging characters on stage and screen and his journey to becoming an audiobook narrator. Discover his insights into heightening the tension in mysteries and keeping up with the intensity of Stephen King’s works of horror.
Read reviews of Steven Weber’s audiobooks and thousands of other titles at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Read…
May 18, 2020
MASKED PREY by John Sandford, read by Richard Ferrone
In Lucas Davenport’s 30th PREY title, the daughter of a U.S. Senator and the children of other politicians become social media targets for some unsavory radical groups Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Richard Ferrone’s long-running narration of this engaging police procedural series. His voice has matured along with the lead character, to the point where he IS Lucas Davenport for longtime listeners. The topical plot takes on our obsession with social media and the potential threats posed by those who manipulate it. Published by Penguin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Read by the actor…
May 15, 2020
GHOST SQUAD by Claribel A. Ortega, read by Almarie Guerra
Narrator Almarie Guerra brings Claribel A. Ortega’s humourous, energetic ghost hunting story to life as she introduces young listeners to Lucely Luna and her firefly spirit family. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed all about this adventurous children’s audiobook that’s perfect for kids who are ready for an exciting new listen. Lucely lives in Florida with her father and her ancestors' spirits, who flit back and forth between appearing as fireflies and showing their human forms. Lucely and her best friend work to unravel a decades-old mystery that is endangering her family and the whole community. The story is rooted in Dominican folklore and is a thrilling adventure brought to life with Guerra’s vibrant narration. Perfect family listening. Published by Scholastic Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN.…
May 14, 2020
GOOD BOY by Jennifer Finney Boylan, read by Kelsey Navarro
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Jennifer Finney Boylan’s memoir, telling the story of her life centered around seven dogs she loved. Boylan is a writer, a columnist for the New York Times, and a professor at Barnard College. Kesley Navarro narrates with warmth and highlights the author’s wry humor. Each dog’s story pivots around crucial moments in Boylan’s life, from a childhood rambling about in the woods with her father’s ridiculous dalmatian, to her retriever-chow chow mix full of scorn for her family. Boylan is trans, and she speaks about feeling as though she has been many people throughout her life—with a canine companion for each of those seasons. Hers is an insightful and intimate memoir. Published by Macmillan Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrati…
May 13, 2020
SIGH, GONE by Phuc Tran, read by Phuc Tran
Phuc Tran’s story is an American immigration story and so much more. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly and host Jo Reed discuss Tran’s memoir about growing up as a Vietnamese refugee in small-town Pennsylvania and the unusual way he discovered he could fit in. Tran’s narration is crisp and engaging as he highlights both the humor in his story and the intensity of the difficulties he faced. Two very different forms of media shaped who he became—literature and punk rock. Each chapter is told in conversation with a classic work of literature as Tran traces his path from nerdy child to punk-rock misfit to college-bound scholar. His is a story about trying to find meaning in life and a sense of belonging, told beautifully. Published by Macmillan Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the ce…
May 12, 2020
WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, read by Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi, and a Full Cast
Skillful soundscaping and a full cast heighten the atmosphere and emotion in this audiobook inspired by the childhood of coauthor Omar Mohamed. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the audiobook that captures the intensity and tedium of life in a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Faysal Ahmed is extremely emotive as Omar, an 11-year-old boy who fled Somalia as a 4-year-old with his younger brother, but was separated from his mother after his father died. The full-cast narration helps listeners imagine the lively and warm community surrounding him throughout his childhood in the camp, where he finds joy in school and tries to balance the hope of resettlement against grim reality. It’s a moving and memorable listening experience. Published by Listening Library.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blac…
May 11, 2020
CLAP WHEN YOU LAND by Elizabeth Acevedo, read by Elizabeth Acevedo, Melania-Luisa Marte
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly applaud Elizabeth Acevedo’s newest audiobook, told in free verse and narrated with passion and heart by the author along with Melania-Luisa Marte. Two girls lose their father in a plane crash and come to discover his deepest secret — they are sisters living an ocean apart. Melania-Luisa Marte narrates as Camino, the Dominican daughter whose father comes home every summer. She’s longed to take what she’s learned as an apprentice healer and start medical school in New York, and now knows her father had a secret life there. Elizabeth Acevedo narrates as Yahaira, who lives in New York with her mother and has a loving girlfriend in the apartment next door; she discovered her father’s secret marriage but didn’t confront him about it before he died. The two narrators alternate perspectives between chapters, and each narrator highlights the girls’ passion, grief, and resiliency. Extraordinary on audio. Published by Harper Audio.
Find…
May 8, 2020
PRESSURE by David Haig, read by Jonathan Cake, Josh Cole, Sarah Drew, Mike McShane, James Morrison, Darren Richardson, Andre Sogliuzzo, Matthew Wolf
History and theater create a suspenseful mix in David Haig’s dramatic tale based on the true lead-up to D-Day. AudioFile contributor Brian Price tells host Jo Reed about a favorite way to experience the drama of a theatrical production at home — with audiobook listening. A Scottish meteorologist is summoned to the headquarters of the Allied forces on the eve of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He must convince Eisenhower that they face two enemies—the Nazis and the fickle English weather, which could doom their expedition to failure. The dialogue is tense and convincing as British actor Jonathan Cake leads a stellar cast. Riveting. Published by L.A. Theatre Works
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and ex…
May 7, 2020
MAIN STREET: 100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION by Sinclair Lewis, read by Kitty Hendrix
With a vocal naturalism and a wonderful feel for the author’s prose narrator, Kitty Hendrix makes this first masterwork by Sinclair Lewis sound as fresh and real as the day it was published. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss this classic American work, shared in an annotated 100th Anniversary Edition. Full of penetrating detail, memorable characters, and wry observations. Hendrix’s nuanced reading of the intelligent, sensitive, and idealistic city girl Carol Kennicott takes this production to another level. Published by Post Hypnotic Press Inc.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a new generation of listeners. Read by the…
May 6, 2020
MUSIC by Ted Gioia, read by Jamie Renell
Jamie Renell’s narration of Ted Gioia’s sprawling work on music is confident and fast paced, which is just what this serious tome needs. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss the author’s exploration into the many ways music touches our lives and culture. The author argues that for all of human history, the most important music starts out as subversive and only later is embraced by the establishment. The work crescendos as it moves from the Classical era into its discussion of twentieth-century jazz, blues, and rock musicians who have touched our own lives. Published by Hachette Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and experience it all over again, as well as introduce it to a…
May 5, 2020
EVIL EYE by Madhuri Shekar, read by Nick Choksi, Harsh Nayyar, Annapurna Sriram, Bernard White, Rita Wolf
Madhuri Shekar’s truly original and entertaining play won a well-deserved Audie Award in 2020. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Brian Price discuss this story told through a series of phone calls and voicemails. It centers around a mother in New Delhi who is desperately trying to steer her Americanized daughter into a proper marriage. But when the daughter thinks she’s found the perfect match, the fine vocal symmetry between British-Indian actress Rita Wolf and American newcomer Annapurna Sriram intensifies as the story evolves from rom-com to ghostly thriller. The production is everything that contemporary audio drama should be. Published by Audible, Inc.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. This May Blackstone is celebrating the centenary of the author's birth. This is a great moment to reflect on the novel and expe…
May 4, 2020
SAINT X by Alexis Schaitkin, read by Dana Dae and a full cast
Fresh voice talent Dana Dae leads a cast of 15 actors who deliver a cinematic atmosphere in this intricate story set in a Caribbean resort. Host Jo Reed talks with AudioFile contributor Brian Price about how the multicast narration enhances this atmospheric listen, written by Alexis Schaitkin. A family is vacationing at an exclusive resort, and their teenage daughter goes missing. Her body is found washed up on the beach two days later and her death is never solved. Seventeen years later, her younger sister, portrayed by Dae, tries to make sense of her sister’s tragic death — and here is where the ensemble approach shines. Separate distinct voices deftly magnify the complex issues of race, class, and gender that come together in the heartrending conclusion. Published by Macmillan Audio
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATERSHIP DOWN. T…
May 1, 2020
Launching 2020 SYNC Audiobooks for Teens
SYNC: Audiobooks for Teens has started its 2020 season! AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed share the excitement about AudioFile’s 11th season partnering with publishers and OverDrive to bring free audiobooks to teens across the globe. This year SYNC includes 26 titles available over 13 weeks using Sora, the student reading app from OverDrive. Two new titles are free to download each week. Visit www.audiobooksync.com for the full season of titles. Michele shares audiobook samples from two titles in particular. SISTERS MATSUMOTO by Philip Kan Gotanda is brought to life by a cast live on stage. Published by L.A. Theatre Works. Octavia E. Butler’s KINDRED is skillfully narrated by Kim Staunton, and her story, originally published in 1979, still resonates today. Published by Recorded Books.
Learn more about SYNC: Audiobooks for Teens at audiobooksync.com
Support for Behind the Mic comes from Blackstone Publishing, publisher of the audiobook of Richard Adams’ classic tale WATE…
Apr 30, 2020
PRETTY AS A PICTURE by Elizabeth Little, read by Julia Whelan
AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss a murder mystery that’s sure to delight film buffs everywhere. Marissa Dahl is a film editor who is hired to replace a recently fired editor and stumbles into a murder on a resort island off of Delaware. Julia Whelan is a magnificent narrator and delivers all the many emotional shifts—fear, comedy, romance, anxiety—with absolute certainty. The audiobook succeeds as both a witty send-up of the film industry and a lively mystery full of mayhem. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Discover the people and the stories behind classical music new & old with Naxos at classicalmusicpodcasts.com
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Apr 29, 2020
CAFFEINE written and read by Michael Pollan
Food writer Michael Pollan investigates how we all became addicted to the most commonly used drug in the world — caffeine. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Pollan’s persuasive narration and writing as he mixes personal experimentation and historical research into the impact of caffeine around the world. Listeners will come away with a potful of information on the worldwide economic importance of coffee and tea, and the ubiquitous presence of caffeine in the world. Published by Audible, Inc.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Discover the people and the stories behind classical music new & old with Naxos at classicalmusicpodcasts.com
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Apr 28, 2020
RUSSIANS AMONG US By Gordon Corera, read by Derek Perkins
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this true tale of Russian espionage from Gordon Corera, the BBC’s Security Editor. Derek Perkins is the perfect narrator, with engaging storytelling skills and the believability of a broadcast narrator. Listeners learn about Russian tradecraft: coded radio messages, bag-drops of cash, private wireless networks, and stenography. These incidents might be intriguing to spycraft fans, but the listener is reminded of the chilling reality of cyber-espionage and poisonings. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks.
Discover the people and the stories behind classical music new & old with Naxos at classicalmusicpodcasts.com
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Apr 27, 2020
On Poetry and British Humor with Alison Larkin
Alison Larkin is a narrator, comedian, actress, and novelist, and she joins host Jo Reed to share the ways English light verse has been a comfort to her in our present time of social isolation. Alison has narrated a wide range of award-winning audiobooks, including many classic favorites. She spoke with Jo about the limericks and nonsense poems she grew up with in Britain, many of which she’s narrated embedded within classic works for children. She reads favorite limericks and poems with all of her signature lively wit, sure to delight listeners of all ages. Find more of Alison’s narrations at AlisonLarkinPresents.com
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Celebrate poetry every day with Naxos AudioBooks’ Poem For Today project, where each weekday in April they share a poem from a classic poetry audiobook, including fantastic performances by Michael Sheen, Ian McKellen, and John Cleese.
Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos Audio…
Apr 24, 2020
SEPARATION ANXIETY by Laura Zigman, read by Courtney Patterson
Courtney Patterson’s lively delivery hits all the right tones of both humor and melancholy in this charming novel about a 50-year-old woman, Judy, who is trying to cope with too much change. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about Judy’s unusual solution to dealing with anxiety—wearing her pet dog in a baby sling. We all deal with stressful times; why not face life’s struggles with a dose of absurdity? Listeners will feel Judy’s all-too-familiar pain while laughing at how she handles everything life throws her way. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos invites you to enjoy David Shaw-Parker’s AudioFile Earphones Award-winning performances of the works of Anthony Trollope, one of the most successful, prolific, and respected novelists of the Victorian era.
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Apr 23, 2020
NOBODY WILL TELL YOU THIS BUT ME by Bess Kalb, read by Bess Kalb
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the new memoir from Bess Kalb, a writer for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! show. Listeners will hear the admiration in Kalb’s voice as she expresses the determined spirit of her beloved grandmother, Bobby Bell, with whom she shared a special bond. Bobby was the primary caregiver for Bess for the first year of her life, and she was a woman with strong opinions who gladly shared those opinions with Bess. There are many fun nuggets to find in these sketches, stories, and voicemails that jump around through time periods. Bobby faced enormous difficulties growing up, and her remembrances will bring comfort to listeners facing today’s struggles. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks and David Timson offer a collection of the best of Shakespeare’s love sonnets in From Shakespeare – with love,…
Apr 22, 2020
SAVE YOURSELF by Cameron Esposito, read by Cameron Esposito
Cameron Esposito invites listeners along as she recounts her journey from self-identified “Little Gay Kid” to an established comedian. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed about Esposito’s skill at telling her own story in her voice, with an ability to move from snarky to serious. Espositio is the host of the LGBTQ+ interview podcast Queery, and with this audiobook, she provides longtime fans and new listeners with fortifying encouragement and starting points for meaningful conversations. Listen and discover an engaging author performance. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. The Yosemite, John Muir's ode to nature and the magnificence of the outdoors, and Christina Hardyment’s collection The Pleasures of the Garden, containing the work of classic writers on the theme of horticulture, are two good listens for Earth Day.
Learn more about yo…
Apr 21, 2020
ALL YOUR TWISTED SECRETS by Diana Urban, read by Kate Rudd
Listen to an audiobook about the ultimate escape room — no one can leave until someone dies. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this psychological thriller read with intensity by Kate Rudd. Six teens are locked together in a room and have to choose which one must die. Rudd continually turns up the heat—quite literally at a party where the thermostat is stuck on high and a bomb is ticking, and metaphorically as the protagonist has a series of epiphanies about what is actually going on. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Neville Jason performs The Periodic Table by Primo Levi, an impassioned response to the Holocaust. It consists of twenty-one short stories, each possessing the name of a chemical element.
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Apr 20, 2020
NATALIE WOOD by Suzanne Finstad, read by Rose McGowan, Suzanne Finstad
The listener is taken through Natalie Wood’s life from child star to mysterious death. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Suzanne Finstad’s updated biography of Natalie Wood, read with an intelligent interpretation by Rose McGowan. McGowan’s reading of Wood’s intense and abusive childhood is matter-of-fact, unbiased, and doesn’t over-dramatize. Finstad conducted hundreds of interviews, examined Wood’s unpublished memoir, and reveals stunning details about what really happened the night Natalie Wood drowned. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Edgar Allan Poe’s The Murders in the Rue Morgue, generally considered to be the first detective story, first appeared on today's date. "Naxos ties up a great package of dramatic performances with a wonderful selection of classical music between chapters for this tale” (AudioFile).…
Apr 17, 2020
OF CURSES AND KISSES by Sandhya Menon, read by Shiromi Arserio, Jason Carpenter
Narrators Shiromi Arserio and Jason Carpenter are perfectly matched in this modern-day fairy tale with a forbidden romance. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this delightful start to a new series by Sandhya Menon that relocates Beauty and the Beast to the Colorado mountains. Princess Jaya is a new student on a mission to avenge her younger sister and is unexpectedly drawn to her target — the brooding Grey Emerson, son of a rival family. Together, Arserio and Carpenter bring this story of a cursed love to life. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, Discover the people and the stories behind classical music new & old with Naxos at classicalmusicpodcasts.com
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Apr 16, 2020
THE HOMING INSTINCT by Bernd Heinrich, read by Rick Adamson
Rick Adamson narrates as a friendly guide to Bernd Heinrich’s insights into the natural world. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed how this audiobook centered around the many ways animals find their homes brought her comfort in these trying times. Heinrich dives into the research around how animals find their homes, how they make their homes, and how they learn how to return to their homes year after year. Adamson’s varied inflections draw listeners into the curious mind of Heinrich. These tales of natural history are well suited to a wide audience. Published by HMH Books.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, Today we remember John Millington Synge, best known for his play, The Playboy of the Western World, which caused riots on its opening night. This timeless recording stars the Irish actors who made it a classic, including Siobhan McKenna and…
Apr 15, 2020
THE GLASS HOTEL by Emily St. John Mandel, read by Dylan Moore
Dylan Moore’s cool, smooth narration carries listeners through this story of deception, betrayal, and the cost of guilt. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Emily St. John Mandel’s newest audiobook centered around a fictional Ponzi scheme and the impact of its inevitable collapse. This is a novel that drifts from one point of view to another, and Moore’s narration guides listeners through subtle shifts in tone and accent. It’s a quiet ghost story and a carefully crafted mystery. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, Observe the birth of Henry James with a winner of AudioFile's Earphones Award, What Maisie Knew, performed by Juliet Stevenson.
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Apr 14, 2020
THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin, read by Robin Miles
Robin Miles gives voice to everything New York in this fantastical celebration of the city’s spirit. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the latest audiobook from renowned author N.K. Jemisin and Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles. New York City is going through a transformation—it’s becoming sentient, embodied by six human avatars who represent the city’s five boroughs plus New York as a whole. Those avatars must find each other to reject a viral alien threat. Miles creates distinct voices and accents for the diverse cast of characters and goes all-in with her energizing performance, making listening a joy. An ideal audiobook companion in a time of uncertainty. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, A pivotal moment in our nation's history, the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, happened on April 14th. Through…
Apr 13, 2020
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini on the power of poetry in trying times.
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini joins host Jo Reed to honor National Poetry Month and shares his thoughts on the power of poetry, especially in trying times. Edoardo has loved poetry from a young age, and it has a special place in his life as both a reader and a narrator. In this episode, Edoardo also narrates a poem for our podcast listeners, bringing a bit of brightness and hope into our dark spring with William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”
Celebrate poetry every day with Naxos AudioBooks’ Poem For Today project, where each weekday in April they share a poem from a classic poetry audiobook, including fantastic performances by Michael Sheen, Ian McKellen, and John Cleese.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, Samuel Beckett, one of the great avant-garde Irish dramatists and writers of the second half of the twentieth century, was born on 13 Ap…
Apr 9, 2020
BIG WONDERFUL THING by Stephen Harrigan, read by George Guidall
Narrator George Guidall bestows his abundant gifts on this sprawling audiobook about the history of Texas. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about Stephen Harrigan’s audiobook, which covers thousands of years of history and the people—famous, the infamous, and the obscure—who made Texas what it was and what it is today. Guidall’s melodious tone serves the outsized events and unusual folklore of the Lone Star State. By turns travelogue, political treatise, and thoughtful guide to personalities, this audiobook leaves the listener fully satisfied. Published by Recorded Books.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, discover the people and the stories behind classical music new & old with Naxos at classicalmusicpodcasts.com
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Apr 8, 2020
WESTWIND by Ian Rankin, read by Julian Rhind-Tutt, Ian Rankin [Intro.]
Fear and mistrust are pervasive in an alternative Europe at the end of the 1980s. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten tells host Jo Reed about how this listen makes for a great escape into the past while still maintaining enough of a parallel to today to engage listeners. Narrator Julian Rhind-Tutt brings the wide cast of characters alive and builds the tension as the plot develops. His voicings of key protagonists are strong and packed full of individuality, making for a thrilling and fun presentation of an early novel that at one time author Ian Rankin wanted to disown. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, discover the people and the stories behind classical music new & old with Naxos at classicalmusicpodcasts.com
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Apr 7, 2020
THE RISE AND FALL OF CHARLES LINDBERGH by Candace Fleming, read by Kirsten Potter
Kirsten Potter expertly narrates this teen biography of the famed and controversial aviator Charles Lindberg. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the many facets of Lindbergh’s public and private life, making this a biography that will hold listeners’ attention. Kirsten Potter’s strong and lively performance imbues the narrative with emotion, and it earned her AudioFile’s Earphones award. Published by Listening Library.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, observe National Poetry Month with William Wordsworth’s The Prelude, an autobiography in verse read by Nicholas Farrell.
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Apr 6, 2020
Kick Off National Poetry Month with Poetry Audiobooks
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten celebrate all things poetry on today’s episode. April is National Poetry Month in the U.S., and there is a wealth of poetry on audio worthy of celebration. Choose from numerous excellent audio editions of collections from classic poets. Contemporary poets now record their own audiobooks beautifully and with intense emotion, with AudioFile’s favorites including works by Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek Nation), Richard Blanco, Tracy K. Smith, and Maya Angelou.
We consider poetry to be a good remedy in trying times, and author William Sieghart agrees in THE POETRY REMEDY, where he suggests a poem for a specific emotional condition. Hear a clip from a Wendell Berry poem he prescribed for anxiety, stress, and worrying. Published by Penguin Audio.
Celebrate poetry every day with Naxos AudioBooks’ Poem For Today project, where each weekday in April they share a poem from a classic poetry audiobook, including fantastic performances by Michael Sheen,…
Apr 3, 2020
THE SEA OF LOST GIRLS by Carol Goodman, read by Natalie Naudus
Natalie Naudus keeps listeners on the edge of our seats with her luscious voice and her clearly delineated characters. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the many dangers of small towns on the coast of Maine found in fictional worlds. Tess Henshaw is a teacher at the elite boarding school where she was once a student. When a teen is discovered dead on the seaside cliffs, Tess’s carefully constructed life begins to crack. This novel weaves setting, history, and a mythical connection to unsolved disappearances into a compelling audiobook. Published by Harper Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, enjoy a collection of short stories from America’s first professional author, Washington Irving. Adam Sims performs some of the earliest examples of American fiction, Rip Van Winkle, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Pride of the Village & The Spe…
Apr 2, 2020
SOMETHING THAT MAY SHOCK AND DISCREDIT YOU by Daniel Mallory Ortberg, read by Daniel Mallory Ortberg
Daniel Mallory Ortberg’s narration is undeniably powerful as he combines memoir, Biblical exegesis, and a trans retelling of fiction and myth into a book about gender and transition unlike any other. His narration is multilayered and alive, and even listeners who are unfamiliar with the author’s writing will be drawn in. It is a fresh listen—and odd in the best possible way. Every moment of this audiobook is a joy to listen to. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, celebrate the birth of two authors born on April 2nd: Giacomo Casanova, the infamous libertine who wrote The Story of My Life, an explosive and exhilarating autobiography, read by Peter Wickham, and Émile Zola, whose Nana receives a “beautiful and devastating” performance by Leighton Pugh.
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Apr 1, 2020
THE NIGHT WATCHMAN by Louise Erdrich, read by Louise Erdrich
Author Louise Erdrich gives a rewarding listening experience based on historical events of the 1950s, when the U.S. government sought to dissolve its treaty with the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed why she enjoyed hearing the characters portrayed by the author herself, and how she was drawn into the minutiae of everyday life as the story’s mounting crisis builds. It is a fictional tale, but the factory night watchman at the center of the story is based on Erdrich’s own grandfather, and his character spends each night writing letters to politicians to maintain the location of his tribe. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic for AudioFile Magazine comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks says, Happy April Fool’s Day! Enjoy a laugh with David Timson’s delightful anthology of some of the funniest extracts in English literature, 1000 Years of Laughter…
Mar 31, 2020
HOW TO EAT by Mark Bittman, David L. Katz, read by Robert Fass
Robert Fass narrates this compelling and timely guide to eating a balanced diet to reduce our risk of disease. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about how Mark Bittman and Dr. David L. Katz put food fads and trends into perspective and encourage common-sense decision-making when it comes to food. The audiobook is presented as an easy-to-digest “multi-course Q & A” to shatter myths about diet and examine the food industry’s role in society’s unhealthy eating habits. Fass’s calm and well-spoken narration keeps this audiobook enticing and easy to hear. Published by HMH Books.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 30, 2020
WRITERS & LOVERS by Lily King, read by Stacey Glemboski
AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed how this beautiful combination of text and performance makes for a wonderful listening escape. Casey is a young writer who is drowning in college debt and getting by as a waitress as she watches her friends find financial success. Narrator Stacey Glemboski disappears into the characters in this surprisingly funny story, and her warm voice has great narrative appeal as she populates the wealth of interesting characters with believable, imaginative voices. Published by Blackstone Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 27, 2020
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS by Harlan Coben, read by Steven Weber
Steven Weber returns to narrate the newest Harlan Coben thriller, and it’s a suspenseful listen. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith talk about this audiobook that goes beyond just a missing person story to explore terrifying depictions of the vulnerability that arises from our reliance on social media for facts. Narrator Weber is perfectly in step with the pace of the action. When his classmate goes missing, Matthew Crimstein turns to his grandmother, Hester, for help. Hester engages a private detective to help her with the case. Weber masterfully gives Hester a big attitude and strong New York accent, and his acting talents also shine in his performance of sulky, awkward teenagers and class bullies. Published by Brilliance Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 26, 2020
SECONDHAND by Adam Minter, read by Daniel Henning
A fascinating account of the industry of reuse, running the gamut from local thrift stores to Japanese vintage shops to used-goods enterprises in Ghana. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith talk about the mystery of what happens to our unwanted, discarded, and donated stuff. Daniel Henning is a capable narrator who is easy on the ear, and he always sounds both interested and educational. It’s a lively production that will stick with listeners, inviting them to consider—or reconsider—their choices as consumers. Published by Dreamscape.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 25, 2020
WHEN MY TIME COMES by Diane Rehm, read by Diane Rehm and an ensemble cast
The famously hoarse, hesitant, and always interested voice of renowned public radio host Diane Rehm is a trustworthy guide for listeners to her excellent new audiobook about allowing terminally ill patients control the time and manner of their deaths. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss this audiobook that blends personal anecdotes, reportage, and interviews with patients, doctors, advocates, and opponents. Interviews are read by Rehm and several talented narrators, as well as Rehm’s grandson, and they make for compelling listening. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 24, 2020
AUTHOR IN CHIEF by Craig Fehrman, read by Fred Sanders
An absorbing audiobook with vivid stories that bring each American president’s struggles with his writing (or ghostwriting) alive. AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith and host Jo Reed discuss this surprising audiobook packed with tales of presidents and their writing habits, and how the reading public evolved over our country’s history. Fred Sanders narrates with a warm voice and clear diction, revealing the presidents’ insecurities, intellect, and often, ego. A rich political and social history of the republic, seen through the prism of books, their presidential authors, and readers. Published by Simon & Schuster.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 23, 2020
THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE by Erik Larson, read by John Lee, Erik Larson
Listeners will be on the edge of their seats while listening to John Lee’s superb narration of Winston Churchill’s first year as Britain’s prime minister, 1940-41. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss this most perilous year in Britain’s history, as told through Erik Larson’s captivating writing and Lee’s polished and expressive narration. The German invasion was expected at any moment, and listeners gain a new appreciation for the perilous state England was in as they faced Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain, and the Blitz. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 20, 2020
HEADLINERS by Lucy Parker, read by Billie Fulford-Brown
Billie Fulford-Brown narrates this enemies-to-lovers romance that is above all an ode to skilled professionals doing their jobs amazingly well. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed why she loved escaping into this audiobook by Lucy Parker, a new sequel to THE AUSTEN PLAYBOOK. Set in London, the story centers on two competitive television hosts, Sabrina and Nick, who have to combine their efforts to help revive their station’s failing morning show—or lose their jobs. Fulford-Brown perfectly captures the way Sabrina and Nick’s relationship shifts from frosty to passionate and ramps up the on-air and behind-the-scenes chemistry between the characters. Published by Harlequin Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 19, 2020
HERE FOR IT by R. Eric Thomas, read by R. Eric Thomas
R. Eric Thomas is known for his essays on current events and for his talents with storytelling live on stage. He narrates his own memoir in a warm and familiar voice. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Thomas’s essays, which touch on the complexities of identity, faith, and internet culture. His perspective comes from his intersecting identities—he is a gay black man, a writer in the digital world, and a person married to a pastor and brought up in an anti-gay faith. Listeners will find a level of seriousness in the mix of pop-culture references and humor. Thomas’s curiosity, hope, and love for the world are apparent in every word he speaks. Published by Random House Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 18, 2020
KING AND THE DRAGONFLIES by Kacen Callender, read by Ron Butler
Narrator Ron Butler lends expertise, elegance, and expressiveness to his heartbreakingly beautiful performance of King, a black tween whose older brother has died. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Kacen Callender’s must-listen audiobook for middle graders. Butler’s narration mirrors all of King’s emotions as the story sensitively explores racism, homophobia, child abuse, death, and sexuality. Each character, and most especially King, comes to life through Butler’s voice. Published by Scholastic Audiobooks.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 17, 2020
ME AND WHITE SUPREMACY by Layla F. Saad, read by Layla F. Saad
Listeners will want to have a pen and a journal at the ready as they work through Layla F. Saad’s 28 days of examining the ways white supremacy is acting through them. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed about the impact of this workbook that requires real listener participation. Saad first shared the Me and White Supremacy challenge on Instagram in 2018, and the challenge went viral. When she repackaged it as a free downloadable workbook, it was downloaded nearly 100,000 times. Now Saad has added new content, providing more personal and historical context as she helps listeners reflect on their relationship with white privilege, white fragility, and more. Saad narrates clearly and smoothly and keeps listeners in line—you will want to push back against being held accountable, and she knows just what to say to counter that impulse. This is life-changing work. Published by Blackstone Audio.
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Mar 16, 2020
UNTAMED by Glennon Doyle, read by Glennon Doyle
Glennon Doyle opens her heart to listeners in her vivid new memoir. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the power of Doyle’s writing and her moving narration. Doyle is a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and philanthropist, and she narrates with passion as she gets incredibly personal with her storytelling. She speaks about how society has “tamed” women to act and live in certain prescribed ways, stuffing every aspect of their true selves away. She shares insights on why it is so essential to listen to our inner voices, and how her life has changed as a result. No one but Doyle herself could read this memoir. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 13, 2020
MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout, Rona Munro [Adapt.], read by Laura Linney
An extraordinary production of Pulitzer Prize-winner Elizabeth Strout’s novel of the same name. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this dramatic adaptation of MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, voiced by actor Laura Linney, who also stars in the Broadway play. Linney alternately transforms herself into tough yet fragile Lucy and Lucy’s croak-voiced mother. Rona Munro’s exquisite adaptation pares the story to its core. Lucy, waking from an operation during a long hospital stay, finds her estranged mother keeping watch. This surprise triggers a flood of memories, and listeners hear the desperation, fury, fear, and yearning of those years of poverty-stricken childhood. Published by Random House Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 12, 2020
EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS by Peter Swanson, read by Graham Halstead
The plot of EIGHT PERFECT MURDERS is ready-made for classic mystery buffs. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this twisty and surprising audiobook. Narrator Graham Halstead is genuine with his dialogue, especially as Malcolm Kershaw, the crime fiction bookstore owner who seduces listeners into trusting him. Kershaw posted a blog describing eight mysteries in which the murderer succeeds in committing the perfect unsolvable crime. Now, several years later, the FBI is in touch because someone seems to be imitating those murders in real life. A clever audiobook by an author who truly appreciates the genre. Published by Harper Audio.
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Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 11, 2020
THE SECRET GUESTS by Benjamin Black, read by Barrie Kreinik
Dive into an alternative history where Princess Elizabeth and Margaret were sent to Clonmillis Hall in Ireland during the London Blitz. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this new look at World War II from Benjamin Black. Barrie Kreinik narrates with admirable skill, giving the secreted away “Ellen” and “Mary” believable voices, with an imperial no-nonsense voice for the future queen, while Mary vibrates through a range of voices, always letting her feelings show. The unwilling hosts, their help, and the townspeople all come to life with distinct Irish lilts. Published by Macmillan Audio.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 10, 2020
In Conversation with Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
AudioFile’s Josephine Reed spoke with author and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jason Reynolds about STAMPED, a remix of Ibram X. Kendi’s STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING for young people. Highly recommended as a work for young readers, STAMPED, which Reynolds also narrates, is accessible to anyone interested in learning about how racism and antiracism developed in America. In all of his work, Reynolds is known for writing and speaking directly to young listeners, meeting them where they are, and helping young Black readers see themselves reflected in books they are excited to read.
In this bonus episode of the Behind the Mic podcast, Reynolds speaks about the importance of writing for younger readers, the power of audiobook listening, and how he came to work on STAMPED.
Find more audiobook recommendations, including reviews of Jason Reynolds’ audiobooks, at audiofilemagazine.com
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Mar 10, 2020
ELDERHOOD by Louise Aronson, read by Eliza Foss
AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed talk about a revelatory new work about older people and Western medicine. Don’t skip on! You too will be old one day, and you likely have friends and family who are older now. Eliza Foss offers a masterful narration of the audiobook, giving voice to Aronson’s humane and engaging reflection on what she has learned during her decades as a gerontologist and primary care physician. Foss keeps listeners tuned in through subtle engagement and sustains the long form, keeping our interest and maintaining the pace and momentum. The audiobook is full of stories and data that will enlighten, amuse, infuriate, and arm you to go forward into the land of wrinkles and self-advocacy. Published by Bloomsbury Publishing.
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Mar 9, 2020
200 WOMEN by Geoff Blackwell, Ruth Hobday, Sharon Gelman, Marianne Lassandro [Eds.], read by a Full Cast
This 2020 Audie Finalist is told in the voices of the women interviewed. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about the feeling of genuine interaction that personalizes the audiobook format. For those looking for something new in inspirational listening, this audiobook is a creative experiment worth exploring. Two hundred women from many backgrounds were asked the same five questions. Interviewees range from actress Ashley Judd to chef Alice Waters to Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchú, all of whom speak passionately on the unifying theme of the importance of social justice. Published by Chronicle Books.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
Support for Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In — a 2020 Audie Awards winner.
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Mar 6, 2020
Narration by the Author: 2020 Audie Awards
Hear host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb share details about the winning audiobook in this Audie Awards category. Hearing directly from the author can increase the emotional impact of an audiobook, whether it’s compelling fiction or a memoir that you just can’t put down. Hear a sound clip from this year’s winner as we wrap up our week of Audie Awards coverage with Michele and Jo.
The finalists for the 2020 Audie Awards Narration by the Author are:
BECOMING by Michelle Obama, read by Michelle Obama, published by Penguin Random House Audio
INSIDE OUT by Demi Moore, read by Demi Moore, published by HarperAudio
MADAME BADOBEDAH by Sophie Dahl, read by Sophie Dahl, published by Bolinda Publishing
SHORTEST WAY HOME by Pete Buttigieg, read by Pete Buttigieg, published by HighBridge Audio, a division of Recorded Books
TOUGH LOVE by Susan Rice, read by Susan Rice, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH by Elizabeth Acevedo, read by Elizabeth Acevedo, published…
Mar 5, 2020
Autobiography/Memoir: 2020 Audie Awards
Autobiographies and memoirs are a favorite genre in audiobooks, and the subject matter in this category can be wide ranging. Hear host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the impressive finalists and the winner who took home the 2020 Audie Award home in the Autobiography/Memoir category. Listen in for a clip from the winning audiobook, too.
The finalists for the 2020 Audie Awards in Autobiography/Memoir are:
BECOMING by Michelle Obama, read by Michelle Obama, published by Penguin Random House Audio
FROM SCRATCH by Tembi Locke, read by Tembi Locke, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
ME by Elton John, read by Taron Egerton, Elton John, published by Macmillan Audio
MOTHERSTRUCK! by Staceyann Chin, read by Staceyann Chin, published by Audible Studios
TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGH by Andrew Rannells, read by Andrew Rannells, published by Penguin Random House Audio
Find a full list of 2020 Audie Award finalists and winners at theaudies.com
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Mar 4, 2020
Best Male Narrator: 2020 Audie Awards
We’re celebrating the 25th annual Audie Award winners all week with host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb. Today they’re featuring the winner of the Best Male Narrator category, which was surely a tough choice for the Audies judges among so many skilled performances. Listen for their reveal of the winner, and hear a clip of the winning audiobook.
The finalists for the 2020 Audie Awards Best Male Narrator are:
THE DUTCH HOUSE by Ann Patchett, read by Tom Hanks, published by HarperAudio
EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED by Jonathan Safran Foer, read by Robert Petkoff, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
KINGDOM OF THE BLIND by Louise Penny, read by Robert Bathurst, published by Macmillan Audio
THE NICKEL BOYS by Colson Whitehead, read by JD Jackson, published by Penguin Random House Audio
WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams, read by Peter Capaldi, published by Blackstone Publishing
Find a full list of 2020 Audie Award finalists and winners at theaudies.com
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Mar 3, 2020
Best Female Narrator: 2020 Audie Awards
AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss the biggest night in the audiobook world, the Audie Awards. Last night was the 25th annual celebration of audiobook excellence. Tune in today as we reveal the winner of the Best Female Narrator award, a category that includes some of the best narrators in the industry, recognized for their excellent work on compelling audiobooks.
The finalists for the 2020 Audie Awards Best Female Narrator are:
ALL THE LOST THINGS by Michelle Sacks, read by Cassandra Morris, published by Hachette Audio
THE BOY by Tami Hoag, read by Hillary Huber, published by Brilliance Audio
NOTHING TO SEE HERE by Kevin Wilson, read by Marin Ireland, published by HarperAudio
PRIME SUSPECT by Lynda La Plante, read by Rachel Atkins, published by Zaffle
THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY by Alix E. Harrow, read by January LaVoy, published by Hachette Audio
Find a full list of 2020 Audie Award finalists and winners at theaudies.com
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Mar 2, 2020
Audiobook of the Year: 2020 Audie Awards
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about the 2020 Audie Awards, one of the biggest events of the year in the audiobook world. Tonight, March 2, is the 25th annual Audie Awards gala, where the big winners will be announced. Today Jo and Michele are discussing the finalists in the Audiobook of the Year category, titles with high-quality content and production values that are recognized as benchmarks of excellence for the industry and serve as worthy ambassadors to new and current listeners.
The finalists for the 2020 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year are:
ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes by Tony Kushner, read by Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Susan Brown, Denise Gough, and a Full Cast, published by Penguin Random House Audio
BECOMING by Michelle Obama, read by Michelle Obama, published by Penguin Random House Audio
CHARLOTTE'S WEB by E.B. White, read by Meryl Streep, January LaVoy, Kirby Heyborne, MacLeod Andrews, and a Full Cast, published by Penguin…
Feb 28, 2020
EC COMICS PRESENTS...THE VAULT OF HORROR! by Johnny Craig et al., read by Kevin Grevioux, Phil Proctor, Denise Poirier, and a Full Cast
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss this deliciously grisly full-cast recording that captures the campy horror of EC Comics’ 1950s stories. The cast features Phil Proctor, Denise Poirier, and an outstanding performance by Kevin Grevioux as the Vault Keeper, whose rumbling voice and wicked laugh nearly steals the show. A multilayered soundscape including creepy period music and carefully engineered sound effects (footsteps that advance ominously out of the darkness, screams that echo in an abandoned house) contributes to the unsettling atmosphere that marks each tale. Published by The AudioComics Company.
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Feb 27, 2020
SUNNYSIDE PLAZA by Scott Simon, read by Lauren Fortgang
Listeners get a sense of 19-year-old Sally Miyake’s curiosity and intuition about the world in a new mystery for children from NPR’s Scott Simon. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss Lauren Fortgang’s skill at bringing the residents and staff of Sunnyside Plaza to life. The author draws on his own experiences working in a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. Sally and her friends have independence and community, and when a disturbing pattern emerges, she becomes enlisted by detectives to help solve the case. Published by Hachette Audio.
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If you’re looking for some bookish positivity, visit the crew at Page Chaser for conversations about everything from the Hunger Games to Mister Rogers to Little Women. Join the Page Chaser crew at www.PageChaser.com. While there, be sure to sign up for Page Chaser Deals, which will give you a daily dose of the best inspirational audiobook and ebook de…
Feb 26, 2020
CROOKED RIVER by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, read by Jefferson Mays
Narrator Jefferson Mays is the perfect partner in suspending disbelief for this latest entry in the Pendergast mystery series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss Mays’s dry, cultured elocution that so perfectly captures Pendergast’s personality. Pendergast and his new partner, Agent Coldmoon, are trying to discover why there are scores of amputated feet washing up on the shores of Captiva Island in Florida. The real tour de force in Mays’s performance is his utter attention and commitment to the plot. He adds to the pleasures of this kind of high-voltage blam-pow adventure. Published by Hachette Audio.
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Feb 25, 2020
TROUBLE IS WHAT I DO by Walter Mosley, read by Dion Graham
Dion Graham offers an amazing performance of P.I. Leonid McGill’s descent into a tangled web of secrets and deceit, gunmen and assassins. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss why Walter Mosley and Dion Graham are a must-listen combination. “Catfish” Worry, a 94-year-old black blues musician, asks Leonid to deliver a letter to a seemingly white billionaire’s daughter before her wedding, letting her know that her father is his son. Graham delivers Mosley’s mystery with his usual excellence, giving each character an individual personality. Together, Mosley and Graham deliver suspense best listened to. Published by Hachette.
Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com
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Feb 24, 2020
HOUSE ON FIRE by Joseph Finder, read by Holter Graham
Holter Graham provides a stellar narration for Joseph Finder’s latest audiobook. AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith tells host Jo Reed about Graham’s skill with a colorful cast and a twisting storyline. Private Investigator Nick Heller infiltrates a powerful family hiding a sinister secret. At the funeral for an army buddy who suffered from opiate addiction, Nick is approached by a whistleblower suggesting his friend was murdered. Holter Graham keeps the story on an even keel with his clever pacing and delivery of dialogue. Published by Penguin Audio.
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Feb 21, 2020
In Conversation with Author Nic Stone and Narrator Dion Graham on DEAR MARTIN
Author Nic Stone and narrator Dion Graham make a powerful team. Stone’s newest audiobook CLEAN GETAWAY came out this winter, and it’s another Earphones Award winner narrated by Dion Graham. We thought this was the perfect time to revisit our conversation with the author and narrator duo. Host Jo Reed spoke with both Stone and Graham when their audiobook, DEAR MARTIN, first released.
Bringing an author and narrator together allows for a fascinating perspective on the creative forces behind audiobooks we love. Listen for a moving conversation about race and trauma, and learn more about Stone’s character Justyce McAllister, who chronicles his anger and trauma following a dangerous encounter with the police. DEAR MARTIN combines Justyce’s letters addressed to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with in-class conversations told from many perspectives. It’s a tricky audiobook to narrate on multiple levels, and Graham rises to the challenge to show Justyce’s depth of character and inne…
Feb 21, 2020
CAST AWAY by Naomi Shihab Nye, read by Naomi Shihab Nye
Listeners won’t look at the discarded things around them in the same way after hearing this poetry collection on audio. Naomi Shihab Nye shares her experience as a self-appointed trash collector, and she narrates with a warm voice and a storyteller’s cadence. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly share their thoughts on Nye’s appealing and engaging narration style, which makes her clever and insightful poems sound like musings—and calls to action. Nye takes a closer look at the things we throw away and considers the experience of refugees. The collection makes a wonderful tool for the classroom and will reward repeat listening. Published by HarperAudio.
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Feb 20, 2020
THE MAJESTIES by Tiffany Tsao, read by Nancy Wu
Narrator Nancy Wu’s arch, knowing tone sets the stage for a family saga steeped in drama and danger. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Tiffany Tsao’s compelling literary audiobook that turns the thriller genre on its head. Listeners discover at the beginning of the audiobook that Estella has murdered 300 people by poisoning the shark fin soup at her grandfather’s birthday party. Wu voices Gwendolyn, Estella’s sister, who is the family’s sole survivor. As she traces back through family history to discover her sister’s motivations, listeners are taken into a world of luxury and jealousy in Indonesian high society. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Feb 19, 2020
A LONG PETAL OF THE SEA by Isabel Allende, read by Edoardo Ballerini
AudioFile Golden Voice Edoardo Ballerini narrates Isabel Allende’s lyrical prose with a sensitive and heartfelt narration. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly share their thoughts on Allende’s new work of historical fiction, set during the Spanish Civil War. Franco’s Fascists have overthrown the government, and the people of Barcelona are forced to flee. Allende traces the story of the Dalmau family as they escape first across the mountains to France, and then, with the help of poet Pablo Neruda, find refuge in Chile until they must flee another repressive government. Ballerini expertly delivers Allende’s reminder of how delicate the boundary is between precious freedom and insidious tyranny. Published by Random House Audio.
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Feb 18, 2020
YES NO MAYBE SO by Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed, read by Tiya Sircar, Michael Crouch
Narrating alternating chapters, Michael Crouch and Tiya Sircar are just as appealing as the pair of Georgia teenagers they portray. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed all the many reasons she loved listening to the new YA audiobook co-authored by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed. Jamie and Maya are roped into canvassing for a state senate candidate, and both have their reasons for being nervous about knocking on strangers’ doors. For Jamie, casual conversation is hard, but nothing is scarier than the idea of giving a speech at his little sister’s bat mitzvah. Maya’s feeling vulnerable about her parents’ separation during Ramadan, and losing her best friend. They’re motivated to get even more involved in local politics when they face instances of personal and systemic discrimination. Listeners will be equally invested in Jamie and Maya’s growing relationship and the outcome of the election, and may find themselves inspired to take political action. Published by…
Feb 17, 2020
RUN ME TO EARTH by Paul Yoon, read by Ramón de Ocampo
In a story that shifts through time, Ramón de Ocampo is a welcome guide, and his narration is as lush and mesmerizing as the prose itself. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about Paul Yoon’s historical novel that begins in Laos in 1969, and shows three very different paths taken by teenagers caught up in the bombing of the country by the United States. Alisak, Pranny, and Noi have found work in an almost completely abandoned field hospital, getting paid to ride motorbikes through streets and fields of unexploded bombs to ferry in supplies and the injured. The friends are separated when a doctor helps them escape, and we discover how tiny actions can have huge ramifications. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Feb 14, 2020
19 LOVE SONGS by David Levithan, read by David Levithan and a full cast
A crowd-pleasing short story collection about love from young adult author David Levithan. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed what she loved about this audiobook that includes representation from several points across the LGBTQIA spectrum. David Levithan narrates autobiographical stories, while an ensemble casts brings stories about new and favorite characters at quiz bowls, in a youth choir, and trapped in a snowstorm. Michele was especially delighted to hear that the collection is born from the author’s tradition of writing short stories for his friends on Valentine’s Day. Published by Listening Library.
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Feb 13, 2020
DEAR EDWARD by Ann Napolitano, read by Cassandra Campbell
Superlative writing and research and stellar narration make this a powerful listening experience. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb share their thoughts on Ann Napolitano’s new fiction audiobook about a plane crash with just one survivor. Narrator Cassandra Campbell keeps the many characters and frequent time-shifts in focus. As Adler family is flying to L.A., listeners become acquainted with the family and other travelers, including 12-year-old Edward. Campbell’s voicing of the characters makes each distinct and believable. Chapters alternate with the lead-up to the accident and Edward’s miraculous survival. Published by Random House Audio.
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Feb 12, 2020
HIGHFIRE by Eoin Colfer, read by Johnny Heller
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Eoin Colfer’s latest fantasy—and it’s something completely different. Narrator Johnny Heller’s pitch-perfect timing and thoughtful characterizations make the action and humor pop in this very adult contemporary fantasy. The setting is the Louisiana bayou, and the characters include the last of the dragons, an opportunistic teenager, and a dirty constable. Heller’s flawless and unique portrayals of the pop-culture–loving, crotchety dragon; naïve but hardworking Squib; and the evil, vengeful constable are unforgettable. Heller brings out the best in this fun but violent fantasy. Published by HarperAudio.
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Feb 11, 2020
WHY WE CAN'T SLEEP by Ada Calhoun, read by Ada Calhoun
Listeners are in capable hands as Ada Calhoun persuasively lists the social and personal considerations that plague women from their twenties onward. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed how she connected with this audiobook on contemporary American women’s angst and malaise. Calhoun interviewed more than 200 women while she was writing this book, and listening to the audiobook makes us feel as if we’re hearing their voices, increasing the impact. Calhoun is precise, measured, and empathetic as she narrates, though she also manages to find some humor in a heavy topic. Published by Audible, Inc.
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If you’re looking for some bookish positivity, visit the crew at Page Chaser for conversations about everything from the Hunger Games to Mister Rogers to Little Women. Join the Page Chaser crew at www.PageChaser.com. While there, be sure to sign up for Page Chaser Deals, which will give you a daily dose of the best inspi…
Feb 10, 2020
UNCANNY VALLEY by Anna Wiener, read by Suehyla El-Attar
Follow Anna Wiener’s journey from the elitist world of publishing to the intense world of startups in this new memoir. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about Wiener’s heady journey from book nerd to tech entrepreneur, delivered with an easy narration style by Suehyla El-Attar. She is energetic, funny, and swift while sharing Wiener’s clear and insightful perspectives on the tech bro world of Silicon Valley. Published by Macmillan Audio.
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Feb 7, 2020
QUEEN OF BONES by Teresa Dovalpage, read by Cynthia Farrell
Cynthia Farrell’s narration gives the listener a delicious sense of having been transplanted to Havana, a treat you couldn’t get from the page alone. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss a new intricately plotted mystery from Teresa Dovalpage. Juan, a Cuban construction worker who fled by raft 20 years earlier, has returned to Havana for the first time. He seeks out old friends and ex-girlfriends, but soon after, one of them is murdered. Padrino, a Santería priest and former detective on the Havana police force, must untangle complicated relationships that go back decades to discover the killer. Farrell’s performance is atmospheric and assured, making this a delightful listen. Published by Recorded Books.
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Feb 6, 2020
DOCTOR DOLITTLE THE COMPLETE COLLECTION, VOL. I by Hugh Lofting, read by James Langton
Take a voyage with Doctor Dolittle in a new recording of three classic stories. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about the fun of listening to audiobooks with children, especially one with such an endearing, excitable, and eccentric naturalist. Narrator James Langton embodies the exuberant fun and charm of these stories without overdoing the voicing of the talkative animals. Dolittle’s peaceful approach to the world and all its creatures makes his adventures worth listening to and discussing with young listeners, especially to break down the colonialist attitudes. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.
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Feb 5, 2020
THE FIERCE 44 by The Staff of the Undefeated [Eds.], read by JD Jackson
Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten share what they love about this new collection of 44 short but moving biographies of Black Americans from ESPN’s The Undefeated. Narrator JD Jackson’s warm baritone makes an excellent companion to chapters featuring familiar icons, such as Barack Obama and Oprah, as well as lesser-known figures, such as Robert Abbott. This inspiring collection features activists, athletes, scientists, entrepreneurs, and musicians. An accessible and fascinating collection for young listeners that will leave them inspired to learn more. Published by Dreamscape.
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Feb 4, 2020
HEDDA GABLER by Henrik Ibsen, Doug Hughes [English Version], read by Josh Bitton, JD Cullum, Gregory Harrison, Shannon Holt, Elizabeth Ruscio, Jocelyn Towne, Karen Malina White
A masterwork of Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is given a contemporary feel in a new L.A. Theatre Works production. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten share their thoughts on this piece of audio theater. The varied voices interact at breakneck speed and pacing, which can create a simultaneously overwhelming yet rewarding listening experience. Ibsen’s play is in full dramatic effect, with Jocelyn Towne’s Hedda raving and her husband jauntily oblivious as the intrigue of a marriage with a past plays out in our ears. Published by L.A. Theatre Works.
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