Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine
1,567 episodes - English - Latest episode: 18 days ago - ★★★★★ - 123 ratingsFind 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. Want more? Listen to our bonus episodes featuring conversations with the best voices in the audiobook industry.
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Episodes
THE PULL OF THE STARS by Emma Donoghue, read by Emma Lowe
July 20, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesHost 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 aro...
THE MUSEUM OF WHALES YOU WILL NEVER SEE by A. Kendra Greene, read by A. Kendra Greene
July 17, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesA. 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 Gho...
THE ROAD TO OXIANA by Robert Byron, read by Barnaby Edwards
July 16, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesHost 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 vis...
FULL TILT by Dervia Murphy, read by Emma Lowe
July 15, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesEmma 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 alon...
THE YOSEMITE by John Muir, read by Nick McArdle
July 14, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesThere’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,...
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS by Conor Knighton, read by Conor Knighton
July 13, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesTravel 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 Audi...
THE THING ABOUT BEES by Shabazz Larkin, read by Shabazz Larkin
July 10, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesShabazz 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 atmos...
A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN by Roseanne A. Brown, read by A.J. Beckles, Jordan Cobb
July 09, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesJordan 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...
THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett, read by Shayna Small
July 08, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesidentical 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 o...
THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta, read by Dean Atta
July 07, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesPoet 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 voi...
MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, read by Frankie Corzo
July 06, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesFrankie 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 t...
THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins, read by Santino Fontana
July 03, 2020 09:00 - 9 minutesHost 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 maxi...
RODHAM by Curtis Sittenfeld, read by Carrington MacDuffie
July 02, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesHost 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 Hilla...
WUHAN DIARY by Fang Fang, Michael Berry [Trans.], read by Emily Woo Zeller
July 01, 2020 09:00 - 9 minutesHost 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 aud...
OBLIVION OR GLORY by David Stafford, read by Gerard Doyle
June 30, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesGolden 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 ...
Interview with Golden Voice narrator Emily Woo Zeller
June 29, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutesActor 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 ...
HAD I KNOWN by Barbara Ehrenreich, read by Suzanne Toren
June 29, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesSuzanne 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 col...
A DIVIDED LOYALTY by Charles Todd, read by Simon Prebble
June 26, 2020 09:00 - 9 minutesSimon 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 LOYA...
PUSS IN BOOTS by Neil Fishman, Harvey Edelman, Khristine Hvam, read by Jim Dale and a Full Cast
June 25, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesGolden 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 lo...
ALEXANDER THE GREAT by Anthony Everitt, read by John Lee
June 24, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesGolden 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...
SOUP TO NUTS by Judith Deborah, read by Barbara Rosenblat
June 23, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesBarbara 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 S...
In Conversation with Golden Voice narrator Arthur Morey
June 22, 2020 11:00 - 14 minutesHost 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 th...
THE PALADIN by David Ignatius, read by George Guidall
June 22, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutesGeorge 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 Asso...
THE EIGHTH SISTER by Robert Dugoni, read by Edoardo Ballerini
June 19, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesEdoardo 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...
THE ROVER by Joseph Conrad, read by Stefan Rudnicki
June 18, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesGolden 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 CHI...
THE YELLOW HOUSE by Sarah M. Broom, read by Bahni Turpin
June 17, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesBahni 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...
LEAVING LYMON by Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Dion Graham
June 16, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutesGolden 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...
Interview with Golden Voice narrator Ramón de Ocampo
June 15, 2020 11:00 - 35 minutesRamón 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...
HIDEAWAY by Nora Roberts, read by January LaVoy
June 15, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutesJanuary 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 s...
BOWIE'S BOOKSHELF by John O'Connell, read by Simon Vance
June 12, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesGolden 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 th...
THE SAFETY NET by Andrea Camilleri, Stephen Sartarelli [Trans.], read by Grover Gardner
June 11, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesGolden 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 Ita...
ROADSIDE AMERICANS by Jack Reid, read by Johnny Heller
June 10, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesGolden 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 AMERI...
THE SHADOW KING by Maaza Mengiste, read by Robin Miles
June 09, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesGolden 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 narr...
In Conversation with Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan
June 08, 2020 11:00 - 9 minutesHost 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 th...
THE WRECK by Landon Beach, read by Scott Brick
June 08, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesGolden 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 Sco...
VAGABONDS by Hao Jingfang, Ken Liu [Trans.], read by Emily Woo Zeller
June 05, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesEmily 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 gifte...
MY WILD GARDEN by Meir Shalev, read by Arthur Morey
June 04, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesGolden 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 g...
WE DREAM OF SPACE by Erin Entrada Kelly, read by Ramón de Ocampo
June 03, 2020 09:00 - 8 minutesRamón 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 ...
BEACH READ by Emily Henry, read by Julia Whelan
June 02, 2020 09:00 - 9 minutesJulia 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 c...
Interview with Golden Voice narrator JD Jackson
June 01, 2020 11:00 - 32 minutesJD 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 stor...
TEMPTATIONS by Otis Williams, Patricia Romanowski, read by JD Jackson, Otis Williams
June 01, 2020 09:00 - 10 minutesJune 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 ...
ALL ADULTS HERE by Emma Straub, read by Emily Rankin
May 29, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesEmily 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. Publi...
THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES by Grady Hendrix, read by Bahni Turpin
May 28, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesWhat 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...
KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles, read by Lauren Ezzo, Christopher Gebauer, Christina Delaine, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, Korey Jackson, David DeVries
May 27, 2020 09:00 - 7 minutesFifty 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. Fin...
IF IT BLEEDS by Stephen King, read by Will Patton, Danny Burstein, Steven Weber
May 26, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesSurrender 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 ...
MORE MYSELF by Alicia Keys, read by Alicia Keys and a celebrity cast
May 25, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesMusician 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 becomin...
FAIR WARNING by Michael Connelly, read by Peter Giles, Zach Villa
May 22, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesInvestigative 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 i...
NAVIGATE YOUR STARS by Jesmyn Ward, read by Jesmyn Ward
May 21, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesHost 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 mess...
THE LAST TOURIST by Olen Steinhauer, read by David Pittu
May 20, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesEx-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...
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX by Adrienne Raphel, read by Adrienne Raphel
May 19, 2020 09:00 - 6 minutesAuthor 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 Ran...