Author Madeline Miller and narrator Perdita Weeks transform the ancient Greek drama of Circe, witch of Aeaea and daughter of Helios, into a fresh and vibrant tale for contemporary listeners. Long depicted as a villainous foil for male heroics, the witch is redeemed and enriched by Miller's nuanced writing. Weeks's cool British intonations and attuned performance capture Circe's... Read More

Narrator Fred Berman portrays a tough cop in this first-person thriller. As Berman maintains a good pace, his performance of the character's strong will and wry sense of humor is excellent and believable. Doug Brock is a New Jersey policeman who is recovering from an on-the-job gunshot wound that has resulted in a form of amnesia. With an unreliable memory, he learns new and... Read More

Listening to Leslie Odom, Jr., it's clear that he approached the narration of his audiobook with the same attention to craft, preparation, and openness that he strives to bring to all of his projects. He strikes a balance of professionalism and engaging warmth as he relates stories of his road to becoming an actor (including his star turn playing Aaron Burr in HAMILTON: AN... Read More

Adding an arch tone to his delivery, narrator John Lee provides an extra layer of listening pleasure to the thirteenth installment of the adventures of Bernie Gunther. It's 1956, and the former police detective is now an insurance claims adjuster in Munich. Lee handles the accents and colorful characters, as well as Bernie's observations and the shifts in pacing, with steady... Read More

Broadcast journalist Maria Shriver gives a commanding narration of her meditation on how to live a meaningful life. Shriver's soothing delivery has a gentle tone as she shares her personal reflections on life's work and how to make a difference in the world. At times, when she's conveying her immense respect and gratitude for her family and her role as a mother, she gets choked... Read More

Narrator Shannon Purser proves to be a great match for the wry, anxious, funny, self-deprecating, snarky, and longing inner voice of Leah (Simon's BFF in SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA). It's her senior year of high school, and Leah is dealing with a lot--from graduation worries to unrequited crushes. Her whiplashing emotions are always front and center for the listener,... Read More

Narrator Joyce Bean strikes just the right blend of prickly and wry humor for Barbara Ehrenreich's polemic countering a number of sacred cows in health care. Ehrenreich rails against over-testing, the unclear benefits of mindfulness, and workplace wellness programs that cause stress rather than good health. Employing the twin lenses of class and cellular biology, she rejects... Read More

Young Charlie has just lost his father, and narrator Ron Butler clearly conveys his anger and vulnerability. Fans of Kwame Alexander's CROSSOVER will quickly recognize Charlie as a teen version of Chuck "Da Man" Bell of the earlier book. It's fun to note signs of the teasing, loving father Charlie becomes, but Butler mainly focuses on depicting Charlie's emotional growth in... Read More

Heath Miller narrates a story that is equal parts scathing social commentary and hilarious send-up of music competitions. In order to prove to the rest of the galaxy that they are sentient and avoid complete annihilation, humanity must compete in an interstellar grand prix of song--if the band chosen to represent them can make it to the competition. Miller shines as the... Read More

Fans of the NBC show "This is Us" will listen with rapt attention as one of its lead actors, Chrissy Metz, bares her soul. Metz recounts the unflinching details of her turbulent journey to fame in a contemplative voice that draws the listener closer with empathy. Her anecdotes are delivered in a husky, raspy voice that underscores the intimacy of her ruminations. From lunch... Read More

In a soft Southern accent, Molly Parker narrates Frazier's recent novel about the life and times of Varina, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Varina describes her life and times in a nonlinear manner, from the 1840s through the early 1900s, through flashbacks and memories. The dialogue flows into the narrative without shifts in tone or accent, making it difficult... Read More

The GraphicAudio people outdid themselves with this story of T'Challa, the Black Panther, ruler of the hidden African nation of Wakanda. Narrator Ken Jackson knows how to build suspense, as does the rest of the cast, especially Zeke Alton, who plays the role of T'Challa with just the right touch of heroism and imperious attitude. The special effects are fantastic, but the real... Read More

When three women of a certain age meet on a tour of a North Carolina retirement village, where none of them wants to live, they form a deep bond and together make the surprising decision to rent a Tuscan villa. Narrator Kimberly Farr's lively performance adds spark to this story of women's friendships and finding strength and happiness after loss. Her subtle Southern accents... Read More

This excellent collection of 10 short stories is insightful, smart, and funny, laying bare the petty concerns, inner thoughts, and vulnerabilities of their high-achieving protagonists. The two narrators, Emily Rankin and Mark Deakins, are a credit to the audiobook as they incorporate humorous touches where appropriate, even amid some of the more negative emotions on display.... Read More