New Reviews by Title: E-J

Showcasing a broad talent for accents, narrators Vaneh Assadourian and Timothy Campbell enliven a sultry second-chance romance inspired by Jane Austen's PERSUASION. Eight years after breaking the heart of her first love, Arab American Naila Darwish is reunited with Basil Trevlyn, now an earl, at her sister's wedding. Believing they may have another chance for a... Read More

Dara Rosenberg returns to narrate Meltzer's latest heartwarming novel, a second-chance romance peppered with magical realism. To the shock of workaholic television producer Evelyn, her ex-husband, David, has been hired as on-set physician for her musical production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. As the frantically paced shooting unfolds, Evelyn is in a minor accident but declines... Read More

This audiobook presents a jewel box of late-in-life stories written by a master, and all exceptionally well performed. Rushdie's imagination, wit, and ear for language are on full display in "a quintet" of remarkable fictions. The listener is also treated to five accomplished narrators who capture the author's voice, sometimes standing to the side while explaining the... Read More

Listeners will be drawn into this audiobook through the dual narration of Carla Corvo and Nick Trengove, who bring Jade Aguilar and Lukas Keller to life in their magical Queendom of Mérecal. Corvo delivers a reserved yet emotive performance that mirrors Jade's uncertainty and quiet strength as she navigates a treacherous royal court and a dangerous underworld in an effort to... Read More

Narrator Billie Fulford-Brown delivers this thought-provoking story of empire collapse as imagined by renowned novelist Packer in a cool yet impassioned tone. A frightening future splits society into two camps-- the urban Burghers and the rural Yeomen. Fulford-Brown portrays Doctor Hugo Rustin with empathy and urgency as he makes a mistake that pushes him out of the city and... Read More

Accustomed to narrating Spanish-inflected audiobooks, narrator Frankie Corzo adds hints of Portuguese to this middle-grade fantasy. Rosa, 12, is a lowly trapper who hunts magical pests with her avó (grandmother), but she's secretly practicing to become a master of charmed locks like her vanished pai (father). When she poses as a keeper in order to audition with her best friend... Read More

A full cast delivers a gripping listening experience in this fast-paced audio exclusive. Australian journalist Chrissy, a new mom, stumbles upon a photograph linked to a decades-old cold case. In 1980, Michael and Gloria Katzenbach were murdered at a ski resort where Chrissy's neighbor, Linda Calway, worked. Suspense mounts as Chrissy gathers clues to the killer's identity by... Read More

Acclaimed blogger, journalist, author, and activist Cory Doctorow's new work, a treatise on the hills and valleys of internet platforms, is full of wit and insight. Deeply researched and full of humor, Doctorow's ideas explore what has made the internet both compelling and frustrating. With a comprehensive knowledge of algorithms and technology, he brings together a collection... Read More

Mhairi Morrison's amiable tone and Scottish accent are perfect for this engrossing historical novel, set amid the spiritualist movement of the early 20th century. Two narratives are interwoven: the story of Lottie, the Welsh widow of a Scottish miner, and the story of her granddaughter, Nora Grey. Both Lottie and Nora are exploited in different ways: Lottie by an abusive mine... Read More

Marni Penning and Andrea Emmes carry listeners through the three timelines in this audiobook. With heartfelt expression, they show listeners just how far and how hard a person can fall in their quest for perfection. The intertwining lives of the characters are made all the more captivating through the narrators' evocative performances. Using a distinct voice for each character,... Read More

First-generation Cuban American Frankie Corzo's own experience illuminates her narration of this story of the Cuban diaspora. Rosita, the author's grandmother, born and raised in Cuba, was forced into exile when her husband was deemed a threat to Fidel Castro. Sheppard traces Cuba's history from its "discovery" by Spain to Castro's rise to power. Through interviews with Rosita,... Read More

This novel, written in 1833 and considered a minor masterpiece, is expertly narrated by Justin Avoth. His erudite, perfectly paced voice describes the rigid, monotonous life of a provincial French family, the Grandets. The head of the family is a miser who cares more for gold than for either his obedient wife or his pious daughter, Eugénie. When Eugénie's cousin, Charles, comes... Read More

Nancy Linari impeccably narrates this exquisite story featuring many characters from Stewart O'Nan's Pittsburgh novels. A group of elderly female choir members form the Humpty Dumpty Club to ensure that those struggling with life's challenges will never go unaided. Linari optimistically depicts the characters' delightfully different perspectives. When Joan, their vital longtime... Read More

This time-bending romantasy, set in a nation called Dominion, is told from the perspectives of Sir Una Everlasting and her admirer and biographer, Owen Mallory. Moira Quirk and Sid Sagar bring these two characters to life, weaving the story with finesse. As Owen travels back in time to discover the true nature of Sir Una, they both discover that legends, songs, and stories... Read More

Rosa Escoda offers a warm, inviting narration of advice on living a well-read life. Hwang, author of the novel WELCOME TO THE HYUNAM-DONG BOOKSHOP, reflects on her relationship to books and suggests ways to fit more reading into our lives, as well as ways to read more broadly and more deeply. It's all done with a light and personal touch--Hwang talks about why a book club might... Read More

Narrator Linda Emond's deliberate pacing and the building tension of her delivery create a compelling listen. The latest installment of the Temperance Brennan series finds the forensic anthropologist in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her volatile niece, Ruthie, when a string of small-animal mutilations escalates to the murder of a woman. Tempe partners with semiretired... Read More

Researcher and psychiatric clinical nurse Ann Wolbert Burgess has written a fascinating overview of her work as an expert witness. Gabra Zackman's narration is instructive, professional, and easy to follow. She adds no flourishes as Dr. Burgess describes working with victims, perpetrators, and law enforcement. Her writing is straightforward and interesting for a layperson.... Read More

Arya Shahi and Michael Crouch give emotional performances of this 130-year love story. Shahi voices Shams, whose life changes forever one day in 1895 when a wish he makes grants him immortality. Shahi captures all of Shams' passion, youthful stupidity, later remorse, and ongoing love of life. Crouch voices Oliver, whose life becomes inextricably linked with Shams' when they... Read More

The people, plants, landscapes, and histories of Hawaii come alive in this collection of short stories. Jennifer Robideau narrates with a light touch and minimal character voices, choosing instead to provide a welcome continuity of tone across the stories. Through her characters' intimate relationships with each other and their home places, Rigg explores the legacy of... Read More

It's impossible to overstate the power of hearing Palestinian writer Plestia Alaqad narrating her diaries of life under Israeli occupation. Delivering her audiobook in her melodic Arabic accent is a remarkable act of resistance in a war in which journalists are routinely targeted. Alaqad rose to prominence at the age of 21 for her reporting during the first six weeks of the... Read More

In this YA fantasy audiobook, 15-year-old twins Delia and Velia must rescue their father from a vengeful spirit driven by his desire for power. They must also decide if their destiny is to battle monsters in service to the Aztec gods. Narrator Kyla Garcia expertly handles both quests, as well as the many Mexican beings from folklore. Garcia's pace is breakneck, but listeners... Read More

This audiobook delivers a gripping blend of political intrigue, forbidden love, and divine influence. Luca Matius and Maris Casperia are heirs from opposing sides of Isara whose hidden bond sparks consequences tied to a century-old rebellion. Dylan Reilly Fitzpatrick and Leela Bassuk's thoughtful pacing and tonal control make the dual points of view and timeline transitions... Read More

Nick Sullivan's sure-footed, commanding narration propels this prequel to the author's military action-adventure series set throughout the Caribbean--though this first installment takes place in the Florida Keys. Listeners are in excellent hands as Sullivan returns to portray rugged, highly capable retired Force Recon Marine Jesse McDermitt, bringing him to life with grounded,... Read More

Samantha Brentmoor's voice is flippant yet vulnerable as she portrays Joonie, who is looking for love. But no man measures up to Ryke, the merman from her favorite romance series. When Joonie learns that Ryke is based on a real person, she sets out to find him, only to have her plans derailed once her brother's friend, Nico, unexpectedly joins her. Brentmoor's slightly gravelly... Read More

Listeners will be charmed by Abigail Reno's narration of this holiday audiobook featuring the beginning of a couple's love story. A ferryboat breakdown in the middle of Puget Sound leaves passengers temporarily stranded. As Avery heads for lunch with her brother, she meets several other commuters, including Harrison, a Navy sailor who is visiting his sister. A small group of... Read More

Throughout this audiobook, translated from a Norwegian novel, an aged ferryman who is navigating familiar fjords picks up passengers--all of them spirits of those he once knew. Accompanied by his faithful departed dog, he waits for his late wife to join him for his final journey out of earthly life. Despite the surreal plot, the audiobook is grounded by evocative physical... Read More

Malala Yousafzai's story continues with an account of how she learned to balance her worldwide status and the tragedies she had lived through with her ongoing human rights activism and cultural beliefs. Listeners are given a front seat as she experiences freedoms unthinkable to any female in her native country of Pakistan while pursuing college studies at Oxford. Yousafzai's... Read More

The late Reiner recounts the bizarre origin of the mock rock band Spinal Tap and traces its evolution through the past 40 years. With band members Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer, Reiner talks tongue-in-cheek about the world's most infamous fake band. They narrate in and out of character about the craziness of the movie project, which was pitched with no... Read More

This wonderful novel with its inherent musicality receives a noteworthy performance from Katrina Lenk. Clara, once a world-famous pianist, was badly burned in a fire and no longer plays. When she receives an unexpected inheritance from her despised former teacher, Madame, she's bewildered. The object, a priceless metronome missing since the 1800s, might have belonged to... Read More

Chloe Cannon guides listeners through this exploration of how animals and plants survive wildfires. Cannon's tone is engaging and steady as she maps out the methods nature has developed over time for animals to detect and evade wildfires. In a sensitively handled chapter with a content warning, wildfire deaths, injuries, and recovery methods are discussed. The final chapters... Read More

Author Baconi is the best choice to narrate his memoir of family and political upheaval. The emotional undercurrent he projects suits a story spanning Haifa, Beirut, Amman, and London. His delivery gives clarity to the family history he recounts--his grandmother Eva's flight from Haifa in 1948, his mother Rima's escape from Beirut during the civil war, his own displacement, and... Read More

Robb Moreira and Sofia Palmero deliver a heartwarming exploration of trauma, loss, and connection in this queer YA romance. Sebas is a new arrival to TECH, an anti-bullying high school where students have a monthly word limit. They must watch what they say at all times or face consequences. Here, Sebas meets Lu, a TECH ambassador with a long history of being bullied. While... Read More

This audiobook profiles the first eight South Carolinians of color to serve in Congress. It's written by the ninth--but there was a gap of several decades between numbers eight and nine. The first eight included free Northern blacks who moved to South Carolina after the Civil War, native freedmen, and former slaves. Author Jim Clyburn chronicles their remarkable lives and... Read More

The final installment in The Annual Migration of Clouds trilogy is narrated by Jamie Cavanagh and Eva Tavares. Cavanagh tells Henryk's story. Exiled from a community that still enjoys a comfortable existence after a climate apocalypse, Henryk travels to his uncle's village. What he finds is an unfriendly community whose residents lead subsistence lives. Cavanagh's introspective... Read More

Katherine Littrell and Eden Gabay present this Covid-era journey aboard the Orient Express, a celebration for Australian cancer survivor Joe Penfield, who is accompanied by his twin sister, Meredith. Spirited descriptions of luxurious decor and dining, along with an international cast, are Christie-esque. It's shocking when a blood-soaked body is found in a locked cabin and,... Read More

This provocative debut audiobook about the lives of two women is enhanced by the pitch-perfect narration of Ellie Gossage. Avery, a 20-something graduate student living in New York City, turns to sex work to finance her education. Her decision is supported by her wealthy best friend, Frances, who drops out of school to marry and later becomes a successful filmmaker. Gossage... Read More

Narrator Daniel Weyman portrays István, an awkward teenager who, as the novel opens, lives in an apartment complex in Hungary. Tragically, the earnest, needy teen falls in love with an older woman, and when he declares his love and confronts her husband, István accidentally kills him. Institutionalization follows--from which he emerges withdrawn and almost incapable of... Read More

This is an excellent audiobook for those easing into winter, for nature lovers, for romantics and fans of fantasy--for anyone who desires a beautiful performance with a rewarding conclusion. Winter Fox somberly recounts a saga that toes the line between historical fiction and historical fantasy. Listeners grow to love the people of Lapland, Wendland, Upland, and their neighbors... Read More

Narrator Ray Porter heightens the suspense in this tech-laced thriller. His agile and expressive performance captures physicist Philip Moray's dry wit and growing unease when he's confronted with a suspicious-looking device at work. Porter's portrayal of colleague Celia Hunt adds contrast, offering warmth and grounded skepticism that balances the story's escalating tension.... Read More

English novelist Penelope Fitzgerald took a mostly undocumented half-year sojourn to Mexico in the 1950s, and this new story by Jessica Francis Kane is a fictional account of that visit. Cerris Morgan-Moyer narrates as Fitzgerald and her young son become guests of two capricious spinsters who are distant relatives in small-town Fonseca. Their ambiguous invitation implied the... Read More

Lyrical prose is the hallmark of this alliterative nonfiction ode to the earth's tropical, boreal, temperate, and kelp forests. Abigail Reno's narration is as soothing as the gentle music and nature sounds that accompany this top-notch production. In total, there are nine tracks, including the main story, the story with extra details, page-turn versions of each, and notes. The... Read More

Mirai's narration brings emotional clarity and cultural resonance to a captivating fantasy based on "Beauty and the Beast." Her voice captures Tru Saigas' vulnerability as the young artist agrees to marry a half-dragon in payment for her mother's debts. Mirai's deliberate pace allows the lyrical prose and folklore-inspired imagery to breathe, while her vocal control adds weight... Read More

Two narrators portray Claire as she returns to her hometown. She's still haunted by her sister's murder years earlier. While there, she takes a job on a local farm run by the eccentric Mitchell and his wife, Marcia. After Claire discovers Marcia's hidden diary, she learns of a sinister cult that her sister may have been involved with. Karissa Vacker's talents are on full... Read More

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini tackles this 1818 classic novel written by Mary Shelley when, at age 18, she was challenged to write a ghost story. Framing the story as a recollection of past events, Dr. Victor Frankenstein tells Arctic Sea captain Robert Walton of his childhood in Geneva, his creation of a monster while he was a student in Ingolstadt, and the tragedies that... Read More

Narrator Maxwell Glick creates a youthful voice for 12-year-old Jax, who decides to run away and establish his own micronation after being forced to live with his aunt and uncle in Kansas. His new nation is founded on the farmland of the town pariah, Owen, whose brother mysteriously vanished nine years earlier. Glick captures Jax's emotions as he deals with the loss of his... Read More

If you've ever wondered how certain words came to be or why we use particular phrases, this audiobook will be of interest. Martha Barnette performs her study of language with an earnestness that nurtures the listener. Her genuinely enthusiastic tone, which also graces a radio show and a podcast, sounds right at home in the audio format. Barnette works hard to explore as many... Read More

For the 40th anniversary of the movie "Back to the Future," actor Michael J. Fox describes his unique experience of playing two pivotal roles at the same time. He recounts how he worked around the clock to play Marty McFly in the movie and to continue as Alex P. Keaton in the television series "Family Ties." He also shares insights on the differences between TV and film acting.... Read More

Familiar faces and voices to viewers of home shopping, Dr. Brent Ridge and his husband, Josh Kilmer-Purcell, are the founders of Beekman 1802, a goat's milk skin-care line. Here, they offer a folksy primer on building a small business despite intense challenges. The introduction and concluding acknowledgments are narrated by the authors, as is an impromptu ad-libbed segment of... Read More

Bacon's book is significantly longer than Gordon Lightfoot's renowned song, so listeners will learn a lot more about the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975. Johnny Heller presents fascinating details that include the physics of Great Lakes waves, the growth of their shipping industry, other notable wrecks, the commissioning and building of the Edmund Fitzgerald,... Read More

Francesca Wade has clearly researched the work and times of Gertrude Stein, and she narrates her findings adeptly in this new biography. Stein was well known for her bohemian lifestyle; her talented and fascinating group of friends, including Picasso, Matisse, and Hemingway; and her quixotic writing style. Wade's discoveries include the origins of Stein's writing style and the... Read More

Jeannie Sheneman returns to narrate the second installment in the Boneyard Key series. Sophie, a Boneyard Key native and ghost tour guide, is competing with transplant Tristan, who has moved there to establish his own ghost tour business. The two compete over which of them will become the most popular guide, but as the competition becomes more heated, so does their potential... Read More

Narrator Edward A. Mendoza captures the otherworldly mood of this unique story. Selfish 12-year-old Barnaby and his parents spend three weeks packing his grandpa's belongings for a move. Barnaby's relief at getting to stay in an attic room turns to dismay when the spoiled ghost of a man named Maxwell, who died in the 1980s, demands his help with unfinished business. Mendoza... Read More

Author and narrator Peter H. Reynolds delights with his warm and lively performance of this inspiring holiday story. Jerome sets out to collect holiday words filled with hope and joy to give to family and friends. But throughout his search he encounters words that are loud and sharp, and that leave him feeling cold and empty. So he decides to use his own carefully curated... Read More

Narrators Rita Amparita and Stephanie Németh-Parker add emotional depth to this academic thriller. High-achieving and sardonic sophomore Nina Kaur hopes to be accepted into The House, a sorority that promises success, beauty, and power to its alumnae. As Nina is drawn into The House's rituals, her fear of failure begins to ease. At the same time, the House's newest academic... Read More

Golden Voice Narrator Hillary Huber presents the 21st crime novel featuring Sheriff Joanna Brady of Arizona. Huber captures all of Brady's focus, relentlessness, confidence, and skill. The other major character in this gruesome story is Steve Roper, a well-respected chemistry teacher whose summer hobby is murdering people. Huber bores into the mind of a killer who slaughters... Read More

Narrator Marnye Young takes listeners back in time to New York City in 1920 to create the atmosphere of Mariah Fredericks's latest mystery. The story ties together three elements: the unsolved murder of the gambler Joseph Elwell, the reporting of journalist Morris Markey for THE NEW YORKER, and the glamorous lives of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. Young carefully channels each... Read More

This story, narrated by Potter and a full cast, is the first of a trilogy. A feral child named Cordelia is being raised in Central Park by a squirrel named Shakespeare. When Shakespeare (Dan Bostick) first discovers Cordelia (Ruby White) as a baby, he seeks advice from Miss Gertrude (Tamora Pierce) and decides to keep her. Things liven up when Cordelia finds a squirrel thief in... Read More

George Newbern narrates with a pleasing tonal range and vocal spontaneity that are perfect for this upbeat audiobook. Through this parable about how to serve others with skill and generosity, we hear how a popular Hawaii resort teaches its staff the values and skills needed to provide its guests with a memorable experience. We learn about the lessons taught through the eyes of... Read More

Gwen and her three younger siblings inherit their family home on a sparsely inhabited island after their mother and grandparents die. Narrator Charlie Sanderson creates credible character voices for independent and strong-willed Gwen and her family--petulant Roger, twins Hester and Hazel, and their ineffective but sincere stepfather, Henry. When Esme Laverne is hired to watch... Read More

The four years thoroughly chronicled by Jonathan Mahler show the growing divisions in a changing New York City in the late 1980s--and suggest parallels to today. In a rich, steady tone, Golden Voice narrator Robert Petkoff conveys the rising rates of crime and poverty, and the widening racial divide, along with the opposing ways the city's leaders reacted to them. The audiobook... Read More

Luke Kemp narrates his expansive audiobook about how some great societies have formed and evolved--only to eventually fall. His work is deeply researched with a critical eye toward what the public has been led to believe about human nature in a crisis. People may think they need to prepare for doomsday, but history has shown that when a society breaks down, people are far more... Read More

Listeners are treated to a nonstop thrill ride in Reese Witherspoon's first novel and Harlan Coben's debut collaboration. An exceptional cast, including Witherspoon herself, brings to life a host of vividly drawn characters from around the globe. Maggie McCabe, a gifted reconstructive surgeon who's lost her license, seizes a chance to return to the operating room when a Russian... Read More

This haunting collection of stories by Argentinian writer Schweblin is exquisitely written, thoughtfully translated, and narrated by a full cast. Six fine narrators perform works that take the listener to Europe and Argentina, presenting characters in crisis. While all do exceptional work, Alma Cuervo's cadence, eloquent style, and measured delivery of "A Fabulous Animal,"... Read More

Narrators Karissa Vacker and Will Watt delight listeners with this ghostly holiday romance. Harriet York isn't exactly Scrooge, so she's baffled about why she's being haunted by Nolan Callahan, the Ghost of Christmas Past. When they explore Harriet's past, both realize they're more connected than they thought, and Nolan begins to hope for a future with Harriet. As the narrators... Read More

The great auk, a large flightless seabird related to guillemots and razorbills, has been extinct since 1844, wholly at the hands of people. John Sackville's crisp English accent and conversational pacing draw the listener into ornithologist Tim Birkhead's wide-ranging investigation into the life and afterlife of the great auk. Sackville is a charming and precise guide as we... Read More

This account of how the Founders dealt with the issues of slavery and the treatment of America's Indigenous populations is solidly narrated by Golden Voice Kimberly Farr. Ellis, a prominent historian, goes into detail about the contradictions inherent in America's founding relating to those two issues. He also notes that the Founders were people and that irony and contradiction... Read More

Historian and biographer Walter Isaacson takes on the additional role of narrator for this detailed analysis of one key sentence in the Declaration of Independence. From a contemporary perspective, the assertion that all humans are created equal rings hollow since we know all 13 thirteen colonies sanctioned slavery. Most interesting here is Isaacson's close examination of the... Read More

In this beautiful memoir, a 50-something woman and a South Indian businessman/climate activist fall in love--both for the first time. He dies shortly after they become engaged but reappears in her life to help her find love again. The ensuing conversations couldn't have been performed by anyone but author Alison Larkin, a veteran narrator known for her exceptional performances... Read More

The first installment of the The Chaos Constellation trilogy is the author's debut, narrated by Alexandra Boulton. As a child, Bataar killed a gryphon. Now an adult, he's conquering countries one by one, seeking to unite them. When he expands his empire to Nohra's homeland, she must decide whether to submit to his rule or lead the Harpy Knights in resistance. Meanwhile, all... Read More

Experienced narrators of South Asian descent come together to create vivid listening. In a near apocalyptic Kolkata, India, two families battle for survival without fully understanding how each family's decisions impact the other. The varied voices work together to mimic life in a crowded, strained city. The narrators' pacing and tonal changes guide the listener through the ups... Read More

Louise Brealey's marvelous performance of Susie Dent's enthralling debut mystery is so enticing that one wishes it would last forever. The story does end, but not before Brealey beguiles us with revealing characterizations and beautifully paced conversations. When lexicographer Martha Thornhill returns to Oxford after years abroad, she begins work at the Clarendon English... Read More

The truly frightening Brothers Grimm story about an evil witch who devours children is made even more sinister as interpreted by Stephen King. This 30-minute audiobook, narrated by King himself, isn't a bedtime story for children, but rather a horror story for adults. King may not have the performing skills of an actor, but his earnest delivery makes up for it. His narration is... Read More

Dion Graham's lilting West African accent for Boubacar, the down-on-his-luck, trouble-always-finds-him detective in this dark story of broken dreams and third-world intrigue, is nothing short of mesmerizing. Graham's noir-style tone invites the listener into the back alleys, political corruption, and heart-pounding violence of this audiobook's surreal postcolonial dystopia.... Read More

Narrator George Newbern's warm, conversational tone reflects the author's empathy for fellow headache sufferers. Tom Zeller Jr. argues that the headache is a common yet misunderstood malady that doesn't get enough funding for medical research. Often, it isn't taken seriously--as shown in the common expression "just a headache." Newbern is patient, and his phrasing is always... Read More

Five narrators give fine voice to Aoyama's newest collection of gentle, wise stories. This time the bestselling author introduces five people who live near Hinode Park playground. Each is struggling in some way, and each soon finds the playground's pink cement hippo, rumored to heal the wounded. The visitors include a schoolboy with failing grades; a new mother without friends;... Read More

Deepti Gupta and Vikas Adam beautifully narrate the frustrations, joys, disappointments, and hopes of Muslim women and their families in 1990s India. In a dozen short stories, the characters deal with the pain of childbirth and the sweetness of motherhood, with romantic love and patriarchal oppression. Gupta effusively voices a variety of distinct and nuanced characters, female... Read More

Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi at one of the most influential Reform synagogues in the country, tells her story with the same energetic, approachable delivery she employs in her public speaking. Her path to the rabbinate was anything but usual; Buchdahl was born in Seoul, South Korea, to an Asian Buddhist mother and a white Jewish father. Each biographical chapter of the... Read More

This bittersweet, immersive audiobook unites King with Rebecca Lowman, one of our finest narrative voices. Lowman is at her shape-shifting best as she matches her tone, pace, and timing to each character. The protagonist, who begins the novel in her final days at college, becomes an author. Called "Jordan" by her two brilliant friends, Sam and Yash, she reveals the story of a... Read More

John Kasich, former governor of Ohio, congressman, and television commentator, does a splendid job narrating his profiles of people of faith who are making an impact in their communities. This work shows how individuals and groups of individuals can effect change in communities across America by doing various benevolent works through their churches, synagogues, or mosques.... Read More

Poet Gill narrates her reimagining of the Hekate myths. Hekate is the goddess of magic and necromancy. A refugee of the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods, she is taken by her mother to be raised by her Aunt Styx and Hades. After Hekate comes into her powers as a goddess, another conflict breaks out among the immortals, and she seems to be the only one with the power... Read More

This riveting audiobook about a middle-aged woman in a disastrous marriage is narrated with nuance and conviction by Rebecca Gibel. Charlotte meets Jimbo, a drug addict, and impulsively marries him. Desperately lonely and depressed, she's convinced that being overweight makes her unlovable. Her family connection is strong, especially with her father and her sister, Celia, whose... Read More

Louise Brealey's remarkable performance of the new novel by award-winning author Sarah Hall makes for thoroughly addictive listening. Like the mistral of France and the sirocco of North Africa, helm is a named wind that blows through England's Pennine Hills. Fierce, playful, and unpredictable, it's long been the stuff of folklore. Now it is the central figure in this... Read More

Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben explains the advantages of solar power and wind generators while refuting the fossil fuel industry's arguments against them. Narrator Patrick Lawlor performs this encouraging exposé with vocal skill and intelligence that makes every facet of this exceptional writing shine. His maturity as a narrator allows him to apply his impressive... Read More

Narrators Amanda Ronconi and Teddy Hamilton return listeners to Starfall Point, an island in Lake Michigan inhabited by ghosts and witches. When witch Cora Seaworth is attacked, Iggy Galinsky is accidentally hit with a tranquilizer dart, and Cora is forced to bring him to her home. Attraction sparks between them, and Iggy joins Cora in dealing with an old enemy of her family.... Read More

Victorian amateur detective Charles Lenox is back--though he's still recovering from wounds he suffered during his previous case. James Langton, longtime narrator of the series, is simply perfect as the dedicated, gentlemanly Lenox. Langton voices all the secondary characters with equal precision and care. Lenox is pulled in several directions as he tries to recover his health... Read More

Michael Puttonen narrates this nonfiction work on the 1980 prison riot at the Penitentiary of New Mexico. The story recounts the prison's history and describes its bleak location, as well as the longstanding apathy and abuse that led to the bloody skirmish that killed both inmates and guards. The story focuses on two brothers: Gary, a nonviolent first offender who was... Read More

Jen Jacob delivers an engaging narration of this memoir about author Anne Abel's unlikely transformation from debilitating depression to self-confidence through an unexpected love affair with rock music. The narrative is about how going to her first Bruce Springsteen concert at the age of 60 changed her life and sent her to Australia to follow his tour. Her travels and... Read More

Sophie Amoss's narration elevates an uneven story into a more engaging experience. Struggling graduate student Dorothe Bartleby must pass her final exam in the Magic program, but when she's required to combine digital technology with spells, disaster results. Amoss's performance brings clarity and rhythm to the text, grounding its twee and meandering tone with precise pacing... Read More

Voicing multiple characters with little apparent effort, Golden Voice Nicholas Boulton keeps the listener engaged with this comedy of manners and mores in academia in 1972. The setting is a college in southeast England, where Professor Howard Kirk has come to teach sociology and, we learn, engage in intellectual jousting with colleagues while seducing his students. Throwing... Read More

While listeners will miss his unmistakable voice, this assemblage of David McCullough's shorter uncollected pieces offers illuminating glimpses of the popular historian's work habits and methods. Commemorative speeches, his PARIS REVIEW interview, and his reflections on writing about Harry Truman, Abigail Adams, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Panama Canal remind listeners of... Read More

The author and narrator of this lively book about how money evolved over the millennia is an Irish economist and journalist. McWilliams shows how civilizations have used money in different ways that suited their needs at the time. Today, for example, mobile phones are used to safely move money around in African countries. McWilliams also posits that the hot investment in... Read More

Jay Reum's narration captures the divided heart of 13-year-old Canyon Cress, who's holding on for dear life as he rides bulls, cares for his younger sister, and tries to contain his father's drinking and his own grief over his mother's death. Reum's slight Western accent adds to the ambiance of the story. His portrayals of minor characters give authenticity to Canyon's... Read More

Christine Lakin and Teddy Hamilton deliver a heartwarming performance of this seasonal romance. When a scandal puts the Davenport family's toy company in a bad light, up-and-coming young executive Clara Davenport is sent to the town of Fraser Falls, home of Jack Kelly, whose toy design the Davenports stole. While Jack wants nothing to do with her, and neither does the rest of... Read More

Ramona Master and Noah B. Perez dazzle listeners in this steamy holiday romance. Valencia is ready to let loose at a holiday dance party after calling it quits with her cheating ex. However, the last thing she expects is to run into Gideon, her high school archnemesis, for whom she experiences an instant steamy attraction. They make a pact to spend 12 days together--but will it... Read More

Karissa Vacker gives a spirited performance of this holiday romance about two people who hate Christmas. When Holly returns home after being laid off from her job, her brother drags his best friend, Nick, to the family gathering to set them up. While Holly figures this out quickly and plots with Nick to get back at her brother, she's in the dark about the reason her parents... Read More

Writer, actor, and comedian Mike Albo provides a unique listening experience that is both hilarious and moving. Here he reflects on his life in New York City at the turn of the millennium, when print magazines still ruled and dating hadn't yet become driven by phone apps. Albo is unflinching about his sexuality, his desire to seek meaning in life, and the need for human... Read More

Narrators Kelsey Navarro Foster and Tim Paige have strong chemistry in this fun paranormal romance. Witches Azrael and Victoria, childhood friends, run into each other after Victoria investigates buying a tea shop that Azrael's parents used to own. During their exchange, they accidentally summon undead spirits and must find a way to save their town before a devil consumes it.... Read More

The ensemble narration of Corey Brill, Cassandra Campbell, and Renata Friedman renders this audio production a real delight. At a publishing house, unseasoned editors Rebecca Blume and Ben Heath are forced to share a desk on different days of the week. A rivalry ensues, which heats up when a literary giant known as the Lion dies and his literary estate becomes fair game. As the... Read More

Helen Laser gives a satisfying performance of a story that seems like the two sides of a vinyl album. On side A, it's the summer of 1989. Ten-year-old Suzanne joins her rocker father on tour with his band. The tour ends with a shocking event. On the B side, Suzanne is 30 years older, married to Rob, and living a quiet suburban life--until she decides to hit the road to learn... Read More

Selby narrates their memoir of life as a wildland firefighter known as a "Hotshot." They explore the rampant sexism against female-bodied individuals in the male-dominated industry of wildlife firefighting, along with the shortsightedness of government policy toward fire suppression and containment. By narrating their own work, Selby ensures that their words are spoken just the... Read More

Narrators Hollis McCarthy and Pete Cross form an unlikely duo in this fantasy set in 1920s Carmel-by-the-Sea. Grieving Fayette Wynne heads to Carmel, bringing along her family's healing sourdough starter, which failed to save her late mother. In the middle of a storm she saves Hollywood star Rex Hallstrom from near death. The two find refuge in a sentient house that seems to... Read More

Narrator Jeff Ebner's youthful voice and careful pacing are well suited to this middle-grade horror audiobook. Rory has avoided the house next door ever since he and his best friend encountered the malevolent spirits that eventually caused his friend's family to move away. So when Jack's family moves in, Rory will do whatever it takes to protect them, especially Jack's little... Read More

Although the process of achieving sainthood is steeped in tradition and legend, author/narrator Kate Sidley tackles explaining it. She injects a heavy dollop of humor in the form of quips as she separates fact from fiction. Basically, a person must die. There is a mandatory waiting period of five years before a person can even be nominated for sainthood. The deceased must then... Read More

Now released from prison, former NSA linguist Reality Winner becomes all the more compelling with narrator Rachel Perry's measured performance. Perry captures Winner's earnest desire to be a patriot serving her country. It was Winner's passion for learning languages that led to her being awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal, though those actions gave her PTSD in the process.... Read More

There's a whole lot of love in Nile Bullock's openhearted, enthusiastic narration. His portrayal of Rasheed highlights the boy's admiration for his big brother, Anthony, whom Bullock effectively portrays as a strong and kind guiding force. Anthony, who knows everything, teaches Rasheed how to button his shirt for church, ride a bike, and apply their dad's cologne the right way.... Read More

Kate Strickler, the social media sensation behind Naptime Kitchen, narrates her own exploration of learning to be content with life instead of being caught up in a never-ending game of comparison. After she started posting recipes she created during her baby's nap time, she quickly discovered she'd become a social media influencer. But over time, she began to find herself... Read More

Actor, writer, and producer Issa Rae narrates her memoir with conversational ease that suits the material. She offers a performance grounded in clarity, self-awareness, and an instinctive sense of timing. Shifting smoothly between anecdotes about creative ambition and reflections on personal growth, she creates a listening experience that feels measured, candid, and... Read More

Culture critic Maris Kreizman's narration conveys an unmistakable power that resonates from her experience and reflection on the myths of American life. Kreizman grew up buying into the meritocracy and the value of "paying your dues." Then, while battling chronic illness, she experienced a crash course on the broken American institution of healthcare, in which medicine and... Read More

Narrated by Sara Sheckells, this audiobook is a tender but brutal look at motherhood. Two alternating storylines unfold. One features a young mother who is struggling with her sick daughter while mourning her own independence. The other tells the story of a "princess" who lives an ideal life with her "prince" and their two "heirs." Sheckells uses a breathy, almost ethereal,... Read More

This vibrant account of the mythical Medusa's short but powerful life expands on her origin story. Narrator Tyla Collier illuminates the young woman's vulnerability, warmth, and passion. The teenage Medusa craves life beyond her family's island home. As she strives to establish her place in the world as an acolyte and priestess of the goddess Athena, she is unwillingly... Read More

Rafe Beckley's calm, determined narration serves as a counterpoint to the alarming and urgent message conveyed in this audiobook, namely that an existential disaster may await those who toy with superhuman intelligence. The challenge facing humanity is that an AI machine's goals may deviate from our values, potentially leading to self-evolving systems that revise resource... Read More

Jayne Entwistle shows remarkable vocal versatility in this fantasy audiobook featuring Jack the Ripper and Medusa. While volunteering for the Salvation Army in New York City in 1888, Tabitha and her headstrong roommate, Pearl, attempt to help a woman escape from the brothel where she's forced to work. Entwistle narrates these segments in a generic American accent, a New York... Read More

The highs and lows of a Scottish Christmas market come into crisp focus as depicted by narrator Hannah Curtis. She chronicles the return of Frederica Hallow-Hart to Pine Bluff, where she licks her wounds after experiencing a traumatic relationship and being laid off. Curtis captures Fred's awkward stumbles as she returns to the family Christmas cracker business and faces... Read More

Mirai narrates this YA time-travel romance set in Seoul. High school student Yang Mina is a Japanese dragon descendent with time-travel powers. While Mina's parents feverishly complete time missions, Mina is finishing her training to travel solo while also trying to pass calculus. After finding a note from her sister who was lost to time, Mina vows to find her. Mirai's clear... Read More

Fiona Shaw's inviting narration captures the humor and intrigue of this delightful new Thursday Murder Club mystery. The retirees are busy with their own lives--especially Joyce, who's helping to plan her daughter's wedding. However, when Nick, the best man, tells Elizabeth that someone is trying to kill him and then disappears, the sleuths are on the case. Shaw gives the... Read More

Hillary Huber's steady narration enhances this biography of the unlikely phenomenon that was Victoria Woodhull. Born in rural Ohio in 1838 to a con man and a spiritualist, Woodhull went from rags to riches twice and married thrice while reinventing herself during a long life. She was a spiritualist, a Christian, a free-love proponent, a stockbroker, a suffrage supporter, a... Read More

Time unfolds according to its own rhythms in this historical audiobook, capably narrated by Robert Fass. Despite having been elected to law enforcement mostly against his better judgment, widower, farmer, and reluctant sheriff Clinton Salter is determined to do a good job of it. As he negotiates crimes that range from public drunkenness and tractor theft to arson and possible... Read More

Bianca Amato's performance perfectly re-creates the wonderfully realized characters in Alexander McCall Smith's latest No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency episode. Listeners will enjoy the company of wise Mma Precious Ramotswe, owner and founder of the agency; Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, her husband and owner of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors; and her irrepressible assistant, Mma Grace... Read More

Sophie Amoss narrates this intriguing mystery set primarily onboard the International Space Station. Though Commander Lucy Poplasky had mused about making her mark during her mission, she never dreamed she'd find herself investigating sabotage. After an ammonia leak threatens the station's crew, Lucy must discover whether it was caused by their Russian counterparts or by a... Read More

Gerald Howard makes a strong case for Malcolm Cowley being one of the central figures in twentieth-century American literature: poet, ambulance driver in World War I, member of the Lost Generation, memoirist, critic, editor, and more. With the able assistance of Golden Voice narrator Robert Petkoff, this audiobook does much to bring Cowley to life. Petkoff doesn't attempt to... Read More

Sneha Mathan's mellifluous voice draws listeners into this lyrical rumination on what it means to be an intelligent woman of a certain age. Fifty-five and disabled, an Indian feminist sociology professor with two divorces behind her decides she's tired of being alone. She's ready to meet someone and marry again. She decides to hold a "swayamvar," an ancient Hindu ritual in... Read More

The poet and critic Terrance Hayes named Patricia Smith the most important and interesting Black poet writing today. He didn't mention, however, the excellence of her performance of her work. This audiobook brings together her most recent poetry and a selection of older poems, giving the listener a fine idea of her career so far. Both the poems and Smith's readings are full of... Read More

R.C. Bray's narration transforms this Machine War prequel into a visceral audio experience. Bray distinguishes Tyron Red, Sergeant Rodriguez, and Corporal Pepper with subtly varied tones and inflections, making each character instantly recognizable. Action scenes resonate through precise timing and tonal variation, while exposition is clear and digestible. The stark contrast... Read More

Eleven-year-old Bevvy and her new friend, Cat, are thrown into an exciting world of unicorns, dragons, sorcerers, and danger--all enhanced in a nuanced narration by Eleanor McCormick. Cat and Bevvy notice a suspicious car with monstrous creatures in it approaching. Both flee into nearby woods, where Cat magically opens a portal, and they escape. McCormick embodies the fear and... Read More

Renata Friedman gives a glorious narration of this satisfying audiobook, which is part slow-burn romance and part heartwarming family story. After her grandmother's death, 28-year-old Seattle project manager Mallory is bequeathed her grandparents' Florida home on the condition that she help care for her "Gramps." Friedman captures the humor in Mallory's reluctance to leave her... Read More

In this satisfying thriller, Casey, voiced with nuanced flair by Patricia Santomasso, must negotiate the late night arrival of a bloody knife-wielding girl without being able to call for help due to a vicious storm. Tina Wolstencroft narrates the backstory, which involves Ella, an isolated teen with a controlling mother who is an abusive hoarder. Wolstencroft manages the tricky... Read More

Roderick Sewell II--Paralympic athlete and Iron Man champion, motivational speaker, and disability advocate--shares his resilience and joy in his impactful memoir. Sewell's performance exudes calm strength as he talks about the myriad challenges he and his mother faced during his childhood in San Diego and Alabama in the 1990s. Their difficulties included struggling to afford... Read More

Shiromi Arserio narrates award-winning novelist Tasha Suri's newest audiobook. Fantasy and romance come together in a Sapphic delight as a witch and a knight navigate their love for each other while also serving their queen. Although Arserio doesn't create distinct voices for each character, only occasionally is it a challenge to recognize who's speaking. Simran, a witch of the... Read More

This delightful second-chance romance takes place in sunlit Italy. After a disastrous public proposal, Ramin escapes abroad, only to bump into Noah, his high school crush and now a divorced dad traveling with his family. Their reunion blossoms into a heartfelt, spicy romance that's as much about rediscovery as it is about love. Narrators Corvin King and Vikas Adam bring warmth... Read More

Christopher Grant and Golden Voice Robin Miles jointly narrate this expansive collection of work by groundbreaking author Terry McMillan. Included are both published and unpublished works of short fiction, as well as an intriguing assortment of essays, speeches, and literary sketches. Miles, the primary narrator, moves seamlessly among McMillan's characters as she traces a path... Read More

Author and narrator Jeff Burgess offers a straightforward, somewhat simplistic discussion of his evolving career and leadership interests in a candid, humorous, asynchronous series of anecdotes. An underachiever in his early 20s, Burgess heeded his parents' advice and diligently worked his way up from salesman in a computer parts warehouse to CEO of his own multimillion-dollar... Read More

Arts journalist Tim Greiving offers a fascinating biography of the man some call the first truly cinematic composer, John Williams. Jonathan Todd Ross masterfully performs this challenging task. His narration is intimate, measured, and enthusiastically nuanced. Williams, best known for his scores for Steven Spielberg films, initially lent little of himself to Greiving's efforts... Read More

A'Lelia Bundles narrates her biography of her great-grandmother, A'Lelia Walker, with pride. A'Lelia Walker was the daughter of the first wealthy African American woman, Madam C.J. Walker, who created a Black hair-care empire long before the Civil Rights movement. Bundles projects the excitement of the historical period in which A'Lelia--stubborn and loyal to a fault--set out... Read More

Susan Orlean, a NEW YORKER columnist and one of the early writers to bring inventiveness into creative nonfiction, shows her perfect sense of timing in both the writing and the narration of her memoir. Using the same thoughtful detail and pithy wit she's known for, Orlean now turns the lens inward, discussing her life and her extraordinary relationship with the creative... Read More

Narrators Samantha Cook and Connor Crais deliver this romance novel featuring Charlotte Kendall and billionaire Jared Sterling. Sparks fly between them when they attend a wedding. Then they discover their one-night stand has led to an unplanned pregnancy. Jared wants to be in Charlotte's life, but her life is complicated. She has twin daughters, who are given youthful,... Read More

Samantha Cook and Connor Crais team up to narrate the renewed romance of Brooke Snyder and Aiden Sterling. They've known each other since they were teenagers; they even had one night together before Aiden left to become an overseas reporter. Now he's returned to help out at his family's firm, where Brooke works. Cook narrates the portions of the story told from Brooke's point... Read More