New Reviews by Title: E-J

Author/narrator Chloé Cooper Jones dazzles listeners with a memoir that showcases her talent as an engaging writer and audio performer. A 2020 Pulitzer finalist for Feature Writing, she was born with sacral agenesis, a spinal condition that causes her physical pain, as well as mental and emotional pain from the constant judgment, pity, and prejudice of others. In this... Read More

Narrator Dara Rosenberg establishes a youthful voice for 11-year-old Zack, who has moved with his family to the secluded town of Vista Point a year after the death of his sister to start anew. While Zack's parents work on opening their bed-and-breakfast, Zack meets a new, mysterious friend named Ann, who has a likeness to his sister. Rosenberg captures Zack's joy as he explores... Read More

Narrators Zara Hampton-Brown and Alex Moorcock lend their voices to the second installment of the Dark Olympus series. Aphrodite's feud with Psyche's mother, Demeter, has threatened Psyche's life. But Aphrodite's son, Eros, finds that he can't fulfill his mother's demand to kill Psyche. Hoping to keep her safe, the two agree on a marriage of convenience, not expecting that a... Read More

Emma Galvin narrates an audiobook featuring a neurodivergent teenager who is facing new challenges. Thirteen-year-old Ellen is anxiously looking forward to her class trip to Spain. The autisitc teen has the whole journey planned in her journal; however, when their teacher veers from the trip's schedule and Laurel, her closest friend, spends time with new friends, Ellen... Read More

In a warm voice filled with wonder, poet Kevin Young (BROWN) reads his ode to finding peace and belonging in nature. Young boy Emile falls in love with a field and chronicles its changing seasons as he spends time there--yellow flowers and bumblebees in spring, snow in winter. Snow, though, "meant Emile had to share the field with sleds and other loud kids who rode the face of... Read More

Actor Valerie Bertinelli gives an affecting narration of her heartfelt memoir about love, family, grief, and food. In a warm, conversational tone, she urges listeners to be more intentional about finding joy in their lives. She is a delightful storyteller as she shares anecdotes about her television work, including her recent projects for The Food Network, as well as... Read More

Michael Eric Dyson does a generally fine job narrating his wide-ranging look at Black performance of all types. Dyson, a minister, academic, political analyst, and radio show host (plus more!) is a polished professional speaker and conveys humor or passion as appropriate. Still, some listeners may feel his effort here occasionally sounds too much like plain old reading. He... Read More

This slim Wharton novel is often overlooked--likely because it lacks the author's celebrated Old New York setting and intrigue--but this performance of the classic may earn it a second visit. Adam Sims delivers an excellent narration, capturing Frome's distinct New England demeanor and secondary characters' voices with equal attention to detail. The story of doomed lovers... Read More

Narrator Adjoa Andoh's lilting accents and rich voice add to the sensory details of this novel set in Ghana. Andoh's reading of this first-person story projects a sense of drama that increases during the dialogue as she depicts and differentiates characters. Sixteen-year-old Amerley, the oldest of four girls, has always been responsible for her siblings. To improve her family's... Read More

With his toolbox of skills, Johnny Heller provides a friendly and informative narration, sometimes resorting to speedy noirish vocal rhythms when retelling the mysteries of the L.A. music scene in the 1960s. And there are plenty of mysteries. Why did Dean (of Jan and Dean) finance the kidnapping of Frank Sinatra, Jr.? Who killed Bobby ("I Fought the Law") Fuller? How did... Read More

Narrator Andi Arndt brings this heartrending yet inspiring memoir to life. When Steph Jagger's mother, Shelia, is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, Jagger plans a camping trip through three national parks, a last opportunity to connect and uncover her mother's stories. As Steph, Arndt's voice is filled with love, patience, and moments of frustration as Shelia repeats questions over... Read More

Emily Lawrence offers a chilling performance of this dark, witchy audiobook. Amity is chosen to become a saint of Haven, an opportunity that can rid her family of her mother's shame and stop the men of her village from dying. Gentle moments of budding sapphic romance are juxtaposed with mystery and horror. Lawrence perfectly conveys the pseudo-Puritan rhetoric of Haven in an... Read More

With warmth and sensitivity, Justin Chien presents this tender story about honoring oneself and one's heritage. A Chinese boy tells his Baba that he is saddened by a friend's drawing of him with eyes "as lines stretched across his face." Standing him in front of a mirror, the boy's Baba explains that his eyes "rise to the skies and speak to the stars." The boy realizes that his... Read More

Narrator Andi Arndt brings charm to the story of naïve and mentally unstable art copyist Emma Caan. Working as a legal forger of valuable masterpieces for owners who wish to store the originals, Emma is flattered to be accepted into the jet-setting world of Russian oligarch Leonard Sobetsky, one of her clients. But soon her new life in the high-end art world spirals out of... Read More

Narrator Stacy Gonzalez infuses her narration with the humor and warmth that are among the most notable features of Marcum's writing. This is a story about butterflies, and there are plenty of them flitting about. Gonzalez is an expressive performer and brings substantial energy to this account of butterflies and the country of Belize. She uses substantial changes in pitch and... Read More

Timothy Andrés Pabon and Gary Tiedemann adeptly narrate this story about middle-school angst and basketball. Issac and Marco have been neighbors and best friends since kindergarten. Marco is an A student whose parents' recent divorce has made him sad. He hopes that playing basketball will get his father's attention. Issac excels at sports but not academics. He hopes that better... Read More

The prequel to the popular WE WERE LIARS has serious spoiler alerts, so listen to these audiobooks in the order they were published. Narrator Kimberly Farr convincingly delivers the jaded viewpoint of privileged 17-year-old Carrie Sinclair, who recounts the worst thing she ever did in her childhood. In the summer of 1987, she was recovering from a painful operation and dealing... Read More

Narrator Frankie Corzo masterfully narrates this audiobook about a complicated family history full of love, loss, and regret. Cuban immigrant Carmen Guerreiro has been estranged from her daughter, Lara, for 30 years. She's never met her granddaughter, Jessica. A formidable octogenarian, Carmen is not giving up on Jessica--or Lara. She sends handsome Luis, the president of the... Read More

Listeners will enjoy narrator Jesse Vilinsky's intricate performance of this romantic fantasy. Wes begins his apprenticeship in alchemy after many failed attempts at other ventures. He meets Margaret while on a contested hunt for an elusive creature. If she succeeds at the hunt, her mother will return home. So, without any real choice, she teams up with Wes. Vilinsky offers... Read More

Author/narrator Mickey Rowe delivers a fierce and vivacious performance of this audiobook about his arduous and triumphant journey to becoming an actor with autism. Rowe details the tribulations faced by people with disabilities as they navigate a world that marginalizes them and bars them from opportunities that able-bodied people take for granted. His frustration and... Read More

Accents abound and cultures rub shoulders in this fine audiobook production of Diana Abu-Jaber's compelling crossroads novel. Like the poet/protagonist, Amani, narrator Rasha Zamamiri serves as a bridge between American and Jordanian voices, rulers and hermits, males and females, aged and young. Amani's first-time impressions and her search for her heritage offer a privileged... Read More

Five talented narrators continue an epic fantasy story of political upheaval, magic, and destiny in the Meridian. Serapio, portrayed with intensity and vulnerability by Shaun Taylor-Corbett, is struggling to maintain his humanity after becoming the living avatar of the Crow God and plunging the city of Tova into chaos. Cara Gee voices Naranpa with wonder and determination as... Read More

Narrator Soneela Nankani gives this grisly crime story the requisite urgency. Sergeant Riley Fisher is working hard to prove she's worthy of her grandfather's legacy as a law enforcement officer in their rural Iowa town. Then the mangled body of an estranged high school friend is found in a cornfield, shaking her confidence. The trauma stirred up is audible in the vulnerability... Read More

This coming-of-age audiobook kicks off when high school senior Julián "Jules" Luna drunkenly outs himself, bringing both risk and relief. It's risky to be openly gay in a Texas town rife with homophobes--his own father among them. Yet it's a relief to finally be himself, to trust in his unwavering friendships, and to pursue a complicated yet hopeful long-distance romance with... Read More

Narrator Kathleen Early shines in this twisty, compelling listen. Hope Miller was in a car accident 15 years earlier and has no memory of her past. Lindsay Kelly, who found Hope at the accident site, became her best friend, and Hope became part of Lindsay's community. In the present day, Hope seeks independence with a new job and a move to East Hampton. But within a few weeks,... Read More

Actor Viola Davis doesn't mince words. Her audiobook captures the voice of a woman with a fascinating, heartbreaking lived experience. Davis's performance here is essentially a one-woman show, bringing listeners in close from the first moments. While she was growing up in a condemned property, her family struggled with poverty. But her hard work and talent brought her to the... Read More

The erotic thriller will keep listeners guessing until the end. What happens when you're missing four and a half years of your memory? In Amelia's case, she wants it back. As she struggles to regain her lost years, she begins to believe her husband has had an affair. As Amelia seeks the truth, narrator Jennifer Jill Araya captures a range of frantic emotions. The audiobook... Read More

Angela Dawe plays it appropriately straight in her narration of this mystery caper, which doesn't need vocal help to achieve its intended level of zaniness. Dawe's characters sound real even when they're caught in crazy situations meant to make listeners smile, not believe. Someone has placed an ad for a hit person to kill Finlay's ex, Steve, a not-so-great guy who is somewhat... Read More

The cozy joy of listening to a classic book beautifully rendered beside a crackling fireplace is delightfully re-created by narrator Gildart Jackson. His warm manner, perfect pacing, and comic timing make the most of Milne's gentle humor and wordplay. Jackson takes us to another time and place, where we can give our full attention to the pleasure of hearing stories that have... Read More

Dual narration by Tor Thom and Avery Reid powers up Goodwin's intriguing series premise featuring an online video game designed by an interplanetary system to recruit fighter pilots. When Jamie Miller finishes the game's mission ahead of her two friends, Lily and Mia, her avatar copilot appears in the flesh to take her to battle in the Vega star system. Reid expresses Jamie's... Read More

An ominous musical intro sets the mood as narrator Karissa Vacker introduces Chloe Davis, a psychologist who is the daughter of a convicted serial killer. Chloe's entire life has been colored by her father's crimes. The hushed voice Vacker uses for Chloe is an effective reminder of the character's ongoing struggles with the past. As the twentieth anniversary of her father's... Read More

Narrator Hugh Quarshie is a gifted mimic. His Somali-inflected English and his reading of Arabic give verisimilitude to Mahood Mattan. Quarshie narrates at a measured pace that provides this sad historical novel with a sense of inevitability. Quarshie delivers Welsh, Jamaican, and English accents well and has an ability to place the listener inside the characters' minds. Best... Read More

With her lovely voice and proper British accent, narrator Moira Quirk brings gravitas to the story of a poor, uneducated girl who became a trailblazing scientist. As a child in the early 1800s, Mary Anning loved to hunt for fossils along the beaches and cliffs of Lyme Regis, where she grew up in southwest England. Collecting was more than an enjoyable pastime; the sale of her... Read More

Narrator Risa Mei returns to provide perfectly accented Chinese-Indonesian-American voices for Meddy Chan and her family in Book 2 of this humorous cozy series. The author's beginning note on walking a fine line between stereotyping and authenticity in order to provide a genuine depiction of family dynamics helps pave the way for listeners to enjoy the experience. Continuing... Read More

Katharine Chin's narration expresses the lyricism and emotions of this historical novel, which takes listeners into the late-nineteenth-century world of Daiyu, who is kidnapped from China. She reinvents herself again and again amid the prejudice of the U.S.'s 1882 Exclusion Act. Chin embraces the balance of adventure and sensitivity, as well as the layered persona of Daiyu.... Read More

A kite in a storm becomes the perfect metaphor for the life of Benjamin Franklin: Founding Father, inventor, visionary, and dad. In this fast-paced, comically insightful theatrical dialogue, narrators Gregory Harrison and Larry Powell have a wonderful time sparring as the brilliant, abrasive, confident Franklin and his not-so-confident illegitimate son, William. When Benjamin... Read More

This audiobook combines a memoir that translates perfectly to the spoken-word format with a flawless, memorable narration by Rachel Bavidge. Bavidge's tone and delivery capture every emotion during author Lea Ypi's journey from repression to freedom. At its core, this is a coming-of-age story of a girl growing up in Communist Albania in a time of dramatic political upheaval.... Read More

Capably performed by the inimitable Dion Graham, this history of the Black Panther Party (BPP) opens with stories of its founders and the organization itself and closes with the BPP's collapse and the future of its key players. A coda pulls together the BPP's place in the freedom struggle for BIPOC in the US, and an author's note explains the selection of materials included.... Read More

Narrator Kimberly Farr enhances Anne Tyler's evocative novel, with its delightful fly-on-the-wall conversations. Listeners meet the Garrett family of Baltimore, who take their only vacation in 1959, an event that showcases their diverse personalities. The novel concludes in the 2020s. Chapters alternate among the characters' third-person viewpoints, which Farr imbues with... Read More

In this prequel to Luke McCallin's series featuring Gregor Reinhardt, a German intelligence officer in the 1940s, we meet young Lieutenant Reinhardt in the waning days of WWI. As he investigates the bombing of a military meeting, Reinhardt probes a situation that involves doctors taking advantage of battle-damaged minds. John Lee, who has performed McCallin's other Reinhardt... Read More

Sometimes verging on laughter, narrator Erin Moon's cheery delivery also dips for tragedy but never cracks. When Laurie Zaleski's father attempted to take a camp ax to her mother, Annie scooped their three children into a borrowed car, hid them, and built a new life. "The more you cry, the less you'll pee," Annie said when life got hard. With this mother in her corner, Laurie... Read More

British actor Shaheen Khan narrates this prescient career guide with tone and pacing that, at first, seem too gentle for the authors' assertive insights. Their mission is to prepare today's ordinary adults for the relentless uncertainty they will face in their careers. But many listeners will see the peaceful space created by Khan's performance as a safe place to take in and... Read More

This delightful collection of four Dostoevsky novels (CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, THE IDIOT, DEVILS, and THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV); three short stories ("The Friend of the Family," "Bobok," and "The Dream of a Ridiculous Man"); and two separate reflections on the author's work is quite a tour de force. The novels and short stories are presented as radio dramas. All the performers are... Read More

Julian Rhind-Tutt narrates a charming gothic fantasy about a girl's unusual experiences at a mysterious manor called Gallant. Olivia is a mute teen who is adrift at a school for girls. An invitation to come home to Gallant sets her on a journey filled with self-discovery, ghouls, and ominous secrets. Rhind-Tutt's patient pacing suits the story as spine-tingling elements slowly... Read More

This interracial contemporary romance narrated by Jonathan Horvath follows Black tech business owner Vanessa and Algerian-American barbershop owner Khalil. In Detroit, the couple's budding relationship faces challenges stemming from Kahlil's hidden mental health struggles and Vanessa's previous bad experiences with interracial dating. Horvath's clear, pleasant voice and even... Read More

Rasha Zamamiri's captivating performance of this timely audiobook will enchant listeners. Poetry, mysticism, and Persian folklore infuse a story that alternates between war-torn Iran in the early 1980s and San Diego and then Iran again in 2009. The narrative centers on Kimia, an Iranian-American life coach. She agrees to travel to Iran with her mother, a poet who remains... Read More

Hillary Huber narrates the first audiobook in a new romantic suspense series. A twisted stalker causes author and former actress Delphine to move to the rural outskirts of a seemingly quiet Washington town. Her neighbor, Cade, a former FBI profiler, works with the case's federal agents. When local girls are murdered, Cade uses his skills to keep Delphine safe. Huber's dramatic... Read More

Author/narrator Jill Gutowitz's collection of reflective essays is funny, insightful, and very queer--in a good way. Her memories of her younger years in the '90s and '00s bring some sadness and, one imagines, healing for her and others. Her storytelling is engaging and often self-deprecating. Reminiscences about the importance of the television show "Orange Is the New Black"... Read More

Courtney Patterson's clear and steady narration illuminates these accounts of girls and women solving problems in innovative and resourceful ways. The audiobook uses examples spanning hundreds of years and covers female founders of organizations that assist with social issues globally. In 1832, Elizabeth Stott opened consignment shops for women's financial empowerment. In... Read More

This is a funny, unsettling, touching, and energetically narrated audiobook about family, culture, and 21st-century America. Wajahat Ali, a playwright and Ted Talk speaker, among other things, knows about keeping an audience engaged, and he does it here. In this expansive performance he seems to be putting on a one-man play for the ears. Few listeners will leave the audio... Read More

Narrator Nene Nwoko does an excellent job infusing this story with warmth and compassion. Ijemoa is a 9-year-old mute girl who can levitate--to the horror of her father and the awe of her Nigerian village. Then, Ijemoa starts to do acts of kindness that her fellow villagers find unusual. Fearing the wrath of the gods, her father turns her over to a Christian missionary... Read More

Simon Vance narrates the second title of this fantasy series. Conductors Kate and Tom board the Silver Arrow train once again, this time for an unsanctioned mission to find their Uncle Herbert and to save more animals being threatened by climate change. During their international journey, the duo cross paths with another train, the mysterious Golden Swift. Vance's proper... Read More

Friends and collaborators Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie share the narration of this book of remembrances, blessings, and more. Their voices, differing in timbre and pitch, make it easy to tell which one is speaking while never pulling listeners out of the flow of the narrative. Bowler's deep, rich tones contrast nicely with Richie's lighter, more youthful voice, offering... Read More

Zara Hampton-Brown narrates a romance between a rake in need of reform and a young lady who seeks to reject expectations. When Kieran Ransome does something unthinkably foolish, his father threatens to disinherit him unless he finds a suitable bride. But, apart from Celeste Kilburn, his best friend's sister, Kieran doesn't know any respectable women. Hampton-Brown portrays... Read More

Two popular Notre Dame professors explain how to use philosophical reasoning to build "a vision of how your life will all fit together into a coherent and meaningful whole." Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins captures the authors' enthusiasm but never oversells their message. With his vocal charm lifting the entire production, his quiet confidence draws listeners into the authors'... Read More

Chaucer's infamous Wife of Bath gets the opportunity to tell her story in this lively audiobook. Fran Burgoyne artfully delivers her performance, tackling the role with high spirits and theatrical verve. Even those unfamiliar with THE CANTERBURY TALES will be engaged by Burgoyne's chipper delivery, lovely accents, and distinctive voices. Never mind that the original tale takes... Read More

Joyce Bean's warm, friendly voice is by turns serious and smiling in her excellent narration of Margaret Renkl's insightful new essay collection. Drawn from Renkl's weekly NEW YORK TIMES column, the 60 pieces in this audiobook cover all manner of life in the American South, including animals, culture, plants, and politics. Renkl, who lives in Tennessee, is a detailed observer... Read More

Maybe Hannah Elias is not the ideal subject for a school Black history report, but she was a remarkable Black woman who became a millionaire during America's Gilded Age. Hannah's story is told by Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles. After a horrific childhood, Hannah worked in brothels in Philadelphia and New York and then re-created herself as a grand courtesan who used not only... Read More

Love and its complexities--familial, romantic, geographical--are the backbone of this excellent audiobook. As Owen leads us through his time as groundskeeper at a Kentucky college, his days are punctuated by his budding romance with visiting author Alma and his entry into the creative writing program. Narrator Michael Crouch provides distinct vocal shifts as he portrays entire... Read More

Marin Ireland's nimble narration enriches this final book in King and Chizmar's Button Box Trilogy. Since she was a 12-year-old girl living in Castle Rock, Maine, Gwendy Peterson has been the on-and-off guardian of the button box, a mysterious and sinister box with the power to grant marvelous wishes and destroy entire worlds. Ireland sensitively communicates Gwendy's dismay... Read More

In this biography of Hannibal, the story is propelled by narrator John Lescault's clear articulation and pacing, which aptly convey the calculating genius of the renowned general. Lescault's distinct voice recounts Hannibal's harrowing journey as he leads the Carthaginian army, with its elephants, up and down the harsh terrain of the Alps toward Rome. The measured narration... Read More

Sedaris's latest update on his family and society brings the funny. Still, there's growing depth and empathy in his writing and delivery. Sure, shooting guns with his sister and visiting his nonagenarian father bring laugh-out-loud moments. But profound reflections also pepper his writing as his tone and delivery match his heartrending observations. Sedaris chronicles the... Read More

Katrine Engberg is back with another atmospheric Copenhagen-based thriller, this one weaving family secrets and the art world. Narrator Graeme Malcolm voices Danish detectives Jeppe Kørner and Anette Werner in the third book in this Nordic noir series. When 15-year-old Oscar Dreyer-Hoff goes missing, the search is on to find him and untangle the disparate threads of the ties... Read More

Ian Guerra masterfully narrates this stunning novel, the latest by Nobel Laureate Llosa. It is the story of the 1954 American-backed military coup of the democratically elected government of Guatemala, which effectively rendered that small country into a banana republic. Guerra voices the many characters of the novel distinctly--no easy feat. People swing in and out of the... Read More

Heath Miller performs a middle manager's journey in a new dimension as he tries to be a heroic version of himself. Jason awakens one day in a realm of sword and sorcery. Naked, hairless, and confused, he is thrust into a world in which his abilities are broken down into stats and he must undertake quests to improve them. Then he makes a shocking discovery: Despite his best... Read More

Author Tricia Goyer uses a refreshingly honest approach to share the practical advice she used to overcome life's hardships and grow closer to God. Jennifer Jill Araya captures the author's heartfelt tone as she narrates Goyer's spiritual testimony on how to achieve a joyful and peaceful soul through God's help and love. There is a perfect balance of comfort and excitement in... Read More

Journalist Florence Williams intertwines journal entries, conversations with experts and friends, therapy sessions, and the sounds of nature to provide an honest and intriguing description of the phenomenon of heartbreak. She candidly shares her own heartbreaking journey after her twenty-five-year marriage ends, particularly as she starts noticing the physical effects of the... Read More

Narrator Krystal Hammond brings listeners an incredible love note to the queer community. After an abrupt breakup, Syd, a teenage baker at the Proud Muffin, pours heartbreak into the brownies. But the "breakup brownies" cause havoc throughout Austin, so Syd and bicycle delivery person Harley attempt to make things right. The inclusivity and representation in this audiobook are... Read More

Narrator Mary Jane Wells transports listeners to mid-nineteenth-century England. When Caroline Hardcastle's friend is kidnapped, she reconnects with her former fiancé, Lord Valentine Thorn. Thorn is further drawn in when his cousin also disappears. Wells's portrayal of Caroline perfectly conveys her spunky personality as she sets out to solve the mystery of her friend's... Read More

When she was only 4, actor/comedian Molly Shannon lost her mother and baby sister in a tragic auto accident that would change her life forever. Listeners are brought to tears as she describes the accident in her 4-year-old voice. This is one of Molly's many voices; they are all parts of her. How she uses these characters and voices is pure magic. It is a surround-sound... Read More

Nicola Barber's expressive narration captures the inner life and scientific mindset of Rosalind Franklin, the great English biophysicist. Barber's ability to seamlessly switch intonation from the protagonist's upper-class British inflection to American, French, and other accents shapes the listening experience of this remarkable story of grit and determination. Author... Read More

Cliffird Samuel's intense, almost hushed, narration echoes the intimacy of this novel about the bonds among three Black men. Achike and Ekene have been best friends since childhood, but despite their love, they've never been able to commit to each other romantically. When Achike's father moves in with him, they're all forced to consider the frayed, painful history among them.... Read More

Excellent storytelling by the cofounder of the UK's Parliamentary Forum on Gender Identity and transgender narrator Rebecca Root quickly pulls listeners into a life story that created a gap in British social justice law. Ewan Forbes (1912-1991) lived his life as male from early childhood, supported in his identity by his family and peers. Although he won a 1965 court case based... Read More

In the fallout of an explosion in London, Brioni finds herself fearing for her sister. With the help of Anna, an anti-terrorism expert, Brioni searches for her sister, whose name is Marissa. Narrator Aoife McMahon deftly navigates the Irish, English, and American accents of the characters involved. Sam Blake's novel has listeners wondering about Marissa's marriage and her... Read More

In these personal essays, Edgar Gomez writes about the many facets of his queer Latinx identity, sharing his tumultuous journey to self-love with honesty, humor, and warmth. His narration hits just the right notes--sometimes serious, sometimes downright giddy, sometimes tight with pain, but always open and inviting. He writes about the rigid masculinity he witnessed watching... Read More

Narrator Steven Crossley's upper-class British accent brings an elevated tone to his narration of Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen's memoir. This is a wide-ranging meditation on various stages of Sen's fascinating life. Crossley takes us through Sen's upbringing as a Bangladeshi national who studied in India and England, and eventually worked in the U.S. Crossley's quick... Read More

Lameece Issaq narrates a mystery that sometimes sparkles. Alice, an intern at a struggling Parisian magazine, finds a dazzling diamond and emerald necklace. She; her colleagues Lily and Daphne; her boss, Jacob; and her parfumier neighbor, Alexander, are determined to discover the necklace's provenance. If they can sell it, its value will save the magazine. Issaq does well with... Read More

Narrator Lauren Sweet draws listeners into the friends-to-lovers romance between movie assistant Hannah Bellinger and fisherman Fox Thornton. When her director is looking for a location for his movie, Hannah suggests the fishing village where her friend Fox lives. While Hannah has romantic feelings for Fox, he believes he is unworthy of her love. Sweet brings out all his... Read More

Brian Nishii narrates this uniquely thoughtful audiobook, translated from a 1937 Japanese classic. It is surprisingly relevant today. Fifteen-year-old Copper's experiences with school friends and bullies alternate with conversations with his beloved uncle, who also writes essays. As Uncle, Nishii speaks with the slow quiet of an elder accustomed to receiving respect. Uncle... Read More

Barbara Rosenblat is exactly the right narrator for Laurel Schmidt's seriocomic vision of the afterlife. Frances Beacon, bestselling author of SEX, DRUGS, AND SOCIAL SECURITY, finds herself dead at age 65. Rosenblat is wonderful at conveying Frances's initial confusion and then disbelief at finding herself in some kind of way station between life and death. She excels at... Read More

Michael Schur and the cast of "The Good Place" once again collaborate, this time to ponder today's toughest moral questions using philosophical views from the East and West. Schur delivers hilarious sarcasm as he tackles ethics and explains how to balance morality and achieve virtue. Friendly and inviting sounding, he is able to take the difficult, oftentimes dry topic of... Read More

Dr. Philipp Schott shares heartwarming stories--peppered with educational facts--of being a family pet vet in Winnipeg, Canada. Narrator Geet Arora delivers Schott's conversational style and amps up the crazy situations and biological oddities with a nonstop energy that proves tremendously entertaining. Schott's vignettes range from examining a hedgehog that rolls up when... Read More

Narrator Homer Todiwala's voice is filled with weary, biting humor that captures the timing and tone of Raina's audiobook. In India, students look for any edge to perform well on national exams--top scores can lead to fame and a comfortable life. Rahul rises from poverty to coach students, eventually just taking the exams in place of the student to guarantee success. This... Read More

"No sex." That was the first rule laid down by the Destination Mars! Corporation that sent six scientists on a one-way expedition to the Red Planet. And that's the first rule broken. Tim Campbell leads a capable ensemble of six voice talents in narrating this humorous and often whimsical look at what it would be like to live the rest of your life off Earth. The mission began as... Read More

Quyen Ngo narrates this poignant story of a girl's loving relationship with her Vietnamese grandparents. An's grandmother, Bà, suffers from progressive memory loss. To help disentangle her memories, An's grandfather, Ong, encourages Bà's memory by using photographs and other reminders of their many happy years together. Listeners follow An and Ong as they prepare a special... Read More

Narrator Eunice Wong delivers an emotionally absorbing performance of this poignant novella and five short stories. This fictional compilation explores complexities of the Asian-American experience, including issues such as assimilation and intergenerational trauma. In the titular novella, HUNGER, Wong magnificently renders the heartbreaking tone and presents authentic... Read More

Natalie Naudus brings a sardonic tone as high school senior Chloe Green. Queer Chloe, who moved from California to Alabama with her moms, chafes against the repressive rules at Willowgrove Christian Academy even as she competes for valedictorian against her nemesis, "golden girl" Shara Wheeler. When Shara kisses Chloe and then disappears just a few weeks before graduation,... Read More

This wonderful audiobook is a special treat for those who know and love actor, writer, director Harvey Fierstein. He narrates the book himself in THAT VOICE. His singular, often outrageous, perspective reflects his artistry. His writing is frequently poetic, always awake and aware, smoothly blending with the coarser street speech of his early Bensonhurst, Brooklyn,... Read More

Joy Stone's spiritual pathway from a childhood of neglect to self-actualized adulthood unfolds through narrator Subhadra Newton's youthful voice. Newton's careful tone seems diffident at first, but once one adjusts to her slow pace, one recognizes that her tone is exactly right for this self-help guide based on yoga psychology. Her performance is earnest and functions like a... Read More

Acho, a former NFL football player who is the son of Nigerian immigrants, was working as a sports commentator when George Floyd's murder inspired him to become a racial justice blogger and the author of the TV series and book UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK MAN. Though he presents his latest audiobook with exaggerated enthusiasm, the strongest features of his... Read More

Timothy Bell Reese narrates a humorous yet heartfelt fake dating romance. (Or is it . . . ?) Kian Andrews is absolutely and completely OVER Hudson Rivers, the boy who broke his heart three months ago. Reese portrays Kian's constant overthinking and rampant word vomit convincingly and sympathetically, highlighting the comedy without being cruel. Reese's ability to inhabit the... Read More

Kate Robinson, daughter of the late Sir Ken Robinson, narrates this concise version of their strategy to revolutionize education to meet the pressing needs of our time. They affirm that it is our human ability to be imaginative and creative that produces our greatest achievements--even in the fields of science and mathematics. Kate speaks precisely in a standard English accent,... Read More

Author Karen Cheung narrates this unique coming-of-age memoir about growing up in contemporary Hong Kong. She is precise and measured in her sharing of these emotionally packed chapters. She holds nothing back--from her PTSD, caused by witnessing unsuccessful protests, to her conflicted family relationships. For those who would like to learn more about this complex region,... Read More

Listeners who appreciate an awkward protagonist or a meet-cute will find this audiobook appealing. Buttoned-up Hayes Montgomery III and awkward Franny Doyle meet when he gives her his Gucci suit jacket when her dress rips on the subway. Alternating chapters provide opportunities for Franny and Hayes to contemplate their growing attraction. The audio format capitalizes upon the... Read More

An ensemble of narrators performs the story of Oscar, Noah, and Riley, eighth graders who become fast friends when their paths cross in the small town of West Beacon, Pennsylvania. Narrator Ozzie Rodriquez establishes a deep, mature voice for Oscar, whose sister, Carmen, recently passed away. Narrator Michael Crouch creates a cheery voice for Noah, who tries to stay optimistic... Read More

Positive and genuine, writer Amy Bloom's husband, Brian, sounds like someone anyone would love to know. Sadly, in 2019 he received an Alzheimer's diagnosis and eventually called on Bloom's support as he chose to end his own life before the disease could. This memoir moves gently but cohesively between anecdotes of the past and the journey to Switzerland for the couple's final... Read More

Before audiobooks, comedy albums were the most popular spoken-word recordings. As author Shawn Levy explains, these LPs were a rare income parity source for women stand-ups. Otherwise, comic pioneers like Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, Moms Mabley, and Minnie Pearl experienced pay discrimination, misogyny, and racism. Narrator Julienne Irons conveys the injustices with a... Read More

Jeff Deutsch's thoughtful and thorough dissertation on bookstores delves deeply into the subject, presenting listeners with a history of the book itself. While delivering the author's musings about the changes in the world of bookselling--from the neighborhood store to Amazon--narrator Ako Mitchell's calm and measured voice transmits his serious attitude toward the changes in... Read More

Enigmatic Italian author Elena Ferrante offers glimpses of her journey as a writer, exploring literature and the process of writing. Narrator Hillary Huber's sumptuous voice brings out the poignancy of the four thought-provoking essays, which are rich with Ferrante's insights and stories about the writers who have made a significant contribution to her life and our world. Huber... Read More

This lengthy audiobook about Maria Theresa, the eighteenth-century empress of the Austrian empire, and her progeny is both soundly researched and widely speculative. It is performed by Emma Newman, whose bright, animated voice directs listeners across the map of Europe, humanizing history and presenting a panoramic view of powerful queens confronting the military and political... Read More

Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is a Latinx heroine for our time. She narrates her journey of self-discovery and mentorship as the leader of a group of novice female climbers to the world's highest base camp on Mount Everest with a zest that is addicting. Vasquez-Lavado draws us in from the first moment of this gripping memoir. For adventurers, this is a familiar story of pushing to... Read More

The popular professor and speaker describes how to unleash our power to influence others by doing it methodically and for the right reasons. Her TED fans will recognize her speaking voice: Deliberately perky and outwardly confident, she's a clear, if not entirely comfortable, narrator. But once past the audiobook's opening paragraphs, what takes center stage is her broad... Read More

Poet Elizabeth Acevedo's narration of her groundbreaking spoken-word poem resonates with love, understanding, and heartbreak. Originally titled "Hair," the work achieved viral fame during her 2014 poetry slam circuit. With a thrumming rhythm and exquisitely placed pauses, Acevedo celebrates the beauty and import of Black hair. Her voice dips in sorrow as she notes that too many... Read More

Lee Ann Howlett's gentle voice paints a picture of Sinclair Lewis's 1917 novella about American life, told through the lives of an elderly New York City couple, "Mother" and "Father" Appleby. Listeners meet loving Father, who's worked in a shoe store for decades while Mother maintains their small home. Howlett deftly illustrates their enjoyable vacations on Cape Cod, where they... Read More

Narrator Hayden Panettiere enthusiastically delivers these true stories about intelligence and behavior in diverse animals. As listeners meet crows, rats, monkeys, and more, they learn how scientists are changing long-held views about intelligence and emotions in animals. In an experiment, primatologist Frans de Waal outraged a capuchin monkey by giving it a piece of cucumber... Read More

Sarah Durham narrates a dark domestic thriller. It features an intense and unreliable narrator and a cast of complex and multifaceted characters rife with family secrets, paranoia, and lost sleep. The atmospheric story builds slowly, then speeds up in the days before Emma Averell's fortieth birthday, leaving listeners feeling that something darker is in play. Durham's... Read More

Richard Ferrone, the gravelly voiced narrator of the long-running Lucas Davenport series, performs the debut of a new tough, smart, funny Davenport--Letty, the adopted daughter of Lucas and his wife, Weather. Letty, just 24, is sent with her partner, John Kaiser, by the Department of Homeland Security to investigate what's behind some disappearing Texas oil. A militia is... Read More

Meghan O'Rourke narrates her harrowing account of spending years trying to find a diagnosis for her chronic illness. She takes listeners through a multitude of medical appointments, experimental procedures, and tests. The decades-long process sounds exhausting, and O'Rourke makes it clear to listeners that it was. By delivering her own memoir, she captures the emotional pain,... Read More

Small-time criminal Aoife embarks on a road trip to sell purloined cocaine for the local kingpin in this debut crime novel. Narrator Eleanor McLoughlin embodies Aoife's down-to-earth qualities as she portrays the character's first-person point of view. The distinctive Dundalk accent of Northern Ireland is an essential part of Aoife's character, as are her choices of slang.... Read More

From the opening lines, narrator Mela Lee draws listeners into this thriller through her tone, pace, and modulated voice. The action-packed plot centers on a newly formed family: Tom, the recently remarried widower; Heather, the younger new wife; and Tom's children, Olivia, and Owen. The family travels to Australia for Tom's medical conference. Tom and Heather see this as a... Read More

Narrator Nile Bullock captures the goofy energy of this hilarious middle-grade audiobook. Bullock's lively voice conveys 12-year-old Eddie's charm as he tells listeners about his perfect plan for skipping out on chores over the summer: He'll wear everything he owns, so he doesn't have to do his laundry until the day AFTER the beach bash. His plan falls apart when his mom... Read More

Four estranged siblings must survive a dangerous journey full of puzzles and peril in this Indian-inspired fantasy audiobook. Dilshad Vadsaria portrays Vira, the newly crowned queen of a country nearly empty of magic, with tenacious vocal fry. Soft-spoken Riya, portrayed by Anushka Rani, is working with a group of rebels to dismantle the ruling class. Ariyan Kassam connects... Read More

In the final installment of the Green Bone Saga, narrator Andrew Kishino returns to tell the tale of the Kaul family of the No Peak Clan. Kishino sets a moderate pace for this long audiobook, which spans 20 years. He creates a strong persona for Hilo, the pillar of the clan, who radiates power and confidence. It is a time of change as their island nation becomes less insular... Read More

This memoir, narrated by the bestselling author, recounts his education, experience writing ad copy, and struggle to find his narrative voice. His first wife died, but he and his second wife are incredibly happy. He's a father who loves his son. He talks about--no, reads about--how many presidents he has played golf with (4) and how many holes in one he's had (6). His voice is... Read More

Johnny Heller leads an ensemble cast in narrating this outstanding 1960s whodunit. The coroner says Marilyn Monroe committed suicide, but she haunts her friend Jimmy Dean, a bit actor, until he agrees to investigate who killed her. Heller portrays a complex Jimmy Dean and a dead-on Elvis Presley, a truck driver with attitude who helps Jimmy investigate. The marvel of the whole... Read More

Kobna Holdbrook-Smith's deep, English-accented voice is a huge asset to this audiobook about complicated subjects. Galor explores both history and economics as he considers two overarching mysteries in his academic work: Why did the world's living standards increase so much in the past 200 years? And why are there such enormous gaps between the wealth levels of different... Read More

Listeners who blame themselves for failed health plans will love hearing these insights on why behavior-change plans are so hard to sustain. Voice pro, actor, and singer Jessica Rau's clarity and tone of delight combine to give this lesson notable impact. The author, a tireless habit researcher, teacher, and coach, finds four basic reasons that decisions to eat better and... Read More

Narrators Connor Crais and Mackenzie Cartwright work well together, bringing to life the romance between rocker Dash Kingston and his personal assistant, Cassidy Forrester. Needing to improve his reputation, Dash has Cassidy pretend to be his girlfriend. He uses this as an opportunity to deepen their relationship. Crais's voice is laced with sensuality, drawing the listener... Read More

A full cast of skilled narrators brings this engaging graphic novel to life on audio. Sheena Kamal portrays Maggie, a shy RPG-loving girl entering sixth grade. Listeners hear her anxiety about the new year--and a mysterious monster outside her school. Narrator Almarie Guerra guides listeners through the story, smoothly describing the visual cues for listeners. A lively cast,... Read More

Lucy Paterson's dramatic performance of the first in a new fantasy trilogy pulls listeners into a world reminiscent of medieval times. Magic is real, and its knowledge is closely held by a privileged few. Only the emperor's justices are taught the skills. Helena Sedanka, once a young clerk for Justice Sir Konrad Vonvalt, recounts her memories of investigating a noblewoman's... Read More