Narrators Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem take romance, heartbreak, and sex appeal to the next level. Yasmen (Siobhan) and Josiah (Diem) divorced after devastating experiences, but they can't run away from the love that created their family and growing business. This dramatic story has emotional ups and downs that both narrators perform passionately in complementary... Read More

Sam Heughan, OUTLANDER's Jamie Fraser, recounts his journey across the 96 miles of Scotland's West Highland Way. The story becomes a metaphor for Heughan's life as an actor in this atmospheric and absorbing memoir. He gives a spirited and heartwarming performance as he interweaves stories of how he became a successful working actor into the details of his arduous trek across... Read More

Saskia Maarleveld sublimely narrates this highly anticipated return to the world of Elfhame. Suren, child queen of the Court of Teeth, fled to the human world to live in the woods, where she helps release humans from their bargains with the fae. Her mother, Lady Nore, has taken over the Ice Needle Citadel, and prince Oak of Elfhame needs Suren's help to stop her. Maarleveld... Read More

Narrator Christine Padovan delivers this timely biography of Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen. Padovan changes her voice to replicate the soft volume and slight accent of the Queens native, who has achieved the highest levels of public service. Padovan captures Yellen quite well. In addition, she deepens her tone when she voices the many men in this audiobook. As chair of... Read More

Molly Parker Myers narrates with authority, warmth, and, at times, outrage. Her range of expression is essential for this hybrid audiobook, equal parts memoir, muckraking, self-help, and history lesson. The premise is that dwindling federal oversight and increasing corporate governance have recast consumer rights as civil rights, contributing to the nation's great wealth... Read More

Expertly narrated, richly detailed, and charged with drama, this history of the courageous Germans who stood up against the Nazis will linger in the mind well after one has finished listening. Expect no German accents here, no overtones of menace or impending tragedy. Jamie Renell's restrained, finely nuanced narration vividly conveys the dilemma of Germans who opposed the... Read More

Narrator Dion Graham excels in this sequel to the Edgar Award winner DOWN THE RIVER UNTO THE SEA. Family ties draw investigator Joe "King" Oliver into finding out whether someone has framed a white nationalist for a crime he didn't commit. In a second, unrelated case, King helps the husband of his ex-wife, Monica, whom police arrested for selling heating oil as diesel fuel.... Read More

Dulcet tones open this enemies-to-lovers contemporary romance, narrated by Raechel Wong. As the third generation to run her family's matchmaking business, Liv is passionate about using the Chinese zodiac to help clients find their perfect partner. When she realizes the cute man she recently met has launched a dating app with the same premise, Liv vows to put him out of business... Read More

How do you teach the story of slavery in America? That's the challenge addressed in this inspired poem narrated by Stacy Gonzalez. A teacher discusses the painful truths about slavery with her class of incredulous students who try to comprehend the horror, the sadness, and their teacher's distress. As Gonzalez speaks in tones taut with emotion, a sense of foreboding and fear is... Read More

Amy Landon's strong narration anchors this in-depth history of the Toledo Troopers, a dominant, Ohio-based women's football team during the short-lived era of the National Women's Football League. Landon balances the author's appreciation for the players' tenacity and toughness, skill and sacrifice with a clear-eyed examination of the demanding physicality and business sides of... Read More

Author Tom Mustill narrates his deep dive into the world of whales and how our understanding of them could impact our survival in this world. Wildlife filmmaker Mustill's interest in whales intensified after a whale breached and landed on him during a kayaking trip in California in 2015. His reverence for the marine mammal is clear in his narration as he describes their... Read More

Josiah Osgood's story of the rivalry between Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger, and the civil wars that resulted, is a cautionary tale: Money in politics and toxic partisanship led to the end of the Roman Republic. Ana Clements's narration brings out the qualities of the text--she crafts it into a long, complex yet fairly compelling docudrama. Her voice, though not the... Read More

Dr. Susan Smalley and Diana Winston provide an excellent introduction to the benefits of mindfulness. Narrator Maggi-Meg Reed has a calm and warm tone as she explains the scientific research on the Buddhist traditions of mindfulness and meditation. The authors present the information to listeners in a way that is encouraging and easy to comprehend. Reed is both steady and clear... Read More

Lifelong friends become reluctant lovers in this sweet performance by Tess Sharpe. Penny and Tate are opposites: Tate is a coolheaded swimmer who wants to get out of her hometown, while Penny is an upstanding yet wild overachiever who wants to stay. When their mothers agree to bring their families to Sacramento for a medical procedure, Penny needs to learn to let go of her... Read More

With his trademark tough-guy growl, Richard Ferrone captures the casual confidence, wobbly moral compass, and street-smart charm of Tony Tetro, an art forger extraordinaire. Showing up in California during the swinging 1970s, the self-taught artist found he had a natural aptitude for imitating almost any painting style--from Picasso to Dali to masters like Caravaggio. Tetro's... Read More

Jean-Marc Berne is the perfect narrator for this punch-packing tale of how, on the death of his daughter, Mario plunges to ever more horrifying depths as he seeks to clear his debts and save his marriage. Berne's narration is spot-on, expertly using accents to differentiate the characters. Notably, his authentic narration of the Spanish sentences and paragraphs helps set the... Read More

A captivating performance by Rosemary Benson highlights this arresting dystopian story of a woman's struggle to survive in a dying world. Rising water levels; monster storms; and blistering, deadly heat have left Florida and its population devastated. Born during a massive storm, Wanda grew up watching her surroundings deteriorate and learning how to survive. In this post... Read More

The thumbnail sketch most people have of rock-and-roll pioneer Chuck Berry doesn't come close to capturing the powerful way he used his intelligence and confidence throughout his career. Phil Morris's energetic narration sounds right for the music legend's relentless ambition and unhinged appetites. Imprisoned twice and harassed often while touring in mid-century America, Berry... Read More

Christine Lakin's enthusiasm and authenticity lure the listener into the world of beavers. Author Leila Philip casts a wide net as she delves into their cultural significance for some North American tribes, stresses how vitally important beaver dams are to clean water even today, and recounts how John Jacob Astor became rich from trading beaver skins. Lakin clearly conveys the... Read More

Science journalist Sabrina Imbler narrates their own work, exploring the lives of deep-sea creatures and drawing parallels to their own experiences as a queer, biracial person seeking a community of their own. Imbler invites listeners to share in their fascination as they describe 10 unique sea creatures--from yeti crabs, who live precariously on hydrothermal vents, to the... Read More

Chanté McCormick warmly narrates most of this mystery, which takes place in Brooklyn Heights. The story focuses on the shooting of a prestigious film director and the disappearance of his wife, Melissa. McCormick portrays Melissa's best friend, Imani, who uses her skills as a psychiatrist to get to the bottom of both events. McCormick deftly portrays the simmering suspense... Read More

Esther Wane portrays haughty Princess Gracia Patramata, an oracle, in sharp, snooty tones--as befits her highborn station. Gracia recounts her tale of conquest and then defeat by the commander of the interstellar Empire of Ceiao. The battle-hardened commander wrangles with fellow merchants and the now defeated Gracia, whose demeanor is softened when voiced by Tim Campbell. Wane... Read More

Hannah Choi captivates listeners with this surreal debut thriller, which thoughtfully explores the issue of mental health. Estranged from her parents and working as a temp, Katrina Kim blurs the lines between reality and imagination. Driven by compulsive tendencies, she performs shape and number rituals, retreats into an imagined universe based on her favorite children's book,... Read More

Ariana Delawari is a strong-voiced narrator for this memoir by Afghanistan's first female mayor. Delawari is measured, precise, and deliberate in her delivery of Zarifa Ghafari's story. Delawari transmits the pain Ghafari endured and the grit she exhibited in the face of no less than six attempts on her life, along with the murder of her father, as a consequence of her taking... Read More

In a memoir almost as graceful as her dancing, author/narrator Misty Copeland delivers an elegant account of how she made history when she became the first Black principal ballerina with the formerly all-white American Ballet Theatre company. Copeland's voice lifts with delight as she speaks of her mentor, Raven Wilkinson (19352018), the first Black woman contracted to dance... Read More

Robin Miles narrates a multidimensional battle between good and evil, an attack on the literal soul of a city. The avatars of New York continue to fight for their right to exist, both as individuals and as metaphysical entities. Miles gives a masterful performance, truly transforming the essence of each of the five boroughs, and the city itself, into their physical... Read More

Narrator Moira Quirk captivates as Mererid, the last living water diviner in Gwaelod and a fugitive from the cruel Prince Garanhir. Despite her misgivings, Mer agrees to join her former handler in his quest to bring down the prince and claim a fabled treasure. Quirk's mastery of the soft accent and challenging pronunciations makes this fantasy heist loosely based on Welsh... Read More

Narrator Neil Gardner sounds awed as he delivers a list of rituals such as serpent-handling in churches. That awe carries over as the British-accented Gardner narrates discussion of more common rituals such as toasts and graduations. His cheerful fascination turns to gentle amusement when he shares a passage about children who don't believe they've grown a year older without a... Read More

Narrators Barrie Kreinik and Emily Lawrence deliver a unique holiday story. When Miriam inherits part of a Jewish-owned Christmas tree farm back in her hometown, she leaves the comfort of her fiancée and the city to stress over seeing her estranged family again. Once there, she meets Noelle, a joyless recovering alcoholic who is working on the farm. Together, the narrators... Read More

Kristin Atherton narrates this gothic mystery with a distinct accent and tone for each character. When young Signa arrives at Thorn Grove to live with her wealthy relatives, she enters a world of privilege and mystery. Her ability to interact with ghosts compels her to solve her aunt's murder, but can she do so in time to save her cousin who is dying of the same illness? Signa... Read More

Emerging in the 1990s and still relevant today, Pearl Jam's music resonates with hipsters and discerning fans of grunge, alternative, and message-oriented rock music. Their story, told here by an insightful music journalist, is given enormous appeal by narrator Ron Hippe. Pearl Jam's success has been full of dramatic fluctuations and contradictions. Hippe captures every nuance... Read More

Sitara Attaie is a strong choice to narrate these compelling short stories written by modern Afghani women. She delivers the variety of fictional experiences found in this unique volume, maximizing the power inherent in the wide-ranging, timely, and compelling storylines. Listeners are treated to stories of individuals who are struggling for personal autonomy against history,... Read More

Any fan of the Harry Potter franchise will be delighted by the detailed and thorough view this memoir affords them. Actor Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) shares stories of his early life, which includes not only the expected tales of his involvement with the Harry Potter movies, but also a frank discussion of their effect on the rest of his life, including his friends, family,... Read More

Kyf Brewer and Orlagh Cassidy give seamless performances as FBI consultant Amos Decker and his new partner, Special Agent "Freddie" White. The pair are sent to South Florida to investigate a seemingly unsolvable double murder. The dual narration is highly professional and natural sounding. Brewer is an excellent choice as the main narrator; he creates a slightly gruff and... Read More

Narrator Ewan Goddard perfectly captures the anxiety of a young gay man and his bumbling attempts at love while being a contestant on a fictional version of Britain's favorite baking show. Paris Daillencourt is often written off by others as posh and unapproachable, but it's really his anxiety that makes him seem aloof. When he and a fellow contestant begin to fall in love,... Read More

With his youthful voice and careful pacing, narrator Kaleo Griffith portrays Grady Kendall, the underachieving protagonist of this thriller. The locale is an unidentified Hawaiian island, and Griffith, a native of Hawaii, adds to the audiobook's authenticity with his pronunciation of local geography and Indigenous terminology. Also adding to the verisimilitude are author Hand's... Read More

This fun collection of stories and observations has everything listeners would ever want to hear from the popular comic. With unique vocal grace and humor, he brings listeners into his world with vignettes and quips that are touching, funny, and often thought provoking. In addition to his spot-on comedic timing, he sounds comfortable in his own skin, totally at peace with his... Read More

The writer for television's "Jane the Virgin," Rafael Agustin, narrates his own experiences as a child in this audiobook about leaving his pampered childhood in Ecuador to join his parents as they search for the American Dream in the 1990s. As young Rafa tries to learn how to reconcile his knowledge of American movies with the real America he has moved to, he learns that his... Read More

Erin Bennett narrates nine short stories, chapters, and novellas, each based on beloved characters from the author's published novels, most of which take place on Nantucket. Bennett gives background on the new material and which published work it builds on. Some of these stories are prequels, some sequels, and some additional chapters that add to the original story. All are... Read More

There are moments in this audiobook when narrator Rebecca Gibel captures scenes so vividly that the listener is transported. But the time shifts in the story keep the listener distanced from the characters--despite Gibel's best efforts. Maria is living in 1960s Madrid with all the limitations a woman in that place and time must endure. Alicia, Maria's granddaughter, lives in... Read More

Virtuoso narrator Jason Culp re-creates the world of the American Revolution in this biographical work on an almost-forgotten Founding Father. Boston firebrand Samuel Adams masterminded the Boston Tea Party and was the man Paul Revere made his famous ride to warn. Culp moves smoothly between the writings of Adams’s fellow revolutionaries (Adams did not himself write very much)... Read More

Anya Kamenetz's narration equally embraces nonfiction elements and hard-hitting stories of the losses that children experienced when Covid lockdowns prevented them from attending school. For many American kids, school is a critical social safety net. Kamenetz's tone of authority reveals her years of experience as NPR's education correspondent. She also provides compassionate... Read More

Narrator James Macpherson returns to portray now retired Detective Inspector John Rebus and the police and villains who inhabit his world. The procedural opens with Rebus in a courtroom as the accused. Listeners are then drawn into a complex backstory of police corruption, domestic violence, and a murder investigation that eventually results in Rebus's arrest. Listeners also... Read More

Tricia Hersey, founder of the Nap Ministry, narrates her long-awaited book, which focuses on resting: the power of the imagination and communal care through the literal "resting of one's body." Hersey speaks with conviction. There is certainty and clarity in her tone, and her relaxed delivery is a testament to living her manifesto. The narratives she shares are personal and... Read More

Robb Moreira and Tania Possick deliver moving performances as Aarón and Mia, teenagers whose passion for music turns their tragedies into triumphs. Moreira captures the reserved nature of Aarón, a DJ who is reeling from his mother's death. Aarón's grief and anxiety follow him in the form of a robot mascot. Moreira's performance shifts into an acerbic tone for the robot as its... Read More

In this dazzling fantasy set in 1920s Washington, DC, narrator Shayna Small imbues her voice with the power of spirits and the determination of a Black woman with the power to talk to them. Clara's gift saved her once, but it left her with a terrible debt. So when a spirit offers her freedom in exchange for pulling off a dangerous heist, she accepts. Small pulls off a feat... Read More

Zara Eden and Cary Hite narrate a second-chance romance tinged with magic. After casting a wishing spell, Lucy Caraway can no longer say no to things that intimidate her. Alex Dwyer has returned to town for a birthday dinner and is surprised with an unwanted gift. Eden's portrayal of Lucy is charming, combining equal parts confidence and awkwardness and instantly rendering her... Read More

Few works bring home the realities, the sadness, and the politics of the opioid crisis as well as this audiobook. Narrated with conviction by author Beth Macy, this firsthand account presents the victims and the unsung heroes who fight valiantly to help them and to bring about meaningful change in a system created for profit, not health. Macy's performance hits every note, from... Read More

Rasha Zamamiri's exquisite portrayal of Salama, a young Syrian woman struggling to survive in her war-ravaged country, captures the depth of emotions this story requires. After the war takes her parents and brother, Salama's only remaining family is her beloved sister-in-law, Layla, who is pregnant. Salama, one of the city's few remaining medical professionals, is haunted by... Read More

A NEW YORK TIMES journalist exposes the algorithms and incentives used by social media to promote hyper-partisanship for the purpose of driving revenue. Narrator Peter Ganim presents the author's arguments and eye-opening anecdotes in an evenhanded but compelling voice. The audiobook presents a history of how social media arrived at the point where, by feeding the participant a... Read More

When Carlotta Mercedes is paroled after 20 years and four parole board rejections, she finally gets to live her life as the woman she is instead of the man who went to prison. Author James Hannaham narrates the third-person elements of his novel in a straightforward manner. His performance gets a boost from trans comedian Flame Monroe as Carlotta, whose ruminations,... Read More

The sixth Cormoran Strike novel, written by J.K. Rowling under her pseudonym, will not disappoint the many fans of the series. Narrator Robert Glenister is nothing short of spectacular with his timing, rhythm, and accents. Edie Ledwell, a member of the Ink Black Heart online game, fears for her life. She begs Robin Ellacott, Strike's partner, to investigate, which Robin... Read More

The author/narrator's gentle yet persuasive voice highlights the uplifting and empowering message that we all possess the tools to create the best version of ourselves. Wadhwa's down-to-earth tone guides listeners through key principles of his Columbia University Personal Leadership & Success course. He clearly breaks down the steps to tap into true potential by activating the... Read More

Author and narrator Dr. Kit Heyam's incisive global history of transgender, intersex, and queer experiences, both lived and fictional, encourages listeners to reexamine the past with fresh eyes. Their companionable narration creates space for thoughtful engagement with the cultural, linguistic, and social factors that permeate our contemporary understanding of historical people... Read More

January LaVoy is the crisp, clear voice of Kay Scarpetta, chief medical examiner, in the latest audiobook in the series. Scarpetta is a witness in a tense murder trial that will cause rioting and violence no matter the outcome. She is called to investigate the death of the judge's sister, which looks like a botched robbery. The dead animals and plants and loss of power around... Read More

Veteran voice pro Dennis Boutsikaris delivers this fast-moving memoir with documentary clarity and exceptional resonance with the author's deeply personal story and observations. With his totally authentic phrasing and tonal palette, Boutsikaris sounds like the author, bobbing and weaving through the cultural upheaval that began in the 1960s and upended everything we took for... Read More

The latest in Connelly's Harry Bosch/Renée Ballard series is a gift to fans with its engrossing plot and intriguing characters delivered by exceptional narrators. Titus Welliver, portraying Bosch, and Christine Lakin, voicing Ballard, each take the lead in alternating chapters, coming together in the characters' dialogue. Together, they create a genuine world for listeners to... Read More

Gralen Bryant Banks brings great storytelling and animated dialogue to this debut audiobook. The story takes place in New Orleans and in an alternate version of New Orleans, known as NOLA, where music is magic. But something is awry. Perry, his younger sister, and her friend have been charged with finding several songs that have gone missing from NOLA, disrupting the city's... Read More

Quyen Ngo is a firm feminist voice for this historical novel about two famed Vietnamese sisters who worked together to save their country from Chinese domination--in CE 40, no less. Fans of world literature will find much to admire in this fast-paced, lyrical story, told by a confident narrator. The sisters' privileged lives fall apart after the murder of their father amid the... Read More

Biographer to the literal stars, Dr. Moiya McTier combines her background in folklore and astrophysics into an engaging performance of the Milky Way's life story, told from our home galaxy's point of view. McTier-as-Milky Way imbues her performance with confidence and grandeur befitting a dynamic galaxy that is billions of years old. With conversational flair and wry humor, she... Read More

Steven Jay Cohen captivatingly introduces listeners to Dr. Aaron Ahuvia's findings on the science behind people's emotional connections with things. He explains how biology and experiences play essential roles. Using intriguing case studies, Cohen enthusiastically shares how personal identity, a sense of belonging, the act of gift giving, and individualism all affect our... Read More

The British narrator Fenella Fudge delivers this audiobook with dramatic flair that is captivating on its own merits while never failing to connect with the deepest parts of the author's message. Fudge's tonal range and phrasing artistry are a joy to hear performing this beautiful poetic writing. Focusing on the boundary between human consciousness and our physical bodies, this... Read More

This terrifying audiobook predominantly requires one skill from its narrator: a tone of disbelief. Siobhan Redmond has that in spades as she brings to life the residents of a remote British island that is invaded by something evil. Thanks to Redmond's adept vocals, the incredulity builds among the handful of survivors as more and more of the islanders fall under the sway of the... Read More

Narrators Michael Gallagher and Rachanee Lumayno bring life to a whimsical fantasy romance between a demigod zombie-hunting marshal and the beautiful undertaker who infuriates him. Lumayno narrates as Mercy, the undertaker who is determined to keep her family's business afloat. Lumayno's compassionate narration helps listeners understand Mercy's growing appreciation for her... Read More

This is a lengthy feminist retelling of what happened in Odysseus's kingdom of Ithaca while he was struggling to return home after the fall of Troy. Listeners are introduced to Penelope, wife of the hero, who must rule a kingdom beset with pirates and scores of suitors who long to wed her and claim kingship of this western Greek island. The poised, steady voice of narrator... Read More

Singer-songwiter Amanda Held Opelt gives a somber yet lyrical portrayal of her own journey through grief, equipping listeners with some excellent tools to face life's challenges. Opelt discusses rituals marking death across a variety of cultures, such as the Irish tradition of keening and the Jewish observance of sitting Shiva; the practice of wearing dark clothing, thereby... Read More

David Sax narrates his extended plea for a return to real-life experiences in a world awash in technology. His earnestness is evident in his performance. Sax provides deep introspection on the nature of life during the Covid pandemic, a moment that technology companies promised we'd cope with through Zoom meetups, virtual school, and ever-present mobile devices. The problem,... Read More

Mela Lee exhibits excellent range and pacing as she portrays Vincent, a woman who is rediscovering herself in Paris while her estranged husband, Cillian, tries to win her back from afar.Not knowing how to move past finding out Cillian's long-held secret when he publishes a semiautobiographical book, she begins a love affair with a younger man. The following summer she reunites... Read More

Aidan Kelly's performance expresses the complex emotional experiences of three monks who are seeking solitude on a deserted island. Set in seventh-century Ireland, this work of historical fiction follows three monks who feel called by God to make a spiritual haven set apart from the temptations of the rest of the world. As time passes, their leader, Artt, becomes more and more... Read More

Hearing Joe Eyre narrate this dexterously written text by a neuroscientist is both intellectually stimulating and just plain fun. Eyre's smooth, lively voice impresses listeners with its authority, warmth, and enthusiasm for the topic. While listeners learn about both contemporary theories in neuroscience and the latest findings in paleoanthropology, the author also shares his... Read More

Helen Laser's unpretentious girl-next-door voice captures the edgy personality of P.I. Clarice "Pinky" Granum in Turow's 12th book in his Kindle County series. In a twist on the #MeToo theme, Chief of Police Lucia Gomez is accused of soliciting sex from male officers in exchange for promotions. Gomez hires attorney Rik Dudek, who relies on his tenacious investigator, Pinky. She... Read More

Soneela Nankani is often featured in South Asian titles. This fictional account of one part of the RAMAYANA, an ancient Hindu tale, is further proof that she's an excellent narrator. Nankani presents the lively, young princess Kaikeyi, who is maddeningly hemmed in and ignored by the sexist society she's grown up in. Listeners will feel sympathy for Kaikeyi as she fights to hold... Read More

This engaging audiobook focuses on archaeologist Riley Smith's efforts to find the tomb of Helen of Troy, who, according to Greek mythology, was the most beautiful woman in the world. The search to find the tomb and re-create Helen's face is filled with peril for Smith, forensic sculptor Eve Duncan, and other members of the expedition. Listeners will appreciate narrator... Read More

Hayden Bishop's down-to-earth, slightly edgy voice maintains a tone of authenticity that is in tune with this nuanced investigation of the poaching of old-growth trees for timber. Bourgon stresses the fundamental importance of healthy ancient trees to the sustainability of both forests and the planet while also recognizing the complexity of what the loss of jobs, and... Read More

Harry Myers gives a splendid narration of this work of science fiction/fantasy. The plot concerns Dr. Silas Coade, who is the physician on a sailing ship in the nineteenth century, on a zeppelin in the twentieth century, and on a spaceship in the far future. Each of these voyages of discovery ends with some sort of disaster, and Coade knows about this and tries to figure out... Read More

Adam Verner superbly narrates Allan Bloom's translation of Plato's classic discussion of what makes for a just society and the best form of government. Plato's best-known work has been influential for almost 2,500 years and will probably be so for 2,500 more. The work is structured as a Socratic dialogue--the philosopher asks questions, and discussion follows. While Verner does... Read More

Marissa Hampton narrates an enemies-to-lovers romance. London Kelly is a successful pediatric surgeon who doesn't have time for anything not directly related to her career, like hobbies or dating. But when her high school nemesis, Drew Sullivan, comes back to town, he might be just the distraction she needs. Hampton's portrayal of London is confident and assured, that of a... Read More

Mary Jane Wells delights listeners with a lively performance of a new historical romance series. Lysander Blackstone, Duke of Montcroix, has little desire for marriage; however, he needs the appearance of upcoming nuptials to secure a business deal. At the same time, ballerina Geneviève Valery will soon be unable to continue paying for her injured sister's care. A chance... Read More

Justin Price does an incredible job performing this grisly thriller featuring a real-life mob leader who is out for revenge against mobsters who invaded his home, ravaged it, and stole important papers. In a story in which no one is a hero, Price applies the slightest bit of sympathetic nuance to his portrayal of Nicky Passero, the hit man charged with catching the burglars... Read More

Louis McKenzie portrays indigent but hopeful Sayon Hughes as he grows up in the Caribbean-Somali area of Bristol, England. The Hughes family--large and loving--sell drugs to survive. Sayon is unforgettably rendered as he is torn between the street and his love for Shona and Elia, both flawlessly portrayed, whose friendship helps him to excel in school. As young men, Sayon and... Read More

As three protagonists set out to find a treasure, this audiobook's point of view shifts among them. Nikki Massoud imbues relic seller Loulie, the Midnight Merchant, with confidence and inner strength that is occasionally undercut by nervousness. Massoud keeps Loulie at a simmer as she is forced to join the relic hunt. Sean Rohani captures Prince Mazen's youth and eagerness for... Read More

Mela Lee's narration shines as Cole's realistic young adult story about fitting in at a new school illuminates our nation's inability to face our history of white privilege. Lee honors the cultural ethnicities of the various characters, helping the savvy listener to recognize the unconscious biases we must face in order to move forward. She gives Shania a timid, young voice as... Read More

Hayden Bishop performs a symphonic first entry in a unique space opera blending sci-fi and music. Gus is a virtuoso pianist who is contemplating the end of existence as an alien race is systematically wiping out all sentient life in the universe. At his lowest moment, Gus is chosen to be an interpreter for a rebel alien faction. Bishop embodies every character with engaging... Read More

Narrator Juliette Goglia delivers a relaxing and perfectly paced performance in this evocative audiobook set in Italy's capital. Emilia's trip to Rome takes an unexpected shift in the aftermath of a breakup. Alone and heartbroken, she wanders the city, contemplates her upbringing as the child of a world-famous musician, and eventually connects with a fellow American who is... Read More

Narrator Robert Petkoff clearly enjoys himself in recounting the insightful and humorous misadventures of the hapless gay minor novelist Arthur Less. The novel's narrator is Arthur's partner, Freddy, who has been left behind. Petkoff imbues him with a tone of wry amusement. Arthur's story unfolds through encounters, often accidental, with people he meets as he travels across... Read More

Regrettably, the narrator of this audiobook is not the British actor featured in WOLF HALL and HOMEFRONT, but a prolific British author of military and dog-themed titles. Neither has he, equally regrettably, enlisted a professional narrator to present his history of American singer-dancer Josephine Baker's career as an anti-Nazi operative during WWII. Instead, most regrettably,... Read More

British Ghanaian performer Kobna Holdbrooke-Smith lends his vocal talents to this trilogy opener, which finds 11-year-old Kofi thrust through the titular door into the Middle Passage. Before this happens, however, listeners are immersed in Kofi's rich, full life in the Asante village of Upper Kwanta, where he navigates friendship, rivalry, school, and a crush. Modulating easily... Read More

Casey Turner's delivery is direct and clear, creating the perfect listening experience for this progressively disturbing audiobook. DDT, originally considered a harmless insecticide, was at one time so prevalent that local governments would fog entire neighborhoods in an effort to eliminate insects. Laborers would be covered with the chemical to kill lice. But the discovery of... Read More

While narrator Rona Morison masterfully portrays the numerous male and female characters, differentiating them with accents, pace, and pitch, the complexity of the plot makes this audiobook a challenging listen. Anna and Fin, mystery-solving podcasters, search for Lisa Lee, a young, troubled livestreamer who has disappeared. Past podcasts and those currently being recorded are... Read More

This enchanting audiobook, narrated by Shiromi Arserio, transports listeners to a magical world of jinn. Young Nura mines mica to earn extra money for her impoverished family. She's excited to bring home treats for her siblings to celebrate Eid. But when the mine collapses and her best friend's life is on the line, she desperately shovels through the rubble and finds a portal... Read More

This stand-alone thriller from bestselling author Berry features a new protagonist, Nick Lee, a field operative for UNESCO who comes to Belgium to see his one-time fiancée, Kelsey. She's now a nun working on the restoration of a panel that was long assumed to be missing from the famed fifteenth-century Ghent Altarpiece. Nick arrives minutes after a fire destroys the panel, and... Read More

Dwayne Reed, a Chicago teacher and YouTube sensation for "Welcome to Fourth Grade," outdoes himself introducing Simon Barnes, aka Notorious D.O.G., who's short, self-conscious, and loyal. Listeners enjoy intermittent raps--Simon has a song for everything, for example, defending after school programs. Reed captures convincing classroom dynamics, family and community support, and... Read More

Paul O'Neill is remembered by baseball fans as a passionate, hard-nosed competitor, and that spirit comes through in Jack Curry's narration of his memoir. Curry, who was also O'Neill's coauthor, must have absorbed some of the intensity of the five-time World Series champion. His performance is well paced and delivered with the confidence of a sportscaster, and his familiarity... Read More

Listeners are treated to a young Jack Reacher-like ex-Army Ranger named Travis Devine, who is perfectly portrayed by narrator Zachary Webber. Devine is a trained fighting machine who has learned to remain silent in critical situations. Webber masterfully differentiates the other male characters, including a Russian hacker, by varying his timbre, pacing, and accents. Narrator... Read More

Narrators Soneela Nankani and Amin El Gamal deliver the alternating voices of the two narrators in this audiobook. Nankani shows the determination and intelligence of Indian-American Safiya, who courageously takes on the Islamophobia in her Chicago private high school. Safiya feels the privilege of the other students, scorn for being on scholarship, and the curious attention of... Read More

Narrator Sagan Chen deftly handles numerous points of view in this poignant family drama about making mistakes, owning up to them, healing, and making amends. The audiobook charts the intertwined lives of a collection of imperfect characters who are striving for connection: nonbinary teen Morgan; their autistic father, Julian; their alcoholic mother, Zoe; and Zoe's... Read More

Two star-crossed lovers erase their parents' bitter rivalry in this audiobook performed by Natalie Naudus, Shawn K. Jain, and David Shih. Steeped in Chinese culture and mythology, this contemporary fantasy seamlessly weaves multiple points of view. Luna Chang and Hunter Yee are two of a kind; each possesses a magical ability and a damning family secret. In resolving the Yees'... Read More

Author and narrator Leah Thomas faithfully delivers an inclusive introduction to environmental activism that focuses on the marginalized people most affected by climate injustices. Her leisurely paced narration allows listeners to focus on descriptions and statistics detailing the environmental injustices against BIPOC, as well as pledges and calls to action that specifically... Read More

Author/narrator Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones's history of the world's first superpower is unique in that it is based, as much as possible, on Persian sources. Llewellyn-Jones's clear diction and careful pacing allow listeners to absorb details while gaining an appreciation for the power and immensity of Persia's influence, even into modern times. His informal delivery is welcoming,... Read More

Janina Edwards's voice is direct and concise. Her narration captures the author's tone of serious consideration. While the mainstream public may view child protective services as benevolent, if underfunded, state agencies seeking to provide support and care for children at risk, Roberts provides insight into their systemic racism and bias. These entrenched interventional... Read More

Julie Teal carefully narrates the story of principal Anna Essinger, a woman of unflinching spirit who was determined to save the children in her school in Nazi Germany. With impeccable English that shifts effortlessly to flawless German, Teal creates a well-paced depiction of “Tante Anna,” whose prescient decision to move her school and students beyond Nazi reach—from... Read More

Cary Hite and Sisi Aisha Johnson create an astonishing number of distinct characters in this historical fiction based on true stories of escaped enslaved people. Hite voices 12-year-old Homer, who escapes from the Southerland plantation with his younger sister, Ada. He conveys their childish naïveté and wonder when they are rescued and brought to Freewater, a secret community... Read More

Robert Petkoff narrates this fast-paced, plausible sci-fi thriller set in a near future in which overprescribed antibiotics no longer work. Long extinguished diseases have returned with a vengeance, and the slightest ailment or minor injury can prove fatal. Humanity lives in a state of fear, suspicion, and governmental surveillance. When bioterrorists launch an attack, NYPD... Read More

Narrator Kay Eluvian's luminous performance enriches this Regency-era friends-to-lovers romance. After faking her own death at the Battle of Waterloo in order to live fully, Viola Carroll reemerges as the companion of her inimitable sister-in-law, Lady Marley. Eluvian's keen sense of dramatic emphasis and comic timing come to the fore as Viola reunites with her childhood... Read More

Narrator Joanna Scanlan's British-accented voice sets the stage for an audiobook that follows a young woman named Susan from college to middle adulthood. While treated as an exploration of the friendship between Susan and her best friend, Norma, who end up on very different paths, the story is somewhat meandering and lacks a coherent focus. Scanlan's narration does play up the... Read More

Narrator Janet Metzger is an excellent guide for this history of morality policing and punishment of women in New York City. It may be difficult to believe that women were once locked up for wearing pants or were given brutal pelvic exams upon incarceration. Yet these things and worse occurred at the House of D, as the facility was known. Ryan concentrates mostly, but not... Read More

Narrator Paul Bellantoni's lively delivery breathes oxygen into an already quite lively and information-packed audiobook. Relatively new to listeners, Bellantoni easily assumes the author's persona of earnest investigator, lifting the veil of legend to pinpoint the exact biological truth. Despite the teaser title and the jocular tone that underlies much of the narrative, tomato... Read More

Erin Bennett delivers this stellar beach read with a historical twist. The Hotel Nantucket was destroyed by fire in 1922; now a new, British owner has restored it. Lizbet, the general manager, who is coping with a broken heart, is determined that the extravagantly refurbished property will be successful. But listeners soon learn that a ghost is on the premises. While the hotel... Read More

Kim Robinson narrates his history of the Sierra Nevada--which range from California to Nevada--and the people who lived there, especially those who explored the mountains and protected them. He also tells stories of his own life. Robinson is a bestselling author of science fiction, and this personal reflection is well written, but the abundance of information, some of it only... Read More

Beloved "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts's spirited personality shines as she narrates her personal development guide full of wisdom and advice for even the darkest days. Roberts began to share Bible verses and uplifting messages during the Covid-19 pandemic as an emotional salve for her fans and friends. Using those lessons, and others she's learned along the way,... 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

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

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

Narrator Graeme Maclolm returns to portray Hamish MacBeth and the residents of Lochdubh, Scotland, in the 34th addition to this beloved series. While M.C. Beaton passed away in 2019, fellow author R.W. Green worked with her on this installment. Malcolm performs with a light Scottish brogue, making the dialogue and action easy to follow. Using tone and accents, he differentiates... Read More

Eugenia Low performs this powerful cross-cultural historical novel about a Chinese mother and young son who immigrate to America after enduring the horrors of the Japanese invasion in 1938. Destitute, Meilin and her son, Renshu, flee on foot with few possessions except an ancient scroll embellished with Chinese folktales. Low portrays Meilin's simultaneous fear and courage as... Read More

The remarkably talented narrator Soneela Nankani performs this feel-good romance flawlessly. Kamila Hussain is living the perfect life. Friends, family, career, she's got it all—well, almost all. Her love life has been a little dry lately. She also has Rohan Nasser, her brother-in-law and longtime friend, but why are his forearms suddenly making her belly flop?? And why is... Read More

Narrator Feodor Chin's fluent and highly listenable voice has made him a popular choice for fantasy fiction and esoteric scientific audiobooks, and for ensemble work. His performance style is highly adaptable, bringing clarity, balance, and a level of plausibility to the most fantastic and speculative of narratives. Here he shows his range, tracking a party of 1680s British... Read More

This is a fun audiobook. It's fun for narrator Elisabeth Rodgers who clearly enjoys herself and whose delivery enhances the dialogue of the many memorable characters. And it's fun for listeners, who will savor a light and entertaining story that quickly passes the time. The story focuses on PI Jessie Mercado, whose new client helps wealthy criminals prepare their personal lives... Read More

It's almost impossible to describe Grace Lavery's genre-defying blend of memoir, parody, academic analysis, and literary criticism. It's definitely not for everyone, but fans of weird, queer nonfiction who are up for a challenge will find much to appreciate. Lavery's narration oscillates between sly humor, fraught self-analysis, and academic detachment. Daniel Lavery often pops... 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

In this timely audiobook, NBC science journalist Jacob Ward warns that the artificial intelligence used to improve information processing and decision-making may also be manipulating our subconscious minds and enabling our worst instincts. The author's rich baritone voice and phrasing are full of appealing character. Totally authentic and connected to his writing, his... 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

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini's confident, masculine voice is well suited to narrate this 1950s murder whodunit featuring private eye Aloysius Archer. Visiting an aspiring actress friend in Los Angeles, Archer is approached by a screenwriter who fears for her life, and then disappears. His investigation leads him beyond glamorous Hollywood to Chinatown and the surrounding desert,... Read More

Delia Ephron uses a sometimes-reticent tone in her delivery of the positives and negatives of growing older. She finds the funny in everyday life and love. Grief, sorrow, and commentary on life in America are sprinkled throughout this new work. Ephron allows both frustration and anger into her voice as she grieves the deaths of her beloved sister, Nora, and her husband, Jerry.... Read More

A cheery musical introduction sets the tone for Kim Mai Guest's animated narration of two children's magical time with their aunt. X and Y's pie-baking session with their Aunt Z becomes a lesson in math, cooking techniques, and confidence-boosting words of encouragement. Guest's chirpy voice conveys the excitement and wonder that X and Y experience with baking and mathematical... 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

With nods to the infamous Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum art heist and to Paul Revere's historic ride, this audiobook begins with a fascinating premise. Narrator Corey Carthew creates credible distinctions between the three main characters: MIT student Hailey Gordon, who takes risks at a casino and lands in the middle of a murder; Nick Patterson, an ex-con who finds Hailey... Read More

Narrator Gary Furlong uses an Irish lilt to portray naïve Henry O'Toole Taylor, who, after confronting anti-Irish sentiment in New York, drifts south to Virginia. There, in 1848, he plies his blacksmithing trade at Jubilee Plantation, confronts slavery, and falls in love with an enslaved houseworker named Sarah. Narrator Chanté McCormick adopts a soft, melodic voice for Sarah,... Read More

Tanis Parenteau's authoritative performance captures the spirit of this informative audiobook. Raff, a professor of anthropology, provides a scientifically driven update of the genetic history of the Americas. The story of the population of the Western hemisphere has been written with a framework of colonization, marginalizing the historical existence of Indigenous peoples. For... Read More

Elizabeth Alexander, who delivered a poem at the first inauguration of Barack Obama, narrates her essay on white supremacy and her opposition to it. The work is also about the nature of racism and its effects--and how expressions of it and responses to it have changed over recent decades. Those who don't believe there is institutionalized racism in the U.S. should listen to... 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

Here is an irresistible audio production featuring a world in which magic is both an inescapable and illegal reality. The author's alternate post-World-War-I England is infused with a beguiling blend of magic and gothic-tinged suspense. After the death of her absentee father, Annie Mason arrives on Crow Island to handle his estate. Narrators Marisa Calin and Gemma Dawson... 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

In her memoir, Martha Wainwright's tone and lyrical phrasing have a wistful quality that make her sound at once vulnerable and strong--a survivor of something difficult. Though she is part of a musical dynasty--her brother and mother were also musicians like her father, Louden--her speaking voice and perspectives communicate a fierce independence from the family dynamics she... Read More

This audiobook is much more than a thriller. Set in an alternative history with red-scare flag bearer Joseph McCarthy as president, it blends fictional and real characters. As LAPD detective Morris Baker investigates two deaths, he becomes immersed in a cover-up that puts him in danger. The production would be a challenge for any narrator, but Fred Berman handles it... Read More

Craig McNamara hung the American flag upside down in his room. He demonstrated against the war in Vietnam, the war his father managed, but Robert McNamara's son is never strident. Narrator Keith Sellon-Wright continues in the precise but only slightly modulated tones the author establishes reading the introduction. There is yearning in this grown boy's voice--but never rage.... Read More

This audiobook is not your typical James Patterson thriller—it’s an entertaining look at the country music industry through the adventures of newcomer AnnieLee. Coauthor Dolly Parton portrays retired country music superstar Ruthanna with humor, warmth, and attitude. Country music singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini portrays AnnieLee, who is determined to run from her past all... Read More

While he was welcomed into millions of homes on a daily basis, this audio documentary about Fred Rogers and his "Neighborhood" examines his impact one person at a time. Tom Bergeron, the lead narrator, serves as more of a bridge between themes, introducing each area examined, such as music, puppets, and private moments. The real stars of this work are the dozens of people who... 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

John Cho narrates his middle-grade novel set amid the 1992 Los Angeles riots. News footage of the riots prompts sixth-grader Jordan to make a precarious trek through Koreatown and the outskirts of the riots. Determined to help his father protect the family's South Central store, he encounters perilous misadventures along the way. Cho has a pleasing voice and steady cadence,... 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

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

Aysha Kala narrates in a crisp, clear voice that easily draws listeners into the complex life of Faiza, a Pakistani-Muslim woman living in a posh London neighborhood. When Faiza's husband, Tom, loses his job, Faiza is forced to weave a web of lies to keep him from discovering that she has spent their emergency fund. Listeners become privy to Faiza's background and the ways she... Read More

Acclaimed poet Marilyn Nelson narrates her own words in this biography-in-verse of the Black sculptor and teacher Augusta Savage. Born in Florida in 1892, Savage moved to New York City in 1921. There her sculpture commissions earned her praise and scholarships for further study in Europe. With slow, elongated diction and a flat cadence, Nelson conveys the dreamy wonder of the... Read More

Listeners will delight in this first audiobook in a new fantasy series. This slow-burn, character-driven story follows the lives of several people who are trying to survive the harsh realities of Kithamar, a city with many faces. After suffering a personal tragedy, Alys obsessively pursues answers about who was behind it. Will she push her quest for revenge too far? Narrator... 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

Peter Noble narrates as if lecturing, an approach that reflects the tone of the two authors of this audiobook, both scientists. They suggest that language is a game of charades and improvisation, and that the rules of language aren't as rigid as schooling may have taught us. Noble delivers the stories and theories of the authors, as well as the ideas of numerous scholars who... Read More

Narrator Alex Kotlikoff's flinty vocal clarity and spontaneous performance are perfect for this outstanding personal finance guide by an economist and expert on lifecycle money management issues. His vocal confidence is charming, full of the magnetic energy needed to perform information and advice that the author offers with his own blend of conversational writing, lucid... Read More

Both author Michael Daly and narrator and P.J. Ochlan give splendid performances of this long and detailed look at how several police officers, detectives, and a nurse helped to lower New York City's crime rate in the 1980s and '90s. The author provides many telling details about the characters--a detective who wears a homburg hat and a nurse who is the great-niece of Josephine... 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

Multitalented entertainer Jamie Foxx tells it like it is--with help from his oldest daughter, Corinne Foxx--in this funny, touching, and irreverent memoir narrated by himself. Corinne provides a humorously honest foreword with her perspective of her dad. Jamie uses a tender tone while sharing childhood stories about being raised by his beloved grandmother, and it underlines his... Read More

Alex Hyde-White narrates this deep dive into climate history with just the right tone and tempo. His deliberate style allows listeners to take in the nuances of the relationships among major climate upheavals--earthquakes, floods, ice ages, and, of course, warming--to identify how humans have suffered, persevered, and adapted. The authors, both archaeologists, utilize recent... Read More

York Whitaker delivers this sociological study of American families' eating habits. As narrator, she adopts a straightforward informational style. In addition to telling her own story, author Fielding-Singh interviewed 75 families and embedded herself with four. Her research methodology struck a balance between objective analysis and the subjective experience of getting to know... Read More

While many listeners are familiar with Marie Antoinette's life, few will be aware of the story of her sister, Maria Carolina Charlotte. Through this polished audio presentation, listeners can learn about this formidable monarch, the Queen of Naples and the Kingdoms of the Two Sicilies. Charlotte was raised by her redoubtable mother, Empress Maria Theresa of Austria-Hungary, and... Read More

Cultural historian Michael Stewart Foley employed previously unavailable archives and research to examine the life, politics, and multiple cultural personas of entertainer Johnny Cash, who died in 2003. The author sensitively, carefully, and tenderly sets the tone and scope of the work by narrating the lengthy introduction. Sadly, the microphone is then handed to Greg... Read More

Listeners wake up with crew members on a spaceship bringing settlers to a new home to find that several travelers haven't survived the journey. From that springs a sci-fi murder mystery in which solutions are a lot more far-reaching than anyone is prepared to handle. Narrator Clifford Samuel has a mellow presentation that gently leads listeners closer to the drama. He lets the... Read More

British social health writer Julie Hobsbawm narrates this important audiobook with comfortable pacing that makes her insights and suggestions easy to digest. She says work-from-home paradigms and digital communication are part of the new flexibility people are enjoying at work. Work structures have been loosening for decades, allowing people to feel more creative, independent,... Read More

Tom Vitale, director and producer of Anthony Bourdain's television shows on food and travel, narrates his memoir of working with the iconic chef, traveler, and author. Expressing his grief over Bourdain's suicide, Vitale pays fitting tribute to the joys and frustrations of working with "Tony" around the world. Authors reading their own works can be a mixed bag, but Vitale does... Read More

In this YA memoir, Julissa Arce tells the story of her childhood in Mexico and her teen years as an undocumented immigrant in the U.S. Her heartfelt delivery makes the audiobook sound like a friend revealing her hidden tragic past. Before she became a vice president at Goldman Sachs, she was the youngest daughter in a family that prized education. Her parents worked tirelessly... Read More

Cynthia Erivo narrates her heartwarming and tender picture book. Erivo's calming voice and steady pacing offer the perfect balance for this bedtime tale. Ebere is an adventurous child who is quite the dreamer, and after each dream, she rushes to tell her mother about it. In a patient voice, her mother always asks Ebere questions and encourages her to go back and dream some... Read More

A full cast offers variety and verisimilitude in this production of Melissa Lenhardt's take on a Western. The story features three late-nineteenth-century women who become outlaws after being robbed of their Colorado horse ranch. Englishwoman Margaret Parker (Barrie Kreinik), former slave Hatty LaCour (Ella Turenne), and ex-Pinkerton detective Claire Hamilton (Bailey Carr) tell... Read More

Homer Todiwala provides a strong voice for this complicated examination of food and global economics, filled with personal anecdotes. He brings an arch, academic tone to this detailed analysis, which ranges from kimchi to globalization. Fans of innovative nonfiction will find much to admire. Todiwala amplifies the vivid personality of the author, as well as the intellectual... Read More

A top-notch narration by Vikas Adam transforms Raymond Chandler's iconic 1940s detective Philip Marlowe into a 21st-century PI. Marlowe is hired by a once-famous, notoriously nasty movie star to locate her missing 17-year-old stepdaughter. When he finds her, Marlowe stashes her with his prickly father, a hard-drinking ex-cop, for safekeeping. Marlowe reluctantly accepts a... Read More

All the delicious banter in this warmhearted queer rom-com comes alive in Lindsey Dorcus's joyful performance. Dahlia and London meet on a reality cooking show. Dahlia is just getting over a divorce and trying to get her life on track; London is the first nonbinary contestant the show has ever had. Dorcus portrays their personalities perfectly. London's voice is smooth, slow,... Read More

After Mela Lee's enthusiastic narration of the foreword, Christine Lakin's pitch-perfect performance is a great fit for this political exposé. Sounding intelligent and inviting, her spot-on interpretations and astute phrasing gently signal the scholarly and moral underpinnings of the author's insights. Kyla Schuller, who teaches women's, gender, and sexuality studies at... Read More

Joe Eyre's narration of this audiobook sounds erudite yet accessible. His approach effectively navigates the challenge of a scholarly deep dive into the life and works of John Milton. Moshenska, an Oxford professor of English literature, asserts that Milton's writing and legacy place him in a revered space in the Western literary canon, alongside Shakespeare and Wordsworth.... Read More

Cynthia Farrell is the perfect narrator for this action-packed audiobook featuring homicide, government conspiracy, and maybe UFOs. She delivers both male and female voices with aplomb and adds the appropriate urgency when protagonists Nora Kelly and FBI Special Agent Corrie Swanson land in trouble, which occurs fairly frequently. The plot may stretch credulity for some... Read More

This four-thousand-year history of the Greeks and their contributions to the world is ably narrated by Anna Crowe. Her fluid descriptions of the Greeks from the Bronze Age of the Minoans and Mycenaeans to the present are unhurried. Each historical event and era is carefully examined, explained, and analyzed throughout Crowe's professorial delivery. Dramatic high... Read More

Author/narrator Mintz paces his audiobook well. His delivery is enthusiastic; he knows food and restaurants, and the listener learns a lot. A Canadian food critic, culinary school grad, and an aficionado of cuisine of every stamp, Mintz delivers a catalogue of issues, including unrealistic customer expectations, wage theft, tipping disparities, and chains' need for growth... Read More

The venerable sportswriter John Feinstein dives into a topical subject that draws strong opinions and whose tentacles reach across fields and courts: race and sports. Feinstein narrates his own work and has grown into a comfortable style as a narrator with his own cadence. He doesn't imitate anyone except for the drawl of famed basketball coach Lefty Driesell, an imitation that... Read More

Narrator Soneela Nankani becomes Dava Shastri, a business mogul and family matriarch, as she leaks fake news of her own death to the media. This is a fun exploration of personal secrets and the legacies we leave behind. Nankani captures the arch tones of a wealthy, mostly superficial elderly woman who actually is dying. From the wide-ranging family members, aghast at their... Read More

James Madison is sometimes remembered as a man of contradictions. Jay Cost's biography of the Founding Father and fourth president explores the nuances of "America's first politician." With his warm tone, Dan Woren is easy to listen to, and his narration is both serious and accessible, like the author's style. Cost examines Madison's extraordinarily productive life--from his... Read More

Narrator Chelsea Hatfield returns the listener to Honey Grove, Texas, where Cody Ryan broke Stephanie O'Dell's heart when they were in high school. Years later, now a doctor, he returns home from working for Doctors Without Borders. Hatfield evokes the ambiance of Texas with just the right amount of twang. The tension begins when Cody and Stephanie, a veterinarian, are forced... Read More

Narrator James Fouhey's vocal clarity and melodic phrasing have the sound of an armchair observer who is gently sharing his perspectives. His slow pacing provides the space listeners need to absorb these humanistic management ideas. In organizations and communities of all sizes, the authors say, people in decision-making positions are often too autocratic, too focused on... Read More

Narrator Polly Lee's vehement tone and masterful characterizations are well matched to this robust reimagining of "Sleeping Beauty." Embracing a large cast of enjoyable characters and political intricacies, Lee's world-building enhances this engrossing coming-of-age adventure. When Miriam saves her baby stepsister, Aurora, by decimating a dark fae at Aurora's christening, their... Read More

Sutton Foster is an actor who can dance, sing, and capably narrate her own memoir--and she can also impressively wield a crochet hook. In a refreshingly conversational style, Foster tells entertaining stories from her childhood and career, which are interwoven with descriptions of how crocheting and other crafts were treasured distractions from her anxieties. With warmth in her... Read More

Narrator Chelsea Hatfield brings the listener to Sunflower Ranch in Texas as Jesse Ryan returns home after 20 years as an army medic. There he finds his former best friend, Addison Hall, living on his family's ranch with her teenage daughter, Mia. Hatfield's performance provides a strong sense of Texas without being overdone. She portrays Addison as strong and self-assured and... Read More

Narrator Robyn Holdaway's talent for voicing distinct characters full of personality shines in this audiobook retelling of the English murder ballad "The Twa Sisters." As the King of Dumnonia embraces Christianity, the threat of invading Saxons grows. Sister Riva is blessed with healing magic but can't heal her own psychological scars. Sister Sinne's developing magic skills... Read More

Book 2 in the Drowning Empire series continues with the same narrators who delivered THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER. Natalie Naudus returns as Lin, who is now the Emperor. Feodor Chin reprises Jovis, who is serving as captain of the Emperor's Guard. Both characters tell their tales in the first person. Jovis is a major force in Lin's story, and vice versa, so it's helpful that both... Read More

Listeners will expect Katie Couric to deliver her memoir in the smooth newscaster’s voice we know well, but she catches us off guard by narrating in the heartfelt tone of a tell-all. Throughout, her energy and enthusiasm abound. Couric’s father was a journalist who encouraged her to follow her dreams—and she did so with a single-mindedness that is nothing short of inspiring.... Read More

Tyla Collier narrates a fun and breezy rom-com. Lu Carlisle is devastated when she learns that film star Keanu Reeves has apparently announced his engagement. She vows to meet him, unaware that love may be closer at hand--in the form of her real-life BFF, Truman Erikson. Collier's jaunty tone perfectly captures the mood of the story. Although she's a talented artist,... Read More

Born in Dundee, Scotland, actor Brian Cox recounts the day of his birth, when his nervous, distracted father went to the registry office to register the newborn's name as Colin. However, due to an opinionated office manager, his father was talked into calling him Brian. With humor and grace, the versatile, well-respected actor offers candid insights into his early family life... Read More

Narrator Donald Chang explains how humans have become the dominant species on Earth because they embody Darwin's theory of survival of the fittest. This segues into Dunn's treatise: HOMO SAPIENS is but one species among millions on Earth and may not be the fittest in the future. If viruses and bacteria continue to mutate to reject antibiotics and the pollution of natural... Read More

Nicole Stott's new audiobook challenges listeners to think about the interconnectivity of life on Earth. She compares our planet to a spaceship and encourages each person to be a crew member, rather than a passenger. While sharing her experience as an astronaut on the International Space Station, as well as her research, she offers a fascinating view of environmental problems... Read More

Narrator Susannah Jones emphasizes the importance of family in the final book in Ashley's Dream Team series. Ashley's written cues and Jones's voices ensure that each character is easily identified. She uses a confiding voice for single mother Pepper Hannigan, who is leery of dating military commando Auggie Hero. Pepper's daughter Juno's piping voice sounds enthusiastic and... Read More

Kiff VandenHeuvel's enthusiastic delivery heightens this middle-grade coming-of-age adventure. When Philadelphia's bridges appear to be under attack from monsters, three young friends band together, forming The Midnight Brigade to investigate. Carl, Teddy, and Bee are inherently impacted by their parents' vocations and choices; they are the children of a new restaurateur, a... Read More

Author and screenwriter Noah Hawley's latest dystopian thriller, set in the near future, is a gripping yet distressing and profound listening experience. After teen suicide becomes prevalent in the U.S., a group of teens go on a mission to save a destructive and brutal society that is focused on greed and ego. It is divided between The Party of Truth and The Party of Lies.... Read More

Cary Hite joins a long list of narrators who have performed the Alex Cross series. His voice and tone capture the psychologist's smart and caring personality. He also finds fitting voices for Cross's close friends and family, including the kids and the many bad guys. As the plot takes listeners from Washington, DC, to Paris and Mexico, Hite effectively switches accents where... Read More

Narrator Jeremy Arthur strikes the right balance between dramatic storytelling and a journalistic tone in this remarkable audiobook about climate change. His deliberate pace lets the stats sink in as he straightforwardly delivers the scientific information. Author Fox has found a trove of invaluable data in his globe-trotting climate reporting, which includes stops in the... Read More

In their introduction, the two authors engage in banter about their personal relationship and professional collaboration, after which narrator Terrence Kidd delivers the well-organized chapters of this audiobook. Kidd narrates with intellectual clarity, though his tone sounds overly serious, even for an important behavioral science book about how group membership can impact an... Read More

Narrators Brittany Pressley and Kyf Brewer sparkle in the suspenseful final chapter of the Atlee Pine series. FBI agent Atlee Pine searches for her twin sister, Mercy, in a nonstop, action-packed thriller full of sharp twists and turns. Fans of the series will not be disappointed with Pressley and Brewer as they deliver another roller-coaster ride of a story with these... Read More

With his lifetime of deep involvement in the industry, filmmaker Chris Jones has credibility you can hear as he reads his plea that artists not rely too heavily on algorithmic success formulas when creating art. Combined with his resonant voice and lyricism, his audible confidence will provoke artists of all kinds to rethink the easy trap of doing what works in the market and... Read More

Narrator Moira Quirk brings an easy charm to a queer Regency romance between bluestocking Philippa York and rakish master of disguise Thomasina "Tommy" Wynchester. Tommy always sounds full of confidence--except when she's around Philippa. When a case of plagiarism brings the two together, Tommy dons the disguise and bravado of Baron Vanderbeen, which gives her the courage to... Read More

Too much perfectionism in our culture results in generation after generation of people who are too afraid of making mistakes to create anything original, says the creativity guru Laurie Rosenwald in this fast-moving audio. She narrates with exuberance and dramatic flair that occasionally upstage her message--but she sounds so sincere that her likable vocal personality overcomes... Read More

Nationally acclaimed educator Brandon Fleming's captivating narration enhances his moving life story, one of tenacity and life-changing moments. Listeners experience Fleming's excitement, struggle, and triumph through his performance. His childhood is punctuated with violence, including familial abuse. He excels at basketball until a devastating injury puts an end to that.... Read More

In his naturally resonant voice, narrator Rhett Samuel Price introduces listeners to the little known African-American pioneers of NFL football. Between 1934 and 1945 there were no Black players in the league. There was no written bylaw to prevent it, but racist owners influenced others to exclude them from play. After WWII, attitudes changed, and the first African-American... Read More

Narrators Natalia del Riego and Adan Rocha make a perfect pair in this Latinx contemporary romance. Luisa "Lou" Patterson and Sam Alvarez used to be best friends, but it's been four years since they've talked. Now it's their senior year in Port Coral, Florida, and they have some unfinished "bucket list" business. The dual narrations give listeners a deeper look into each... Read More

This ambitious teen thriller examines racism, sexism, and LGBTQ+ issues across three decades. Four friends unearth a time capsule buried by their parents in 1986, their senior year of high school. Narrator Jeanette Illidge's strength and emotion illuminate smart but unfocused Elayah, a 2020 teen who is haunted by the discovery of a bloody knife and a confession in the time... Read More

Advances in medicine rarely go in a straight line. There are breakthroughs, setbacks, progress, failures, risk-benefit analyses, and real human (and animal) costs. James Noel Hoban's deep, grave voice and energetic pace embody the sense of urgency that is central to efforts to save patients' lives. In 1967, the recipient of a heart transplant operation lived for 18 days; now... Read More

In alternating chapters, five talented male voices portray 10 African-American men. This collection moves through American history from the colonial era to the present day. The diversity of voices and accents reflects the men's backgrounds with respect to places of origin and education. With fascinating accounts of familiar role models ranging from author Benjamin Banneker to... Read More