Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Narrators Taylor Meskimen and Ozzie Rodriguez portray two teenagers in what starts out as a sweet summer romance but becomes something much more sinister. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the story of a truly unforgettable first date. James and Amelia go canoeing and discover a fully furnished house underwater. They become obsessed with the house and form an intense bond over the weeks of exploring the mysterious house—but a foreboding presence looms within the house and threatens to drive them apart. The narrators craft memorable characters while also setting a tone and pace that well suits the horror and romance of this audiobook. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and narrator Wilson Tang adds history and personality to New York’s Chinatown with his heartfelt dive into the neighborhood. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this cookbook that also offers a connection to the community. The audiobook is both a collection of lovely stories from the Chinese community in New York and Tang’s personal story of coming to own the Nom Wah restaurant and all those who supported him along the way. The stories are interspersed with chapters that help you tap into Tang’s enthusiasm for the food, walking listeners through the history of rice, noodles, and bao, definitely making you hungry with his engaging narration. Listen while you cook--or daydream of visiting Chinatown. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two accomplished narrators, Elizabeth Wiley and Heather Henderson, recount the chronicle of the White Rose, a cluster of German students who opposed Hitler in 1942 and 1943. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this story that focuses on Hans and Sophie Scholl, siblings of the author. Both Wiley and Henderson are articulate and polished as they engage listeners in the hopeless but courageous struggle of this resistance group. Five male narrators provide documentation following the historical account. Listeners hear the exact words, in English, of the leaflets that condemned the young students. Published by Post Hypnotic Press. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this lucid and accessible discussion of the connection between fascism and lying made by Argentine historian Federico Finchelstein. Edoardo Ballerini narrates with a clear and agile voice for a story that is international in scope. The audiobook examines the twentieth century’s infamous fascist leaders and their followers, along with populist and fascist leaders of today. Ballerini demonstrates his ease with a broad range of languages to smoothly pronounce names and terms. His pacing, and the author’s writing, prevent any sense of drag, making this short audiobook rigorous enough to engage politically educated listeners as well as students eager to find expert guidance in developing historical understanding. Published by Post Hypnotic Press. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kimberly Woods’s soft voice draws out all of the roiling emotions in Christine Day’s middle-grade novel about recovery, loss, and hope. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this audiobook that provides young listeners with comfort and catharsis. Maisie is a 12-year-old Makah and Piscataway girl whose identity has revolved around ballet—but after tearing her ACL, she’s facing an uncertain future. Woods’s youthful voice embodies Maisie, whose anger and anxieties are beginning to overwhelm her despite the loving support of her family. Listeners who are facing loss and a year like none other will find Maisie’s story healing. She’s a role model for learning to express strong emotions and to ask for help. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this gently told audiobook, author and podcaster Katherine May investigates the effectiveness of rest and refuge in challenging times. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss narrator Rebecca Lee’s pleasing British accent and sympathetic tone, which wonderfully capture May’s absorbing curiosity about the efficacy of slowing down to recover a sense of wellness and balance. May describes lifestyle changes she undertook when she became ill, adaptations by Finns in response to long winter nights, and the patterns of hibernation in dormice and other species. These discoveries will resonate with listeners facing a long winter and the uncertainties of the pandemic. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Adjoa Andoh captivates listeners with Nnedi Okorafor’s stunning new sci-fi novella set in a near future Ghana. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Andoh’s skills with pacing and tone that keep her perfectly in tune with Okorafor’s compelling story, and she smoothly switches between the accents required to bring the vibrant characters to life. Sankofa is known as the adopted daughter of the Angel of Death. As a young girl, she gains incredible power—and then kills everyone she loves in a tragic accident. Sankofa explores Ghana on foot as she works to gain control over her powers and hunts down the alien artifact stolen from her. Listeners will feel Sankofa’s anger, her longing for community, and her legendary strength. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners will delight in being back with friends from NEW KID, last year’s Newbery Award-winning graphic novel by Jerry Craft. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the full-cast rendition of this sequel to NEW KID, which continues the story of the kids of Riverdale Academy Day School. Jordan Banks is excited but nervous to be heading back to school as an 8th grader, and Jesus Del Orden’s bright voice matches his sweet and observant personality. Drew, compellingly narrated by Nile Bullock, has an easy time connecting with Jordan, but they both continue to feel uneasy about how their wealthy and white classmates—and teachers--treat them both. Subtle sound effects and the full cast’s lively performances help or middle-grade listeners imagine the bustling school hallways. Craft’s witty humor will have listeners laughing out loud, and seeking out the graphic novel companion. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com http://audiofilemagazine.com/ Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, https://dreamscapepublishing.com/ Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miebaka Yohannes narrates with a conversational tone that mirrors Frederick Joseph’s engaging writing. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this YA audiobook that weaves together stories from Joseph’s own life and interviews with others to create an audiobook full of sincere and frank commentary. The audiobook touches on issues such as systemic racism, cultural appropriation, and becoming an “active accomplice.” Throughout, Yohannes amplifies the sincerity in Joseph’s writing—and the humor. Teen listeners will come away with a strengthened resolve to learn about and fight oppression. Published by Brilliance Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrators Robin Miles and Dennis Boutsikaris lead a group of first-rate voice talents in delivering a collection of short stories centered on the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE’s collection of contemporary North American authors including Margaret Atwood, Victor LaValle, and Dina Nayeri. They have published an astonishing array of fresh, personal and immediate takes on a world taken hostage by a virus. One hopes this is just the beginning of a fresh, breathlessly affecting, and essential literary conversation. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Jameson narrates Roman Krznaric’s impressive work of humanistic philosophy with the seriousness, clarity, and style that it merits. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this edifying excursion into how one can be a “good ancestor.” Packed with thoughtful suggestions and inspiring stories of people like environmental activist Greta Thunberg and case histories in countries from Iceland to China, this audiobook proposes sweeping changes in how people and governments behave. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Meskimen narrates John Luther Adams’s exceptional memoir with conviction and recognition that these words are from a composer of music. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the way Meskimen narrates with great care and understanding, capturing an immersive text with a deliberate voice and well-paced cadence. Adams’s life and work in the solitude of Alaska bring the listener an appreciation of creativity. This soul-gracing work from an American original delves deeply into the intersections of ecology and art. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who appreciates impassioned environmental writing and enjoys the lilting sounds of a fine Irish accent will want to listen to this audiobook. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed his thoughts on both the naturalist Richard Nairn’s writing on the Irish woodlands and Ruairi Conaghan’s storyteller’s delivery. At once a personal story of the author’s own woodland care taking, it is also a meditation on what has happened to Ireland’s woodland, and why. This audiobook’s aim is to help heal the trees. Published by Bolinda Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suzanne Toren narrates this fable with such subtlety and grace that the listener is effortlessly lulled into the fantastic world of talking and thinking animals. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minkoff discuss the magic of taking a trip to Paris, via Jane Smiley’s new audiobook. Toren’s portrayals of the animas--Perestroika, a thoroughbred racehorse; shorthaired German pointer; raven; and mallards--that inhabit this audiobook are splendid. Perestroika and Paris shine brightly, and this audiobook is a marvelous listening experience and alluring escape. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The product of a self-imposed desert exile with his exhaustive collection of personal journals, Matthew McConaughey’s nontraditional memoir offers a series of philosophical reflections of his first 50 years and of life itself. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this tour-de-force one-man show that is much like an experimental film. Dark at moments, the eccentric McConaughey charms and enchants with his Texas twang. At the conclusion, McConaughey reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you blend a master of lyrical language with an outstanding narrator, the result is an unforgettable listening experience. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this semi-autobiographical novel published in 1909, getting renewed attention with an award-winning feature film and Ballerini’s new narration of the audiobook. Martin, a working-class sailor, falls in love with a member of the upper class, Ruth, and he is inspired to educate himself so he may become worthy of her. However, when he does become a famous writer and scholar, he can’t connect with his working-class roots any more. Ruth abandons him, and he falls into despair. Ballerini makes London’s reality our reality, making this classic a choice listening experience. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a calm, steady voice, Derek Perkins narrates this history of Italian resistance during WWII, with a focus on 1944 and 1945. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Caroline Moorehead’s concluding history in her Resistance Quartet, examining women’s role in the French and Italian Resistance. Perkins slips smoothly into the role of narrator of this lesser-known chapter of WWII, with four women from northwest Italy fighting to overthrow the fascist regime in Turin and the surrounding mountains. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an audiobook that grabs the listener’s interest at the start--and keeps getting better from there. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Euan Morton’s brilliant performance of a dark and violent standalone thriller from Jo Nesbø. The mystery focuses on brothers Carl and Roy, who share lifelong secrets and whose lives continue to intertwine in dark, depraved, and unnerving ways. Carl returns to the Norwegian town they grew up in, and there are an alarming number of murders, all of which thrust the town into a fearful frenzy. Nesbø’s complex story is powerful, and his dialogue is superb--couple that with Morton’s precise delivery and his ability to effectively mix inflection, tone, and pace, and the book is an audio page-turner. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist Michael Specter’s throaty voice and emotional yet precise delivery perfectly suit his examination of the coronavirus pandemic and the man who is trying to save us from it. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss this biography of Dr. Fauci, based on Specter’s profile for THE NEW YORKER. The gripping audio production blends interviews with Fauci (and Fauci’s wife, herself a bioethicist with the NIH), historical audio clips and news reports, and a fact-filled narrative that captures the listener’s attention as effectively as a suspense novel. This time, however, the terrifying plot points are real. Published by Pushkin Industries. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media, Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would happen if Jesus’s second coming occurred in America and he believed the best way to initiate a religious rebirth was with a run for President? AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss Dion Graham’s narration of a satirical story of the Messiah’s run for the White House, written by Roland Merullo. The story centers on Russ Thomas, a TV reporter who, along with a girlfriend, meets a stranger named Jesus who asks them to work on his presidential campaign. If you’re looking for something escapist and different, this one is a wild ride. Published by Post Hypnotic Press. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Dreamscape Media. Publishers of bestselling audiobooks from classics like THE GREAT GATSBY to suspenseful mysteries, to indulging romance to essential non-fictions that make your ears happy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and narrator Becky Cooper’s true-crime audiobook chronicles her meticulous and deeply personal investigation of a fifty-year-old murder case. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this audiobook where the real-life mystery is solved. In 1969, Harvard graduate student Jane Britton was found violently murdered in her apartment, and her unsolved murder was a Harvard myth, passed along for decades. Cooper felt a growing kinship with the enigmatic Jane and became determined to learn the truth about her murder. Cooper’s well-researched, suspenseful, and empathetic account is true crime at its finest. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Amir Abdullah depicts Chicago’s wealthy enclaves, struggling neighborhoods, and mouthwatering foods while introducing the former-cop-turned-PI Ashe Cayne. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Abdullah’s engaging narration of this missing person mystery from author Ian K. Smith. Ashe Cayne is called on to find Tinsley Gerrigan, a billionaire’s adult daughter. When Ashe finds her, she’s living her own secret life outside of her family’s sphere--and when her boyfriend is found dead, things start to heat up. Abdullah has a rich, expressive voice--his excellent performance makes the text compelling in the audio format. Published by Brilliance Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Remembering Kobe Bryant. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress and comedian Rachel Bloom narrates her own memoir showcasing her life story and her hilarious personality. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about Bloom’s story of growing up as someone who didn’t quite fit in, but discovered her own unique voice through theater. She goes on to become famous as the creator and lead actor in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” a musical TV show that broke barriers and dealt directly with the subject of mental health. It’s an audiobook that bursts with Bloom’s personality and voice--she even breaks out into song with multipart harmony and music--making it a book you definitely want to experience on audio. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Frankenstein, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini anchors a full-cast performance of a story that takes place in Spokane, WA in the early 1900s. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this Earphones Award-winning story centered on a difficult time in America’s history, and Jess Walters’s memorable characters. Young brothers Rye and Gig take dangerous jobs in the hopes of improving their station in life, but nothing is easy. Events take a turn when they get caught up in the free speech movement and with union organizing. Narrators jump in with spot-on portrayals of activists, detectives, and more, giving backgrounds and ultimate fates of key characters. The outstanding production captures the heart of this affecting snapshot of life during the Progressive Era. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zenia Starr narrates a lively start to an exciting mystery series starring Zaiba, a determined 11-year-old on the lookout for a case. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Annabelle Sami’s new mystery that is perfect for family listening. The Royal Star Hotel is bustling with guests for Zaiba’s cousin’s Mehndi party, and when clever Zaiba, her younger brother Ali, and her best friend Poppy hear of a VIP guest, they’re determined to discover who it is--little do they know they’re stumbling onto a burglary! Starr’s bright narration and ease with shifting between British, Pakistani, and American accents will keep young listeners hooked as they try to solve the case of the missing diamonds--and dog!--along with Zaiba. Published by Bolinda Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Remembering Kobe Bryant. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Jane Wells narrates a sweetly humorous romance between an incognito duke and a woman determined to lead her father’s sauce business to success. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed all that she loved about Milan’s latest historical romance, one that listeners will find discovers both real-world truths and a promise of hope. Jeremy Wentworth loves Chloe Fong, but the awkward fact that she doesn’t know he literally owns her home & entire village makes romance difficult. Wells perfectly captures Chloe’s brisk focus and Jeremy’s charming fecklessness, and Wells shows the deep respect and profound bond between them, especially with regard to their Chinese heritage. There’s much to love about this audiobook. Published by Courtney Milan. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kwame Alexander delivers three of his poems about the struggles of Black Americans to make a potent combination of elegy, protest, and celebration of Black triumph. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the impressive impact of this brief audiobook, and Alexander’s powerful performance. He begins the audiobook with a stirring foreword recounting a time as a child when he joined his school in protesting police brutality, his fear of police violence, and the power he felt through communal protest and song. Listen to hear his wonderfully performed poems “American Bullet Points,” “Take a Knee,” and “The Undefeated,” set to original music. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Remembering Kobe Bryant. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Michael Bow expresses the cynical wit of Korean American “super mega nerd” Sunny Dae. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about all there is to love about David Yoon’s newest teen romance. When Sunny gets a new neighbor, the ultracool Cirrus Soh, he invents a fairly impressive fake rockstar persona that results in stealing his older brother’s clothes, music, and swagger. Sunny ropes his best friends into the act, and they form a band, discovering the thrill of making music together. Bow is able to reflect Sunny’s cynicism, anxiety, growing confidence as he manages to keep the wool over Cirrus’s eyes--but only to a point. Bow reveals Sunny’s true self as he ultimately questions his relationships with Cirrus and his family, and finds his own identity. Published by Listening Library. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Frankenstein, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ijeoma Oluo, the bestselling author of SO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT RACE, is back, this time taking a closer look at the legacy of white male supremacy in America. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about Oluo’s well-researched examination of how America’s systems have been built to prioritize white and male culture above all else--and that these systems can and must be rebuilt. Her narration is confident and clear, drawing listeners in with appropriate indignation and outrage, and listeners will be moved, disturbed, and inspired by her words. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of Dust, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Adam Lazarre-White finds the distinct voice of each character in this seminal collection, written in 1938 by Richard Wright. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Wright’s collection that exposed the strange and coded universe of Jim Crow racism to the entire world with a hard-hitting essay and five remarkable and devastating short stories. Realistic, visceral, violent, and honest--these are stories that mattered and still matter today, and Lazarre-White reads them that way. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Feodor Chin reads this satirical novel with drama and wit. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Pete Beatty’s audiobook set in 19th-century Ohio and how the outsized characters make this tall tale an heir to the Western lore of Pecos Bill and Paul Bunyan. The listener is treated to all the hijinks--from a boat race to a bridge burning and a prodigious brawl. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Remembering Kobe Bryant. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff revisit Willa Cather’s classic, narrated by Robert G. Slade. He delivers the voices of Bohemians, Norwegians, and Russian immigrants with subtlety and captures the cadences of young and old--and most of all, inhabits the coming of age of the storyteller Jim Burden. Ántonia is one of American literature’s most striking heroines--strong, independent, spirited, and motherly, she survives and prevails. Published by Naxos AudioBooks. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Frankenstein, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Charlie Thurston embraces the fast pace of this entertaining cheese-focused romp. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed about how Thurston’s cadence, rhythm, and ability to mimic make Joe Berkowitz’s informative audiobook special. It’s at once a cheese-centered travelogue, an appreciation of all things cheese, and a celebration of those who make cheese. And it’s also a journey into the nether world of cheese competitions. It’s a listen for food lovers, cheese makers, and anyone who wants to discover more about the American artisan cheese world. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Lauren Redniss and a full cast of narrators transport the listener to the high, dry country of southeast Arizona’s Apache San Carlos Reservation. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this story of sacred lands threatened by development of their vast copper deposits. Lauren Redniss delivers the narrative that introduces listeners to the people and the issues, and this work of art celebrates the Apache culture and its close ties to the land. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of Remembering Kobe Bryant. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s bonus edition of Behind the Mic, narrator Frankie Corzo joins host Jo Reed to talk about her audiobooks, including MEXICAN GOTHIC. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s eerie horror novel is one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of the year. This audiobook will not only creep you out, but it also captures the lush Mexican countryside. Frankie shares her story of how she got her start in acting and in audio, her thoughts on the immersive MEXICAN GOTHIC, and the joys of bringing complicated and multidimensional Latinx stories to life for listeners of all ages, including Meg Medina’s MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS. For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Robin Miles joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to talk about THE CITY WE BECAME, N.K. Jemisin’s remarkable and fantastical celebration of New York City’s spirit. THE CITY WE BECAME is one of AudioFile’s Best Sci-fi, Fantasy & Horror audiobooks of the year, and it’s an entirely engaging listening experience. Robin tells Michele about what has stayed with her from narrating this audiobook and the special preparation she took to make the many New York voices come to life. Published by Hachette Audio. Best Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Audiobooks: THE CITY WE BECAME by N.K. Jemisin, read by Robin Miles THE HAUNTING OF H.G. WELLS by Robert Masello, read by Steve West THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by Andy Serkis MEXICAN GOTHIC by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, read by Frankie Corzo THE SANDMAN by Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs [Adapt.], read by Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Neil Gaiman, James McAvoy, Samantha Morton, Bebe Neuwirth, Andy Serkis, Michael Sheen, and a Full Cast THE SINNER by J.R. Ward, read by Jim Frangione For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of FRANKENSTEIN, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Lazarre-White joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to discuss narrating one of the year’s best audiobook memoirs, A MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by Arshay Cooper. Adam talks about preparing for narrating this memoir, and the biggest challenges in recording the audiobook, and more. Discover the remarkable story of America’s first all-Black high school rowing team, and experience Adam’s engaging narration. Published by Macmillan Audio. 2020 Best Memoir Audiobooks: INTIMATIONS by Zadie Smith, read by Zadie Smith MEMORIAL DRIVE by Natasha Trethewey, read by Natasha Trethewey MORE MYSELF by Alicia Keys, read by Alicia Keys, America Ferrera, Bono, Clive Davis, Craig Cook, DJ Walton, Jay-Z, Krucial, Leigh Blake, Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Swizz Beats, Terri Augelo A MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by Arshay Cooper, read by Adam Lazarre-White SIGH, GONE by Phuc Tran, read by Phuc Tran VESPER FLIGHTS by Helen Macdonald, read by Helen Macdonald For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of REMEMBERING KOBE BRYANT. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Billie Fulford-Brown joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb in this special episode to discuss HEADLINERS, Lucy Parker’s delightful enemies-to-lovers audiobook. The title earned a spot on AudioFile’s Best Romance Audiobooks thanks to Billie’s exquisite performance. She shares her thoughts on narrating Lucy Parker’s much-loved London Celebrities series and what she enjoys about romance audiobooks. Published by Harlequin Audio. 2020 Best Romance Audiobooks: BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Lisa Kleypas, read by Brittany Pressley BOYFRIEND MATERIAL by Alexis Hall, read by Joe Jameson HEADLINERS by Lucy Parker, read by Billie Fulford-Brown THE SINNER by J.R. Ward, read by Jim Frangione THE TROUBLE WITH HATING YOU by Sanji Patel, read by Soneela Nankani For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Shayna Small joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to discuss her co-narration of Lesa Cline-Ransome’s historical picture book OVERGROUND RAILROAD. Shayna shares why she finds narrating audiobooks for children to be so important and about working on productions full of rich sound effects. Listen and discover a new family favorite. Published by Live Oak Media. 2020 Best Children’s & Family Listening Audiobooks: BEFORE THE EVER AFTER by Jacqueline Woodson, read by Guy Lockard KING AND THE DRAGONFLIES by Kacen Callender, read by Ron Butler OVERGROUND RAILROAD by Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Shayna Small, Dion Graham, Lesa Cline-Ransome [Note] ¡VAMOS! LET'S GO EAT by Raúl the Third, read by Gary Tiedemann WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED by Victoria Jamieson, Omar Mohamed, read by Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi, Robin Miles, Ifrah Mansour, Bahni Turpin, Hakeemshady Mohamed, Sadeeq Al, Dominic Hoffman, Christine Avila, Dion Graham, and a Full Cast For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of FRANKENSTEIN, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Sean Pratt joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to talk about HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker, one of AudioFile’s 2020 Best History & Biography Audiobooks. Sean Pratt talks about narrating enthralling nonfiction audiobooks and establishing emotional connections with all of the family members in the story. It’s an empathetic audiobook that explores the toll that mental disease takes on a family. Published by Random House Audio. 2020 Best History & Biography Audiobooks: HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD by Robert Kolker, read by Sean Pratt HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON by Jon Meacham, John Lewis [Afterword], read by JD Jackson, Jon Meacham ODETTA by Ian Zack, read by Rosa Howard THE QUIET AMERICANS by Scott Anderson, read by Robertson Dean THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE by Erik Larson, read by John Lee THE YOSEMITE by John Muir, read by Nick McArdle For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of REMEMBERING KOBE BRYANT. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator and actor Robert Bathurst joins host Jo Reed for a conversation about his journey to audiobook narration and his performances of the much-loved mystery audiobook series by Canadian author Louise Penny. ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE is Penny’s 16th outing starring Chief Inspector Gamache, and it’s one of AudioFile’s picks for the 2020 Best Mystery Audiobooks. Fans adore spending time with the residents of Quebec’s Three Pines and the insightful Gamache, and it’s a treat to discover more about the series from Earphones Award and Audie Award-winning narrator Bathurst For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s special edition of Behind the Mic, narrator Marisa Blake shares her thoughts on one of this year’s Best YA Audiobooks, WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by Jenny Torres Sanchez. She and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the challenging and powerful audiobook that tells the story of three teenagers escaping a gang leader in Guatemala and making their way to America. Published by Dreamscape. 2020 Best Young Adult Audiobooks: THE BLACK FLAMINGO by Dean Atta, read by Dean Atta KENT STATE by Deborah Wiles, read by Lauren Ezzo, Christopher Gebauer, Christina Delaine, Johnny Heller, Roger Wayne, Korey Jackson, David DeVries PUNCHING THE AIR by Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam, read by Ethan Herisse RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko, read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt STAMPED by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi, read by Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi [Intro.] WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by Jenny Torres Sanchez, read by Marisa Blake For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator T. Ryder Smith joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to talk about narrating FIRE IN PARADISE, Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano’s study of the devastating 2018 Northern California fire. Listen to hear how Smith balanced narrating the fire science and California history with voicing the dramatic personal portraits of the California residents. Published by Recorded Books. 2020 Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks: CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson, read by Robin Miles FIRE IN PARADISE by Alastair Gee, Dani Anguiano, read by T. Ryder Smith A FOOL'S ERRAND by Lonnie G. Bunch III, read by JD Jackson THE FRAGILE EARTH by David Remnick, Henry Finder [Eds.], read by Kaleo Griffith, Gabra Zackman, Cat Gould HAD I KNOWN by Barbara Ehrenreich, read by Suzanne Toren ON CORRUPTION IN AMERICA by Sarah Chayes, read by Sarah Chayes For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support for our podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of FRANKENSTEIN, a breathtaking full-cast original audiobook performance of the stage adaptation by A.S. Peterson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, narrator David Pittu joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss THE LAST TOURIST. Olen Steinhauer’s CIA thriller is one of AudioFile’s Best Mystery Audiobooks of the year. David tells Michele about narrating an unsettling, immersive audiobook, and his work on the Milo Weaver series. Published by Macmillan Audio. 2020 Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks: ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE by Louise Penny, read by Robert Bathurst HI FIVE by Joe Ide, read by Zeno Robinson THE LAST TOURIST by Olen Steinhauer, read by David Pittu THE LAW OF INNOCENCE by Michael Connelly, read by Peter Giles ONE BY ONE by Ruth Ware, read by Imogen Church THE SEARCHER by Tana French, read by Roger Clark For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of REMEMBERING KOBE BRYANT. Hear firsthand stories about what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of basketball’s greats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile is celebrating the best audiobooks of the year, and in this special episode narrator Marin Ireland joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND. Rumaan Alam’s fascinating audiobook exploring race, class, family, and global catastrophe is one of AudioFile’s Best Fiction Audiobooks of the year. Listen to the episode to hear Marin’s thoughts on the audiobook -- and add it to your wish list. Published by Harper Audio. 2020 Best Fiction Audiobooks: AFTERLIFE by Julia Alvarez, read by Alma Cuervo DEACON KING KONG by James McBride, read by Dominic Hoffman LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND by Rumaan Alam, read by Marin Ireland MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON (Dramatic Production) by Elizabeth Strout, Rona Munro [Adapt.], read by Laura Linney THE PULL OF THE STARS by Emma Donoghue, read by Emma Lowe THE VANISHING HALF by Brit Bennett, read by Shayna Small For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Today's episode of Behind the Mic is brought to you by Oasis Audio, publisher of DUST, the first in the new Heirs of Neverland series, a dark and dramatic take on the classic story of Peter Pan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile Magazine is celebrating the best in this year’s audiobooks! Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten give a peek behind the scenes in the making of the 2020 Best Audiobooks list. In a year where audiobooks have meant so much to so many of us, choosing the titles that stood out above the rest was a difficult task. There are timely, heartfelt, and joyful audiobooks to dive into, all narrated with skill. Many of this year’s titles can provide you with an escape -- and others will push you to explore important cultural and political topics. We commend all of the narrators and everyone who works behind the scenes to create memorable and moving audiobooks for us all. For the full list of AudioFile’s 2020 Best Audiobooks, visit audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki Giovanni’s slightly raspy, slightly sibilant voice draws listeners into this important collection of poetry and prose. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Giovanni’s skill at wringing out all the humor, anger, and sorrow in her poetry. Warm tones express themes of quilts and songs and love, and her poet’s sense guides her tempo as she explores her perspectives on being Black in America. Her palpable anger recalls the death of Michael Brown in “Ferguson: the Musical,” and her heart seems to be breaking as she describes “the brother” getting up in the dark to drive to the Million Man March. Her tributes to lost loved ones are heartfelt, and she reminds listeners that “All is transition and love is forever.” Published by Harper Audio Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for something to entertain younger listeners -- or the whole family? Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Rena Barron’s middle-grade fantasy audiobook that shines thanks to Soneela Nankani’s animated performance. Maya has loving parents, good friends, and a welcoming community in Chicago. She also has just discovered that everyone’s been hiding a huge secret -- they have magic! Maya and her friends find dangerous magical creatures lurking in their neighborhood, and a sinister Lord of Shadows visits her in her dreams. When Maya’s father, an Orisha, is stolen away into the Dark world, she decides to use her newfound powers to rescue him. Nankani’s emotional connection will delight listeners of all ages, and sound effects amplify the tension and excitement. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Gansworth is poetic, intense, and defiant as he delivers his coming-of-age story in verse, telling of his life growing up in an Onondaga family in the Tuscarora Nation. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly and Host Jo Reed discuss this moving, hilarious, and heartfelt memoir for young adult listeners. Gansworth traces how the government boarding schools divided his family, the impact of the Vietnam war on his older siblings, and his struggles to fit in both on the reservation and off. He adopted pop culture icons like the Beatles, Batman, and Star Wars as his own, and those influences shape his narrative as he traces his personal history. Published by Dreamscape Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moira Quirk’s lively voice draws listeners into a magical Regency-inspired tale. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss C.L. Polk’s new fantasy audiobook that is sure to provide all the distractions you need right now. Beatrice Clayborn is a young ingénue entering her first “bargaining season” where eligible suitors vie for her hand. Once married, Beatrice will be forcibly cut off from any access to magic -- but she is desperate to become a sorceress. Quirk uses dramatic pacing and smooth transitions to balance the complex courtly politics and magical worldbuilding. Her voices for the mercurial spirits Beatrice summons are especially delightful. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices