Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Kimberly Farr has had a long and distinguished career as an actor on stage and screen and as a celebrated audiobook narrator. A gifted performer with an impressive range, Kimberly has brought characters and stories to life, in fiction and nonfiction alike. Whether it’s Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge novels, Joan Didion’s essays, the biography of Julia Child, or the poetry of Mary Oliver, Kimberly captures their voices with rare clarity, nuance, and a deep understanding of language. So it’s no surprise that AudioFile named her a 2025 Golden Voice narrator. In this bonus episode, host Jo Reed and Kimberly Farr speak about Kimberly’s path to audiobook work and what it means to inhabit every voice on the page. Read reviews of Kimberly Farr’s audiobooks on AudioFile’s website Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing , publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice Bahni Turpin's performance takes listeners to that time in the early 1990s when the world was changing and the latest alternative rock bands were everything. Jane meets burgeoning rock star Elijah in an Internet chat room, a connection that leads to a deep professional and personal bond. They form The Lightning Bottles and amass a devoted fan base, with Jane providing the backbone of their hits. Join AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings and host Jo Reed as they discuss Turpin’s narration, which provides listeners with a soundscape capturing the spirit of the time. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website . Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings agree that music enthusiasts will enjoy this debut audiobook, invitingly narrated by Jayme Mattler. The story is part slow-burn romance and part new adult fiction. In the early 2000s, Berkeley students Percy and Joe meet at a campus bar. Joe is fascinated by Percy's strong opinions on music and asks her to help him with his songwriting. After their collaboration, Joe's indie music career takes off, but he fails to give her songwriting credit. Mattler skillfully draws listeners into this story of romance, ambition, and identity. Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Profanity seems to be the only way to adequately describe the outrageous behavior of a classmate of Florence’s 10-year-old son, Dylan. Narrator Georgina Sadler’s resigned matter-of-fact delivery sets a hilariously irreverent tone in this addictive listen, says AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings and host Jo Reed. Just as it seems there might finally be an opening for Florence to revive the pop band career of her youth, Dylan’s classmate goes missing. When Dylan is identified as a suspect, Florence must juggle her dream of stardom with tackling the mystery. Listeners will savor every minute of this dynamic narration. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Penguin Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

⁠Host Jo Reed is joined by AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings, who dives into this absorbing look at contemporary Namibian life. Loosely threaded together into "A" and "B" sides, like a mixtape, the material has a natural rhythm. Anthony Oseyemi portrays the brash writer-on-the-make voice of the "A-side," which recounts how his dreams of becoming a successful writer were confounded by his struggles with women. The "B-side" provides the compelling backbone to the audiobook's themes of growth and survival. Read our review of the audiobook at our website . Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikas Adam is one of the most dynamic and skilled audiobook narrators working today, with a voice that brings dragons, detectives, and deeply human characters to life. His talent behind the mic has set him apart in the field and has earned him a place as one of AudioFile magazine’s Golden Voices. As actor, director, and teacher, Vikas brings a deep well of theatrical experience and empathy to every performance. He effortlessly voices a host of accents and easily shifts between genders, whether he’s narrating a sprawling fantasy series, a poignant family story, or a complex historical narrative. In this bonus episode, host Jo Reed and Vikas Adam discuss his approach to narration, theatrical roots, and how he builds such distinctive and believable characters. Read reviews of Vikas Adam’s audiobooks on AudioFile’s website. Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Matt Godfrey evokes a dark mood in this Appalachian thriller set in Eastern Kentucky. AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester and host Jo Reed discuss the way crime boss Burl Spoon’s world is turned upside down. Spoon built his business empire by becoming the top cannabis seller in Jackson County. He thinks he has everything under control, until his daughter relapses into drug addiction and goes missing. Godfrey delivers the perfect Kentucky accent and maintains the story’s tension throughout. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Dreamscape Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vera Wong is back, bringing with her characters from Sutanto’s previous audiobook, along with a host of new suspects and friends. Narrator Eunice Wong’s attention to pitch and pacing perfectly re-creates the voices of Vera’s original community while fashioning a new set of personalities, young and old. Join host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester as they discuss the second audiobook in the series, featuring the 60-year-old Chinese mother and self-styled super sleuth, which is just as entertaining and thought-provoking as the first. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Penguin Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traci Kato-Kiriyama’s delivery of this memoir about life and reading matches its deeply personal subject matter with an introspective tone. Kato-Kiriyama gives equal weight to the author’s reflections on her academic career; personal struggles, including breakdowns and identity issues; and literary encounters. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss how Kato-Kiriyama maximizes the author’s discussion of specific books. As Kato-Kiriyama’s delivery supports the emotional weightiness of these explorations, fans of memoirs will enjoy an engaging and layered listening experience. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi Franklin narrates this queer romance with emotional depth and chemistry in every spicy scene. Newly single serial dater, Taylor Cameron, makes a bet with her best friend that she won’t sleep with anyone until the end of the summer. Enter Avery Jensen, an also newly single woman looking to venture into dating women for the first time. Taylor offers to tutor Avery in flirting lessons, and the rest is history. Join AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester and host Jo Reed as they kick off the week with this romance pick. Read our review of the audiobook at our website: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/270540/ Published by Penguin Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile is thrilled to name Hillary Huber one of our 2025 Golden Voices—our narrator hall of fame and lifetime achievement award. Hillary’s voice is well known to audiobook lovers everywhere: It’s compelling, nuanced, and instantly engaging. With more than 700 audiobooks to her name, she’s brought life to everything from chilling thrillers to intricate literary fiction, including Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Quartet and Lisa Gardner’s Frankie Elkin series. Hillary brings care and craft to every performance. Host Jo Reed speaks with Hillary Huber about how she found her way to audiobook narration, the craft behind her performances, and what the Golden Voice recognition means to her. Read reviews of Hillary Huber’s audiobooks on AudioFile’s website. Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten joins host Jo Reed to celebrate Kimberly Farr and her remarkable narration career, culminating in her 2025 Golden Voice honor. Together, they explore Farr’s expansive body of work—spanning more than 100 titles across fiction, biography, and poetry. From the delight of narrating Julia Child’s biography to her profound sensitivity in voicing poetry, Farr’s deep respect for language, her emotional range, and the artistry she brings to every performance are worthy of celebration. Read reviews of Kimberly Farr’s audiobooks on our website. Visit AudioFile’s website for a full list of AudioFile’s Golden Voice narrators. Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten joins Jo Reed to celebrate Vikas Adam’s dynamic approach to audiobook narration and his recognition as a 2025 Golden Voice narrator. Adam shares insights into the craft of authentically embodying a wide spectrum of characters—across genders, cultures, and accents—infusing each performance with vitality and depth. Renowned for his graceful delivery and emotional precision, we honor Vikas Adam and his outstanding achievement as a 2025 Golden Voice. Read reviews of Vikas Adam’s audiobooks on our website. Visit AudioFile’s website for a full list of AudioFile’s Golden Voice narrators. Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten joins host Jo Reed to celebrate Hillary Huber’s prolific audiobook career and her recognition as a 2025 Golden Voice narrator. They highlight standout moments from Huber’s narration of more than 500 titles, including her acclaimed performances of Elena Ferrante’s novels. The conversation offers insights into Huber’s versatile approach across genres and her ability to engage listeners with authenticity, nuance, and attitude. Congratulations to Hillary Huber, a 2025 Golden Voice! Read reviews of Hillary Huber’s audiobooks on our website. Visit AudioFile’s website for a full list of AudioFile’s Golden Voice narrators. Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile Magazine’s Golden Voice narrators are the stars of the audiobook universe. Today host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten are announcing the new Golden Voice honorees for 2025: Hillary Huber, Vikas Adam, and Kimberly Farr. AudioFile Magazine has bestowed the Golden Voice honor on 53 audiobook narrators; it’s an accolade that honors those who have made significant contributions to the audiobook art form. We’re celebrating the iconic skills these narrators bring to their performances, and listeners can be assured that when they pick up an audiobook narrated by any of the Golden Voices, they will have an exceptional listening experience. Robin and Jo will be honoring each of the new Golden Voices in turn this week, and we’ll have full interviews with each of the new Golden Voices this month, starting with Hillary Huber’s on June 6 — be sure to follow our podcast so you don’t miss it! Visit AudioFile’s website for a full list of AudioFile’s Golden Voice narrators. Enjoy our Spotify Playlist to all of AudioFile’s Golden Voice Interviews Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Bob Goff, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Lysa TerKeurst, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile awards Earphones to exceptional audio experiences—it’s our version of a starred review, specifically for the audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Laura Rossi highlight three recent Earphones Award-winning audiobooks and share why they’re worth your listening time. Author/narrator Brad Meltzer’s inspiring MAKE MAGIC, based on a commencement speech he gave, is perfect for graduation season. Then it’s time to kick off the season with two summer listens. THE SUMMER GUESTS by Tess Gerritsen and expertly narrated by Hillary Huber, who listeners might mistake for a full cast, is a crime thriller set on the Maine coast features retired CIA agents. And Molly Harper’s A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR is an entertaining tale of wedding planning gone wrong. Amanda Ronconi’s dry delivery is a great match for the snarky dialogue. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website: MAKE MAGIC THE SUMMER GUESTS A PROPOSAL TO DIE FOR Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan delights listeners with this heartfelt contemporary romance. Alice and Hayden are both writers who find themselves on Little Crescent Island for the same reason: They’re competing to write the biography of an elusive heiress, the daughter of one of the most scandalous families of the twentieth century, whom no one has actually seen in years. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Leslie Fine discuss Whelan’s expressive yet nuanced performance, which expertly conveys Alice and Hayden’s hilarious, genuine, and intimate conversations. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Penguin Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Sophie Jo Wasson transports listeners to Ireland in 1847 with her poignant performance. Like many throughout the country, Nell’s family’s potato crop is infected with a black rot that makes the potatoes inedible. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Leslie Fine discuss the way that Wasson’s lilting intonation and Irish accent take listeners into Nell’s world, capturing the devastation, terror, and dashes of hope experienced by the teenager. Simply exquisite. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrators Julia Whelan and Connor Crais deliver unique performances in Abby Jimenez’s short yet moving audio romance. AudioFile’s Leslie Fine and host Jo Reed chat about two neighbors who meet due to a construction mix-up. Seth and Charlotte connect and talk about their isolated lives, and their conversations come alive with the narrators’ expert deliveries. While most romances cover a longer time period, this one emphasizes the impact of a moment and the potential of a fresh start. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Brilliance Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Early Modern English of Shakespeare’s time sets up an immersive auditory realm where listeners find 61-year-old apothecary and midwife Judith. She is the last of the Bard’s progeny, and she must leave town after being accused of witchcraft. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Leslie Fine discuss the way that narrator Mary Jane Wells’s fluted tones and English accent add to the authenticity of the characters as Judith and her traveling companion struggle to deal with the upheaval wrought by England’s Civil War. It’s not necessary to be familiar with the literature or history of this era to enjoy this engrossing story. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Michele Cobb speaks with actor and author Whoopi Goldberg. Whoopi won the 2025 Audie Award for Narration by the Author for her memoir BITS AND PIECES: My Mother, My Brother, and Me. Whoopi is also a huge audiobook fan and dedicated listener, and in her acceptance speech at the Audies gala, she thanked all of the other narrators in the room for their work. Their conversation provides insights into the story of Whoopi's family, the hardest parts of narrating, and why Whoopi thinks that audiobooks are the best thing since sliced bread. Read our review of BITS AND PIECES at the AudioFile website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Popular podcasters Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson ask a complicated question: What’s wrong with how our government operates, and what needs to change? Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb dive into this thorough and intelligent discussion that sounds the alarm without sounding alarmist. Operation Warp Speed’s federal/private partnership to quickly create a COVID-19 vaccine is presented as a healthy example of how focus and efficiency can meet a nation’s most dire needs. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Jeremy Renner narrates his memoir about a freak accident and the resulting horrendous injuries he suffered on New Year’s Day 2023. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss Renner’s moving efforts as he describes the support he received from loved ones and many others as he made a truly miraculous recovery. With audible emotion, Renner navigates his reflections on life and death. He makes clear his desire to help others who are experiencing daunting challenges. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed dig into this tell-all exposé written and performed by a former insider at Facebook. Author Sarah Wynn-Williams tells her personal story of her climb to the upper branches of management at Facebook and the disappointment she felt at every move. While acknowledging that most users consider Facebook a friendly, useful tool, Wynn-Williams perfectly articulates her concerns about what goes on behind the curtain. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator Marin Ireland’s narration of this family dramedy maximizes the humor behind finding a half-sibling—only to find out there may be dozens more. Join host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb as they discuss Ireland’s subtle vocal shifts in balancing the story's deadpan humor and emotional depth. Ireland’s interpretation deepens the story’s themes of identity, family, and forgiveness, making the audiobook an immersive experience. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harper Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting host Jo Reed’s conversation with author Cynthia Leitich Smith and narrator Shaun Taylor-Corbett about collaborating on audiobooks, writing and narrating for young people, and representing Indigenous experiences and voices. Cynthia’s newest audiobook, FIREFLY SEASON, under her Heartdrum imprint for Harper Audio, has just been released. Looking for a teen summer listen? Check out AudioFile’s Teen AudioBook Club Pick: REZ BALL by Byron Graves and narrated by Jesse Nobess—also from Cynthia’s Heartdrum imprint. Find videos, discussion questions, and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This thrill ride of an audiobook tells the many stories of those onboard Train 721, which crashed in Montparnasse station in October 1895. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff and host Jo Reed discuss narrator Justin Avoth, who performs the drama at a good pace and keeps the story moving. Donoghue brings her plotting skills, eloquent style, and eye for social mores to the cast of fictional people who are on the train. Tension mounts as a young anarchist carries a homemade bomb, a baby is born, and, inexorably, the train plows into the station. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this audiobook’s stellar cast as they conjure the American Dust Bowl. Sophie Amoss’s narration shimmers as the Antidote, a "prairie witch" who takes verbal deposits; Asphodel Oletsky, a teen recently orphaned when her mom was murdered, is vividly portrayed by Elena Rey; and the masterful Mark Bramhall inhabits the sane, sensitive, long-suffering wheat farmer, Harp Oletsky. Highlights include dramatic dust and wind descriptions, a talking scarecrow, and a camera that makes its own photos of the past, the present, and a possible future. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website h Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff talk about Laila Lalami’s dystopian novel, set in an uncomfortably near future. It’s narrated by an exceptional Frankie Corzo, who voices an innocent woman incarcerated for her dreams. Much of the narrative is the protagonist Sara’s thoughts, feelings, and reactions. The novel is reminiscent of Kafka and Orwell, had they lived in the Internet Age. Sara and her cohorts’ mysterious plight seem frighteningly possible. This eloquently written, Earphones Award-winning audiobook lingers with the listener. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shaun Taylor-Corbett narrates Jon Hickey’s powerful story of politics, corruption, and loyalty. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the way that Taylor-Corbett, in an Earphones Award-winning performance, delivers the dialogue with restraint and intelligence and is masterful in bringing this compelling novel to life. Protagonist Mitch Caddo leads a conflicted life as an outsider with an Ivy League law degree and a "fixer" for the fictional Passage Rouge Nation. The plot revolves around the days just before a tribal election when issues arise involving tribal membership and past suspect business dealings. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile Editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed shine a spotlight on three delicious audiobooks all about the rich history of Chinese cuisine. For the youngest listeners, A BANQUET FOR CECILIA by Julie Leung and read by Cindy Kay tells the story of restaurateur Cecilia Chiang. For middle-grade listeners, Grace Lin’s CHINESE MENU, read by Lisa Ling, shares tales of iconic dishes and dragons, monks, emperors, and other heroes. And for grown-ups, the mouthwatering INVITATION TO A BANQUET, written and read by Fuchsia Dunlop, takes listeners on a tour of China and regional foods. Don’t listen hungry! Read our reviews of the audiobook at our website: A BANQUET FOR CECILIA INVITATION TO A BANQUET CHINESE MENU Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vikas Adam masterfully draws listeners into this nonstop thriller featuring disgraced former NYPD detective Sami Kierce. AudioFile Editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss the way that Adam expertly voices a wide range of characters, keeping listeners engaged. The story begins with a secret from more than 20 years earlier, when Sami, fresh from college, backpacked through Europe and had a brief romance with a beautiful American woman. Fast-forward to the present: Twists and turns come quickly as Sami investigates the disappearance of a wealthy young woman and threats to his family. Adam perfectly matches Harlan Coben’s emotional beats, enhancing every tense moment in this roller-coaster thriller. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Hachette Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile Editor Robin Whitten discuss this nonfiction audiobook chock full of ideas. Poet Maggie Smith’s newest audiobook offers all kinds of artists helpful advice about what she sees as the 10 essential elements of creativity: attention, wonder, vision, play, surprise, vulnerability, restlessness, tenacity, connection, and hope. Her light, sweet-sounding voice often assumes a poet’s studied rhythmic cadence as she narrates with beautifully clear enunciation. Smith’s advice is both kind and tough-minded. What’s most important, she emphasizes, is that “we have to love making things more than we love having made them.” Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Garcia’s debut thriller, the listening experience is memorable because each of the narrators is superb. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile Editor Robin Whitten discuss how the ensemble of narrators adds great depth to this audiobook, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the richness of well-defined characters. A woman is presumably murdered on a business trip. All, of course, is not as it seems, and the mystery deepens with each passing moment. The result is a riveting audiobook that will keep listeners hooked from start to surprising finish. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second novel in Joseph O’Connor’s proposed trilogy bristles with life. AudioFile Editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed discuss how superb performances from a talented cast reveal the thoughts and emotions of a group of righteous men and women who saved hundreds from Nazi brutality. An escape line called “The Choir” operates within Vatican walls. The group faces constant danger. The narrators portray ordinary people doing extraordinary things. O’Connor’s prose is lyrical, and each person’s story feels authentic. Stunning listening. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Dreamscape Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting host Jo Reed’s conversation with Golden Voice narrator Kevin R. Free. They discuss his impressive audiobook work, his acting career, and being named a 2023 Golden Voice narrator. Kevin is a multiple Earphones Award winner for a wide range of audiobooks, from children’s stories to literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and fantastic science fiction. There are few narrators who can match his versatility and perceptive performances across genres. Kevin has had an extraordinary career, both in the recording booth and in theater as an actor, a director, a playwright, and an artistic director. He’s recorded more than 450 audiobooks, including Martha Wells’s wildly popular Murderbot Diaries series, Brandon Taylor’s insightful works, and many memorable children’s audiobooks. Listen in to Kevin and Jo’s lively conversation to learn more about how he brings joy into the recording booth, the thought and care he puts into creating voices for every character, and more. Read reviews of many of Kevin R. Free’s audiobooks on AudioFile’s website Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a visit to Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone, bestselling author John Green met Henry, a charismatic patient who looks much younger than his age due to the ravages of a tuberculosis infection on his body. They established a friendship, and Green's interest in the disease grew, leading him to become a supporter of Partners in Health and an advocate for reducing disparities in treatment. Host Jo Reed and contributor Alex Richey discuss the way that Green presents his own account of visiting with afflicted patients and learning about the challenges they face, particularly in poorer countries, in this compassionate examination. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Listening Library Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jefferson White shows remarkable skill balancing a youthful cast with the sobering reality they must face. Twenty-four years before Katniss’s games, Haymitch, from District 12, must compete in the Hunger Games—with twice the tributes (competitors). AudioFile’s Alex Richey and host Jo Reed discuss how White’s perfect pacing adds intensity to the brutality of the games and lingering melancholy as Haymitch struggles to maintain his integrity as the people around him keep dying. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Scholastic Audiobooks Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natalie Naudus embodies anxiety and fear of the supernatural with razor-sharp precision. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cora Zeng’s sister, Delilah, is murdered in a hate crime: The killer shouts “bat eater” before pushing her in front of a train. Now Cora is a crime-scene cleaner, and she’s noticed an increase in the unexplained murders of Asian women whose bodies are staged with bat corpses. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alex Richey discuss the way that Naudus’s meticulous pacing and authentic depiction of Cora’s fears will keep listeners deliciously on edge. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Harlequin Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gem Carmella narrates a magical novella inspired by traditional ballads. Sisters Esther and Ysabel use their musical talents to tend the enchanted willow their family has honored for generations. When an unwanted suitor appears, everything they love is suddenly at risk. AudioFile contributor Alex Richey and host Jo Reed discuss how Carmella’s narration perfectly blends the fantastical elements of fairy tales with the macabre elements of traditional murder ballads. Musical effects combine with Carmella’s singing at key moments, making fraught scenes utterly devastating but ultimately more powerful. A stunning performance. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Laura Rossi highlight three recent Earphones Award-winning audiobooks. AudioFile awards Earphones to exceptional audio experiences—it’s our version of a starred review, specifically for the audiobook. Laura and Jo discuss Rachel Syme’s fun “Guide to Modern Correspondence,” SYME’S LETTER WRITER, read by the author; Curtis Sittenfeld’s short story collection SHOW DON’T TELL, performed by seven narrators including the author; and Patti Callahan Henry’s novel THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND, narrated by Golden Voice Julia Whelan and Theo Solomon. They share why these audiobooks won Earphones, and why they are well worth your listening time. Read our reviews of the audiobooks at our website: SYME’S LETTER WRITER Published by Random House Audio SHOW DON’T TELL Published by Random House Audio THE STORY SHE LEFT BEHIND Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners don't just experience a fascinating historical drama—they also become steeped in a bloody gothic Western. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings discuss the stellar performances that are the center of this compelling listening experience. Narrator Marin Ireland fully embodies the beleaguered humanities professor who, while deep diving into the campus archive, discovers the story of her ancestors. Complete with creative production touches, the result is a dark, satisfying listen. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Angel Pean's stand-out performance is essential here. AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings and host Jo Reed discuss how her storytelling skill fully embodies these characters and the detailed and occasionally magical world they inhabit. Junie, an enslaved girl in 1800s Alabama, lives with the loss of her sister, Minnie, whose death is a weight on her conscience. An encounter with Minnie's ghost changes Junie's life, opening a new path that could include escaping her captors. The rich listening experience envelopes listeners in the powerful story. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listeners don't need to be superfans of ice skating to be drawn into this audiobook. The world of pairs skating competition provides the setting for a story of young, elite athletes who are fighting for Olympic gold. AudioFile’s Stephen Cummings and host Jo Reed discuss how the narrations are uniformly exceptional in this audiobook structured as an oral history. Standouts include Christine Lakin as the complicated lead; her voice captures a mix of focused competitiveness and messy relationships. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and contributor Stephen Cummings discuss how Dion Graham continues his stellar work with Mosley's Joe King Oliver series, bringing heart and rough edges in equal measure. Here, the private investigator's Grandma B has a dying wish: Locate her long-missing son. Oliver's complicated relationship with his father is heightened as the search brings new insights into the man. Graham, in top form, captures the grit of this New York City noir, embodying the wide cast of suspects, cops, and confidants. His delivery is so vivid it’s cinematic. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Hachette Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Aurelia Scott and host Jo Reed discuss this clever historical mystery with a fabulous twist. It’s centered around Charlotte Holmes, a young woman with a gift for "discernment" and getting into trouble, who has secrets worth protecting. Golden Voice Narrator Kate Reading is masterful in her portrayals. Reading's aristocratic British voices are spot-on, and her acting is outstanding. She depicts all types of characters—funny, touching, romantic, suspenseful, haughty, old, young, wealthy, or poor—with the same believability. This is an exceptionally fine audio experience, with a story that will grab listeners from the get-go. Read our review of the audiobook A STUDY IN SCARLET WOMEN Published by Blackstone Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This audiobook begins with plans for a wedding and goes on to include . . . nearly everything else. AudioFile’s Leslie Fine and host Jo Reed discuss MacLeod Andrews’s excellence as a narrator: gentle, funny, sharp, and intuitive. When Cece and Charlie's special day—officiated by Charlie's troubled friend, Garrett—moves in an unexpected direction, Andrews captures the characters' interactions without dramatic excess. Andrews maintains a warm and reliable voice that rewards the listener who spends time with these three people and their choices. DREAM STATE will inspire melancholy, surprise, and laughter. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Random House Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Singer-songwriter Neko Case narrates her memoir, and host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Leslie Fine discuss the way she brings to it a vitality and dynamism that give the listener a sense of actually being with her as she falls victim to manipulation by her mother, beginning at age 8. Case allows us to feel the tumult and trauma of impoverishment, neglect, and a steady stream of dislocations and relocations. The passion with which Case expresses her love of nature, horses, and music is palpable and centers listeners on what really matters, giving insights about the creative journey that led to Case’s albums and Grammy nominations. Case’s details are fresh and inventive. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Hachette Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile reviewer Leslie Fine and host Jo Reed discuss Kimberly Farr’s narration of this collection of Mary Oliver’s poems. Many of Oliver’s poems are about God or nature, and sometimes it’s difficult to find the line between them. Her world was full of many delights and, had she lived to hear them, Farr’s interpretations of her poems would have been among them. There is some melancholy in this collection—although not much—and Farr’s marvelous vocal talents bring that out as much as the great joy Oliver derived from being in the woods or at the seashore or anywhere there was wildness. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Penguin Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Leslie Fine discuss how a trio of narrators portray teens from different eras and settings: from Hanna and Sophie, two Polish teens, in 1939, to 1980 West Berlin, where Jenny adjusts to her family’s move from Dallas, to Brooklynite Miles, who solves the mysterious disappearances of two girls sixty years earlier. Narrators January LaVoy, Jeremy Carlisle Parker, and Major Curda heighten their performances as the story’s tension increases and connections become clear. Read our review of the audiobook at our website Published by Macmillan Audio Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices