Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

A high-school yearbook from 1968 sets off a series of unlikely consequences. When Daphne decides to de-clutter, she pitches a yearbook inherited from her mother. It’s picked up by a neighbor who decodes its cryptic annotations, and as Daphne discovers unexpected details of her mother’s life, it begins to disrupt her own. Published by Dreamscape Audio. Read the full review of GOOD RIDDANCE at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This full-length biography of Mary Queen of Scots has similarities to an epic poem as opposed to a history of this tumultuous period of English and Scottish history. Covering her life in the middle of the 16th century—from her birth through her marriages, reigns in France and Scotland, and imprisonment in the Tower of London. Published by Tantor Media. Read the full review of MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congressman John Lewis draws on his experiences as a prominent leader of the Civil Rights Movement to offer his recollections and wisdom. Looking to the future, Lewis outlines his principles and his advocacy of nonviolent protest, and he crafts a call to action to engage in the voting process. Published by Hachette Audio. Read the full review of ACROSS THAT BRIDGE at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Renaissance of 16th-century Italy is the setting for this luscious tale of a famous chef. After Bartolomeo Scappi’s sudden death, more than the secrets of his recipes are left to his nephew and protégé. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Read the full review of THE CHEF'S SECRET at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kya Clark is a wild child who lives in isolation in the marshes off the Carolina coast. She lives and learns from the natural world around her. “The Marsh Girl” is almost a myth, but when a local boy is found murdered, Kya is suspected and pursued. The swamp reveals the secrets and prejudices of a southern small town in the 1960s. Published by Penguin Audio. Read the full review of WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover a magical world where witches, vampires, and daemons exist. Diana Bishop is a witch who has always denied her power, until one day her alchemical research turns up a magical manuscript. Whether you already know and love this story of Diana and her romance with vampire Matthew or you’re just hearing about it for the first time, this audiobook makes for wonderful listening. There’s a new binge-worthy TV adaptation based on the series, and trust us, you’ll want to listen to Jennifer Ikeda’s Earphones Award-winning narration. Published by Penguin Audio. Read the full review of A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into a new African-inspired fantasy trilogy by Man Booker Prize-winning author Marlon James. Narrator Dion Graham makes this an immersive listen, and his deep voiced narration will have listeners feeling as if they’re walking in the protagonist’s shoes. Tracker’s journey in pursuit of a child he was hired to find is especially powerful on audio, with rich character voices and accents and even songs. Published by Penguin Audio. Read the full review of BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack and Kate are two Black teens who hit it off at a party after a very cute meet cute. They fall into a whirlwind romance… and then Kate dies. The story could end there, but Jack somehow jumps back in time to when he first met Kate, and he discovers a chance to do it all again. And when Kate dies again, it all starts over once more. Nile Bullock’s welcoming, youthful voice guides listeners through a story of second, third, and more chances to make things right. Listeners will hear Jack’s desperation to save Kate while still doing right by his family and best friends. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maisie Dobbs and Orlagh Cassidy have taken listeners through the aftermath of WWI and into The Blitz. In her fifteenth mystery, Maisie is facing grueling nights driving ambulances and working to save those bombed across London and the countryside, while also working as a private investigator. When a young American newscaster is killed in her own apartment — and not by a bomb — Scotland Yard puts Maisie on the case. Cassidy helps listeners hear Maisie’s utter exhaustion and grim determination and enlivens all the many characters from the UK and America. Cheer Maisie on as she unravels this latest mystery. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of THE AMERICAN AGENT at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The subtitle says it all: “Bathtub Dining, Family Screams, and Other Hacks from the Parenting Trenches.” If you’re a parent and find yourself stuck in a rut, this audiobook is sure to get you out of it — and make you laugh out loud. Hillary Frank’s podcast “The Longest Shortest Time” has helped many parents get through the early years, and this book compiles some of the best and weirdest advice submitted from parents around the world. Frank reads introductions to chapters describing her own parenting experiences, and then a delightful cast of narrators reads all of the “weird parenting wins.” Published by Penguin Audio. Read the full review of WEIRD PARENTING WINS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrated audiobook narrators Suzanne Toren and Tavia Gilbert join us for a bonus episode to share their experiences narrating a wide range of history written by and about women. From biographies and memoirs to audiobooks that focus on a pivotal moment in women’s history—like finally getting the right to vote—Suzanne and Tavia talk about the emotional journeys they have taken with these books and the skills needed to bring them to life. Celebrating Women’s History Month, our conversation covers Suzanne’s thoughts on narrating in the first person—as a person in history, and how that differs from a narration of history. Tavia discusses bringing truth and memory to her narration of memoirs, and her use of emotional channeling. Explore the AudioFile reviews of the audiobooks mentioned: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT by Eleanor Roosevelt, read by Tavia Gilbert THE WOMAN'S HOUR by Elaine Weiss, read by Tavia Gilbert RUTH BADER GINSBURG by Jane Sherron de Hart, read by Suzanne Toren ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: IN HER WORDS by Nancy Woloch [Ed.], read by Suzanne Toren "REMEMBER THE LADIES" by Angela P. Dodson, read by Suzanne Toren For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine. Support for AudioFile’s podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of THE GOOD NEIGHBOR: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a haze of heartbreak, Ella buys a one-way ticket to Paris, embarking on a pilgrimage of cheese and wine . . . and love. Does she keep her bet to taste every type of French cheese in one year? There are 365. Deliciously entertaining listening. Published by Blackstone Audio. Read the full review of FROMAGE À TROIS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine. Support for AudioFile’s podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of THE GOOD NEIGHBOR: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A memoir from fashion designer and television personality Mizrahi recounts the challenges of growing up gay in 1960s Brooklyn in a Syrian-Jewish Orthodox family. As Mizrahi winds his way through his story, which ranges from lack of confidence to career highs, the warmth in both his voice and his writing creates a singularly satisfying listening experience. Published by Macmillan Audio Read the full review of I.M. at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sinise draws on his experience as an actor and audiobook narrator to deliver his own intriguing story. He tells of his struggle to find his place in the acting world and how he was inspired to give back to the men and women who serve in the U.S. military and to first responders. Listen with a box of tissues, and enjoy the twists and turns that brought Sinise to war zones and, eventually, the White House. Published by Thomas Nelson. Read the full review of GRATEFUL AMERICAN at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The books that inspired the hit animated movies! Could you pass through a dragon initiation program to become a full member of the Hairy Hooligan Viking Tribe? This children’s title, the first in an epic series, is wild, silly fun for a whole family of listeners. David Tennant, perhaps best known for his role as the Doctor, brings a slew of Scottish accents to this high-spirited romp. This author-narrator duo also team up in THE WIZARDS OF ONCE and TWICE MAGIC, an Earphones-winning series for kids. Published by Hachette Audio Read the full review of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Women divers from a small island off the coast of South Korea were the breadwinners in their families, going after valuable and dangerous catches. An evocative tale of two best friends whose bonds are both strengthened and tested over decades by forces beyond their control, See’s novel includes little-known incidents in Korean history from the 1930s into the 21st century. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio Read the full review of THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new collection of essays from celebrated writer Toni Morrison moves from the aftermath of 9/11 to MLK to James Baldwin. She takes on current issues—from what defines a “foreigner” to racial issues and fascism. Inspiring and intellectual, these essays, speeches, and mediations can be savored by listeners for a long time. Narrator Bahni Turpin gives the works full power. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full review of THE SOURCE OF SELF-REGARD at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walter Mosley, the author of the acclaimed Easy Rawlins mysteries, knows the creative writing process.His well-ordered, straightforward “how to” tips offer a safety net for cautious novice writers. The tone overall is educational—it imparts knowledge and inspires listeners to action. Narrator Dion Graham captures it perfectly. Published by Hachette Audio. Read the full review of THIS YEAR YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ojibwe author Treuer deeply researched a work that greatly expands our knowledge of Native American history. We hear the histories and first-person accounts of indigenous people of North America that provide uncompromising accounts of the oppression and violence tribes have experienced. Published by Penguin Audio. Read the full review of THE HEARTBEAT OF WOUNDED KNEE at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elsey, a painter and married mother living in China, has taken to drinking instead of creating art. Urged by her husband to find help, she attends a yoga retreat and discovers many truths, not the least of which about herself. Cassandra Campbell gives a finely tuned narration. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full review of ELSEY COME HOME at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College friends Wynn and Jack are lifelong outdoorsmen. The pair set out on a canoe trip in northern Canada, but instead of the leisurely paddling and nights of stargazing, the trip takes dangerous turn. They encounter a wildfire, and their safety and survival take center stage. Mark Deakins turns in a Earphones Award performance. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full review of THE RIVER at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An angel and a demon form an alliance to postpone the Apocalypse. Humor and wordplay know no bounds in this absurdly delightful comedy. The 1990 original collaboration between authors Gaiman and Pratchett has spawned a single-voice narration by Martin Jarvis and a dramatized adaptation with a full cast, and soon will debut as a streaming series. Published by Harper Audio (single voice), and BBC Worldwide (full cast). Read the full review of GOOD OMENS read by Martin Jarvis at audiofilemagazine.com Read the full review of GOOD OMENS performed by a full cast at audiofilemagazine.com For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The irrepressible Flavia de Luce is at it again, as the young sleuth is presented with a new mystery to solve—this one at her sister Ophelia’s wedding. Jayne Entwistle has delighted listeners with her portrait of Flavia, her querulous sisters, and the colorful characters of her English village for ten audiobooks—and never disappoints. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full review of THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An alluring adaptation of the classic tale “Beauty and the Beast,” told from the point of view of the Beast. Jim Dale, narrator of the Harry Potter series, knows his magic and richly enlivens this full-length fantasy with extraordinary storytelling. Published by Penguin Audio Read the full review of THE BEAST'S HEART at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The unforgiving Australian Outback is the setting for a riveting mystery about the death of a son in ranching family. Richly drawn characters and the slow unfolding of clues are brilliantly presented. The collaboration between author Jane Harper (THE DRY) and narrator Stephen Shanahan gives unstoppable listening. Published by Macmillan Audio. Read the full review of THE LOST MAN at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An account of the Russian women in World War II who were combat pilots fighting against Nazi Germany. Pioneer aviator and adventurer Maria Roskova trained three regiments of female aviators and inspired the ranks of “1000 sisters.” Written for teens by Elizabeth Wein, author of CODE NAME VERITY. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of A THOUSAND SISTERS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Julia Whelan brought home the 2019 Audie Awards for Best Female Narrator and Autobiography/Memoir for her narration of Tara Westover’s EDUCATED, a memoir that has spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. In our interview with Julia, she reflects on narrating this intense memoir of Westover’s childhood spent in a traditionalist and isolationist family. Plus, Julia shares insights into the work that goes into narrating an audiobook, her transition from acting to college to audiobook narration, her love of reading, and the difficulty of narrating her own book MY OXFORD YEAR. For more audiobooks narrated by Julia Whelan, browse her audiography at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and guest Julia Whelan. Support for AudioFile’s Sound Reviews comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of THE GOOD NEIGHBOR: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journey to the land of the Vikings with this Romance winner of the 2019 Audie Award. Greg Patmore narrates Olivia Norem’s HIS VIKING BRIDE, and listeners will vividly imagine icy seas and raucous laughter thanks to his atmospheric narration. This audiobook also won an AudioFile Earphones Award for its lively narration. Published by Olivia Norem. Read the full review of HIS VIKING BRIDE at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Publisher Michele Cobb. Support for AudioFile’s Sound Reviews comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of THE GOOD NEIGHBOR: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Elizabeth George’s THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES, a crime shakes a quiet, historic town in England. The audiobook, narrated by Simon Vance, took home the 2019 Audie Award for Mystery. It’s the 20th in the Detective Inspector Thomas Lynly series, and Vance is a rock star performing this complex and multifaceted murder mystery with a gaggle of characters. As our reviewer says, “A delightful puzzle, brilliantly read.” Published by Penguin Audio. Read the full review of THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Publisher Michele Cobb. Support for AudioFile's Sound Reviews comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congratulations go to Edoardo Ballerini for being named Best Male Narrator 2019 Audie Awards for his narration of WATCHERS by Dean Koontz. Follow Edoardo into the woods and discover a world of genetic experiments and creatures with enhanced intelligence. Edoardo brings the suspense in a new recording of this 1987 thriller. Hear a sample and learn why it’s a winner. Published by Brilliance Audio. Read the full review of WATCHERS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Publisher Michele Cobb. Support for AudioFile’s Sound Reviews comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of THE GOOD NEIGHBOR: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Whelan brings home the 2019 Audie Award for Best Female Narrator for her work on EDUCATED by Tara Westover — an audiobook which also won for Best Autobiography/Memoir last night. Julia truly gives an exceptional performance of this harrowing memoir. Westover was raised in rural Idaho with no schooling, no record of her birth, no access to doctors, and a father who distrusted the government. EDUCATED earned an AudioFile Earphones Award and was one of our Best Audiobooks of 2018. Published by Random House Audio. Don’t miss our bonus interview with Julia Whelan airing this Friday, where she’ll share her perspective on narrating EDUCATED and more compelling audiobooks. Read the full review of EDUCATED at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Publisher Michele Cobb. Support for AudioFile's Sound Reviews comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which audiobook will win the coveted Audiobook of the Year recognition in the 2019 Audie Awards? Six fascinating audiobooks are up for the honor, and in today’s episode we’re highlighting two of them: AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE and BEASTIE BOYS BOOK. The Audie Awards are tonight, so be sure and tune in tomorrow to learn who took home the medal, and listen all week for our special coverage of the 2019 Audies winners. Audiobook of the Year Finalists: AN AMERICAN MARRIAGE: A Novel by Tayari Jones, read by Sean Crisden, Eisa Davis BEASTIE BOYS BOOK by Michael Diamond, Adam Horovitz, read by Michael Diamond (“Mike D” Diamond), Adam “Ad Rock” Horovitz and a Full Cast CALYPSO by David Sedaris, read by David Sedaris CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE by Tomi Adeyemi, read by Bahni Turpin THE GOOD NEIGHBOR: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King, read by LeVar Burton I'LL BE GONE IN THE DARK: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara, read by Gabra Zackman, Gillian Flynn [Intro.], Patton Oswalt [Afterword] For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Publisher Michele Cobb. Support for AudioFile’s Sound Reviews comes from Oasis Audio, publisher of The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers, read by LeVar Burton and nominated for the 2019 Audie Awards Audiobook of the Year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It starts small, with one college student falling into a deep sleep and never waking up. Her classmates are devastated — and then, it spreads. Cassandra Campbell elegantly narrates this character-driven story about contagion, with deep examinations into the most private inner worlds of those who succumb to sleep. Another beautiful novel from the author of AGE OF MIRACLES. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full review of THE DREAMERS at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Support for AudioFile's Podcast comes from Oasis Audio, home to bestselling classic titles for all ages — from Gertrude Chandler Warner’s The Boxcar Children to George MacDonald’s LILITH and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The audio adaptation of this middle-grade graphic novel uses a full cast and sound effects to draw listeners into Jordan’s story of starting 7th grade in a new private school. It’s always hard being the new kid in school — and that’s especially true if you’re feeling isolated in a school where you’re black, and mostly everyone else is white. You’ll hear narrator Jesus Del Orden’s bright, youthful voice as Jordan, Robin Miles and Guy Lockard as his parents, and a full cast animating classrooms full of bustling students in a story that’s funny, serious, and heartwarming. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of NEW KID at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this highly anticipated follow-up to THE HATE U GIVE, Bri is a 16-year-old black girl who is desperate to make it big as a rapper. She’s also worried about getting targeted at her mostly white school, the very real potential of getting evicted, and the threat of gang warfare. Narrator Bahni Turpin makes this a raw, funny, and vulnerable listen. THE HATE U GIVE has spent 100+ weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list, mostly in the #1 spot, and now ON THE COME UP is in the top spot. Don’t miss out on this new YA listen. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of ON THE COME UP at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Powerful ancient gods, a stolen throne, and revenge. This is the first fantasy book from Leckie, an author known for her space operas, and narrator Adjoa Andoah’s dynamic voices for the imaginative cast of characters make it an audiobook worth seeking out. The story is narrated by a god, the Strength and Patience of the Hill, who tells the story of the world it has observed for millennia. The god also addresses a certain human, Eolo, who is trans. Eolo and heir to the throne Mowat get caught up in political intrigue at court. Published by Hachette Audio. Read the full review of THE RAVEN TOWER at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SADIE won the 2019 Odyssey Award, the American Library Association’s highest honor for an audiobook. Part expository podcast, part vengeance road trip, this YA novel is guaranteed to suck you in. Nineteen-year-old Sadie is narrated with intensity by Rebecca Soler. She’s run away in pursuit of the man she thinks killed her 13-year-old sister, Mattie. Radio producer West McCray, narrated by Dan Bittner, records a true crime-style podcast working to track her down, and he discovers even more of a story than he anticipated. A full cast of more than 40 narrators brings the drama and mystery to life. Published by Macmillan Audio. Read the full review of SADIE at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine Assistant Editor Emily Connelly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles is known for her powerful voice and has narrated hundreds of audiobooks, including important works of women's and Black History. She combines thoughtful and subtle reading with a chameleon-like ability to create a wide array of accents for titles including: Zora Neale Hurston’s BARRACOON A GIRL STANDS AT THE DOOR: by Rachel Devlin REFLECTIONS BY ROSA PARKS: THE QUIET STRENGTH AND FAITH OF A WOMAN WHO CHANGED A NATION by Rosa Parks, Gregory J. Reed THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS by Isabel Wilkerson, read by Robin Miles Listen in to our interview to hear about the work behind her narrations, and what she’s imagining as she sits “behind the mic.” She is known for her biographies, history and fiction and fantasy audiobooks. Robin has won numerous Earphone Awards and is an AudioFile Golden Voice. Among our favorites are THE STONE SKY, AMERICAN STREET, and ANOTHER BROOKLYN. Once you’ve heard her interview, explore her full audiography and find your next great listen. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and narrator guest Robin Miles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meghan Cox Gurdon, the Wall Street Journal’s children’s book reviewer, brings great insight and passion to her discussion about the importance of reading aloud, especially to children. She sprinkles this audiobook with accents and enthusiasm for “the miraculous power of reading aloud in the age of distraction.” Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of THE ENCHANTED HOUR at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dorothy Butler Gilliam was the first black female reporter and columnist for the Washington Post during the Civil Rights and Women’s movements. She had a front-row seat at some of the nation's most significant turning points. January LaVoy's soft, clear voice narrows the space between listener and author, and her fluid, expressive delivery expertly conveys Gilliam's determination, frustration, pride, and empathy. Published by Hachette Audio. Read the full review of TRAILBLAZER at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An account of the 544 days that Jason Rezaian, Washington Post Tehran bureau chief, was imprisoned in Iran, accused of spying for America. His harrowing story of arrest and imprisonment in Iran is also a detailed account of one Iranian-American's love affair with the land of his heritage and how it goes horribly wrong due to the suspicions of its government. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of PRISONER at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two brothers have polar opposite takes on the responsibilities of family life. Thrown into the mix are the brothers’ bitter mother, her late husband (the boys’ father), bigamy, and a theme of interconnectedness through time. The author’s literary gifts show off dark humor and an exploration of modern American grief, searingly performed by Edoardo Ballerini. Published by Hachette Audio. Read the full review of THE PUNCH at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Famous Western lawman and scout Wild Bill Hickok is the subject of this new biography. Go beyond the legends and folklore--the real Wild Bill was more than a dime-novel titan and every bit a larger-than-life character. Published by Macmillan Audio. Read the full review of WILD BILL at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and AudioFile Magazine reviewer Jonathan Smith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Alan Bradley and narrator Jayne Entwistle join us for a bonus episode to talk about the Flavia de Luce series. Flavia, Bradley’s 11-year-old sleuth, has just solved her tenth mystery, THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD. Flavia lives in the village of Bishop’s Lacy, in 1950s England. She’s passionate about poisons – although she’s almost as interested in old churchyards and the fascinating chemistry of decay. Jayne Entwistle inhabits the irrepressible and intrepid Flavia in all of the audiobooks. For listeners she IS Flavia, with all her bright-voiced curiosity and charming cleverness. Until AudioFile brought author and narrator together, the two had never spoken. They make an excellent team. Read the audiobook reviews of all 10 of the series titles. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Four narrators, including the author, bring Deborah Eisenberg’s much-anticipated story collection to life, and listeners will be delighted with the variety of topics. Six tales take the listener through a range of emotions. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full review of YOUR DUCK IS MY DUCK at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zookeeper’s son Pi Patel is alone on a 26-foot raft with a hyena, an orangutan, a zebra, and a 450-pound Bengal tiger with the incongruous name of Richard Parker. Definitely not a Disney movie, this is a realistic, heart-thumping audiobook that Vikas Adam delivers with verve, intelligence, and sensitivity. Published by Audible, Inc. Read the full review of LIFE OF PI at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lee Israel was a writer who was down on her luck and turned to forging letters from celebrities, including playwrights Lillian Hellman and Noel Coward, in order to stay afloat. The recent film with Melissa McCarthy is based on this memoir of literary forger Israel. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Read the full review of CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A tiny uninhabited island off the coast of Western Australia is the setting for this unusual novel that views the difficulties of the immigrant experience as seen through the eyes of nine asylum seekers. After a storm destroys their boat, the survivors drift on the ocean in a dilapidated skiff. They have no idea where they are. An Earphones Award winner, and a 2019 Audie Award Finalist. Published by Bolinda Audio. Read the full review of SANCTUARY at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Farris, a makeup artist in New York City, participates in a study of morals and ethics as a quick way to make money—but things get very personal very quickly. Psychologist Dr. Shields leads the study, but has other plans for Jessica. Two skilled narrators give alternating perspectives. Published by Macmillan Audio. Read the full review of AN ANONYMOUS GIRL at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Michele Cobb, Publisher of AudioFile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Baldwin’s 1974 novel is the basis for Barry Jenkins’s recent film. Written from the perspective of 19-year-old Tish, the story of great love and great injustice is searing. Narrator Bahni Turpin delivers the raw power of Baldwin’s storytelling, and the sweet love of Tish and Fonny. Published by Blackstone Audio. Read the full review of IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free audiobook recommendations, sign up for AudioFile Magazine’s newsletter. On today’s episode are host Jo Reed and Robin Whitten, Editor & Founder of AudioFile Magazine Support for AudioFile's Sound Reviews comes from GraphicAudio, featuring series such as The Stormlight Archive, Deathlands, Smoke Jensen, Demon Cycle, and over 1,000 more A Movie In Your Mind full cast productions available only at www.GraphicAudio.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices