Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine

AudioFile Magazine

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Find your next great audiobook on our podcast, Behind the Mic with AudioFile Magazine. Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile Editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. All in 6 minutes or less. It’s short, sweet, and just what your ears need. Want more? Listen to our bonus episodes featuring conversations with the best voices in the audiobook industry.

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1497 episodes

THIS AMERICAN EX-WIFE by Lyz Lenz, read by Lyz Lenz

Lyz Lenz narrates her memoir about the end of her marriage and the start of her new life as an “ex-wife.” Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss this audiobook that alternates between Lenz’s own story of divorce and freedom, and her research on women experiencing divorce. While Lenz had been told that the end of her marriage would be the end of her family, she soon discovered that leaving her unhappy marriage gave her more fulfillment and love than she ever had before. Lenz’s informal and personable delivery works well. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 28
THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden, read by Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden

January LaVoy and Michael Crouch perform Katherine Arden’s historical novel with a supernatural twist. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss one of the must-listen audiobooks of the season. LaVoy delivers the perspective of Laura, a nurse who has recently returned from a WWI battlefield to her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Crouch narrates as Laura’s brother, Freddie, a young soldier who has gone missing in Belgium. LaVoy conveys all of Laura's anguish when she receives word that her brother is missing. Crouch captures Freddie’s long hours trekking through the mud, shell-shocked and beyond all hope of getting out of the war alive. A moving and captivating audiobook. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Mar 27
DINNER ON MONSTER ISLAND by Tania De Rozario, read by Tania De Rozario

Tania De Rozario performs her essay collection, which revolves around her experience growing up as a fat mixed-race queer girl in Singapore. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss how De Rozario’s audiobook is a gem of queer literature. De Rozario narrates each of her essays with emotional depth and understanding, giving grace to her past self while simultaneously acknowledging the growth she has experienced over time. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Mar 26
THE BOOK OF LOVE by Kelly Link, read by January LaVoy

January LaVoy performs this epic story of three teenagers who are brought back from the dead just long enough to compete in a mysterious game to see who gets to continue to live. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss this debut novel by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kelly Link, who is better known for her short story collections. Here, Laura, Daniel, and Mo find themselves back in Lovesend, Massachusetts, one year after they died. LaVoy captures whimsy and darkness in equal measure, spinning this fairytale-like story into an engrossing audiobook. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 25
Meet Alan Minskoff - Celebrating 1500 episodes of Behind the Mic

AudioFile’s celebrating 1500 episodes of our Behind the Mic podcast. Today host Jo Reed talks with Alan Minskoff, a longtime AudioFile reviewer who has excellent insights into audiobooks. Alan tells Jo about how he fits audiobooks into his busy weeks as he commutes to his work at the College of Idaho. He loves to feature audiobooks on food, the environment, and history and the occasional literary fiction on Behind the Mic. AudioFile’s podcast honors the work and dedication to the craft of making excellent audiobooks, and features the best in audiobooks each week. Read more about AudioFile Magazine and discover thousands of audiobook reviews 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12m
Mar 22
Meet Kendra Winchester - Celebrating 1500 episodes of Behind the Mic

This week we’re honoring the 1500th episodes of Behind the Mic podcast with spotlights on each of our contributors. Today host Jo Reed talks with Kendra Winchester, who reviews for AudioFile and shares many insights into fascinating audiobooks here on the podcast and as a contributing editor for Book Riot. Kendra tells Jo about her audiobook listening, her favorite genres to enjoy, and how she picks her features for the podcast. She often highlights new literary fiction, essays, and memoirs, and has a keen ear for excellent audiobooks. AudioFile’s podcast honors the work and dedication to the craft of making excellent audiobooks, and features the best in audiobooks each week. Read more about AudioFile Magazine and discover thousands of audiobook reviews 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Mar 21
Meet Emily Connelly - Celebrating 1500 episodes of Behind the Mic

We’re celebrating AudioFile’s Behind the Mic podcast all week with highlights of our contributors. Listen in to hear host Jo Reed in discussion with AudioFile’s Assistant Editor, Emily Connelly. She tells Jo about when she started listening to audiobooks, her work since she started at AudioFile, and how her love of audiobooks helps her on the podcast and in her role at the library. She’s always happy to talk about what she’s listening to, whether it’s a new favorite family listen or a fascinating science fiction world to get lost in. AudioFile’s podcast honors the work and dedication to the craft of making excellent audiobooks, and features the best in audiobooks each week. Read more about AudioFile Magazine and discover thousands of audiobook reviews 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9m
Mar 20
Meet Michele Cobb - Celebrating 1500 episodes of Behind the Mic

AudioFile is celebrating our 1500th episode of Behind the Mic with highlights of each of our contributors. Today host Jo Reed is talking with AudioFile’s Publisher, Michele Cobb. Listen in to hear all about Michele’s work in the world of audiobooks and podcasts, what she loves about the Behind the Mic podcast, and what she looks for in her next featured audiobook. When Michele’s on the podcast, you can bet there will be a juicy celebrity memoir or buzzy new audiobook to discuss! AudioFile’s podcast honors the work and dedication to the craft of making excellent audiobooks, and features the best in audiobooks each week. Read more about AudioFile Magazine and discover thousands of audiobook reviews 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12m
Mar 19
Celebrating 1500 Episodes of Behind the Mic with Robin Whitten

Happy 1500 episodes to AudioFile’s Behind the Mic Podcast! We’re celebrating this milestone all week long by highlighting each of our podcast contributors. Today host Jo is talking with AudioFile’s Editor and founder, Robin Whitten. They talk about all the fun and work that goes into recording 1500 episodes of Behind the Mic, their favorite episodes, and their shared love for mystery audiobooks. AudioFile’s podcast honors the work and dedication to the craft of making excellent audiobooks and features the best in audiobooks each week. Read more about AudioFile Magazine and discover thousands of audiobook reviews 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9m
Mar 18
SERWA BOATENG'S GUIDE TO WITCHCRAFT AND MAYHEM by Roseanne A. Brown, read by Soneela Nankani

Soneela Nanknai’s talents are in full force in this monstrous and magical fantasy series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Roseanne A Brown’s thrilling sequel to SERWA BOATENG’S GUIDE TO VAMPIRE HUNTING. Serwa has discovered a shocking secret—she’s an obayifo, a vampire witch, just like those she’s spent her life training to fight. Nankani’s dynamic voice and boundless energy match the action and Serwa’s roiling emotions as she goes into hiding to train with her obayifo aunt. She conveys all the drama as Serwa fights the newfound urge to drink blood, plans a dangerous heist, realizes she has a huge crush, and travels to the underworld. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Disney Hyperion. 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Mar 15
THE FRIENDSHIP STUDY by Ruby Barrett, read by André Santana, Meg Sylvan

André Santana and Meg Sylvan narrate this friends-to-lovers romance with compassion and full-hearted emotion. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this story of two lonely people finding friendship and love where they least expect it. Santana’s thoughtful narration gives us insights into former firefighter Jesse’s anxiety and warm heart. Lulu’s a history professor living in her parents’ house, and Sylvan’s voice expresses both Lulu’s infectious enthusiasm and self doubt. When Lulu and Jesse enroll in a psychology study on making friends, their attraction happens fast—despite the study’s strict ban on dating. Santana and Sylvan’s narrations highlight the rich emotionality of the story as Lulu and Jesse find their way forward in this steamy romance. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harlequin 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Mar 14
FAEBOUND by Saara El-Arifi, read by Bahni Turpin

Bahni Turpin narrates Saara El-Arifi’s high fantasy tale that’s laced with romance and danger. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly dive into the story of Black elves, fae, and magic. After banishment by their chieftain, elven sisters Yeeran and Lettle wind up prisoners in fae lands and must adapt if they hope to survive. Turpin portrays Yeeran as a battle-hardened warrior, proud and energetic, while Lettle is a diviner, passionate and inquisitive. The sisters uncover surprising truths that upend their understanding of the world, and both discover threads of romance. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6m
Mar 13
WHAT FEASTS AT NIGHT by T. Kingfisher, read by Avi Roque

Narrator Avi Roque conveys all the creeping horror of T. Kingfisher’s sequel to WHAT MOVES THE DEAD. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Roque’s skilled narration of this fantastical horror story. Alex Easton, a retired soldier, travels to their family’s hunting lodge in their damp and unwelcoming home country, Gallacia. Alex discovers the lodge cold and empty and learns that the caretaker has died under mysterious circumstances. Roque lightly voices Alex’s humor and dry wit, ramping up the terror with a quickened pace and dramatic flair as Alex’s dreams become haunted by spectral creatures. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 12
WILD LIFE by Opal Wei, read by Natalie Naudus

Natalie Naudus narrates a spirited romance loosely inspired by the classic screwball comedy “Bringing Up Baby.” Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about this fun romance by Opal Wei that’s centered around two chaotic characters. Zoey Fong’s always lived her life guided by The Plan . . . until she meets Davy Hsieh and he upends almost every aspect of it. Naudus’s portrayal of Zoey highlights her focus and goal-oriented mindset, while her portrayal of Davy accents his laid-back and easygoing nature. One mistake has Zoey rethinking her life while stuck on an island with Davy—and Baby, his semi-tame cougar. Naudus’s delightful performance highlights the inherent joy and lightness in Zoey and Davy’s budding relationship and makes for a truly enjoyable experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harlequin 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, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 11
AudioFile Favorites: VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS

We’ve been celebrating the 2024 Audie Awards all week long on Behind the Mic. Today we’re wrapping up our coverage by highlighting our episode about this year’s Best Mystery Audiobook winner, VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS, written by Jesse Q. Sutanto and read by Eunice Wong. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb have a discussion about how Wong’s brisk performance makes this funny mystery one you won’t want to miss on audio. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Discover more about the Audie Awards at AudioFile’s website and see the full list of the 2024 Audie Awards finalists and winners. 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 Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 08
AudioFile Favorites: IT. GOES. SO. FAST.

AudioFile is celebrating the 2024 Audie Awards all this week, and today we’re featuring this year’s winner in the Narration by the Author category: NPR anchor Mary Louise Kelly for her memoir IT. GOES. SO. FAST: A Year of No Do-Overs. Listen in as host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Kelly’s captivating narration of her book about the challenging life of a working parent. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. See the full list of the 2024 Audie Awards finalists and winners and discover more about the Audie Awards 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 Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 07
AudioFile Favorites: KING: A LIFE

We’re celebrating the 2024 Audie Awards all this week. Today we’re honoring the winner of the inaugural Best Non-Fiction Narrator award, Golden Voice Dion Graham for KING: A LIFE, by Jonathan Eig. In fact, Dion narrated a whopping three finalists in this category! On today’s episode, we’re sharing a discussion between host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff about this moving biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which Graham narrates superbly. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Discover more about the Audie Awards at AudioFile’s website. See the full list of the 2024 Audie Awards finalists and winners. 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 Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 06
AudioFile Favorites: SURRENDER

AudioFile Magazine is celebrating the 2024 Audie Awards all this week. Today’s episode is all about this year’s Audiobook of the Year award winner — SURRENDER: 40 Songs, One Story, written and read by Bono. Listen in on an earlier episode with host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discussing this memoir that blends Bono’s words with singing, music, and sound effects to make for a fascinating listening experience. If you missed the live event, you can visit the APA YouTube to catch all of the Audies livestream. Discover more about the Audie Awards at AudioFile’s website. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. See the full list of the 2024 Audie Awards finalists and winners. 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 Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 05
Celebrating the 2024 Audie Awards

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb get together to talk all things Audie Awards! This year the Audies are in L.A. and will be celebrated with an in-person gala event, and with a livestream that audiobook lovers can watch from the comfort of their home. Listen in as Jo and Michele discuss some of the changes to the Audies this year and give their insights into the new Best Non-Fiction Narrator and Best Fiction Narrator awards. Follow along with the Audie Awards ceremony tonight. And see the full list of this year’s finalists at the APA website. Discover more about the Audie Awards 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 Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11m
Mar 04
THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah, read by Julia Whelan, Kristin Hannah

The sure touch of Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan transforms Kristen Hannah’s absorbing novel about Vietnam War combat nurses into an addictive listen. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this intimate portrait and sprawling account of a searing time. The story focuses on 20-year-old Frances McGrath, who, in 1965, impetuously chooses the Army Nurse Corps over cotillions and marriage. As the novel interweaves historical research with the characters’ Vietnam and post-war lives, Whelan’s intensity and warmth help listeners empathize with the personal and understand the big picture. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com 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 Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Mar 01
THE NIGHT SHE LIED by Lucy Dawson, read by Rachel Atkins

Narrator Rachel Atkins is a gift. Her performance of Lucy Dawson’s suspenseful psychological thriller will seep into listeners’ consciousness. AudioFile’s Robin Whitten tells host Jo Reed about this listen that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Atkins’s talents are showcased immediately in the opening scene in which the protagonist, Jude, stands in a courtroom, awaiting the jury’s decision about her fate. Jude is charged with the murder of a new suitor, Rik, who has a disturbing past with her mother. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Bolinda Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 29
WHAT WILD WOMEN DO by Karma Brown, read by Karissa Vacker, Hillary Huber

Karissa Vacker and Hillary Huber deliver excellent performances in this gripping audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss an audiobook that evokes themes of empowerment, personal growth, and discovery. The story, set in the Adirondacks, depicts emotional insights and decades-spanning intrigue. Vacker voices failed screenwriter Rowan, who discovers a mysterious handbook that may have something to do with a woman who went missing in the woods. Huber voices Eddie, the rich-girl hippie who started a women’s retreat center nearby in the 1970s and then disappeared without a trace. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an indie audiobook publisher, creates award-winning and bestselling titles by authors like Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. Explore their catalog at dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Feb 28
AUGUST WILSON by Patti Hartigan, read by Dion Graham, Patti Hartigan [Afterword]

Dion Graham narrates this biography of playwright and poet August Wilson. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how Graham excels at performing both as storyteller and actor, for this biography contains not only narrative but also passages from some of his plays. His rich voice carries the biography along nicely, but it is when he recites lines from plays such as FENCES and quotations from figures in Wilson’s past that Graham really shines. The audiobook is an enlightening look at Wilson’s life and the forces and people that shaped his plays. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8m
Feb 27
CAHOKIA JAZZ by Francis Spufford, read by Andy Ingalls

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Andy Ingalls’s narration of a literary detective novel. Ingalls delivers all the nuances of a full cast in Spufford’s story set in an alternate universe. In an authoritative tone, Ingalls brings to life Cahokia, located on the banks of the Mississippi. In the novel, this ancient Indigenous society lives on in the 1920s, seeming to flourish in its diversity. But when Barrow discovers a mutilated body, the community’s facade of racial coexistence is exposed. Ingalls is the perfect guide for this complex world. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Simon & Schuster. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 26
THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS by Janice Hallett, read by Kristin Atherton, Annie Aldington, Nneka Okoye, Gareth Armstrong, Sid Sagar

Janice Hallett’s marvelous tale unfolds through a series of emails complete with verbal emojis— a narrator’s challenge. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this mystery about an investigation of a cult—the Alperton Angels. Kristin Atherton gives a smackdown performance as journalist and true-crime author Amanda Bailey. The narrators all help build up the tension at the heart of this mystery. A superbly choreographed performance and unforgettable ending. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 23
ABOVE THE FIRE by Michael O'Donnell, read by Robert Fass

Robert Fass captures the natural interplay between a father and son during an emotional struggle for survival. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Michael O’Donnell’s story of a mountain excursion in New Hampshire. Eight-year-old Tim and his father, Doug, are reeling from the recent death of Tim's mother. News of an unidentified national catastrophe forces the two hikers to seek refuge rather than risk traveling home. Fass demonstrates skill in his voicing of quiet moments of tenderness and the suspense of mounting threats. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an indie audiobook publisher, creates award-winning and bestselling titles by authors like Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. Explore their catalog at dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6m
Feb 22
KILL SHOW by Daniel Sweren-Becker, read by Megan Tusing, Desmond Manny, Pun Bandhu, Melissa Redmond, Byron Wagner, Christine Lakin, Stacy Gonzalez, Xe Sands, Fred Sanders, Sara Morsey, Chris McLinden, Robert Fass

An ensemble of wildly talented narrators elevates Daniel Sweren-Becker’s fictional true-crime case, told through first-person interviews. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a full-cast narration that takes the listener on a rollercoaster ride. The narrators infuse a generous amount of personality and empathy into their portrayals of the community, media, and family involved in the tragic case of a missing teenager. A compelling audio with a winning combination of narrators. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 21
FIRST LIE WINS by Ashley Elston, read by Saskia Maarleveld

Listeners will be convinced there’s a full cast delivering this fast-paced thriller from Ashley Elston. Yet it’s just one narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, who masterfully voices all of the characters. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss another thrilling mystery. Evie Porter has many names and personas she has adopted for her work for the mysterious Mr. Smith. The narrative goes back and forth in time, revealing the successful and disastrous assignments that have landed her in a small town in Louisiana, where she’s building a loving relationship with her next target. The twists and turns will keep listeners glued to their earbuds all the way to the satisfying conclusion. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an indie audiobook publisher, creates award-winning and bestselling titles by authors like Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. Explore their catalog at dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 20
ANNA O by Matthew Blake, read by Dan Stevens, Hannah Curtis, Sarah Cullum, Christine Rendel

Hannah Curtis, Sarah Cullum, and Christine Rendel, led by the incomparable Dan Stevens, skillfully deliver this extraordinary twisty novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb Discuss Matthew Blake’s new murder mystery. One night, Anna Ogilvy, a young wannabe writer, inexplicably stabs two people to death while sleepwalking. She hasn’t woken up since the crime. Now Anna’s psychiatrist, Ben, must wake her. Stevens delivers the portrayal of Ben with a cool reserve, allowing the listener's imagination to lock onto this remarkable mystery. Curtis, Cullum, and Rendel also enhance this unreal-seeming but plausible story. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 19
ENDANGERED EATING by Sarah Lohman, read by Sarah Lohman

Sarah Lohman is an effective narrator of her thoughtful audiobook about vanishing foods. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how Lohman narrates with a pointed reportorial style and measured cadence that suit her text. Lohman’s forays take her to the Salish Sea to work reef-caught salmon; to a Navajo reservation to help butcher the unique four-horned sheep called Churro; and to Ohio, where she learns about Buckeye chicken. She’s an intrepid eater and energetic narrator. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Dreamscape. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Dreamscape Publishing, an independent audiobook publisher, produces and publishes award-winning and bestselling titles, including those from Lisa Jewell, Jeneva Rose, and Annie Ernaux. For more information and to see Dreamscape’s entire catalog, visit dreamscapepublishing.com. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/AUDIOFILE and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7m
Feb 16