As part of our Best Audiobooks 2024 celebration, AudioFile's Michele Cobb spoke with nine narrators, one from each of our Best categories. Listen to these new interviews to hear more about all of the work that these actors put into narrating everything from heartbreaking historical fiction to captivating romance to explorations into the reality of reality TV. Be sure to follow AudioFile's Behind the Mic Podcast on your favorite podcast platform so you'll always get to hear about excellent audiobooks.
BEST FICTION
Golden Voice Julia Whelan discusses her narration of Kristin Hannah's historical novel, THE WOMEN, one of our Best Fiction audiobooks of 2024. It's an emotional story about Vietnam War combat nurses, and Julia details how she prepared for performing this intense listen.
BEST BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR
Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham came on the podcast to tell AudioFile listeners all about narrating 3 SHADES OF BLUE. It's James Kaplan's biography of three jazz greats—Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans—and it required research before recording. Listen to Dion's conversation to learn more about this exceptional audiobook that's one of AudioFile's Best Biography & Memoir titles of 2024.
BEST NONFICTION & CULTURE
Narrator Gabra Zackman joined us to talk all things reality TV. Her narration of CUE THE SUN! by Emily Nussbaum earned her a spot on our Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks list. CUE THE SUN! takes listeners on a deep exploration into the world of reality TV, and Gabra tells us about how this audiobook may have changed her view on the genre.
BEST MYSTERY & SUSPENSE
Jean Brassard is a new voice for Louise Penny's beloved Three Pines series. He joins AudioFile's Michele Cobb to discuss the work he put into narrating THE GREY WOLF, Penny's 19th Gamache mystery. He shares how his Quebecois background informed his performance and what he enjoyed most about narrating this mystery, named one of AudioFile's Best of 2024.
BEST SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY
Moira Quirk discusses a fantastical dark academia tale by M.L. Wang, BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN. Moira tells listeners about what she enjoys the most about narrating science fiction and fantasy audiobooks, and the particular challenges she encounters when narrating the genre. BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN not only explores the realm of dark academia, but also examines the ripple effects of colonization and makes for an engrossing listen.
BEST MULTI-VOICE
Golden Voice narrator Edoardo Ballerini tells listeners about narrating one of this year's best in Multi-Voice audiobooks, the oral history WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE, edited by Garrett M. Graff. Edoardo discusses the challenges of narrating audiobooks that include so many voices—here, there were 26 narrators performing 700 real-life historical figures. It's an impressive and moving listen, and Edoardo shares his own personal connection to tales of WWII.
BEST ROMANCE
Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden shares her insights into one of this year's Best Romance Audiobooks, THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE, by India Holton. She talks about what's most interesting and fun to her about narrating romance and explains how she created the voices for the many characters listeners will encounter in the story.
BEST YOUNG ADULT
Alejandro Antonio Ruiz tells listeners all about narrating CANTO CONTIGO by Jonny Garza Villa, one of AudioFile's picks for Best Young Adult Audiobooks of 2024. It's a vibrant audiobook full of emotions, and Alejandro tells us about how they bring all of the tension and rich feelings to life for listeners. They also explain the joys and challenges of narrating audiobooks for a teen audience.
BEST CHILDREN AND FAMILY LISTENING
In our final interview for the year, Hope Newhouse tells listeners about narrating Lois Lowry's newest audiobook, TREE. TABLE. BOOK. Hope shares what it was like to take on the narration of Lois Lowry's audiobook, given her status as a beloved children's book author. She also explains why she enjoys narrating audiobooks for young listeners, and what's stuck with her about this moving audiobook.
Be sure to follow our Behind the Mic Podcast so you can catch our audiobook recommendations all year round.
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Julia Whelan photo by Kelly Puleio; Edoardo Ballerini photo by Ed Brantley; Elizabeth Knowelden photo by Dana Patrick; Gabra Zackman photo by Ashley Garrett; Hope Newhouse photo by Jessica Wolpman; Jean Brassard photo by Steve Vaccariello; all other photos courtesy of the narrators.
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