New Reviews by Title: P-T

When executed as beautifully as this one, multigenerational novels are all consuming in the best way. Sandra Oh's performance of this audiobook makes the experience even more immersive. When young Sunja is saved from ruin and moves from Korea to Japan, a family tale begins and proceeds through four generations in the early 20th century. Oh is an outstanding narrator. Her pace... Read More

Although her novels overshadow her other works, Margaret Atwood's poetry has won the Governor General's Award--roughly equivalent to the Pulitzer. Her latest collection, which she delivers in this audio edition, includes selections from her entire career and involves subjects that range from the Canadian experience to life as an aging woman alone. Perhaps as a way of... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley brings the perfect Southern touch to her narration of this romance novel. Lila Matthews moves back to Ditto, Texas, after inheriting her Aunt Gracie's home and strawberry fields. There she discovers that her family has secrets she needs to get to the bottom of. As the late Gracie whispers advice in Lila's ears, Pressley gives her voice just the right... Read More

Ray Porter narrates the four short stories and one novella in this amazing science fiction/dystopian audiobook. Set in a believable future, these works range from lovers seeking the truth behind their relationships, to people on trial for using martial arts, to human explorers attempting to contact a humanoid but alien race. All stories involve a main character who is exploring... Read More

Matthew Goode's amiable narration sets the right tone for this memoir by the late Russian anti-corruption activist. With Alexei Navalny's ghost hovering over the recording studio, Goode does an outstanding job of channeling the activist's humanity and warmth. Avoiding sanctimony, he dryly delivers Navalny's gallows humor--of which there is plenty. Amid the terror and confusion... Read More

This audiobook opens with an explanation of why the narrator uses modified Cajun accents throughout. New Orleans-born narrator Sophie Amoss digs deep to develop other well-differentiated voicings for the residents of Alligator Point. Her Cajun and French pronunciations are mostly spot-on. As Pontiac is central to the story, Amoss gives her heart with a South Louisiana voicing.... Read More

Listeners may empathize or be amused by Payal's long-term crush on Jonathan, the six-foot blonde Adonis of her senior class, whom she first meets at a party when he vomits on her shoes. After he tells her being South Asian keeps him from dating her, her fury leads her to persuade her academic nemesis, Philip Kim, to show Jon how worthy she is, never imagining she will find a... Read More

Though this is a long audiobook, stellar narration by Giordan Diaz and Stacy Gonzalez keeps listeners engaged. The story is told from alternating perspectives. Margot Ortega, voiced by Gonzalez, has it all--a well-known family, money, a good career, and a perfect fiancé. When she suffers a panic attack on her wedding day and calls it off, she spends the night in a bar, dancing... Read More

Narrator Stephanie Bentley initially presents Aila as shy and geeky; later, she captures Aila's professional and romantic growth. At a zoo full of magical creatures, Aila anxiously tends endangered Silimalo phoenixes and seeks a new bird for mating. Her charming crush, Connor, offers to help with the preparations. Still feeling overwhelmed, Aila enlists the aid of her outgoing... Read More

Jorjeana Marie portrays the innocence, resilience, and burgeoning rebellion of 16-year-old Jane, daughter of punk rock star Mina Placenta. The years of spousal abuse experienced by Mina are revealed by security tapes taken in her home. Marie's narration gains gravity and menace when Vernon, Jane's controlling, abusive father, speaks. It softens when expressing the tenderness of... Read More

Narrators Teddy Hamilton, Gilli Messer, and Eunice Wong perform this witty enemies-to-lovers romance. Sasha Rubenstein's ex-husband prefers the Hollywood glam life, so he left Sasha and their two children in New York. After Sasha accidentally bumps into single dad Ethan Jones, he becomes her nemesis. However, a new job opportunity on a tropical island brings them together.... Read More

Ray Porter's solid performance complements this engaging foray into the development of the visionary James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)--which almost wasn't. This absorbing and well-researched production sets the stage for the JWST's emergence on the scientific stage in 2021. There's essential background on its monumental predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope, and the dogged... Read More

"The fate of continents is written in water," this audiobook professes, and the vital role of the ocean is at the heart of this expansive listening experience. Here, especially at the start, it is wise to let the narrators' words flow forth, immersing the listener in four central characters and the minute details that comprise their respective worlds. Sections lack titles or... Read More

In barely seven hours, this fascinating and well-researched audiobook opens a window into a science many listeners may not know exists: thanatology, the study of death and its effects. Do animals understand death, and if so, how? The examples--which include elephants, primates, and possums--provide criteria for answering these questions, often with unexpected results. Lisa Ware... Read More

Philip Battley narrates this witty mystery set in New Zealand in the zany manner it deserves. Listeners meet Addison Harper, an endearing, sometimes bumbling amateur sleuth who's just arrived in town to claim his inheritance of a house and a cat. The sculpture competition for the Terrific Town Award, which is marred by two deaths from a mysterious cocktail, is described with... Read More

January LaVoy performs this genre-bending audiobook with expert skill. Stephenson's new audiobook, while shorter than his usual work, is the first part of a promised series. The action centers around Dawn, who as a young adult is deployed as a Russian spy, gathering intel for a large Communist movement. The story hops around the globe from Russia to Chicago to Washington, DC,... Read More

Erin Moon and Blair Young narrate this quirky mystery about a naughty pony and his quest to reunite with his human and solve a decades-old mystery. New evidence leading to her arrest reveals that Penny might have murdered a horse farm owner at the age of 12. Pony, still bitter about Penny having suddenly sold him years ago, seeks her out to demand answers. Moon voices Penny,... Read More

Em Grosland narrates this story of a school-picture day gone wrong. Andrew is a worrier, and today he has more than enough to worry about. Besides his best friend's new friends, his mom's new job, and his grandmother's worsening Alzheimer's, he has to spend his day dodging bullies, basketballs, ketchup rockets, and getting his photograph taken. Grosland expertly blends Andrew's... Read More

It's been 38 years since we first met Rusty Sabich in PRESUMED INNOCENT. Narrator Grover Gardner, one of the best in the business, affects a smooth and evocative tone as he reminds us how Rusty was found innocent of murdering his mistress. Now he's entering the third act of his life with his engagement to the loving and insightful Bea. Gardner's tone and rhythm increase the... Read More

Award-winning Devon Sorvari uses all her considerable narration talents to bring to life this story about a small town with big secrets. Cora, an affable but rather bland heroine, finds wedding rings in a jar of baubles she buys at an estate sale and seeks to find their owners. This is a dual-timeline mystery, and listeners are pulled back to 1953, a story of forbidden love,... Read More

ML De Blasi heightens the drama and emotional resonance with her narration of this entrancing novel. Cathy is young and alone in the world when she becomes involved with middle-aged, kind Police Chief Frank. Once he tricks her into marriage, he becomes controlling and physically and mentally abusive. De Blasi makes Cathy's fear palpable and Frank's descent into abuse... Read More

Narrators Raphael Corkhill and James Meunier give a compelling shared performance of this fantasy. When Prince Edmund and Aubrey meet for the first time, they have an instant connection that quickly blooms into more. But their country of Saben is on the brink of war--Aubrey and the other Seers have foreseen it in visions. Corkhill is convincing as brave, devoted Aubrey, who... Read More

Hannah van der Westhuysen gives a quiet, melancholic performance of this contemplative, grief-filled reimagining of KING LEAR. Set in a vague future of half-drowned cities and constant rain, the story revolves around three queer sisters after the death of their famous father, an architect. Estranged from him and each other, the three women navigate their romantic relationships,... Read More

Narrator Will Damron brings humor and wit to a time-traveling story featuring a hockey player who lands in 1812 England and the Regency- era miss who finds him. When Lizzy Wooddash gets over her shock at finding a huge man floundering in an icy pond who claims he's from the future, she finds herself with the perfect opportunity: Marry the hulking Tucker Taylor to protect her... Read More

Narrator André Santana captures the angst and emotional turmoil plaguing gay teen Joaquin Zoido. His father and sister want to celebrate him by having a coming-out party. But his mother's constant backhanded remarks hurt him. When his childhood crush, Felix, reappears after a long absence, Joaquin finds his small amorous gestures confusing but exciting. Santana has a voice that... Read More

Narrator Ilvana Muratovic's Bosnian heritage adds power to Eskens's extraordinary historical novel of the 1990s War in Bosnia and its repercussions. Muratovic gives Hana Babic, a Bosnian now living in Minnesota, a subtle accent. It soon becomes clear that Hana's secret past, buried for the last 30 years, threatens to resurface and upend her quiet life. As the story flashes back... Read More

Rosa Escoda's performance captures the essence of this magical and emotional story. Serin is a lonely young woman who enters a magical market where she must choose her perfect life within a week--or risk vanishing forever. Escoda's voice draws listeners into this enchanting world, skillfully rendering each character in their own distinct tone, making their interactions feel... Read More

This audiobook examines our national discourse, particularly during the Trump era. Although written prior to his reelection, its relevance has only increased as it presents contrasting arguments about democracy and potential threats to it. Justin Price narrates effectively, in a style that complements the intensity of the arguments, particularly those warning of a shift toward... Read More

Will Damron transports listeners to the cold of the Arctic as polar explorers attempt to reach the North Pole by airship instead of by dog and sled. The story includes triumph and failure, as well as big personalities, fraudulent history, and new media communication directly from the airships. Damron expresses the thrill of Roald Amundsen reaching the North Pole in 1926 in his... Read More

Podcast host Graham Cochrane narrates his guidebook on how to pursue personal dreams and goals. In particular, he gives listeners advice on how to stay true to their desires and not conform to what is expected of them. Cochrane has an effective congenial tone as he asks listeners what is preventing them from pursuing their true life's purpose and shares his own experiences on... Read More

Novelist Isabella Hammad delivered the Edward W. Said Memorial Lecture at Columbia University in September 2023. In this powerful audiobook, she reads that lecture with poise and urgency. Her voice is assured and firm, inviting listeners to truly sit with the impact of her words. She examines the fight for Palestinian liberation through the lens of fictional and historical... Read More

Andrew Shaver's narration enhances this novel about a Canadian family that is adjusting to unexpected challenges over the course of a summer. Shaver's ability to shift tone brings out the layered relationships and evolving dynamics among the various members. His voice gives dimension to father Bobby's unemployment, wife Mimi's thriving business, son Abbie's rise to fame, and... Read More

Suh! This talented cast of narrators cops an attitude, takes a "so what" tone, and gives "holy cow" deliveries of this satirical take on modern love. Big yikes. In "Pics," narrator Allyson Ryan depicts a delulu young woman whose one-night stand becomes an obsession amped up by social media. Oh, my. The seven interconnected stories depict besties with rizz who pop up in... Read More

Soneela Nankani will keep listeners glued to their earbuds with her narration of this intriguing mystery. When first-year journalism student Aleeza Kassam moves out of her former best friend's dorm, the only room available on campus is where Jay Hoque used to live before he went missing five months earlier. Odder still, Aleeza and Jay are able to message each other. As Aleeza... Read More

Jen Zhao delivers an insightful performance of this novel, which is structured around several family vacations. College sweethearts Keru and Nate have never fit in with their families and have made their own family with their sheepdog, Mantou. Cultural differences between Keru's cautious immigrant parents and Nate's boisterous American parents have created an additional... Read More

Ekua Ekumah and Sara Novak's narration brings layered voices to this story of rediscovery and healing. Whitney Appiah is a masseuse with a special skill--she can sense where her clients are hurting and heal them. The twist comes when she realizes she has roots in a traumatic past. Ekumah's and Novak's deliveries highlight the shifts between Kumasi, Ghana, in the 1990s and... Read More

Hanako Footman performs this feel-good novel about Chef Negare and his daughter, Kioshi, who run the Kamogawa Diner in Kyoto. Together, they are the Kamogawa Food Detectives, who track down lost recipes from their clients' pasts. In each chapter, they handle a new case in which a client comes to them looking for a unique dish made with exact ingredients. Footman's narration... Read More

Malcolm Gladwell once again shows that audio is the ideal medium for someone who excels at both long-form journalism and podcasting. In this follow-up to his iconic debut, THE TIPPING POINT, Gladwell explores the bleaker side of how things go viral. His unmistakable delivery has become more animated after years at the mic, and as he's done in previous audiobooks, he uses... Read More

This sequel to THE VERIFIERS more than lives up to the first audiobook in the series. Claudia Lin is juggling dysfunctional relationships with her mother and her siblings; an attraction to her co-worker Becks, as well as a crush on a woman she meets as part of a case; and investigating the death of a man who came to her company for help. Narrator Eunice Wong is so engaged with... Read More

Janet Metzger's narration brings measured depth to an otherwise typical coming-of-age story. Teenage Charlotte, the daughter of an American missionary who is being raised in Iraq, runs away in a literal search for identity and self-discovery. Metzger conveys the vibrant landscape of early-twentieth-century Basra. The winding river at the center of Charlotte's quest comes alive,... Read More

If you find Emmy Award-winning actor Uzo Aduba's on-screen performances captivating ("Orange Is the New Black"), wait until you hear her narrate her life story. Aduba's lifelong habit of journaling produces a memoir sizzling with ambiance-enhancing details, beginning with descriptions of her '90s pop-culture-filled childhood in small-town Massachusetts. The daughter of Nigerian... Read More

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini captures the listener's heart with this new audiobook memoir following a family that was forced to move to Rome after being expelled from their home in Egypt during political unrest. In his adolescence, André Aciman, his brother, and his deaf mother find themselves in a city where they don't speak the language. As the year progresses, André must find... Read More

Vikas Adam returns to narrate the third installment in Rosen's historical mystery series set in 1950s San Francisco. Evander Mills finally has a boyfriend, a safe apartment above a queer bar, and steady work as a PI. But there's always something threatening the fragile peace of the life he's built for himself, and this time it begins when the owner of a gay bookstore goes... Read More

JD Jackson's deep, strong voice captures the confidence of Cade Webster, one of few Black students at his prep school and a talented football receiver on an athletic scholarship. Jackson's robust narration shows Cade's strong desire for fame, which would allow his family to escape a neighborhood beset by gangs and poverty. When Cade comes across a curious pawn shop, he buys a... Read More

Lee Child's short stories, which focus on protagonists from seedier sides of life, including hit men with varying moral compasses, are an interesting collection enhanced by a one-man show of narration by Edoardo Ballerini. Short stories might provide the biggest challenge for a narrator, and he is definitely up to it. Ballerini uses a variety of techniques--ranging from clipped... Read More

Danice Cabanela and Dante Basco narrate the first in the Filipino inspired Stormbringer Saga. Lunurin, voiced by Cabanela, has the power to call forth storms capable of enormous destruction. Cabanela authentically depicts Lunurin's complicated emotions as she hides her powers from those colonizing her people and ignores her goddess's calls. Alon, voiced by Basco, has been in... Read More

Narrated by the author, this charming original story reveals that Santa himself never celebrated Christmas until one year when a gruff, growly polar bear pointed this out to his elves. They decide to treat Santa royally and help decorate his house for a holiday celebration--complete with gifts delivered by the bear, who is dressed in red and growls a deep-voiced "ho-ho-ho."... Read More

Harry Myers dives into the role of narrator for this "History of the London Police Force's Most Infamous Murder Cases." Beginning with the Ratcliffe Highway Murders in 1811, these detailed accounts of the force and a panoply of murders include Jack the Ripper and the Whitechapel Murders. Myers uses a gritty tone and an educated London accent for the narrative and various... Read More

Thom Rivera narrates Herrera's latest novel, which features Benito Juarez, the first Indigenous president of Mexico, who was in office from 1858 to 1872. This short yet unhurried work takes place in the 18 months of Juarez's exile in New Orleans. He funds his exile with odd jobs and spends his days drinking coffee with fellow outcasts. Rivera's clear narration delivers flawless... Read More

Playwright Jeanne Sakata's newly commissioned version of this beloved classic for L.A. Theatre Works is both well produced and thoughtful. It provides backstory for Mary Lennox before turning the dour child over to Archibald Craven, her remaining relative, after an outbreak of cholera takes her family in India. Mary, voiced by Alma Marian, moves from petulance to wonder as she... Read More

Narrator Cassandra Campbell guides listeners through the universe's biological past, present, and potential future in this accessible production by the director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. The ever-present existential and practical questions about how life began and whether we're alone in the cosmos lie at the heart of this audiobook. Campbell excels at... Read More

This history of mathematics, a surprisingly accessible listen, is made even more so by Daphne Kouma's upbeat narration. The authors, a math historian and a science journalist, pop the bubble on Eurocentric math history by highlighting overlooked non-Western and female mathematical geniuses. The audiobook moves briskly, thanks to Kouma's friendly tone when delivering... Read More

Candace Joice performs this fictionalization of Julia Child's overseas service in WWII with brio. While her narration can veer into the melodramatic, its eagerness matches the author's enthusiastic writing style. In conversational sections, Joice's delivery becomes more low-key as she creates nuanced vocal portraits of a range of characters. She also does an impressive job of... Read More

Victoria Villarreal narrates an unconventional love story. Amanda Dean is about to get married, but as everything goes wrong on her wedding day, she reminisces about her past relationships and wonders if she has chosen the right person. As Amanda reflects on her life and loves, and her story bounces between her past and present, Villarreal subtly varies her narration to... Read More

Anire Kim Amoda brings youthful enthusiasm to her portrayal of a biracial girl named Hana and her culinary challenge. Grandma and Grandpa Williams are from South Carolina, and cherish gumbo, while Halmoni (Grandmother) and Harabeoji (Grandfather) are from South Korea, and savor kimchi. What can young Hana cook to please everyone's palate? Amoda's light, engaging voice brings... Read More

Narrator Jesse Vilinsky captivates listeners with this dark romantasy- adventure. Ever since her mother died, Vaasa Kozar has had dark magic building inside her. She's unaware of its power and how to control it. In one last political scheme, her heartless brother marries Vaasa off to Reid of Mireh, a powerful foreign ruler. Vaasa attempts to escape the marriage but soon... Read More

Author and narrator Robin Wall Kimmerer, who is Potawatomi, gently guides listeners through this thoughtful exploration of gift economies and cultures of reciprocity. Using the framing device of an outing to gather serviceberries, which are also popular with the local birds, Kimmerer traces the pathways of mutual obligation and abundance seen in nature and in many traditional... Read More

Listeners must sort out where the truth lies in this intricately plotted psychological novel revolving around the death of a wealthy Florida real estate developer. Accomplished narrator Tavia Gilbert tells this story about love, resentment, confessions, dark suspicions, climate change, and other crises. While Gilbert skillfully portrays multiple characters, her rendering of the... Read More

Author Nicholas Meyer's introduction sets the scene for David Robb's excellent narration of this WWI story. In 1916, Watson and Holmes reunite after several years apart. Watson has been treating wounded soldiers, while Holmes has been undercover, extracting information from an imprisoned traitor. Germany has a diabolical plan to "starve England into surrender," and it's up to... Read More

Narrator Mark Sanderlin creates an energetic and determined voice for 12-year-old Alex Sherlock, who establishes "The Sherlock Society Detective Agency" with his sister, Zoe, two best friends, and his retired grandfather. When his mom finds out and puts an end to it, the group decides to try to find Al Capone's hidden treasure instead. While trying to solve this mystery, they... Read More

Michael David Axtell gives a confident, clear performance of this dystopian audiobook. In a not-too-alternative world, high school students undergo a multitude of intellectual and aptitude exams. Some students can expect to pursue their own hopes and dreams, while others face being auctioned into the servitude of the world's billionaires. It's a dark listening experience... Read More

In the sequel to Korn's YOURS FOR THE TAKING, narrator Gail Shalan captures the desperation of two women as each works to survive in a world changed by politics and climate. Listeners learn why Kelly deserted her daughter, Orchid, seven years earlier and is making the dangerous trip home in 2041 to reunite with her. Woven into this story is Orchid's quest in 2078 to find her... Read More

Lucy Scott masterfully delivers this intense account based on a true story. In Croydon, England, in 1964, while answering a domestic disturbance call, police discover an elderly woman in distress and her 37-year-old nephew, unkempt, nearly naked, fearful, and mute. William Tapping hasn't been out of the house in decades. Helen Hansford, an art therapist at Westbury Park... Read More

If Ben Macintyre ever tires of writing true espionage stories and crazy capers, he can become a professional narrator instead. In 1980, shortly after Margaret Thatcher's election, at the same time that the U.S. was watching its own hostage crisis in Iran, six gunmen captured the Iranian embassy in London, taking more than two dozen hostages. Macintyre's precise British accent... Read More

When NBC "Dateline" reporter and producer Dan Slepian stumbled upon evidence that a number of men serving lengthy terms in the New York State prison system may have been innocent, he couldn't let it go. In a voice bristling with urgency, empathy, and determination, Slepian recounts how false identification, racial profiling, prosecutorial misconduct, incentivized witnesses, and... Read More

Narrator Zoë Chao takes listeners on a darkly humorous, violent fantasy ride. This fast-paced contemporary reimagining of Chinese mythology follows immortal sisters Su and Emerald, who were originally born as snakes. After a thousand years, they have drifted apart, with Su living a reserved married life in Singapore and Emerald living a wild life in New York City. Chao keeps... Read More

Cassandra Campbell's outstanding narration makes this history of Nazi efforts to eliminate Jewish and female academic opportunities in Germany an accessible and completely absorbing listen. While this subject is challenging, Campbell's investment in relaying the historical details of Nazi actions to eradicate women's roles in public professions and, indeed, in all aspects of... Read More

Rachanee Lumayno performs a whimsical tale that features Spella, a young orphan who is being raised by her Aunt Cauldroneyes. Spella spends her days discovering how to make magical hats and learning about the magical creatures that live around her cottage. But when a mysterious man arrives and abducts her aunt, Spella must go to Dragon's Knob, a magical school, to get help to... Read More

This natural history of the eel gets a jovial performance from narrator Coleen Marlo. As author Shell details, eels have fascinated, mystified, and confounded people for centuries, and today, they are a valuable global commodity: Baby eels (elvers) are caught in Maine, shipped to Chinese aquafarms to be raised to maturity, then imported back into the U.S., where they show up as... Read More

Maya Hawke performs this classic collection superbly. She pays attention to Joan Didion's exquisite prose and captures her careful observations--such as a 5-year-old on acid in San Francisco and the evolution of her native Sacramento once aerospace engineers arrived, among other topics. Hawke gets Didion's measured pace and thoughtful tone just right as she conveys the... Read More

Kate Handford and Hunter Johns narrate this opposite-attract contemporary romance. Ellie's life as a ghostwriter of celebrity cookbooks is currently just the way she wants it. She has no desire to take chances with romance after having become a widow three years earlier. Kieran, a chef and recent winner of a reality cooking competition, has been tasked with producing his debut... Read More

This audiobook profiles unsung heroes of American history, most of whom you wouldn't recognize. Author Sharon McMahon offers a narration that is almost loving in tone as she tells their stories. Her voice is gentle on the ears and easy to follow. Yet she also captures the drama and significance of each life. McMahon primarily uses declarative sentences, which translate well to... Read More

Anyone who likes to cook will be inspired to get into the kitchen after listening to this audio program. One of the original food bloggers and creator of the beloved Smitten Kitchen website, Deb Perelman narrates this companion to her newest cookbook, SMITTEN KITCHEN KEEPERS. She reads the head notes for selected recipes, then extemporizes with further tips, notes, and... Read More

Narrator Tyler Darby's rough-hewn narration matches Sala's heartwarming story of soulmates who connect during the Christmas holiday. Darby is a solid match for Trey Austin, who has a car accident on a deserted road. Darby's voicing differs for Marley Corbett, the innkeeper who follows her angel's advice to find and save Trey. Marley's voice is both confident and kind. Trey gets... Read More

Brie Carter, Chandler Gregoire, and Lauren Ling Brown bring distinct performances to this layered mystery. The ensemble performances add depth to Maya's college reunion at Princeton, which transforms into a harrowing investigation of her sister Naomi's death. Carter's portrayal of Maya skillfully conveys her mix of grief and determination, immersing listeners in her search for... Read More

Narrators Ell Potter and Steve West are a dynamic duo escorting listeners through a bombastic adventure. Despite being gay, Sir Horley has pledged to marry a lovely woman, but his best friend, Arabella, won't have it. As Arabella whisks Horley away on his wedding night, their unbreakable bond is tested against silly challenges and the cold, hard truths that come with being... Read More

This sweeping historical fiction inspired by the Four Beauties of Ancient China is in Natalie Naudus's more-than-capable hands. Xishi is the most beautiful woman in Yue--perhaps in the world. In military advisor Fanli's eyes, Xishi's beauty has the power to overturn King Fuchai's quest to colonize Yue. When Xishi begins her mission to seduce, spy on, and sabotage the king,... Read More

Ciaran Saward gives an appealing narration of this fantasy, told from rakish Leovander Loveage's point of view. Leo, a scriver from a privileged gentry family, and Sebastian Grimm, a studious caster whose parents are farmers, are rivals in their fifth year at the Fount, a school of magic. Saward keeps all of the characters distinct, and he gives Grimm a Northern England accent... Read More

Vikas Adam and Sharmila Devar provide an intoxicating alternating narration of this first entry in a new romance series set in the worlds of biotechnology and finance. Devar's vibrant intonation and confident tone capture independent, thoughtful Sloan, an attorney who is bypassed as heir to her family's international business empire in favor of her older brother, Henry. With... Read More

Cork O'Connor's diverse heritage plays a pivotal role in the latest audiobook in this consistently engaging series. O'Connor, who has both Irish and Ojibwe lineage, uses his background to unravel the mysteries surrounding the disappearance of a local politician's teenage daughter and the grave of a young Ojibwe woman. David Chandler is an excellent choice as narrator. His use... Read More

Roxane Gay, a feminist Black woman, narrates her essay on coming to terms with America's gun culture and growing ownership of guns, especially by Black women. In a thought-provoking consideration of this divisive topic, Gay is deliberate in her approach. She talks about how she came to buy a gun for protection in the face of increasingly specific and detailed death threats. She... Read More

Native voices resonate in this account of the infamous American Indian boarding schools. Ojibwe poet and activist Denise K. Lajimodiere delivers her foreword, and Ponca author and filmmaker Dan SasuWeh Jones narrates his introduction. Then, Blackfoot actor Shaun Taylor-Corbett takes the mic to narrate Jones's combination of memoir and history. Four generations of Jones's family... Read More

Narrator Marissa Czyz establishes youthful, high-pitched voices for 7-year-old Stella and her 4-year-old sister, Marigold. From the moment Stella met her new baby sister, she promised to tell her all about the world. Stella and Marigold have all kinds of adventures in their home and community as they learn and grow, sometimes even getting into squabbles with their parents.... Read More

Listening to artist Maira Kalman narrate her work is akin to sitting next to a beloved friend. The artist recounts stories of her parents and grandparents going from Belarus to Israel to the U.S. Kalman recounts episodes in her and her family's lives that resulted in remorse. She also reflects on remorseful instances in the lives of painters, musicians, and philosophers. Kalman... Read More

Julienne Irons returns to narrate this entry in Kevin Henkes's Miller family stories. New first-grader Sal finds herself with a major case of teacher envy when her best friend is assigned to a different classroom with a charismatic, young teacher, while she's condemned to spend the year with a grandmotherly woman who calls her Sally. Henkes writes in short, declarative... Read More

Charlotte Cross is an assistant curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 1978. She's quietly conducting Egyptology research that harkens back to her only experience in Egypt, which took place before WWII. Linda Jones's excellent narration reflects Charlotte's ambivalence: She's determined to prove her controversial theory about an Egyptian ruler but fearful... Read More

Listeners who can suspend their disbelief will appreciate this historical fantasy, which takes place in plague-ridden Florence in 1348. The author, a gemologist, fashions her story around a kind witch named Ginevra who uses the healing power of gemstones to cure plague victims. Golden Voice narrator Soneela Nankani tells this tale of sorcery, superstition, and sophistry with... Read More

The older half of the tennis-playing Williams duo breaks down her personal growth audiobook into eight principles. They provide a well-organized but approachable path to becoming a better you. While some authors are not adept at narrating their own work, Williams is outstanding. Her diction is perfect, and she obviously knows when to inflect emotion while laying out her... Read More

The oral presentation of St. Thomas's complex series of logical arguments on religious premises requires clarity and accuracy, and Martyn Swain's admirable performance provides both. His voice is strong and a bit astringent but likable, and his pacing--another essential--is good, if at times somewhat quick for the more difficult material. Frequent minor hesitations, as if he is... Read More

Soneela Nankani and Imran Sheikh narrate this take on fake dating and modern love. Even though she lacks a Bengali background, Naomi is hired to rebrand Gia's bazaar, a run-down Indian marketplace. At the same time, Gia engages a matchmaker to find a wife for her reluctant son, Dev. Soon, Naomi and Dev team up--Naomi pretends to be Dev's girlfriend, and Dev teaches Naomi about... Read More

A team of talented narrators shines in this audiobook--part police procedural, part mystery, and part compelling character study. The story is set in the 1980s on the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia. Listeners know from the beginning who killed Carlyle Burke, but they don't know why. Staff Sgt. Karl Alberg, portrayed by Peter Outerbridge, is brought in to investigate. He... Read More

Golden Voice Martin Jarvis once again showcases his exceptional vocal talents in this mystery set amid British horse-racing syndicates and high-stakes betting. When syndicate manager Chester Newton receives a blackmail threat following his horse's derby victory, he finds himself under increasing pressure to fix future races. With his family's safety at risk, Chester sets out to... Read More

The rich, evocative voice of Justin Price conjures the members of three North Carolina families who live on a tobacco farm during the '50s and '60s. One family is the Talmadge family, landowners and wannabe local gentry. Two sharecropper families, one Black and one white, also capture the interest of listeners. This enthralling family saga includes episodes of racism, cruelty,... Read More

Author David Allen, an individual productivity expert, partners with a colleague to offer best practices for all types of teams, including families. Edward Lamont narrates most of this useful guide, while Allen performs pertinent anecdotes. Both authors narrate with appealing tone and clarity. This excellent lesson is notable for its common-sense ideas about team collaboration... Read More

As narrated by Alex Boyles, this provocative audiobook will startle listeners who are fascinated with how AI will affect society. Humanist minister Greg Epstein sees parallels in the fervor people feel toward traditional religions and the exuberant devotion the business world feels toward tech innovations like Bitcoin and the godlike thinking machines that will likely dominate... Read More

Phyllis Ho narrates this gentle fantasy audiobook. Tao, an immigrant woman who stands out wherever she goes, travels the country as a fortune teller. When she meets an ex-mercenary who is searching desperately for his kidnapped daughter and the reformed (mostly) thief who joins him, they team up for the search. They are later joined by a talented baker whose delectable pastries... Read More

Listeners join Cordelia Black as her carefully constructed life starts to fall apart and her secret hobby of killing predatory men is at risk of being revealed. Narrator Stefanie Kay is the perfect voice for Cordelia, whose thoughts she brings alive. She successfully reveals both Cordelia's superior attitude and her strong desire to protect her loved ones, as well as the... Read More

Weruche Opia and Florence Howard's narration offers a vivid portrayal of Funke's journey between Nigeria and England. Opia brings authenticity to Funke's voice, capturing her initial contentment, her eventual grief, and her resilience as she navigates cultural dislocation and family estrangement. Howard complements this with a nuanced portrayal of Liv, whose warmth and... Read More

Author and lifelong scientist Alan Townsend offers a moving account of how he learned to draw on a healing faith rooted in science to sustain himself amid catastrophe. Townsend shares how his family was asked to imagine the unimaginable: First, his young daughter and then his brilliant wife developed unrelated, life-threatening brain tumors. Listeners will be touched by the... Read More

This cozy, romantic audiobook shines with personality and heartfelt emotion. Four champions saved the realm of Mythria from evil 10 years ago, but only three survived. January LaVoy voices Beatrice's grief and regret as she dwells on the past. Her ex, Sir Clare, is voiced by Alexander Cendese with optimism that hides the feelings he still holds for Beatrice. Elowen, voiced by... Read More

In this biography of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, British actor Anna Wilson-Jones brings a clipped tone to the complex story of the King's efforts to divorce his first wife, Catherine, so he can marry Anne. Though Henry succeeds, the repercussions eventually result in England's break with the Vatican. Soon, Henry, tiring of his wife, has her beheaded so he can marry... Read More

Excellent casting of an audiobook is a necessity for a great listening experience, and this multilayered performance offers it in spades. Each narrator brings a distinctive voice and personality to the characters, providing variety and deeper meaning to the complex mystery as it unfolds. Duy, Phong, Minh, and Edmond start to follow a path that was foretold years before amid the... Read More

Food writer, television personality, and memoirist Nigel Slater writes stylishly. His fine performance is the happy surprise of this audiobook. It may be the exactitude of his British pronunciation or that few travelers are as comfortable and perceptive abroad as he is. The text is packed--maybe overstuffed--with short chronicles of his experiences dining, cooking, traveling,... Read More

Swedish musician and citizen of the world Neneh Cherry narrates this memoir of her colorful and unconventional upbringing, as well as the punk rock scene she belonged to. Neneh Cherry was born to a free spirit of a mother; her stepfather was experimental jazz musician Don Cherry, who was from Sierra Leone. The family bounced from country to country, home to home, always... Read More

Barnaby Edwards's storytelling verve in this far-future adventure will have listeners rapt. Edwards is equally believable as a fussy tutor, a girl who is forced to fight mechanical monsters for entertainment, a washed-up soldier, and the rest of the characters who make up the story's motley crew. When Miss Torpenhow's city of Thorbury is taken over by hostile forces, she... Read More

Fans of Baldacci's Travis Devine series will find everything they've come to expect: a multilayered plot, high-stakes action, and bodies dropping everywhere. Narrator Zach Villa leads as Travis Devine, supported by a well-matched cast who heighten the listening experience. This time, Devine must protect 12-year-old Betsy Odom in Seattle. A complex web of conspiracies draws in... Read More

In this novella, narrator George Guidall showcases his masterful narration talents in bringing to life Walt Longmire, Henry Standing Bear, and a crew of new characters who share this intense adventure. Guidall's nuanced performance takes listeners on a life-threatening journey with Longmire and Henry as young men. Disillusioned after returning from serving in Vietnam, Longmire... Read More

Unexplained deaths, betrayal, corruption, secret societies, and buried treasure are only a few of the plot threads in Tom Ryan's twisty new mystery, and narrator Graham Halstead meshes them seamlessly. Peter Barnett's routine life changes after his estranged grandmother contacts him, inviting him to share her Maple Bay, Nova Scotia, mansion. Failed writer Cass is house-sitting... Read More

Catherine Ho's thoughtful delivery is ideal for this enchanting story contrasting Eastern and Western dragon mythologies. Listeners meet an Asian American boy whose mother's storytelling introduces his dual heritage. The boy's grandmothers become involved, too, and Ho never missteps in portraying each woman's gentle and loving voice. The Western grandma describes a dense forest... Read More

In this contemporary romance narrated by Kelsey Navarro Foster, professional rivals from two video-game companies must find common ground during a team-building retreat. Viola has no idea why Jesse dislikes her so much, but his past treatment of her has made the feeling mutual. When they must spend several wintry days together at a mountain lodge, she soon realizes that she has... Read More

This fascinating and aptly named audiobook features two very different "good men," each fighting for justice in a completely different way. Narrator Curt Bonnem keeps listeners mesmerized with his pitch-perfect performance of mild-mannered scientist Dick Raynes and his counterpart, brilliant FBI Agent Steve Patterson, who is in love with Raynes's sister, Dee. After a lifetime... Read More