New Reviews by Title: E-J

In this riveting audiobook listeners learn about a 1929 settlement on a deserted Galapagos island. This true-life account of couples seeking a new Eden illustrates why utopian dreams turn into nightmares. As one islander put it while describing their fruitful, lush, island, "It could be so beautiful on earth if humans weren't animals." Golden Voice narrator Cassandra Campbell... Read More

Warm music welcomes young listeners who are preparing to light their menorahs--and any children curious about the meaning of Hanukkah. Emily Lawrence narrates this sweet children's audiobook with a bright and engaging voice. One story features a family gathering to share food and celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with their loved ones. Informative text explains Yiddish and... Read More

This collection of Hanukkah noir, edited by Tod Goldberg, offers 11 gritty crime-filled stories better suited for listeners who are noir enthusiasts than those seeking lighthearted holiday tales. Contributors include Ivy Pochoda, David L. Ulin, Lee Goldberg, Liska Jacobs, and Tod Goldberg. Each story is narrated by one of four masterful narrators who expertly flex their timbre,... Read More

Saskia Maarleveld brings life to this story of plague, death, misogyny, and a gifted young midwife in Provence in 1347. Leaving midwifery to fight the plague is hard enough, but when the terrified citizens start a literal witch hunt looking for a scapegoat, Elea must save herself and her twin, Margo. Maarleveld's narration is spirited, meaningful, and skilled. With inflection... Read More

Patricia Rodriguez wisely takes her time performing this biography of physicist and chemist Marie Curie. Curie's life was chock-full of scientific breakthroughs, tragedy, sexism, and dozens of female scientists who worked with her. It's a lot to keep straight. Most of Curie's life was spent in Paris, so Rodriguez's skill with French enhances this audiobook. Curie was the first... Read More

Using research and case studies from large and small companies, a behavioral economist and business strategy expert shows how employees who feel respected invest more of themselves in a company's mission and impact customer loyalty. Despite investor and analyst griping about labor costs, these human-centric companies are also more profitable than those that treat employees... Read More

Narrated by the excellent Brittany Pressley, this debut follows Posey Jarvis; her husband, Vern; and their 19-year-old daughter, Callie Jane, who live in 1960s Tennessee. Posey and Vern are in a loveless marriage, and Posey is still pining for a lover who abandoned her years earlier. Callie Jane is unhappily engaged to her childhood friend and dreams of moving to California... Read More

From the time of Louis XIV's Versailles through the 1930s, the world of fashion was dominated by the French. Gail Shalan narrates this fascinating account of the dramatic and permanent changes in the industry instigated by the Nazi invasion of Paris in 1940. Women were most influential in the birth of New York's Seventh Avenue as the heart of new fashion. Shalan describes the... Read More

Lee Osorio's skilled narration is perfectly matched to this genre-bending mystery. After the tragic death of his wife, private investigator Riv leaves his New York home and heads to Colombia, where he reconnects with family. There, he is drawn into finding a missing young woman who is feared to be in the clutches of the feared villain Exeter Mondragon. With his use of accents... Read More

Golden Voice Juliet Stevenson's wise, somewhat bemused voice has introduced dozens of British classics to a generation of listeners. Her approach is familiar, subdued, precise. She skillfully builds and shapes this unexpectedly compelling history of the world's most performed piece of music. How Handel's MESSIAH came to be is a story with many twists, but it provides a focus... Read More

An ensemble cast gives voice to Liv Constantine's audiobook original, which is part soap opera, part psychological thriller. Jennifer Jill Araya, as narrator, sets the scene with her gentle voice and unhurried pacing. Saskia Maarleveld portrays Julie, the scorned wife, with brisk, barely controlled anger focused on her cheating husband, Oliver, played with emotional intensity... Read More

Narrator Barton Welch returns with his perfect pacing and engaging Australian accent to deliver the third installment of the Ernest Cunningham mysteries. Fans will recognize the clever clue reveals, sarcastic humor, and moments when the narrator breaks the fourth wall to speak directly to the listener. Author Stevenson crafts a plot that nods to the Golden Age of mysteries... Read More

Lindsey Dorcus narrates this historical mystery set in Washington, DC, in 1927. The story is told by Gertrude, a judge's daughter who attends a seminary for young women that prepares them for finding favorable marital matches. Prohibition is in full swing, but speakeasies abound, and Gertrude and her friends are not about to miss out. Everything changes when the headmistress is... Read More

Lakota/Mohawk narrator Charley Flyte returns to draw listeners into the brutal earthly and sad spiritual worlds of forensic photographer Rita Todacheene. Flyte masterfully meets the challenge of voicing Todacheene, conveying her torturous special gift to see and hear the spirits of those who have died by violence. Shifting seamlessly between Todacheene's perspective and the... Read More

Cassandra Campbell offers a compelling saga that spans 25 years and eventually reveals carefully kept secrets. In the summer of 1932, on Cumberland Island, Georgia, an annual party is held at the Carnegie mansion. Present are families of the Gilded Age, including spoiled socialite Joanna Burton; her fiancé, Ellis Piedmont; and budding artist Cleo Woodbine. The three form an... Read More

Wes Anderson flawlessly portrays the prestigious C.C. Cecily, senior secretary of the Fairy Tale Fan Club. Cecily encourages kids to write to and get replies from beloved--or reviled--story characters. As delivered by Lydia Fox, Sleeping Beauty's yawn-filled commentary is sleep inducing as she describes her "exciting" life with the Prince. An 8-year-old asks Humpty Dumpty,... Read More

Narrators Connor Crais and CJ Bloom complement each other as a fake betrothed couple who are determined to end a generations-long feud between their families who own warring fruitcake and gingerbread businesses. Dane (Crais) and Amanda (Bloom) are tired of the fighting and the pressure to inherit the family businesses. As some family members try to get along, letters begin... Read More

Narrator JD Jackson's enchanting gravelly voice is an inspired match for this roller-coaster ride of an audio. As a young medium in a family of magic workers, Theo Tatterly considers himself up to any ghostly challenge. But when a terrifying hag appears during a field trip and his aunt has a premonition of doom, Theo finds himself tested to his limits and fighting for his life.... Read More

This audiobook is a wonderful example of the magic that occurs when a complex story is brought to life by the Golden Voice of Simon Vance. At its core, this is a mystery revolving around the sudden reappearance of Claire Lidman, who has been presumed dead for 14 years. Claire's husband, Samuel, hires Hans Rekke, a disgraced professor, and Detective Michaela Vargas to solve the... Read More

This audiobook challenges the notion that artificial intelligence has emerged without human involvement, thoroughly examining the toll AI has taken on the countless unseen workers who were so crucial to its development. Narrator Orlando Wells is superb. Reflecting grit and candor, he recounts the development of AI from the vantage point of its often unheard workers. These... Read More

Ramón de Ocampo's narration quickly reveals the close relationship between 8-year-old Felix Powell and his dog, Mary Puppins. Instead of barks, Felix hears clearly the British accents of his canine best friend. De Ocampo builds Felix's quirky, questioning manner so that listeners are not surprised when he buys an old thrift store blanket that he's sure has magic, hides beneath... Read More

Sneha Mathan's narration immerses listeners in a story of forbidden connection and social upheaval. Vijaya is the daughter of aristocrats, and Krishna is the son of one the family's servants. Their bond is forged across entrenched divides of class and privilege. Mathan's delivery evokes the contrasting worlds of the two families, with each character brought to life through a... Read More

The son of a film composer, Randy Newman used his lineage and extraordinary musical talent to write popular songs, as well as scores for movies and the theater. Occasionally controversial or snarky, his songs frequently called out injustices and moral hypocrisy in American life. In this rich biography, LOS ANGELES TIMES music critic Robert Hilburn makes sense of Newman's life... Read More

Creators Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris return to narrate the third volume in their First Cat in Space graphic novel series. Its heroes face a villain who is likely to appeal to older listeners. That villain is Checkmate, a software program designed to correct grammar that decides to end all life on earth instead. Upon discovering the futility of its task, it turns everyone into... Read More

Narrators Hathaway Lee and E.J. Bingham delight listeners in this heartfelt contemporary romance. Lucie Stone is a single mom, a mechanic, and a hopeless romantic. Aiden Valentine has fallen out of love with love. Ironically, he hosts Baltimore's late-night romance-radio hotline. When Lucie's daughter calls the hotline seeking advice for her mom, Lucie's conversation with Aiden... Read More

With its full cast and unflinching depiction of intimate scenes, this audiobook is gripping from the beginning. To start, there's a content warning that should be taken seriously as the story takes listeners through action-packed sex and small-town politics. Abby Craden brings the main character to life as she moves in and out of intimacy with the titular five brothers,... Read More

Safiyya Ingar's passionate, energetic narration enhances this audiobook retelling of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, reimagined as a girl's quest for revenge. After nearly a year in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Dania is determined to escape and hold her ex-lover, Mazin, responsible for his betrayal. Her partner in this venture is Noor, a fellow prisoner with the ability to... Read More

Sophie Amoss narrates this story set in nineteenth-century Russia's Jewish communities. After fleeing from an arranged marriage, 17-year-old Sorel navigates gender identity. Sorel assumes the masculine identity Isser Jacobs, only to learn that Isser Jacobs is a real person who sold illegal political pamphlets translated into Yiddish. Magical elements including dybbuks (angels)... Read More

Golden Voice January LaVoy delivers an exceptional performance as Vida, who possesses a profound understanding of the mountains where she was raised. This knowledge is central to her existence. Her expertise becomes crucial when she suspects that the death of her beloved José Nochelobo was not an accident. LaVoy's precise and skillful portrayal of each character and moment adds... Read More

This brief but delightful and highly informed audiobook begins and ends with blue spheres. First, listeners learn that the blue marble that astronauts photographed from space actually had the South Pole on top until NASA flipped the image. It ends with the ever-present iPhone blue dot that locates Apple map users. Narrator Liam Garrigan has a natural storytelling style, and his... Read More

An ensemble cast dramatizes the story of Poppy, destined to be the Maiden, who struggles against a life of restrictions while secretly training to fight. Her world unravels when Hawke, a charismatic guard, questions her beliefs and ignites forbidden desires. Amid political intrigue, deadly Craven, and rising rebellion, Poppy must confront the truth about her kingdom and... Read More

Julia Roberts narrates the late Lisa Marie Presley's writing, and Presley's daughter, the actor Riley Keough, shares her own memories of her mother. Clips of interviews with Presley are interspersed throughout this incredible listening experience. Elvis Presley's only child enlisted her daughter to help tell her story just one month before she died. Keough's voice is... Read More

It would be an understatement to call actor Josh Brolin's candid and honest memoir bizarre and epically confusing. He narrates the content artfully and understandably, with solid enunciation. However, the content takes the form of what sounds like brief diary entries that discuss his films, his parents--actor James Brolin and former casting director Jane Cameron Agee--and his... Read More

George Blagden offers a winning performance of travel writer Gabriel Dax, who finds himself a pawn in a game he never expected to find himself playing. Not long after Gabriel's interview with Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, she is killed. A series of strange coincidences occurs, and suddenly Gabriel is reluctantly up to his neck in spy craft. MI6, the CIA, and... Read More

Narrator Patricia Santomasso captures Maggie's turmoil when she discovers a dead body with a boot tied to it buried in her hometown's community garden. The amateur sleuth has just moved back to Marlowe, Massachusetts. In this award-winning debut mystery, Maggie is at least one step ahead of the local police, who want her to stay out of their investigation, which of course she... Read More

Glory Edim, founder of the Well-Read Black Girl book club, performs her eloquent new memoir with charm and enthusiasm. The memoir is structured around the books that have been significant in her life, particularly those written by Black authors: Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Audre Lorde, and more. Growing up in Arlington, Virginia, the child of Nigerian... Read More

George Washington Carver was one of the greatest scientists of his era, a period that included Einstein, Curie, and Pasteur. This audiobook revives a biography that was first published in the year of Carver's death, 1943. While it feels dated in some ways, it introduces a new generation to the life of a man who did much to shape our world and its agriculture. Karl T. Wright's... Read More

Narrators Délé Ogundiran and Ore Apampa-Araba take turns contributing a feminine, Nigerian-accented narration to this collection of 12 short stories by Nigerian American author Pemi Aguda. Spanning various swaths of life across Lagos, the befittingly accented voicings set the scene for new mothers and fathers, a nanny, children, teenagers, and adults alike. With themes of... Read More

Hannah Van Der Westhuysen narrates this beautifully crafted biography, which captures the wonder of Jeanne Villepreux-Power's life. Born in 1794 to a dressmaker and a cobbler, Jeanne spent her childhood watching her parents transform scraps into something remarkable. Eventually, she became an acclaimed seamstress herself. However, her deepest passion lay in nature, particularly... Read More

As she performs this galvanizing piece of cultural history, Adenrele Ojo's pacing and vocal character balance the formality needed for the material and the inviting tone that makes the story engaging. A financial media journalist and economics scholar recounts the trailblazing efforts of entrepreneur Carol Green and other prominent women to start a bank that would treat women... Read More

The warmth of Shamaan Casey's baritone surrounds listeners just as words envelop young James Baldwin in this biography. Quartez Harris's text shifts between a straightforward account and an ecstatic celebration. Casey navigates these tonal transitions with ease, expressing "Jimmy's" fascination with language in occasional meditative recitations of words and phrases. Sorrowful... Read More

Ruth Wison's narration of this children's classic gives listeners an alternative to the previous full-cast version. In 11-year-old Lyra's parallel version of Oxford, human souls take the form of lifelong animal companions called daemons. When her friend Roger is taken by child-snatchers known as Gobblers, Lyra's quest to bring him back leads her to a tribe of seafarers,... Read More

Asian American actors Angela Lin and Jenapher Zheng are perfect as a determined lawyer who hires her independent-minded sister to be a Mandarin-English translator in a high-stakes multinational lawsuit. In this complex and compelling drama, emotions run high, and ethics run low when the Chinese government partners with an American tech giant to enhance the country's internet... Read More

Author Emi Watanabe Cohen narrates her second novel, a story of Jewish identity and magic. When Faye's estranged Jewish grandfather sends her older brother a lump of clay for his bar mitzvah, the gift propels the two kids into an adventure in Jewish history and culture. Listeners will assume that this is a conventional middle-grade fantasy, but it turns complex and dark about... Read More

In Mary Jones's debut short story collection, narrator Suzanne Freeman embraces her vocal task simply, her careful diction allowing each story to shine. Each brief work deals with the universal experiences of separation, departure, loss, or abandonment. The wide variety of stories varies in length--with some just a few minutes long, some many minutes more--and each is instantly... Read More

Top-notch narrations from Ony Uhiara and Sam Stafford make Jay's unflinching look at systemic racism sound and feel truthful. After numerous rejections from white London publishers and agents, determined playwright Relebogile Naledi Mpho Moruakgomo, aka "Eddie," hits upon a daring scheme to get her play performed on the London stage. Uhiara's range of voices is impressive. She... Read More

While a dark mystery propels this narrative, the novella is really a character study of five insomniac night owls brought to life by five talented vocal artists. During their customary cemetery meetup, Edie, Hannah, Theo, Tuck, and Tamar find an unusual hole in the ground, which a gravedigger has filled with mutated rats. Curious--the group uses their specialties--Edie's... Read More

Bianca Amato's warm, beautifully enunciated narration adds to the enjoyment of spending time again with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi of Botswana in the 25th installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. The South African actor understands that the series' gentle humor and wisdom about human frailties are as important as the detective cases. In this instance, a succession... Read More

Frankie Corzo narrates a sprawling audiobook inspired by Belgium's long-running Tomorrowland music festival. Multiple storylines come together in a fantasy that spans several realities as the forces of good and evil clash. Corzo does an admirable job with the many characters and entities she is called upon to voice, and, ultimately, she pulls together a somewhat disjointed and... Read More

Avast, me hearties, what could be more fun for a seasoned narrator than to talk like a pirate for 12 hours? In this happy mash-up of Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Doctor Who, Colby Elliott gives distinctive voices to a number of landlubbers and the crew of the mighty, magical pirate ship THE ARK DE TRIOMPHE. After a close encounter with a Martian space fleet that... Read More

This cozy mystery set on the Canadian prairie will keep listeners guessing through its twists and turns. Dawn Harvey's narration perfectly matches the main character's idiosyncrasies and her well-meaning but abrasive personality. Recently widowed, Jeannie loves her farm, but she is being pressured to sell. Leading the charge is a persistent realtor named Monica, who represents... Read More

For those looking for a fun, at times even rollicking, cozy mystery full of delicious Filipino food and a bevy of delightful female characters, this installment of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries series, narrated by Danice Cabanela, will fit the bill. Set in the fictional Midwest town of Shady Palms, the story features Lila Macapagal, owner of the Brew-Ha Café, who is... Read More

Caitlin Kelly brings authenticity to her narration of this heartwarming debut middle-grade novel. Dee and Juniper were inseparable until sixth grade, but now they're in different classes, and Juniper seems to have found a new group of friends. Feeling isolated, Dee often hides in the bathroom, especially after an embarrassing incident with her mother. It's there she hears... Read More

Amanda Troop narrates an intriguing nonlinear thriller about two estranged sisters who are searching for their mother, who abandoned them years earlier. Jane has settled into normalcy with a decent but dead-end job, a loving family, and an absent-minded father. Then she receives an email from her estranged twin sister, Lila, hinting that she knows the location of their mother.... Read More

Maggi-Meg Reed shines in this psychological thriller pitting an octogenarian against an 8-year-old boy. Listeners are in for dark humor, plot twists, and increasing suspense. Set during Covid at the Royal Karnak Hotel on the banks of the Nile, the story features 81-year-old Maggie Burkhardt, a meddler who gets involved in fixing people's lives--even when she shouldn't. After... Read More

Rob Sheffield, a rock journalist for ROLLING STONE, is a huge fan of Taylor Swift and doesn't mind who knows it. Sheffield is middle-aged and so tall that he has to scrunch down at Swift's concerts so as not to block the view of the girls behind him. As author and narrator, Sheffield comes off as both nerdy and cool, which is a charming and infectious combination. He sounds... Read More

Esme Lonsdale, Vidish Athavale, and Rachel Petladwala bring palpable chemistry to the complex relationships in this epic fantasy. Something is afoot in the empire as three young people walk toward their destinies: Aiz communes with a holy spirit to get power to avenge her oppressed people, Prince Quil must soon step into a leadership role, and tracker Sirsha gets wrapped up... Read More

Celebrated Canadian poet and novelist Anne Michaels has written an exquisite novel (shortlisted for the Booker Prize) that looks at love, loss, and human connection. Michaels's intimate delivery and empathetic tone serve her bittersweet and elegiac text well. Starting in 1917 with a battlefield explosion, her exploration of characters during troubled times spans a century and... Read More

Listeners who know England's King Henry V primarily through Shakespeare's history plays will be enlightened and only a little disappointed with this authenticated, unromanticized biography of the storied "warrior king." With urbane ease and a gift for telling detail, British popular historian Dan Jones guides listeners through the tangled histories of the Hundred Years War, the... Read More

Narrators Austenne Grey and Arielle DeLisle deliver a sweet and hilarious performance in this sapphic holiday rom-com. When lawyer Tara Sloane Chadwich is invited to her ex-girlfriend's destination wedding, she's willing to attend--but not without a plus-one. Holly Delaney, an adventurous waitress whom Tara has been secretly crushing on for months, is happy to oblige. Their... Read More

This quirky whodunit is seamlessly narrated by three award-winning narrators--Michael Crouch, Gail Shalan, and Helen Lloyd. Crouch voices Alfred Smettle, capturing his oddball sensibilities. It's been almost 15 years since Alfred has seen his college friends, so when he invites them to the first anniversary of his Hitchcock-themed hotel's opening, they accept. Some suspect it's... Read More

This somewhat tongue-in-cheek memoir of a boy's coming of age in Britain before, during, and after WWII is splendidly narrated by Gerard Doyle. Rendel, who was born in 1926 and died in 2014, describes his life with humor and insight. His service as a coder on HMS CAVENDISH in the Pacific is interesting as it presents a common sailor's remembrance of the British contribution to... Read More

Karen Murray narrates this detailed exploration of how women in the United States are holding together families as systems of governmental aid become less available because of greed. During WWII the nation offered childcare to women working in factories to help the war effort, as well as other assistance to help growing families in times of crisis. This new audiobook explores... Read More

Narrator Eva Kaminsky provides great character differentiation in this second-chance romance, and her energetic delivery enhances the comedic aspect of the story. Post-divorce and looking for a place to stay, rental property agent Tilly plans to spend the holidays at what she thinks is a vacant Victorian mansion. She's dismayed when the new owner, George, shows up unexpectedly... Read More

Narrator Brittany Pressley delights listeners in this heartwarming holiday romance about two best friends who ultimately find love when they least expect it. Holly and Ivy are as close as they come. When Holly's fiancé bolts on the night before their wedding, leaving her with a nonrefundable honeymoon, she suggests that she and Ivy switch places. Ivy can enjoy Holly's Hawaiian... Read More

This audiobook delivers sci-fi horror at its best, and Brandon J. Peterson's narration adds a chilling layer to the experience. As the crew of the ODYSSEY searches for the legendary "horizon"--a phenomenon promising a return to one's happiest moment--they face a journey through the dark, empty Expanse, where unseen dangers lie in wait. Peterson's voice captures the tense,... Read More

The cavernous voice of narrator Allan Corduner is the listener's first clue that this enchanted story is more expansive than the tiny, spartan attic room where Marta and her mother live above The Hotel Balzaar. While Marta's mother toils as the hotel's maid, Marta's job is to be unseen and unheard. Corduner's booming voice initially seems incongruous with the contemplative... Read More

Narrator Amanda Lee Cobb begins her portrayal of Zo Grey's many troubles in a depressed tone. Zo can't hold a job because she's taking care of her dying mother, a situation that adds to her financial struggles. But when a fire kills her mother, Zo's given a life-changing inheritance with some otherworldly strings. Cobb's performance matches Zo's anxiety and cautiousness as she... Read More

A cast of talented narrators lend their voices to the 30th installment of the Alex Cross series. Supreme Court candidates are being murdered as the president-elect plans her inauguration. Cross and his colleagues must figure out who is behind the killings and why. As he draws closer to the answer, his wife and best friend disappear, leaving him with two major cases to solve.... Read More

Imani Jade Powers performs a cozy fantasy about a grieving witch who finds solace at a magical home under the watchful eye of a mythical beast named Frank. Saika lost her magical powers in the same series of events that took her beloved sister. She journeys to put her sister to rest and arrives at the famous Ash Gardens, where she's quickly taken in by Frank and then discovers... Read More

Beverley A. Crick returns to narrate another Bateman Regency romance, the second in the Her Majesty's Rebels series. Eleanor Law, one-third of the King & Co. private investigation firm, finds herself working closely with dashing thief Harry after he brazenly steps into the role of the business's fictitious owner. The duo's attraction is undeniable, but can it survive... Read More

Employing a calm, straightforward delivery, English actor Christian Coulson nicely balances the author's fine ear for language and spirited descriptions with this novel's tangled plot and boisterous LGBTQ+ humor. In a 24-hour period, a lonely, clever 23-year-old who still lives with his mother sets out in search of a package he wants no one to see; meets a menagerie of... Read More

This audiobook is at once a hymn to and prayer for forests. Evan Sibley performs eloquently, expressing the author's empathy for his Vermont woodlands. He gets the tone and cadence of this first-person memoir, which celebrates the meaning and significance of forests. He also captures author Tapper's voice, which is spirited and spiritual. Tapper is a fine guide to the woods. A... Read More

Singer-songwriter Randy Preston gives voice to and plays music for the third book in this "how to" series. Opening with guitar music, Preston then provides a nuanced, emotional performance of the text. Speaking with energy and varied volume, pacing, and pitch, he encourages kids to listen to sounds all around them, feel the music inside them, and let it take control as it goes... Read More

Josie Charles narrates a not-quite-fairytale told from the perspective of an "evil" stepsister. After her stepsister Beatrice marries the prince and has her happily-ever-after, Lady Theodosia Balfour--Theo to her friends--is determined to secure a similar fate for herself. Sadly, it's a lot harder than it seems. Charles does not soften Theo's unlikable personality but does... Read More

Disability rights advocate Johanna Hedva performs their essay collection, 10 years in the making. Hedva's observations about society are sharp and insightful. Disability sits at the core of their writing, and they challenge listeners to see it as a social experience, in addition to a biological one. Their essays also tackle other topics, such as Asian American identity,... Read More

Performing this moving guide to dealing with cold weather and other life challenges, mindset expert Kari Leibowitz sounds like the curious and indomitable researcher she is. The energy in her voice conveys a faith in humanity that works well with her optimistic insights and thoughtful suggestions. She pursued her interest in how the mind influences the body by taking a... Read More

Jacqui Bardelang's narration plays up the various elements in this rom-com, which turns into a murder cover-up. Journalist Khin Haymar is sent to secure an exclusive interview with Tyler Tun, a reclusive movie star who is filming in Myanmar. Bardelang's delivery captures Khin's determination and increasing inner conflict as she balances her journalistic ambition and her growing... Read More

Narrators Shahjehan Khan and Jennifer Blom excel as the stakes rise in this suspenseful thriller. When the body of his girlfriend, Ashley, is found at the bottom of a ravine near the home of her ex-lover, Bella, small-town reporter Roman Grady's investigation into her death sparks a flame that threatens everyone. When did Ashley reconnect with unstable Bella? What is everyone... Read More

Gail Shalan's narration provides a lighthearted tone to Beth Kander's clever and insightful story, which will allow listeners to empathize with her protagonist and enjoy this take on the difficulties of grief. Eve is overwhelmed with her life, dealing with worries about potential layoffs at work; her upcoming 40th birthday, which will coincide with her younger sister's wedding;... Read More

Fiction writer Charles Bock turns to memoir as he tells the story of his adored wife's death and the task of raising their 3-year-old daughter, Lily, solo. Bock narrates with such rhythm that you almost visualize the text's line breaks. His delivery illuminates the beauty of his writing and the harsh reality of his struggles with grief, trying to maintain a career despite... Read More

Narrator Janina Edwards inhabits Ida B. Wells, giving the determined Black woman a hero's spirit, an incandescent sense of her own worth, and a warrior's pride in accomplishment. In the 1880s, Ida was a teacher, a writer of articles for Black-owned newspapers, and an outspoken advocate for civil rights. Edwards creates a flesh-and-blood woman with a flirtatious personality who... Read More

Angel Pean narrates the chapters of San Francisco-based tech writer Bee Tyler, and Karen Malina White portrays Ohio farmer Clover Mills. Together, the narrators present a Christmastime romance that revolves around a house swap. In a story reminiscent of the movie THE HOLIDAY, two Black women are burned out and need a break. Clover finds queer friends and romance with Bee's... Read More

Narrator Allison Grischow sinks into the misery of best-friend drama with gusto. Murphy and Kat plan to reunite on Thanksgiving Eve in their hometown of Geneva, Illinois. But when Kat shows up with her boyfriend in tow, Murphy's plans crumble. In a casual tone, Grischow makes Murphy realistic and endearing. Murphy's growing depression has her agreeing to be her high school... Read More

Youngmi Mayer is a Korean American woman who lived in Saipan and South Korea before moving to America. Here she narrates her memoir of growing up between cultures and encountering a rough start to life in the U.S. Mayer's sense of humor is self-deprecating, sometimes veering into self-abusive. She is alternately funny yet, at the same time, extremely critical to the point of... Read More

Narrators are expected to distinguish between men and women--and Shayna Small does it exceptionally well. Historical fiction comes alive with this account of the life of Effa Manley, who became a Negro League team owner with her husband Abe from 1935 to 1948. Effa faced racial stereotypes, as well misogyny from entering a male domain. The audiobook is entertaining from start to... Read More

Scott Brick is the voice of ex-military cop Jack Reacher in this 29th installment in the series. Here Reacher is suffering from memory loss following a car accident that killed the driver. He awakens strapped to a table by people who think he's the driver's accomplice. He then becomes embroiled with four thieves, each of whom is trying to outwit and double-cross the others.... Read More

Author Cornelia Funke narrates an introduction that reviews the previous books in this complex multi-world fantasy series. Then narrator Allan Corduner takes over, expertly delivering Funke's dark storytelling style. Corduner's deep and emotive voice conveys the dread of Dustfinger, the Fire-Dancer, and his companions as they maneuver to thwart the plans of Orpheus, a vengeful,... Read More

Entomologist Barrett Klein describes the importance of insects to life on Earth, as well their influence on our culture and civilization. Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins has a tone of curiosity and wonder as he takes the listener on a comprehensive tour of the insect world, covering topics such as insects' influence on developments in science and engineering, mind-altering... Read More

Narrator Emilia Clarke uses a soft voice and a crisp British accent interspersed with fluid Italian phrases for this story of music in early- eighteenth-century Venice. Venetian orphan Anna Maria della Pietà, daughter of a local prostitute, is a violin prodigy who studies under Antonio Vivaldi. Descriptions of the harsh life in the Pietà, an orphanage for the children of... Read More

Comic Trevor Noah is the author and narrator of this delightful fable in four parts. A boy decides to run away from home with his beloved bear, rather than submit to the unreasonable bed-making and personal hygiene demands of his mother. Noah creates unique, kind voices for the boy, the bear, and the friends they meet in the uncut grass--a garden gnome, two snails, and a pile... Read More

Adam Verner narrates the story of the 1924 attempt to fly around the world, which brought together American, British, French, Italian, and South American pilots. The Americans started in California and headed west--the others, east. Their goal: to circumnavigate the earth by air, hopscotching from landing fields over lakes and rivers, icy glaciers and deserts while battling... Read More

Clinical psychologist Robin Smith and actor Courtney Vance share their experiences and insights about how Black men can deal with the emotional effects of racism in America. They alternate narrating this important memoir/guide, Dr. Smith with empathy for the Black men and families she's treated and Vance with his rich voice and dramatic flair. Their performances are well suited... Read More

In this touching memoir, author Paul Weigel describes surviving an emotionally cold childhood by persevering with his schoolwork and entering athletic competitions. Later, as a dad, he describes the importance of his devotion to his daughter. Being a father is a source of peace and inspiration for the author, whose love for his daughter was essential to his overcoming cancer... Read More

Set on an island off the coast of Maine, this compelling coming-of-age novel captures the listener's attention. Evan Sibley performs this audiobook with narrative drive, a convincing tone, and a sure sense of the unfolding drama. The setting is a posh but remote club on fictional Whaleback Island--just the place to retrain young misfits to work hard on land and sea to please... Read More

Fiona Hardingham narrates this fictional memoir of orphaned noblewoman Marguerite de la Roque, ward of her cousin, the adventurer and speculator Jean François de la Roque de Roberval. Hardingham's unemotional tone varies subtly to capture Marguerite's and Roberval's aristocratic status. Telling her story as a flashback, Marguerite painstakingly recounts her life of loss,... Read More

Listeners join Jasmine Garza as she begins eighth grade, hoping for a fresh start. During the four years and several moves since Papi died, she and Mami have been followed by a ghost. Jasmine is surprised and pleased to find out that Bea and Jorge, members of her school's Gay Straight Alliance, are willing to help her obtain proof that she sees a ghost. In a smooth, precise... Read More

Bahni Turpin gives a winning performance of this historical novel set in the world of Black vaudeville in the early twentieth century. After Lucille's father gets involved in the aftermath of a bank robbery, Lucille and her parents leave town and start singing in churches as the "Traveling Loves." Lucille, "the little girl with the big voice," is taken under the tutelage of... Read More

Emily Lawrence and Andrew Eiden delight listeners in this heartfelt, hilarious romantic comedy. When Emily Edwards decides to fulfill her late father's bucket list by visiting a remote island, she hires a tour guide to help with her lack of outdoor experience. Ryder Fleet isn't a wilderness expert, but he needs some money to preserve his brother's memory and his adventure... Read More

Richard Armitage narrates the 20th Anniversary Edition of this sprawling fantasy with elegance. In 1806, the slightly pompous and painstakingly precise Mr. Norrell emerges from rural obscurity to proclaim himself the last true magician in England. As an epic story of the Napoleonic Wars and wizardry unfolds, audacious Jonathan Strange becomes, first, Norrell's pupil and, then,... Read More

Narrator Emily Lawrence aids listeners in picturing Yocheved (Yoyo) Gold, eldest daughter of an Orthodox rabbi. Lawrence captures the intelligence, wit, and leadership that have made her a respected, responsible family member and friend. Lawrence also depicts Yoyo's sense of irony and inner turmoil when her best friend is sent away to a boarding school after kissing a boy.... Read More

Narrators Isabelle Turner and Lee Samuels combine their talents to depict the romance between Lauren Connelly and Chase Gossard. Lauren needs a date to bring to her sister's wedding. Chase has been roped into being in a bachelor auction, and Lauren bids on him for the weekend wedding. Both Turner and Samuels deliver smooth narrations with each handling male and female voices... Read More

Connor Crais and Samantha Cook combine their talents to narrate the romance that sparks between Samantha Dare and Dex Sterling. Samantha is running away from her wedding after finding out her fiancé has been cheating on her. While running, Samantha is nearly hit by Dex Sterling's car. The two know each other, and Dex whisks her away. Dex has always had feelings for Samantha,... Read More

Narrators Sean Masters and Isabelle Turner combine forces to depict the romance between Brandy Bloom and Max Corbin. At an office Christmas party, Brandy kisses Max under the mistletoe, mistaking him for his twin brother. Sparks immediately fly between the two. Both Masters and Turner crank up the heat in their narrations. Masters gives Max a deep voice matching his passion for... Read More