Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed talk about the fun of giving gifts to young audiobook listeners. This holiday season, Robin recommends the Yoto Player, a portable screen-free audiobook player that her grandchildren have been carrying all around the house to hear their favorite stories. The player lets the kids choose their own stories to listen to, all without a screen or getting parent...

Narrator Hope Newhouse joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell AudioFile listeners about performing Lois Lowry’s newest audiobook, TREE. TABLE. BOOK., one of our picks for Best Children’s and Family listening. Hope tells Michele about what it was like to take on the narration of one of Lois Lowry’s audiobooks, given her status as a beloved children’s book author. She also explains why she enjoys na...

Narrator Alejandro Antonio Ruiz joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell listeners all about narrating CANTO CONTIGO by Jonny Garza Villa, one of AudioFile’s picks for Best YA 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 audi...

Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss one of this year’s Best Romance Audiobooks, THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE by India Holton. Elizabeth tells Michele about what’s most interesting and fun to her about romance audiobooks. She gives a charming performance of the audiobook, and in her interview, she explains how she created the voices for the many charact...

Golden Voice narrator Edoardo Ballerini joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss narrating one of this year’s best in Mulit-Voice audiobooks, the oral history WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE, edited by Garrett M. Graff. Edoardo tells listeners about the challenges of narrating audiobooks that include so many voices—here, there were 26 narrators performing 700 real-life historical figures. It’s an impress...

Narrator Moira Quirk joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss 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 while narrating the genre. BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN not only explores the realm of dark academia, but also exami...

Narrator Jean Brassard joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss narrating Louise Penny’s latest in the Three Pines series, THE GREY WOLF. It’s a thrilling mystery and a new voice for a beloved series, and Brassard describes what it was like to step into the shoes of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. He discusses how his Quebecois background informed his performance and what he enjoyed the most abou...

Narrator Gabra Zackman joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss her narration of CUE THE SUN! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum. It’s one of our picks for Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks this year, and it takes listeners on a deep exploration of reality TV. Gabra tells Michele about how this audiobook may have changed her view of reality TV, and what surprised her about performin...

Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss his performance of James Kaplan’s biography of jazz greats, 3 SHADES OF BLUE. The audiobook traces the lives of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans, and required some research before recording. Listen to Dion’s discussion with Michele for more insights into his narration of this exceptional audiobook that’s one of A...

Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell listeners about narrating Kristin Hannah’s memorable historical fiction audiobook, THE WOMEN, one of our picks for Best Fiction of 2024. It’s an emotional story about Vietnam War combat nurses, and Julia details how she prepared for performing this intense listen. Julia has narrated several of Hannah’s audiobooks, and she ex...

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten joins host Jo Reed to discuss AudioFile’s 2024 Best Audiobooks. Listen to their conversation to discover how AudioFile’s editors choose the year’s best audiobooks, which titles Robin is particularly excited about, and to hear all the details on our upcoming interviews with narrators of some of this year’s honored titles. Explore the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on ou...

Host Jo Reed and Laura Rossi, AudioFile’s Director of Publicity and Social Media, talk all things holiday gifting on today’s episode of Behind the Mic. Laura recommends a favorite audiobook to give to friends and family this time of year, HOLIDAYS ON ICE, written and read by David Sedaris, with a little help from Amy Sedaris and Ann Magnuson. This is where you’ll find the hilarious “SantaLand Diar...

AudioFile’s Managing Editor, Jenn Dowell, joins host Jo Reed on our podcast to talk about a favorite gift of hers for the holiday season — SMITTEN KITCHEN KEEPERS, written and read by Deb Perelman. Deb is well known in the food world for her long-time blog Smitten Kitchen, and her accessible cookbooks, both packed full of recipes. Now, she has an audio adaptation of her newest cookbook, giving lis...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Andrew R Chow’s account of the spectacular rise and fall of FTX's cryptocurrency wunderkind, Sam Bankman-Fried. Eric Yang narrates with a reporter’s detachment, allowing the facts to speak for themselves. And speak they do! While Yang uses a measured tone, avoiding sensationalism, the facts detailing SBF's shocking hubris and willingness to risk th...

Ina Garten narrates her memoir with the same precision, charm, poise, and irreverence exhibited on her “Barefoot Contessa” television productions. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss an audiobook that would make a great companion for anyone cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Garten’s philosophy has been to make quick decisions and “dive in”—figuring it all out later. Garten’s narrati...

John Pirhalla portrays an everyday guy named Frank whose life is turned upside down when his estranged daughter gets in touch to announce her wedding to Aidan, the son of a tech billionaire. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this twisty thriller from Jason Rekulak. When Frank mysteriously receives a photo of Aidan with a missing girl, he decides to investigate to ensure the safety...

Fans of Jean Hanff Korelitz’s THE PLOT will rejoice at this sequel, performed with mesmerizing skill by the wonderful Julia Whelan. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this story of a lethally dislikable character, Anna, and how Whelan narrates this twisty tale. Anna is a monster of ego, incapable of sympathy for anyone but herself. She is also brilliant, fearless, and like most psyc...

Scott Brick can be relied upon to deliver intensity in every audiobook he narrates, but he outdoes himself in this story of a family on the run in a world gone mad. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Blake Crouch’s audiobook that truly had Michele on the edge of her seat. Jack doesn’t know why Americans started killing one another in a pointless frenzy of rage, but it's up to him to...

Ruby Corazon brings festive cheer to Alexis Daria’s sweet and spicy holiday novella. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about the fun of cozying up with a holiday romance audiobook. Evie Cruz is a comic illustrator on a tight deadline, and she’s barely unpacked into her new apartment. Corazon’s voice echoes Evie’s stress, but she brightens up as Evie discovers anonymous Christmas orn...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this latest installment in Lev AC Rosen’s historical mystery series set in 1950s San Francisco, narrated by Vikas Adam. Evander Mills finally has a boyfriend, a safe apartment above a queer bar, and steady work as a PI. But a missing gay bookstore owner threatens the fragile peace of his life, and his closest friends. Adam’s narration is as pitch...

Ferne Markes and Owen Hall make a perfect pair performing the electric chemistry between a kitchen witch and the charming man who catches her eye. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this delicious romance from Nadia El-Fassi that’s best enjoyed alongside a cup of chai. Ever since Scott Mason stumbled into Serendipity Cafe in London, he’s had the barista on his mind. Dina Whitlock...

Helen Laser gives an extraordinary performance of Peng Shepherd’s inventive story. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this interactive adventure story that takes listeners deep into the life of Marsh—and shows just how drastically things can change. When 40-year-old Marsh is selected to star in a reality TV show, she is given the opportunity to redo her life through "quantum bubbl...

Anyone who likes to cook will be inspired to get into the kitchen after listening to this audio program. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Deb Perelman’s audio companion to her newest cookbook, SMITTEN KITCHEN KEEPERS. Perelman is one of the original food bloggers and creator of the beloved Smitten Kitchen website, and listeners can hear her eagerness to share all she’s learned o...

Jason Isaacs is clearly having a rollicking good time narrating Kate Atkinson’s latest Jackson Brodie novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this audiobook jammed full of Agatha Christie tropes—butlers, vicars, nobles, retired veterans, and detectives all trapped in a great house in a snowstorm—but they’re all turned on their heads. Isaacs develops a myriad of distinct accents w...

This action-packed thriller from Jeffery Deaver and Isabella Maldonado is performed with skill by André Santana and Aida Reluzco. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this fast-paced, nonstop audiobook filled with twists, turns, and well-developed characters, good and evil. The seamless narration enhances the suspense, making this an engaging listen. Fans will eagerly await the next...