Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Kathleen McInerney provides a fabulous voice for Brandie June’s retelling of Rumplestiltskin. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this classic fantasy with clever twists, adventure, mystery, and magic. McInerney’s fresh and youthful voice is a delicious match for the love triangle between Nor, our tricky protagonist; Pel, the handsome, magical fairy; and Prince Casper, soon to be Ki...

Erin Bennett delivers Elin Hilderbrand’s stellar beach read with a historical twist. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this summer listen set at a Nantucket beach resort. The Hotel Nantucket was destroyed by a fire in 1922, and now a new British owner has restored it. The manager is determined to succeed—but a ghost may get in the way. Perfect for listeners looking for a book with...

New Zealander Anna Coddington’s rich accent enhances Sascha Stronach’s surreal and unforgettable Māori-inspired fantasy. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the audiobook packed with fierce queer pirates, lush living cities, bio-alchemical wonders, and a terrifying plague. Yat Jyn-Hok is an exhausted cop and former street kid, recently demoted after being caught at a gay bar. Coddi...

Natalie Naudus’s skilled narration adds to the luminous and otherworldly qualities of Nghi Vo’s historical fantasy. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this absorbing story of ambition, glamor, and power in old Hollywood—except here, it’s full of magic. To succeed, actors must make dangerous pacts, trade away years of their lives for insider secrets, and fend off terrifying monster...

Narrators Victoria Villarreal and Lee Osorio narrate Isabel Cañas’s Gothic horror story set in Mexico in 1823. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the many thrills of this story of a haunted house and the woman determined to make it her home. Beatriz, narrated by Villarreal with strength and sweetness, marries in an attempt to find a safe home for herself and her mother after her f...

The remarkably talented Golden Voice narrator Soneela Nankani performs Farah Heron’s feel-good romance flawlessly. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the fun of listening to Heron’s contemporary take on Austen’s EMMA, set in Toronto. Kamila Hussain is living the perfect life, with friends, family, a career she loves, Bollywood movie nights, and a longtime friend and brother-in-law...

Golden Voice Julia Whelan’s quiet, graceful narration is the perfect match for Nina LaCour’s flowing prose in her stunning, layered novel about two queer women who are slowly finding their way to each other—and themselves. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Whelan’s skilled narration of this beautiful book. Her light touch highlights its emotional complexity without drawing attent...

Ayesha Dharker performs Monica Ali’s darkly comic audiobook smartly and sensitively, giving each character their due. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this finely crafted novel, narrated with subtle and unique intonations for each character, whether British or Indian immigrants. Her portrayal of the conflicted heroine, Dr. Yasmin Ghorami, is apt and captures all of her angst. The...

The clarity, precision, and mellow grace of Golden Voice Cassandra Campbell’s narrations have made her a favorite for a wide range of audiobooks. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how her clear and precise narration elevates this audiobook, with her lovely mastery of Italian on display. She reads with authority and enlivens Eden Collinsworth’s text that gives life to a da Vinci ma...

Mike Lenz narrates in a thoughtful style and measured tone that works well for Daniel S. Levy’s history of nineteenth-century Manhattan. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss his storytelling style that propels the narrative forward, letting the dozens of compelling anecdotes tell themselves. There are sometimes chaotic, often revealing stories of fires, riots, diseases, fame, and mor...

Golden Voice narrator Arthur Morey easily assumes the persona of an especially well informed, keenly observant guide in this audiobook tour of the Adriatic countries. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the warmth and sophistication in Morey’s narration of Robert D. Kaplan’s work, focused around eastern Europe. His idiosyncratic delivery is made for the audiobook that travels around...

Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham inhabits Stany Nyandwi’s memoir, exploring his life as a gifted African primatologist. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how Graham replicates all of Nyandwi’s emotions and experiences with his tone, pace, and cadence. Nyandwi’s ability to communicate with chimpanzees led famed researcher Jane Goodall to describe him as a “chimp whisperer.” It’s a...

In today’s bonus edition, host Jo Reed interviews Rupert Degas, who was named one of AudioFile’s 2022 Golden Voice narrators this June. Listen to their conversation to learn more about how he got his start in acting and narration, the one accent that always gives him trouble, and how he works to lean into his performances to bring stories alive for audiobook listeners. Rupert is a versatile narrat...

AudioFile Golden Voice Bahni Turpin turns A.J. Verdelle’s reflections on her literary relationship with Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison (born Chloe Wofford) into a song of praise and wonder. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss this memoir from the author of THE GOOD NEGRESS. Turpin’s perfect diction and melodic intonation take listeners through Verdelle’s worshipful deligh...

Narrator Catherine Ho immediately captivates in Vanessa Hua’s original and intriguing story. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss this historical fiction audiobook set during China’s Cultural Revolution about teenager Mei Xiang, who becomes Chairman Mao Zedong’s lover. Ho’s voice bristles with energy as Mei, who is happy to leave her dull farm life behind when she’s selected as part...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss the four talented narrators who become the troubled women in Dr. Stephen Aston’s life. After opening with a shocking event, the novel is told in flashbacks clarifying the events leading up to Stephen’s third wedding and the effects he has on the women in his life. Zoe Carides, Jessica Douglas-Henry, Barrie Kreinik, and Caroline Lee highlight the...

January LaVoy narrates Sarai Walker’s chilling audiobook complete with ghosts, madness, and secrets. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss Golden Voice narrator LaVoy’s skill at delivering fully developed characters and creating the perfect ambiance for this gothic novel. LaVoy channels Sylvia Wren, a world-famous, reclusive Arizona artist. Currently, she’s being hounded by a journal...

Suzanne Toren’s performance of Gillham’s novel is a tour de force. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss this Golden Voice narrator’s skill at bringing historical fiction to life for listeners. Rachel, a Jewish refugee living in New York City in 1955, is plagued by guilt for her actions during WWII. Toren’s lush voice and understated delivery make every word ring true and every power...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a fantastical debut audiobook that will enchant listeners. Gifted vocal artist Marin Ireland portrays Tova, a 70-year-old widow, and Ireland’s encouraging tones suit Tova, whose compassion touches everyone in her small Washington town. She cleans at an aquarium, where she has formed an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus wit...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Madi Sinha’s newest novel, narrated by Golden Voice Soneela Nankani. Gynecologist Dr. Maya Rau, the daughter of Indian immigrants, interacts with a diverse set of patients. She struggles with balancing her work and home lives, and battles hospital bureaucracies, racism, classism, and ignorance about health care. Nankani expresses the character’s ma...

Golden Voice narrator Adjoa Andoh’s lilting accents and rich voice add to the sensory details of Ruby Yayra Goka’s novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this moving young adult audiobook set in Ghana. Andoh’s reading of this first-person story projects a sense of drama that increases during the dialogue. Sixteen-year-old Amerley has always been responsible for her siblings, and...

Simu Liu is a natural narrator, conversational and appealing as he shares his engaging story. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Liu’s memoir that explores not only his star role as Shang-Chi, but also the story of his family in China and Canada. Liu is earnest as he relates his experiences as an immigrant, feeling the weight of his parents’ expectations and navigating an increasing...

Love and its complexities—familial, romantic, geographical—are the backbone of this excellent audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the Earphones Award-winning narration of Golden Voice Michael Crouch. He provides distinct vocal shifts as he portrays entire personalities with his thoughtful character development. Owen is a groundskeeper at a Kentucky college, his days punctu...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten are welcoming Juliet Stevenson as a 2022 Golden Voice narrator. Listeners appreciate Juliet’s crystalline voice and expressive accents. Her performances are elegant, and her characters are memorable. She has been narrating audiobooks for nearly 40 years, and has said she loves how audiobooks extend her range as an actor. She has extensive work as an actor...

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten are celebrating Rupert Degas, one of AudioFile’s 2022 Golden Voice narrators. Golden Voices are the stars of the audiobook universe, and we are excited to honor Rupert with that title. He has an exceptional ability to bring different characters to life, with an extremely varied range, from playful and humorous to dense intellectual literary fiction and cl...