Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

A superb audio adaptation of the 2017 Tony Award-winning play, OSLO. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss this L.A. Theatre Works production that stands the complex issue of Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy on its head. The play reveals that high-wire diplomacy is a very human process, and is performed by an outstanding cast of internationally acclaimed actors. Published by L.A. Theatr...

Listen to a new biography about Susan Sontag, of the most interesting thinkers of her time. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss this audiobook narrated with empathy by Tavia Gilbert. Author Benjamin Moser isn’t afraid to draw a true picture of Sontag’s thoughts and life, which were both extraordinarily complex. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of both. Published by Harper Audi...

A fast-moving story of love, hate, and redemption. AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discusses David Baldacci’s latest audiobook with host Jo Reed. A MINUTE TO MIDNIGHT is narrated by a talented duo. Brittany Pressley portrays a troubled FBI agent Atlee, whose idyllic childhood was interrupted by her sister’s kidnapping. And now, a serial killer is on the loose. Kyf Brewer’s narrations are intertwined wi...

A collection of short stories performed by narrators as diverse and vivid as the stories themselves. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Jonathan Smith discuss the magic of short stories. Every year the Best American Short Stories make for a vibrant collection, and hearing these stories on audio with perfectly paired narrators is a delight. Whether characters are living on the edge in America or trying t...

A hilarious and heartfelt historical romance. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed about all the many reasons she loved MY FAKE RAKE, including Zara Hampton-Brown’s delightful narration. Lady Grace is a herpetologist more comfortable in the library than the ballroom after a disastrous debut. When she suddenly has to find a husband, she and her friend Sebastian hatch a plan. Hampton-Brown...

Celebrate the new year and freedom with a new children’s audiobook on tradition, family, and remembrance. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the Haitian Kompa music, the subtle sound effects, and Bahni Turpin’s skilled narration that mix together so well. Every year, Ti Gran makes FREEDOM SOUP to celebrate the Haitian Revolution, and this is the first year that Belle is invited in...

“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” Star Wars fans are flocking to the big screen this week to see THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed about how RESISTANCE REBORN tells the story of what came after THE LAST JEDI — and how Marc Thompson’s endless well of voices combined with immersive sound effects makes for an impressive listening experience. Rebecca Roanh...

Activist Greta Thunberg has inspired millions around the world. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this audiobook of the 16-year-old’s collected speeches, narrated with her clear passion and understanding of the urgency of climate change. It is an inspiring audiobook for listeners of any age, but particularly for any young person who has been emboldened by Thunberg or other young...

Immerse yourself in this love letter to the power of stories. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed about becoming swept up in Erin Morgenstern’s latest audiobook. Listeners meet Zachary Ezra Rawlins, new media graduate student and son of a fortune-teller, as he discovers a mysterious book tucked away in the school library. Zachary travels into fantastical realms, and all the rich details...

A romance with an intriguing concept—men reading romance novels to help their own relationships. AudioFile Publisher Michele Cobb and host Jo Reed discuss why this romance works so well on audio. Andrew Eiden reads the contemporary narrative about Gavin’s attempts to save his failing marriage, and Maxwell Caulfield narrates as the Count in the Regency romance that is guiding the men. Published by...

Fans of Demi Moore’s acting will want to immerse themselves in this velvety listening experience. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the surprising emotional revelations in this Hollywood A-lister’s honest reflection on her life. The author’s low timbre and raspy voice guide us through her turbulent life and reveal juicy details from her Hollywood marriages. Listeners will feel as t...

Chase elite airline status with comedian and actor John Hodgman leading the way. His collection of humorous essays, many addressing travel and the trappings of life post-fame, is a delight. AudioFile publisher Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed all the reasons she connected with this listen, including all of her time spent in airport lounges. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommenda...

The author is as candid in this memoir as she is in her viral comedy specials. AudioFile publisher Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed about relating to the challenges and rewards of being a working mother supported by a husband who is willing to take on non-traditional roles. Filled with laughs, this honest celebrity biography read by the author and her husband is an absolutely fun listen with plenty...

Augusten Burroughs divulges his witchy truth in this offbeat memoir. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile publisher Michele Cobb delve into the author’s unusual childhood and discover how witchcraft has continuously intervened in his life. The author narrates with a sharply articulated wry drawl, and an ensemble cast reads the parts of key female family members in his life. Published by Macmillan Audio. Fin...

Adjoa Andoh’s skilled narrations landed her on AudioFile’s 2019 Best Audiobooks list twice! She joins Robin Whitten to discuss her 2019 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, & Horror winner, Ann Leckie’s THE RAVEN TOWER. This fantasy tale is full of powerful gods, complex political machinations, and revenge. Find out what special preparation is needed to narrate as an ancient god. Published by Hachette Audio. Adj...

Sandhya Menon’s THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SWEETIE is on AudioFile’s list of 2019 Best Young Adult Audiobooks. Narrator Vikas Adam joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to share what he loved about co-narrating this YA audiobook romance along with Soneela Nankani. Vikas gives voice to the mixed feelings of Ashish Patel, a high school basketball star who has just been dumped by his college girlfriend. Ashish...

We continue our 2019 Best Audiobooks celebrations with Children & Family Listening. Anthony Rey Perez narrated Carlos Hernandez’s SAL AND GABI BREAK THE UNIVERSE, an audiobook that blends realistic and fantastic events—and plenty of humor and heart. Anthony joined AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to talk about narrating complex books for kids and teen listeners, growing up as a first generation Cuban-Ame...

GIDEON THE NINTH is a highly original listen, and it’s one of our 2019 Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Audiobooks. Join narrator Moira Quirk and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten for insights into Tamsyn Muir’s audiobook packed full of unusual characters, both living and dead. Moira says, “I looked at it as a country house murder, but in space, and a little more dystopian, and odd, and irreverent.” Moira sh...

JD Jackson’s narration of Attica Locke’s HEAVEN, MY HOME has earned a spot on the 2019 Best Mystery Audiobooks list. JD joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to talk about his narration of this new mystery and Locke’s 2017 Best Audiobook winner, BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD. Both audiobooks are centered around Texas Ranger Darren Mathews, a man with a rocky marriage, a drinking problem, and a penchant for doing ba...

Narrator George Newbern joines AudioFile’s Michele Cobb for a discussion of Rick Atkinson’s newest history, THE BRITISH ARE COMING: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777. This engaging listen is one of AudioFile’s 2019 Best Biography & History Audiobooks and is the first in a planned trilogy about the American Revolution. Listen for insights into the special preparation needed to...

Narrator Rupert Degas joins AudioFile’s Robin Whitten to talk about narrating THE AYE-AYE AND I, English naturalist Gerald Durell’s memoir of his adventures in Madagascar. Rupert Degas beautifully channels Durrell’s voice, personality, and enthusiasm. Listen as he shares what he loved about narrating all of Durrell’s memoirs of travels around the world. Published by Naxos Audiobooks. 2019 Best Mem...

What makes THE DEATH AND LIFE OF AIDA HERNANDEZ such a powerful listen? Narrator Frankie Corzo joins AudioFile publisher Michele Cobb to share her thoughts on Aaron Bobrow-Strain’s important work, one of AudioFile’s 2019 Best Audiobooks. This timely audiobook, which required special preparation, tells the harrowing story of Aida’s journey across the Mexico-U.S. border in 1987 and an up-close depic...

In a special episode of Behind the Mic, narrator Jason Culp joins AudioFile editor Robin Whitten to talk about his work on Emma Donoghue’s AKIN, which is one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks in the Fiction, Poetry, and Drama category. Hear Jason’s thoughts on narrating this latest novel from the author of ROOM, and add this audiobook to your wish list. Published by Hachette Audio. 2019 Best Fiction,...

Discover this year’s best audiobook listening! Join AudioFile editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed to get a peek behind the scenes into the making of AudioFile’s 2019 Best Audiobooks list. Why are these 53 audiobooks on our list, and why do we think they’re the best listening around? It’s a slightly impossible task to choose from the 2,500 audiobooks AudioFile reviewed in 2019, with many excellen...

A unique and genre-bending story that keeps listeners on their toes. Robin Whitten, Editor of AudioFile, tells host Jo Reed about this expertly written and performed audiobook where nothing is exactly as it seems—but no spoilers! A young priest investigates a possible murder mystery in a medieval rural British world of 1468—a world that listeners soon learn seems to be a post-apocolyptic one. Narr...