Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Lyrical, evocative writing is matched with a top-shelf performance in this book of vignettes on how some of the jazz greats practiced their art. With his wide range of dialects and exceptional ability to immerse himself in a story, Dion Graham delivers the kind of listening experience that you’ll want to hear in one sitting and in the dark—a slowly unfolding tableau of moody characters and difficu...

Imogen Church narrates Ruth Ware’s unsettling update of Henry James’s THE TURN OF THE SCREW. Nanny Rowan Caine arrives for her first day at what seems like a dream job to find that things are not as perfect as they first seemed. The house’s “smart” system malfunctions in the middle of the night, and the children hate her for no apparent reason. Church ably handles the children’s voices and the ran...

Acclaimed memoirist Alexandra Fuller (DON’T LET’S GO TO THE DOGS TONIGHT) contemplates the life of her boisterous, adventurous father Tim, whose motto was "travel light, move fast." The story revisits her childhood, her experience of watching her father die in Budapest, and her journey carrying his ashes back to Zambia, where she spent much of her childhood. Published by Recorded Books Read the fu...

A beautifully written debut novel about grant writer Billie James, who returns to the Mississippi Delta, where she spent her early years. Her father died under mysterious circumstances when she was just 4 years old, and she went missing on the same day. Narrator Bahni Turpin smoothly moves through the excellent dialogue and the interesting characters. Published by Harper Audio. Read the full revie...

A collection of 14 poetic essays about the flowers, creatures, people, and the landscape of the American Southwest—first published in 1903. Ellen Parker does a wonderful job subtly bringing the listener into the small details. The descriptions are specific, and Parker narrates with a sense of reverence and enjoyment. That tone perfectly matches the author’s own reverence for her subjects. Publishe...

The National Book Award-winning author of STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING brings his treatise to readers. An important book for today, this is a stirring, personal look at the concept of antiracism, which requires us to change our thinking as individuals within society and to take action. The author narrates his own work with understanding and passion. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full rev...

This new novel from the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of EMPIRE FALLS is the story of three men who met in college and are now in their sixties. They have come together on Martha’s Vineyard, where in 1971 a woman whom they all loved disappeared. Fred Sanders does a subtle and strong job narrating the past and present of their lives and their friendship. Published by Random House Audio. Read the fu...

Ari Fliakos is one of those talented narrators who suits his tone, pace, and style to the subject. Here it is well matched to the tumultuous world of the truffle market. He narrates with the assured attitude of a documentary voice-over. His simple imitations of Italians and French people strike the right balance. This prized fungus, especially the highly sought after Italian white and French black...

The winning combination of George Newbern’s engaging narration and Rick Atkinson’s vivid new work of history—the first in a planned trilogy about the American Revolution—brings to life what could have been a dry account of Revolutionary battles. While this is primarily a military history, Newbern is also adept at voicing the stories of ordinary colonists, most of whom did whatever was necessary in...

Narrator Kim Fields pulls out all the stops portraying a sophisticated young jazz trumpeter and the many gnarly characters she meets in the urban jazz scene. Didi Herron is crisscrossing the country, looking for a tape of her father’s last jazz performance. The versatile Fields captures the heroine’s longing and determination, as well as the edgy dynamics of African-American jazz culture. It’s a s...

This is a listen for anyone who's married, divorced, dating, and/or cares about women. It’s an outstanding audiobook delivered by an exceptional narrator, Allyson Ryan. By now, many have heard the buzz about this novel. Believe the hype. It's ostensibly about a recently divorced New York City doctor, but really it’s about the challenges women face in relationships—in working, in parenting, and in...

Dan Bittner and Peter Ganim shepherd listeners through the apocalyptic world Formerly Known As the USA. Bittner narrates as Truckee Wallace, a 16-year-old orphan who finds himself in the middle of an international incident. Ganim chimes in as the future editor of Trukee's memoir. Bittner gets to shout and go wild as Truckee, in addition to voicing a talking goat, an android, and multiple character...

CJ Katsuyama has grown up hearing that “Katsuyamas never quit,” though she somehow always finds a way to disappoint her mother, a driven business executive. Joy Osmanski nails all the authentic emotions, especially 17-year-old CJ’s sarcasm and growing confidence. When CJ’s mother sells her family’s flower shop to the McAllisters, the same family who exploited her grandparents when they were sent t...

Red and Blue are two agents fighting in a war through time — which makes them the unlikeliest of pen pals. Red, voiced by Cynthia Farrell, sneers as she sees her foe across a burning field. Her attempt at altering the future was foiled by Blue, cooly voiced by Emily Woo Zeller. When they start a cryptic correspondence as they sabotage each other’s missions, neither of them expects to fall in love....

Crickets and a crackling campfire greet listeners at the start of this children’s audiobook centered around otsaliheliga, “we are grateful.” Cherokee pronunciations and vocabulary are beautifully rendered for listeners as five narrators take turns telling the story of families celebrating and honoring ancestors throughout the year. Listening to the audiobook with the picture book is ideal to appre...

Known for her Africanfuturist fiction, Okorafor narrates a new memoir about the roots of her celebrated stories. She was a skilled athlete when she went into the hospital for spinal surgery to correct her scoliosis, but when she woke up, she discovered she was paralysed from the waist down. When her body broke, she discovered a passion and skill for writing about creative and fantastical worlds. P...

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD returns with a tale of America’s buried legacy of racism and violence. Elwood Curtis is an earnest high school student on his way to college classes when he’s picked up for hitching a ride in the wrong car. Elwood’s ideals are confronted by the harsh realities of Nickel Academy, the segregated reform school where he’s a “student.” JD Ja...

The story of two sisters who grew up in a Jewish household in Detroit takes us through the 1950s and up to 2016. The sisters’ paths are very different, but their shared experiences and relationship create an engaging tale that makes you feel their similarities more than their differences. In a great example of the dual voice performance, narrators Malone and Graynor narrate alternating chapters, b...

A scholarship student has trouble connecting with her rich female classmates, until—against her better judgment—she agrees to attend one of their parties. Falling down a rabbit hole, Samantha finds herself entangled in the lives of a group of women who call each other "Bunny." Narrator Sophie Amoss get an Earphones Award for her animated performance—she enhances the emotional punch of this genre-b...

After their company's CEO suddenly dies, four women are determined to make sure that a man known to sexually harass women isn't chosen for the position. Illuminating the feminine strength of the story’s "Me Too" message, narrator Almarie Guerra projects just the Southern accent and sassy tone needed. The narrator’s skill and energy ease this intense listen about women who triumph over injustice in...

If you are a true crime podcast fan, you’ve probably listened to MY FAVORITE MURDER, which combines crime with a surprising amount of fun and laughs. In the dual memoir. the hosts have a lot to say, including a section recorded before a live audience. Kilgariff and Hardstark reflect on the life experiences that shaped them as women, led them to meet each other, and, ultimately, inspired them to cr...

Life as Anna knows it is well and truly over. She is betrayed by her best friend, who runs off with her husband and her children. Her solace is a true crime podcast —and then it triggers a surprising connection to her past life. Cathleen McCarron’s Scottish lilt is smooth and beautifully captures the darkly funny suspense. Published by Hachette Audio. Read the full review of CONVICTION at audiofil...

Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast host Holmes’s debut novel is the story of a widow who doesn’t miss her husband and how she builds a new life with a baseball pitcher who has lost his skill. Narrator Julia Whelan warmly explores changing relationships in this ideal summer listen. Published by Random House Audio. Read the full review of EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER at audiofilemagazine.com. For more free a...

Epstein, a journalist who has written widely on performance science, wants to prove his thesis—Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. His ideas get a passionate delivery with narrator Will Damron as he encourages broad learning, contrasting this with deep learning and super-focused skill building. He uses anecdotes and superstar examples—Roger Federer, Leonardo DaVinci, Vincent Van Gogh,...

The first Transcontinental Railroad was an amazing feat of planning and building. Thousands of Chinese immigrants building the western section of the link faced discrimination, daunting work conditions, and other dangers. This serious history shines a spotlight on the role of the “Railroad Chinese” in the building of modern America. Published by HighBridge Audio. Read the full review of GHOSTS OF...