Edoardo Ballerini provides a gripping performance that captures the backdrop of historical events in Armando Lucas Correa’s novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this Golden Voice narrator’s skill at engaging listeners in a multi-generational saga that moves from Germany to Cuba to New York, encompassing war and revolution, family secrets, and devastating truth. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Private detectives Lillian Pentecost and Willowjean Parker are back! Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss a new mystery audiobook from Stephen Spotswood, with a smashing performance by Kirsten Potter. It’s New York City in 1947, and Holly Quirk, writer of gruesome murder stories for STRANGE CRIMES magazine, hires detectives Pentecost and Parker after discovering that three murders from her stories have been enacted in real life. Plot twists and Potter’s narration put this clever P&P adventure right up there with the best. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Nic Stone and narrator Dion Graham give voice to Shelbi and Andy, two teens who form an unexpected connection. Graham provides a multilayered portrayal of 18-year-old Andy, whose drinking is largely in response to trouble processing his younger sister’s death. Stone portrays Shelbi, a 16-year-old just released from a mental health facility for self harm. Together the narrators explore their characters’ vulnerabilities. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Listening Library. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investigative journalist Jim Popkin takes listeners on an incredible journey through the life of Ana Montes, possibly the most damaging female spy in America’s history. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a story where truth is stranger than fiction. Montes, the government’s top Cuba expert, worked closely with the intelligence community in the Castro years. She had top-secret clearance—and passed classified documents to Cuba. Popkin presents this true account with a matter-of-fact delivery, telling of the damage caused by Montes’s seventeen-year spying career. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harlequin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Barton Welch keeps Benjamin Stevenson’s entertaining, highly original mystery light and lively, even during its most intense moments. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a listen all about a family of killers (some more culpable than others). Ernie Cunningham self-publishes books on writing, and he speaks directly to listeners. Each chapter is dedicated to a family member responsible for a death, and Welch keeps Ernie’s tongue-in-cheek attitude and direct comments amusing. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Whelan’s performance is so consistently gripping that listeners might attempt to finish Rebecca Makkai’s entire audiobook in a single sitting. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss an audiobook all about a true-crime podcaster. Bodie has returned to her boarding school alma mater to teach a few courses in her area of expertise, podcasting, and is encouraged by her students to re-investigate the murder of Bodie’s roommate, Thalia. There are doubts as to whether the man imprisoned for the murder is actually guilty, and as Bodie digs deeper, she’s forced to confront complicated relationships on campus and beyond. Whelan deftly navigates the cast of characters, and JD Jackson shines in a pivotal cameo. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kashana Cauley’s satirical comedy about survivalists, gun dealing, and finding happiness is masterfully narrated by Bahni Turpin. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this lively and surprising audiobook. Aretha, an up-and-coming attorney, falls for Aaron, and when she moves in, Aretha discovers another side of him. Aretha’s life is thrown into chaos when she’s fired for missing a day of work—and then Turpin embodies a new and improved Aretha who only looks out for herself. Turpin’s performance perfect for this story full of sharp dialogue and a wicked sense of humor.  Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Brilliance Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Behind the Mic is revisiting favorite audiobooks that are contenders for the 2023 Audie Awards. In today’s episode, host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss MIRACLE AND WONDER, which gives listeners insights into Paul Simon’s professional and private life. Hear all about Simon’s songwriting, in his own words, through hours of conversations with the musician. This audiobook is a finalist for the 2023 Audiobook of the Year. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Pushkin Industries. Explore a full list of this year’s Audie Award finalists, along with audiobook reviews and sound samples, at theaudies.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Behind the Mic is highlighting audiobooks that are up for the 2023 Audie Awards. Today we’re hearing AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff and host Jo Reed in discussion about THE 1619 PROJECT, Nikole Hannah-Jones’s ambitious work with the New York Times Magazine that tells the story of America through the lens of slavery. It’s a contender for the 2023 Audiobook of the Year and a finalist in the Multi-Voiced Performance category. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Explore a full list of this year’s Audie Award finalists, along with audiobook reviews and sound samples, at theaudies.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re revisiting favorite episodes this week on Behind the Mic, highlighting audiobooks that are up for 2023 Audie Awards. Today host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss a fantastical full-cast audiobook adaptation of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman’s apocalyptic GOOD OMENS. This favorite comic novel gets the all-star treatment with narrators including Michael Sheen, David Tennant, and more. It’s up for Audie Awards in the Audio Drama and Fantasy categories this year. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Explore a full list of this year’s Audie Award finalists, along with audiobook reviews and sound samples, at theaudies.com Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Joanna Gaines, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the Mic is sharing episodes this week focused on some of the 2023 Audie Award finalists. Today’s episode is on NIGHTCRAWLING, Leila Mottley’s novel narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt. This audiobook is up for the Best Female Narrator Audie this year, and it was also one of AudioFile’s Best Audiobooks of 2022. Listen in to hear host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discussing this powerful fiction audiobook with unforgettable narrators and a moving narration. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Explore a full list of this year’s Audie Award finalists, along with audiobook reviews and sound samples, at theaudies.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the Mic is revisiting audiobooks that are up for the 2023 Audie Awards. The Audie Awards are the Oscars of audiobooks and shine a spotlight on excellent audiobook performances. We’re starting with an audiobook that has already won a Grammy this year — Viola Davis’s FINDING ME. Davis’s electric memoir is up for an Audie Award in both the Audiobook of the Year and Narrated by the Author categories, and it was on AudioFile’s list of Best Audiobooks of 2022. Learn more about this audiobook in host Jo Reed’s conversation with AudioFile’s Michele Cobb. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Explore a full list of this year’s Audie Award finalists, along with audiobook reviews and sound samples, at theaudies.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Brian Nishii’s delivery brings a multicultural finesse to author Cheuk Kwan’s search for Chinese restaurants around the world. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this culinary journey across Brazil, Mumbai, Saskatchewan, the Caribbean, Israel, and to far flung outposts, all where Chinese restaurants can be found. Using delectable food creations as entry points, this heartwarming and enlightening exploration of the Chinese diaspora is a sumptuous smorgasbord of culture and history that is sure to satisfy even the biggest appetite. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicol Zanzarella’s crisp narration propels Margot Anne Kelley’s wide-ranging love letter to homegrown food. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how Zanzarella performs this examination of the historical impulse to live off the land. Kelley looks back at utopian foodways, from failed 19th-century experiments to 20th-century back-to-the-land hippies to current rural escapees. She captures the yearning for self sufficiency, explores challenges for African American farmers, and reflects on the omnipresence of big agriculture. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Tantor Media. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Caroline Shaffer brings the right tone and tempo to Mary Beth Albright’s audiobook on “How Food Supports Emotional Well-Being” that examines the relationships between food and mood. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this packed audiobook that merges experience with science—and includes recipes. A talented food writer for the WASHINGTON POST, Albright has a gift for simplifying the complex and gamely participates in experiments. A fun and informative listen. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s podcast gives listeners insider access to the world of fine dining. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the episodes dedicated to eight iconic eateries. Samuelsson and co-host chef Jonathan Waxman regale listeners with tales of famous restaurants including The French Laundry, Spago, and Dooky Chase, as well as Gabrielle Hamilton’s Prune, which shuttered during the start of the COVID pandemic. All the backstories and fortunes of the various establishments make this a compelling listening experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Audible, Inc. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Bellantoni narrates Ian MacAllen’s witty audiobook with a fine delivery and a rich tone. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed about an audiobook that will make you want to open a bottle of chianti and pull up a chair for a delicious meal. MacAllen’s history is part celebration of the traditional checkered tablecloth joints and part revelation of the origins of Italian dishes that American celebrate. Listeners hear of the history of dishes from tetrazzini to pasta primavera and will definitely be left craving a big plate of spaghetti. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Tantor Media. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Nobess gives a contemplative performance of Cree poet Billy-Ray Belcourt’s genre-defying debut novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Kendra Winchester discuss this novel of ideas told from the perspective of an unnamed protagonist writing a novel based on oral histories. Jesse Nobess embodies the unnamed protagonist’s narrative voice. The character talks to many closeted gay Indigenous men, discussing why they feel they can’t be open with their identities. Nobess often sounds as if he's working something out as he speaks, which suits the story that explores ideas, feelings, and theory. Creative, moving, inventive, and powerful, this audiobook is a must-listen. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hamish Hamilton. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen Chilton’s performance of Jamila Minnicks’s debut novel is what happens when an outstanding narrator finds their perfect match in a text. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss this historical novel about Alice Young, who in 1957 flees her home in rural Alabama and lands in New Jessup. It’s an all-Black town that has spent generations carving out a place for itself as a safe haven for Black families. Chilton is a stunning narrator, and she captures the Southern dialect and Alice’s narrative voice to tell this emotional story of community and love. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeed Saddy performs this dazzling debut essay collection from author Neema Avashina. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss the essays, which explore Avashia’s experience growing up as a queer Indian American woman in West Virginia. Identities are messy, and Saddy’s narration captures the emotional complexity of Avashia’s life. As we follow Avashia through basketball games and Hindu holidays, Saddy imbues her performance with all of the tenderness and hope that Avashia has for her hometown and the people who helped make her who she is today. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Tantor Media. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanis Parenteau leaps right into narrating Jessica Johns’s chilling debut horror novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss a story where dreams become horrifyingly real. Mackenzie is a 20-something Cree woman living in Vancouver, and she wakes from a vivid nightmare with a crow’s head clutched in her hand. Parenteau conveys all of Mackenzie’s anxiety and quickens her pace as Mackenzie’s nightmares turn more sinister and she’s stalked by crows. Mackenzie returns home after years away, and as her family becomes involved, each loving relative comes alive through Parenteau’s rich characterizations. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vidish Athavale draws listeners into this sweeping crime novel set in New Delhi. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Kendra Winchester discuss Deepti Kapoor’s epic story packed with twists and turns. When a speeding Mercedes jumps off the road and kills five people, Ajay takes the fall for his boss, Sonny, the son of a rich man with criminal dealings in the city. Athavale’s narration captures both the tumultuous life of Ajay’s childhood and the endless spectacle of Sonny’s backroom dealings. It’s an audiobook with an incredible atmosphere that will have listeners on the edge of their seats until the very end. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrators Joe Jameson and David Stagg tenderly deliver this touching audiobook that’s an essential listen for fans of the Heartstopper series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this heartfelt novella, full of angst, set after the Heartstopper graphic novels. Charlie is anxious about Nick’s impending departure for university, and what long distance will mean for their relationship. Charlie, voiced by Jameson, is full of uncertainty, while we hear Nick’s initial confidence fall apart in Stagg’s moving narration. Listeners will be holding their breath until the story’s sweet conclusion.  Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Scholastic Audiobooks. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com  Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Soneela Nankani suffuses Serwa Boateng with strength and passion in Roseanne A. Brown’s fantastic audiobook for middle-grade listeners. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the fun and thrills of getting to hear Serwa’s story, rooted in Ghanaian folklore. Serwa has spent her life training with her parents to fight deadly adze, fierce vampires. Suddenly, she’s sent to live with non-magical family members while her parents go on a deadlier mission, and she has to navigate middle school for the first time. As Serwa goes up against bullies and racist teachers, Nankani leans into her pain—but when an adze appears at school, Serwa finds a team of unlikely allies.  Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Disney Hyperion. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Five very different students find commonality and friendship in this superb audio adaptation of Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein’s bilingual graphic novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the outstanding full cast, including the animated performances of the five students in all their complexities, in both Spanish and English. The students are all part of a morning volunteer program in the cafeteria, and they each play a role in supporting a family they discover are in need of some extra help and kindness.  Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Scholastic Audiobooks. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki Massoud’s lively voice welcomes listeners to a charming Highlands romance. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this contemporary romance from Rochelle Bilow that provides a delicious escape. Ruby Spencer is desperate to make a change, and she flies off for a year in Thistlecross, Scotland, hoping for inspiration to write a cookbook and find a fresh start. She finds gorgeous countryside, a charming community, and romance, all brought to life by Massoud’s talented narration. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amina Koroma and Jonathan Andrew Hume bring liveliness and charm to an utterly delightful teen romance. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly talk about this wonderful YA debut from beloved British romance author Talia Hibbert. Koroma delivers all of Celine’s snark and wit, while her ex-best-friend-now-rival Brad is narrated with sweet charm by Hume. The two are suddenly spending way more time together as they compete in a wilderness survival program, out in the woods of England and Scotland. Listeners are certain to laugh, cheer, and root for the two to find their way back into each other’s hearts. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Listening Library. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about a childhood favorite, WINNIE-THE-POOH, which Golden Voice narrator Barbara Rosenblat enlivens with a magnificent performance. Rosenblat masterfully delights in and embodies wonder, innocence, and imagination in her narration. Children of all ages will enjoy the story of Pooh’s love of honey, the search for Eeyore’s tail, the hunt for a Woozle, and more. Listen along to the tale on our Audiobook Break podcast, and visit all the favorite friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Design Sound Productions. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Heughan, OUTLANDER’s Jamie Fraser, recounts his journey across the 96 miles of Scotland’s West Highland Way. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how Heughan completely charms listeners with his engaging style and enthusiasm. The story of his journey becomes a metaphor for Heughan’s life as an actor in his atmospheric and absorbing memoir. The inclusion of live recordings made during Heughan’s hike, complete with the sounds of strong wind and heavy rain, are a lovely addition. A great audiobook for fans of OUTLANDER, armchair travelers, or anyone looking for an adventurous listen. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Tracy Kidder’s newest audiobook exploring the complex problems of homelessness, and how one person can make a difference. Kidder’s light, somewhat raspy voice unfolds the story of Dr. Jim O’Connell and his clinic partners, who have devoted themselves to bringing comprehensive and compassionate healthcare to those living on the streets of Boston. The focus, however, is firmly placed on those using Dr. O’Connell’s services, and Kidder provides a riveting, intimate glimpse of the lives of rough sleepers that is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Behind the Mic is supported by Brilliance Publishing who recently released The Survivalists, a sharp, funny novel by Kashana Cauley. An ambitious Black lawyer has dreams of making partner, until she falls for a coffee entrepreneur and moves into his Brooklyn brownstone with his doomsday-prepping roommates. Packed with tension, curiosity and optimized soy protein bars, The Survivalists is a darkly funny novel by Kashana Cauley, a former writer for The Daily Show and Pod Save America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Shanahn’s easygoing tone and Australian accent welcome listeners to another Aaron Falk mystery from Jane Harper, this time set in South Australia’s wine country. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Falk’s missing-person mystery set in a close-knit community harboring many secrets. It’s a story that seems calm and straightforward on the surface but reveals layers of complexity as you listen. The dialogue and narrative flow naturally, infused with believable emotions that underscore Shanahan’s grasp of the author’s style. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hugh Bonneville’s memoir is funny, personal, informative, insightful, and fun to listen to. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how the world-class actor tells a marvelous story, making this an excellent listen for any lovers of celebrity memoirs — and the theater. Bonneville is known for his role as the Earl of Grantham on “Downton Abbey” and the stern father on “Paddington” but also has spent many years on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He narrates his memoir with an easy style and modulated tone and is an excellent mimic. This well-written memoir is delivered with the timing, pace, and skill of a seasoned raconteur. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor Geena Davis narrates her hilarious memoir about growing up a polite young lady who eventually challenged the entertainment industry. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss how the story traces her awkward upbringing to model to movie star, illuminating more about her relationships and influences. An icon of feminist films, Davis retraces her steps in finding her voice. Fans of her acting will find much to admire in these self-revelatory chapters. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quinta Brunson is a comic and successful television writer who brings all of her talents to her hilarious memoir, stuffed full of anecdotes about her unconventional career path. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Brunson’s essays that recount her childhood, her previous jobs, and her success creating the hit TV series “Abbott Elementary.” Brunson is generous with personal insights and maintains high energy throughout her performance, making for a fun and lively listen. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Audible, Inc. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U2 frontman and activist Bono sings like an Irish tenor but performs his memoir with a resonant baritone that sounds clear and effortless. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss how Bono does an excellent job presenting his own words, and the singing, music, and sound effects combine for a real listening experience. Fans will undoubtedly want to hear this audio version of Bono’s story to hear his distinct sound, his accent, and his singing. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stifled by protocol his entire life, Prince Harry has a lot to say as he addresses rumors and lies in his memoir. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss how Harry and his wife Meghan have captured the interest of the world from their wedding to high-profile interviews, a Netflix documentary, and now this much anticipated autobiography by the prince himself. Prince Harry’s voice is clear and steady for much of the audiobook, and his grief over the death of his mother is evident. He takes listeners on a fascinating journey that doesn’t disappoint. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actor, comedian, and writer Rob Delaney narrates the ineffably sad events surrounding the brief life and death of his third son, Henry. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss a memorable audiobook that makes you feel for the actor and his family. Delaney’s subdued voice and resolute cadence provide the perfect vehicle for the crushing sorrow and towering anger he experienced at having his son’s life cut short by brain cancer. He weaves in the lives of his wife, two older sons, and extended family, describing the ways they all were, and still are, affected by Henry’s illness and death. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by OrangeSky Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss an audiobook centered around Treasury Secretary and former Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s essential empathy. Christine Padovan narrates this biography of a woman who has reached the highest levels of public service with a subtle, thoughtful voice and slight New York accent. Owen Ullmann writes of Yellen’s life of exceptional achievement, her economic acumen, and her people skills. All are fully displayed in this laudatory biography. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Hopkins’s rich, dramatic voice suits Max Hastings’s account of the 13 days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the world was on the verge of a nuclear catastrophe. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how Hopkins narrates this dramatic and crucial moment in history, now more than 60 years ago. Here is an audiobook for those who relish detailed and dramatic history, those who want to know how we got to where we are today with the Russians, or those who simply appreciate cliff-hanger situations narrated with exceptional skill. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Lakin’s enthusiasm and authenticity lure the listener into Leila Philip’s world of beavers. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this homage to the ingenuity and group intelligence of these remarkable dam builders and water capturers. Philip casts a wide net as she delves into the cultural significance of beavers to some North American tribes, stresses how vitally important beaver dams are to clean water, and accompanies trappers, goes to fur auctions, and skins a pelt herself. Lakin captures the respect and empathy Philip has for trappers, traders, and environmentalists alike, and portrays the lighter moments as well. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anand Giridharadas narrates his work in a serious tone and journalistic style. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss an audiobook that tells stories of how committed activists use persuasion in organizing to attract supporters. He reads with a storyteller’s sense as he introduces the Internet Research Agency—a Russian troll farm that won both liberal and conservative Americans’ hearts and minds online. He also delves into deep canvassing, a process that encourages like-mindedness as a basis for connection and political action. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A marvelous narration brings the comedian, activist, vegetarian, and civil rights leader Dick Gregory vividly to life. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss how Joe Morton’s narration is a marvel of emulation, impersonation, and soulful rejuvenation of Gregory. Along with having mastered Gregory’s unique style, he captures his humility, candor, and sense of fun. Famous at an early age, Gregory was a bestselling author, a nightclub comic, and a progressive who went on hunger strikes to protest a number of issues, including the Vietnam War. This splendid collection merits a wide audience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss a detailed examination of disability rights in America since the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990. Ben Mattlin’s work details the history of the disability rights movement and how it has progressed, and Anthony Michael Lopez narrates with a vibrant performance. Each chapter captures the listener’s attention and clearly lays out the information. Lopez skillfully differentiates between general text, excerpts from documents, and quotes, helping listeners easily follow along. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Beacon Press. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's The MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vera Chok narrates An Yu’s eerie novel full of dreams of talking mushrooms and heartbroken musicians. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss the story of Song Yan, who lives with her husband and mother-in-law in a Beijing apartment. Everyone tells her she should be happy, but she exists in a fog of loneliness. The mystery of the novel begins when a package of unusual mushrooms arrives at her home. Now Song must find out who sent them—which leads to the discovery of the home of a famous musician who went missing many years ago. Chok’s performance skillfully evokes the rising gloom and desperation that Song experiences throughout the story. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bushra Rehman performs her novel of a queer Pakistani American girl coming of age and deciding what she wants to do with her life. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Kendra Winchester discuss this novel, a working class story of growing up as a girl in Queens. Razia Mirza is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, and while her parents are very traditional, Razia begins to want something different from their expectations of marriage and children. Author Rehman brings complexity to her performance, and as Razia begins rebelling in small ways, Rehman adds a layer of emotional intimacy. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed spoke with author Brad Meltzer and Golden Voice narrator Scott Brick about their longtime collaboration, and about Meltzer’s new nonfiction audiobook, THE NAZI CONSPIRACY, out today. Both truly appreciate the other’s work—listen to their conversation about their many years of working together on audiobooks, the research that goes into the writing and narration of Meltzer’s works, and the differences between narrating action-packed thrillers and history audiobooks that uncover shocking stories for listeners. Read our review of THE NAZI CONSPIRACY on our website, where you can also discover many more audiobook reviews of Brad Meltzer’s and Scott Brick’s collaborations over the years. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Howrey performs her latest novel, a captivating story set against the backdrop of 1980s and ’90s Manhattan. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Kendra Winchester discuss the intense atmosphere that Howrey creates. Carlisle grew up with her mother in the midwest, spending summers with her father, Robert, and his partner, James. As an adult, Carlisle is now estranged from her father and losing herself in her work as a choreographer. Howrey’s narration creates an emotionally intimate listening experience as Carlisle receives a call from James that her father is on his deathbed. Listeners will hang on every word, enraptured until the very last sentence.  Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Lazarre-White performs S.A. Cosby’s reissued debut novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Kendra Winchester discuss this story of Nathan Waymaker, a former law enforcement officer now working at his cousin’s funeral home. When a local pastor dies under mysterious circumstances, Waymaker is approached to look into the pastor’s death. Lazarre-White’s subtle performance is a master class in narrating an audiobook from a single viewpoint. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from Rob White's THE MAESTRO MONOLOGUE from PUNCH AUDIO, creators of first-class audiobooks for independent authors the world over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices