English-Australian narrator Rupert Degas has a grand time giving voice to Saki’s many tales of blustering, tyrannical aunts; mischievous children; and that most important of all English inventions—the twit. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the stories of Saki (Hector Hugh Munro, 1870-1916), whose work is especially fun on audio. Degas reads the stories well—few do better at satirizing the foibles and follies of the upper classes. Listen closely, and you’ll hear why everyone from P.G. Wodehouse to Mony Python owes a huge debt to this Edwardian comic genius. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Naxos AudioBooks. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Michel de Montaigne, the French philosopher who established the personal essay as a literary form, died on September 13, 1592. Montaigne's essays, as well as essays by Jonathan Swift, Thomas Carlyle, Joseph Addison, and Samuel Johnson, are featured in the Naxos AudioBooks production, Favourite Essays: An Anthology, compiled and read by Earphones Award Winner Neville Jason. AudioFile Magazine says, Neville "...knows how to present these classics so they ring true to the modern ear." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Saskia Maarleveld narrates Charlotte McConaghy’s novel, a paean to the majesty of wolves. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Saskia’s skills with enlivening the characters, Scottish and Australian both, who inhabit this emotionally heavy and intriguing tale. Head biologist Inti Flynn is an Australian scientist with touch synesthesia, a sensory disorder that causes her to feel any pain she witnesses. Maarleveld captures both her accent and the tension that lurks in her psyche. Inti is working to reintroduce 14 wolves into the wilds of Scotland to restore the remote forest environments, but the locals are not exactly pleased, and there is a suspicious death in the woods. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. A classic work of military strategy, On War sets forth the theories and tactics of Carl von Clausewitz, a distinguished Prussian general who was notable for his roles in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. The book covers a broad range of topics, including weapons, terrain, troops, and leadership, as well as the importance of defense over offence, the balance of power, and the subordination of war to politics. Praised for its timeless insights, Clausewitz’s treatise is often compared to the work of Machiavelli and Sun Tzu, and remains relevant to military leaders today. Narrated by: David Timson. Find it at naxosaudiobooks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim Hooper’s ripped-from-the-headlines novel is brought to life by a stellar team of narrators. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this surprisingly hopeful audiobook that deals with the repercussions of a mass shooting in a Boise, Idaho, bar. Hillary Huber portrays a wide range of emotions as a mother whose son has committed a horrific violent act, and who searches for ways to deal with her grief, suffers blame from the community, and works to support her son’s victims. The cast gives all of the characters powerful voices that make them all feel real. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Dreamscape. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Wolfram von Eschenbach’s Parzival, read by Leighton Pugh. The narrative describes the quest of the Arthurian knight, Parzival, for the Holy Grail. His journey is filled with incident, from tournaments and sieges to chivalrous deeds and displays of true love. The poem influenced several later works, most notably Richard Wagner’s opera of the same name and Umberto Eco’s Baudolino. The text used in this recording is Cyril Edwards’s modern prose translation. Find it at naxosaudiobooks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Jeff Zentner’s story of two teens making their way in the world. Michael Crouch’s Southern accent depicts the East Tennessee origins of Crash Pruitt and stresses the gentleness and sensitivity at the core of his character. He also portrays the headstrong certainty of his brilliant friend Delaney Doyle, whom Cash met in a support group for children whose parents struggle with drug addiction. Crouch shows his gift for adding richness to spot-on, emotion-filled dialogue, powerful shared moments, and Cash’s lyrical view of the world. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Listening Library. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Rupert Degas, Earphones Award Winner, reads Saki, The Complete Stories. Satirical, sly, and sophisticated--listen closely, and you'll hear why everyone from P.G. Wodehouse to Monty Python owes a huge debt of gratitude to this Edwardian comic genius. Find out more at naxosaudiobooks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Steven Weber keeps the tension high in this debut thriller written by T.J. Newman, a former flight attendant. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the twists and turns of this high-tension listen that may appeal to those looking for an entertaining thriller--perhaps even frequent fliers. A plane has been hijacked and the pilot is faced with a horrifying choice--crash the plane, or his family will be murdered. Weber fully delivers the chills in this audiobook. 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 Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Which king liked to bathe while the band played Rule Britannia? Which queen was so fat she needed a hoist to get on the throne? Which prince shut his wife out of Westminster Abbey to prevent her from being crowned? Who was the blood-thirstiest monarch of them all? Kings and Queens of England is a no-holds-barred account of the British monarchy with the gossip and gore left in, and nothing left out! It leaves no stone unturned in its mission to portray kings and queens as they really were, warts and all. Check it out at naxosaudiobooks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen King built a career on horror, but his latest is a crime drama--and it’s scary good. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss BILLY SUMMERS. The titular character is a hit man with a conscience--he only goes after “bad men,” though he also has no compunction about being paid to kill. Narrator Paul Sparks’s performance will draw listeners into the twisted story about Billy’s one last job where everything goes wrong. 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 Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Recent releases from Naxos AudioBooks have included Nicholas Boulton’s splendid performance of Lawrence Durrell’s The Alexandria Quartet. The four books were commercially and critically celebrated on their release and collectively remain the author’s most well-known work: Justine, Balthazar, Mountolive, and Clea. Find out more at naxosaudiobooks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With her easy to listen to voice, and her subtly changing accents and rhythm for the Indian and British characters, Mathan performs the third in the Perveen Mistry series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this series that evokes the feel of the heat of Bombay. Mistry, the only female lawyer in India, seeks justice for a female Parsi student found dead on the day of Prince Edward VIII’s arrival in Bombay, November 1921. Massey paints detailed pictures of a city divided by religions and dominated by British rule. Listeners will find themselves engaged with the well-written and well-performed invitation into Mistry’s complex world. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Read by Nicholas Boulton, MY CHILDHOOD is the first in an autobiographical trilogy by the Russian writer and five-time Nobel Prize-nominee Maxim Gorky. Gorky’s depiction of 19th-century Russia through the eyes of his younger self is remarkable. As he recalls memories of his youth, contrasting themes and emotions are revealed, from barbaric joy to dark gloom, genuine cruelty and saint-like forbearance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a joy to spend time with famed English horticulturalist Monty Don as he watches wildlife, tends to his garden, and generally appreciates the natural world. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss Monty’s smooth narration of his year in the garden, giving listeners chronological observations of his time outdoors in Wales. Don, who received an O.B.E. for service to Great Britain, is the lead presenter of the BBC series “Gardeners’ World” and fans of that show will find much to love in the audiobook. Consisting of observations and short essays on everything from moles to primroses to wrens, this audiobook is one to cherish and gift. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Two Roads Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. The Great Fire of London began in a bakery in Pudding Lane on September 2nd. After viewing the fire from the Tower of London, Samuel Pepys recorded in his diary "It made me weep to see it." THE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS 1-3 is a Naxos AudioBooks world-premiere recording of the diary in its entirety. From the discovery of a new public toilet to the restoration of King Charles II, the terrible Plague of 1665 and followed by the Great Fire of London, Pepys wrote down what he saw. Narrator Leighton Pugh "keeps it all lively. David Timson ably reads the historical introductions to each year." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A short but powerful audiobook collects the wisdom of the late Civil Rights activist and Congressman John Lewis. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss this collection that touches on empathy, friendship, courage, and of course, voting. Don Cheadle narrates with a warm, approachable voice and delivers Lewis’s observations with smooth, clear emphasis. Each chapter begins with a brief piece of instrumental music, reinforcing the idea that this is an audio that can be enjoyed slowly, chapter by chapter, or from beginning to end. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for Behind the Mic comes from Naxos AudioBooks. Naxos AudioBooks wants to remind you that September is Library Card Sign-up Month; signing up for a library card provides access to technology, multimedia content (audiobooks), and educational programming that transforms lives and strengthens communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Périgord region of France, Bruno, chief of police, uses his investigative skills to solve a murder that took place 30 years earlier during the Cold War era. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how narrator Robert Ian Mackenzie does a wonderful job bringing Bruno and his friends to life. Using authentic-sounding pronunciations of French names, he is particularly strong during the descriptions of Bruno’s meal preparations. He shines at injecting warmth and humanity into his portrayal of the believable and likable Bruno. The result is an enjoyable and often mouthwatering listen. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Robert Bathurst returns listeners to the fictional Canadian village of Three Pines in the 17th title in Louise Penny’s Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss the return to the compelling narrator-author duo, and all the favorite characters Bathurst voices so well. Gamache’s Christmas holiday is interrupted by the appearance of a visiting statistics professor whose thesis promotes eugenics and threatens Gamache’s sense of justice and his family. A timely and provocative exploration of the thin line between kindness and cruelty. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Rosalyn Landor beautifully portrays Katharine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss Alison Weir’s historical fiction audiobook that Sandi calls superb listening. Katharine plans to marry Tom Seymour, but after Henry beheads his most recent wife for adultery and treason, Henry fancies Katharine. What choice does she have? She becomes queen in a kingdom plagued by religious turmoil, and court intrigue puts Katharine in danger for her reformist beliefs. Superb listening! 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Moore delivers her compelling biography of Elizabeth Packard, an advocate for the rights of women and patients unjustly committed to insane asylums. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss how Elizabeth’s vindictive husband had her forcefully committed because he feared her intelligence, opposed her defense of women’s rights, and loathed her deviation from his religious beliefs. Elizabeth encountered many other sane women committed by men who found them troublesome, and she documented the asylum’s disgusting conditions and the staff’s brutal treatment of inmates. Moore’s performance shines a light on Packard, who never stopped fighting against gender-based prejudice. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One hundred years ago, the first all-Black musical, SHUFFLE ALONG, helped change the face of Broadway. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss author and narrator Caseen Gaines’s fascinating and well-researched history of the struggles of Black actors. Noble Sissle, Eubie Blake, Flournoy Miller, and Aubrey Lyels combined their talents to write SHUFFLE ALONG, a political satire that challenged the racist norms and had Black actors portraying non-stereotypical characters. Gaines’s narration brings both the period and the people to life. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Blackstone Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and narrator Tovah Feldshuh’s memoir is a highly entertaining look back at her life as a successful stage and screen actor, and an unsentimental remembrance of the force of nature that was her mother, Lily. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Sandi Henschel discuss this audiobook that does recount some sparkling open nights and backstage love affairs, but is mostly about Feldshuh’s admiration and undying love for her mother. Feldshuh’s career and her complex relationship with Lily make this top-notch listening. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before HAMILTON, and before Lin-Manuel Miranda became a household name, there was IN THE HEIGHTS. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s new podcast contributor Sandi Henschel discuss the audiobook that recounts how the team of multicultural newcomers struggled to get their first Latino hip-hop project to Broadway and then, 10 years later, made into a Hollywood film. Here Miranda and HAMILTON co-author Jeremy McCarter, along with Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Quiara Alegría Hudes, explain the numerous challenges IN THE HEIGHTS faced. This is an audio treasure for theater and film buffs. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Suzie Yeung brings Graci Kim’s lively fantasy adventure to life. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the fun of this story that brings together a magical world packed with Korean mythology and contemporary life in California. Twelve-year-old Riley was adopted into a clan of gifted Korean witches, but as a “saram”--one without magic--she is constantly aware of being an outsider. When her sister’s plan to share her magic backfires, Riley is launched on a quest to save her family, and to find her own sense of belonging. Listeners will find themselves fully immersed and invested in the story’s magical realm--and longing for the sequel! Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Disney Hyperion Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and editor Kwame Mbalia brings an outstanding ensemble of Black male and non-binary writiters together in a captivating audio anthology. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the fun of listening to narrators Amir Abdullah and Taj Leahy bringing these stories to life. Every author’s contribution--whether funny, sad, scary, or hopeful--confirms that “joy is at the center of everything.” There are stories of choosing the perfect first day of school outfit, perfecting dance moves, first crushes, loving families--and more than one jet-pack-fueled adventure. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nancy Wu narrates with a quiet intensity that suits this climate disaster novel centered around two teen sisters who are desperate to be reunited. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Joan He’s YA novel that examines both the perils of our future and the depths of connections between sisters. Kasey is a science prodigy living in an eco-city in the sky, worried about her sister, who went missing at sea. Cee has survived for three years on an isolated island, with few memories of her past, but listeners hear her desperation to find her sister out across the sea. Listeners will be slowly drawn into their devastating story full of perfectly executed twists. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Tantor Media. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Billie Fulford-Brown enlivens Lucy Parker’s start to her new contemporary romance series featuring those who are “Palace Insiders.” Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the hilarious, sweet, and moving audiobook about rival bakers-turned-lovers. Four years earlier, Sylvie Fairchild was a contestant on Operation Cake and lost after a disastrous unicorn cake explosion glitter-bombed one of the judges, the stern Dominic De Vere. Fortunately, she was able to launch a successful baking business--one that just so happens to be across the street from Dominic’s. The two are contenders for a royal bid, and they slowly discover there is more to the other than meets the eye. Fulford-Brown captures Sylvie’s sparkly spirit and Dominic’s icy demeanor, making for a delightful listen. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Mela Lee’s extraordinary range and dramatic style allow listeners to experience every dark, humorous, and heartbreaking moment of this fraught second-chance romance. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss Tia Williams’s contemporary romance that follows two writers from their intense time together as teenagers to the present day, when sparks are still flying. Eva Mercy and Shane Hall shared seven life-changing days together that inspired their successful writing careers, but they haven’t seen each other since. There’s an intensity to the story that Mela Lee perfectly captures on audio. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listening to this posthumous collection of commentary by chef Anthony Bourdain on his favorite places is like joining him for one final adventure. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the many voices that bring the collection to life, including Laure Woolever, Bourdain’s assistant who worked with him on this project and supplied context for the many stories. Shep Gordon’s narration captures Bourdain’s tone as he describes the people and food he encounters in his travels. This is a listen that makes it easy to imagine traveling the world with Bourdain, and the essays interspersed throughout highlight the affection felt for the late travel show host and writer. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Feodor Chin beautifully performs Tom Lin’s revenge story, set in the post-Civil War American West. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Chin’s masterful narration of this violent and vivid tale, capturing the lyrical flow of the text, and voicing authentic-sounding accents, while also building the mystery and tension. Ming Tsu was forcibly recruited by the Union Pacific Railroad as a manual worker, and after he escapes, he’s determined to track down every man who tore him away from his wife. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Essie Davis delivers a powerhouse performance of Richard Flanagan’s climate change novel. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the Man Booker Prize-winner’s self-described “rising scream” of a novel about human-wrought ecological havoc. The story chronicles the struggle of three adult siblings facing their mother’s mortality while the countryside burns and the oceans heat around them. Davis grabs hold of the listener, commanding attention with a rich, beautifully modulated voice and a ferocious delivery. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there ever was a piece of fiction suited to becoming an audiobook, this is it. AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff tells host Jo Reed of these two distinct yet interlocking stories of what it is to be Black in America. Narrator JD Jackson’s inspired portrayal of an unnamed author on a boozy book tour has the sandy sadness of a man coming to terms with fame, race, and death. Ronald Peet, whose voice has a fine and magisterial sound, delivers the parallel story of “Soot,” a 10-year-old Black boy. This bittersweet audiobook is moving and memorable. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madeleine Maby narrates Christina McDowell’s layered satirical novel with a strong sense of story and a fine ability to get inside her characters’ psyches. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the fast-paced story of Washington, DC’s, powerful and power hungry residents that launches with the drama of a horrific crime. The “cave dwellers,” or those with old money and old mansions, live uptown existences that are upended by murder and corruption at the highest levels. Maby’s narrations are nuanced, and her performance reveals the vapid sounds of the social climber and the angst of the teenager. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Simon & Schuster. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skillfully constructed, this audiobook gives Seth Rogen an opportunity to display his acting chops, and he sounds like he has fun reading his own words. AudioFile’s Michele Cobb tells host Jo Reed that this is definitely one to listen to rather than read with your eyes, as Rogen’s performance is key to the enjoyment. Rogen began his comedy career when he was a teenager, and he includes hilarious stories of his early appearances, along with memories of his upbringing and close connection with his family. He also delves into stories of Hollywood, and a chorus of voices adds to the fun. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The refrain throughout Lawrence Wright’s evaluation of the first year the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic? Completely predictable. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this well-written title, narrated with a clear and documentarian approach by Eric Jason Martin. Wright frames the pandemic in historic terms while also exploring the challenges that made navigating the pandemic uniquely difficult in 2020. He doesn’t shy away from the numerous bad decisions made and inequities in impact, and Martin is unwaveringly direct and clear in his excellent performance. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Natalie Naudus unites a disparate community connected by small–town secrets, fading dreams, and racial divides in this mystery by Fabian Nicieza, co-creator of DEADPOOL. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about Naudus’s wry performance—she clearly gets the subtle humor needed to keep the audiobook amusing even in the darker moments. The story centers on a murder at a gas station in a New Jersey suburb, and former criminal profiler and local mother Andie Stern and journalist Kenny Lee, who combine resources to investigate. They incite the ire of local law enforcement, particular the sheriff. Naudus’s vocal versatility and ear for dialogue are well matched to Nicieza’s blend of snarky humor, suburban drama, and issues-oriented storytelling. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Green’s audiobook offers a complex and insightful look at the various human experiences that shape us. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss the essays that rate everything from diet Dr. Pepper to the Internet on a 5-star scale, while also providing internal exploration into his own psyche. He gives a beautiful and poignant performance, guiding listeners through gentle moments full of heartache that shift seamlessly to whimsical delight during upbeat sections. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julia Whelan passionately narrates this family drama focused on a model and surfer named Nina, and her estranged rock legend father. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about how, as with any good family story, there are secrets to hide and reveal in this audiobook. The story alternates between the events of a day in August 1983 that lead up to a party, and flashbacks that recount how Nina and her siblings became so emotionally dependent on one another. Whelan’s distinct voice for each briefly glimpsed character enhances the rich details of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s story. 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 PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jump back into Laurie R. King’s quirky mystery series brought to life by narrator Jenny Sterlin. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about how well Sterlin knows the characters after many years of narrating the series, and the fun of the lively plot. Queen Marie of Roumania summons Sherlock Holmes and his wife, Mary Russell, to her country, which borders Transylvania, to find out who is threatening the Princess’s life. Sterling escorts the duo of sleuths on a mysterious and frightening journey to Castle Bran. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind. Try a radically different audiobook! Dramatized adaptations produced with a full cast, cinematic music and sound effects. Action-adventure genres like Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Comics, Horror, Westerns and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how Cynthia Saltzman’s fascinating audiobook is a fusion of exceptional writing and an outstanding narration by Suzanne Toren. Saltzman presents a sweeping account of Napoleon’s conquest of Europe, including the looting of its finest antiquities and Renaissance masterpieces and the creation of the Musée du Louvre. Caught between the colliding worlds of art and politics is the history of Paolo Veronese’s painting THE WEDDING FEAST AT CANA. The level of detail and visual imagery in the audiobook is stunning, and Toren delivers the entirety with a bravura that is uniquely her own. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Tantor Media. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator David Rintoul takes on the complex investigations of odd, unusual, and often inconsequential crimes that populate Alexander McCall Smith’s latest parody of a Scandi police procedural. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten discuss how Rintoul’s innate seriousness contrasts perfectly with the spate of philosophical dialogue and unending stream of comments and asides. Detective Ulf Varg, who takes himself very seriously, bandies about crimes and motives with his sidekick Blomquist and coworker Anna in the Department of Sensitive Crimes. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels by Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Brent Weeks, Elizabeth Moon, C.J. Cherryh, Simon R. Green and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Simon Jones takes on a riot of madcap characters in this early Agatha Christie mystery. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about the fun of listening to a classic mystery narrated by the masterful Simon Jones, especially when it’s packed with hilarious and delightful characters. Anthony Cade agrees to help a friend by delivering the manuscript of a dead nobleman to an English publisher. Naturally, he’s then dragged into international intrigue, upper-crust scandals, jewel thieves, and a murder at an English country estate. The production has the atmosphere of a classic full-cast radio play. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Audible, Inc. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind. Try a radically different audiobook! Dramatized adaptations produced with a full cast, cinematic music and sound effects. Action-adventure genres like Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Comics, Horror, Westerns and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini steps into big shoes to narrate Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Robin Whitten talk about Ballerini’s takeover from the previous series narrator, George Guidall, and how Ballerini has found his own voices for the many characters. In the midst of the pandemic, Allon takes on the evil Russian empire, which is undermining democracy while blatantly robbing its own people. It’s a compelling spy story performed by a talented narrator, making for a totally engaging listening experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Ali Ahn brings plenty of personality and heart to Emiko Jean’s young adult rom-com about a high school senior who has discovered an incredible secret —her father is royalty. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this fun and sweet story in the spirit of THE PRINCESS DIARIES. Raised in California by her mother, Izumi Tanaka doesn’t know her father’s name until she discovers it accidentally, and she is shocked to learn he is the Crown Prince of Japan. When Izzy is invited to travel to Japan to meet her family, Ahn’s delivery reflects her conflicted reactions to the many unfamiliar customs and expectations—and her handsome bodyguard. Strong-willed Izzy worries she’ll never truly be accepted by her father’s traditional family. A delightful start to a new series. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels by Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Brent Weeks, Elizabeth Moon, C.J. Cherryh, Simon R. Green and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re looking for an excellent audiobook to listen to with your family this summer, this is it! Narrator Katie Anvil Rich brings vibrant characters to life in Cynthia Leitich Smith’s reimagining of PETER PAN. AudioFile’s Emily Connelly tells host Jo Reed all the many reasons she enjoyed listening with her family. In this story, Lily is Muscogee Creek; her stepsister, Wendy, is English; and their younger brother Michael, is both. As the siblings get swept off to Neverland, their stubbornness, creativity, and love for each other prove to be sizable challenges to the mores of Pan’s volatile realm. Rich’s inventive delivery is beautifully matched to the world-building and characters, and she brings out the heart and intensity in this stunning adventure. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by HarperAudio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Dabiri narrates her work with the same clarity, thoughtfulness, and directness with which she wrote her guide to go beyond beyond the nebulousness of “allyship” to the action of building coalitions for change. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this short but powerful work by the Irish Nigerian author, which delves into the history of racial formation and the corresponding power and legal structures, and advocates for the need to do away with these structures to build new futures. Dabiri’s compelling writing, her warm and accented voice, and her smooth and well-paced narration combine to capture your attention, making for an audiobook you’ll want to return to, and share. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by HarperAudio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels by Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Brent Weeks, Elizabeth Moon, C.J. Cherryh, Simon R. Green and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ashley C. Ford brings listeners into her life in this outstanding coming-of-age story. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the power of hearing Ford narrate her own story, starting off with an emotional letter from her father, who was incarcerated when she was a toddler. The letter tells of his pending release from prison, decades later. Ford has a beautiful way with words, and she describes her childhood and adolescence with such detail, highlighting both her pain and anxieties and the times that were full of joy, especially with her grandmother. It’s an emotional listen, made all the more powerful by hearing it told in her own words. The audiobook concludes with an excellent discussion between Ford and author Clint Smith, giving listeners added insights into the writing process and the emotional impact of recording her audiobook. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind. Try a radically different audiobook! Dramatized adaptations produced with a full cast, cinematic music and sound effects. Action-adventure genres like Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Comics, Horror, Westerns and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An all-star cast of narrators and bestselling YA authors come together for the perfect summery treat. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss the fun and joy of these interlocking short stories of Black teens in love, all set during a memorable New York City blackout. Hear a clip with Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s compelling narration of Tiffany D. Jackson’s story “The Long Walk,” with two exes reconnecting on the long walk down Manhattan to a Brooklyn block party. Their story is told in five parts over the course of the night, interwoven between tales of love at first sight, the confusion of love triangles, and heartfelt confessions of long-held crushes. Each story sparkles with the excitement and joy of falling in love. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by HarperAudio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Fass narrates Alexander Lobrano’s satisfying audiobook with flair. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Fass’s ability to capture the longing and introspective qualities in Lobrano’s coming-of-age memoir. It’s a work packed with stories and insights into Lobrano’s life as an American food critic in Paris, starting with his discovery of his passion for food. His idiosyncratic guide on current places to dine in Paris is inspired and fun. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels by Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Brent Weeks, Elizabeth Moon, C.J. Cherryh, Simon R. Green and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator David Colacci approaches Louis Menand’s opinionated, engrossing audiobook with a practiced voice that lets its numerous stories tell themselves without fanfare. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this broad-brush look at the cultural history of the Cold War. The narration moves the intertwining topics forward, not an easy task in a kaleidoscopic work that ranges from the Beat poets to CIA shenanigans and analyses of art and philosophy, music, and the media. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tristan Morris inhabits the youthful protagonist of Francine Prose’s fine audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss this understated performance that shows Morris inhabiting the psyche of the youthful protagonist, set in the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s. The deliberate cadence and earnest style add to the revelation of the mystery at the center of this complex, textured, and richly detailed novel. It adds up to a grand listening experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind. Try a radically different audiobook! Dramatized adaptations produced with a full cast, cinematic music and sound effects. Action-adventure genres like Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Comics, Horror, Westerns and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many pleasures to discover in this fine anthology of the past 50 years, performed by some of the most gifted narrators working today. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss the diversity and power of the collection, which includes works by Raymond Carver, Stephen King, Grace Paley, Karen Russell, Lauren Groff, and Edwidge Danticat. Some of the finest narrators working today read the stories, including Cassandra Campbell narrating Susan Sontag’s powerful “The Way We Live Now,” which you can hear on the episode. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Penguin Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels by Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Brent Weeks, Elizabeth Moon, C.J. Cherryh, Simon R. Green and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joniece Abbott-Pratt’s performance captures the fear and exhilaration of 15-year-old Miriam Horton as she travels the revival circuit with her family. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Alan Minskoff discuss Abbott-Pratt’s skill at narrating debut novelist Monica West’s scenes of terror and wonder, using a fast-paced style that suits the high emotions of the revival meetings at the center of the plot. She expertly emulates Miriam’s troubled voice when things go wrong. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Ben Sullivan’s strong, clear voice and intentional pacing complement these tales of scientific misdeeds. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Sam Kean’s examination of scientists who disregarded ethics to achieve scientific glory--though hindsight shows that unethical means almost always result in faulty methodology. Listeners will be aghast at the actions of these scientists, who sound more like characters from pulp science fiction. These chronicles are important because of their impact on the present day. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels by Brandon Sanderson, Peter V. Brett, Brent Weeks, Elizabeth Moon, C.J. Cherryh, Simon R. Green and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator William DeMeritt is the perfect match for Ben H. Winters’s compelling audiobook--a mix of legal thriller and family drama with a touch of sci-fi. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb talk about this story of a surgery gone wrong, and the ensuing courtroom drama from two trials told over alternating timelines. One details the family’s attempts to sue the hospital over the failed surgery—the other has the father on trial for possibly murdering a key witness. DeMeritt has a compelling voice that draws listeners into the story, and he expertly captures the cast of characters and all their traits: quirky, dark, passionate, and desperate. Listeners will think about this fast-paced and twisted story long after finishing it. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile’s website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Today’s episode is sponsored by Graphic Audio, A Movie in Your Mind featuring dramatized adaptations of Comics like ARCHIE, DARK HORSE, VAULT, DYNAMITE and more. Save 55% Off your first order with coupon 55LISTEN only at GraphicAudio.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices