GREAT AUDIOBOOKS FOR KIDS & TEENS

April/May 2019 • VOL. 27, NO. 6

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April/May 2019
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 BLOCKBUSTER AUDIOBOOKS
READ BY GEORGE NEWBERN
“What a treat. Glamorous and
nostalgic and very sexy.”
—Paula Hawkins, #1 New York Times
bestselling author of The Girl on the Train

READ BY GEORGE NEWBERN

From Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Atkinson,
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READ BY
MARY STUART READ BY STEPHANIE RACINE
MASTERSON “The creepy feeling at the back of
your neck is 100 percent real.”
A riveting new thriller
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full of secrets and lies
from critically acclaimed “Sarah Blake...can make any world shimmer.”
suspense novelist D.J. Palmer —Paula McLain, New York Times bestselling author

AV A I L A B L E F R O M MACMILLAN AUDIO

Audiobook Releases
April 2, 2019!
When Violet Saunders accidentally
releases a monster from the Gray, she
finds herself having to unearth the dark
truths about her family and her abilities.
Available Today!
Library digital
available on

April/May 2019 n 1
 Discover the World of Audiobooks

Robin F. Whitten Editor/Founder

Michele L. Cobb Publisher
Jennifer M. Dowell Managing Editor
Elizabeth K. Dodge Review Editor
Jennifer Steele Production Manager
Emily Connelly Assistant Editor
Joanne Simoneau Editorial Assistant
Alisha Langerman Editorial Assistant
Jessica Lockhart Podcast Producer

Vol. 27, No. 6

Contributing Editors: Caitlin Augusta,
Francisca Goldsmith, Sharon Grover,
S.J. Henschel, Candace Levy, Josephine Reed,
Aurelia C. Scott, Thomas Walken

Contributors: Sonja Cole, Rachel Naomi,

Randy O’Brien, Susie Wilde

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following criteria:
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2 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Contents April/May 2019 Vol. 27, No. 6

Audiobooks for Kids & Teens

19  Listen-Alikes for Ages 8-12+
24 Children & Family Listening
Spotlight: Narrator Amanda Leigh Cobb
19 26 In the Studio Illegal

AUDIOBOOKS 30 5 Questions with Cherise Boothe

Young Adult
32 

FOR KIDS & TEENS Spotlight: Author Bill Konigsberg

Listen-Alikes for Ages 8-12+

Reviews & Features
38  Fiction
44  Mystery & Suspense
Spotlight: Author James Lee Burke
48  Biography & Memoir
Spotlight: Actor Gary Sinise
52  History & Biography
Spotlight: Narrator David Shih
54  Contemporary Culture

56
56  In Our Time On Words and Writing
59  Learning By Ear Surviving Parenthood
60  Personal Growth
16 62  Tease: Romance
65  Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

SY
Departments
NC 5  Editor’s Notes
30 6  Contributors & Reviewers
8  Editors’ Picks The Most Intriguing Upcoming Audiobook
36 Titles in April & May 2019
16  On the Web SYNC: Audiobooks for Teens
On the cover: artwork @2019 by Patrick Leger; this page: Bill Konigsberg photo by Krystina Moran

68  Audiobooks and Literacy 6 Tips for Listening to

Audioboks with Kids
72  Listening With . . . Jackson Leroi Widoff-Woodson, Age 11

Resources
2 Mission
66 Index of Print Reviews
70 Advertiser Directory
70 Sources Who, What, When, Where . . . and How to Find It

[Link]
Visit our Web site for more reviews, sound clips,
and a complete list of all audiobook new releases.

April/May 2019 n 3
 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE

Support Your Local Independent Bookstore

with Audiobooks from [Link]

With a [Link] account and the [Link] app,

you can support your local indie bookstore
with every audiobook you purchase. Learn more
about getting started at [Link]/howitworks

[Link] Bestsellers
Fiction

Nonfiction

Find YOUR local bookstore: [Link]/indies

4 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Editor’s Notes

Children’s Literature Heroes

At the Audie Awards Gala in March, I had the great pleasure of
meeting two of my personal heroes of children’s literacy and
literature: actor LeVar Burton and author and narrator Elizabeth Acevedo.
The PBS program “Reading Rainbow,” hosted by Burton, debuted in
June 1983, when I was eight years old and my little sister was almost
three. The show, which depicted the endless wonder and adventures
to be found in reading, was formative, and I can still remember every
word of the theme song. Earlier this year I listened to Acevedo’s YA
novel The Poet X, which won the 2018 National Book Award and was
an Audies finalist. Acevedo gives an astonishing, authentic performance
of her audiobook, and I’m eagerly awaiting her next title, which is due
out in May and is highlighted in our Editors’ Picks. (See pages 8-9.)
Because of Burton and Acevedo, I know that generations of young
people have found and will continue to find their way to reading and
listening—and to find themselves in the books along the way.
In this issue, we celebrate and highlight audiobooks for kids and
teens, starting with our listen-alikes. (See pages 19-23.) Thanks to
literacy consultant Sharon Grover for selecting so many wonderful
audiobooks that are diverse and inclusive in both subject matter and
style. There’s definitely something for every young listener here.
Author Bill Konigsberg is another children’s literature hero—this
year, the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council
of Teachers of English (ALAN) established a new award in his name:
the Bill Konigsberg Award for Acts and Activism for Equity and
Inclusion through Young Adult Literature. Read our interview with
Konigsberg to learn why. (See page 36.)
Our tenth year of the SYNC Audiobooks for Teens program Inside Track
begins on April 25. (See page 16.) Encourage your teenagers to visit
Audiobooks for Kids & Teens
[Link] to sign up for alerts—they won’t want to miss a
Updated 2019 Edition
single FREE audiobook download this summer. [Link]/kids-teens
Finally, if you’re new to audiobooks or are looking for ways to start SYNC Audiobooks for Teens
listening with the young people in your life, check out “6 Tips for [Link]

Listening to Audiobooks with Kids” on pages 68-69 for some helpful

hints. You might just end up being a children’s literature hero yourself.
Illustration by Marty Braun

Jennifer Dowell
Managing Editor
Editor’s Note: Managing Editor Jenn Dowell has such a great affection and affinity for teen & family audiobooks, Elizabeth Acevedo and LeVar Burton
she gets the floor here. Next issue, I’ll return to this page. Also, a special thank you to illustrator Marty Braun for
“iconizing” Jenn above.—Robin Whitten

April/May 2019 n 5
 Contributors

Susie Wilde Rachel Naomi

S.J. Henschel

Sharon Grover Randy O’Brien

Sharon Grover Rachel Naomi

Sharon Grover (Audiobooks for Kids & Teens, page 19) is a Rachel Naomi (“Listening With,” page 72) is a photographer
Youth Services and Audiobook Literacy Consultant based in and artist based in New York City. Although most of her
Janesville, Wisconsin. Sharon has collaborated on AudioFile’s photography work revolves around music, she enjoys cap-
Audiobooks for Kids & Teens since its inception. She is a turing all different aspects of art and life. She is an animal
longtime audiobook listener and a member of the Audio rights activist and a collector of records and vintage clothes.
Publishers Association’s Sound Learning creative team Find her work at [Link]
([Link]). She has chaired the Printz (2013)
and Odyssey Award (2010) Committees. Sharon’s book, Randy O’Brien
Listening to Learn: Audiobooks Supporting Literacy, co-written Randy O’Brien (Gary Sinise profile, page 48) has been a
with her colleague Lizette Hannegan, was published in 2011. reviewer for AudioFile since 2003. He is a veteran journalist
and anchor for WLAC-AM and Rock 105.9 in Nashville,
S.J. Henschel Tennessee. He’s working on a new novel that he is hoping
Contributing Editor S.J. (Sandi) Henschel (David Shih profile, to self-publish in the near future.
page 52) has made the Rochester, NY, area her home since
S.J. Henschel photo by Annette Dragon

1972, and has performed with or directed for most of Susie Wilde
Rochester’s leading theater companies. Sandi is the co-author Susie Wilde (Bill Konigsberg profile, page 36) has reviewed
of the children’s musical, GOTTA DANCE! and she was a children’s books for magazines and newspapers across
co-founder and the artistic director for the Hourglass Play the country for 30 years. She finds print-relief through joy-
Reading Series. Sandi also reads selections from AudioFile ful listening.
Magazine on Reachout Radio, a service for the blind and visu-
ally impaired, airing three times a week on PBS affiliate WXXI.
6 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
Reviewers Reviewer Spotlight

A.D.M. A.L.C. A.R. A.T.N. C.A. C.B.L.

A.B. Anna Broome, E.E.C. Emily E. Connelly,

Audiophile, ME AudioFile, ME
A.C. Arvyn Cerézo, Editor, E.J.F. Elizabeth Fraser, Brian Price (B.P.)
Philippines Calgary Public Library, Canada I recently went over the 400 reviews
mark for AudioFile. I love listening to
A.C.S. Aurelia C. Scott, Writer, ME E.Q. Ellen Quint, Writer, NY all of the different styles of production,
A.D.M. Alan Minskoff, Educator, ID G.M. Gina Monti, Librarian, CT performance, and content. I’m an
independent producer and editor of
A.L.C. Amanda Costello, Writer, NE G.S. Gretchen Schuldt, Writer, WI
audiobooks by trade, but my emphasis
A.L.S.M. Amanda Murphy, H.C. Harper Chance, has always been on writing and direct-
Librarian, OH Librarian, ME ing multi-cast theatrical productions.
Most recently I had a wonderful time
A.M.G. Arlene Griffin, Librarian, TN J.A.S. James A. Stewart, Writer, PA working on Marjorie Van Halteren’s
A.R. Ann Ritchie, Educator, MA J.E.C. J essica Coates, That Tuesday podcast (thattuesday.
[Link]/brian-price-silence-is-com-
A.T.N. Andy Northrup, Librarian, CA Book Blogger, VA ing). In the last few years, my Great
B.P. Brian Price, Producer, IN J.E.S. Joanne Simoneau, Northern Audio Theatre partner Jerry
Stearns and I have received the NATF/
C.A. Caitlin Augusta, Librarian, CT AudioFile, ME
Corwin Award for Excellence in Audio
Theatre, won an Audie in 2017, and
were nominated for another Audie
this year for The Old Cart Wrangler’s
Saga. So I guess all that good listening
over the years must have soaked in.

D.A.W. D.L.G. D.M.H. G.M. J.M.D. K.S.B.

C.B.L. Candace B. Levy, Editor, PA J.M.D. Jennifer M. Dowell,

D.A.W. David A. Walton, Writer, PA AudioFile, ME
D.G.P. Diane Gardner Premo, J.M.M. John M. Murray,
Librarian, NY Audiophile, CA
D.J.S. Daniel J. Siegel, Audiophile, PA J.P.S. Jonathan Smith,
D.L.G. Diana Granger, Librarian, WI Radio Producer, ME
D.M.H. David M. Harris, Writer, TN K.J.P. Kate Pullen, Writer, Spain
E.A.N. Lizzie Nolan, K.M.P. Katie Polley, Librarian, MN
Rebecca Honeycutt (R.A.H.)
San José Public Library, CA K.S.B. Kate Budries, Librarian, NC
Driving, grocery shopping, walking
E.C. Emily Calkins, Librarian, WA K.W. Kathryn Weiss, Audiophile, MN the dog . . . if I can listen to an
E.E. Elizabeth Ellis, Editor, L.E. Lance Eaton, Writer, MA audiobook during an activity, I will.
(The other dog-walkers in my neigh-
Hong Kong Continued on page 71 borhood have learned to shout if they
want to say hello.) As a librarian at
Want to be part of AudioFile’s review team? NoveList in Durham, NC, I never
lack for audiobook recommendations,
While we work with more than 100 reviewers, we are always interested in new reviewers. and while I tend to focus my listen-
We value fresh opinions across all genres. If you are a very active listener, have writing ing on kidlit and YA, I also enjoy
experience, and are interested in discussing the audiobook performance in 125 words or exploring speculative fiction and
less—you are welcome to apply to editor Robin Whitten, robin@[Link]. LGBTQIA-focused stories for adults.

April/May 2019 n 7
 Editors’ Picks

JOHN LEWIS ANGIE KIM

Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change Miracle Creek
and the Future of America In rural Virginia, a medical device explodes
Congressman John Lewis reflects on his with tragic consequences, and the ensuing
experiences as a leader of the Civil Rights murder trial upends lives and reveals small-
Movement and offers words of wisdom to town secrets.
future generations. Read by Jennifer Lim
Read by Keith David Macmillan Audio Unabridged
Hachette Audio Unabridged Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250319500 $57.00 (also DD)
Trade Ed.: DD 9781478991793 $22.98 Release date: April 16
Release date: April 2
DAVID BALDACCI
RUTH REICHL Redemption
Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir The tried-and-true team of Kyf Brewer and
Reichl shares the story of her time as Orlagh Cassidy returns to narrate the fifth
editor-in-chief of the iconic food magazine installment in Baldacci’s Amos Decker series.
Gourmet. Read by Kyf Brewer, Orlagh Cassidy
Read by Ruth Reichl Hachette Audio Unabridged
Random House Audio Unabridged Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781478999249 $40.00 (also DD)
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780385393492 Release date: April 16
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780385393515 $76.00 ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH
Release date: April 2
The Department of Sensitive Crimes
CHERRÍE MORAGA Meet Detective Varg. Alexander McCall
Native Country of the Heart Smith takes a break from the locales of
Botswana and Scotland for this gentle
Moraga’s memoir relates both her mother’s
parody of Scandinavian noir.
and her own experiences as part of the
Read by David Rintoul
Mexican-American diaspora. Recorded Books Unabridged
Read by Cherríe Moraga Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980031581 $72.75
Tantor Media Unabridged (also MP3, DD)
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781630154660 $34.99 (also DD) Release date: April 16
Release date: April 2

BILL MCKIBBEN
HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR.
Stony the Road: Reconstruction, Falter: Has the Human Game
White Supremacy, and the Begun to Play Itself Out?
Rise of Jim Crow Bill McKibben, founder of [Link] and
author of The End of Nature, takes his
Gates offers a new history of the Jim Crow
warnings about the perils of global warming
era and its ramifications—and lessons—
to new levels—and offers possible solutions
for today.
for the planet, and for us.
Read by Dominic Hoffman
Penguin Audio Unabridged
Read by Oliver Wyman
Macmillan Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984838957 $17.50
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250317674 $45.99 (also DD)
Books on Tape
Release date: April 16
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984838964 $66.50
Release date: April 2
MELINDA GATES
KWAME ONWUACHI, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering
JOSHUA DAVID STEIN Women Changes the World
Notes from a Young Black Chef: Gates, co-chair of the philanthropic Bill &
A Memoir Melinda Gates Foundation, advocates for
A look at the world of chefs, cooking, investing in women to help society as a
and restaurant kitchens from an African- whole.
American perspective. Read by Melinda Gates
Read by Kwame Onwuachi Macmillan Audio Unabridged
Random House Audio Unabridged Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250317056 $29.99 (also DD)
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984839893 $20.00 Release date: April 23
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984839909 $85.50
Release date: April 9

New Releases Online! Hundreds of upcoming titles at [Link]/newreleases

8 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 The Most Intriguing Upcoming Releases in April & May 2019

DUSTIN LANCE BLACK CASEY CEP

Mama’s Boy: A Story from Our Americas Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud,
The LGBTQ activist and Oscar-winning writer and the Last Trial of Harper Lee
of Milk reads his own memoir. This account of a true-crime story that Harper
Read by Dustin Lance Black Lee researched but never wrote should be
Random House Audio Unabridged fascinating listening.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984839978 $22.50 Read by Hillary Huber
Books on Tape Random House Audio Unabridged
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984839985 $95.00 Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9780735208469 $40.00 (also DD)
Release date: April 30 Books on Tape
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9780735208483 $40.00
TAN FRANCE (also DD)
Naturally Tan David McCullough Release date: May 7
Queer Eye’s fashion expert tells his story
of growing up in a Muslim family in South CASEY MCQUISTON
Yorkshire, England. Red, White & Royal Blue
Read by Tan France The UK’s Prince of Wales and the U.S.’s First
Macmillan Audio Unabridged Son fall for each other in this teen romance.
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250211071 $29.99 (also DD) Reader TBA
Release date: May 7 Macmillan Audio Unabridged Young Adult
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250233950 $26.99
HELEN HOANG Release date: May 14
The Bride Test
AudioFile named The Kiss Quotient one of XUAN JULIANA WANG
our Best Audiobooks of 2018. This second Home Remedies: Stories
romance from Hoang features another A highly anticipated story collection that
character on the autism spectrum. gives voice to the experiences of a new
Read by Emily Woo Zeller Chinese generation.
Dreamscape Unabridged Reader TBA
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974926664 $59.99 Random House Audio Unabridged
(also MP3) Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984884237 $20.00
Release date: May 7 Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984884244 $76.00
ELIZABETH ACEVEDO Release date: May 14
With the Fire on High
In this follow-up to Acevedo’s multi-award- TONY HORWITZ
winning The Poet X, a high school student Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across
dreams of becoming a chef. the American Divide
Read by Elizabeth Acevedo Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted
Harper Audio Unabridged Young Adult traveled the American South and wrote
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062886781 $26.99 about it for The New York Times in the years
Release date: May 7 before the Civil War. Horwitz follows his path.
Reader TBA
DAVID McCULLOUGH Penguin Audio Unabridged
The Pioneers: The Heroic Story Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984888648 $40.00 (also DD)
of the Settlers Who Brought the Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984888662 $85.50
American Ideal West Release date: May 14
A new history of the settling of the
Northwest Territory from the Pulitzer Prize- KATE MULGREW
winning author of Mornings on Horseback How to Forget: A Daughter’s Memoir
and The Path Between the Seas.
Reader TBA Actress Kate Mulgrew shares a memoir of
Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged caring for her ailing parents and discovering
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781508279082 (also DD) unexpected secrets in her Iowa hometown.
Release date: May 7 Reader TBA
David McCullough photo by William B. McCullough

Harper Audio Unabridged

Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062846853 $17.99
Release date: May 21

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletters! [Link]/email-subscribe/

April/May 2019 n 9
10 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
Spring into Audiobooks: Selections from
Independent Publishers & Authors
“It is Noah’s Ark meets Game of Thrones, unique and surprising.”
Suspense, action, romance, and a touch of the supernatural play out
against a backdrop of the Biblical account of Noah when the animals
rise up to defend the ark against an invading army.
Army of God
By Dennis Bailey, read by Tom Weitzel
Published by PUNCH AUDIO
Available Now / DD

SECOND CHANCES, CHERRY BLOSSOMS, AMERICANS ACTING

BADLY: all are explored by five lawyer sisters in this bestselling
women’s series. Sit back with a glass of wine as they discover
adventure and romance —with a soupçon of danger—in France.
“With a well-written storyline, engaging characters, and Paris…
a must-read book.”
Blame it on Paris (Bennett Sisters Mysteries)
By Lise McClendon, read by Denice Stradling
Published by THALIA PRESS
Available Now / DD
The 7th book in the series. Listen to them all on Audible and iTunes.

Forty years ago, Flight 173 crash landed in Portland, Oregon.

The pilot was blamed, stripped of his career, and flight crew training
changed dramatically. But that’s not the whole story. Award winning
journalist Julie Whipple brings us a gripping story of a misunderstood
tragedy that changed aviation safety standards forever.
Crash Course: Accident’s Don’t Just Happen
By Julie Whipple read by Heather Henderson
Published by POST HYPNOTIC PRESS INC.
Available Now / DD, MP3 CD, Reg CD

When Jocelyn Hillier is named guardian of a wealthy man’s pack of

pedigreed Labrador retrievers, her world is flipped upside down.
Having spent her life toiling in the tourism industry, she never
expected to live the pampered life. When everything goes to the dogs,
Jocelyn finds love, family and forgiveness in unexpected places.
In Dog We Trust
By Beth Kendrick, read by Amy Rubinate
Published by IDEAL AUDIOBOOKS
Available Now / DD, MP3 CD, CD (CDs distributed by Dreamscape)

April/May 2019 n 11
Spring into New Audiobooks: Selections
From a young age, Vanya Erickson became fluent in two languages.
The language of her Christian Scientist mother dripped with
honeyed versions of the truth. Her rancher father’s words stung
like the back of his hand.
“A fantastic read!”— Laura Davis, best-selling author of
The Courage to Heal
Boot Language
By Vanya Erickson read by Nicol Zanzarella
Published by SHE WRITES PRESS
Available Now / DD

The Socratic Dialogues of Plato form the bedrock of Western philosophy.

For centuries, each generation has read them, fascinated by the clarity
of the moral, human and political issues—made all the more vivid
by the personality of Socrates engaged in informal conversations with
his contemporaries. Ukemi’s innovative production presents these
dialogues as dialogues, with David Rintoul as Socrates and a full cast
of companions, interlocutors and opponents.
The Socratic Dialogues: Complete in 7 Volumes
By Plato, read by Multi-Cast: David Rintoul as Socrates and full cast
Published by UKEMI AUDIOBOOKS
Available Now / DD

Laird of Kerrera Island, Magnus MacLeish, and Lark MacDougall,

keeper of his bees, are caught up in a whirlwind of accusations
and expelled from Scotland as indentures. Yet even when all hope
seems dashed against the rocky coastline of Virginia, it may be that
in this New World they make another beginning—together.
A Bound Heart
By Laura Frantz, read by Aimee Lilly
Published by TWO WORDS PUBLISHING
Available Now / DD, Digital Library, CD, Library CD, MP3 CD

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, has distilled a quarter

century’s teaching to answer “what’s next?” for student’s embarking on
their ‘second act.’ This fun, gentle, step-by-step process will help you
explore your creative dreams, wishes, and desires...you’ll quickly find
it’s never too late to begin again.
It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and
Meaning at Midlife and Beyond (Artist’s Way)
By Julia Cameron, Emma Lively read by Heather Henderson
Published by POST HYPNOTIC PRESS INC.
Available Now / DD, MP3 CD, Reg CD

12 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
from Independent Publishers & Authors
Magnum, PI with a shifter twist! After a brutal dragon shifter attack,
Tessa flees to Maui, where sunny skies, swaying palms, and a
handsome stranger conspire to play tricks with her heart. Can she
trust Kai Llewellyn and his band of battle-hardened shapeshifters
to save her from a gruesome fate?
Lure of the Dragon
By Anna Lowe, read by Kelsey Osborne
Published by TWIN MOON PRESS / ACX
Available Now / DD

Viola is finally where she belongs—back home in Brooklyn, where

there are no khakis or sherbet-colored sweaters and people actually
think her yellow flats are cool. With two whole months of nothing
to do but hang with her two best friends, Andrew and Caitlin, this is
going to be the best break ever!
Viola in the Spotlight
By Adriana Trigiani, read by Emily Eiden
Published by IDEAL AUDIOBOOKS
Available Now / $29.99 DD, CD from Dreamscape

If you’ve been involved in a pathological relationship—or want

to avoid one in the first place—this book is for you. Identifying and
setting clear boundaries is vital for survivors and for anyone who
wants to become more confident, improve relationships, and prevent
victimization. This audiobook will help you do that.
Boundaries After a Pathological Relationship
By Adelyn Birch, read by Kitty Hendrix
Published by POST HYPNOTIC PRESS INC.
Available Now / CD, DD

George Minkoff charms with his imaginative and witty children’s audio-
book trilogy. Tickle Plenty and her friends battle evil wizards, while
encountering amazing adventures on their way to the Ice Cream
Volcano, Lollipop Garden, and Nothing Happening Festival. Created for
children aged 6-10, read by award-winning narrator, Alison Larkin.
The Tickle Plenty Series: Tickle Plenty and the Bubblegum Tree,
Tickle Plenty and the Lollipop Garden, Tickle Plenty and the Kingdom
of the Clouds
By George Robert Minkoff, read by Alison Larkin
Published by INCREDIBLE LOLLIPOP
Available Now / $10 each / DD

April/May 2019 n 13
Spring into New Audiobooks: Selections
Identifying covert emotional manipulation is tricky. You sense some-
thing is wrong, but you can’t quite put your finger on the problem.
This powerful book will reveal to you if manipulation is at play in
your relationships. It will open your eyes. Empower yourself and get
your life back!
30 Covert Emotional Manipulation Tactics: How Manipulators
Take Control in Personal Relationships
By Adelyn Birch, read by Kitty Hendrix
Published by POST HYPNOTIC PRESS INC.
Available Now / CD, DD

Witty, sweet, original, sexy, fun—Jessica James has a problematic

long-life crush, but a moment of mistaken identity is about to open
Jessica’s eyes. Complicating matters, the object of her affection
has a brood of bearded brothers who have never seen eye to eye
with her law-enforcing family. Add into the mix calculus, ironic
Halloween costumes, and wanderlust, and you have yourself one
hilarious romantic comedy with the best kind of happily ever after.
Truth or Beard
By Penny Reid, read by Joy Nash and Chris Brinkley
Published by CIPHER-NAUGHT
Available Now / DD

“In this timely collection, Richard Blanco masterfully embraces his

role as a civic poet, confronting our nation’s riddled history in the light
of conscience. At once personal and political, these lyric narratives
decry injustice and proclaim our hopes.”—Carolyn Forché, author of
The Country Between Us
How to Love a Country: Poems
By Richard Blanco, read by Richard Blanco
Published by BEACON PRESS
Available Now / DD, CD

If you got a chance to shrink, would you? How about if your

choice was shrink or die? This is the tale of a budding
juvenile delinquent who escapes a world ravaged by the
Superpox disease and becomes an insect rancher.
Surviving Minimized
By Andrea White, read by Sean Lenhart
Published by RIVER GROVE BOOKS
Available Now / DD on [Link]

14 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
from Independent Publishers & Authors
Solo Medalist Winner E-Book General Fiction of New Apple Literary
Services 5th Annual Indie Book Awards, Finalist 2018 International
Book Awards and 2018 Best Book Awards (American Book Fest)

A gangster war, three murders, a gun-toting paperboy, and the

numbers racket paint a dark mosaic that exposes the underbelly of a
decaying city that in 1945 seduces two altar boys into a corrupt world.
Father Divine’s Bikes
By Steve Bassett, read by George Kuch
Published by BOOKBABY
Available Now / DD

Recommended by Mme Lydie Gerbaud, former press secretary for

French President Jacques Chirac
Considering the suspicions, jealousies, bigotry, hatred and opportunism
inherent when one country occupies another, readers will be enthralled
by how venomous Communist propaganda and street demonstrations
never stood a chance against American handshakes and smiles.
Golden Ghetto: How the Americans and French Fell In and Out of Love
During the Cold War
By Steve Bassett, read by Bill Fike
Published by RED HEN PRESS, ZENO IMPRINT
Available Now / DD

What better way to save a patient, than by biting them? The aloof
methods of Dr. Roman Bellevue are less than conventional, but there’s
a dark secret beneath his medical miracles.
“Prescription for Romance”
“Hot, Amazing Read”
The Werewolf M.D. Series
By Taylor Haiden, read by Hugh Bradley
Published by CAVE CREEK PUBLISHING, LLC
Available Now / DD (also available in ebook and paperback)

For too long, victims of sexual assault and/or discrimination have

been told to be quiet, to be ashamed, to be blamed, and we now say,
“No more.” This original anthology created for audio is a way
to channel those experiences into something that is poignant, and
encourages others to action.
Nevertheless We Persisted: Me Too
Written and Performed by a Chorus of Voices
Published by BLUNDER WOMAN PRODUCTIONS
Available Now $13.96 / DD

April/May 2019 n 15
 On the Web
SY
NC

SYNC Audiobooks for Teens: Our Summer July 4 – July 11

Listening Program Starts on April 25 THE NAME OF THE STAR
Maureen Johnson, read by Nicola Barber
SYNC is a free audiobook program for interest titles based on weekly themes. (Brilliance Audio)
teens. For 14 weeks this summer, SYNC Sign up for email or text alerts and be THE CANTERVILLE GHOST
will give away two complete audiobook first to know when new titles are avail- Oscar Wilde, read by Rupert Degas
downloads a week—pairs of high- able to download at [Link]. (Naxos AudioBooks)

July 11 – July 18
2019 SYNC Title Lineup BECOMING KAREEM
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, read by
April 25 – May 2 May 30 – June 6 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Hachette Audio)
SWING THE FIRST TIME SHE DROWNED
VINCENT AND THEO
Kwame Alexander, with Mary Rand Hess, Kerry Kletter, read by Jorjeana Marie Deborah Heiligman, read by Philip Fox
read by Kwame Alexander (Blink) (Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)
(Dreamscape Media)
BLINK & CAUTION WILD BIRD
Tim Wynne-Jones, read by Wendelin Van Draanen, read by July 18 – July 25
MacLeod Andrews Alex McKenna (Penguin Random House THE GO-BETWEEN
(Candlewick on Brilliance Audio) Audio/Listening Library) Veronica Chambers, read by Karla Souza
(Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)
May 2 – May 9 June 6 – June 13
KIDS OF APPETITE
OTHELLO A GIRL LIKE THAT
David Arnold, read by Phoebe Strole,
William Shakespeare, read by Ewan Tanaz Bhathena, read by Firdous Bamji, Michael Crouch, Ryan Vincent Anderson
McGregor, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kelly Reilly, Neil Shah, Soneela Nankani, (Penguin Random House Audio/Listening Library)
Tom Hiddleston, and a Full Cast Lameece Issaq (Recorded Books)
(Naxos AudioBooks) AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE July 25 – August 1
YOU Henrik Ibsen, adapted by AKATA WITCH
Charles Benoit, read by David Baker Rebecca Lenkiewicz, performed by Nnedi Okorafor, read by Yetide Badaki
(Full Cast Audio) Richard Kind, Rosalind Ayres, (Tantor Audio)
Gregory Harrison, Josh Stamberg,
May 9 – May 16 ALL THE CROOKED SAINTS
and a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works)
Maggie Stiefvater, read by Thom Rivera
THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO
F.C. Yee, read by Nancy Wu June 13 – June 20 (Scholastic Audiobooks)

(Recorded Books) THE GOLDEN DAY

SHADOW OF THE FOX Ursula Dubosarsky, read by Kate Rudd
Julie Kagawa, read by Joy Osmanski, (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
Brian Nishii, Emily Woo Zeller GULP
(HarperAudio) Mary Roach, read by Emily Woo Zeller
(Tantor Audio)
May 16 – May 23
SPILL June 20 – June 27
Leigh Fondakowski, performed by ASTRAY
Elisa Bocanegra, Nicholas Hormann, Emma Donoghue, read by Khristine Hvam,
James Morrison, Darren Richardson, James Langton, Robert Petkoff,
and a Full Cast (L.A. Theatre Works) Suzanne Toren, Dion Graham
MEET THE SKY (Hachette Audio)
McCall Hoyle, read by OLIVIA TWIST
Morgan Fairbanks (Blink) Lorie Langdon, read by Pearl Hewitt
(Black Hills Audiobooks)
May 23 – May 30
A NIGHT DIVIDED June 27 – July 4
Jennifer A. Nielsen, read by Kate Simses YAQUI DELGADO WANTS TO
(Scholastic Audiobooks) KICK YOUR ASS
TEAR DOWN THIS WALL: Meg Medina, read by Roxanne Hernandez
A City, a President, and the Speech (Candlewick on Brilliance Audio)
That Ended the Cold War HERETICS ANONYMOUS
Romesh Ratnesar, read by Wes Bleed Katie Henry, read by Michael Crouch
(Oasis Audio) (HarperAudio)

16 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 JOANNE WHALLEY JARED HARRIS

THE
LITTLE
FOXES

PHOTO BY MATT PETIT

by

Lillian Hellman
Directed by ROSALIND AYRES

PLAYS. STARS. OUTSTANDING LISTENS.

ORDER TODAY AT [Link] OR AUDIOSALES@[Link]

LISTEN NOW:
George MacDonald’s [Link]/lilith

darkest and
most profound
work

When a ghost leads Mr. Vane into

another world, he meets creatures
more dangerous and beautiful than
his wildest imagination . . .

April/May 2019 n 17
 Meet Libby.
The one-tap reading app
from your library

TK

Listen to thousands of audiobooks anytime, anywhere for free.

A fresh and easy way to borrow and read from your library. Download Libby today!

powered by

18 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 AudioFile’s
AUDIOBOOKS
FOR KIDS & TEENS
Listen-Alikes for Ages 8-12+
Everyone has favorite audiobook styles. Perhaps yours is narration
that captures the emotional connection to the characters.
Or you might be a big fan of fully voiced character accents.
(Jim Dale’s Harry Potter narrations, anyone?) Or maybe you’re
not too picky about audio characteristics, but you focus more
on plot or theme. Whatever your pleasure, we have a treasure trove
of audiobooks to share with you and the middle-grade listeners
in your life. This year’s diverse listen-alike offerings feature
dramatic narratives, fantasy, mystery, history, and culturally
authentic Own Voices titles. These audiobooks emphasize stepping
outside known boundaries to discover the strength to change
your own story—or even to change history.

Browse the updated 2019 Audiobooks for Kids & Teens list online: [Link]/kids-teens

April/May 2019 n 19
Audiobooks for Kids & Teens

CHANGING PLACES
Tough times sometimes lead FINDING LANGSTON
to moves, and moves sometimes Lesa Cline-Ransome, read by Dion Graham
lead to feelings of displacement. In a light Southern drawl, narrator Dion
Langston’s family is torn apart by Graham delivers the achingly mournful
death; Deza’s family is torn apart by story of 11-year-old Langston. Langston’s
beloved mother has died, and in an attempt
poverty. Strong character develop- to escape both memories and discrimination,
ment, powerful emotions, historical his father joins the Great Migration,
accuracy, and evocative regional moving them from Alabama to Chicago.
details link exquisitely nuanced Dreamscape 2.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
performances in these outstanding Trade Ed.: CD, MP3, DD

AudioFile Earphones Award winners

featuring African-American families. THE MIGHTY MISS MALONE
Christopher Paul Curtis,
read by Bahni Turpin
IF YOU LIKE...
The Malone family faces the tribulations
• Character accents of the Great Depression, but 12-year-old
• Emotionally connected Deza never loses heart. Narrator Bahni
Turpin captures Deza’s youthful exuberance
• Immersive and handles the despair of poverty with
• Own Voices a hopeful undertone that matches Deza’s
• Strong sense of place undaunted attitude.
Listening Library 8 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
Trade Ed.: CD, DD
Library Ed.: CD, DD “Never really thought much
about Alabama’s red dirt
roads, but now, all I can think
about is kicking up their dust.”
 From Finding Langston
—

UNVARNISHED HISTORY
The long road to women’s ROSES AND RADICALS
suffrage is recounted in two Susan Zimet, Todd Hasak-Lowy,
excellent, complementary, and read by Cassandra Campbell
unflinching depictions of the struggle Narrator Cassandra Campbell reflects the
for the right of women to vote. Solid, tension and emotion in this excellent and
accessible young adult history of the wom-
unvoiced readings take listeners on a en’s suffrage movement. The authors clearly
path strewn with misogyny, racism, delineate the major players and turning
and even torture, from the 1848 Seneca points in the seventy-year struggle for wom-
Falls Convention to the 1920 ratifica- en’s voting rights. An engaging pick for
tion of the 19th Amendment, which budding activists of any stripe.
gave many women the right to vote but Listening Library 4.75 hrs. Unabridged Ages 12+
Trade Ed.: DD
failed to extend voting rights to Native Library Ed.: CD, DD
Americans and women of color.
VOTES FOR WOMEN!
IF YOU LIKE... Winifred Conkling, read by Christina Moore
• Approachable Winifred Conkling begins with 11-year-
old Elizabeth Cady’s dismay in 1826 at
• Crisp realizing that her father will see her as less
• Unhurried lovable and valuable than a son no matter
• Issue-oriented what she accomplishes. It ends 94 years
later with the cliff-hanger passage of the
• Thought-provoking 19th Amendment. Moore’s poise and skill
in delivering Conkling’s compelling narra-
tive are superb.
Recorded Books 7.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 12+
Library Ed.: CD, DD

20 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Audiobooks for Kids & Teens

FANTASTIC ODYSSEYS
Intrigue and adventure, strat- THE ADVENTURERS GUILD
egy and battles are paired with Zack Loran Clark, Nick Eliopulos,
animated narrations that will keep read by Johnny Heller
listeners glued to their earbuds. When a group of young people are
Underdogs take on bullies and mon- conscripted into the dreaded Adventurers
Guild, they learn just how dangerous it is
sters in two fantasy thrillers that evoke to protect Freestone, one of the last cities
the excitement of video games. standing against the monsters outside their
walls. Heller manages the conflicts, fears,
IF YOU LIKE... and battles with deft pacing.
Oasis Audio 6.75 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
• Distinctly voiced Trade Ed.: MP3, DD
• Energetic Library Ed.: CD
• Commanding
• Fast-paced ETHAN AND THE KEY
Dennis Canfield, read by Nick Podehl
• Dramatic
Nick Podehl’s dynamic narration is well
suited to the nonstop action. Ethan’s lack
“Though the world had of athletic prowess makes him seem like an
ordinary boy. But when he gets home and
ended long before Zed was discovers a glowing green puddle of light
born, this was still the scari- on the stairs, he falls into a world filled with
dragons and danger.
est day of his young life.” Well-Spoken Books 5.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Trade Ed.: DD
—From The Adventurers Guild

COMING OF AGE SOMEPLACE ELSE

Culturally authentic narration LISTEN, SLOWLY
reinforces the stories of middle Thanhha Lai, read by Lulu Lam
schoolers Mai and Marcus and their When Mai is sent to Vietnam for the sum-
reluctant journeys to different sides of mer with her grandmother, she’s upset to
the world, where they learn not only be missing out on beaches, bikinis, and
boys. But as the summer progresses, she
about their cultural heritage but also learns to accept others and learns more
about themselves. California girl Mai about herself as well. The audio suggests
travels to Vietnam to help her grand- the Vietnamese language with accents and
mother discover the postwar fate of nuances in pronunciation, making for a rich
her grandfather, while Marcus joins experience for the listener.
Harper Audio 7.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
his mother and younger brother on a
Trade Ed.: CD, DD
trip from Pennsylvania to Puerto Rico
to meet his absent father’s family.
MARCUS VEGA DOESN’T
SPEAK SPANISH
IF YOU LIKE... Pablo Cartaya, read by Pablo Cartaya
• Immersive Author Pablo Cartaya’s warm narration
• Character accents introduces us to 14-year-old Marcus, who
is trying to figure out his place in the world.
• Well-characterized When his mother takes Marcus and his
• Own Voices younger brother, Charlie, to Puerto Rico
• Angst-filled for a vacation, it’s a chance to meet his
extended family.
“Most kids clear out of the way Listening Library 4.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
when I walk down the hall.” Trade Ed.: DD
Library Ed.: CD, DD
—From Marcus Vega
Doesn’t Speak Spanish

Browse the updated 2019 Audiobooks for Kids & Teens list online: [Link]/kids-teens

April/May 2019 n 21
Audiobooks for Kids & Teens

MOVING AROUND
Appealing voices with youthful THE DOLLAR KIDS
timbres highlight two stories of Jennifer Richard Jacobson,
children longing to be settled. Their read by Andrew Eiden
backgrounds are different—while Andrew Eiden’s youthful voice suits this emo-
Lowen’s family is fleeing neighbor- tional novel featuring 11-year-old budding
cartoonist Lowen Grover. After the shooting
hood violence, Emma’s family moves death of Lowen’s neighbor, a friend, he and
constantly—but both long to forget his family move to a former mill town where
past difficulties and fit into their new houses are being sold for a dollar to boost
communities. the population and economy.
Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick 7.75 hrs. Unabridged
Ages 10+
IF YOU LIKE... Trade Ed.: CD, MP3, DD
Library Ed.: CD
• Youthful
• Warm
A LONG LINE OF CAKES
• Unhurried
Deborah Wiles, read by Jenna Lamia
• Strong sense of place
Narrator Jenna Lamia brings warmth and a
• Engaging strong sense of place to this charming and
funny story of itinerant bakers who land
in Halleluia, Mississippi. Eleven-year-old
“They came, like secrets, Emma has moved more times than she can
in the night.” count, but she thinks there might be some-
thing special about this town.
 From A Long Line of Cakes
— Listening Library 6.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Trade Ed.: DD
Library Ed.: CD, DD

YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE

Cystic fibrosis makes Caleb CALEB AND KIT
literally yearn to breathe freely Beth Vrabel, read by Adam McArthur
when he runs away from camp and Adam McArthur’s youthful intonation and
meets quixotic Kit. Cora suffocates energetic cadence animate 12-year-old
under the weight of responsibility for Caleb and his desire to embrace a more
independent lifestyle. A new, seemingly
her younger sister and the heavy bur- magical, friend encourages him to abandon
den of poverty and homelessness and his well-regulated life with his protective
is thrilled to have a friend. Dramatic, mother, perfect older brother, and mostly
suspenseful narration intensifies the absent father.
emotional impact of two stories that Hachette Audio 5.75 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Trade Ed.: DD
will stay with listeners for a long time.

IF YOU LIKE... JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS

Melissa Sarno, read by Monika Felice Smith
• Emotionally connected Monika Felice Smith gives a perfect voice
• Engrossing to Cora, the 12-year-old at the heart of
Sarno’s achingly beautiful debut novel
• Intense about finding home in a world turned
• Realistic upside down. Since the death of her father,
• Character-driven Cora must move from shelter to shelter
to survive.
Listening Library 5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Trade Ed.: DD
Library Ed.: CD, DD

Thank you to Novelist for the use of their innovative print and narrative appeal terms,
which help match up audiobook and listener. [Link]/novelist

22 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Audiobooks for Kids & Teens

THRILLING DAYS OF YESTERYEAR

Adventure and terror abound for THE TRAITORS’ GATE
14-year-old John and 12-year-old Avi, read by John Keating
Oliver as each must learn to survive The listening adventure begins when John’s
on his own, avoiding his father’s pow- father is sent to debtors’ prison. Keating’s
erful enemies. Avi’s richly detailed, voice reflects John’s growth from trusting
schoolboy to disillusioned young adult fac-
Dickensian plotting is effectively ing flawed people in a flawed world.
paired with the suspense-filled dra- Recorded Books 8.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
matic versatility of narrators Keating Library Ed.: CD, DD
and Langton in these electrifying
sagas with large casts of characters THE UNEXPECTED LIFE OF
who are well defined in both text and OLIVER CROMWELL PITTS
performance. Avi, read by James Langton
From the moment 12-year-old Oliver
P.S. If you’re participating in the Cromwell Pitts is awakened by a raging
AudioFile Listening Challenge, these are storm, his life careens from one disastrous
event to another. With his father and sister
an excellent choice for #3: Listen to two
gone, Oliver must find a way to fend for
audiobooks written by the same author himself in Victorian England, not an easy
and performed by different narrators. place for a boy on his own. Langton’s
delivery of dialogue ranges believably from
IF YOU LIKE... refined to coarse.
Recorded Books 6.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
• Distinctly voiced Library Ed.: CD, DD
• Commanding
• Intense
• Intricately plotted
• Dramatic

MYSTERY AND HISTORY

Thomas and Candice each set THE HOUSE OF DIES DREAR
out to unravel the puzzles sur- Virginia Hamilton, read by Lynne Thigpen
rounding hidden treasures and their Thomas Small’s world changes radically
new homes. Each story is steeped in when he has to go north with his family
spine-tingling suspense and African- to Ohio, where his father, a history profes-
sor, has rented a house that was formerly
American history, and each narrator’s an important station on the Underground
adept performance captures charac- Railroad. Lynne Thigpen’s deep, resonant
ters, time, and setting to provide an voice recreates this journey and the faces
outstanding listening experience. we meet along the way.
Recorded Books 7 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
Library Ed.: CD, DD
IF YOU LIKE...
• Immersive THE PARKER INHERITANCE
• Well-characterized Varian Johnson, read by Cherise Boothe
• Intense In assured, inquisitive tones, Cherise
• Own Voices Boothe unfurls a clever middle-grade mys-
tery. When Candace moves to Lambert,
• Suspenseful South Carolina, for the summer with her
mother, she uncovers a letter containing
a puzzle and a request for the reader to
right a decades-old wrong against a young
woman and her family.
Scholastic Audiobooks 10 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Trade Ed.: DD
Library Ed.: DD

Editors’ Note: See our interview with

narrator Cherise Boothe on page 30

April/May 2019 n 23
Amanda Leigh Cobb

What do griffins, moon mice, and a bear woman have in found in the comic book series as well as the illustrations
common? Narrator Amanda Leigh Cobb has portrayed in the chapter books. “I wanted each character to be distinct.
all of them, along with lively campers, exasperated counsel- There are five girls who are roughly the same age, and once
ors, and the most melodramatic drama instructor you’ve ever I’d started seeing how they were drawn, and then reading
heard. Listening to Cobb’s narration of the Lumberjanes chap- as much as I could, I found they’re all so incredibly differ-
ter book series is like meeting a whole gaggle of new friends ent.” Her youthful voice and singing help listeners gain an
you can’t wait to have another adventure with. understanding of the “bodacious, hyper Elmo-type charac-
Cobb came to audiobook narration through a recommen- ter” that is Ripley, the star of the most recent Lumberjanes
dation from a fellow actor on Broadway. Narration provided story, The Good Egg, along with all of her fellow campers.
the flexibility she needed for raising her son—but as Narrating audiobooks has allowed Cobb to develop an
someone who grew up loving audiobooks, she had always appreciation for a broader range of books. Some of her
dreamed of narrating. “One of the reasons I wanted to do favorite narrations have been young adult stories, including
audiobooks in the first place, and why I love doing audio- her Earphones Award winner, Let’s Get Lost by Adi Alsaid.
books for kids and teenagers, is because it was such a huge “I find young adult stories in particular very accessible
part of my life. It triggered my imagination when I was and compelling and generally very well written.” She gets
young, and it’s probably why I chose to be an artist.” excited to narrate a good audiobook for kids or teens. “It
Cobb brings her skills with character work and prepara- can have such an impact, and there are so many possibili-
tion to her audiobook narration, and she enjoys drawing ties. You never know who is listening, and you never know
on different sides of herself to play multiple characters what’s going to excite them.”
at once. “Children’s books are probably my favorite to do What’s next for Cobb? Right now she’s working on find-
because more often than not you get to do fun voices you ing a way back to understudying on Broadway, and she’s
wouldn’t normally get to do.” To narrate the Lumberjanes thrilled to continue narrating audiobooks. As Cobb says,
audiobooks, she drew inspiration from the vibrant graphics “Bring it on!”—Emily Connelly

THE GOOD EGG:

Lumberjanes, Book 3
Mariko Tamaki
Read by Amanda Leigh Cobb

Narrator Amanda Leigh Cobb’s

dynamic voice delights in the
third chapter book adventure
featuring the Lumberjanes.
Roanoke Cabin member Ripley
is bouncing-off-the-walls
excited over a nest of massive
mysterious eggs—and devastated when the smallest one is sto-
len. Cobb portrays the enthusiastic Ripley in a youthful, raspy
voice, which is often talked over by her busy and distinctly voiced
cabinmates. Ripley is typically not the leader on their adventures,
but in this story we hear her learn scientific skills from fellow
camper Barney, collaborate with the others to make plans, and
then put those plans into action. Ripley’s empowering adventure,
goofy songs, and unique perspective on life at this “Camp for
Hardcore Lady-Types” will delight young listeners. A particu-
lar standout is Cobb’s bold depiction of drama instructor Miss
Annabella Panache. E.E.C.
Recorded Books 3.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781501967986 $27.67 (also DD)
Photo by Laura Rose

Amanda Leigh Cobb’s

dynamic voice delights.
24 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Children & Family Listening

THE VANDERBEEKERS AND

THE HIDDEN GARDEN:
The Vanderbeekers, Book 2 SWEEP: The Story of a
Karina Yan Glaser Girl and Her Monster
Read by Robin Miles Jonathan Auxier
Read by Sarah Coomes
Narrator Robin Miles’s vocal repertoire
This atmospheric work of historical fic-
shines as she brings the Vanderbeeker
tion and magical realism takes place in
world to life. Casting about for summer
nineteenth-century London. Narrator
vacation activities, the four find refuge
Sarah Coomes creates a variety of
with their beloved upstairs neighbors
voices for the chimney sweeps—
and then witness a medical emergency.
Cockney climbing kids who are the
What can a 5-, 7-, 9-, and two 13-year-olds
featured characters. Listeners meet
do to calm their fears and be helpful? As
Nan Sparrow, the legendary climber; a
they alight on a plan to create a garden
malevolent master; a soft-spoken Jewish immigrant; a gentle chimney sweep;
in a seemingly vacant lot, their resource-
and Charlie—Nan’s “monster.” Nan’s smart, lucky, and as fierce as she needs
fulness and pluck swing into gear, and a
to be to survive as an indentured child laborer in the dangerous soot-filled
widening group of neighbors both hinder
chimneys. Mysteriously abandoned by the kindly sweep who once cared for
and help in the work. Miles gives person-
her, she has only a small piece of char by which to remember him. Coomes’s
ality to each of the characters. Listeners
monster’s squeaky voice is jarring at first, but listeners will quickly discover
will appreciate the spunk of the younger
that it fits his kind and childlike personality. Coomes’s voice and Auxier’s
girls; the exasperation of the twins; the
prose combine to create an immersive experience. L.T.
angst of Oliver, who feels responsible
for the emergency; the respect of the Audible, Inc. 8.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Trade Ed.: DD $19.95
former local bully; the gruffness of the
building’s landlord, and more. A listen-
ing treat. A.R.
An immersive experience.
Recorded Books 5.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781501966576 $46.57 (also DD)

THE UNTEACHABLES ROLLER GIRL THE LEGEND OF SKELETON MAN

Gordon Korman Victoria Jamieson Joseph Bruchac
Read by Sarah Beth Goer, Oliver Wyman, Read by Almarie Guerra and a Full Cast Read by DeLanna Studi
Josh Hurley, Tristan Morris, Chris Gebauer,
Sean Welsh Brown, Pete Larkin, Full of the best kind of punk-rock energy, DeLanna Studi narrates two scary stories
Fred Berman, Jennifer Nittoso narrator Almarie Guerra and a full cast in this middle-grade collection: Skeleton
take listeners on a rollicking ride around Man and its sequel, The Return of Skeleton
A stellar ensemble cast brings crowd- the roller derby track. This much loved Man. Molly, a modern-day Mohawk girl,
pleasing personality to a diverse group of graphic novel comes to life with bright is sent to live with her creepy great-uncle
misfit students and their teacher in this voices and sound effects, after her parents’ mysteri-
funny classroom story. Mr. Kermit is including tumbles, bottles ous disappearance. But
counting the days until his retirement, but of hair dye, and lots of roller she knows something is
in his final year of teaching, he is relegated skates. Guerra’s slightly not right. The spooky tra-
to the “Self-Contained Special Eighth- nasal voice suits tough yet ditional Mohawk tales her
Grade Class”—a.k.a. “The Unteachables.” insecure Astrid, the almost- father used to tell her about
Over the course of the school year, this middle-schooler who falls the Skeleton Man are start-
underdog group experiences mischie- in love with derby and loses ing to feel nightmarishly
vous mayhem, as well as friendship and her best friend to a mean real as her thin, pale host
triumph. Chapters rotate first-person girl in one summer. Astrid drugs her food and locks
narration between students and school fac- grows as a skater and a friend while an her in her room every night. Molly’s
ulty, and each narrator adds depth to the enthusiastic cast helps listeners imagine everyday teenage voice is contemporary
different perspectives. Most memorable the hard work and laughter needed to and relatable, while her crying terror in
are the gruff, jaded indifference of Oliver learn a new sport. Middle school listen- the scary parts is palpable. And the dry,
Wyman’s Mr. Kermit, the well-meaning ers will love this story of learning to be brittle whisper of the Skeleton Man will
enthusiasm of Josh Hurley’s Parker, and “tougher, stronger, fearless,” and a good give kids chills. S.C.
the frenetic, high-pitched energy of Chris friend. E.E.C. Harper Audio 5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Gebauer’s Mateo. S.C. Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062885302 $17.99
Listening Library 2.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
Harper Audio 6 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+ Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984882332 $25.00 (also DD)
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062885289 $20.99 Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984882356 $25.00
(also DD)

April/May 2019 n 25
In the Studio

AudioFile spoke with Dreamscape

Media publisher Tammy Faxel and
Deyan Audio’s Khai Dattoli and Bryan
Lincoln about adapting and producing the
graphic novel Illegal for audio.
Clockwise, from bottom left: Avery Waddell,
AudioFile: What was it about Illegal Desean Terry, Lisa Renee Pitts, Eric Urban,
Bryan Lincoln, and Miebaka Opuiyo-Yohannes
that made you interested in adapting it
as an audiobook? Why is it an important
title for young listeners? Khai Dattoli: This was indeed quite the through the voices of their characters more
challenge, and one that definitely had to than anything else. If I didn’t feel that some-
Tammy Faxel: It was a powerful be planned before the recording studio. thing important could be easily conveyed
and moving graphic novel that uniquely Some of the most moving moments in through speech, though, I wrote in a sound
told the difficult story faced by so many Illegal involve no words at all; it’s just the effect that would help. It took several passes
immigrants. This is such a huge issue in exquisite expressions of a boy who has and many times reading out loud to myself,
the world right, now and I felt an audio- lost so much, or the haunting imagery of but eventually I had a script that I felt told
book would help children understand the a small hand outstretched to chaos and the complete story without the pictures.
real plight that so many are facing every death. The story grips listeners because of
day—that an audiobook of this amazing the first-person perspective of a young ref- AF: Tell us about the casting process.
novel would reach children in a way that ugee, so I did not want to just describe the
would make the issue more relatable and pictures of the panels, I wanted to tell as KD: This story has so many characters
real-life through the multi-voice narration. much as possible through Kwame’s voice. that it was very impractical to have a
At the same time, that voice had to match different narrator for each one. So we
AF: Adapting a graphic novel to an what the author had written as well. looked for people who could authentically
audio production seems like a challenge. My background as a playwright was sound like a range of different people.
What did that process entail for you? incredibly helpful; plays usually tell a story I found parts of the script that had a vari-
ety of roles (drug dealer, young refugee,
military guard, etc.) and asked for the
potential narrators to record them all.
ILLEGAL To make it even more difficult, though,
Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin they had to use accents! It was quite the
Read by a Full Cast performance gymnastics, but we found
This audiobook is a moving testament a great group of people who were able
to the difficulties faced by African to bring all the voices of the story to life.
refugees in search of a better life. Ebo
follows his brother, who has left their AF: Did the narrators record together as
Ghanaian village in hopes of immigrat- a cast in the studio? How did that contrib-
ing to Europe. He meets both helpful ute to the atmosphere of the audiobook?
and brutal people during harrowing
months of travel. The story employs multiple devices to convey its dark atmo- Bryan Lincoln: They did record
sphere and the “word bubbles” of its origin as a graphic novel. Instead of color, together. As the saying goes, acting
music and sound effects suggest mood and are often a backdrop for dialogue. is reacting. Having them interact is an
Sometimes young Ebo sings. Locational cues are frequent—waves crashing important part of the process in turning
against a leaky boat, cacophonous voices in the city, truck engines failing in audio drama into a believable perfor-
the desert, a hungry baby crying. An ensemble cast speaks emotively with mance. There’s a lot of information in
authentic accents, making the characters distinguishable and believable. L.T. the timing, pacing, energy of delivery,
shortness of breath, etc. It’s very different
Dreamscape 1.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974924578 $39.99 (also DD)
from audiobooks because there is usually
little to no narration describing how
characters are feeling. Also, it’s way
A moving testament to the difficulties faced more fun to be able to have that group
experience when creating an impactful
by refugees in search of a better life. story. I know the actors greatly prefer it
to sitting alone in a booth.

26 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 More Graphic Novels on Audio
THE AGONY HOUSE NEW KID
Cherie Priest, read by Haven Burton, Jerry Craft, read by Jesus Del Orden,
Thérèse Plummer, Jesse Vilinsky, Nile Bullock, Robin Miles, Guy Lockard,
Tristan Morris, Adam Grupper Peyton Lusk, Rebecca Soler, Dan Bittner,
KD: These narrators are such a talented Scholastic Audiobooks Unabridged Ages 12+ Phoebe Strole, Marc Thompson
group who really fed off of each other’s Trade Ed.: DD Harper Audio Unabridged Ages 8+
Library Ed.: DD Trade Ed.: DD
energy. It’s so much easier to tap into the
emotion of a scene if you have someone CEMETERY GIRL: The Pretenders NIMONA
else there in the moment with you. Charlaine Harris, read by a Full Cast Noelle Stevenson, read by Rebecca Soler,
Also, they were so game to try any- GraphicAudio Unabridged Aged 13+ Jonathan Davis, Marc Thompson,
thing, even script changes I made on the Trade Ed.: CD, DD January LaVoy, Natalie Gold,
fly during the session. It ended up feeling Peter Bradbury, David Pittu
MAX AND THE MIDKNIGHTS Harper Audio Unabridged Young Adult
more like a staged reading than a typical
Lincoln Peirce, read by Marc Thompson, Trade Ed.: CD, DD
recording session, and with so many peo- Christopher Gebauer, Kristen DiMercurio,
ple having a theater background in the and a Full Cast ROLLER GIRL
group, it was just a fantastic experience. Listening Library Unabridged Ages 8+ Victoria Jamieson, read by Almarie
Trade Ed.: DD Guerra and a Full Cast
AF: You also used music and sound Library Ed.: CD, DD Listening Library Unabridged Ages 9+
effects to help create the soundscape. Trade Ed.: CD, DD
MS. MARVEL: NO NORMAL Library Ed.: CD, DD
G. Willow Wilson, read by Shanta
BL: Good sound effects require a lot of Parasuraman, Matthew McGee, TOMBOY: A Graphic Memoir
detail and subtlety. You want to sense Nora Achrati, and a Full Cast Liz Prince, read by Erin Yuen,
the characters moving and carrying out GraphicAudio Unabridged Aged 12+ Christina Morales Hemenway,
actions without distracting from the vocal Trade Ed.: CD, DD Elizabeth Cottle, Pete Cross,
performance. Good choices of ambiance Nicholas Mondelli
THE INVENTION OF Dreamscape Unabridged Young Adult
and music can help blend it all together
HUGO CABRET Trade Ed.: CD, MP3, DD
and make it an immersive, enjoyable Brian Selznick, read by Jeff Woodman
experience. But you must be careful! An Scholastic Audiobooks Unabridged Ages 8+
African city will sound very different from Trade Ed.: DD
a European or Asian city, especially if Library Ed.: CD

people are speaking in the background.

Sound libraries can never be big enough!

AF: Anything else that you’d like to

share with us about the making of Illegal?

BL: Converting a comic (a visual-only

medium) to a modern audio drama (an
audio-only medium) can be tricky. Not
every image is easily converted to a sound
that conveys the important information of a
scene. The diverse scenes and epic nature
of Illegal lent themselves well to audio,
and the whole project was a pleasure to
put together.

KD: I really appreciated working on

Illegal because of the creative problem
solving it required, and because of the
story itself. I’ve read about refugees and
problems halfway across the world, but
nothing has hit me at my core like the
story of this little boy’s journey. The strug-
gles and heartbreak all the characters
endure connected me to this issue in a
way that no news program could. It was
eye opening, and I hope this story can cre-
ate more compassion in others as well. n

April/May 2019 n 27
Children & Family Listening

ZATHURA DRAGON PEARL BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS:

Chris Van Allsburg Yoon Ha Lee Peasprout Chen, Book 2
Read by a Full Cast Read by Kim Mai Guest Henry Lien
Read by Nancy Wu
Feuding brothers Walter and Danny When 13-year-old fox spirit Min learns
Budwing find a board game in the park that her brother, Jun, has gone missing Narrator Nancy Wu expertly conveys
and take it home, unaware that Zathura from his post in the Space Forces, she Peasprout’s hilarious snarkiness and
is no ordinary game. The listener hears abandons the backwater planet of Jinju spunk in the sequel to Peasprout Chen:
Danny roll the dice on the board and and embarks on a dangerous quest to Future Legend of Skate and Sword
methodically move his token. As he find him. With her shape-shifting abil- Traditional Asian music introduces the
haltingly reads the first play- ities, magically persuasive audiobook before giving way to an orig-
ing card warning him to take “Charm,” and clever tenacity, inal pop song, presaging the blending
evasive action, meteors loudly Min is a compelling heroine. of worlds in this Asian-inspired fan-
crash onto the roof of their Kim Mai Guest’s youthful tasy. Entering her second year at Pearl
home, which is now adrift in narration grounds listeners in Famous Academy of Skate and Sword,
outer space. Each roll brings Min’s perspective, allowing Peasprout joins a “battleband,” a skating
new peril. A full cast narrates the action and world-build- team with elaborate moves that are part
this story, punctuated with ing to unfold around her in a musical spectacle, part defensive attack.
cosmic sound effects. The boys inter- heady blend of space opera and Korean Wu’s varied voices and accents help
act believably while working together to folklore. As Min’s journey introduces her distinguish the characters, reflecting the
complete the game—if they can. When to more and more characters, Guest pro- friendships, sibling relationships,
Zorgon pirates attack, rousing music vides unobtrusive yet distinct voices for and rivalries, but it’s Wu’s eager and
enlivens the scene and lightens the ten- all. Both culturally specific and broadly vulnerably sincere Peasprout who gives
sion. Even without the companion picture appealing, this science fantasy—Yoon the story its heart. While listeners new
book, Zathura is a vivid adventure. L.T. Ha Lee’s first for young listeners—is to the series should start with Book 1,
Dreamscape 20 mins. Unabridged Ages 6+ sure to grab listeners of all ages. R.A.H. Peasprout fans will definitely be satisfied
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974919208 $19.99 (also DD) Listening Library 10.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
with this sequel. S.C.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525587576 $25.00 Macmillan Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9780525587583 $60.00 (also DD) Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250308306 $45.99 (also DD)

PAY ATTENTION,
THE BRIDGE HOME CARTER JONES
Padma Venkatraman Gary D. Schmidt
Read by Padma Venkatraman Read by Christopher Gebauer

Author Padma Venkatraman narrates Christopher Gebauer’s narration aids

her own work, displaying the depth of in making the opening scene of this
feeling and caring between 11-year-old audiobook believable. A butler shows
Viji and her 12-year-old intellectually dis- up on the doorstep of 12-year-old Carter
abled sister, Rukku. They flee an abusive Jones on the chaotic first morning of a
home only to face new vulnerability in new school year. Gebauer gives a proper
the city of Chennai when their money is British accent and proud attitude to the
stolen and they must live on the streets. portly gentleman and to Carter’s mock-
Venkatraman describes the developing bonds as the sisters form a new fam- ery of the butler’s manner. This is only
ily with two homeless boys while all of them desperately search a garbage the first implausible situation as Mr.
dump to find salable scrap. In particular, Venkatraman portrays how Viji’s Bowles-Fitzpatrick proceeds to trans-
controlling relationship with her sister turns to tenderness and respect as form Carter’s home like an unmagical
Rukku’s necklace-making supports them. Venkatraman’s Indian accent adds Mary Poppins. He reorients Carter’s
to the tone and setting, but it’s the range and believability of emotions that three younger sisters, brings the joy of
will draw listeners into Viji’s journey from despair to hope. A great family cricket to Carter’s middle school, and
listen to launch important conversations. S.W. supports Carter’s emerging feelings
Listening Library 4.5 hrs. Unabridged 10 and up about his absent father and late brother.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984845085 $15.00 Gebauer’s renditions of the initial rep-
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984845092 $38.00 (also DD)
artee between boy and butler and their
evolving tenderness are subtle and cru-
cial. A wonderful family listen. S.W.
A great family listen to launch
Recorded Books 5.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 10+
important conversations. Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980010470 $51.57 (also DD)

28 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Children & Family Listening

CROWN:
An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Derrick Barnes WHERE THE
Read by Corey Allen WATERMELONS GROW
Cindy Baldwin
In a voice that fairly swaggers, narrator Read by Sisi Aisha Johnson
Corey Allen captures the rhythm of
Narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson turns
Crown, an exuberant tale about the trans-
on her sweetest Southern drawl for
formative power of a fresh haircut. Allen
this heartwarming story. Twelve-year-
celebrates along with the hero of this story,
old Della Kelly’s angelic tone twists
an African-American boy who revels in the
and dips for words like “watermelon”
joy and confidence occasioned by a trip to
the barbershop. Allen’s expert narration and “momma,” while her best friend,
dovetails perfectly with the beat of Barnes’s Arden, has a barely there accent.
words and the potency of Gordon James’s Demonstrating expert narrating skills,
bold oil-based illustrations from the print Johnson smoothly switches between the girls’ voices during their deep heart-
edition. Precisely timed pauses, drawn-out to-hearts. When Della’s mother starts hearing voices, Johnson exchanges
words—“Girllll . . . he’s so fine!”—and Della’s carefree tone for one of concern and confusion as the girl grapples
other exclamations add a vibrant audio with her mother’s mental decline. Despite the large cast, Johnson gives each
dimension. At the story’s close, listeners character a distinct tone and tempo, allowing listeners to easily follow busy
will nod their heads in understanding, conversations. The story’s gentle take on mental illness and its flawless nar-
rejoicing in the much-deserved pride this ration make it a must-listen. V.T.
young man feels as he emerges into the Recorded Books 5.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
world with a crisp new cut. S.A.H. Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980017103 $51.75 (also DD)

Recorded Books 5 mins. Unabridged Ages 6+

Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980026600 $14.17 (also DD)
A must-listen.
NEW KID
Jerry Craft
Read by Jesus Del Orden, Nile Bullock, ASTRID THE UNSTOPPABLE SEA BONES
Robin Miles, Guy Lockard, Peyton Lusk, Maria Parr, Guy Puzey [Trans.] Bob Barner
Rebecca Soler, Dan Bittner, Phoebe Strole, Read by Devon Sorvari Read by Crystal Taliefero
Marc Thompson
Can you really expect Astrid, the little Narrator Crystal Taliefero’s welcoming,
Jordan is full of anxiety at the start of sev-
thunderbolt of Glimmerdal, to stop sing- child-friendly voice entices young listen-
enth grade, and this full-cast audiobook
ing while she skis? Not according to her! ers into a colorful undersea world. Author
production of Craft’s graphic novel gives a
peek into his life. Loving parents played by In this lively audiobook, narrator Devon and illustrator Bob Barner’s bright col-
Robin Miles and Guy Lockard encourage Sorvari portrays spirited Astrid as the lages and simple text in this read-along
Jordan to give his new private school a try, heart and soul of her Norwegian village. are attention grabbers. Listeners will hear
and as Jordan gets caught in a whirlwind Even when trouble appears in the form rhyming snippets with accompanying
of new classmates, listeners hear young of grumpy Mr. Hagen, who catchy music about deep-
voices bouncing off the walls. Jordan, runs an adults-only health sea fish, ocean mammals,
brightly voiced by Jesus Del Orden, loves retreat, and the mysterious coral, and more. Additional
to draw satirical comics about his life at the giant woman called Heidi, information is presented
new school where he’s one of the few black Astrid remains cheerful and in sidebars. Taliefero’s
kids—many are about microaggressions undaunted as she tries to put narration is precise, with an
and straddling life at home in Washington things right. Sorvari’s enthu- overlay of wonder. A Bob
Heights and at his swanky new school. A siastic narration makes this Barner audiobook offers a
lively narration and scene-setting sound production sing both meta- wealth of listening opportu-
effects help make up for missing out on phorically and literally during Astrid’s nities. There are separate tracks for the
Craft’s illustrations. E.E.C. spur-of-the-moment skiing tunes. Each different parts of the audiobook: rhyming
Harper Audio 2 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+
character in this tightly knit community storyline, captions, detailed information
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062885326 $13.99 is given a unique voice. Sorvari delivers a boxes, sea creature names, and a compar-
memorable story that will have listeners ison chart of eight sea creatures. Clearly,
smiling and humming along, even with- this is a production for multiple listening
out the skis. N.M. experiences. A.R.
VIDEOS @ BLOG Brilliance Audio/ Candlewick 6.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 8+ Weston Woods Studios 9 mins. Unabridged Ages 6+
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781978644304 $21.99 Book & Recording: CD ISBN 9781338284843 $12.95
Watch narrator comments at
(also MP3, DD)
[Link]/blog Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781978644328 $49.97

April/May 2019 n 29
5 Questions with Cherise Boothe

By Candace Levy duction. After young Candice discovers a 5 Questions

decades-old letter addressed to her grand- Whether your next audiobook is one of
Say hello to Take 5 guest Cherise mother, she and a friend set off to solve Cherise Boothe’s solo performances or
Boothe, who is one of the queens the mystery it reveals, redeem a woman’s one of her collaborations, you’re in for
of collaborative audiobooks. Her voice reputation, and maybe find a treasure. a treat. But before you put your head-
always gives a spark to multi-narrator Cherise’s expressive and lively narration is phones on and queue up that book, take
productions, and I’m impressed with her perfect for the middle-grade audience of a minute to learn more about the woman
ability to portray characters of all ages this story, which touches on themes who’s about to keep you company.
and from different parts of the world. of black America and friendship.
You may be familiar with Cherise’s An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers AudioFile Magazine: What is the
youthful voice, which allows her to Solomon revisits the antebellum South but one thing you wish you had known
bring authenticity to children’s books. is set on a spaceship, from which escape before you recorded your first book?
She is also, however, equally at home is dangerous and near-impossible. Aster,
performing contemporary culture (The a healer for society’s less desirable pop- Cherise Boothe: Patience. Patience.
Fire This Time), literary fiction (Whatever ulation, is asked to help when the ship’s Patience . . . and more patience. With
Happened to Interracial Love?), and leader falls ill. The more time she spends myself. With environmental sounds that
humor audiobooks (Black Man, White with the upper classes on the upper decks, insist on bleeding through “soundproof”
House). the more secrets she discovers. For this booths. With the vocal demands of the
The audiobooks featured here under- science fiction title, Cherise rises to the specific title one is reading. With the
score the range of Cherise’s solo work, challenge of voicing a variety of dialects need to stop for a break. With the real-
starting with a children’s story and ending and differentiating many characters. ity of a ten-hour day of recording when
with a novel about life under Jim Crow. Graduate student Shay’s life is a bit under a title deadline. And more . . .
out of control, but she finds guidance by It all goes so much more smoothly and
5 Audiobooks asking herself: What would blues singer is infinitely more enjoyable when one
Set in a small town in South Carolina, Nina Simone do? Apparently, the answer can have patience with oneself and relax
Varian Johnson’s The Parker Inheritance is to return home to Denver to help her into the circumstance in which one finds
has won several awards, including an recovering alcoholic mother with her new oneself. Then you’re really on a journey
Odyssey Honor for best audiobook pro- life. Carleen Brice’s Orange Mint and of storytelling.
Honey explores family, redemption, and
forgiveness, and Cherise’s performance AFM: Tell us something surprising
balances both the humor and the deeper about yourself.
emotions of this contemporary novel.
Terry Farish’s The Good Braider, a novel CB: I hate wearing heels. If I could just
in verse, is set during the Sudanese civil give myself permission, I’d never wear
war and offers a teen’s perspective on war, them again.
family, hunger, and immigration. The sights
and sounds of dusty Africa and the warmth AFM: What are you doing when you’re
of family are offset by Viola’s fear of the not working?
soldiers, the inevitable losses, and the
ultimate escape to Portland, Maine, where CB: Going to the theater to see movies—
traditional values clash with contemporary love that, and I still don’t do it enough.
American norms. Cherise’s believable Going to the theater to see plays—
accents and deft handling of the free verse I started my career learning about and
strongly connect us to the fate of this family. working in theater, my first artistic home.
Magic City by Jewell Parker Rhodes is Threatening to learn how to play the gui-
set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shortly after World tar—still working on it; my first song that
War I. Based on a true event, this is the I learned and I have to keep relearning
story of what happens after an innocent because I spend so much time away from
black man steps into an elevator with a practicing is Pink’s “Glitter in the Air.”
white woman. She screams, and race riots Love that song.
erupt throughout the city. Cherise creates
distinct and consistent characterizations AFM: When reading for pleasure, do
and leads listeners through the disturbing you find yourself creating voices and
Narrator Cherise Booth
story without playing on their emotions. thinking about pacing and emphasis?

30 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 More Listening
BETWEEN THE LINES THE LEGEND OF BUDDY BUSH
Nikki Grimes, read by Sisi Aisha Johnson, Sheila Moses, read by Cherise Boothe
Ruffin Prentiss, Cherise Boothe, et al. Recorded Books Unabridged Ages 12+
CB: At first I was going to say no, that Recorded Books Unabridged Young Adult Library Ed.: CD, DD
when I read for pleasure I allow myself Library Ed.: CD, DD
to go as slowly as possible, without THE PARKER INHERITANCE
deliberate thought as to how the story is
THE GOOD BRAIDER Varian Johnson, read by Cherise Boothe
Terry Farish, read by Cherise Boothe Scholastic Audiobooks Unabridged Ages 8+
expressed. There’s no work involved, Trade Ed.: DD
Recorded Books Unabridged Young Adult
no effort made to think about these things. Library Ed.: CD, DD Library Ed.: DD
But on further pondering, I think that
I do these things instinctually, even when HOW IT WENT DOWN RUTH AND THE GREEN BOOK
reading for pleasure. The difference is Kekla Magoon, read by Cherise Boothe, Calvin A. Ramsey, Gwen Strauss, read by
Shari Peele, Kevin R. Free, et al. Cherise Boothe
that my imagination is much quicker and
Recorded Books Unabridged Ages 14+ Recorded Books Unabridged Ages 6+
more expansive than what I’m able to Library Ed.: CD, DD
Library Ed.: CD, DD
produce when I am narrating. There is
an effortlessness to the imagination, and JUMPED SUMMER DAYS AND SUMMER
one isn’t limited by vocal range, healthy Rita Williams-Garcia, read by Shari Peele, NIGHTS: Twelve Love Stories
sounds, microphone proximity, sound of Cherise Boothe, Bianca Vasquez, Stephanie Perkins [Ed.], read by
Mark Turetsky Jessica Almasy, Michael Bakkensen,
a plane passing overhead, technical dif-
Recorded Books Unabridged Young Adult Cherise Boothe, et al.
ficulty with the recording software, etc.
Library Ed.: CD, DD Recorded Books Unabridged Young Adult
All the technical aspects are not even a Library Ed.: CD, DD
consideration, and the imagination just THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF
runs free. I think if there’s any frustration EMERSON ELEMENTARY
on the artistic side of audiobook nar- Laura Shovan, read by Jonathan Todd Ross,
rating, it may stem from my inability to Kevin R. Free, Cherise Boothe, et al.
produce the expanse of expression that Recorded Books Unabridged Ages 8+
Library Ed.: CD, DD
the brilliant imagination is capable of.
I think my work will forever be reaching
to express what my imagination can do
with such ease, flow, and lightness. But
maybe that’s simply the plight of the art-
ist in any medium.

AFM: What do you always and never

wear in the recording booth?

CB: I am forever cold, so I always come

equipped with a soft, warm sweater
shawl to ensure that I am warm and
comfy in the booth. Because the studios
I work in tend to be on the crisper side,
I ask if I can have the air turned off for
the booth. I never wear anything that
makes a lot of noise. I tend to move
around every so often, so my clothes
have to be silent accomplices when I’m
feeling particularly animated during
recording sessions. n

Find more Take 5 interviews

on AudioFile’s blog:
[Link]/
blog/category/take-5

April/May 2019 n 31
Young Adult

LET’S GO SWIMMING THE GILDED WOLVES A THOUSAND SISTERS:

ON DOOMSDAY Roshani Chokshi The Heroic Airwomen of the
Natalie C. Anderson Read by P.J. Ochlan, Soviet Union in World War II
Read by Kevin R. Free Laurie Catherine Winkel Elizabeth Wein
Read by Amy Landon
Narrator Kevin R. Free breathes dramatic P.J. Ochlan and Laurie Winkel narrate
urgency into Anderson’s intense story the first in an alternate-history series. Amy Landon’s low, slightly smoky voice
about 15-year-old Abdi, who is forced to They animate a large cast of well-rounded delivers the true story of young women
join the ruthless jihadi group al-Shabaab characters, a complicated plot, and rich in Stalinist Russia who were trained as
in Somalia. Free infuses his reading descriptions. Ochlan delivers the chap- pilots yet denied their place at the front
with raw emotion, giving each character ters told from a male point of view. as WWII broke out. Landon’s slightly
a distinct voice—from the He describes, for example, breathy narration, marked by an atten-
terrifying jihadi general’s the power of Séverin, a tion to pacing and careful enunciation,
knife-edge roughness to thief who leads a brilliant allows listeners to follow the
the smooth, nasal drawl multiethnic crew in solv- d i f ficult Russian names and places, as
of the American black-ops ing riddles and puzzles to well as the missions of the women pilots
agent. Alternating chapters recover a magical artifact. who were the heart of Marina Roskova’s
take Abdi from Somalia Winkel delivers the chap- air regiments. The emotion Landon gives
to Kenya, where he is a ters told from a female to their many losses changes as their
refugee hiding at a girls’ point of view, such as piloting performance slowly improves,
school. The female voices Laila’s. Winkel stresses the causing the Germans to dub them “the
are equally compelling, but it is Abdi’s sarcastic responses of this Asian Indian Night Witches” for their unceasing
quiet voice that makes this audiobook dancer to the opulent wealth around her nighttime raids. Wein’s account of their
so painfully riveting. Listeners hear and as well as her attraction to Séverin. Both unacknowledged but important contri-
feel Abdi’s horror and numb, helpless narrators dramatize minor characters bution to war, a departure from her earlier
despair at the atrocities he witnesses— equally well. Their strong characteriza- fiction titles (Code Name Verity, Rose Under
and perpetrates—and we rejoice at his tions as well as their use of accents and Fire), deserves a wide audience. E.J.F.
redemption. S.C. judicious timing suggest an exciting new Harper Audio 8.75 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
series ahead. S.W. Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062885586 $23.99
Listening Library 13 hrs. Unabridged Ages 14+
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525625681 $27.50 Macmillan Audio 12 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525625704 $75.00 Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250319425 $50.99 (also DD)

“I particularly love to narrate LITTLE WHITE LIES:

Debutantes, Book 1
YA when the characters are as Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Read by Katherine Littrell
well defined and funny as in
Little White Lies. I had a blast Narrator Katherine Littrell brings
being Sawyer’s voice: a fierce, Southern sass to this over-the-top
drama. When Sawyer Taft’s
witty, and grounded heroine.” estranged grandmother offers
—Narrator Katherine Littrell her half a million dollars to join
Magnolia County’s high society as
a debutante, Sawyer quickly finds
herself involved in kidnapping, blackmail, and theft. Listeners will appre-
ciate Littrell’s range of Southern inflections. Sawyer’s accent is a quick and
faster-paced twang, while those in her new wealthy and secretive commu-
nity—which includes a handful of powerful men who could be her biological
father—have softer, more elongated drawls. Littrell manages to embody the
self-indulgence, extravagance, and secrets of the not-so-polite society that
features in this mystery. J.E.C.
Dreamscape 10 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974905454 $39.99 (also MP3, DD)

32 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Young Adult

SKYWARD: Skyward, Book 1

Brandon Sanderson
Read by Suzy Jackson AKATA WARRIOR:
Akata Witch, Book 2
Narrator Suzy Jackson’s assured, brassy Nnedi Okorafor
Read by Yetide Badaki
tones and forceful delivery are an excep-
tional match for Sanderson’s high-stakes, Narrator Yetide Badaki’s dynamic voice
battle-driven space opera. Spensa is an returns with this story of Sunny, an
aspiring fighter pilot on a distant planet, Igbo and American albino girl with the
but her father’s past military betrayal juju needed to save humanity. Badaki
means she must face extraordinary enlivens Sunny’s character with a
odds to prove her worth on the battle- bright American accent and gives her
field. Jackson’s gift for characterizations friends varied Nigerian- and American-
shines—she brings out the humor and sounding voices. Continuing on from
heroism in Spensa’s young classmates Akata Witch, Sunny, Chichi, Orlu, and Sasha are growing as scholars, push-
and friends (and the neurotic spaceship ing the boundaries of the rules governing the magical Leopard People and
MBOT), along with the pain and persever- coming full circle to challenge Sunny’s prophetic dream of the apocalypse
ance of the generations that came before at the start of the series. Badaki’s animated voice is especially impressive
them. This is a high-octane futuristic nar- during the dramatic encounters Sunny has with giant spiders, lake monsters,
rative of hope, sacrifice, and courage, and a djinn, and supreme beings. Listeners will dive into this story of magic,
a fast pace speaks to the rising urgency as fantasy, identity, and destiny. E.E.C.
war rages above the planet. K.S.B.
Tantor Media 12.75 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
Audible, Inc. 15.25 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781977302434 $42.99 (also MP3, DD)
Trade Ed.: DD $34.95

Listeners will dive into this story of magic,

HERE TO STAY
Sara Farizan
fantasy, identity, and destiny.
Read by Jonathan Todd Ross

Narrator Jonathan Todd Ross delivers a

relevant and timely story about bullying, THE DISASTERS FIVE FEET APART
Islamophobia, and racism. Bijan Majidi is M.K. England Rachael Lippincott
a nerdy junior varsity jock at the Granger Read by James Fouhey Read by Joy Osmanski, Corey Brill
School in Boston. After winning a playoff
game, he finds himself part of the popular Advertised as a space story starring a In this impossible romance, Will and
group at Granger. However, he discovers motley crew, this audiobook is more of a Stella battle the life-threatening disease
that not everyone is thrilled about him land-bound conspiracy thriller than true cystic fibrosis while falling dangerously
when he receives an anonymous email science fiction. The story is filled with in love. Dual narrators Joy Osmanski
with his picture photoshopped to look shrewd characters, deadly intrigue, and and Corey Brill deftly volley opposing
like a terrorist. Ross’s powerful voice per- enough close calls to keep perspectives during the cou-
fectly reflects Bijan’s personality. In some listeners on the edge of their ple’s hospital stay. Osmanski
instances, however, he fails to make the seats. Narrator James Fouhey perfectly balances Stella’s
female characters’ voices distinct. Since portrays Nax Hall with just a determination to follow the
the audiobook has basketball elements to touch of snark, playing up rules and to use her intense
it, Ross also delivers a lively sports com- the character’s jaded attitude sorrow at losing loved ones
mentator’s play-by-play every time Bijan perfectly. There is nothing to help others. Brill depicts
becomes pensive. Teens aren’t the only casual about Fouhey’s overall Will’s rebellious snark,
ones who will appreciate this listen. A.C. performance, and his edgy passion for drawing, and
delivery makes the multiple scenes of con- longing for Stella. Their voices aching
Recorded Books 6 hrs. Unabridged Ages 14+
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980011361 $51.75 (also DD)
flict that much more intense. Although with teen feelings, both narrators hit their
the story differs from expectations, it’s still marks and capture the shifting winds
an action-packed fun listen for fans of YA and fearlessness of young love. E.A.N.
science fiction. N.H. Simon & Schuster Audio 6.75 hrs. Unabridged Ages 12+
VIDEOS @ BLOG Harper Audio 8.5 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508267492 $17.99
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062937902 $23.99
Watch narrator comments at
[Link]/blog

(Videos @ Blog) (Exceptional Audio) CD (Compact Disc) MP3 (MP3-CD) DD (Digital Download) PRE (Preloaded Media)

April/May 2019 n 33
Young Adult

TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET BLACK ENOUGH PULP

Karen M. McManus Ibi Zoboi [Ed.] Robin Talley
Read by Sophie Amoss, Kirby Heyborne Read by Bahni Turpin, Ron Butler Read by Stephanie Cannon

From the bestselling author of One The vocal dream team of Bahni Turpin Stephanie Cannon narrates this audio-
of Us Is Lying comes a new thriller, and Ron Butler delivers a poignant, book, which moves between 1955 and
beautifully narrated by Sophie Amoss funny, and ambitious YA anthology in 2017. Amid the 1950s Lavender Scare,
and Kirby Heyborne. Ellery and her which the brightest stars in YA fiction when mass firings of gays from govern-
brother, Ezra, move to the quiet rural showcase a variety of black American ment jobs took place, Janet discovers a
town of Echo Ridge, Vermont, where a teen experiences. Turpin confidently lesbian pulp fiction novel, and it opens up
past homecoming queen takes on the female-driven new worlds for her. Sixty-two years later,
was murdered five years stories, while Butler settles Abby is an out-and-proud lesbian coping
earlier. When homecom- in with the male points with her parents’ imploding marriage.
ing season arrives again, of view. Settings include The juxtaposition of these intertwining
another girl goes miss- camping trips, disas- stories highlights the incredible changes
ing. Other secrets of Echo trous parties, and family lesbian communities have undergone in
Ridge surface as Ellery reunions, and each story 60-plus years. Cannon gives both teens
uncovers the connection features a moment of tri- a subtle mid-Atlantic accent, reflecting
between the town and her umph and self-realization. their shared home of Washington, DC.
own family’s unfortunate Listeners will find them- Other characters have distinct voices,
history. Amoss and Heyborne make the selves dropped into the lives of teens though, interestingly, Janet’s and Abby’s
siblings shine amid an otherwise dreary who are rendered lifelike by the wealth love interests are both given a similar
cast. Most noteworthy is Amoss’s suc- of talent the narrators bring to the pro- high-pitched voice. Talley’s storytell-
cess in capturing Ellery’s development duction. Together, Turpin and Butler are ing elevates what could have felt like a
from an apathetic teenager to a strong more than enough for this must-listen history lesson. Cannon’s engaging narra-
and resourceful young lady. G.M. collection. J.E.C. tion ensures that listeners will dive right
Listening Library 10 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult Harper Audio 11.25 hrs. Unabridged Ages 12+ into these teens’ intertwining stories and
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984882370 $50.00 (also DD) Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062885265 $26.99 not want them to end. S.P.
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984829085 $50.00 (also DD)
Harlequin Audio 11.75 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781488205385 $24.99

“This is one of my favorite ON THE COME UP

Angie Thomas
genres to narrate because Read by Bahni Turpin
it’s voices and people that Narrator Bahni Turpin becomes The
I am well familiar with. Neighborhood through the eyes of Bri,
I’ve known these people, and a 16-year-old hip-hop artist who raps
to express how she feels. Turpin por-
I interact with people like them trays the essence of this quick-thinking
daily. Urban YA is definitely wordsmith who gets her first break
a comfort zone for me.” by performing at the infamous Ring,
where the best-of-the-best rap battles
—Narrator Bahni Turpin unfold. The spunk in Turpin’s voice
brings this roller-coaster story to life. She captures the character’s emotional
trauma at the threat of gang warfare and of being homeless, as well as her
fear that her mother will relapse and return to drugs. Thomas’s story and
Turpin’s narration are raw, funny, and filled with the vulnerable moments
that adolescents experience as they develop into who they want to be in this
world. T.E.C.
Harper Audio 11.75 hrs. Unabridged Ages 14+
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062840684 $26.99

34 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Young Adult

THE AGONY HOUSE

Cherie Priest
Read by Haven Burton, THE WICKED KING:
Thérèse Plummer, Jesse Vilinsky, The Folk of the Air, Book 2
Tristan Morris, Adam Grupper Holly Black
Read by Caitlin Kelly
Mystery meets ghost story meets graphic
novel in an audio tour de force that Narrator Caitlin Kelly returns for this
blends genres and formats while fully addition to the author’s Folk of the
exploring the unique characteristics of Air series. In a land called Faerie,
each. Seventeen-year-old Denise and Jude plans a way to bind herself to the
her family are trying to renovate their wicked, sadistic King Cardan in order
ramshackle New Orleans home, but to keep her brother, who is the rightful
the house—and the increasingly nasty heir to the crown, safe. Although Kelly
ghosts that live within it—seems deter- succeeds in portraying the urgency and
mined to thwart their plans. Narrator thrills in this complex fantasy, her performance highlight is her depiction
Haven Burton infuses earnest warmth of the romantic tension between Jude and Cardan as both characters try to
into the story and skillfully commu- save face while pursuing their hidden agendas. This winning combination
nicates Denise’s resilience as, aided of outstanding narration and captivating story will surely hook listeners from
only by clues from a mysterious comic start to finish. G.M.
book, she sets out to stop the unfriendly Hachette Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged Ages 12+
specters. A full cast gloriously narrates Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781549171321 $24.98 (also DD)

the comic book’s panels, which are lay-

ered with eerie music, evocative sound
effects, and spot-on period character
This winning combination of outstanding narration
voices. Listeners won’t want to miss this and captivating story will surely hook listeners.
spine-tingling audio, which is sure to
intrigue and amaze. S.A.H.
Scholastic Audiobooks 7 hrs. Unabridged Ages 12+
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781338311389 $24.99 INTERNMENT THE DEAD QUEENS CLUB
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781338311396 $74.99 Samira Ahmed Hannah Capin
Read by Soneela Nankani Read by Jesse Vilinsky

THE FEVER KING: Even though the setting of this audio- Jesse Vilinsky narrates a contemporary
Feverwake, Book 1 book is the future, it’s especially for those reimagining of Henry VIII and his numer-
Victoria Lee who don’t know or who have forgotten ous wives. Handsome and popular, Henry
Read by Michael Crouch the lessons of history. A few years in is at the top of the upper echelon of his
the future, a xenophobic president has Indiana high school. The details of his
Listeners will be drawn into Carolinia,
forced Muslim Americans love life are described by
where magic is a virus that leaves sur-
into internment camps. his best friend and one-
vivors, including Noam Alvarez, with
Teenage Layla and her time girlfriend—Annie
special powers. Noam, a technopath,
family become caught up “Cleves” Marck. All is not as
is offered lessons by Calix Lehrer, the
in the wave of anti-Muslim it seems in Lancaster High
Carolinian minister of defense. Noam
hysteria. Narrator Soneela School. Using distinct
is right to be distrustful of Lehrer and
Nankani effectively voices, Vilinsky exception-
his son, the bewitching Dara, to whom
conveys Layla’s emotions, ally brings each character
he is attracted. Narrator Michael Crouch
which range from fear and to life, regardless of gender.
injects Noam’s and Dara’s voices with
uncertainty to anger and She spectacularly evokes the
suspicion that changes to longing as
rebelliousness. For young adults con- plot twists and emotional highs and lows
their relationship develops. Maintaining
cerned about our nation’s current state of that create this story’s roller-coaster drama.
a steady narration and ably differentiat-
affairs, this is an important listen. It also is Vilinsky’s performance makes this a debut
ing a multitude of characters, Crouch
a listen for adults who may have forgotten novel well worth listening to. A.L.S.M.
helps listeners follow the convoluted
the terrible mistakes this country made Harper Audio 10.25 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
plot. His portrayal of Noam’s inner battle
in its treatment of Japanese-Americans Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781488206115 $24.99
over his romantic feelings and his desire
during WWII. J.P.S.
to save himself and his people despite
Hachette Audio 11.25 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
ongoing betrayals is riveting. Book 2 will
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781549148767 $25.00 (also DD)
be eagerly awaited. E.J.F.
Brilliance Audio 12 hrs. Unabridged Young Adult
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781721336265 $26.99
(also MP3, DD)

April/May 2019 n 35
Bill Konigsberg

“The search for

authenticity and
how to express it
is central to every-
thing I’m doing.”

Bill Konigsberg is a YA novelist who has “a tendency to speak out.”

He attributes this to his mother. “For better or worse, she taught me my
emotions and my thoughts are important. There are pitfalls to that, but one of
the really good things is that I feel very free to share my feelings.”
He did just last November at the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the
National Council of Teachers of English (ALAN). At the conference he sat on a
panel about disproportionately banned and challenged books and found himself
strongly disagreeing with the opinions of another panelist. The next day he gave
a speech during which he said, “LGBTQ youth are my kids. And I’m a fierce papa
bear, and you do not come after LGBTQ youth. Let’s widen that. You do not come
after marginalized kids. They, too, are my children.”
The night before the talk, he awoke at three in the morning. “I realized that
the second half of my speech was all about vulnerability but that I was speaking
about vulnerability without being vulnerable. It was all anger.” So he rewrote the
talk. “It’s so counterintuitive, especially for a man in our society, but being open
and real is exactly what is needed.”
Konigsberg’s characters certainly struggle with what it takes to be vulnera-
ble; truth, openness and honesty are even represented in the titles of his books:
Openly Straight, Honestly Ben, and Porcupine of Truth. “The search for authenticity
and how to express it is central to everything I’m doing. I suppose when I’m
Photo by Krystina Moran

done figuring it out, I’ll be dead. It’s endlessly interesting to me.”

Like their creator, Konigsberg’s characters seek connections with themselves
and with others. In Openly Straight, Rafe, the hero, breaks out of being a poster
child for gayness when he presents himself as straight at his new boarding
36 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 THE MUSIC OF WHAT HAPPENS
Bill Konigsberg
Read by Joel Froomkin, Anthony Rey Perez

Through the empathetic performances

of two narrators, we meet gay Arizona
high schoolers Jordan and Max,
and their families and friends. Joel
More Listening
Froomkin brings high-strung energy to OPENLY STRAIGHT
Jordan, who has a poetic sensibility and Bill Konigsberg, read by Pete Cross
a slacker attitude. As confident jock Max, Dreamscape Unabridged Ages 14+
Anthony Rey Perez has an authentic, Trade Ed.: CD, MP3, DD
natural-sounding charm. Jordan’s mom
HONESTLY BEN
is behind on their mortgage, so she resurrects their family food truck, and Bill Konigsberg, read by Dan Bittner
Jordan and Max take on the challenge of turning it into a profitable business Scholastic Audiobooks Unabridged Ages 14+
during summer break. As the boys fall for each other, Froomkin and Perez’s Trade Ed.: DD
heartfelt portrayals ensure that listeners are in sync with the characters as they
deal with everything from a traumatic sexual encounter and mental health OUT OF THE POCKET
issues to toxic masculinity and figuring out how to be true to oneself. J.M.D. Bill Konigsberg, read by Joshua Swanson
Audible, Inc. Unabridged Ages 14+
Scholastic Audiobooks 9.25 hrs. Unabridged Trade Ed.: DD
Young Adult
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781338331202 $24.99
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781338331219 $74.99

Heartfelt portrayals ensure that listeners

are in sync with the characters.

school so that he can discover who he really is. He connects with Ben, hero of
Konigsberg’s companion book, Honestly Ben, who identifies as straight but “gay
for Rafe.” Ben also struggles to understand himself and this dichotomy.
Konigsberg communicates with lots of young people who write to him. The
hardest question he hears? “I want to come out to my parents. What should I do?”
He always tells them, “Your safety matters more than anything else. If you’re in a
situation where your parents might kick you out of the house, you should not come
out.” He acknowledges that this is controversial advice. “But there are way too many
homeless LGBTQ kids. Part of me is exhausted from fighting this fight for so many
years. In the positive, things are changing, but there is still much work to be done.”
In his newest book, The Music of What Happens, the heroes, Max and Jordan,
are comfortably out, but neither has found love—until they meet each other. This
book marks a shift the author didn’t understand when he began it. “My default
is that I had to deal with them coming out, and it was so freeing when I realized,
no, not necessarily. Maybe these are kids whose biggest issues are past that.”
Konigsberg, an audiobook lover, appreciates emotions in his listening. His
latest favorite is Benjamin Alire Sáenz’s Last Night I Sang to the Monster. “It took
me about 15 minutes to get into it, and I sobbed the last two hours.”
Konigsberg feels he learns through hearing, and, because of that, audiobooks
hit him powerfully. He hasn’t liked listening to his own books read on audio.
He once listened to one on a drive from Phoenix to Los Angeles. “There was too NARRATOR VIDEO
much me in the car. I was overwhelmed with how exhausting it was to be around
Anthony Rey Perez on recording
me! My brain doesn’t stop, and listening to my audiobook was like being in my The Music of What Happens
brain. So I’m not planning to do it again.” [Link]/blog/
Happily, others who listen to Konigsberg’s audiobooks don’t feel the same category/behind-the-mic

way.—Susie Wilde
April/May 2019 n 37
Historical Fiction

THE BEANTOWN GIRLS LEARNING TO SEE THE SPLENDOR BEFORE THE DARK
Jane Healey Elise Hooper Margaret George
Read by Sarah Mollo-Christensen Read by Cassandra Campbell Read by Steve West, Katharine McEwan,
Susan Denaker
Sarah Mollo-Christensen gives a stellar Cassandra Campbell’s sensitive narra-
narration of this gripping story of Red tion of this novel tells the moving story Listeners engage George’s epic second
Cross girls who leave Boston as part of of documentary photographer Dorothea novel where The Confessions of Young
WWII relief efforts. Organized Fiona vol- Lange, whose iconic images of poor Nero left off. Re-creating the life of the
unteers along with two friends, shy Dottie and migrant people during the Great Roman emperor who allegedly fiddled
and brazen Viviana, as a way of helping Depression brought a human element to while Rome burned, the story begins
in the midst of her grief at finding out a tragic period in U.S. history. Arriving with that famous fire and follows Nero
her fiancé is missing in in San Francisco in 1918 through his last years. Steve West car-
action. Soon, the wistful at the age of 22, Lange was ries the lion’s share of the narrating as
tones of missing her loved determined to support her- Nero recounts events as he lives them.
one turn to the embold- self and quickly became Katharine McEwan and Susan Denaker
ened and urgent tones of a successful portrait ably support the narration with smoothly
struggling to survive. Mollo- photographer. Campbell’s executed performances. As Nero devotes
Christensen’s moving expressive voice embodies himself to the massive undertaking of
descriptions of devastation the indignation Lange felt rebuilding Rome, West shows him mak-
and death may bring the at many people’s dire eco- ing enemies, overturning insurrections,
listener to tears. She adeptly nomic circumstances in and swallowing the bitter pill of disloy-
switches between the many accents the 1930s, which led to her work for the alty from those he trusts most. West, in
involved in this global story: the guttural U.S. government documenting destitute tones alternately hopeful and loving, vin-
speech of Germans, the clipped accents migrant families and, later, Japanese- dictive and self-deluding, does a terrific
of British aristocrats, the drawls of people Americans living in internment camps. job imagining the many facets of the fre-
from New Orleans, and the dropped word Campbell’s equally warm and sympa- quently misrepresented emperor. S.J.H.
endings of Bostonians. A.L.C. thetic voice reflects Lange’s guilt and Penguin Audio 21.75 hrs. Unabridged
self-doubt as her health began to fail and Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525640943 $30.00
Brilliance Audio 11.25 hrs. Unabridged
Books on Tape
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781721349180 $24.99 her children suffered as she put her work Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9780525640950 $60.00 (also DD)
(also MP3, DD) before all else. J.E.S.
Harper Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062892027 $26.99
DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER
OF A QUEEN
Sarah Bird
Read by Bahni Turpin

SCHINDLER’S LIST Narrator Bahni Turpin beautifully per-

Thomas Keneally forms this novel based on the real-life
Read by Humphrey Bower
story of Cathy Williams, who was born
There is nothing like a fresh reading of a into slavery and “freed” by Union gen-
classic to breathe new life into its message. eral Philip Sheridan for the purpose of
Humphrey Bower’s graceful narration of helping his camp cook during the Civil
Keneally’s audiobook is just such a mile- War. Afterwards, Williams became the
stone. The story of Oskar Schindler is well first woman to serve in the U.S. Army
known: He was a patriotic German and during peacetime. Disguising herself
member of the Nazi party who managed as a man, she served in the cavalry as
to save more than 1,200 Jews by bringing a Buffalo Soldier for almost two years.
them to work in his enamelware factory in Poland. (As part of the war effort, Jews Turpin skillfully delivers every nuance
engaged in such work were exempted from deportation.) Bower has a pleasing of Cathy’s emotions—the pain of being
tone and cadence, and perfectly pronounces a daunting array of German, Polish, separated from her family, the tender-
and Yiddish words. Even for those already familiar with this story, it is well worth ness of first love, the fear of rape, and
the time to revisit this treasure of compassion and bravery. D.G.P. the determination to pull her weight—as
well as the immense cost of her choices.
Simon & Schuster Audio 16.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508250968 $23.99 The audiobook includes an interview
with the author, who discusses her
research. C.B.L.
It is well worth the time to revisit this treasure Macmillan Audio 15 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250299017 $44.99 (also DD)
of compassion and bravery.

38 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Fiction

YOUR DUCK IS MY DUCK:

Stories
Deborah Eisenberg GHOST WALL
Read by Deborah Eisenberg, Wallace Shawn, Sarah Moss
Julianne Moore, Josh Hamilton Read by Christine Hewitt

Four narrators bring Deborah Eisenberg’s Narrator Christine Hewitt’s insightful

highly anticipated story collection to life, characterizations bring greater depth to
and listeners will be delighted with the Moss’s nuanced and gripping novel. Set
variety. Eisenberg herself narrates two of over the course of two hot summer weeks
the stories, and, while she doesn’t have in Britain in the 1970s, the story follows
the vocal gifts of the other three narra- an unlikely group of historical re-enactors
tors, her voice suits the intimate tone whose attempt at living like Iron Age
of the works. Julianne Moore narrates Britons goes terribly awry. An archaeology
a wonderful story, “Cross Off and Move professor and three students are accompanied by a working-class family that
On,” using her acting gifts to get in the includes teenaged Sylvie, her downtrodden mother, and her father, a cruel
head of the main character perfectly. and abusive man fascinated by ancient history. Hewitt effectively uses accents
Wallace Shawn’s distinctive voice lends to highlight class differences, the family’s soft Yorkshire accents contrasting
a sardonic note to the dialogue in the with the clipped, posher tones of the students and professor. She’s especially
final story, “Recalculating.” Actor and effective as Sylvie, whose internal dialogue is biting but whose spoken inter-
experienced narrator Josh Hamilton’s actions are colored by fear of her father. E.C.
simply modulated reading of two of the Macmillan Audio 3.75 hrs. Unabridged
stories allows the listener to focus on Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781250204806 $10.99

Eisenberg’s wonderful use of language.

A rich listening experience will attract a
wide audience. D.P.G. Hewitt’s insightful characterizations bring greater
Harper Audio 7 hrs. Unabridged
depth to Moss’s nuanced and gripping novel.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062864680 $20.99

FINDING DOROTHY THE SHAPE OF THE RUINS SUGAR RUN

Elizabeth Letts Juan Gabriel Vásquez Mesha Maren
Read by Ann Marie Lee, Read by Sheldon Romero Read by Hillary Huber
Elizabeth Letts [Afterword]
Sheldon Romero does an admirable The ability to portray empathetic charac-
Ann Marie Lee’s versatile narration of job narrating Vásquez’s new novel of ters is one of narrator Hillary Huber’s
this novel based on the life of L. Frank modern Colombia and its long and signature skills. Listeners will be moved
Baum’s wife, Maud, is as entertaining as labyrinthine history of political unrest, by the gritty story of felon Jodi McCarty,
The Wizard of Oz, the iconic film based assassinations, and the inevitable who was convicted of murder at age 17,
on Baum’s most famous work. Maud conspiracies that follow. Romero’s calm imprisoned for life, and then unexpect-
and her suffragist mother, Matilda, are tone and even pitch provide an interest- edly released 18 years later. In a tone
both fiercely independent, unforgettable ing contrast to the tumultuous story and of awe and loss, Huber lets Jodi’s slow
characters. Whether Lee is portraying help to clarify events for the movement into her new
Judy Garland, Louie B. Mayer, or other listener. The story is told world of freedom grad-
real-life figures, her extraordinary ability from the point of view of a ually unwind. So much has
to create precise and expressive novelist—also named Juan changed, but Jodi is focused
vocal characterizations reveals her to be Gabriel Vásquez—who on one mission: to make
an artist at the top of her profession. becomes entangled with two amends. Huber allows more
Especially impressive is Lee’s rendering men, one a highly respected confidence and joy into her
of distinct and authentic-sounding male doctor, who are both voice as Jodi reclaims her
voices. Letts offers a brief narration of obsessed with the conspir- lost life. Together, she and
her research in an afterword. This is an acy culture (such as the one that sprang her new girlfriend, Miranda, search for a
audiobook listeners will revisit again and up after the Kennedy assassination). The way to find peace to go along with Jodi’s
again. M.J. story is fascinating, a treat for attentive new freedom. R.O.
Random House Audio 14 hrs. Unabridged listeners who enjoy the rich tapestry of HighBridge Audio 11 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984846020 $45.00 (also DD)
South American literature. D.G.P. Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781684416400 $39.99 (also DD)
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984846044 $45.00 (also DD) Penguin Audio 17.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525640554 $25.00
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525640561 $95.00

April/May 2019 n 39
Fiction

A LADDER TO THE SKY 99 NIGHTS IN LOGAR UNMARRIAGEABLE

John Boyne Jamil Jan Kochai Soniah Kamal
Read by Richard E. Grant, Read by Ali Nasser Read by Soniah Kamal
Richard Cordery, Nina Sosanya,
Laurence Kennedy Ali Nasser creates a vivid vocal portrait Author Soniah Kamal delivers a passion-
of this unusual coming-of-age story. ate and jovial narration of her Pakistani
Listeners are in for a masterfully written Marwand returns to Afghanistan and is retelling of the classic novel Pride and
story, powerfully performed. Handsome, completely disoriented by the country he Prejudice. Alys would be perfectly comfort-
manipulative, ambitious Maurice Swift is last visited six years ago. We follow along able to remain a single woman employed
set on becoming a famous novelist and a as Marwand searches for as a literature teacher
father—no matter what it takes. The nar- the missing family guard despite the social climbing,
ration is so arresting that one feels like a dog, Budabash, who runs fashion consciousness,
voyeur while hearing Maurice manipu- away after biting him. We and marriage focus of her
late, through seduction, his first victim, are swept along this 12-year- culture. She and her sis-
aging author Erich Ackermann. From old’s search for meaning by ters, however, are under
there, listeners observe Maurice’s life Nasser’s tender treatment constant pressure to make
and career by hearing from Ackermann; of postwar Kabul. His smart matches. The snob-
Maurice’s wife, Edith; his son; a liter- accurate pronunciation of bish Mr. Darsee just might
ary biographer; and others, including names and foreign words help overcome Alys’s pride,
Gore Vidal. The trio of narrators does lets listeners sink deeper into the story and she his prejudices. The audiobook
an exceptional job of voicing Maurice— and the setting. Marwand is a memora- provides an engaging story and enjoy-
young and old, sober and drunk—and ble character made more so by the gentle able insights on language and culture
his victims—the innocent and the rhythm between description and dialogue. in Pakistan. Kamal’s performance is
ruthless. Listeners will find themselves This enjoyable listening experience is easy delightful. V.B.
challenged by the question of who owns on the ears and heart. M.R. Random House Audio 10.75 hrs. Unabridged
story ideas and left with a rather grim Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525639534 $20.00
Penguin Audio 6.75 hrs. Unabridged
view of the publishing world. E.Q. Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984827814 $17.50 Books on Tape
Books on Tape Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525639541 $76.00
Random House Audio 11.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984846198 $22.50 Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984827821 $57.00
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984846204 $95.00

“With its deep insight into THE DREAMERS

Karen Thompson Walker
character, its dystopian Read by Cassandra Campbell
evocation of Thornton Cassandra Campbell delivers an elegant
Wilder’s Our Town, and narration of this audiobook, a charac-
its portrayals of the dreams ter-driven story sprinkled with elements
of science fiction. A mysterious dis-
of the inhabitants of Santa ease strikes a college town in Southern
Lora, I was transported by California. The infected fall asleep and
this fictional world long after remain in a deep, dreamy state of uncon-
sciousness. While some die, most remain
I finished recording it!” alive but unable to return to consciousness. As the disease continues to
—Narrator Cassandra Campbell spread, the ensuing events unfold through a kaleidoscope of shifting per-
spectives. One moment, Campbell sounds detached but not unkind as she
reads passages from an omniscient point of view. The next, she’s inhabiting
the mind of any of a number of well-drawn characters and realizing their
most private inner world. Her impressive balancing act renders a complicated
story structure into a smooth and satisfying listening experience. A.T.N.
Random House Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9780525637547 $40.00 (also DD)
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9780525637561 $40.00 (also DD)

40 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Fiction

THE BOY AT THE KEYHOLE

Stephen Giles
Read by Joel Froomkin THE GOLDEN STATE
Lydia Kiesling
Joel Froomkin is an exceptional narrator Read by Amanda Dolan
for this eerie tale of a decaying house and
With characters that ring vocally and
a boy abandoned to the care of his house-
emotionally true, narrator Amanda
keeper. Froomkin moves deftly between
Dolan takes us to a place where achieving
the older housekeeper, Ruth, and 9-year-
old Samuel. We sympathize with young a state of happiness seems both obvious
Samuel and his longing for his mother; and impossible. In this acclaimed debut
his musings come to us in tender, vul- novel, young mother Daphne Nilson
nerable tones. This is in contrast with flees with her baby daughter from the
Ruth, whose personality comes through malaise of her life. She lands in a north-
in a rough, older voice and working-class ern California town as depressed as she
accent. They are equally believable, and is. Its residents have more sympathy for State of Jefferson separatists than
their credibility increases the intensity of they do for a wife separated (due to underhanded immigration agents) from
this mystery. Is Samuel’s mother truly her Turkish husband. Dolan, while giving full weight to Daphne’s paralyz-
abroad in America, or has something ing despair, also captures her delight in and love for her child. When Daphne
sinister happened to her? Listeners will attempts to befriend an apathetic elderly woman visiting town, the awkward
hang on every word through the explo- relationship they form leads to the novel’s climax. K.W.
sive ending. Froomkin takes us on a wild Blackstone Audio 9.25 hrs. Unabridged
journey, and we love every second. M.R. Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781538586792 $34.95 (also MP3, DD)
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781538586785 $90.00
Harlequin Audio 6.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781488205170 $18.99

Dolan takes us to a place where achieving a state of

TO KEEP THE SUN ALIVE happiness seems both obvious and impossible.
Rabeah Ghaffari
Read by Rabeah Ghaffari

Rabeah Ghaffari narrates her poetic his-

torical novel set against the backdrop THE FAR FIELD FAMILY TRUST
of an impending Iranian Revolution. Madhuri Vijay Kathy Wang
Throughout the winding story she gives Read by Sneha Mathan Read by Joy Osmanski
its multigenerational characters sombre, Sneha Mathan voices the first-person This is a family story for the 21st century,
steady voices. In doing so, she under-
narration of Shalini, who experiences and Joy Osmanski navigates the audio-
scores the many changes that hang in the
a political and emotional awakening as book with panache. Listeners meet the
balance of this political watershed. Bibi
she unravels the mystery of her mother. Huang family patriarch and his entire
and her husband, a judge, watch over
She journeys from her comfortable family when he is diagnosed with can-
their extended family and worry about
their aspirations, all the while farming Bangalore home to unfamiliar Kashmir cer. Each member is carrying their own
fruit in the family’s orchard. Ghaffari to find the man who can challenges. Osmanski is
presents both male and female charac- show her her mother in a adept with shifting voices
ters well; she makes the rise of religious new light. Initially, Mathan’s from character to character.
extremists credible in deep-voiced lines voice sounds too grave to She adds accents that largely
that contrast with the measured tones fit Shalini’s disconnected enhance the listening expe-
used to evoke the judge. This is a lush description of herself. rience, or at least do not
listening experience that fans of literary However, this seriousness detract from it. Sometimes
fiction will sink into as Ghaffari human- reveals its purpose as Shalini cynically funny, other times
izes history. M.R. is drawn into the secrets of melancholy, but always
Blackstone Audio 9.25 hrs. Unabridged
the man’s family and grows in her under- observant, what emerges from this
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982601577 $34.95 standing of their world and her own. audiobook is an interesting set of por-
(also MP3, DD) The richness of Mathan’s voice gives the traits of contemporary personalities and
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982601560 $76.00
sinuous story weight. She enlivens each a study of how families interact in the
character’s part with subtle inflections face of adversity. L.B.F.
that reflect a range of speech from British Harper Audio 13.75 hrs. Unabridged

VIDEOS @ BLOG
English to Hindi accents. M.P.P. Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062866257 $29.99

Dreamscape 14 hrs. Unabridged

Watch narrator comments at Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974930067 $59.99
[Link]/blog (also MP3, DD)

April/May 2019 n 41
Fiction

JEEVES AND THE EARLY RISER GOOD RIDDANCE

KING OF CLUBS Jasper Fforde Elinor Lipman
Ben Schott Read by Thomas Hunt Read by Mia Barron
Read by James Lance
Thomas Hunt’s lively narration coaxes Narrator Mia Barron’s light, airy delivery
Narrator James Lance makes a jolly good warmth into the wintry Welsh landscape fits this contemporary rom-com about
show of this second novel commissioned of Jasper Fforde’s much anticipated a young woman starting over in New
by the P.G. Wodehouse estate. The plot new novel. In this frigid world, people York City. In a tidying-up binge, Daphne
has our man Jeeves and his gentleman, must hibernate throughout the winter, Maritch throws out her annotated copy
Bertie Wooster, engaged by a Lord watched over by a handful of slightly of a 1968 high school yearbook, which
MacAuslan to undertake a spot of coun- unhinged attendants known as Winter was dedicated to her late mother, who
terespionage against the fascist-loving Consuls. Hunt captures the bumbling was that year’s teacher adviser. When
Roderick Spode, another Wodehouse confusion of Charlie Worthing, a nov- Daphne’s neighbor retrieves the book,
creation. Joining these four as the ice Consul whose initiation into winter Maritch family secrets begin to spill.
audiobook’s core characters are Bertie’s isn’t going well. With nimble pacing Barron accentuates the fun, putting a
Auntie Dahlia, former fiancées Florence and good cheer, Hunt delivers Charlie’s zany spin on Daphne’s desperate plans
and Madeline, lovelorn friend Montague encounters with undead Nightwalkers, to recover the book and her up-and-down
Montgomery, and MacAuslan’s niece, mystifying bureaucrats, and viral dreams relationship with the cute actor across
Iona. Lance brings each character lithely populated by blue Buicks and disem- the hall. Using a variety of accents and
to life. It would be dashed unsporting bodied hands. Supporting characters, registers, Barron gives the characters dis-
if Wodehouse purists were to quibble including quaint yet steely aristocrats tinct voices and cadences, rounding out
with Ben Schott’s story or Lance’s perfor- and cheerfully murderous Consuls, are their personalities and adding spark to
mance, as both are simply topping. K.W. depicted with equal skill and vivacity. this lighthearted story. Pop culture refer-
Hachette Audio 8.5 hrs. Unabridged Hunt is particularly adept at communi- ences and some road trips keep the plot
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781549170935 $25.98 cating this engaging mix of snark and moving. C.B.L.
satire, heightening the surreal fun of this Dreamscape 8.5 hrs. Unabridged
madcap adventure. S.A.H. Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974926893 $59.99
(also MP3)
VIDEOS @ BLOG Penguin Audio 15.25 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984842541 $25.00
Books on Tape
Watch narrator comments at Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984842558 $95.00
[Link]/blog

“McCracken’s language felt BOWLAWAY

Elizabeth McCracken
so scrumptious in my mouth. Read by Kate Reading
A visceral feast. Idiosyncratic Kate Reading’s stately narration is as
characters, described in expansive as Bertha Truitt herself, the
vivid and specific language, majestic spirit central to this sprawl-
ing novel. When Bertha mysteriously
plumbing the human appears, as if resurrected, atop a grave
experience. She is a keen and in the local cemetery, she bowls over the
poetic observer of people.” residents of Salford, Massachusetts—
literally, as she immediately sets about
—Narrator Kate Reading establishing a bowling alley in town.
Reading’s rich, rounded timbre fits both Bertha’s character and the story’s
somewhat whimsical sweep. That smooth backdrop leaves Reading room to
develop the rougher, edgier voices of the oddballs and lost souls whose lives,
set in motion by Bertha’s kinetic energy, play out over much of the novel.
With Bowlaway, Reading can add to her list of narrative accomplishments
helping to turn a bowling alley into an allegory. K.W.
Harper Audio 12.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062892188 $29.99
Photo by Teresa Castracane

42 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Fiction

IN OUR MAD
AND FURIOUS CITY
 uy Gunaratne
G THE WATER CURE
Read by Ben Bailey Smith, Sophie Mackintosh
Lou Marie Kerr Read by Gemma Whelan, Hannah
Murray, Morfydd Clark
Narrators Ben Bailey Smith and Lou
Three narrators deliver this grim
Marie Kerr expertly intertwine multiple
dreamlike story about young women
first-person points of view in this gritty
raised on an isolated island in a dys-
debut audiobook about life and conflict
topian future. When their father
in London, a city “that doesn’t love you
disappears and three strange men
back.” Characters from various class,
wash up on their beach, the sisters’
religious, and ethnic backgrounds cross
world crumbles. Morfydd Clark’s
paths over a 48-hour period when racial
cool, clipped delivery emphasizes
tensions in the city are running high.
eldest sister Grace’s flinty personal-
Bailey Smith handles the majority of the
ity. Hannah Murray portrays the third-person plural chapters, told from all
characters, including Selvon, Arden, and
three sisters’ perspectives, in a listless tone that captures the damage done
Yusef. Though they live in the same proj-
to the girls by their cruel parents. Middle sister Lia is at the heart of the story,
ect, each has a distinct history. Kerr gives
and Gemma Whelan makes the most of the author’s poetic language with
voice to an Irish woman transplanted
an emotive yet nuanced performance. While the listener may notice the nar-
to London who is under the threat of
rators’ inconsistent pronunciation of one character’s name, overall this is a
violence back home. Bailey Smith and
captivating production. E.C.
Kerr bring these characters fully to life.
Listeners unfamiliar with the dialects— Random House Audio 7.25 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525638025 $17.50
Irish, Jamaican, and British among Books on Tape
them—will be especially buoyed by the Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525638032 $66.50
power of the performances. S.P.C.
Macmillan Audio 6.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250224538 $34.99 (also DD) A captivating production.

MOUTHFUL OF BIRDS: Stories

Samanta Schweblin AN ORCHESTRA OF MINORITIES AT THE WOLF’S TABLE
Read by Erin Bennett, Allyson Ryan, Chigozie Obioma Rosella Postorino, Leah Janeczko [Trans.]
Mark Bramhall, Kaleo Griffith, Read by Chukwudi Iwuji Read by Polly Stone
and a Full Cast
Narrator Chukwudi Iwuji has us laugh- Narrator Polly Stone gives us a believable
This is a varied collection of short
ing and crying along with an unnamed depiction of Rosa Sauer, a young German
stories, and listeners will benefit from the
chi, or ancestral Nigerian spirit. Through woman who is conscripted to be one of
use of multiple narrators, including Erin
his observations, we hear about the life, Hitler’s 10 food tasters at his clandestine
Bennett, Allyson Ryan, Mark Bramhall,
love, and difficulties of a poor chicken headquarters, Wolfsschanze, or Wolf’s
and Kaleo Griffith, among others. You
farmer named Chinonso. Lair, in east Prussia. Stone’s
can sink into these stories while enjoying
Iwuji sounds confident and Rosa recalls her life during
the range of voices and personas. Bennett
persistent as he portrays and after the war using a
and Ryan inhabit angry, dramatic women
Chinonso’s determination voice that sounds constricted,
who are impatient with life and limita-
in ringing tones and a gentle like a boot is crushing her
tions. The male narrators highlight the
cadence. This is a contem- chest. In a unique accent,
elements of suspense and borderline
porary African Romeo and Stone captures the moods
horror. They blend together to create a
Juliet story, which Iwuji of the story—self-recrimina-
diverse listening journey as you are taken
narrates with omniscience, tion, self-pity, and despair.
from one story to the next. This title is
as the chi sees all and reports all to the Rosa has a husband on the Eastern Front,
likely to linger on your device, as the
listener. We are rooting for Chinonso to a lover who is an SS officer, and a few
stories are numerous and generous in
end up with Ndali, whose wealthy family friends among the other tasters, but most
length. Take your time enjoying the writ-
doesn’t care that he saved her life. Will of the audiobook takes place in her head.
ten and oral creativity on display. M.R.
he manage to climb the social ladder and The story is compelling, and the perfor-
Penguin Audio 6 hrs. Unabridged win Ndali’s hand? We listen with fingers mance memorable. D.L.G.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525640653 $15.00
Books on Tape
crossed in hope. M.R. Macmillan Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged
Library Ed.:DD ISBN 9780525640660 $47.00 Hachette Audio 18 hrs. Unabridged Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250316929 $39.99 (also DD)
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781478996590 $25.98

April/May 2019 n 43
 James Lee Burke

THE NEW IBERIA BLUES:

Dave Robicheaux, Book 22
More Listening
James Lee Burke
ROBICHEAUX
Read by Will Patton
James Lee Burke, read by Will Patton
Listening to Burke’s Robicheaux series Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD, DD
means walking into the dark, damp swamps
of New Iberia, Louisiana, and the pain- THE JEALOUS KIND
ridden, tortured swamps of Robicheaux’s James Lee Burke, read by Will Patton
mind. Narrator Will Patton’s portrayal of Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged
the detective snares the listener in the rich Trade Ed.: CD, DD
descriptions and philosophizing woven
through the action. Patton’s rendition of WAYFARING STRANGER
James Lee Burke, read by Will Patton
Smiley Wimple, the psychotic, childlike murderer on a mission, is creepily on-tar-
Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged
get. His voice for Robicheaux’s friend Clete Purcell, however, is pinched and seems Trade Ed.: CD, DD
wrong for this big, generous hero. This audiobook is a continuation of Burke’s
series featuring Robicheaux. There is sufficient backstory, however, so the new LIGHT OF THE WORLD
listener can follow the narrative. Listeners will be kept thoroughly engaged as they James Lee Burke, read by Will Patton
view time, death, and good and evil through Robicheaux’s fractured prism. E.Q. Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD, DD
Photo by James McDavid

Simon & Schuster Audio 15 hrs. Unabridged

Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781508266686 $39.99 (also DD) CREOLE BELLE
James Lee Burke, read by Will Patton
Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged
Listeners will be kept thoroughly engaged. Trade Ed.: CD, DD

44 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Mystery & Suspense

VERSES FOR THE DEAD:

Pendergast, Book 18
Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child THE GOLDEN TRESSES
Read by Rene Auberjonois OF THE DEAD:
Flavia de Luce, Book 10
This new entry in the popular long-run- Alan Bradley
Read by Jayne Entwistle
ning series featuring FBI special agent
Pendergast adds two new wrinkles Narrator Jayne Entwistle seamlessly
for the sharp-as-a-tack investigator: reprises the voices of the beloved char-
a new boss and a new partner. Narrator acters from the Flavia de Luce mystery
Rene Auberjonois brings an acerbic series. In this installment, the townspeo-
delivery and deliberate pacing to his ple of Bishop’s Lacey attend the wedding of
performance, encapsulating the tension Flavia’s sister, Ophelia. Entwistle is bright
between the two agents as they inves- voiced as Flavia, especially in the face of a jolly good mystery—the appear-
tigate a series of gory murders on the ance of a human finger in the wedding cake! Quiet, thoughtful moments are
East Coast. Pendergast, ever in control, sprinkled in frequently as Flavia’s logical mind sorts out the shifting moods of
is deliciously nervous when interviewed puberty, which Entwistle smoothly evokes. Flavia’s self-reflection is contrasted
live by a television reporter. Auberjonois, with the unsettled nature of her young cousin Undine—who is playing pranks
best known for his work on the Star Trek one moment and bluntly questioning the next. Dogger, steadfast as always in
series “Deep Space Nine,” draws the pace and action, allows Flavia to navigate their new relationship as cofounders
listener into the engaging thriller with of Arthur W. Dogger & Associates, Discreet Investigations. A.L.C.
a knowing and friendly tone. Fans will
Random House Audio 8.75 hrs. Unabridged
revel in the back-and-forth between the Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9780449807736 $35.00 (also DD)
partners and enjoy the shocking climax Books on Tape
and takedown of the killer. R.O. Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9780449807750 $35.00 (also DD)

Hachette Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged

Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781549142222 $40.00 (also DD)
Entwistle is bright voiced as Flavia,
especially in the face of a jolly good mystery.
NEVER TELL: A D.D. Warren
and Flora Dane Novel, Book 10
Lisa Gardner
Read by Kirsten Potter
IN A HOUSE OF LIES: CONNECTIONS IN DEATH:
Narrator Kirsten Potter successfully Inspector Rebus, Book 22 In Death, Book 48
voices three very different female char- Ian Rankin J.D. Robb
Read by James Macpherson Read by Susan Ericksen
acters who alternate chapters as their
stories unfold and intertwine. The tenth A new Rebus mystery narrated by James Narrator Susan Ericksen rises admirably
book in the Detective D.D. Warren Macpherson, with his Scottish brogue to the challenge of helping to distinguish
series includes an abundance of sec- and impeccable pacing, is always a sat- the many different characters in this mys-
ondary characters, some with heavy isfying experience. The gang’s all here: tery. Set in a bleak mid-21st-century New
Boston accents, and listeners will appre- Detective Inspector John Rebus is York City, the story draws listeners into a
ciate Potter’s talented delivery. Detective gruff, witty, and out of breath, thanks gritty investigation as homicide cop Eve
Warren investigates the murder of a to emphysema; Siobhan Clarke is more Dallas and her team set out to uncover the
man, supposedly by his wife, Evie Carter, measured, with crisp English under- truth about an apparent drug overdose. In
whom D.D. encountered 16 years earlier tones; and Malcolm Fox is a straight particular, Ericksen’s narration draws on
while investigating a case. The plot is arrow, thoughtful and desperate to be subtle characterization to help listeners
further complicated when Flora Danes, part of the team. In this installment a keep track of who’s speaking in scenes
D.D.’s confidential informant who is a body in a car is found by kids playing of dialogue. She keeps the pace moving
kidnap survivor and now a vigilante for in the woods; the dead man has been throughout, even during the slower parts
justice, recognizes the murder victim missing for years. The new investigation of the story. There is even a puzzle built
as an associate of her kidnapper. This appears to highlight the ineptitude, or into the audiobook, which is something a
well-done match of narrator and author even corruption, of the police (including little different for listeners. K.J.P.
results in the audiobook equivalent of a Rebus) at the time the man went miss- Macmillan Audio 12.25 hrs. Unabridged
page-turner. E.Q. ing. Macpherson handles the twisty plot Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250318114 $39.99 (also DD)
Brilliance Audio 11.75 hrs. Unabridged with ease, and since the crime boss, Big
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781536609530 $36.99 Ger Cafferty, is somehow involved, he
(also MP3, DD)
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781536609608 $64.97
gets to growl and snarl, too. A.B.
Hachette Audio 11.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781549115653 $35.00 (also DD)

April/May 2019 n 45
Mystery & Suspense

AN ORDER FOR DEATH: THE AU PAIR GOLDEN STATE

Matthew Bartholomew, Book 7 Emma Rous Ben H. Winters
Susanna Gregory Read by Elizabeth Sastre, Nicola Barber Read by Kiff VandenHeuvel
Read by David Thorpe
Elizabeth Sastre and Nicola Barber Kiff VandenHeuvel’s nuanced narration
Narrator David Thorpe takes listeners adeptly share the narration of a thrilling elevates this dystopian thriller, drawing
to Cambridge in 1353 as competing story of family scandal. Sastre gives voice listeners into Winters’s futuristic vision
orders of the Church are warring—quite to the suspicious Seraphine Mayes, a of California. What is now a state has
literally—over the metaphysical con- contemporary young woman who has become a separate nation in which truth is
structs of realism versus nominalism. begun to wonder about the revered and lying is a crime.
Thorpe credibly portrays doctor Matthew true nature of her parentage. Lazlo Ratesic is a long-serving
Bartholomew as he investigates a series Sastre delivers the charac- member of the Speculative
of murders related to a philosophical ter’s fearful observations in Service, which is made up of
conflict that even its staunchest defend- a tone of youthful suspicion individuals who can sense—
ers little understand. The listener senses and anxiety. Barber voices and thus police—liars.
Bartholomew’s increasing urgency as the Laura, a young au pair in the Initially, VandenHeuvel por-
murders grow in number and suspense 1990s, giving her a voice of trays Lazlo as a hard-boiled
heightens. As Bartholomew and Brother naïveté and expressing the archetype: gruff, gravelly, and
Michael uncover further intrigue at the deep distress Laura feels when making blunt. Yet as Lazlo, his world, and his most
convent of St. Radegund, which serves as difficult choices. The dual narrators recent case are revealed to be increasingly
a brothel of nuns, Thorpe increases the make it easy to discern between two per- complex, VandenHeuvel layers poignancy
intensity of his tone and pacing to capture spectives and time frames with their own across Lazlo’s rough edges and brings a
the urgency of this complex plot. V.M.G. pacing and emphasis. What results is childlike tenderness to his faith in the
ISIS Audio Books 18.25 hrs. Unabridged a thrilling mystery with two powerful “Objectively So,” making it all the more
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781407967462 $109.95 performances. V.B. devastating when that faith is shattered.
(also MP3, DD)
Penguin Audio 11.5 hrs. Unabridged This inventive tale of disillusionment is
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984827166 $20.00 sure to intrigue listeners. R.A.H.
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984827173 $95.00 Hachette Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781478917748 $35.00 (also DD)

THE COLORS OF ALL THE CATTLE:

THE PARAGON HOTEL The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency,
Lyndsay Faye Book 19
Read by January LaVoy Alexander McCall Smith
Read by Lisette Lecat
January LaVoy energetically narrates
this 1920s saga—based on fact—set in Mma Ramotswe tells us in her charm-
Harlem and Portland, Oregon. Alice ing and familiar voice that in heaven
“Nobody” James has always blended into cattle appear in many beautiful colors.
any setting. As the story begins, LaVoy’s Fans of this series (this is Book 19) enjoy
gutsy Alice is aboard a train, running from following the life of Mma Ramotswe, a
the Mafia after being shot. Black porter Botswanan lady detective who uses com-
Max Burton—exceptionally rendered— mon sense, quick wits, and a natural
takes Alice to Portland’s all-black Paragon Hotel to recuperate. LaVoy excels sensitivity to human needs to solve prob-
with Alice’s revealing and entertaining asides and with varied accents and lems. Audiobook listeners will recognize
1920s vocabulary and speech patterns. Evocative descriptions of both locales the voice of Mma Ramotswe and, indeed,
propel listeners into the settings. Because she feels a kinship with her new all the other engaging African voices that
friends, it’s terrifying and inspiring to hear white Alice challenge the brutal have been brought to life by Lisette Lecat
Oregon KKK after a man is lynched and a child is kidnapped. Audio helps throughout the series. This particular
listeners with frequent shifts in time and place. S.G.B. installment lacks the clever detection
observed in earlier books, although the
Penguin Audio 13.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525527657 $22.50 characters, as portrayed by Lecat, resonate
Books on Tape with dignity and cultural nuances. D.L.G.
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525527664 $95.00
Recorded Books 9.5 hrs. Unabridged
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781501998485 $102.75
(also MP3, DD)
LaVoy excels with varied accents and
1920s vocabulary and speech patterns.

46 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Mystery & Suspense

THE SUSPECT
Fiona Barton
Read by Susan Duerden, THE LOST MAN
Fiona Hardingham, Jane Harper
Nicholas Guy Smith, Read by Stephen Shanahan
Katharine McEwan
Australian narrator Stephen Shanahan
An ensemble cast narrates a splashy returns for another knockout perfor-
front-page story about British teens mance. Jane Harper’s latest audiobook
dying in Bangkok. Clichéd roles come isn’t part of her Aaron Falk series, but it
alive, each with its own narrator. Susan still features the unforgiving Australian
Duerden is the reporter; her BBC tone Outback, a vexing mystery, and richly
is broken up by adept accents for Thai drawn characters. Shanahan’s genuine
and Dutch characters and the spiraling accent is essential for the story’s setting
despair of a woman turned from an and ambiance. He also shows remarkable range in his portrayal of the Bright
observer to a player. Fiona Hardingham family, cattle ranchers whose favored son, Cameron, dies under mysterious
gives the mother of a girl found dead in circumstances. Nathan, the eldest son, leads the search for answers. Shanahan
a dirty Thai hotel a fragile, exhausted gives him an appropriately stoic voice but hints at an underlying vulnerability.
misery spiked with fierce anger as the Nathan’s interactions with his family, achieved by Shanahan with the subtlest
investigation grinds on with hideous changes in tone and pitch, simmer with tension. It’s a slow and bleak affair,
pressure from the press. Nicholas but no less enthralling than Harper’s and Shanahan’s previous efforts. A.T.N.
Guy Smith voices the weary detective Macmillan Audio 11 hrs. Unabridged
following up in England, and Katharine Trade: CD ISBN 9781250316936 $39.99 (also DD)
McEwan gives us the vulnerability and
angst of victims in flashbacks. This one
will keep you up at night. S.T.C. Shanahan’s genuine accent is essential
Penguin Audio 11.5 hrs. Unabridged for the story’s setting and ambiance.
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781524779962 $40.00 (also DD)
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781524779986 $40.00 (also DD)

REDEMPTION POINT SCRUBLANDS

THE PLOTTERS Candice Fox Chris Hammer
Un-su Kim, Sora Kim-Russell [Trans.] Read by Euan Morton Read by Rupert Degas
Read by Arthur Lee
With this audiobook, the second in a Narrator Rupert Degas exhibits mastery
From start to finish, narrator Arthur series, narrator Euan Morton becomes as he delivers this gripping debut novel.
Lee infuses this unusual thriller with the de facto voice of Crimson Lake, In a gritty, nuanced tone, he captures
a somber, smoldering suspense. an Australian rain forest town that’s the toughness and complexity of the
He depicts the inner workings of pro- inhabited by crocs, spiders as big as din- denizens of Riversend, a drought-ridden
fessional assassin Reseng in a low voice ner plates, and hard-living Top Enders Outback town pulled from obscurity by
that thrums with danger. We are taken (Northern Queensland residents). a brutal mass murder. From the outset,
into a world of violence, murder, and eth- Among the human oddities is Ted, Degas’s convincing Aussie accent and
an ex-cop wrongly accused Hammer’s rich descriptions
ical dilemmas. Should Reseng take his
of pedophilia, and Amanda, draw the listener into a story
next assignment? Or should he question
a tattooed tell-it-like-it-is that starts as a simple assign-
the people who give him orders? If he
ex-murderer. The pair have ment designed to save a
begins to think for himself, everything
joined forces to create a detec- reporter’s failing career and
will change. Lee keeps us guessing until
tive agency. Considering the quickly builds to a provoc-
the final minutes. His steady pacing ease with which Morton ative tale of crime, secrets,
and understated delivery pull listeners switches from one Australian and tangled relationships.
deeper into the dark world of hired kill- regional accent to another, Hammer’s well-developed
ers. Fans of the genre will hang on to you’d assume he’s an Aussie. He’s not— characters are given credible identities
every dramatic minute, not wanting the he’s Scots. His steady delivery helps with Degas’s deft use of accents, mod-
experience to end. M.R. listeners to suspend disbelief regarding ulation of tone, and varied pacing. The
Random House Audio 9 hrs. Unabridged the unorthodox detectives and the parallel action is fast, the plot multilayered,
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984840660 $20.00 plots: a double murder at a local bar and and the listening experience smashing.
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984840677 $76.00
the hunt for the real pedophile. File this Listeners will be left hoping for more
“page-tuner” audiobook mystery under from Hammer and Degas. M.O.B.
“seriously quirky.” R.W.S. Simon & Schuster Audio 13.25 hrs. Unabridged
Macmillan Audio 13 hrs. Unabridged Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508277422 $23.99
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250318220 $39.99 (also DD)

April/May 2019 n 47
Gary Sinise

“I saw a need to
shine a spotlight on
the problems these
men and women
deal with every day.”

Imagine you’re a veteran theater actor being cast in a big Hollywood movie,
costarring with Tom Hanks and achieving a level of success that garners
you an Oscar nomination. You might think that would be the end of your involve-
ment as Lieutenant Dan in the hit movie Forrest Gump, but an invitation to talk
with a group of disabled American veterans set Gary Sinise on a path of service
that has taken him from the U.S. to Afghanistan and everywhere in between.
Sinise found his theater voice in a high school production of West Side Story,
but it wasn’t an easy route. A teacher spotted him and his friends who played
music together and asked them to audition. He landed a small part “I really had
struggled in high school until I got in the play, and during the curtain call for
the final performance, one of the leads pulled me up front to acknowledge me
because the entire cast recognized that my life had changed so much. It made an
emotional impact on me that was like nothing I’d experienced before.”
Sinise worked for years in Chicago, helping to create the legendary Steppenwolf
Theatre with friends like Joan Allen, Laurie Metcalf, and John Malkovich. He
migrated to Los Angeles and was cast in a few movies, eventually getting a call to
audition for director Robert Zemeckis for the part of the Vietnam veteran in Forrest
Gump. “The experience gave me just a small taste of what it’s like being in a wheel-
chair and having to deal with a life-changing injury.”
Because of the popularity of Lieutenant Dan, he was asked to speak to a
group of disabled veterans because the role had portrayed some of the trials and
frustrations returning wounded soldiers had to endure. “I saw a need to shine
48 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 GRATEFUL AMERICAN:
A Journey from Self to Service
Gary Sinise
Read by Gary Sinise

Actor Gary Sinise’s familiar gravelly voice

evokes genuine emotion as he tells of his
struggle to find his place in the acting world More Listening
and how he was inspired to give back to OF MICE AND MEN
the men and women who serve in the U.S. John Steinbeck, read by Gary Sinise
military and to first responders like police Penguin Audio Unabridged
and firefighters. Sinise uses his skills as a Trade Ed.: CD, DD
director and writer to bring order to the scenes described in the story. He allows Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD
emphasis, pacing, and dramatic pauses to create emotional tension in the lis-
tener. Sinise draws on his experience as a veteran audiobook narrator to deliver TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY
his own intriguing story. Listen with a box of tissues and enjoy the twists and IN SEARCH OF AMERICA
turns that brought Sinise to war zones and, eventually, the White House. R.O. John Steinbeck, read by Gary Sinise
Penguin Audio Unabridged
Thomas Nelson 12 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD, DD
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781400208142 $18.99
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD

Sinise’s familiar gravelly voice evokes genuine emotion. THE WORD OF PROMISE
AUDIO BIBLE:
New King James Version
Thomas Nelson [Eds.], read by Michael York,
Jim Caviezel, Richard Dreyfuss, Gary Sinise,
a spotlight on the problems these men and women deal with every day, and Jason Alexander, Marisa Tomei, et al.
Thomas Nelson Unabridged
because I respected them so much, I knew I had to do something.” Trade Ed.: CD, MP3, DD
In 2003, Sinise called the USO (United Service Organization). In fact, he had
to make several calls before getting a response only by dropping the name of his
character. “I left a message the third time, saying I was Gary Sinise, and I played
Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forrest Gump, and I wanted to know if I could go on
a tour to support our troops. I ended up doing six handshake tours that year.”
The Lieutenant Dan band soon hit the road, playing hit songs the soldiers had
heard on the radio. Sinise continues to work in movies and television, traveling
on weekends and between projects. “I’ve been to bases and hospitals all over the
world, and the troops are always happy to see us. We’ve played hundreds of con-
certs for them and their families over the years.”
Sinise is also a veteran audiobook narrator who has portrayed a wide range of
characters. “I’ve been King David, reading all the psalms in the Bible. I’ve read
John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and Travels With Charley.” But stepping into
the recording booth to record his own story had to be a bit different. “I was in the
studio for five days, and it’s hard work. I wrote it so that there would be a dra-
matic narrative when I read it. I’ve written and directed before, so I knew how to
get as much emotional impact as possible from the story.”
Sinise doesn’t pull any punches and delves into subjects that are painful to
relive. “I was in the booth by myself with an engineer in the other room. I’d read
and ask for playback so I could tell if it was good for me, but there are parts where
the pain was very personal, and I wanted to make sure that emotion was there.”
Sinise says nothing could prepare him for the emotional impact of all the
places he’s visited and the men and women he’s entertained over the decades.
“I know the work is appreciated, and it’s difficult at times not to feel overwhelmed,
but what they do on a daily basis is so much more than what I’ve done.”
He’s been called the “Bob Hope of his generation” and has pledged to continue
to raise money for veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation and to entertain
the men and women who serve every chance he gets.—Randy O’Brien
April/May 2019 n 49
Biography & Memoir

FREDERICK DOUGLASS BANJO RUTH BADER GINSBURG:

David W. Blight Grantlee Kieza A Life
Read by Prentice Onayemi Read by Peter Byrne Jane Sherron de Hart
Read by Suzanne Toren
This is a listen for anyone wanting to Peter Byrne’s Aussie-inflected delivery of
learn about one of America’s most this sweeping biography is pitch-perfect. Justice Ginsburg, the subject of this
significant historical figures. Blight’s From the spacious Outback to the literary audiobook, is restrained and self-
biography was one of the best reviewed center of Sidney, Byrne provides the lilting contained, and so, appropriately, is nar-
books of 2018. Prentice Onayemi’s nar- sounds of the accents in this detailed life rator Suzanne Toren. It’s an excellent
ration reveals why. Reading in a mostly history of the famous writer, editor, and performance, steady and professional,
measured, calm, almost adventurer A.B. “Banjo” dramatic enough to keep the listener
soothing tone, he capti- Paterson. Byrne’s narrative engaged but not garish or melodramatic.
vates, enthralls, engages, style captures the rollick- The audiobook is definitely Ginsburg-
and, at times, enrages. But ing spirit of the era and the friendly. Listeners hoping for a more
when needed, Onayemi tenor of the people met critical assessment of the justice’s life
evokes the drama and emo- along the way, including and work will have to wait for some other
tion of the turbulent times Breaker Morant, Rudyard author to tackle that chore. This audio-
in which Douglass lived. Kipling, Winston Churchill, book’s value lies in its recounting of the
He traveled tirelessly in and Miles Franklin, author particular time in history when Ginsburg
the cause of righteousness and never lost of My Brilliant Career. Banjo wrote ballads, came of age and how she, with others,
sight of the potential of the American including “The Man from Snowy River,” has contributed so greatly to jurispru-
ideal. Onayemi’s narration captures and the lyrics to “Waltzing Matilda,” and dence benefiting both men and women.
the essence of Douglass’s life and mes- did foreign correspondence from the Boer Toren handles her long performance
sage—and leaves one wondering what War. His legacy is well served, and this with aplomb while remaining true to the
Douglass would make of our nation audiobook is expertly narrated and worth author’s tone and perspective. Listeners
today. J.P.S. one’s time. A.D.M. are well served. G.S.
Simon & Schuster Audio 37 hrs. Unabridged Bolinda Audio 17 hrs. Unabridged Random House Audio 24 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508265665 $39.99 Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781489479280 $39.99 Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525643364 $32.50
(also MP3, DD) Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525643371 $95.00

“Loving American history, WILD BILL: The True Story

of the American Frontier’s
I was elated to get cast for First Gunfighter
Tom Clavin
this. Clavin writes Wild Bill’s Read by Johnny Heller
story as if he were there,
Johnny Heller does a fine job narrating
and it’s an epic tale of an Clavin’s well-researched and entertain-
American legend.” ing biography of the famous Western
—Narrator Johnny Heller lawman and scout Wild Bill Hickok.
Sifting through the legends and folk-
lore, Clavin presents the real Wild
Bill, who was more than a dime-novel
titan and every bit a larger-than-life character. An active participant in the
“Bleeding Kansas” troubles, he served as a scout for the North in Kansas and
Missouri during the Civil War before his postwar exploits. Heller has a clear
voice and a somewhat staccato delivery that is a good match to the text. Easy
to understand, he ensures that Western aficionados will enjoy listening to
the life of Wild Bill. M.T.F.
Macmillan Audio 8.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250315885 $39.99 (also DD)
Photo by Jo Anna Perrin

50 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Biography & Memoir

PRISONER: My 544 Days in an

Iranian Prison—Solitary Confinement,
a Sham Trial, High-Stakes Diplomacy, TRAILBLAZER: A Pioneering
and the Extraordinary Efforts It Took Journalist’s Fight to Make the
to Get Me Out Media Look More Like America
Jason Rezaian Dorothy Butler Gilliam
Read by Jason Rezaian Read by January LaVoy

Jason Rezaian gives voice to his harrow- Using an understated conversational style,
ing story of arrest and imprisonment in narrator January LaVoy performs journal-
Iran. He is steady and unflinching as ist Gilliam’s memoir, which covers both
he describes the first moments of being the trajectory of her professional life and
accused of spying for the U.S. while serv- the story of a country experiencing the
ing as the Washington Post’s bureau chief turmoil of change. Gilliam’s journey from
in Tehran. This is a detailed account of pastor’s daughter with a narrow future to first black female reporter and
one Iranian-American’s love affair with columnist for the Washington Post spanned the Civil Rights and women’s
the land of his heritage and how it goes movements, allowing her a front-row seat at some of the nation’s most sig-
horribly wrong due to the suspicions of nificant turning points. LaVoy’s soft, clear voice narrows the space between
its government. Rezaian recounts the listener and author, and her fluid, expressive delivery expertly conveys
many interrogations he was subject to, Gilliam’s emotions—from her determination to attend journalism school to
alternating between his own perspective her hurt and frustration in the face of segregation to her pride at becoming a
and that of the security forces in believ- columnist and her empathy for young people of color who are still struggling
able exchanges. Fans of current events for equality. C.B.L.
and global politics will find this a riveting Hachette Audio 9 hrs. Unabridged
listen. We are with Rezaian every minute Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781549171352 $25.98
of his perilous journey. M.R.
Harper Audio 9.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062891839 $26.99 LaVoy’s soft, clear voice narrows the space
between listener and author.
THE UNWINDING OF THE
MIRACLE: A Memoir of Life, Death,
and Everything That Comes After
Julie Yip-Williams NEVER GROW UP I.M.: A Memoir
Read by Emily Woo Zeller, Joshua Williams Jackie Chan, Zhu Mo Isaac Mizrahi
[Epilogue] Read by Daxing Zhang, Jennifer Lim Read by Isaac Mizrahi

Narrator Emily Woo Zeller delivers one Daxing Zhang beautifully narrates this Fashion designer and television person-
gut punch after another as she beautifully candid in-depth biography, translated ality Mizrahi recounts the challenges of
expresses the author’s emotions while from Chinese, of martial arts master growing up gay in 1960s Brooklyn in a
confronting her mortality. Yip-Williams and actor Jackie Chan. Zhang’s Chinese Syrian-Jewish Orthodox family. His story
cheated death as an infant when her inflections sound natural and bring is told in dryly witty tones illuminated
grandmother ordered her parents pathos to the story, which is moving by moments of unbridled raw emo-
to visit an herbalist to have her poi- and personal. The work explores Chan’s tion. It was a time when everything was
soned (he refused) and again when her strengths and weaknesses, as well as conservative except clothes for young
family escaped North Vietnam on an his foibles such as spending lavishly women—who were decked out to attract
overcrowded boat, but she can’t beat and gambling to excess. Career breaks rich husbands. Mizrahi speaks passion-
aggressive colon cancer diagnosed at age and setbacks are recounted with iden- ately about his mother and how her love
37. Zeller flawlessly voices Yip-Williams’s tical passion, though detail is at times of fashion, lavished on his two sisters,
fury at purveyors of false hope, grief at excessive, for example, accounts of inspired him early on. He brings her to
the prospect of leaving her beloved fam- specific obsessive fans. Brief behind- life with the signature overextended vow-
ily, and even amusement at the idea of the-scenes stories are narrated by the els of a Brooklyn accent, which is also
the “slutty second wife.” Josh Williams, energetic Jennifer Lim, whose sudden prevalent to a lesser extent throughout
the late author’s husband, delivers his appearances peppered throughout the the entire narrative. As Mizrahi winds
own heartbreaking afterword in which he audiobook can be jarring as they differ his way through his story, which ranges
confesses the strain that disease brought so much in tone from Zhang’s presence. from lack of confidence to career highs,
to his marriage and the difficulty of car- This is a fascinating life story that may be the warmth in both his voice and writing
rying on without his beloved wife. A.B. a bit too lengthy. But it’s likely that fans creates a singularly satisfying listening
Random House Audio 10 hrs. Unabridged will immensely enjoy it. W.A.G. experience. E.E.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984840974 $20.00 Simon & Schuster Audio 9.5 hrs. Unabridged Macmillan Audio 13.25 hrs. Unabridged
Books on Tape Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508267522 $19.99 Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781427274649 $39.99 (also DD)
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984840981 $76.00

April/May 2019 n 51
David Shih

Actor David Shih is relatively new to the audiobook the names and places he doesn’t know how to pronounce.
industry, having started about 10 years ago. But it Although he is Taiwanese by birth, he grew up in rural
wasn’t until three years ago that he began narrating with Illinois and speaks only English. For Ha Jin’s The Banished
some consistency. “When I first started, I really had no Immortal: A Life of Li Bai, he struggled with how much
idea what I was doing, but I was lucky. I had a sort of to Americanize certain pronunciations. “I feel fortunate
natural instinct for the work, and because I was working to have had a studio director. I made a list of words I was
with producer Paul Ruben, he supervised the whole record- unsure of, and she contacted the author directly and made
ing session. He was wonderful about giving me tips and recordings of all the pronunciations.”
suggestions, so things went well.” He laughs. “That led to Shih loved recording Edward Lee’s Buttermilk Graffiti:
more work.” A Chef’s Journey to Discover America’s Melting Pot. “It was
Shih tells us he wasn’t a theatrical kid, but he joined fascinating to hear how immigrants in America assimilate
the choir in high school because he had a crush on a girl. through food and taste. It made me think about my own
Nothing happened with the girl, but he became enam- identity as an immigrant.” Most recently Shih recorded
ored with the performing arts. Then when it came time Kim Man-jung’s The Nine Cloud Dream and Robert Tsai’s
to choose his major at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Practical Equality. When we spoke, he was recording Weijin
another girl caught his eye. She was interested in advertis- Shan’s Out of the Gobi, and he’ll soon record Gordon H.
ing, and suddenly he was an advertising major. “I figured Chang’s Ghosts of Gold Mountain. When he’s not record-
that advertising was kind of the arts but also business, ing audiobooks, Shih does film, having appeared in The
so it seemed like a happy medium between what my par- Amazing Spider-Man 2, Eighth Grade, and Mr. Sushi. His TV
ents wanted for me and what I actually wanted to do.” work includes “Billions” (Showtime), “Iron Fist” (Netflix),
Incidentally, he wound up dating the girl’s roommate. “The Path” (Hulu), “Blindspot” (NBC), and ”Elementary”
When he gets ready to record an audiobook, Shih has (CBS). Shih also does theater whenever possible, though
to read the printed edition first. “I tend to get primarily he’s never too busy to work with a nonprofit called We
Asian books. They either have an Asian author or Asian Make Believe, performing interactive theater sketches for
subject matter.” Then he flags and carefully researches all kids in hospitals and care facilities.—S.J. Henschel

THE BANISHED
IMMORTAL:
A Life of Li Bai (Li Po)
Ha Jin
Read by David Shih

This biography of one of

China’s most influential
poets, Li Bai, is written by
Chinese-American poet
and novelist Ha Jin. Ha
Jin creates a portrait of Li
Bai as if the poet were one
of his characters. Narrator David Shih is an engaging choice
for this well-researched work. He recounts the significance of
Li Bai’s work, which was unrecognized for its genius during
his lifetime. Shih does so with a gentle, compassionate delivery
that keeps us engaged with the intricacies of Chinese society
in the eighth century. For fans of history, culture, and poetry,
this will be a title that lingers on the playlist to return to time
and again. M.R.
Random House Audio 10.25 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984833365 $20.00
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984833372 $85.50

A tantalizing exploration
of America’s culinary landscape.
52 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 History & Biography

THE ESCAPE ARTISTS:

A Band of Daredevil Pilots
and the Greatest Prison Break THE HEARTBEAT OF WOUNDED KNEE
of the Great War David Treuer
Neal Bascomb Read by Tanis Parenteau
Read by L.J. Ganser
Tanis Parenteau delivers an efficient narration
This audiobook demonstrates that of Treuer’s audiobook. Listeners, especially
history is often more interesting than those familiar with the massacre at Wounded
fiction. Narrator L.J. Ganser tells the true Knee, should make time for this history.
story of a group of Allied prisoners who Treuer’s work is deeply researched, posi-
escaped from a WWI POW camp. Ganser tioning the listener within the histories and
recounts the previously untold details of first-person accounts of indigenous people of
how this group of men overcame long North America and making their experiences and views central to the listening
odds to break out of Holzminden, a experience, rather than those of European colonizers and U.S. government
German prison camp under the control officials. The result is an audiobook that seeks to greatly expand the public’s
of a brutal commander. Ganser’s per- general knowledge of Native American history. From the history of fraudulent
formance is, as usual, spot-on. Whether government treaties to the brutality of the Gold Rush, listeners are provided
he is highlighting the leadership of pilot uncompromising accounts of the oppression and violence tribes have expe-
David Gray or the frustrations, fears, and rienced. Parenteau’s presentation is clear and thoughtful throughout. S.P.C.
hopes of Gray’s colleagues, Ganser deliv-
Penguin Audio 17.75 hrs. Unabridged
ers the story in a style as intense as the Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525626893 $25.00
men who are being celebrated. D.J.S. Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525626909 $95.00
Recorded Books 10 hrs. Unabridged
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980006787 $102.75
(also MP3, DD)
Listeners should make time for this history.
STEPHEN FRY’S
VICTORIAN SECRETS
John Woolf, Nick Baker
Read by Stephen Fry SEVEN AGES OF PARIS SHOOT FOR THE MOON
Alistair Horne James Donovan
Listening to Stephen Fry is always a treat, Read by Derek Perkins Read by Allan Robertson
and this audiobook makes the treat even
The audiobook, as most audiophiles The history of the U.S. manned space-
sweeter. Frequently joined by a number
would agree, is an enhancement of the flight program is well documented, but
of historians, authors, and reenactors,
imagining powers of the listener. That’s this chronicle provides insights that even
Fry seems to be having a wonderful time
doubly true for histories, which, as much well-read listeners will find interesting.
recounting some of the fascinating arcana
as fantasy or science fiction, require the The period covered runs from roughly
of the ostensibly tightly wound Victorian
era. With whimsical music to mark the evocation of an alternate world whose Russia’s Sputnik in the 1950s through
short, informative, and entertaining thinking and social customs are often the Apollo 11 moon landing in the 1960s.
chapters, Fry delivers hidden truths and alien compared to our own. A Allan Robertson offers a
juicy secrets on subjects ranging from case in point is this history of smooth, solid narration.
scandals and sanitation to sexuality and Paris, vividly and eloquently His generally even tone is
sadism. Diaries, journals, newspaper written by one of the most suited to the work. But he
articles, and historical materials of the engaging of popular histo- alters that tone as needed to
period offer listeners you-are-there reen- rians and delivered by one capture instances of drama,
actments of crime, sex, freaks, medical of the most accomplished tragedy, humor, and his-
practices, and more—all interspersed of narrators, Derek Perkins. torical importance without
with Fry’s amusing commentary. Thanks This simpatico match travels becoming cartoonish. With
to Fry, audio is unquestionably the best the busy centuries of Paris’s founding, so many people involved, Robertson
way to enjoy this material. S.J.H. growth, and survival, a story in which wisely chooses not to give each a distinc-
Audible, Inc. 7.5 hrs Unabridged
architecture plays as important a role tive voice. But the author clearly indicates
Trade Ed.: DD $8.95 as kings and armies, and in which the quoted material, so there’s never a ques-
human comedy is always center stage. If tion as to who is speaking. R.C.G.
you’ve ever been there, or never been, or Hachette Audio 13.5 hrs. Unabridged
wish you were there right now—here’s Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781549148750 $40.00 (also DD)
VIDEOS @ BLOG the perfect companion, a tour of the city
with the best of guides. D.A.W.
Watch narrator comments at
[Link]/blog Tantor Media 20.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781541485808 $29.99

April/May 2019 n 53
Contemporary Culture

TO SHAPE A NEW WORLD: Essays BUTTERMILK GRAFFITI: A Chef’s THE LAST WHALERS: Three Years
on the Political Philosophy of Martin Journey to Discover America’s New in the Far Pacific with a Courageous
Luther King Jr. Melting-Pot Cuisine Tribe and a Vanishing Way of Life
Tommie Shelby [Ed.], Brandon M. Terry [Ed.] Edward Lee Doug Bock Clark
Read by Kevin Kenerly, Priya Ayyar, Read by David Shih Read by Jay Snyder
Cary Hite, Robin Miles, Carrington MacDuffie
David Shih’s narration brings out the The danger and excitement of the hunt
With critical authors and talented richness of flavors and the complexity of grip listeners from the start as a whale
narrators, this anthology explores the cultural themes in this tantalizing explo- hunter from Indonesia’s Lamalera Bay
philosophical underpinnings of Martin ration of America’s culinary landscape. risks his life to feed his tribe. Narrator
Luther King, Jr.’s, work. The purpose Chef Edward Lee examines an abundance Jay Snyder gives passages about the hunt
is to more fully understand his ideas in of international flavors and an elemental feel, creating
the context of his time and to examine traditions as he travels to a dramatic tension that car-
how they might be comprehended and myriad of American com- ries over into the whalers’
applied to the present. No singular nar- munities, restaurants, and life stories. Their stories
rator steals the show, but, rather, each eateries. Shih captures the illustrate the attractions
is well paired with the essays that they enthusiasm and curiosity of modern life—whether
deliver. All the narrators shy away from of Lee’s full-bodied descrip- it’s outboard motors or
trying to emulate King’s speaking style tions of the people, places, the soap operas that bring
and focus more on giving appropriate and food he finds during his Jakarta’s allure to remote
weight to the words being quoted. With visits. Each discussion fur- communities. Author
such critical thinkers as Cornel West ther highlights Lee’s thought-provoking Doug Bock Clark also examines current
and Martha Nussbaum, this anthology questions about the heritage of a dish and pressures on the tribe—from the gov-
contributes a meaningful discussion on how a culture’s food is transformed when ernment and whaling opponents to the
how King’s aspirations for undoing the it is transplanted into a new milieu. This aging of its whalers. He asks listeners to
harm of racism continue and where the unique food travelogue intoxicates the ponder the balance between modernity
struggle still remains. L.E. taste buds and sparks conversation about and tradition. Hearing about Clark’s
Blackstone Audio 16.5 hrs. Unabridged America’s “melting-pot cuisine.” M.F. time with the tribe while writing could
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982557171 $39.95 make the moral questions personal for
Tantor Media 9 hrs. Unabridged
(also MP3, DD)
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982557164 $118.00
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781977331717 $24.99 listeners as well. J.A.S.
Hachette Audio 11.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781478908814 $25.98

WITNESS: Lessons from CARLA HALL’S SOUL FOOD:

Elie Wiesel’s Classroom Everyday and Celebration
Ariel Burger Carla Hall, Genevieve Ko
Read by Jason Culp Read by Carla Hall

Narrator Jason Culp deftly gives voice to The tempo of the musical introduction
both sides of a dialogue between a stu- establishes the upbeat tone in this cel-
dent and a teacher that focuses on Nobel ebration of soul food. Narrator, author,
laureate Elie Wiesel’s storied life and and chef Carla Hall brings out the rich
unparalleled career as a human rights tastes, texture, and history of these rec-
advocate. Culp subtly brings out Wiesel’s ipes for every day and celebrations. She
distinct Eastern-European accent, con- infuses heart and soul into her explana-
trasting it with the devout and curious tions of the origins of soul food, which
tone of the young American Ariel Burger, who first met Wiesel as a rabbinical is steeped in African-American history,
student at age 15. How was Wiesel able to survive the Holocaust, which took and details how she has redefined it to
his parents? Where was God? Who will stand up for those caught in the next make the recipes more accessible for
humanitarian crisis? For Wiesel, the answer lay in teaching the world to bear busy families while maintaining the
witness. This audiobook is insightful, life affirming, and life changing. B.P. integrity of the cuisine’s flavors. In addi-
tion to dousing cucumbers in vinegar
Blackstone Audio 8 hrs. Unabridged and chicken wings in a sweet-and-sour
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781538590393 $34.95 (also MP3, DD)
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781538590386 $55.00 glaze, Hall sprinkles humor, warmth,
and insight into her cooking tips and sto-
ries. This is a drool-worthy performance
This audiobook is insightful, life affirming, as comforting and nourishing as the rec-
ipes themselves. M.F.
and life changing.
Harper Audio 7.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062877024 $20.99

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 Contemporary Culture

OUTRAGEOUS ACTS AND

EVERYDAY REBELLIONS:
Third Edition THE SNOW LEOPARD
Gloria Steinem, Emma Watson [Fore.] PROJECT: And Other
Read by Gloria Steinem, Barrie Kreinik, Adventures in Warzone
Gabra Zackman, Soneela Nankani, Conservation
Robin Miles Alex Dehgan
Read by Dan Woren
One of activist Gloria Steinem’s “everyday
Asking an armed escort to point his
rebellions” was to encourage other women
AK-47 away from everyone isn’t a laugh-
to provide their voices in the narration of
ing matter, but Dan Woren narrates with
these essays. Narrators Barrie Kreinik,
a wry humor that often makes this true
Gabra Zackman, Soneela Nankani, and
story amusing and unnerving at the
Robin Miles each provide compelling nar-
same time. Dehgan went to Afghanistan
rations of the highly quotable words of a
to develop the country’s first national park. During his stay he initiated the
writer who cheerfully refers to herself as
Snow Leopard Project to raise awareness of the illicit fur trade. Woren skill-
a radical feminist. Steinem’s influential
fully injects Dehgan’s emotions into a clear, informative reading. Listeners
ideas are made more persuasive by the
will be amused by a teddy bear survey to test procedures for studying wildlife
carefully chosen and well-delivered post-
and concerned about the well-being of an official when Dehgan learns of his
scripts and updates to her texts. While
injury from a land mine. Most listeners wouldn’t want to wear parkas in the
many of these essays were written several
office, as Dehgan must during an Afghan winter, but Dehgan makes the
decades ago, they are still powerful and
experience fascinating, and Woren brings listeners along. J.A.S.
necessary inspiration for the contempo-
rary listener. V.B. Hachette Audio 8 hrs. Unabridged
Trade: DD ISBN 9781549199851 $25.98
Macmillan Audio 14 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250212658 $52.99 (also DD)

Amusing and unnerving at the same time.

NEVER HOME ALONE:
From Microbes to Millipedes,
Camel Crickets, and Honeybees,
the Natural History of Where We Live SILENT SPRING LIFE ON EARTH
Rob Dunn Rachel Carson David Attenborough
Read by Sean Patrick Hopkins Read by Susie Berneis Read by David Attenborough
Listeners may be surprised to hear that Carson’s seminal work Silent Spring British naturalist David Attenborough’s
we’re never alone. That’s because diverse has been the gold standard of the envi- warm, knowledgeable voice, familiar
species ranging from invisible microbes ronmental movement for more than from so many nature documentaries,
to camel crickets are living with us—or 50 years. In this new audio production, leads listeners stage by stage through the
on us. Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins narrator Susie Berneis faces the same epic history of the development of life
unveils their world. Since this account is problem that Carson herself tackled: on earth. Attenborough always sounds
often scientific, it’s good that he makes how to make the complex fascinated by the won-
the details of mating, eating, and thriv- workings of the natural ders of the natural world
ing alongside us sound like a riveting world easy for the average he’s describing, whether
“Nova” episode. Not only does Hopkins person to follow. Berneis it’s the life cycle of coral
illuminate the life coexisting in our is more than up to the or the courtship displays
homes, he also shares the consequences task as she uses a clear of bower birds, and his
of attempting to sterilize our intimate voice and careful tone to enthusiasm is genuine
domestic worlds. Hopkins presents walk the listener through and contagious. This 40th
this combination of natural history and passages of scientific anniversary edition of the
scientific mystery as a puzzling brain exposition. Berneis truly excels when her text, first published in 1979, has been
teaser, breathing life into its more scien- narration mirrors the emotion Carson updated to reflect the most current scien-
tific and complex sections with a clear, made so evident in her work. She is by tific discoveries, and nature soundscapes
companionable voice and pacing that lets turns passionate, saddened, uplifted, at the beginning of each chapter help to
listeners absorb these detailed stories as and furious at the history and impact of set the scene. But it’s the vivid pictures
they unfold. J.C.G. synthetic pesticides on every aspect of that Attenborough conjures up with his
Hachette Audio 9.5 hrs. Unabridged nature and our lives. N.M. words that keep us listening to under-
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781549171123 $25.98 stand our own place in the history—and
Dreamscape 10.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974930302 $49.99 future—of the planet. J.M.D.
(also MP3, DD)
Harper Audio 12.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD $21.81

April/May 2019 n 55
 On Words and Writing
Do you have strong feelings about the Oxford comma? If so, these audiobooks are
for you. They’re worthwhile listening whether you’re working on a book of your
own, you’re fascinated by the intricacies and minutiae of how we use words and
language, or you crave insights into how the great writers do it.

DREYER’S ENGLISH: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style

Benjamin Dreyer
Read by Benjamin Dreyer, Alison Fraser [Excerpts]

Benjamin Dreyer’s narration is as charming and witty as his writing. This will help
anyone who is not passionate about words and language get through the sections
of this audiobook that are long lists of commonly confused words or proper nouns
that are difficult to spell correctly. On the other hand, why would someone not
seriously interested in correct usage listen to this audiobook? Alison Fraser’s narration
of numerous examples is also exemplary. D.M.H.
Random House Audio 8 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525639954 $17.50
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525639961 $66.50

DAEMON VOICES: Essays On Stories and Storytelling

Philip Pullman
Read by Philip Pullman, Simon Mason [Intro.]

Sounding erudite and professorial, author Philip Pullman delivers this collection of
his nonfiction writings. The tone is apt, as many of these speeches and essays were
originally given as lectures at universities or published as introductions to new editions
of classic works. Topics range from his own writing process, such as for the His
Dark Materials series, to the importance of fairy tales and his thoughts on religion and
spirituality. It’s a worthwhile listen for insights into the mind of the writer. J.M.D.
Random House Audio 13 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525643302 $25.00
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525643319 $95.00

56 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 In Our Time

THIS YEAR YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL

Walter Mosley
Read by Dion Graham

Sounding like a cross between a favorite teacher and a best friend, narrator
Dion Graham captures Mosley’s iconic tone in an audiobook that investigates the
creative writing process. Walter Mosley, the author of the acclaimed Easy Rawlins
mysteries, knows whereof he speaks. Mosley’s well-ordered, straightforward
“how to” tips offer a safety net for cautious novice writers. Graham’s delivery is
warm, reassuring, and forceful enough to get writers writing. He makes Mosley’s
directives—from the absolute necessity of writing every day to the need to edit and
rewrite—sound sensible and obvious. S.J.H.
Hachette Audio 3.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781549121777 $19.98

WIT’S END: What Wit Is, How It Works, and Why We Need It
James Geary
Read by David De Vries, JD Jackson, Janet Metzger

James Geary’s essays on wit—what it is, how it’s manifested—give narrators David
De Vries, JD Jackson, and Janet Metzger vocal workouts. His discussions of topics
such as jive and stand-up comedy become examples of the forms themselves.
Geary becomes more serious as he discusses Robin Williams’s suicide and puns
that get around censorship in China. This audiobook could help listeners craft better
puns as it reveals the secrets of silliness. J.A.S.
Brilliance Audio 5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781978632189 $29.99 (also MP3, DD)

HOW TO WRITE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL: Essays

Alexander Chee
Read by Daniel K. Isaac

Blending memoir with writing instruction, these essays from celebrated novelist
Alexander Chee delve into the overlapping layers of experience that shaped his life
as an activist, a Korean-American gay man, a survivor of sexual abuse, and, perhaps
most importantly, a writer. Taken as a whole, the collection is candid, recursive,
and well matched to narrator Daniel K. Isaac’s understated sincerity. From moments
of wry humor to shattering honesty, Isaac carries listeners through with sophisticated
equanimity, underscoring the sense of intimacy created by Chee’s words. R.A.H.
Blackstone Audio 8.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982597023 $34.95
(also MP3, DD)
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982597016 $90.00

FIVE STARS: The Communication Secrets to Get From Good to Great

Carmine Gallo
Read by Carmine Gallo

The author of a guide to effective TED speaking, Carmine Gallo narrates this
broader discussion of communication with a flinty clarity that calls to mind the
tone and assertive delivery of some early TV pitchmen. But he’s more than that—
he’s a gifted writer and teacher who sounds engaged with his audience and who
believes deeply in his ideas. This exceptional audio offers many useful tips
while it motivates listeners to make a difference in the world by improving the
way they think, write, and speak. T.W.
Macmillan Audio 8.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781427297075 $39.99 (also DD)

April/May 2019 n 57
Learning By Ear

Surviving Parenthood
How does anyone learn to be a parent? We not only can’t be told ahead
of time how to do it, but we resist advice once we become parents and
find out how hard it is. Many of the learning audios we heard for this issue say
that part of the difficulty in the U.S. is a parenting culture that is too doctrinaire
and unforgiving. Kim Brooks, the author of Small Animals, describes how she
was dragged into the legal system by a common parental mistake. She argues
that too many parents have to defend their choices against the judgments of
other parents and a growing number of institutional scrutinizers.
Cultural journalist Pam Druckerman provides a restorative model of parent-
ing in her enlightening book Bébé Day By Day, based on her residence in
France. She says French parents know that being too critical of themselves or
treating children like they’re the center of the universe just makes parents crazy
and doesn’t prepare children for real life. To express her refreshing ideas
and dry humor, the author needed a savvy narrator, and she got one in Abby
Craden. Without overpowering Druckerman’s appealing worldview, Craden
found a way to let her personality and sensibilities blend with the author’s
message to create real impact. This marriage between narrator and material
is especially important for audios aimed at parents who are so nervous to
begin with that it’s hard for them to think about anything but worst-case scenar-
ios and their own fears. So if you’re in your parenting years and “chill” is
the message you need to hear, this and many of the other excellent audios
we heard this time around may be just the ticket. Bon courage!—Tom Walken

THE ORCHID ACT NATURAL: A Cultural History SMALL ANIMALS:

AND THE DANDELION of Misadventures in Parenting Parenthood in the Age of Fear
W. Thomas Boyce Jennifer Traig Kim Brooks
Read by Fred Sanders Read by Emily Woo Zeller Read by Kim Brooks

Fred Sanders’s touching narration cap- Narrator Emily Woo Zeller delivers this Author Kim Brooks’s moving narration
tures all of the compassion this respected captivating history of how civilizations is the perfect vehicle for the drama
author feels for the vulnerable children across the world raise children. Zeller surrounding her arrest for a momentary
he’s spent his career studying. Sanders’s captures the author’s humor and irony lapse in judgment—leaving her 4-year-
tone and pitch convey tenderness that without overshadowing her mission: to old son in a locked car while she ran into
doesn’t distract from the didactic aims of give fretting parents a reprieve from overly a Virginia store. She weaves this experi-
his audiobook. Boyce is a pediatric health ambitious parenting advice. Her under- ence into the broader story of how the
researcher who says all parents know stated, often charming performance will culture of American parenting—com-
children who are orchids—those who hold listeners’ attention, giving them petitive, anxious, judgmental—has come
are fragile, sensitive, and more prone to time to absorb the colorful stories and to impact everything we do as parents.
physical illness, psychological distress, insights Jennifer Traig has compiled. When did we begin scrutinizing every
and behavioral problems. They come This audiobook delivers the weight of its aspect of parenting? From breastfeeding
into the world needing more care than views indirectly over many hours, rather to unsupervised neighborhood walks and
the seemingly invulnerable dandelions of than being too explicit. Zeller’s skillful school choice, everything is judged and
the world. Sanders delivers Boyce’s hope- unfolding and the author’s natural sense increasingly prosecuted. Although the
ful message that with enough nurturance of irony make this an entertaining and legal peril she faced is but one instance
and the right kind of teaching orchid kids memorable lesson for parents who are of this tension, Brooks’s lyrical writing
can escape a life of stress and discover being driven crazy by unrealistic expec- and largely dispassionate narration will
avenues of achievement and connection tations of themselves. T.W. draw parents into this larger dynamic
that allow them to flourish. T.W. Harper Audio 11.75 hrs. Unabridged and restore their freedom to do what they
Random House Audio 10.5 hrs. Unabridged Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062890375 $26.99 believe is best as parents. T.W.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780147521910 $20.00 Macmillan Audio 8.25 hrs. Unabridged
Books on Tape Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781427298225 $19.99
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780147521934 $85.50

58 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 More Listening for Parenting
FORGET “HAVING IT ALL”: GROWING UP BRAVE:
How America Messed Up Expert Strategies for Helping
Motherhood and How to Fix It Your Child Overcome Fear,
Amy Westervelt, read by Amy Westervelt Stress, and Anxiety
BÉBÉ DAY BY DAY: How American society expects way Donna B. Pincus, read by
100 Keys to French Parenting too much from mothers Donna B. Pincus
Pamela Druckerman Hachette Audio Unabridged How parents can keep manageable
Read by Abby Craden Trade Ed.: DD feelings from becoming a disorder
Hachette Audio Unabridged
Abby Craden’s intelligent narration HOW TO BE A HAPPIER PARENT: Trade Ed.: DD
invites listeners to hear about child-rear- Raising a Family, Having a Life,
ing in France. Her deeper-pitched voice and Loving (Almost) Every Minute BOYS: What It Means
and comfortable authority make her KJ Dell’Antonia, read by KJ Dell’Antonia to Become a Man
sound mature and experienced—perfect A potpourri of strategies for every Rachel Giese, read by Ellen Archer
for delivering the author’s pithy observa- conceivable child dilemma Solutions for the culture of toxic masculinity
tions and urbane insights. International Penguin Audio Unabridged Hachette Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD Trade Ed.: DD
journalist Druckerman writes with the Books on Tape
wry humor of an improv comic. Even Library Ed.: DD RAISE YOUR KIDS TO SUCCEED:
during pregnancy, she says, women What Every Parent Should Know
should look sexy and enjoy sex instead THE NEW CHILDHOOD: Chris Palmer, read by Greg Tremblay
of wearing shapeless tops and obsess- Raising Kids to Thrive in a
Connected World Practical strategies for being the parent
ing about chromosomal disorders. And your child needs
Jordan Shapiro, read by Jordan Shapiro
once born, children should quickly get Vibrance Press Unabridged
Revolutionary ideas on how to
the message that they are responsible Trade Ed.: DD
moderate children’s screen time
human beings who can be taught to
Hachette Audio Unabridged RAISING AN EMOTIONALLY
sleep through the night, eat when supper Trade Ed.: DD INTELLIGENT CHILD:
is served, and be considerate of the adults The Heart of Parenting
in the family. It’s a refreshing alternative WEIRD PARENTING WINS: John Gottman, read by Roy Worley
to American parenting. T.W. Bathtub Dining, Family Screams,
and Other Hacks from the Parents can teach the essentials of
Penguin Audio 2 hrs. Unabridged Parenting Trenches good emotional functioning.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780593146422 $12.50 Macmillan Audio Unabridged
Books on Tape
Hillary Frank, read by
Hillary Frank and a Full Cast Trade Ed.: DD
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780593146439 $38.00
Unusual responses to familiar
parenting challenges
Penguin Audio Unabridged
BARE MINIMUM PARENTING
Trade Ed.: DD
James Breakwell Books on Tape
Read by James Breakwell Library Ed.: DD

The smart-aleck tone in the author’s THE BRAVE LEARNER:

performance is a steady feature in this Finding Everyday Magic in
refreshing reminder that less can be Homeschool, Learning, and Life
more when it comes to raising children. Julie Bogart, read by Julie Bogart
With his pleasantly flinty voice and Why academics are only part of
brisk pacing, he creates a positive atmo- how children develop
sphere for absorbing his views and pithy Penguin Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD
insights. Short chapters with snappy Books on Tape
headings, along with a steady flow of Library Ed.: DD
funny quips, also keep the action moving
as he describes the many ways that that THE HOMEWORK MYTH:
Why Our Kids Get Too Much
parents wear themselves out trying to of a Bad Thing
influence every aspect of their children’s Alfie Kohn, read by Alfie Kohn
development. These mighty efforts really A well-documented argument against
don’t make a difference, he says, so why the tyranny of homework
not back off and take care of yourself? Hachette Audio Unabridged
This is one audio lesson that will be as Trade Ed.: DD
helpful as it is fun to hear. T.W.
Blackstone Audio 4.25 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982599300 $29.95
(also MP3, DD)
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982599294 $55.00

April/May 2019 n 59
Personal Growth

WHAT WOULD CLEOPATRA DO? BEYOND BIRDS AND BEES: SELF-CARE FOR THE REAL WORLD
Life Lessons from 50 of History’s Bringing Home a New Message to Our Nadia Narain, Katia Narain Phillips
Most Extraordinary Women Kids About Sex, Love, and Equality Read by Nadia Narain, Katia Narain Phillips
Elizabeth Foley, Beth Coates Bonnie J. Rough
Read by Madeleine Maby Read by Bonnie J. Rough Coauthors, sisters, and wellness gurus
Nadia and Katia are equally ardent in their
Authors Elizabeth Foley and Beth Coates Author Bonnie Rough narrates her alternating narrations of this practical
team up on a delightful compilation of thought-provoking and down-to-earth guide on self-care. Together, they work
feminine advice for today’s women. Using exploration of comprehensive educa- to convince listeners of the importance of
the stories of 50 heroines throughout tion on sexuality for children of all ages. self-respect, self-compassion, and taking
history, they blend antiquity with contem- While living in Amsterdam with her care of our own needs in order to be kinder,
porary concerns. Narrator young daughter, Rough more giving people who can impact others
Madeleine Maby’s approach observed a fascinating dif- more positively. The sisters’ amiable tone
is poised and friendly yet ference between Dutch and mirrors their straightforward advice and
sophisticated in tone. She American attitudes toward doable tips on how to cope with personal
recounts each iconic wom- bodies, sex, and gender; her hardships such as breakups, grief, and
an’s story with clarity, adding subsequent exploration of the loneliness, as well as day-to-day schedul-
a playful tone as she explains topic led to this audiobook. ing like meal prep and managing social
how each lesson applies to the The work balances research media. This is an invaluable treasure trove
life of today’s woman. Maby’s with personal stories, and of ideas on becoming the best version of
articulation and pitch help differentiate Rough capably handles both. Her straight- ourselves. M.F.
the exemplary women and the coura- forward performance keeps the listener
Tantor Media 4.5 hrs. Unabridged
geous examples they set. The message to engaged as she reviews data, and her voice Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781630153953 $29.99
love oneself and break through societal shines with warmth, humor, and pride (also MP3, DD)
barriers comes together perfectly in this when she relates anecdotes about her two Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781977310798 $34.95
engaging listen on female resourcefulness daughters. Parents and caregivers will
and empowerment. D.Z. find this relatable guide to a fraught topic
a compelling and reassuring listen. E.C. THE MINIMALIST HOME: A Room-
Simon & Schuster Audio 5.5 hrs. Unabridged
by-Room Guide to a Decluttered,
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508269137 $17.99 Hachette Audio 9.75 hrs. Unabridged Refocused Life
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781549170003 $24.98 Joshua Becker
Read by Joshua Becker

Lifestyle advisor and minimalist guru

Becker narrates his how-to guide on
DIGITAL MINIMALISM
Cal Newport learning to streamline one’s home in
Read by Will Damron, order to better enjoy life. Becker envi-
Cal Newport [Intro.] sions himself as a coach, encouraging
others to shed clutter in order to embrace
Narrator Will Damron sustains a heartfelt a cleaner existence, and he sounds like
tone as he explains what digital minimal- one. However, he doesn’t sound like an
ism is all about. As technology and digital experienced narrator; his pacing occa-
noise encroach upon all aspects of our lives, sionally seems a little odd—too much
this invitation to streamline our digital pause here, too little there, in the man-
dependence is sobering and timely. Author ner of one giving a pep talk. Nonetheless,
Cal Newport reads the introduction, setting his messages on the why and how of
a tone of sincerity and urgency about becoming more intentional in our use of decluttering are clear—and useful.
technology. When Damron takes over, his smooth voice is quietly persuasive as His simple, specific insights—such
he dispenses advice on how to leverage our use of devices, eliminating what is as moving from a home’s area to area,
not valuable and allowing us to disconnect from technology in order to enhance examining the individual challenges of
the human connection, solitude, and quiet that give meaning to our lives. Vital different spaces—can assist people who
perspective and practical advice to maintain our humanity in a digital age. M.F. want to begin but feel overwhelmed
Penguin Audio 7 hrs. Unabridged about where to make a start. J.C.G.
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525643555 $20.00
Books on Tape Random House Audio 8 hrs. Unabridged
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525643562 $76.00 Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984828545 $20.00
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9781984828552 $76.00

Vital perspective and practical advice

to maintain our humanity in a digital age.

60 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Personal Growth

THE SECRET LIFE:

A Book of Wisdom from
the Great Teacher THE ENCHANTED HOUR:
Jeffrey Katz, Alys Yablon Wylen The Miraculous Power of
Read by George Newbern Reading Aloud in the Age of
Distraction
With an easygoing narration, George Meghan Cox Gurdon
Read by Meghan Cox Gurdon
Newbern delivers the keys to living an
authentic and intentional life. In this This wonderful audiobook is a fully
examination of the teachings of the medi- enjoyable listen. Meghan Cox Gurdon is
eval philosopher Maimonides, we see the the Wall Street Journal’s reviewer of chil-
far-reaching benefits of applying his les- dren’s books, so it isn’t surprising that
sons to our contemporary lives filled with she brings great insight and passion
social media. Newbern’s affable voice and to this work. What may be surprising,
conversational pace mirror the authors’ however, is just how good a narrator she is. She sprinkles her delivery with
positive message and sincere tone as appropriate accents and enthusiasm. Furthermore, her pacing is excellent,
he reveals Maimonides’s belief that one and her ability to maintain listener attention is impressive. Half the fun of
achieves fulfillment by doing good while listening is recalling the children’s books from our own pasts and recollecting
remaining anonymous. With the ego in the joy of reading to little ones. Add in Gurdon’s research on the benefits
check, one develops the self-discipline to of reading aloud, along with a dollop of screen weariness, and you have an
do the humblest of acts for one’s growth, important and engaging audiobook. J.P.S.
rather than for recognition. This, in
Harper Audio 7.75 hrs. Unabridged
turn, leads to further self-development, Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062891334 $23.99
resulting in more integrity, honesty, and
resilience. Newbern’s presentation cap-
tures the benefits to be found in conscious An important and engaging audiobook.
living and discovering your best self. M.F.
Dreamscape 2.25 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974919987 $49.99
(also MP3, DD)
CRAFTFULNESS: Mend Yourself UNCLUTTERED: Free Your Space,
by Making Things Free Your Schedule, Free Your Soul
Rosemary Davidson, Arzu Tahsin Courtney Ellis
IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO Read by Joan Walker Read by Courtney Ellis
BEGIN AGAIN: Discovering
Creativity and Meaning at Midlife Engaging in crafts creates more than a Author Courtney Ellis provides a candid
and Beyond quilt, a painting, or a ceramic bowl—it cre- narration of her audiobook about focus-
Julia Cameron, Emma Lively
Read by Heather Henderson
ates peace of mind, say authors Davidson ing on the essentials in life. Ellis shares
and Tahsin. Narrator Joan Walker deliv- how, in the midst of her own seemingly
This listening experience is a perfect ers this message about the therapeutic fulfilled life, she began to have panic
match between message and perfor- qualities of crafting with enthusiasm that attacks that made her reevaluate her
mance. Heather Henderson gives mirrors this celebration of priorities. Ellis infuses hon-
listeners warm encouragement as she traditional crafts. Walker’s esty, humility, and humor
narrates this how-to guide for creatives lilting narration occasionally into her story of her ongoing
seeking advice in the later stages of life. blurs narrative transitions journey to maintain a pared-
Her delivery is steady, quick, and kind, such as moving to quotations down life that has provided
giving us the sense that she has become and research studies, but her her the opportunity to save
our creative coach, urging us to make animated voice clearly deliv- money, spend time on the
our chosen form of art no matter what ers the instructions for each people and things she loves,
our age is. Henderson’s style dovetails project and brings home the and be the person God
with author Julia Cameron’s well-estab- benefits of engaging the hands in a craft. wants her to be. While Ellis’s message is
lished mission to help anyone, everyone, These include reducing stress and devel- spiritually based, her message on declut-
begin creating, whatever their medium. oping discipline and a sense of control tering and her tips on how to do it are
Fans of Cameron’s work will play this that allows us to be more self-reliant and invaluable for anyone seeking simplic-
new volume whenever they need a boost confident. This ardent appeal to discover ity. A down-to-earth narration to help
to keep going. Henderson’s upbeat nar- authenticity and fulfillment by practicing ground our priorities. M.F.
ration encourages listeners to banish the a craft will encourage creatives and non- Dreamscape 5 hrs. Unabridged
voices of self-doubt or criticism that often creatives alike. M.F. Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781974930937 $49.99
(also MP3, DD)
hold people back. M.R. Harper Audio 4.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062908759 $17.99
Post Hypnotic Press Inc. 10.75 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD $24.95

April/May 2019 n 61
 LOVE IN CATALINA COVE:
Catalina Cove, Book 1
Brenda Jackson
Read by Ron Butler

Ron Butler’s splendid performance is the

reason you’ll keep listening to this steamy romance.
Sixteen-year-old Vashti Alcindor got pregnant and
fled the judgmental town of Catalina Cove in dis-
grace. Sixteen years later, gorgeous Vashti returns
to the place she loathes to settle her aunt’s estate.
Sawyer Grisham, the hunky town sheriff, gives her
a speeding ticket, and the instant heat between them is intense. Butler disappears
into the characters, subtly revealing personal secrets as well as secrets buried in the
town’s past. Even when the dialogue is stilted and adolescent, Butler makes it seem
real. In fact, he is so convincing that it’s almost possible to overlook the incredible
My most recent listen—Hate coincidences, overblown prose, repetitious plot, and sex scenes meant to sizzle that
Notes by Vi Keeland and fizzle instead. S.J.H.
Penelope Ward, read by Sebastian
Harlequin Audio 13 hrs. Unabridged
York and Lynn Barrington—proposes Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781488206085 $27.99
the millennial’s version of a bucket
list. Rather than making a to-do list
motivated by terminal illness, the AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME:
main characters accomplish adven- Sugar Lake, Book 1
tures that simply make their lives K.M. Jackson
Read by Diana Luke
richer and more fulfilling. Their list
expresses gratitude and bravery as Diana Luke narrates a sweet romance full of heart
well as a good measure of silliness. and memorable characters. Olivia Gale has come
Looking at the titles for this month’s to Sugar Lake to help out her aunt, only to be sur-
column, I noted that they comprise prised by a second chance at happily ever after with
a sort of audio bucket list. I’ve never her childhood sweetheart, Clayton Morris. While
lived in a small town where every- the relationship between Olivia and Clayton is the
one knows everyone’s business, but main focus, Luke performs the couple’s many fam-
thanks to the vocal stylings of Ron ily members with verve and enthusiasm. Of particular note are Olivia’s Aunt Joyce
Butler and Diana Luke in Love in and Clayton’s daughter, Hope. Luke gives Aunt Joyce such a sincere and affectionate
Catalina Cove and As Good as the characterization that she nearly steals every scene she appears in. Hope is a much
First Time, I can experience that— quieter presence, but Luke succeeds in creating a fully believable voice for the 11-year-
and so can you! Wondering what old. Several recipes featured in the story are also included. K.M.P.
dating apps are like? Laugh along Recorded Books 9.75 hrs. Unabridged
with narrators Shayna Thibodeaux Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781980026549 $123.75 (also DD)

and Deacon Lee as they portray

five college professors who give
them a try in My Favorite Half-Night MY FAVORITE HALF-NIGHT STAND
Christina Lauren
Stand. Never visited Harry Potter Read by Shayna Thibodeaux, Deacon Lee
World? Imagine it vividly through
Joy Osmanski’s reading of The Narrators Shayna Thibodeaux and Deacon Lee
Accidental Beauty Queen. Want make this audiobook shimmer with sexual sparks.
to join a Regency house party or a Listeners will also laugh out loud at the story’s corny
feast in a Viking hall? Simon Prebble jokes. Five modern-day college professors are about
and Greg Patmore will take you to try dating apps, but it may be too late for Millie
there in The Perfect Lover and His and Reid. Thibodeaux portrays Millie, the smart,
Viking Bride. There’s more than one sarcastic sole female in the group, with a throaty
way to cross items off a list, which voice and a tone that is precise and intelligent yet
is why we always love our listening. tinged with insecurity. Lee brands the insightful and honorable Reid with a dark-as-
—Caitlin Augusta sin voice full of emotion. These two BFFs think they’re just friends with benefits. But
Cupid has other plans. This is a funny yet romantic listen. A.M.G.
Find more Tease online at Simon & Schuster Audio 7 hrs. Unabridged
[Link]/blog/ Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508260417 $17.99
category/tease-romance-favorites

62 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Romance

THE PERFECT LOVER: Cynster, Book 10

Stephanie Laurens
Hot Picks
Read by Simon Prebble MY ONE AND ONLY DUKE:
Rogues to Riches, Book 1
Handing the narration of Stephanie Laurens’s Grace Burrowes, read by James Langton
Cynster backlist to Simon Prebble ranks as a genius When Quinn escapes the hangman’s
decision. Listeners will undoubtedly agree when noose, he faces a wife he only married
they hear The Perfect Lover. Prebble has created an for financial benefit.
auditory bubble bath for historical romance listeners. Hachette Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD
His smooth prose evokes Laurens’s idyllic English
countryside, the aristocratic maneuverings at a house ONCE GHOSTED, TWICE SHY:
party, and a murder mystery when a flirtatious guest A Reluctant Royals Novella
ends up dead. The romance between Simon Cynster and Portia Ashford is perfection. Alyssa Cole, read by Karen Chilton
Prebble delivers a deep, commanding voice with a gruff edge for Simon and switches Two women, Likotsi and Fabiola, reunite
seamlessly to a lighter, genuine-sounding voice for Portia. His pacing and phrasing bring in New York City to give their romance
total engagement with Laurens’s seductive text. Prebble further imbues his reading with another try.
a delicious anticipation that keeps listeners hooked from start to finish. C.A. Harper Audio Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD
Harper Audio 12.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062909770 $26.99
VINTAGE LOVE STORIES
Tanya Eby [Ed.], Kathryn Burns,
Cassandra Campbell, Tony Healy,
HIS VIKING BRIDE Jacob Strunk, Christina Thompson,
Olivia Norem K.E. White, Amanda R. Woomer,
Read by Greg Patmore B.L. Aldrich, read by Becca Balanger,
Erin Bennett, Hillary Huber,
Listeners will vividly imagine icy seas and the rau- Laura Jennings, Carol Monda,
cous laughter of a Viking hall, thanks to Greg Tara Sands, Xe Sands, Mark Turetsky,
Patmore’s atmospheric narration. Aestrid Karisson is J. Rodney Turner
kidnapped by Picts and then rescued by her father’s Unforgettable performances of stories set
before modern communication existed—
mortal enemy, Veleif Kollsvein. Patmore’s resonant
it’s old school!
timbre and authoritative tone make Veleif sound
Blunder Woman Productions Unabridged
like a gruff Nordic bear. As Aestrid nearly spits with Trade Ed.: DD
rage at Veleif’s constraints, listeners will absorb her
frustration. Patmore fully engages in the antagonistic dialogue between the characters, POSSESSION:
giving the production a lively flow. With such a strong narration, one wishes production Explicitly Yours, Book 1
values were more crisp. Also, the story’s last few chapters lack Norem’s original energy, Jessica Hawkins, read by Christian Fox
but Patmore’s commitment carries listeners to the finish line. Delivering the prose like Lola faces a moral dilemma—should
she agree to one night of sex with a
a winter wind, he vibrantly captures ancient Viking culture. C.A. 2019 Audies Winner stranger to pay for her boyfriend’s
Olivia Norem 10 hrs. Unabridged dreams?
Trade Ed.: DD $24.95 518 Books, Inc. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD

THE ACCIDENTAL BEAUTY QUEEN AFTER THE WEDDING:

Teri Wilson Worth Saga, Book 2
Read by Joy Osmanski Courtney Milan, read by Rosalyn Landor
Married at gunpoint, Adrian and
In this fresh take on a tale of trading places, narrator Camilla must find common ground.
Joy Osmanski does an excellent job differentiating Courtney Milan Unabridged
the voices of twins Charlotte and Ginny. Charlotte, Trade Ed.: DD
an elementary school librarian, is vacationing at
Harry Potter World. Rooming with Ginny, who is ROUGH EDGE:
The Edge, Book 1
competing in a national pageant, gives Charlotte CD Reiss, read by Joe Arden,
a chance to bond with her sister. Though they’re Maxine Mitchell
identical twins, their differences are stark: Charlotte Narrators Joe Arden and Maxine
cares nothing about her appearance, and Ginny has made a career out of hers. When Mitchell tackle dramatic material,
Ginny suffers an allergic reaction and can’t compete, Charlotte takes her place. including PTSD and sexual violence in
Osmanski gives the young women voices that are similar in pitch but differentiates a military marriage.
them through tone and intonation. Osmanski’s sighs and gasps up the intensity of this Flip City Media Inc. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD
heartwarming story peppered with genuinely comedic moments. A.L.C.
Simon & Schuster Audio 7.5 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9781508283553 $17.99

April/May 2019 n 63
Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

WHO? VITA NOSTRA: Vita Nostra, Book 1 IN AN ABSENT DREAM:

Algis Budrys Sergiy Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko, Wayward Children, Book 4
Read by Grover Gardner Julia Meitov Hersey [Trans.] Seanan McGuire
Read by Jessica Ball Read by Cynthia Hopkins
Narrator Grover Gardner captures the
essence of an underrated science fiction Jessica Ball narrates the English trans- Cynthia Hopkins narrates this fantasy
classic while highlighting its introspec- lation of this thrilling Russian novel, in a detached tone that fits the serious
tive musings. At the height of the Cold which falls somewhere between fantasy, and logical perspective of Katherine
War, Dr. Lucas Martino works tirelessly sci-fi, and suspense. It takes the mag- Lundy, a girl who finds her way into a
on a mysterious project that explodes, ical boarding school trope and roots it magical world known as the Goblin
leaving him disfigured. Martino stum- firmly in contemporary reality. In an Market. While fans of Seanan McGuire’s
bles home months later, rebuilt with appropriately eerie tone, Ball Wayward Children series
robotic parts and unable to prove his introduces Sasha, a teenage will feel comfortable with
identity. Gardner subtly layers in humor girl who is recruited to become Lundy and her “high-logic”
and wry psychological observations as a student at the mysteri- world, first-time listeners
Martino grapples with what it means ous Institute for Special will not feel left behind.
to be human. Characters feel alive and Technologies, where she Lundy’s love of logic and rea-
dynamic, and the scenes crackle with must perform a series of son serves her well as she
quiet intensity. Accents and inflections surreal and fantastic tasks, explores the Goblin Market,
hint at character intentions and motiva- with grave consequences learning how to make deals
tions, a testament to both Budrys and for failure. Ball distinguishes character of fair value and encountering distinctly
Gardner. Gardner’s gravelly timbre voices clearly and handles Russian names voiced characters like the flighty, sharp
imbues each scene with a sense of con- with aplomb. Her narrative tone shifts Moon and the breathy, wise Archivist.
templation while never slowing the pace as Sasha’s perceptions change through- As her dealings in the Market become
or the story’s message. J.M.M. out her education. Listeners become larger, the stakes become higher, lead-
Blackstone Audio 6 hrs. Unabridged
immersed in her mind, caught up in the ing Lundy and Moon to decisions with
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982557492 $29.95 often unexplainable nature of her strange lasting consequences. H.C.
(also MP3, DD) transformation. H.C. Macmillan Audio 5 hrs. Unabridged
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781982557485 $55.00
Harper Audio 18.25 hrs. Unabridged Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781250319043 $28.99 (also DD)
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780062876348 $36.99

“Fever dream, fantasy, BLACK LEOPARD,

RED WOLF: The Dark Star
hallucination, truth? Trilogy, Book 1
 arlon James
M
A startling and exhilarating Read by Dion Graham
quest. I had an incredible
This African-inspired epic fantasy
experience ‘riding story’ with becomes an immersive experience as
Tracker and these fantastic told by Dion Graham, whose deep-
beasts—right into the voiced narration makes listeners feel
like they are walking in the shoes of the
middle of the human heart. protagonist. Tracker’s powerful sense
What a tale it is.” of smell leads him through dangerous
—Narrator Dion Graham cities and wild lands in pursuit of a child he has been hired to find. He has
lovable and loathsome allies who help, but many others seek the child for
harmful purposes. Tracker himself isn’t sure of what he will do when he finds
the child. At times, Graham’s raspy timbre resembles a growl, which works
perfectly for Tracker. Overall, Graham’s rich character voices and accents, as
well as his singing ability, will leave listeners itching for the next volume. L.E.
Penguin Audio 24 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9780525526827 $60.00 (also DD)
Books on Tape
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9780525526841 $60.00 (also DD)
Photo by Jo Anna Perrin

64 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror

VENOM: LETHAL PROTECTOR

James R. Tuck
Read by Richard Rohan and a Full Cast THE WINTER OF THE WITCH:
Winternight Trilogy, Book 3
Symbiote superhero Venom’s voyage to Katherine Arden
Read by Kathleen Gati
San Francisco comes to life with a full
cast and a variety of sound effects that In this evocative conclusion to the
immerse the listener in the story. The Winternight Trilogy, a fairy-tale spin on
sound effects in many ways enhance the Russian history, Arden’s high-stakes
listening experience but at the same time writing and Kathleen Gati’s immersive
can be a bit repetitive. The real power of performance weave a listening experience
this adaptation is the cast. Having such
worthy of note. Gati’s adept Russian accent
a variety in the narration layers on the
enhances the cultural magic of the story.
detail, ensuring that each character stands
She further adds to the listening experience by clearly differentiating char-
out on their own. Particularly notable is
acters, giving some a pointed intensity and others a casual serenity. What’s
Scott McCormick, who voices Venom
more, her delivery finds the perfect balance between authentic-sounding
and his human counterpart, Eddie Brock.
Russian pronunciations and clarity. Fans of culture-rich fantasy stories will
His performance is nuanced enough to
make them sound like two distinct char- enjoy this lovely production. N.H.
acters but similar enough that listeners Random House Audio 14 hrs. Unabridged
Trade Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525639510 $22.50
will recognize them as two halves of the Books on Tape
same whole. C.J.S. Library Ed.: DD ISBN 9780525639527 $95.00
GraphicAudio 5 hrs. Audio Program
Digital Download: CD ISBN 9781628517798 $24.99
(also MP3, DD)
Gati’s adept Russian accent enhances
the cultural magic of the story.
THE AUCTIONEER
Joan Samson
Read by Matt Godfrey
FIRE & BLOOD: 300 Years WRONG TURN: An Anthology
In this rediscovered 1970s horror story, Before A Game of Thrones Tanya Eby [Ed.], Bernard Schaffer
Harlowe, New Hampshire, is a small (A Targaryen History) Read by Vikas Adam, Andi Arndt,
farming community where life is difficult George R.R. Martin Peter Berkrot, Tim Campbell, Bailey Carr,
but safe. Narrator Matt Godfrey skillfully Read by Simon Vance and a Full Cast
introduces John and Mim Moore, John’s
Ma, and 4-year-old Hildie, who live on a This is a historical accounting of all the Listeners are in for an experience of
farm owned by their family for genera- events that led up to the popular “Game of 22 “amuse-oreille” (small sound bites
tions. The language and speech patterns Thrones” series. Told in a textbook-style of delight to amuse the ear) in this
of the time add atmosphere, especially as format, it dives into the early monarchies anthology, which pairs award-winning
delivered by Godfrey. A palpable sense of Westeros, giving insight into many narrators with varying stories on the
of unease builds as newcomer Perly of the relevant conflicts GOT superfans theme of taking a wrong turn—some-
Dunsmore goes from farm to farm, ask- are bound to love. Few fantasy narrators times literal, other times metaphorical.
ing everyone to give him their “old junk” deliver the high-caliber skill A standout is Jim Shaffer’s
to auction off. He says they can use the of Simon Vance. He consis- “All That the Case Is,”
profits to better the town. Godfrey’s Perly tently provides an immersive in which narrator Peter
brilliantly manipulates people, particularly and dynamic character expe- Berkrot brings to life a small
as he demands more donations even when rience that makes it easy for town of characters—male,
families have no more to give. Soon men listeners to forget they’re lis- female, old, and teenage.
are deputized, and freedoms are curtailed. tening to just one performer. Laird Long’s “Fairy Dusted”
Godfrey’s exceptional presentation makes The epic quality of his tone demonstrates how audio
this creepy story thrilling to hear. S.G.B. expresses this work on such can effectively dramatize a
Valancourt Books 8.75 hrs. Unabridged a grand scale that listeners can’t help but story. Narrators Renee Chamblis and
Trade Ed.: DD $19.95 be mesmerized by the pictures he paints. Julie McKay present a story of alternat-
In this audiobook, he succeeds at infusing ing text messages, with each narrator’s
personality and gusto into a bleak story of voice perfectly projecting her character.
tragedy and betrayal. N.H. Audiobook fans of mysteries, horror, and
VIDEOS @ BLOG Random House Audio 26.5 hrs. Unabridged fantasy will find appealing listening to
Trade Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984838698 $60.00 (also DD) appreciate in this anthology. E.Q.
Watch narrator comments at Books on Tape
Library Ed.: CD ISBN 9781984838711 $60.00 (also DD) Blunder Woman Productions 10.75 hrs. Unabridged
[Link]/blog Trade Ed.: DD $24.95

April/May 2019 n 65
 Index of Print Reviews April & May 2019

THE ACCIDENTAL BEAUTY QUEEN. . . . . . . . . . . . 63 THE DISASTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 IN AN ABSENT DREAM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Teri Wilson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Joy Osmanski M.K. England. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by James Fouhey Seanan McGuire . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Cynthia Hopkins
ACT NATURAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 DRAGON PEARL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 IN OUR MAD AND FURIOUS CITY. . . . . . . . . 43
Jennifer Traig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Emily Woo Zeller Yoon Ha Lee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kim Mai Guest Guy Gunaratne . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Ben Bailey Smith,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lou Marie Kerr
THE AGONY HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 THE DREAMERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Cherie Priest. . . . . . Read by Haven Burton, Thérèse Plummer, Karen Thompson Walker. . . . Read by Cassandra Campbell INTERNMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
. . . . . . . . . . . .Jesse Vilinsky, Tristan Morris, Adam Grupper Samira Ahmed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Soneela Nankani
DREYER’S ENGLISH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
AKATA WARRIOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Benjamin Dreyer. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Benjamin Dreyer, IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN AGAIN. . . . . . 61
Nnedi Okorafor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Yetide Badaki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alison Fraser [Excerpts] Julia Cameron, Emma Lively. . . . Read by Heather Henderson
AS GOOD AS THE FIRST TIME. . . . . . . . . . . . 62 EARLY RISER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 JEEVES AND THE KING OF CLUBS . . . . . . . . 42
K.M. Jackson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Diana Luke Jasper Fforde. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Thomas Hunt Ben Schott. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by James Lance
ASTRID THE UNSTOPPABLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 THE ENCHANTED HOUR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 A LADDER TO THE SKY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Maria Parr, Guy Puzey [Trans.] . . . . Read by Devon Sorvari Meghan Cox Gurdon . . . . . . Read by Meghan Cox Gurdon John Boyne . . . Read by Richard E. Grant, Richard Cordery,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nina Sosanya, Laurence Kennedy
AT THE WOLF’S TABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 THE ESCAPE ARTISTS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Rosella Postorino, Leah Janeczko [Trans.].Read by Polly Stone Neal Bascomb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by L.J. Ganser THE LAST WHALERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Doug Bock Clark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jay Snyder
THE AU PAIR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 FAMILY TRUST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Emma Rous . . . . . . Read by Elizabeth Sastre, Nicola Barber Kathy Wang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Joy Osmanski LEARNING TO SEE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Elise Hooper. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Cassandra Campbell
THE AUCTIONEER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 THE FAR FIELD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Joan Samson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Matt Godfrey Madhuri Vijay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sneha Mathan THE LEGEND OF SKELETON MAN. . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Joseph Bruchac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by DeLanna Studi
THE BANISHED IMMORTAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 THE FEVER KING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Ha Jin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by David Shih Victoria Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Michael Crouch LET’S GO SWIMMING ON DOOMSDAY . . . . 32
Natalie C. Anderson. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kevin R. Free
BANJO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 FINDING DOROTHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Grantlee Kieza. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Peter Byrne Elizabeth Letts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Ann Marie Lee, LIFE ON EARTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elizabeth Letts [Afterword] David Attenborough . . . . . . . . Read by David Attenborough
BARE MINIMUM PARENTING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
James Breakwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by James Breakwell FIRE & BLOOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 LITTLE WHITE LIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
George R.R. Martin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Simon Vance Jennifer Lynn Barnes . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Katherine Littrell
THE BEANTOWN GIRLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Jane Healey. . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sarah Mollo-Christensen FIVE FEET APART. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 THE LOST MAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Rachael Lippincott. . . . . . Read by Joy Osmanski, Corey Brill Jane Harper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Stephen Shanahan
BÉBÉ DAY BY DAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Pamela Druckerman . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Abby Craden FIVE STARS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 LOVE IN CATALINA COVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Carmine Gallo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Carmine Gallo Brenda Jackson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Ron Butler
BEYOND BIRDS AND BEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
FREDERICK DOUGLASS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 LUMBERJANES: THE GOOD EGG. . . . . . . . . . 24
Bonnie J. Rough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Bonnie J. Rough
David W. Blight . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Prentice Onayemi Mariko Tamaki. . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Amanda Leigh Cobb
BLACK ENOUGH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
GHOST WALL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 THE MINIMALIST HOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Ibi Zoboi [Ed.] . . . . . . . . . Read by Bahni Turpin, Ron Butler
Sarah Moss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Christine Hewitt Joshua Becker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Joshua Becker
BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF. . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
THE GILDED WOLVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 MOUTHFUL OF BIRDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Marlon James. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Dion Graham
Roshani Chokshi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by P.J. Ochlan, Samanta Schweblin. . . . Read by Erin Bennett, Allyson Ryan,
BOWLAWAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laurie Catherine Winkel . . . . . . . . . . Mark Bramhall, Kaleo Griffith, and a Full Cast
Elizabeth McCracken . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kate Reading THE MUSIC OF WHAT HAPPENS. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
THE GOLDEN STATE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
THE BOY AT THE KEYHOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Lydia Kiesling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Amanda Dolan Bill Konigsberg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Joel Froomkin,
Stephen Giles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Joel Froomkin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anthony Rey Perez
GOLDEN STATE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
THE BRIDGE HOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ben H. Winters. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kiff VandenHeuvel MY FAVORITE HALF-NIGHT STAND. . . . . . . . . . . 62
Padma Venkatraman. . . . . . . . Read by Padma Venkatraman Christina Lauren. Read by Shayna Thibodeaux , Deacon Lee
THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD . . . . . . . . . 45
BUTTERMILK GRAFFITI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Alan Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jayne Entwistle NEVER GROW UP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Edward Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by David Shih Jackie Chan, Zhu Mo . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Daxing Zhang,
GOOD RIDDANCE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Lim
CARLA HALL’S SOUL FOOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Elinor Lipman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Mia Barron
Carla Hall, Genevieve Ko . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Carla Hall NEVER HOME ALONE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
GRATEFUL AMERICAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Rob Dunn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sean Patrick Hopkins
THE COLORS OF ALL THE CATTLE . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Gary Sinise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Gary Sinise
Alexander McCall Smith . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Lisette Lecat NEVER TELL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
THE HEARTBEAT OF WOUNDED KNEE. . . . . . . . . 53 Lisa Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kirsten Potter
CONNECTIONS IN DEATH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 David Treuer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Tanis Parenteau
J.D. Robb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Susan Ericksen THE NEW IBERIA BLUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
HERE TO STAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 James Lee Burke. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Will Patton
CRAFTFULNESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Sara Farizan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jonathan Todd Ross
Rosemary Davidson, Arzu Tahsin . . . . . Read by Joan Walker NEW KID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
HIS VIKING BRIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Jerry Craft. . . . . . . . Read by Jesus Del Orden, Nile Bullock,
CROWN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Olivia Norem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Greg Patmore . . . . Robin Miles, Guy Lockard, Peyton Lusk, Rebecca Soler,
Derrick Barnes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Corey Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan Bittner, Phoebe Strole, Marc Thompson
HOW TO WRITE AN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DAEMON VOICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NOVEL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 99 NIGHTS IN LOGAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Phillip Pullman. Read by Phillip Pullman, Simon Mason [Intro] Alexander Chee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Daniel K. Isaac Jamil Jan Kochai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Ali Nasser
DAUGHTER OF A DAUGHTER OF A QUEEN. . . . . 38 I.M.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 ON THE COME UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Sarah Bird. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Bahni Turpin Isaac Mizrahi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Isaac Mizrahi Angie Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Bahni Turpin
THE DEAD QUEENS CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ILLEGAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 AN ORCHESTRA OF MINORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Hannah Capin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jesse Vilinsky Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin. . . . . . . . . . Read by a Full Cast Chigozie Obioma. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Chukwudi Iwuji
DIGITAL MINIMALISM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 IN A HOUSE OF LIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 THE ORCHID AND THE DANDELION . . . . . . . 58
Cal Newport . . . Read by Will Damron, Cal Newport [Intro.] Ian Rankin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by James Macpherson W. Thomas Boyce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Fred Sanders

Exceptional audiobooks awarded “Earphones.”

66 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
AN ORDER FOR DEATH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 A THOUSAND SISTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Susanna Gregory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by David Thorpe Elizabeth Wein. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Amy Landon
OUTRAGEOUS ACTS AND. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TO KEEP THE SUN ALIVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 More Listening from
EVERYDAY REBELLIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Gloria Steinem, Emma Watson [Fore.]. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rabeah Ghaffari. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Rabeah Ghaffari
Authors You Love at
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Gloria Steinem, Barrie Kreinik,
. . . . . . . . Gabra Zackman, Soneela Nankani, Robin Miles
TO SHAPE A NEW WORLD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Tommie Shelby [Ed.], Brandon M. Terry [Ed.]. . . . . . . . . . . [Link]
. . . . . . . . . Read by Kevin Kenerly, Priya Ayyar, Cary Hite,
THE PARAGON HOTEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Miles, Carrington MacDuffie KATRINA CARRASCO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lyndsay Faye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by January LaVoy THE BEST BAD THINGS. . . Read by Saskia Maarleveld
TRAILBLAZER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
PAY ATTENTION, CARTER JONES. . . . . . . . . 28 HANS ROSLING, ANNA ROSLING. . . . . . . . .
Dorothy Butler Gilliam. . . . . . . . . . . Read by January LaVoy
Gary D. Schmidt. . . . . . . . . . Read by Christopher Gebauer RONNLUND, OLA ROSLING. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 FACTFULNESS . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Richard Harries
PEASPROUT CHEN: BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS . . 28
Henry Lien. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Nancy Wu Karen M. [Link] by Sophie Amoss, Kirby Heyborne
JOANNE B. FREEMAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE PERFECT LOVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 UNCLUTTERED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 THE FIELD OF BLOOD. . . . Read by Joanne B. Freeman
Stephanie Laurens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Simon Prebble Courtney Ellis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Courtney Ellis
PAUL THEROUX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE PLOTTERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 UNMARRIAGEABLE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 FIGURES IN A LANDSCAPE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Un-su Kim, Sora Kim-Russell [Trans.] . . . . Read by Arthur Lee Soniah Kamal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Soniah Kamal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Edoardo Ballerini
PRISONER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 THE UNTEACHABLES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 LEONARD COHEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jason Rezaian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jason Rezaian Gordon Korman. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sarah Beth Goer,
THE FLAME . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Margaret Atwood,
. . . . . . . . . . . . Oliver Wyman, Josh Hurley, Tristan Morris,
PULP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 . . . . . . . . . . . Rodney Crowell, John Doe, Will Patton,
. . . . . . . . . Chris Gebauer, Sean Welsh Brown, Pete Larkin,
Robin Talley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Stephanie Cannon . . . . . .Seth Rogen, Michael Shannon, and a Full Cast
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fred Berman, Jennifer Nittoso
REDEMPTION POINT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 DEAN KOONTZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE UNWINDING OF THE MIRACLE . . . . . . . . . 51
Candice Fox. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Euan Morton THE FORBIDDEN DOOR. . Read by Elisabeth Rodgers
Julie Yip-Williams . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Emily Woo Zeller,
ROLLER GIRL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joshua Williams [Epilogue] NATASHA NGAN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Victoria Jamieson . . Read by Almarie Guerra and a Full Cast GIRLS OF PAPER AND FIRE . . . Read by Allison Hiroto
THE VANDERBEEKERS AND THE. . . . . . . . . . . .
RUTH BADER GINSBURG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 HIDDEN GARDEN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 JEFFREY ARCHER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jane Sherron de Hart . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Suzanne Toren Karina Yan Glaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Robin Miles HEADS YOU WIN . . . . . . . Read by Richard Armitage
SCHINDLER’S LIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 VENOM: LETHAL PROTECTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Thomas Keneally. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Humphrey Bower SANDEEP JAUHAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
James R. Tuck. . . . . Read by Richard Rohan and a Full Cast HEART. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Patrick Lawlor
SCRUBLANDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 VERSES FOR THE DEAD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Chris Hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Rupert Degas H.W. BRANDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child. . . Read by Rene Auberjonois HEIRS OF THE FOUNDERS . . . . . Read by Eric Martin
SEA BONES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
VITA NOSTRA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 KURT EICHENWALD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bob Barner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Crystal Taliefero
Sergiy Dyachenko, Marina Dyachenko, Julia Meitov Hersey A MIND UNRAVELED . . . . . . Read by Kurt Eichenwald
THE SECRET LIFE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 [Trans.] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jessica Ball
Jeffrey Katz, Alys Yablon Wylen. Read by George Newbern MITCH ALBOM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THE WATER CURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
SELF-CARE FOR THE REAL WORLD . . . . . . . . . . 60 THE NEXT PERSON YOU MEET IN HEAVEN. . . . . . .
Sophie Mackintosh. . . . . . . . . . . Read by Gemma Whelan,
Nadia Narain, Katia Narain Phillips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Mitch Albom
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Murray, Morfydd Clark
. . . . . . . . . . .Read by Nadia Narain, Katia Narain Phillips HOMER, EMILY WILSON [TRANS.] . . . . . . . . .
WHAT WOULD CLEOPATRA DO? . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SEVEN AGES OF PARIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 THE ODYSSEY. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Claire Danes
Elizabeth Foley, Beth Coates . . . . Read by Madeleine Maby
Alistair Horne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Derek Perkins
SARAH SELECKY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WHERE THE WATERMELONS GROW . . . . . . 29
THE SHAPE OF THE RUINS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Cindy Baldwin. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sisi Aisha Johnson RADIANT SHIMMERING LIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Juan Gabriel Vásquez. . . . . . . . . Read by Sheldon Romero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Lisa Flanagan
WHO?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
SILENT SPRING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 MICK KITSON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Algis Budrys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Grover Gardner
Rachel Carson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Susie Berneis SAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sharon Rooney
SKYWARD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 THE WICKED KING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Holly Black. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Caitlin Kelly JUDY NUNN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brandon Sanderson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Suzy Jackson SANCTUARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by John Derum
SMALL ANIMALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 WILD BILL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Tom Clavin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Johnny Heller JILL SOLOWAY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kim Brooks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kim Brooks
SHE WANTS IT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jill Soloway
THE SNOW LEOPARD PROJECT . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 THE WINTER OF THE WITCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Alex Dehgan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Dan Woren Katherine Arden. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Kathleen Gati IDRA NOVEY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THOSE WHO KNEW. . . . . . . . Read by Kirsten Potter
THE SPLENDOR BEFORE THE DARK. . . . . . . . . . 38 WIT’S END . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Margaret George. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Steve West, James Geary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by David De Vries, KAMALA HARRIS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katharine McEwan, Susan Denaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . JD Jackson, Janet Metzger THE TRUTHS WE HOLD. . . . . . Read by Kamala Harris
STEPHEN FRY’S VICTORIAN SECRETS. . . . . . 53 WITNESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 MARION NESTLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
John Woolf, Nick Baker. . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Stephen Fry Ariel Burger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Jason Culp UNSAVORY TRUTH . . . . . . . . . Read by Norah Tocci
SUGAR RUN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 WRONG TURN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 W. SCOTT POOLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mesha Maren. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Hillary Huber Tanya Eby [Ed.], Bernard Schaffer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WASTELAND. . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Andrew Eiden
THE SUSPECT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 . . . . . . . . .Read by Vikas Adam, Andi Arndt, Peter Berkrot,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Campbell, Bailey Carr and a Full Cast DEAN KOONTZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fiona Barton . Read by Susan Duerden, Fiona Hardingham, WATCHERS. . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Edoardo Ballerini
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicholas Guy Smith, Katharine McEwan YOUR DUCK IS MY DUCK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
SWEEP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Deborah Eisenberg. . . . . . . . . Read by Deborah Eisenberg,
Jonathan Auxier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Sarah Coomes . . . . . . . . . Wallace Shawn, Julianne Moore, Josh Hamilton
THIS YEAR YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL . . . . . . . 57 ZATHURA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Find new reviews WEEKLY at
Walter Mosley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by Dion Graham Chris Van Allsburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read by a Full Cast [Link]

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For more reviews, visit [Link]
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April/May 2019 n 67
 Audiobooks and Literacy

6 Tips for Listening to Audiobooks with Kids

By Sonja Cole
Reading with our ears can have choose, or you might want to buy an Explore the tried and true.
educational benefits at all ages, inexpensive CD player and get books Revisit stories you loved as a child.
but my favorite benefit of listening to on CD. A set of headphones with vol- I was thrilled when my family listened
audiobooks with kids is the priceless ume restrictions is also a good idea for to Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
connection of experiencing a good younger listeners. together and loved it as much I did
story together. If your family has never when I was eight. You can also look
listened to an audiobook, getting Listening is a skill that for timeless children’s classics.
started can feel daunting, so here are Kids can listen at a higher level than
some tips to get you up and running. needs to be practiced they can read, so even five-year-olds
like anything else. can enjoy classics like The Secret
Set up your device. Garden, Treasure Island, or The Wind
Start your listening journey at the pub- Start small at first. in the Willows.
lic library! Many libraries have both For your first listening experience,
CDs and digital audiobooks, so ask start with something short, or even a Know your narrators.
your local librarian to walk you through book your child has read many times The narrator makes a huge difference,
the options. Depending on what’s avail- already, like Goodnight, Goodnight, so be sure and sample an audiobook
able at our public library, my family Construction Site. Listening is a before you commit. AudioFile has
either listens to CDs or digital audio- skill that needs to be practiced like easy-to-browse reviews of recom-
books downloaded via the OverDrive anything else. Developing those lis- mended kids’ audiobooks with age
app. In the car, I use Bluetooth to con- tening muscles is hard work, so start levels and sound samples (audio-
nect my phone to the stereo so we can slowly and get used to the format. [Link]/kids-teens). Many
all listen together. Our 14-year-old has Charlotte’s Web is a beloved story that popular actors have also narrated
the OverDrive app on her phone and kids will jump right into. Or if you children’s audiobooks. One of my
uses her own library card to download want to laugh, try I’m Just No Good favorites is David Tennant’s priceless
audiobooks. A younger child could use at Rhyming: And Other Nonsense for performance of the How to Train
a tablet loaded with audiobooks you Mischievous Kids and Immature Adults. Your Dragon series.

Start a listening queue.

I always have two or three audiobooks
downloaded on my phone and about
ten more on hold at the library. That
way, wherever we are—in the car,
waiting at the dentist’s office, relaxing
at home—we have options on deck.
A series is a great way to kick-start
your queue. The Boxcar Children,
Magic Tree House, and Hank the
Cowdog have seemingly endless lists
of titles. Have your kids help add to
your library list, too!

Don’t slog through.

It is perfectly okay to give up on an
audiobook if you or your kids are find-
ing it boring or irritating, or you’re
just not that into it. Listen to a few
chapters to give it a chance, but after
that, there’s no reason to finish listen-
ing to a book no one likes. Move on to
the next audiobook on your list!

68 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
 More Listening
GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CHARLOTTE’S WEB
CONSTRUCTION SITE E.B. White, read by E.B. White
Sherri Duskey Rinker, Listening Library Unabridged Ages 8+
read by Dion Graham Trade Ed.: CD, DD
Weston Woods Studios Book & Recording Ages 4-6 Library Ed.: CD, DD
Trade Ed.: CD
I’M JUST NO GOOD AT
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS RHYMING: And Other Nonsense
Kenneth Grahame, read by Simon Vance for Mischievous Kids and
Brilliance Audio Unabridged Ages 6+ Immature Grown-Ups
Trade Ed.: DD Chris Harris, Lane Smith,
read by Robert Petkoff, Chris Harris,
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON Cassandra Morris
Cressida Cowell, read by David Tennant Hachette Audio Unabridged Ages 8+
Hachette Audio Unabridged Ages 6+ Trade Ed.: DD
Trade Ed.: DD
TREASURE ISLAND
THE SECRET GARDEN Robert Louis Stevenson,
Frances Hodgson Burnett, read by Alfred Molina
Find Audiobooks for All Ages read by Finola Hughes Listening Library Unabridged Ages 8+
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Audiobooks for babies and toddlers Library Ed.: CD, DD
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them laughing, singing, clapping, or THE RAMONA QUIMBY AUDIO Roald Dahl, read by Kate Winslet
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Trade Ed.: DD THE BOOK THIEF
AGES 5-7 Markus Zusak, read by Allan Corduner
The goal here is to learn to love stories! THE MERCY WATSON Listening Library Unabridged Ages 12+
Make listening together a fun bonding COLLECTION: Volume 1 Trade Ed.: CD, DD
Library Ed.: CD, DD
experience, and have kids tell you their Kate DiCamillo, read by Ron McLarty
thoughts about the plot and characters. Listening Library Unabridged Ages 6+
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LONG WAY DOWN
Roald Dahl, Beverly Cleary, and Kate Library Ed.: CD, DD Jason Reynolds, read by Jason Reynolds
DiCamillo are some fan favorites per- Simon & Schuster Audio Unabridged Ages 12+
fect for this age. MAGIC TREE HOUSE Trade Ed.: DD
COLLECTION #1: Books 1-8
AGES 7-12 Mary Pope Osborne,
Try out different genres like fantasy, read by Mary Pope Osborne
Listening Library Unabridged Ages 6+
adventure, realistic fiction, nonfiction, Trade Ed.: CD, DD
and scary stories. Let kids choose their Library Ed.: CD, DD
own audiobooks and listen to books
for school. It’s not cheating! This is
especially true for reluctant readers
or those with learning differences,
as reading with their ears can expose
kids to more advanced vocabulary
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AGES 12 AND UP
Explore a range of dialects, voices, and
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For example, the German words and
phrases in The Book Thief give a real
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And Jason Reynolds’s reading of Long
Way Down gives authentic voice to con-
temporary African-American characters.
April/May 2019 n 69
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70 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
Reviewers Continued

L.T. M.F. M.O.B. M.P.P. M.R. R.W.S. S.A.H. S.G.B. W.A.G.

L.B.F. Leslie B. Fine, Educator, NY R.A.H. Rebecca Honeycutt, S.P. Shira Pilarski, Librarian, MI
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April/May 12:40
nPM
71
 Listening With . . .

Jackson Leroi Widoff -Woodson

Age 11
Brooklyn, New York

Jackson Leroi Widoff-Woodson comes by his love

of books and audiobooks naturally—his mom is author
Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award winner and
National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
(You can hear an interview between mother and son at the
end of Woodson’s audiobook Harbor Me.) A busy 11-year-
old, Jackson Leroi likes that he can listen while traveling
and on his commute to and from school. He’s a big fan of
audiobooks by Kwame Alexander and Jason Reynolds—
so much so that he sometimes listens to the same audiobook
several times. And he could teach all of us a lesson about
how to listen carefully, because he’s developed a system.
“The first time I listen, it’s to get to know the book. The second
time, I listen to see if I’ve missed anything. And the third time,
I listen just to enjoy the story.” Genius! —Jennifer M. Dowell

Photo by Rachel Naomi

72 n AudioFile/[Link]fi[Link]
IN THE MOOD FOR...
Fact or Fiction

MATRIARCH
BARBARA BUSH
and the Making of an American Dynasty

SUSAN PAGE
UNABRIDGED • READ BY KATE LEVY • INCLUDES A PDF OF PHOTOS

Hachette Audio has you covered.

[Link] [Link]/HACHETTEAUDIO Also available in print and ebook wherever books are sold