REVIEWS

Fiction | NonFiction | Children and Young Adult | Poetry

Click on the link to see the full review and hear a clip.

"Narrator Ann Dowd, known for her role on the television adaptation, is formidable as Aunt Lydia. Hearing her resonant narration of diary entries allows listeners to feel the horror of early Gilead, be disturbed by the aunt's complicity, and discover her secrets. Bryce Dallas Howard's sweet narration of the Transcript of Witness Testimony 369A provides a window onto the extreme restrictions of girlhood in Gilead. Mae Whitman's snarky rendition of Witness 369B's testimony reflects a privileged youth in Canada, where she unwittingly triggers dramatic changes. Listening adds an entirely new dimension to a riveting tale."— AudioFile Magazine For The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, also narrated by Derek Jacobi, Tantoo Cardinal and the Author — Earphones Award, AudioFile Magazine Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2019. Audie Finalist Audiobook of the Year 2020 — Random House.

“Blair Brown delivers a superb narration of Elizabeth Gilbert's novel, which features the recollections of a 95-year-old New York seamstress who came of age during WWII. Brown's straightforward, charming depiction illuminates the vivacious young woman the wistful elderly narrator remembers, and her conversational pacing creates vibrant pictures for the listener.” — AudioFile Magazine For City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert. Audie Award for Best Fiction 2020 — Penguin.

“Grace Gummer masterfully narrates this poignant, disturbing novel set in 2017 and 2001. When the novel opens, 15-year-old Vanessa begins an affair with a charming and manipulative 42-year-old teacher at her Maine boarding school. In 2017, a former student accuses this same teacher of abuse. Gummer becomes both the teenaged Vanessa and the adult Vanessa with a deepening of her voice to depict the adult and a slightly higher, breathier voice for the girl…Gummer's fine, suspenseful performance of this breakthrough novel highlights the nuances that often lie beneath accusations of sexual abuse in the age of #MeToo. “ AudioFile Magazine For My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell — Earphones Award — HarperAudio

"[Sue] Miller's graceful tone, expressive phrasing, and unhurried pace allow listeners to ease into this contemplative story.” — AudioFile Magazine For the author in Monogamy written and read by Sue Miller — HarperAudio.

"The prosperous Norwegian village where this addictive novel is set could be anywhere in the world, though the Scandinavian details fascinate. The three actors who voice Cecilia, a beautiful rich housewife, Tobias, an abandoned child, and Annika, a doomed junkie, are perfectly cast, have appealing voices, and do exactly what the story needs them to do. Cecilia especially is a tricky challenge—any mother would identify with her at first but—keep listening. Tobias is winning though more damaged than he first appears, and Annika, who should appall you, is deeply touching. The ingredients of the plot might sound like conventional noir, with unreliable narrators, hidden connections, and secrets and lies, but this is an unusual and brilliantly executed example, and a flawless listen." — AudioFile Magazine For Mozhan Marnò, Jenna Lamia, Sophie Amoss in The Boy At the Door by Alex Dahl —  Earphones Award —  Penguin.

“Narrator Saskia Maarleveld is outstanding in this absorbing, multilayered listen... Maarleveld seamlessly transitions between time periods and points of view, voicing the focused Susan and the reckless Annie with clear distinctions and nuances that perfectly match their personalities. The audiobook begins slowly but as the story unfolds, one can't stop listening.” AudioFile Magazine for Finding Mrs. Ford by Deborah Goodrich Royce —  Earphones Award — Blackstone Publishing

“In this audiobook, a novel that weaves the compelling 1960s stories of the race to space and the emergence of the Beatles, the real star is narrator Graham Halstead. He adds drama to the space flights--successes and failures--and his exceptional delivery of the Liverpool accents of the Fab Four and their real-life aide-de-camp, Mal Evans, enliven the listening experience… adept mimicry, fine pacing, and personal style.” AudioFile Magazine For —  Into the Sky with Diamonds: The Beatles and the Race to the Moon in the Psychedelic ‘60s
by Ronald Grelsamer - Earphones Award — Blackstone Publishing

“From beginning to end, [Joshilyn Jackson] breathes life into her characters, vocally representing the wide range of emotions found in this rollercoaster of a story. Intense scenes cause one to listen with breathless anticipation. Jackson provides yet another performance sure to thrill listeners.” — AudioFile Magazine For the author in Never Have I Ever, written and read by Joshilyn Jackson —  HarperAudio.

"This audiobook presents unsparing parallel portrayals of a mother and her daughter: Elsie, whose rocky relationship with an Albanian immigrant leads to pregnancy, and Luljeta, her daughter. Now age 17, Luljeta is struggling to come to terms with who she is after realizing she will not be able to escape her hardscrabble town of brass mills just yet. The dual narrations of Lauren Fortgang and Thérèse Plummer vividly depict both the down-on-its-luck town and its hardworking residents, including the Albanian immigrants who are attempting to reconcile their difficult past while forging a new life in America. Elsie's narration is more nuanced, while Luljeta's reflects her adolescent angst." — AudioFile Magazine For Brass by Xhenet Aliu —Earphones Award —  Random House.

"Euan Morton deftly narrates this psychological thriller as it shifts back and forth in time.  [He] portrays young Eddie with soft vulnerability and a measured cadence; in contrast, his adult Eddie carries the weight of years in a hardened, sardonic voice as an old friend stirs up the past. Morton's skill lets the listener know where the story is at all times." —  AudioFile Magazine For The Chalk Man by CJ Morton —  Random House.

“Narrator Edoardo Ballerini waltzes listeners through New York City society as Zimmerman's macabre tale of civility and violence unfolds. Subtle yet powerful, his elegant style works well.”  — AudioFile Magazine For Savage Girl by Jean Zimmerman — Penguin.

“Narrator Brittany Pressley is an opportune choice to recount the complicated friendship of three women…Pressley deftly expresses each character's perspective and evokes the listener's empathy. Using tonal variations and a smooth pace, Pressley emphasizes the believability and humor of the characters and makes clear the motivations for their actions.” — AudioFile Magazine For How Could She by Lauren Mechling — Penguin.

“[Rob Shapiro] inhabits the work and perfectly paces the financier/philanthropist's rags-to-riches story. Shapiro's tone is always on target, especially when Hajim discusses his strained relationship with his father. During Hajim's self-effacing, humorous references, one can hear the smile in Shapiro's voice. Additional narrators read excerpts of letters, which give a documentary feel to the production.“ For Rob Shapiro, Jill Larson, Marc Feuerstein, and Izzy Berman in On the Road Less Travelled: An Unlikely Journey from the Orphanage to the Boardroom by Ed Hajim with Glenn Plaskin — Earphones Award —Skyhorse Publishing

"Narrator Orlagh Cassidy excels in her portrayal of the two main characters in this novel. Cassidy gives distinct personalities to each woman, completely pulling the listener into the story. The novel is full of beautifully wrought emotion, which Cassidy conveys perfectly." — AudioFile Magazine For In Falling Snow by Mary-Rose MacColl — Earphones Award — Penguin.

“As Aunt Lydia exposes the machinations of Gilead’s elite and how they engender its destruction, we are riveted by [Ann} Dowd’s tense control, keeping Aunt Lydia’s frenzied desperation just in check as she plots with ruthless efficiency. Bryce Dallas Howard and Mae Whitman—both well-known screen actors, but relative newcomers to audiobooks—assume the voices of Witness 369A (Agnes Jemina), and Witness 369B (Daisy), respectively. Howard’s Agnes matures from a trusting innocent in Gilead’s suffocating society to a tenacious survivor and truth-seeker. Whitman’s Daisy, raised in Toronto in relative freedom, begins as the quintessential teenager, until the murder of her parents on her 16th birthday reveals the lies that have been her life and the lies she’ll need to live to save many others. Canadian First Nations actor Tantoo Cardinal elegantly claims her brief role as the symposium-leading, Indigenous professor who introduces Derek Jacobi. For his part, Jacobi’s 22 audio minutes are reminiscent of Judi Dench’s Oscar win for her 8 minutes of Shakespeare in Love screentime—his captivating, droll presentation is indeed as deserving. All throughout it is [Margaret] Atwood herself—with a voice infused with regal gravitas—who serves as commentator and guide, imparting offenses and demanding justice. An arresting full-cast production of one the year’s most hotly anticipated titles.” — Booklist Starred Review For The Testaments by Margaret Atwood — Random House Audio.

“A thrilling mystery with two powerful performances." — AudioFile Magazine For Elizabeth Sastre and Nicola Barber in The Au Pair by Emma Rous — Penguin.

“Lisa Flanagan perceptively narrates this tender novel about a young woman who is coming to grips with what it means to be a compassionate and committed life partner.“ — AudioFile Magazine For Say Say Say by Lila Savage —Random House.

"This audiobook, vividly imagined by journalist Omar El Akkad and narrated by Dion Graham, transports listeners to a near-future America ravaged by war.  Graham infuses the Chestnuts' story with urgency and heart, and he reads the official documents recounting the war with chilling veracity--making this dystopian vision of America feel all too real."  — AudioFile Magazine For American War by Omar El Akkad   — ALA 2018 Indies Choice Audiobook of the Year Award Finalist — Random House.

“Far from an easy listen (and with a necessary trigger warning for sexual abuse), the story nevertheless carries you along with the pull of a thriller, and narrator Grace Gummer so perfectly embodies Vanessa that the character feels real in a way that’s impossible to shake. This dark, absorbing debut may not be the escapist fare many are craving in the current moment, but its devastating realism and nuanced message ought to endure for far longer.” — Audible Editors For My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell — HarperAudio

“Not only is Sue Miller one of our most deft and satisfying writers of literary fiction, she’s also on a par as a performer with some of the best narrators of audiobooks we have... A beautiful performance." — AudioFile Magazine  For The Arsonist  by Sue Miller — Earphones Award.  AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2014   — Penguin.

"An engrossing listen.” — AudioFile Magazine For Hope Davis in Stella Bain by Anita Shreve —   Hachette. 

"This mostly epistolary novel tracks the real and imagined friendship of Samuel Clemens (author Mark Twain) and Henry Morton Stanley (African explorer) from their meeting on a Mississippi riverboat before the Civil War through the end of their lives. Clemens, Stanley, and Stanley’s wife— painter Dorothy Tennant—are the main voices, ably performed by the ensemble of narrators. Henry Leyva captures the charming and tragic elder Clemens, and—more remarkably—James Langton, the bull-headed and searching Stanley. The vividly rendered Tennant—read by Polly Lee—matches both for energy and passion. Robert Petkoff ably covers the narration and other major characters." — AudioFile Magazine For Twain & Stanley Enter Paradise by Oscar Hijuelos —  Earphones Award. AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2015  — Hachette.

“Ari Fliakos provides listeners with a clear and confident performance of a dense family drama. [His} skilled performance navigates the characters with emotion and clarity.“ —  AudioFile Magazine For Old Newgate Road by Keith Scribner —Random House

"Riveting listening." — AudioFile Magazine For January LaVoy in The Shimmering Road by Hester Young — Penguin.

"Narrator Lisa Flanagan paints completely believable portraits of the three women at the heart of Wunderland...First-rate narration of a gripping story of friendship and betrayal in the face of evil."— AudioFile Magazine For Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein — Random House.

"Mozhan Marnò's stunningly perfect performance elevates this unforgettable novel to stardom." — AudioFile Magazine For Hausfrau by Jill Alexander Essbaum  — Earphones Award   — Random House.

"Rebecca Soler is an excellent narrator for this riveting story of modern love, told from unlikely perspectives. The lives of two characters--Latina stripper Perla and Russian orphan Julian--are intertwined. Soler's characterizations alternate between the street savvy of the stripper and the vulnerability of the resourceful Julian. [Her] narration is confident, consistent, and engaging [as she] proves her dexterity through believable depictions of both male and female characters and seamless delivery of alternating points of view." — AudioFile Magazine For Troika by Adam Pelzman — Penguin.

“Some of the best narration listeners will find anywhere.” — AudioFile Magazine For Becky Ann Baker, Adriane Lenox, Robin Miles and Lois Smith in The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson —   Brilliance. 

"After Beth flees from an awkward blind date with a mechanic named Sam, she's in a horrible car accident, which he witnesses. Narrator Khristine Hvam brings out all the terror of the accident, and makes the story and its characters appealing and believable. As Beth, she captures a naïve and openhearted young woman, and with changes in pitch and phrasing, she slips easily into the voice of Sam, a hard-working all-American male. Hvam will captivate listeners with her performance of Macomber's newest classic." — AudioFile Magazine For If Not For You by Debbie Macomber — Earphones Award. AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2017 — Random House.

"Narrator Edoardo Ballerini's voice is as rich and beguiling as Catherine Banner's tale of the Esposito family of Castellamara, a mythical little island near Sicily. As the story weaves its way from before WWI through the early-twenty-first century, Banner delivers a detailed saga of five generations of memorable characters, family lore, historical events, and a little bit of local magic. Ballerini's subtle shifts in tone and even pacing keep the plot moving, and his skillful application of accents and intensity provides character definition. Overall, Ballerini's masterful presentation adds an extra level of enjoyment to the story." — AudioFile Magazine For The House at the Edge of Night by Catherine Banner. AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2016 — Random House.

"Narrator Katherine Borowitz returns to the Tempe Brennan series with a finely tuned performance. She reflects the intensity of a crime story that has Tempe collecting human bone fragments from overlooks to Ghost Mountain, while balancing Tempe's tough personal introspection. North Carolina is the setting for Reichs's 18th entry featuring the popular forensic anthropologist. Colorful characters from the backwoods give Borowitz great material for accents--from web-sleuthing "Lucky" Strike and fanatical preacher Father G. to Tempe's nemesis, Detective Skinny Slidell. Each accent suits the character to a tee, yet Borowitz keeps the dialogue smart and often funny. Fans who follow the series will be delighted with this strong entry, with its gripping first chapter. Listener newcomers will be easily drawn in by Borowitz's involving style."— AudioFile Magazine For Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs — AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2015 — Random House.

"We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves is that rare thing, a comic novel that wrestles seriously with serious moral questions. Rosemary has a distinctive, fully realized voice on the page, which ought to make the audiobook version of the novel easy to perform. Fortunately Orlagh Cassidy’s performance is exactly what’s called for: supple and fluent, able to accommodate both Rosemary’s wisecracks and her grief. The best audiobook narrators sometimes feel like an ideal friend who’s sharing the book with you, while others (most often when reading first-person narration) seem to speak for the book itself. Cassidy’s performance here belongs to the latter kind." — Salon For We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler. Named by Salon as one of the Ten Best Audiobooks of 2013 — Penguin Audio.

"In 1964, Liberty Alice Bell (Ibby) is dumped on the doorstep of her grandmother's New Orleans mansion, where she's mostly raised by the black housekeeper, Queenie. With wonderful accents and piquant personalities, narrator January Lavoy revels in the black characters--Queenie; her husband; her daughter, Dollbaby; and her grandchild. As Ibby matures from age 12 to a young woman, Lavoy voices her transformation and her understated involvement in the Civil Rights events of the era. The tone of self-discovery is maintained as Ibby learns surprising things about her birth family." — AudioFile Magazine For Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal — Penguin.

"Elizabeth Romanski doesn't disappoint in narrating this multigenerational mystery set in Depression-era California. [Her] performance shines a light on friendship, flying, and inhumane immigration policies." — AudioFile Magazine For Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell — Penguin.

"Narrators Tavia Gilbert and May Wuthrich offer rich performances of journalist Jesse Kornbluth's debut novel--which is smart, sexy, and funny."  — AudioFile Magazine — For Married Sex: A Love Story by Jesse Kornbluth  — Audible.

“It’s difficult to imagine a more marvelous performance…an example of how a good novel can become magnificent when beautifully told.”   For Jane Alexander in Off Season by Anne Rivers Siddons — Publishers Weekly Starred Review — Hachette.

“A top-notch presentation with performances that will keep listeners enthralled and entertained from beginning to end.”  For Robert Petkoff and Maggi-Meg Reed in Ravens by George Dawes Green — . Publishers Weekly Starred Review —  Hachette.

"Cassandra Morris is amazingly strong in her delivery, giving a tremendous performance in which her fresh voice is perfectly suited for 15-year old Lutie... she can do no wrong here."  For Made in the U.S.A by Billie Letts — Publishers Weekly Starred Review — Hachette

"Gilbert’s superb audio adaptation of Davis’s debut mystery, set in N.Y.C., at the renowned Barbizon Hotel, formerly a women-only residence to famous luminaries, is a highly skilled performance of this suspenseful love story, whose characters inhabit two timelines...Gilbert is brilliant with Esme’s full-throated, lovely Puerto Rican accent. Gilbert has nearly flawless range and control with the many characters, hitting a real high mark with the contrast between Esme’s confident, pushy, and highly emotional big-city character and Darby, a self-conscious innocent from a small town. In Gilbert’s capable hands, the story’s message about courage and self-reliance is loud and clear."   For Tavia Gilbert in The Dollhouse by Fiona Davis — Publishers Weekly Starred Review — Penguin.

“Cassidy's performance offers an electric combination of understatement and highly charged emotions. Powerful listening.” — AudioFile Magazine For Orlagh Cassidy in We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler. Named by Salon as one of the Ten Best Audiobooks of 2013 — Penguin.

"Actress Kate Mulgrew delivers an emotive and finely tuned performance of her newest memoir, which centers on the period of time when she returned to her Iowa hometown to care for her dying parents. Mulgrew's writing is analytical, moving, and visually detailed. She reads with exquisite articulation and well-attuned pacing in her famously smoky voice, which makes one want to kick back and listen while sipping the Mulgrew family's favorite scotch." — AudioFile Magazine For the author in How to Forget: A Daughter’s Memoir written and read by Kate Mulgrew — HarperAudio.

"Pediatrician Hanna-Attisha presents a personal story of Flint, Michigan, as it deals with its health crisis, which began in 2014. Her narration is just as pivotal and profound as her book's content. There is a nurturing passionate and faintly humorous side to Dr. Mona's spoken words. The shock of what is occurring in the city--high levels of lead in the water--is evident from the beginning, but her increasing frustrations build with each chapter as Flint's citizens demand answers and improvements. Her passion is fully believable, whether she is talking about her own immigrant upbringing or medical research pertaining to the children she serves. This is a powerfully narrated story of unacceptable events that are turned around by the author's determination as well as the support she receives in the midst of adversity." — AudioFile Magazine For  the author in What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City  written and read by Mona Hanna-Attisha  — Random House.

"In Era of Ignition, [Amber] Tamblyn recognizes on every page that being white, wealthy and cisgender makes her an inherently unreliable narrator. The admission of her own blind spots makes this manifesto of female empowerment all the more powerful. Tamblyn, who brings her forceful, theatrical voice to reading her own audiobook, doesn’t hold back on deeply personal, often gripping anecdotes… Tamblyn scoffs at the idea of a sisterhood... She is particularly hard on white feminists, including herself, whom she calls on to 'accept that we are guilty of doing or saying something racist almost daily.' To that end, Tamblyn turns chapters over to Meredith Talusan, a nonbinary transgender author, and to the poet Airea D. Matthews, whose languid voice explains the “persistent alienation” felt by black women." — The New York Times For the author in Era of Ignition: Coming of Age in a Time of Rage and Revolution , written and read by Amber Tamblyn — The New York Times — Random House Audio.

"For literary critic Gail Caldwell, her life experiences add up to a "bright precious thing." For us, this audiobook is a bright precious gift--a reflection on the importance of feminism in her life, which is enhanced by her deep, pleasing voice and joyful spikiness." — AudioFile Magazine For the author in Bright Precious Thing: A Memoir, written and read by Gail Caldwell — Random House.

"Although this memoir is a difficult and often a viscerally painful listen, it's a worthwhile one--a nuanced exploration of trauma, race, family, violence, healing, and art." — AudioFile Magazine For the author in Memorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir, written and read by Natasha Trethewey — HarperAudio.

“With a sense of unbound curiosity, narrator Robert Petkoff narrates this fascinating account of the background and backroom dealings that crafted and sustained the American Revolution--from its financing to its persuasive pamphlets and battle plans. The story centers on Benjamin Franklin, who dedicated the second half of his life to wresting the Colonies from England. Along the way, a 1772 judgment by the Earl of Mansfield, voiced with perfect British authority by Simon Jones, gave a single enslaved man, James Somersett, his freedom, creating a devastating dichotomy between abolitionist New England's creed and what the South viewed as "property rights." Franklin hoped that the fledgling U.S. Constitution would resolve the issue of slavery. In his afterword the author provides more details on why it did not. Essential listening.” — AudioFile Magazine For Robert Petkoff, Joe Morton, Simon Jones, Euan Morton, Nicola Barber and the author in Somersett: Benjamin Franklin and the Masterminding of American Independence by Phillip Goodrich — Earphones Award — Blackstone Publishing.

“This beautifully written, scientifically stunning, and deeply personal audio memoir will forever alter your understanding of forests. It's lucky for listeners that it's also a master class in read-by-the-author audio. In silky, rich vocal tones forestry ecologist Suzanne Simard describes growing up and working in the fecund forests of British Columbia. With the pacing and emotions of a seasoned actor, Simard takes listeners through her most impactful forestry experiments, as well as the major events in her personal life, including motherhood, divorce, and surviving breast cancer.” — Earphones Award — AudioFile Magazine For the author in Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forrest written and read by Suzanne Simard — Random House Audio.

"In heartrending detail, Emilie Pine shares her struggle to cope with her father's illness after his life of addiction. She delivers her narration like a sister confessing to a sibling who is her shoulder to lean on...Her intimate story is made more so by the listening experience and will resonate with others who are struggling with ailing parents. Pine does a masterful job of creating multiple personas: her cantankerous father; the indifferent, overworked Greek nurses; and her equally worried sister." — AudioFile Magazine For the author in Notes to Self: Essays written and read by Emilie Pine — Random House.

"An important and engaging audiobook." — AudioFile Magazine For the author in The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction written and read by Meghan Cox Gurdon — HarperAudio.

“Collection editor and activist June Eric-Udorie shares the mic with a powerful array of women in this necessary discussion on intersectional feminism. Multiple contributors, most of whom perform their own essays, drive forward a vision of an all-encompassing feminism reflective of marginalized, multifaceted identities.” — AudioFile Magazine For Can We All Be Feminists? New Writing from Brit Bennett, Nicole Dennis–Benn, and 15 Others on Intersectionality, Identity, and the Way Forward for Feminism by June Eric–Udorie [Ed.], Read by June Eric–Udorie, Soofiya Andry, Gabrielle Bellot, Caitlin Cruz, Nicole Dennis–Benn, Evette Dionne. Aisha Gani, Afua Hirsch, Wei Ming Kam, Mariya Karimjee, Eishar Kaur, Emer O'Toole, Frances Ryan, Zoé Samudzi, Charlotte Shane, Selina Thompson, Hannah Curis, Adenrele Ojo — Penguin.

"[Jacqueline Woodson’s} voice is wistful and dreamy as she savors rich sensory memories...[and] gives poignant last lines graceful emphases.  Her narration is a testament to the emotional power of words.” — AudioFile Magazine For Brown Girl Dreaming written and read by Jacqueline Woodson — Earphones Award.  AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2014. School Library Journal’s Best Audiobooks of 2014  —  Listening Library.  

"Down to earth, lively, and engaging as she recounts her journey from Catholic school student to feminist activist." — AudioFile Magazine For Born with Wings: The Spiritual Journey of a Modern Muslim Woman written and read by Daisy Khan — Random House.

"Artist Marina Abramović narrates this memoir documenting her life and 50 years of performance art. Her Yugoslavian-accented English and unique phrasing patterned with starts and stops make this listening experience as distinctive as Abramović's art. Her smoky-voiced, even-toned reading balances the often horrific accounts of her abusive childhood, world travels, spiritual search, love life, and pain-centered performances. In a steady serious tone, Abramovic immerses listeners in oppressive Communist Belgrade, where she discovers that "art is a matter of life and death." Believing that her body is an object to be acted upon, the artist explains how her extreme, disturbing, masochistic performances revolutionized the art world. Like her live audiences, Abramović's listeners enter into her narrated performance art and discover that "the artist is present." — AudioFile Magazine  For Walk Through Walls written and read by Marina Abramović  —  Random House.

"Author Boris Fishman, whose family emigrated from the Soviet Union to the U.S., narrates this buoyant, revealing, and socially conscious family memoir, which includes many, many recipes. His resonant baritone is easy to enjoy; one notices his kind and relatable tone and judicious pace. Lucid and controlled in both the writing and narration, this work makes for appetite-whetting listening." — AudioFile Magazine For Savage Feast: Three Generations, Two Continents, and a Dinner Table (a Memoir with Recipes) written and read by Boris Fishman — HarperAudio.

“Sixteen years after the Columbine High School massacre, the mother of Dylan Klebold, one of the two killers, delivers a riveting memoir, made all the stronger in Sue Klebold's fine narration. From the start, when she gets a frantic call from her husband that gunmen are at the school, her urgent tone pulls listeners into the shocks to come. Months later, when evidence at the sheriff's office dashes their slim hope that Dylan might have been coerced, Klebold matter-of-factly repeats the chilling chronology of the boys' crimes, conveying her hate of what her son did even as she loves the boy he had been. And at the end, her call to remove the stigma from "brain illness"--so troubled children can get help--comes through loud and clear.” — AudioFile Magazine For A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy written and read by Sue Klebold — Random House.

“With a compelling blend of healthy skepticism and personal admiration, listeners follow author Merve Emre's fascinating in-depth look at the mother-daughter partnership behind the ubiquitous Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, a personality test often used in business. Fortunately for listeners, narrator Ellen Archer has been perfectly matched to this performance. She is consistently engaging, with a clear voice, terrific timing, and well-placed emphasis. She expresses incredulity and irony particularly well.” — AudioFile Magazine For The Personality Brokers: The Strange History of Myers–Briggs and the Birth of Personality Testing by Merve Emre — Earphones Award — Random House.

"Gloria Steinem recounts the struggles and joys she found in her literal and metaphorical journeys as a feminist leader and journalist. Debra Winger brings Steinem's words to life with a tone of quiet passion. Her leisurely pace and conversational tone convey Steinem's weathered wisdom. Winger's patient tone and pacing lend thoughtful strength to passages of conviction... she embodies Steinem's steady, hopeful persistence in her fight for women's equality. A foreword read by Steinem herself adds a personal touch to an inspiring narration." — AudioFile Magazine For My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem, read by Debra Winger with an Introduction by the Author — Random House.

“Narrator Gabra Zackman employs an unpretentious voice that is suitable for this account of ordinary women who were committed to doing extraordinary things in their time. Zackman's narration--energetic but not showy--communicates respect for these women pioneers who quietly earned their silver wings and served their country.” — AudioFile Magazine For The Women with Silver Wings: The Inspiring True Story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II by Katherine Sharp Landdeck — Random House.

"There's something about Amy Morin's performance of her latest audiobook that stirs curiosity. She's a great storyteller, and that's part of the draw, but it's her gentle pacing and tender tone that make you wonder what's going to happen to this vulnerable soul...This fast-moving collection delivered with the sound of Morin's authentic experience and desire to help emerges as a powerful personal development resource." — AudioFile Magazine For 13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do: Own Your Power, Channel Your Confidence, and Find Your Authentic Voice for a Life of Meaning and Joy written and read by Amy Morin — HarperAudio.

"Financial executive and entrepreneur Sallie Krawcheck offers a finely drawn account of how women can thrive in the world of business and financial management. It's a compelling first-person discussion, not just because of the author's experience at major investment firms but also because of narrator Ellen Archer's performance. She perfectly captures the author's skill, confidence, and accessibility. With assertive clarity, she applies a deft blend of mature indignation and quiet determination to every sentence. And in the sections where the author shares her personal thoughts and vulnerabilities, her vocal style shifts toward the intimate without weakening Krawcheck's empowering message." —  AudioFile Magazine For Own It: The Power of Women at Work by Sallie Krawchceck, read by Ellen Archer with an Introduction by the Author —  Earphones Award.  AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2017  —  Random House.

"Narrator Dion Graham brings to life the struggles, frustration, and tragedies of the impoverished in an audiobook that explores life at the margins of shelter. Desmond examines the legal, financial, social, and emotional burdens suffered by those who rent in the poorest neighborhoods of the nation’s cities. Graham solemnly narrates Desmond’s prose and breathes life into the different people presented throughout the book. He never gives in to vocal caricature, [and] executes a balancing act of tone and emphasis that shifts among legalese, Desmond’s observations, eclectic speaking styles, and the oppressive nature of the topic itself." — AudioFile Magazine For  Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond  —   Random House.

"[January] LaVoy and [Prentice] Onayemi offer terrific performances of each essay...As they deliver this inspiring, diverse look at the well-loved, much admired former first lady, the two gifted narrators make this fascinating collection a must-listen."— AudioFile Magazine For The Meaning of Michelle: 16 Writers on the Iconic First Lady and How her Journey Inspires our Own, edited by Veronica Chambers. AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2017 —  Random House.

“Narrator Tavia Gilbert's portrayals of opposition activists, politicians, and proponents of universal voting rights swell with the weight of their moral convictions. Her subtle Tennessee drawl and East Coast accents distinguish local players from national activists and special interest groups. Despite her sympathetic tone for the suffragists, Weiss doesn't hesitate to discuss the complex dynamics and pervasive racism among groups for and against the amendment. While listeners know the end result, they'll be swept up by Gilbert's impassioned performance nonetheless." — AudioFile Magazine For The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight to Win the Vote  by Elaine Weiss  — Penguin.

"[Brené Brown] narrates with a steady sense of urgency that dominates the listening, even when the themes have a lighter, more optimistic tone. But these are weighty issues, and, overall, they are served well by the drama in the author's performance. Highly personal stories and Brown's gut-wrenching honesty contribute to the intensity and work well to illustrate her step-by-step formula for rising above shame and hurt. She has a remarkably nuanced understanding of how pain makes us internalize blame, avoid personal truths, and lose our openness to life's rewards. This is an invaluable resource that sounds as close to psychotherapy as an audio can be." — AudioFile Magazine For Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble.  The Revolution. written and read by Brené Brown — Random House.

“Infuses the reading with the warmth, personal experience, and attitude that only she could bring.”  For A Breast Cancer Alphabet — AudioFile Magazine written and read by Madhulika Sikka —  Random House.

"This genre-defying gem of an audiobook is an exhilarating reminder of the power of literature to make us think, feel, and strive.” AudioFile Magazine — For Mozhan Marnò in The Republic of Imagination by Azar Nafisi —  Penguin.

"Gretchen Rubin explains her well-researched, home-grown four-tendencies matrix in a conversational tone. Her casual style gives listeners the sense they're hearing advice while having a cup of coffee with a friend. Rubin uses changes in pitch and speed to help to differentiate the many anecdotes sprinkled throughout the book. Fans of her podcast, "Happier," will be familiar with her engaging manner and obvious excitement as she explores the differences between rebels, obligers, upholders, and questioners. For those who follow her work, this will be a title to save and return to for guidance." AudioFile Magazine For The Four Tendencies written and read by Gretchen Rubin — Random House.

"[Janice Kaplan], the veteran author, editor, and TV producer, sounds immensely competent in this motivating look at every aspect of luck. Her confidence and clear narration are perfect vehicles for sharing the fruits of her collaboration with psychology and economics researcher Barnaby Marsh.  AudioFile Magazine   For How Luck Happens: Using the Science of Luck to Transform Work, Love, and Life by Janice Kaplan and Barnaby Marsh —  Penguin.

Superbly narrates a text that offers both cogent explanations of history…and first-person accounts of those who witnessed the battle for Civil Rights.”  AudioFile Magazine For Channie Waites in Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose — Earphones Award   —  Brilliance.

"Ruth Reichl makes food sound decadent, luxurious, a pleasure to be savored in both the preparation and the eating...This is a cookbook as well as a chronicle of Reichl’s year after Gourmet magazine folded, as she grieved that loss and tried to figure out what she should do next. Reichl finds comfort in the kitchen, and listeners hear a seasonal collection of recipes (a PDF is included) and anecdotes that lead us through her year. As she reads haiku-like Twitter posts and walks listeners through the recipes, Reichl’s New York accent and genuine enthusiasm are welcoming. Her life sounds charmed, and listeners are bound to be, too."AudioFile Magazine For the author in My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes that Saved my Life . AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2015 — Random House.

“Elevates the delectable French adventures of Francophile Ann Mah with her gentle tone and exquisite French pronunciation.” AudioFile Magazine  For Mozhan Marnò in Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah —  Earphones Award —  Random House.

“Shout, read by the author, arrives at the perfect moment, is carried by the perfect voice, and will inspire listeners young and old to shout their own truths. Anderson's voice is confident but candid, imbued with a verity that no one else could convey. Her narration of the painful moments of abuse she experienced feel tight and simmering. Scenes of reflection are voiced with an undertone informed by a lifetime of wisdom. Later, more commentary driven pieces appropriately convey her rage, incredulity, and even amusement at the topics. And as Anderson recounts the moment she began her teenage foreign study in Denmark, a world away from the abuse and pain of her young life, the calm and loss of tension in her voice are clear, and blissfully audible is Anderson's ability to breathe more freely. Poetry is very often written to be heard, and this collection in particular ought to be heard—spoken proudly by Anderson, outloud, and at full volume.” — Booklist Starred Review For Shout, written and read by Laurie Halse Anderson — Listening Library.

"The amazing performances of Kevin R. Free and Katherine Kellgren make this YA fantasy...enthralling for listeners of any age...  Free deftly handles Carter's narration; he sounds exactly like a 14–year-old boy, while voicing dozens of other characters. Kellgren's narration is no less impressive, and her interpretation of a budding teen girl is exuberant and believable, as are the multitude of other colorful characters she creates. Between these two spirited — performances, the characters come to life and leave listeners breathless."  — Publishers Weekly Starred Review For The Kane Chronicles, Book Two: The Throne of Fire  by Rick Riordan — Brilliance.

"Narrator Marisa Calin has a marvelous way of interpreting this story's characters--human, animal, and fantastical. Calin expresses Princess Anya's conflicted emotions as she becomes a heroine...Facing nonstop challenges, Anya embarks on a quest that brims with intriguing characters, many of whom have a fairy-tale familiarity. Calin enlivens each, beginning with Ardent, Anya's faithful hound. Calin melds barking, panting, and speech to bring out the comedy of the overzealous, food-oriented dog. With similar tongue-in-cheek humor, Calin also takes on the booming voice of the giant, the brogue of the seven dwarfs, and gentle wisdom of Merlin." — AudioFile Magazine For Frogkissser by Garth Nix — Earphones Award — Listening Library.

"Narrator Jenna Lamia’s characterizations are key to the success of this audio production...[Her] portrayal of introspective, uncertain Raymie contrasts with those of outspoken Beverly Tapinski and soft-spoken storyteller Louisiana Elefante. The adventures of three girls trying to find their places in the world are set in a small town populated by quirky characters. Lamia’s deft sketches, especially those of Raymie’s neighbor, an elderly philosopher, and the comforting receptionist at Raymie’s father’s office, add color to the story." AudioFile Magazine For Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo. AudioFile Magazine's Best Audiobooks of the Year: 2016.  Booklist Editors' Choice: Audio for Youth 2016   — Listening Library. 

“Narrator Christopher Gebauer delivers an engaging performance as a teen named Adam. Recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, Adam struggles with the condition, the side effects of the drug trial in which he is participating, and starting at a new school where no one knows of his past. Gebauer's unique vocalizations capture the different personalities of the characters--both real and hallucinated. As the miracle drug stops working and Adam's mental distress grows, Gebauer's performance becomes harrowing. Narrator Robert Fass's portrayal of Adam's therapist is spot-on…[as he} imparts his character's growing worry about Adam's well-being." — AudioFile Magazine For Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton — Listening Library.

“Narrator Tavia Gilbert's rich, expressive voice conveys the wide range of characters in this sometimes funny yet often heartrending story of rising senior Adelaide Buchwald's summer of discontent. Her family has been torn apart by her younger brother Toby's drug addiction. Now Adelaide lives in Massachusetts with her father at the elite boarding school where he teaches and she is a student, while her mother and brother live in Baltimore, where Toby is in rehabilitation. Adelaide staggers through the summer, falling in and out of love and attempting to restore her relationship with Toby. Lockhart gives us a story in which time and speech are fragmented and different outcomes are possible. Gilbert's skillfully executed pacing weaves everything together in this stunning production.” — AudioFile Magazine For Again Again by E. Lockhart — Earphones Award — Listening Library.

“Khristine Hvam expertly differentiates the plotlines [with] distinct voices [and] creates a narrative drive that keeps listeners engaged.” — AudioFile Magazine For Conversion by Katherine Howe — Earphones Award — Penguin. 

"Colby Minifie's accent immediately transports listeners to Cara's small Irish town. She also carries listeners into Cara's inner world, where worries about mishaps mingle with uncomfortable romantic feelings for her stepbrother. Minifie is as masterful at registering mounting tension as Fowley-Doyle is at increasing the story's menace." — AudioFile Magazine For The Accident Season by Moira Fowley-Doyle — Earphones Award —  Listening Library.

 "Kevin Free bestows intelligence and bravery upon Carter’s character as he attempts to protect his younger sister and the world at large. In alternating chapters, Katherine Kellgren portrays the precocious Sadie, embodying the teen’s sarcasm, wit, and angst, all in a snappy British accent. The second book in the Kane Chronicles is full of action, revelations, and betrayals as the siblings face a multitude of hostile gods in their race to find Ra and confront the rivals who are determined to see them fail ."  — AudioFile Magazine For  The Kane Chronicles: Book Two: The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan —  Brilliance.

"Araya captures diverse characters ranging from the snarling Czech informant to the kind American soldiers from Alabama. She fully inhabits Anna's emotions, making listeners feel her pride and admiration for her father's heroism, her fear of capture, and her wistful homesickness when she realizes she may never see her beloved country again." — AudioFile Magazine For Jill Araya in Which Way Is Home by Maria Kiely - Listening Library.

"Emily Arnold McCully's performance of this audiobook about computer pioneer Ada Byron Lovelace demonstrates that her voice is just as connected to her words as her pen.” — AudioFile Magazine For Dreaming in Code: Ada Byron Lovelace, Computer Pioneer, written and read by Emily Arnold McCully — Listening Library.

“This fanciful retelling of The Sword in the Stone legend unfolds through the perspective of Nosewise, wizard Merlin's dog. Narrator Graham Halstead does a fabulous job capturing Nosewise's enthusiastic, loyal spirit. [His] well-depicted voices for Merlin, Morgana, and a host of others add dimension and drama to the story but best in show is lovable Nosewise, whose original perspective is highly entertaining. Listeners will never doubt this hero's ability to save his human family.” — AudioFile Magazine For The Wizard’s Dog by Eric Kahn Gale — Listening Library.

"Narrator Tavia Gilbert knows how to bring schoolkids and the drama of their interactions to life. Gilbert's portrayal of Piper has all the vocal animation needed--from deep despair to full panic to determination. Gilbert gives Piper's classmates childlike voices in high-pitched, comforting, or know-it-all tones; her teacher is authoritative; neighbors sound warm, interested, and gently soothing. Young listeners will appreciate this spunky heroine and her classroom friends.“ — AudioFile Magazine For Piper Green and the Fairy Tree: Going Places by Ellen Potter — Live Oak Media.

"Nancy Wu expresses the youth, verve, and mercurial feelings of Uma [and her] narration blends beautifully with the story’s sound effects and musical accents. She successfully differentiates characters. In particular, she measures Uma’s growing confusion and frustration as her wish to understand becomes more emotional than intellectual." — AudioFile Magazine For Infinity and Me by Kate Hosford — Live Oak Media

"Matt de la Peña's soft, rhythmic narration matches his gently cadenced prose poem about love. [His] reading is warm and reassuring. His view of love is personal yet universal. It's powerfully emotive but not sentimental and will speak to both adults and children. While the strong text and narration can stand alone, the visually potent and inclusive illustrations in the picture book are also evocative.” — AudioFile Magazine For Love written and read by Matt de la Peña — Listening Library

"Michael Crouch, with his could-crack-at-any-moment, fittingly adolescent-tuned voice, is ideal as Archer’s aural incarnation—equal parts excitable, thoughtful, and gentle."  — School Library Journal Starred Review For The Best Man by Richard Peck   — Listening Library.

“The influenza pandemic of 1918 directly killed or contributed to the deaths of 50 to 100 million people worldwide...Listeners journey with Marrin, from early human interactions with the virus, through hygiene innovations, to the rat-infested trenches and disease-ridden barracks of World War I. Marrin's careful research is never dull, and his details of episodes of bird flu and swine flu since 2000 make it clear that dangerous flu viruses still exist. Marrin combines science, detective work, the history of medical innovation, and just the right amount of ick factor for middle and high school students. Narrator Jim Frangione speaks with an enthralling gravity befitting the subject matter. Clear and expressive enunciation does service to this fascinating story. VERDICT Very, very, very interesting.” —  AudioFile Magazine For Jim Frangione in Very, Very Very, Dreadful by Albert Marrin — School Library Journal Starred Review —  Listening Library.

“Lauren Fortgang’s lyrical narration exquisitely suits this gut-wrenching story.” — AudioFile Magazine For Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys — Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults —  Listening Library.

“Simon Jones’ fantastical narration animates a cast of larger than life creatures.” For  Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud — Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults —  Listening Library.

”Kellgren's perfect timing and wide range of accents take listeners directly into the heart of Elizabethan England. Heroine Meggy Swann is lame in leg but certainly not in intellect. Kellgren's high-spirited narration allows listeners to imagine a chaotic London in which actors, balladeers, and printers struggle to make a living. Kellgren is at ease with everything from period curses to the sentiments of a friendless child.” — AudioFile Magazine For  Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman —  Odyssey Honor, Earphones Award — Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults   — Listening Library.

“Susan Spain's narration brings the girls' intertwined stories to life as she conveys the emotional turmoil that is part of growing up.” — Yalsa For After Tupac and D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson  — Earphones Award, — Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults —  Brilliance.

 “Through Dion Graham's heartfelt performance, Lonnie Collins shares hopes for peace in letters to his beloved sister, heightening the lyrical narrative of Jacqueline Woodson's story.” — Yalsa  For Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson — Odyssey Honor,  Audie Award Winner, Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults —  Brilliance. 

"Denton Little - like most people - has always known the exact day he will die, but now finds his world turned upside down.  Rubin's thorough knowledge of his own characters and story makes this one enjoyable ride." — Yalsa For Denton Little's Death Date written and read by Lance Rubin — Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults — Listening Library.

"Denton Little is on the run from the DIA (Death Investigation Agency) who want to know why he lived past his death date, but it doesn’t stop him from figuring out family secrets, cracking jokes, and trying to hook up with his best friend’s sister. The author’s knowledge of the text makes his narration shine, and the sci-fi premise doesn’t stop this audio from being laugh-out-loud funny.” — Yalsa For Denton Little's Still Not Dead written and read by Lance Rubin  — Yalsa Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults —  Listening Library.

“Mary Oliver’s wise, lived-in voice is just the one you want to be pouring these dog songs into your ears, and anyone who has loved a dog will thank her for this audiobook. Many of us cherish dogs in our lives, but poets come at things differently, and no one knows better than she does how her lines should strike and fall. An audiobook to savor and repeat.” — AudioFile Magazine For Dog Songs and A Thousand Mornings, written and read by Mary Oliver — Penguin.