Does plot propel characters or do characters propel the plot? Jacob Shymanski and Red Szell discuss the most memorable characters in books and describe why they are so important to driving a story. They also dive into the best genres that develop strong characters.

Characters and books referenced in this episode include:

• Sherlock Holmes and John H. Watson by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

• Holden Caulfield by J.D. Salinger's in “The Catcher in the Rye”

• James Bond by Ian Fleming

• George Smiley by John le Carré

• Frodo Baggins and Gollum in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and The Hobbit”

• Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple by Agatha Christie

• All the characters in the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling

• Willy Wonka by Roald Dahl

• Frankenstein’s Monster by Mary Shelley

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Sue Hincenbergs’s number one bestselling novel “The Retirement Plan” has garnered generally positive reviews. But Jacob Shymanski and Danielle McLaughlin felt it did not hit the mark. They share a candid review and contemplate the popularity of the book.

Books referenced in this episode include:

• “The Retirement Plan: A Novel” by Sue Hincenbergs

• “Alice's Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll

• "Wigs on the Green" by Nancy Mitford

• Jeeves Series by P.G. Wodehouse

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Plot twists, with all their glory and goodness, can be a mixed bag. Jacob Shymanski and Red Szell share their picks for the best and worst plot twists.

Books that are discussed in this episode included:

“Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card

“Life of Pi” by Yann Martel

“The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Every June, during audiobook month, Audiophile magazine releases it’s latest inductees into their golden voice list: the hall-of-fame for audiobook narrators. Sara Hillis highlights Kimberly Farr’s career and accomplishments in the field and engages with Jacob Shymanski in a conversation about the increasingly high standards of audiobook narration. 

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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There’s nothing like sitting down for a Stephen King chat with his Number One fan, AMI’s Greg David. He talks favourites, flops, adaptations, and why King’s stories are so popular, and so respected.

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Carley Fortune’s One Golden Summer is topping charts, filling drugstore shelves, and giving Canadian romance a sun-kissed moment. Karoline Bordeau and Jacob Shymanski review this work of dreamy lakeside hookups and low-stakes vibes. Plus, Karoline gives us her review of another Canadian pick, the recent cozy mystery called Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin.

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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True change begins when characters leave everything familiar behind and move away to new places. Red Széll and Jacob Shymanski explore how group dynamics and new environments bring transformation to our favourite characters, for better or for worse.

Books discussed in this episode are:

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Wager by David Grann

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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We want your feedback!

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Our email address is: [email protected]

About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+

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Robin Whitten, Founder of AudioFile Magazine, returns for Audiobook month to celebrate their 2025 Golden Voice honours. Vikas Adam, Kimberly Farr, and Hillary Huber made the top of the list. Plus, is the hype of AI narration already dying off? Robin makes her soulless AI argument.

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Old friend of the show Julia Bonnett races through five reviews under the 15-second clock, from secret plots and slow burns to revenge epics and stoic wisdom.

Books discussed in this episode are:

The Second Sleep by Robert Harris

Precipice by Robert Harris
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Right Thing, Right Now by Ryan Holiday
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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Marcia Yale reviews five books under the 15-second timer, on another edition of Rapid Fire Review. From romcoms to rock memoirs and a whole lot of Hawkes in between, Marcia's got range in her recent reads.

AMI Audiobook Review is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes three new podcast episodes a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

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About AMI

AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca.

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