Narrator Jean Brassard joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss narrating Louise Penny’s latest in the Three Pines series, THE GREY WOLF. It’s a thrilling mystery and a new voice for a beloved series, and Brassard describes what it was like to step into the shoes of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. He discusses how his Quebecois background informed his performance and what he enjoyed the most about narrating this mystery named one of AudioFile’s Best of 2024.

Read AudioFile’s review of THE GREY WOLF. Published by Macmillan Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks are:

THE BRIAR CLUB by Kate Quinn, read by Saskia Maarleveld

THE GREY WOLF by Louise Penny, read by Jean Brassard

A NEST OF VIPERS by Harini Nagendra, read by Soneela Nankani

THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz, read by Julia Whelan

SHANGHAI by Joseph Kanon, read by Jonathan Davis

YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME by Allison Brennan, read by Hillary Huber

Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

Jean Brassard photo by Steve Vaccariello.

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Narrator Gabra Zackman joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss her narration of CUE THE SUN! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum. It’s one of our picks for Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks this year, and it takes listeners on a deep exploration of reality TV. Gabra tells Michele about how this audiobook may have changed her view of reality TV, and what surprised her about performing this audiobook.

Read AudioFile’s review of CUE THE SUN! Published by Random House Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks are:

CUE THE SUN! by Emily Nussbaum, read by Gabra Zackman

THE MESSAGE by Ta-Nehisi Coates, read by Ta-Nehisi Coates

OUR HIDDEN CONVERSATIONS by Michele Norris, read by Michele Norris and a Full Cast

A POETRY HANDBOOK by Mary Oliver, read by Kimberly Farr

THERE'S ALWAYS THIS YEAR by Hanif Abdurraqib, read by Hanif Abdurraqib

WHAT'S NEXT IS NOW by Frederik G. Pferdt, read by Sean Pratt

Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

Gabra Zackman photo by Ashley Garrett.

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Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss his performance of James Kaplan’s biography of jazz greats, 3 SHADES OF BLUE. The audiobook traces the lives of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans, and required some research before recording. Listen to Dion’s discussion with Michele for more insights into his narration of this exceptional audiobook that’s one of AudioFile’s Best Biography & Memoir titles of 2024.

Read AudioFile’s review of THREE SHADES OF BLUE. Published by Penguin Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Biography & Memoir Audiobooks are:

BITS AND PIECES by Whoopi Goldberg, read by Whoopi Goldberg

BITTER CROP by Paul Alexander, read by Maya Days

JOHN LEWIS by David Greenberg, read by David Sadzin

PROFILES IN MENTAL HEALTH COURAGE by Patrick J. Kennedy, Stephen Fried, read by Johnny Heller, Patrick J. Kennedy

3 SHADES OF BLUE by James Kaplan, read by Dion Graham

WHAT I ATE IN ONE YEAR by Stanley Tucci, read by Stanley Tucci

Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

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Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell listeners about narrating Kristin Hannah’s memorable historical fiction audiobook, THE WOMEN, one of our picks for Best Fiction of 2024. It’s an emotional story about Vietnam War combat nurses, and Julia details how she prepared for performing this intense listen. Julia has narrated several of Hannah’s audiobooks, and she explains what she likes about getting to narrate multiple works by the same author, and what’s stayed with her about this audiobook.

Read AudioFile’s review of THE WOMEN. Published by Macmillan Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Fiction Audiobooks are:

THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES by Julia Alvarez, read by Alma Cuervo

COME AND GET IT by Kiley Reid, read by Nicole Lewis

HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty, read by Caroline Lee, Geraldine Hakewill

JAMES by Percival Everett, read by Dominic Hoffman

THE LIMITS by Nell Freudenberger, read by Rebecca Lowman

THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah, read by Julia Whelan, Kristin Hannah

Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

Julia Whelan photo by Kelly Puleio.

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AudioFile’s Robin Whitten joins host Jo Reed to discuss AudioFile’s 2024 Best Audiobooks. Listen to their conversation to discover how AudioFile’s editors choose the year’s best audiobooks, which titles Robin is particularly excited about, and to hear all the details on our upcoming interviews with narrators of some of this year’s honored titles.

Explore the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

Tony Keith Jr. photo by Randolph Garrett, Hope Newhouse photo by Jessica Wolpman, Dion Graham and Julia Whelan photos courtesy of the narrators.

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Host Jo Reed and Laura Rossi, AudioFile’s Director of Publicity and Social Media, talk all things holiday gifting on today’s episode of Behind the Mic. Laura recommends a favorite audiobook to give to friends and family this time of year, HOLIDAYS ON ICE, written and read by David Sedaris, with a little help from Amy Sedaris and Ann Magnuson. This is where you’ll find the hilarious “SantaLand Diaries,” among other essays. Laura talks about what she loves about the audiobook, and what listeners can expect from the raucous collection.

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Hachette Audio.

Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

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AudioFile’s Managing Editor, Jenn Dowell, joins host Jo Reed on our podcast to talk about a favorite gift of hers for the holiday season — SMITTEN KITCHEN KEEPERS, written and read by Deb Perelman. Deb is well known in the food world for her long-time blog Smitten Kitchen, and her accessible cookbooks, both packed full of recipes. Now, she has an audio adaptation of her newest cookbook, giving listeners a chance to learn more about the recipes and spend time with Deb’s friendly voice in your ear. Jenn shares a bit about her interview with Deb for a recent issue of AudioFile Magazine, and tells listeners about gifting this great cookbook and audiobook pairing.  

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Random House Audio.

Read Jenn’s interview with Deb Perelman in the December/January issue of AudioFile magazine.

Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website.     

Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/

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Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss Andrew R Chow’s account of the spectacular rise and fall of FTX's cryptocurrency wunderkind, Sam Bankman-Fried. Eric Yang narrates with a reporter’s detachment, allowing the facts to speak for themselves. And speak they do! While Yang uses a measured tone, avoiding sensationalism, the facts detailing SBF's shocking hubris and willingness to risk the funds of others will appall listeners. Even listeners with no interest in crypto will be transfixed by the greed and lies that transformed an altruistic endeavor into a con that duped millions and cost billions.

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.

Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website.

Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Max Lucado, Kathie Lee Gifford, Bob Goff, Lysa TerKeurst, and many more!

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Ina Garten narrates her memoir with the same precision, charm, poise, and irreverence exhibited on her “Barefoot Contessa” television productions. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss an audiobook that would make a great companion for anyone cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Garten’s philosophy has been to make quick decisions and “dive in”—figuring it all out later. Garten’s narration is measured, personal, and absorbing. This is a memoir not to miss if you enjoy Ina Garten, food, and restaurants—or if you simply want to be ready to apply your special talents when the luck happens to you.

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Random House Audio.

Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website.

Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Max Lucado, Kathie Lee Gifford, Bob Goff, Lysa TerKeurst, and many more!

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John Pirhalla portrays an everyday guy named Frank whose life is turned upside down when his estranged daughter gets in touch to announce her wedding to Aidan, the son of a tech billionaire. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile’s Michele Cobb discuss this twisty thriller from Jason Rekulak. When Frank mysteriously receives a photo of Aidan with a missing girl, he decides to investigate to ensure the safety of his daughter. Pirhalla’s strong characterizations are carefully crafted; listeners will enjoy having their perceptions change with each twist of the plot. Pirhalla’s spot-on timing helps keep listeners engaged.

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Macmillan Audio.

Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website.

Support for AudioFile’s Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Max Lucado, Kathie Lee Gifford, Bob Goff, Lysa TerKeurst, and many more!

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