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Astrophysicist Moiya McTier gives a stellar performance of her book The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy (6.5 hours), a thoroughly entertaining and mind-expanding exploration of our galaxy as told in the first-person voice of the Milky Way itself. McTier’s unique portrayal is refreshing, engaging and funny as she imbues the galaxy with a sassy, grandiose tone—rightly so, given its galactic grandness. 

McTier’s love affair with the universe began when she was a child, and this early appreciation of celestial aesthetics developed into a lifelong devotion to the logical data-driven science of astronomy. McTier’s down-to-earth style makes this science approachable, giving listeners the opportunity to experience a cognitive shift—to form their own romance with the galaxy.

The Milky Way is an out-of-this-world listening experience for anyone who has ever looked up at the sky with wonder.


Moiya McTier

How did an ancient galaxy pen its own autobiography? The Milky Way explains, as dictated to Dr. McTier.

Moiya McTier’s down-to-earth style makes science approachable, giving listeners the opportunity to form their own romance with the Milky Way.

Sulari Gentill’s novel The Woman in the Library (9 hours) is an intriguing mystery-within-a-mystery, performed with a measured sense of menace by voice actor Katherine Littrell.

Winifred Kincaid, an Australian on a scholarship, is at the Boston Public Library when she hears a woman’s scream. Winifred’s life becomes inextricably tied to three other strangers who are present for the discovery of a body. But this crime is actually the plot of a book being written by Hannah, an Australian who exchanges letters with Leo, an American writer who critiques her work and points out cultural idiosyncrasies.

Littrell combines restraint and a modulated pitch to convey Hannah’s characters’ growing uncertainty and fear as they suspect one another of the woman’s murder. Similarly, Littrell’s portrayal of Hannah brings out her anxiety and suspicion about Leo, who is becoming obsessed with Hannah’s novel and starts sending her crime scene photos to inspire her. Many listeners will appreciate Littrell’s accents, which highlight the cultural differences between America and Australia.

Many listeners of The Woman in the Library will appreciate Katherine Littrell's accents, which highlight the cultural differences between America and Australia.
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Patrick Radden Keefe is an expert in long-form journalism, and his particular specialty is the so-called “write around,” in which a journalist constructs a profile of an individual, even if that person can’t or doesn’t want to be interviewed. In Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks (15.5 hours), Keefe compiles 12 such essays, originally published in The New Yorker between 2007 and 2019, with updates appended. Among these are portraits of “Survivor” creator and producer Mark Burnett, food writer Anthony Bourdain and the drug lord Joaquin Guzmán Loera, better known as El Chapo. 

The author reads his own work with care and conviction, giving listeners a good sense of why he’s such an effective interviewer and storyteller. Furthermore, each chapter is about an hour long, which makes this audiobook a particularly good choice for fans of true crime podcasts.

Read our starred review of the print edition of ‘Rogues,’ plus two other true crime masterpieces.

Each chapter of Patrick Radden Keefe’s Rogues is about an hour long, which makes this audiobook a particularly good choice for fans of true crime podcasts.
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Author Elaine Castillo proposes an open-minded and inclusive approach to literature and film in her radical, refreshing book on critical thinking, How to Read Now (9 hours). Castillo urges writers and readers to understand that nonwhite characters don’t exist for the sole purpose of teaching empathy to white people, and that the excuse “it was a different time” holds no water for stories that perpetuate colonialist worldviews, even when written by such cherished literary figures as Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling and Joan Didion. But How to Read Now isn’t just a takedown of outdated concepts; it’s also a celebration of the works that get it right, such as the films of Wong Kar-wai and the poems of Tommy Pico.

As both writer and narrator, Castillo expresses her strong point of view well. She is at her best when recalling personal stories, from growing up Filipina in a majority Asian American community, to attending a lauded graduate program that failed to meet her expectations. This is an audiobook for readers ready to shake things up, to open their eyes and ears, and to grow as lovers of stories.

Read our Q&A with Elaine Castillo on ‘How to Read Now.’

This is an audiobook for readers ready to shake things up, to open their eyes and ears, and to grow as lovers of stories.
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When award-winning health science journalist Linda Villarosa’s New York Times Magazine article on the racial disparities in maternal and infant mortality rates went viral, it was clear her reporting had struck a nerve. In Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation (10 hours), Villarosa expands her research to look more broadly at how systemic racism contributes to health inequities for Black Americans, regardless of income or education levels. She underscores the urgent need for all Americans to understand how this discrimination harms our entire health care system. 

Award-winning narrator Karen Chilton’s serious yet approachable tone strikes just the right balance for Villarosa’s writing, clearly outlining the facts and figures the author uses to build her case while also conveying warmth during the many personal anecdotes Villarosa incorporates throughout. This is essential listening for anyone hoping to understand the roots of health care injustice in America.

Read our starred review of the print edition of ‘Under the Skin.’

Under the Skin is essential listening for anyone hoping to understand the roots of health care injustice in America.
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Kwame Alexander’s Ghana-set historical middle grade novel, The Door of No Return (3.5 hours), unfolds from the perspective of an 11-year-old boy named Kofi, whose story focuses on his family, his village and a special girl named Ama. Ghanaian British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith brings spellbinding intensity and strong, authentic accents to his narration, breathing life into both the young narrator and his storytelling grandfather. Well-performed side characters provide the backdrop, and the humorous nasal tone of the culturally brainwashed schoolteacher brings comic relief.

Holdbrook-Smith emphasizes the rhythm of Alexander’s novel, much of it told in verse, with charming, dramatic and aesthetic effects that endear Kofi to the listener. At times, listeners must pay close attention, as the story moves quickly, and names, dates and section titles run the risk of being missed, but listeners will be rewarded for their efforts.

Read our starred review of the print edition of ‘The Door of No Return.’

Ghanaian British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith brings spellbinding intensity and strong, authentic accents to his narration of Kwame Alexander’s novel, breathing life into both the young narrator and his storytelling grandfather.

Banneker Terrace “ain’t pretty, but it’s home,” says Mimi of apartment 14D. In the opening story of Sidik Fofana’s debut collection, Stories From the Tenants Downstairs (6 hours), Mimi describes the Harlem high-rise as “one long gray-ass building” with 300-some apartments across 25 floors. The laundry machines don’t work, and the trash chute smells. But the people of Banneker Terrace are marvelous to behold, brought to memorable life by a talented cast of stage, television and voice actors.

Fofana reads the poetic “Intro,” then Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Nile Bullock, Dominic Hoffman, DePre Owens, André Santana, Bahni Turpin and Jade Wheeler voice the book’s eight stories, weaving together the tenants’ deeply personal tales and highlighting their individual struggles, fears and hopes.

Fofana’s intimate, unfiltered stories are powerful enough on the page, but they’re gloriously amplified by these performers.

Sidik Fofana’s intimate, unfiltered stories are powerful enough on the page, but they’re gloriously amplified by these performers.

Voice actors Edoardo Ballerini and Julia Whelan deliver exquisite performances in the audiobook for The Angel of Rome and Other Stories (8 hours), Jess Walter’s gratifying collection of vignettes about human connection and the twists of faith and fate.

Ballerini is masterful and controlled in his portrayal of ordinary people who experience something extraordinary. In “Fran’s Friend Has Cancer,” his expert pacing balances humor and darkness as Max bickers with his wife and realizes that an eavesdropper is recording their conversation. In the title story, Ballerini brings out 21-year-old Jack’s reluctance to study Latin in Rome—until the young man stumbles upon a higher cause, the actor Angelina Amadio.

Whelan’s crisp narration takes on humorous undertones in “Famous Actor” to portray an astute woman observing the absurdities of a self-absorbed actor. And in “Mr. Voice,” Whelan highlights the vulnerabilities of a girl raised by a stepfather who’s known for his popular radio personality, but whose big heart matters most at the end of the day.

Ballerini and Whelan infuse these engaging stories with warmth and surprise, making The Angel of Rome an ideal audiobook for readers who enjoyed Flights by Olga Tokarczuk and Exhalation by Ted Chiang.

Read our starred review of the print edition.

Edoardo Ballerini and Julia Whelan infuse Jess Walter's engaging, heartwarming stories with warmth and surprise.
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In This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch: The Joy of Loving Something—Anything—Like Your Life Depends on It (6.5 hours), Australian journalist Tabitha Carvan offers an exuberant celebration of obsessions. Through her candid exploration of her own fascination with Benedict Cumberbatch, star of “Sherlock,” The Imitation Game and Doctor Strange, Carvan makes the case that women shouldn’t hide or diminish what brings them pleasure—rather, they should embrace it.

Tabitha Carvan
Read our interview with Tabitha Carvan: “When something brings people so much joy, why can’t we just let it?”

Carvan is a witty and ironic writer, and voice actor Tanya Schneider does an excellent job conveying the author’s humorous perspective. Why is it acceptable for a man to plaster his office with paraphernalia for his favorite sports team, but a woman can’t wear her Benedict Cumberbatch hoodie outside her house without embarrassment? Amid the humor, Carvan still takes her subject seriously, and Schneider not only captures Carvan’s perplexity as to why female obsessions remain hidden but also convincingly articulates Carvan’s argument that women need to share their passions publicly. We need to embrace the joy and strength that our passions bring us, Carvan insists.

Both funny and profound, this is a deeply enjoyable audiobook.

Voice actor Tanya Schneider convincingly articulates Tabitha Carvan's argument that women need to share their passions publicly. Both funny and profound, this is a deeply enjoyable audiobook.
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Renowned filmmaker Werner Herzog has written more than a dozen books and screenplays, but The Twilight World (3.5 hours) is his first novel. Translated by Michael Hofmann and short enough to qualify as a novella, it’s the fictionalized story of Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, the real-life intelligence officer in the Imperial Japanese Army who defended Lubang Island in the Philippines for decades, unaware that World War II had ended. By zeroing in on Onoda’s singular pursuit, the novel explores the process and impact of globalization through one man’s story. 

Herzog narrates the novel in his iconic German accent—pronounced yet easy to understand, with an exacting, measured delivery that captures Onoda’s fierce, calculating character. The tension is highest when Onoda finds items in the jungle, such as a newspaper or supplies, and he approaches them with suspicion and an investigator’s prowess. Herzog’s lifelong fascination with the jungle serves him well here, as he captures the cricket sounds, humidity and overall density of the setting.

Werner Herzog narrates his debut novel with an exacting, measured delivery that captures Onoda's fierce, calculating character.
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In his enlightening Raising Raffi: The First Five Years (6 hours), journalist, translator, professor and novelist Keith Gessen shares how he’s been affected and changed by the process of raising his son. He discusses how his expectations of parenting have compared to the reality, evaluates the evolution of parenting literature and reflects on being a Russian immigrant. Thematic chapters make the book easy to read in installments. In one of the longest and most poignant sections, Gessen’s “bear dad” engages with the “tiger mom” phenomenon.

Gessen reads his own audiobook, bringing candor and self-awareness to the performance. His New York accent is punchy and quick when conveying the pressures placed on contemporary fathers. Ultimately, he brings a sense of reassurance to his book, which charts a new approach to fatherhood with clarity, humor and pathos.

Read our starred review of the print edition.

Keith Gessen's narration brings a sense of reassurance to his memoir, which charts a new brand of fatherhood with clarity, humor and pathos.

For his many fans, a new book from John Grisham is always a reason to celebrate, but audiobook listeners are in for a treat thanks to the excellent voice talents of Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke and January LaVoy.

Sparring Partners (10 hours) comprises three legal-thriller novellas, including “Homecoming,” a new story starring Grisham’s beloved hero Jake Brigance. Daniels (known for his roles in Dumb & Dumber, “American Rust,” “The Newsroom” and more) brings Jake and his supporting cast of characters to vibrant life. His playful Southern drawl is particularly fun when voicing Jake’s sometime legal partner and rival Harry Rex. 

Actor and novelist Hawke brings a more youthful vibe to Cody Wallace, the narrator of “Strawberry Moon,” with a performance marked by deadpan humor and emotional angst. In his final hours on death row for murder, Cody is both incredulous of and moved by the series of visitors to his cell. Award-winning audio narrator LaVoy capably voices the titular tale about feuding brothers who inherited a law firm from their father, who’s on the verge of a pardon from his prison sentence.

All three narrators highlight Grisham’s storytelling trademark: fascinating characters facing unusual circumstances with wry humor and real emotion.

Actors Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke and January LaVoy highlight John Grisham's wry humor and emotion in these three legal-thriller novellas.
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It’s just weeks before graduation, and supersmart, beautiful Shara Wheeler—prom queen and daughter of the principal of Alabama’s conservative Willowgrove Christian Academy—has disappeared. But not before kissing her academic rival, Chloe Green, a move that both shocks and intrigues Chloe. Casey McQuiston’s young adult debut, I Kissed Shara Wheeler (9.5 hours), is both a mystery (of sorts) and an unconventional romance, as Chloe’s hunt for Shara shakes up Willowgrove’s senior class.

Readers who have fallen in love with McQuiston’s thoughtful, funny queer romances for adults (Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop) will be charmed to see how the author  applies their storytelling skills to the teen milieu. Narrator Natalie Naudus admirably voices more than a half-dozen significant characters, imparting individuality and personality to teens embracing a variety of identities.

Read our starred review of the print edition of ‘I Kissed Shara Wheeler.’

Narrator Natalie Naudus voices more than a half-dozen significant characters in Casey McQuiston's young adult debut, imparting individuality and personality to teens embracing a variety of identities.

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