Host Jo Reed is joined today by AudioFile contributor Caitlin Augusta, who has shared her insights on romance audiobooks in her Tease column and audiobook reviews for years. Today she talks about gifting KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS, Jenny Bayliss’s story full of Christmas magic, narrated by Caroline Fantozzi. It’s centered around an underdog production of A Christmas Carol, with school counselor Harriet Smith fighting her Christmas blues by diligently caring for five at-risk teens. Fantozzi’s performance evokes a sense of wonder and joy, warming even the Scroogiest listener’s heart—and just might make a perfect audiobook gift.

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Penguin 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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Host Jo Reed and AudioFile contributor Ellen Quint discuss the fun of gifting mysterious listens during the holidays. Ellen’s been writing about mystery audiobooks for AudioFile for years, and we’re delighted to have her on to discuss Edoardo Ballerini’s narration of A DEATH IN CORNWALL. Daniel Silva’s latest starts in Venice, where Gabriel Allon and his wife get a call to investigate a death in Cornwall, England. Ellen talks about Silva’s compelling spy thrillers and her love for Ballerini’s narration on this series that takes listeners racing around Europe.

Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Harper 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 Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed talk about the fun of giving gifts to young audiobook listeners. This holiday season, Robin recommends the Yoto Player, a portable screen-free audiobook player that her grandchildren have been carrying all around the house to hear their favorite stories. The player lets the kids choose their own stories to listen to, all without a screen or getting parents’ phones involved. Her grandkids have enjoyed classics like FROG AND TOAD and THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, and tales from favorite Disney movies. It’s a great gift for any kids (or their parents) curious about kids’ audiobooks.

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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Narrator Hope Newhouse joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell AudioFile listeners about performing Lois Lowry’s newest audiobook, TREE. TABLE. BOOK., one of our picks for Best Children’s and Family listening. Hope tells Michele about what it was like to take on the narration of one of Lois Lowry’s audiobooks, given her status as a beloved children’s book author. She also explains why she enjoys narrating audiobooks for young listeners, and what’s stayed with her about this moving audiobook.

Read AudioFile’s review of the audiobook: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/reviews/read/251030/

Published by Harper Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Children’s & Family Listening are:

THE BEAUTIFUL GAME by Yamile Saied Méndez, read by Maria Liatis

BRIDGES INSTEAD OF WALLS by Mavis Staples, Carole Boston Weatherford, read by Mavis Staples, Adenrele Ojo

FREE PERIOD by Ali Terese, read by Josephine Huang, Cassandra Morris

IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES by Katherine Rundell, read by Samuel West

OLIVETTI by Allie Millington, read by Christopher Gebauer, Simon Vance

TREE. TABLE. BOOK. by Lois Lowry, read by Hope Newhouse

Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/best-audiobooks-2024/

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

Hope Newhouse photo by Jessica Wolpman.

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Narrator Alejandro Antonio Ruiz joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell listeners all about narrating CANTO CONTIGO by Jonny Garza Villa, one of AudioFile’s picks for Best YA Audiobooks of 2024. It’s a vibrant audiobook full of emotions, and Alejandro tells us about how they bring all of the tension and rich feelings to life for listeners. They also explain the joys and challenges of narrating audiobooks for a teen audience.

Read AudioFile’s review of CANTO CONTIGO. Published by Macmillan Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Young Adult Audiobooks are:

CANTO CONTIGO by Jonny Garza Villa, read by Alejandro Antonio Ruiz

A CRANE AMONG WOLVES by June Hur, read by Greg Chun, Michelle H. Lee

HOW THE BOOGEYMAN BECAME A POET by Tony Keith, Jr., read by Tony Keith, Jr.

JUPITER RISING by Gary D. Schmidt, read by Christopher Gebauer

TWENTY-FOUR SECONDS FROM NOW... by Jason Reynolds, read by Guy Lockard

WHEN THE WORLD TIPS OVER by Jandy Nelson, read by Michael Crouch, Alex McKenna, Briggon Snow, Caitlin Kinnunen, Julia Whelan

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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Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss one of this year’s Best Romance Audiobooks, THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE by India Holton. Elizabeth tells Michele about what’s most interesting and fun to her about romance audiobooks. She gives a charming performance of the audiobook, and in her interview, she explains how she created the voices for the many characters listeners will encounter in the story.

Read AudioFile’s review of THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE. Published by Penguin Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Romance Audiobooks are:

AVENGING ANGEL by Kristen Ashley, read by Stella Bloom

THE BREAK-UP PACT by Emma Lord, read by Natalie Naudus

JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez, read by Christine Lakin, Zachary Webber

LOVE AT FIRST BOOK by Jenn McKinlay, read by Brittany Pressley

THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE by India Holton, read by Elizabeth Knowelden

THE PAIRING by Casey McQuiston, read by Emma Galvin, Max Meyers

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/

Elizabeth Knowelden photo by Dana Patrick.

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Golden Voice narrator Edoardo Ballerini joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss narrating one of this year’s best in Mulit-Voice audiobooks, the oral history WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE, edited by Garrett M. Graff. Edoardo tells listeners about the challenges of narrating audiobooks that include so many voices—here, there were 26 narrators performing 700 real-life historical figures. It’s an impressive and moving listen, and deep exploration into those who participated in D-Day.

Read AudioFile’s review of WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Multi-Voice Audiobooks are:

DANGEROUS VISIONS by Harlan Ellison [Ed.], read by Mara Wilson, Jim Meskimen, Simon Vance, Steven Jay Cohen, Johnny Heller, Edoardo Ballerini, Dion Graham, et al.

GEORGE ORWELL'S 1984 by George Orwell, Joe White [Adapt.], read by Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, Tom Hardy, Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther, Katie Leung

HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC by Alison Fensterstock [Ed.], Ann Powers [Intro.], National Public Radio, read by Alison Fensterstock, Ann Powers, et al.

JOURNEY'S END by R.C. Sherriff, read by James Callis, Josh Cole, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Tobias Echeverria, Adam Godley, Ian Ogilvy, Darren Richardson, Simon Templeman, Matthew Wolf

MOON CALLED by Patricia Briggs, read by Khaya Fraites, Gregory Linington, Christopher McLinden, Rayner Gabriel, Chris Stinson, Renee Dorian, and a Full Cast

WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE by Garrett M. Graff [Ed.], read by Edoardo Ballerini, Garrett M. Graff [Note], and a Full Cast

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/

Edoardo Ballerini photo by Ed Brantley.

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Narrator Moira Quirk joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss a fantastical dark academia tale by M.L. Wang, BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN. Moira tells listeners about what she enjoys the most about narrating science fiction and fantasy audiobooks, and the particular challenges she encounters while narrating the genre. BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN not only explores the realm of dark academia, but also examines the ripple effects of colonization, and it makes for an engrossing listen.

Read AudioFile’s review of BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN. Published by Random House Audio.

AudioFile’s 2024 Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Audiobooks are:

BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN by M.L. Wang, read by Moira Quirk

THE CRONE OF MIDNIGHT EMBERS by Iris Beaglehole, read by Bethan Dixon Bate

THE MERCY OF GODS by James S.A. Corey, read by Jefferson Mays

THE STARS TOO FONDLY by Emily Hamilton, read by Vico Ortiz

THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden, read by Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden

WHEN AMONG CROWS by Veronica Roth, read by Helen Laser, James Fouhey, Tim Campbell

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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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/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices