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While serious history buffs may wish for more facts and less supposition, this glimpse into the human side of piracy strikes a chord. Recommend to listeners who enjoy stories about the golden age of piracy and colonial American history.
PREMIUM
Claw Heart Mountain
This propulsive story is made even more terrifying in audio and is a must-add to any collection, perfect for fans of Paul Tremblay and Stephen Graham Jones.
PREMIUM
Judas 62
Cumming’s latest, combining the best of old-fashioned Cold War intrigue with realistic situations and modern technology, will be a hit with spy-novel fans. Listeners will be eager for the next installment in this top-notch series.
This audio is for listeners seeking a candid and complex historical biography that is alarming and alluring, though the depth may be daunting to the casual true-crime crowd. Recommended for fans of Erik Larson and Dean Jobb.
PREMIUM
A Sliver of Darkness: Stories
Good for fans of short stories and horror, but share also with writers, artists, and creators who can relate to Tudor’s struggles as an author torn between the creative process and real life.
PREMIUM
The Boy and the Dog
Hase’s English-language debut, depicting the enduring bond between humans and dogs, will appeal to listeners looking for stories of redemption, love, and courage. Highly recommended.
Enhanced by Sorvari’s luminous narration, this piercing portrait of a woman pared down to her essence is unforgettable.
This entertaining collection, narrated with élan, comes alive in audio. A winner for any audio classics collection, and a treat for Austen fans.
PREMIUM
The Golden Enclaves
Should satisfy Novik’s many fans and appeal to mature fans of Harry Potter, dark-fantasy lovers, and those who enjoyed Lev Grossman’s The Magicians.
PREMIUM
Tread of Angels
Roanhorse’s genre-blending story and Graham’s exceptional narration make this an excellent choice for dark fantasy fans. Highly recommended.
A charming feast for the ears, to be devoured by armchair travelers, home cooks, and anyone who loves food, people, and stories.
Charismatic Brown makes this audio cookbook a good bet for public libraries, especially where vegan cooking is popular.
PREMIUM
The Tatami Galaxy
Grace’s accomplished narration combined with Morimi’s entertaining plot provide an absorbing listening experience. Will please fans of the award-winning anime series that was inspired by the novel.
This melancholy, slyly funny, and uncanny collection is thought-provoking and uncomfortable and in the best possible way. Nagamatsu’s fans will be enchanted.
An exceptionally narrated study of Adams’s life and his ideas of fairness and democracy; highly recommended.
Abu-Jaber’s latest, enhanced by Zamamiri’s flawless narration, should be a part of every audio fiction collection. An excellent book group selection, and a winner for listeners seeking romance, mystery, action-adventure, and insight into Middle East history and politics.
PREMIUM
When in Rome
This audio will appeal to fans seeking a contemporary opposites-attract rom-com about fame, family, and finding yourself. Recommended for fans of Tessa Bailey, Dylan Newton, and Abby Jimenez.
Those who read with their ears can sink into LJ’s top 10 audio fiction works of 2022. With high production values, superb characterizations, and top-notch pacing, these choices will please many.
Nonfiction listeners have a panoply of choices on this year’s best nonfiction audiobooks list. There are several memoirs by stars, a range of crime stories, and even a science book about deadly animals.
This year’s top picks for cinephiles and those who read with their ears include laugh-out-loud stories, fast-paced action, musical revelations, and family secrets. And that just gets us started. Selected by LJ’s editors and columnists, these audiobooks and films/documentaries offer hours of delight. Grab the popcorn or the headphones and get ready for 39 extraordinary experiences.
PREMIUM
Vanessa Jared’s Got a Man
Despite minor issues with the audiobook, this interracial romance (Vanessa is Black, and Michael is Korean American) satisfies. A good purchase for libraries with patrons who love fun and steamy contemporary romances.
Fans of classic cinema will relish this well-researched and illuminating biography of an important filmmaker.
Bono’s epic, introspective memoir is given an impressive music-filled production. It’s certainly one of the best audiobooks of the year.
PREMIUM
Barkley: A Biography
As it’s been two decades since the last biography of Barkley, this new narrative is a useful update.
PREMIUM
The Night Ship
A poignant work of historical fiction, sure to appeal to readers of Ruta Sepetys’s Salt to the Sea or Kiran Millwood Hargraves’s The Mercies.
PREMIUM
Broken Summer
Mystery and suspense fans will be enthralled by this complex and gorgeously written tale, but readers of family drama and general fiction will also find much to love.
PREMIUM
Ghostwritten
This delightfully horrific book is also a flex of Malfi’s writing talent, showcasing the marvelous assortment of horror subgenres and character archetypes in his writing toolbox. Share with fans of Paul Tremblay, Stephen King and Joe Hill.
PREMIUM
Suburban Hell
Kilmer’s entertaining debut strikes the perfect balance between horror, comedy, and housework. A great way to add humor to any horror collection; perfect for fans of Laurie Gelman’s “Class Mom” series, Grady Hendrix, and Christopher Moore.
Corbin’s gritty and forthright book is perfect for fans of chef memoirs like Notes from a Young Black Chef and Kitchen Confidential.
PREMIUM
Sand
Howey’s imaginative novel, which brings to mind the wrecked world of Mad Max, should appeal to fans of Paolo Bacigalupi’s The Windup Girl and C.A. Fletcher’s A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World.
PREMIUM
The Registration
Though listeners may be hooked by the interesting plot, the unappealing narration disappoints. An optional purchase for most libraries.
An enlightening glimpse into the little-documented Allied treatment of prisoners of war during World War II.
Stoppard’s play was meant to be performed just like this, with relish and verve. An outstanding production that makes the most of the audio medium.
Part feminist essay, part memoir, this compassionate and utterly hilarious testament to the value of all passions and hobbies, no matter how niche, will offer much needed encouragement to mothers and non-mothers alike.
Will appeal to listeners seeking a humorous, heartwarming memoir teeming with Hollywood stars and stories. Recommended for fans of amusing, empowering movie-star memoirs like Betty White’s and Lauren Graham’s.
PREMIUM
The Forever Farmhouse
Narrator Tanya Eby calmly and expertly captures the gentle pace and warmth of this small-town Chesapeake Island community. Even so, this slow-moving audio, filled to bursting with inspirational tropes, tends to drag. An optional purchase, but fans of sweet, fluffy fare may enjoy.
Although not a first-tier purchase, this refreshing audio provides an excellent entry to Theophrastus’s work and would be a welcome addition to most nonfiction audio collections.
The best audiobooks highlighted in the December Audio in Depth issue include a work of cozy magical realism, a laugh-out-loud memoir, and an extraordinary consideration of wasps.
These titles will captivate with a complex puzzle mystery, an all-woman assassination squad, and a suspenseful police procedural.
Fanciful, fun, and timeless, Beagle’s classic fantasy may be over five decades old, but it remains just as fresh as when it was first published in 1968.
This cinematic, road-trip historical is brought to impeccable and swoon-worthy life by skilled romance narrator, Mary Jane Wells.
LJ chatted with the team at ECW Press—Audiobooks Manager Cassie Smyth, Co-Publisher and President David Caron, and Digital Marketing Associate Anita Ragunathan—about narrators, titles, and all things audio.
The manifold pleasures of audiobooks continue to delight in the newest quarterly edition of LJ’s special focus on reviews for those who read with their ears. Soundscapes transport listeners deep into these works filled with sparkling banter, the uneasy expectations of characters on new ventures, and beautifully wrought prose delivered through the talents of a myriad of narrators.
PREMIUM
Such Sharp Teeth
Perfect for listeners who enjoy their horror on the supernatural side with an added smidge of romance to season the tale.
PREMIUM
They Drown Our Daughters
This story, reminiscent of classic gothic horror such as The Haunting of Hill House but with a modern flair, will appeal to a wide range of horror readers. Recommended for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and Jennifer McMahon, or any other reader looking for a creepy and satisfying listen.
PREMIUM
The Devil Takes You Home
Iglesias’s horrifying latest will have cross-appeal for fans of horror and crime. The intense violence may not appeal to all listeners, but this book is an excellent fit for fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Stephen Graham Jones, and S.A. Cosby.
An inclusive and thoughtful collection that will leave listeners with a list of new authors and narrators to seek out.
PREMIUM
Dead Water
The story eventually turns into a taut survival horror, but it is a long slog before listeners get there. An optional purchase for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Black Mouth
This horrific tale will appeal to readers who appreciate coming-of-age stories, found families, sibling relationships, and childhood friends reuniting as adults to defeat a villain from their youth. Share with fans of Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, and Peter Straub.
PREMIUM
Bad Dolls
With whip-smart dialogue and many awkwardly compelling situations, this collection delivers. Recommend to listeners looking for eerie, rather than gory, horror.
PREMIUM
When the Night Bells Ring
Part Weird West horror and part claustrophobic descent into darkness, this book’s double narratives will drag readers into its Stygian depths.
Adding Malerman’s flair for creating sympathetic characters and his brutal descriptions of violence creates a fun and fright-filled ghost story, along with a villain that could easily live and thrive in horror fans’ nightmares. Fans of Thomas Olde Heuvelt, Grady Hendrix, and Riley Sager will be delighted.
PREMIUM
Old Country
This is basically a by-the-book ghost story set in rural Idaho, but VandenHuevel’s and Goglia’s depictions of Harry and Sasha are empathetic enough that listeners will be wholly invested in their story.
PREMIUM
Ghost Eaters
Expect Chapman’s latest to become a horror classic. An exceptional addition to any library’s collection, and a must-listen for fans of Paul Tremblay, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Stephen Graham Jones, and T. Kingfisher.
PREMIUM
Coyote Songs
First published in 2018 and now available in audio, Iglesias’s (The Devil Takes You Home) haunting mix of crime, horror, and magical realism will not be easily forgotten.
This enchanting book is perfect for readers who love The Princess Bride, Ella Enchanted, and other whimsical fantasy stories. Filled with heroes, noble quests, magical creatures, curses, and unforgettable characters, it is an unforgettable listen for all ages.
PREMIUM
The Book Eaters
This is the type of dark fantasy that breaks out of the genre and into popular culture. Beautiful and intense, it is a must-listen.
PREMIUM
The Witch and the Tsar
Kapustin’s deft narration combined with Gilmore’s intriguing rendition of the often maligned Baba Yaga makes for an enchanting listen.
Readers who enjoyed Tara Westover’s Educated will be drawn to Conover’s book. An excellent addition to any nonfiction collection that provides a glimpse into a little-known community.
PREMIUM
Acne: A Memoir
This author-narrated gem is exactly as it should be. Only Chinn can do justice to her story, and she succeeds in style. Recommended for public libraries.
New parents, as well as parents of older children, will likely find both entertainment and solace in this smart, relatable work.
Wonderful stories written by a free-spirited woman from a privileged Southern family. Her irreverent style continues to charm.
This inside look at investigative reporting at a major U.S. newspaper will appeal to listeners with an interest in journalism, as well as fans of true crime podcasts that focus on criminal investigations.
This engaging audio will appeal to listeners looking for laugh-out-loud life stories about the curse of good girl energy in an era of bad bitch vibes. Recommended for fans of Lindy West and Samantha Irby.
PREMIUM
Thistlefoot
Outstanding narration and an enchanting story line make this book a must-buy for all audio collections. Recommend to listeners who enjoy fiction with a fairy tale twist, such as that found in Rena Rossner’s The Sisters of the Winter Wood or Olesya Salnikova Gilmore’s The Witch and the Tsar.
PREMIUM
The Awoken
This audiobook is a disappointment to sci-fi fans but may interest some patrons hoping to dip their toes into a new genre.
PREMIUM
Asylum: A Memoir & Manifesto
This staggeringly powerful and sensitively-narrated memoir has a place in all public libraries.
Nothing short of a marvel, Hauser’s writing, combined with stellar narration, creates an exceptional audio experience.
PREMIUM
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven
Readers looking to start an engaging fantasy series filled with magic, friendship, and feminism should start here. Dawson’s following among YA readers promises strong crossover appeal.
PREMIUM
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance
Recommended for readers looking for an absorbing queer fantasy, complete with intricate world-building, tantalizing mystery, and a slow-burn, tender romance.
PREMIUM
American Seoul: A Memoir
This is a troubling story and tough listen, both in terms of content and narration. An optional audio purchase for most libraries.
Despite the moments of slightly rocky narration, this is a captivating glimpse into the lives of nine creative, world-changing women that will appeal to both foodies and feminists.
Known for a gritty, wry voice suited to hard-boiled characters, Ferrone adopts an irresistibly ironic delivery as brisk as a Crazy Eddie ad that’s perfectly matched to the tempo and tone of this detailed exposé. True financial crime fans will likely love it.
An effective audiobook that raises thought-provoking questions about racial and color lines in America.
This book should be required reading for anyone involved in government and higher education. Highly recommended.
Marvelous narration by the author and interludes of Stella Levi singing make this an excellent addition to public library collections.
A timid religious leader, afraid to wield his moral authority against oppression and destruction, reminds listeners of the dangers of silence. Recommended for those interested in the papacy or World War II in Europe.
PREMIUM
High Times in the Low Parliament
Recommended for fans of fantasy, quirky characters, and political satire.
PREMIUM
Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc
This largely misses the mark. Libraries may want to take a pass.
History and true crime buffs, legal historians, and gender studies scholars will appreciate Sweet’s riveting exposé of the tremendous gender and class bias in postrevolutionary America.
With its coverage of more than 200 crimes, this book could have been lurid, but is instead presented with care and respect. An excellent addition to any true crime collection.
PREMIUM
The Art of Prophecy
Clocking in at almost 19 hours, this is a hefty book, but listeners will be captivated by the intricate worldbuilding and satisfying character development. An engrossing series starter that is highly recommended for fans of Ken Liu, Yong Jin, and Nghi Vo.
A vivid and descriptive account of a chilling crime and the environment in which it occurred. True crime fans will be captivated.
This insightful study is a timely and persuasive call to action. Recommended to those who appreciated Brittany K. Barnett’s A Knock at Midnight.
PREMIUM
Bindle Punk Bruja
Recommend to Jazz Age aficionados, as well as readers of historical fantasy.
These bawdy, gritty tales of New York City in the 1960s and 1970s will captivate listeners, but it’s Johnson who is the hero of this story. Listeners will relish every minute.
Armchair travelers and sailors alike should enjoy this well-narrated seafaring saga/family biography, gracefully crafted by the author to be heartwarming as well as heart-stopping.
Despite some unevenness in the sound levels throughout the production, this engrossing and empathetically told audiobook will likely capture the interest of listeners who enjoy the works of Oliver Sacks and Sam Kean.
A compelling inside look into the casual acceptance of sexual assault that is pervasive in today’s society. Pair this flawless production with Tell Me Everything by Erika Krouse or Know My Name by Chanel Miller to learn more about rape culture.
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