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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With whip-smart dialogue and many awkwardly compelling situations, this collection delivers. Recommend to listeners looking for eerie, rather than gory, horror.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Recommended for readers looking for an absorbing queer fantasy, complete with intricate world-building, tantalizing mystery, and a slow-burn, tender romance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.