Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Audiobook Reviews
Find your next great audiobook on Behind the Mic with Kirkus Reviews. Every Thursday, host Jo Reed and her guests discuss what they’ve been listening to and recommend the very best audiobooks. It’s the perfect way to keep up with new releases and hear about the ones you may have missed. Launched by AudioFile magazine in 2018, Behind the Mic now has its home at Kirkus Reviews, the most trusted voice in book discovery for more than 90 years. Visit us at kirkusreviews.com.
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1601
A WALK IN THE WOODS by Lee Blessing, performed ...
What makes an audio play different from an audiobook? Nuclear proliferation takes center stage as Alfred Molina and Steven Weber portray the humor and frustration of their jobs to negotiate between the United States and Russia in this timely production.
5 min
1602
WITHIN THESE LINES by Stephanie Morrill, read b...
Dual narration highlights all the emotions in this YA historical fiction audiobook. Taichi and Evalina love each other despite all that stands against them—California’s laws against interracial marriage and anti-Japanese sentiments leading to internment.
4 min
1603
THE GIFTED SCHOOL by Bruce Holsinger, read by J...
Four Colorado parents are willing to do anything to get their children into the prestigious Crystal Academy. How far is too far? January LaVoy excels at creating distinct voices and personalities for each character in this laugh-out-loud audiobook.
5 min
1604
RED AT THE BONE by Jacqueline Woodson, read by ...
A highly anticipated adult fiction novel about three generations of an African-American family gets an emotionally connective reading by five narrators, including the author. Jacqueline Woodson’s spare text leaves room for powerful interpretations.
5 min
1605
Talking with George Guidall Golden Voice Narrator
Dive into Golden Voice narrator George Guidall’s impressive career. He has won many accolades for narrating the audiobooks that so many listeners love, including classics and long-running mystery series.
33 min
1606
WHILE WE WERE WATCHING DOWNTON ABBEY by Wendy W...
Are you a “Downton Abbey” fan? Hear us discuss what we most enjoyed about narrator Orlagh Cassidy's interpretation of this charming contemporary story about friendship, loyalty, and self-discovery—and watching “Downton Abbey.”
5 min
1607
GOTHIC TALES by Arthur Conan Doyle, Darryl Jone...
Perfect for Halloween. We talk about master storyteller Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of classic gothic and supernatural tales. Mummies, ancient rites, forgotten ghosts, spurned promises, lost treasures—tales of dark fantasy!
5 min
1608
THE LAGER QUEEN OF MINNESOTA by J. Ryan Stradal...
This family saga and story of a family business (beer) has a lot of appeal. We credit Judith Ivey’s narration for delivering all of the Midwestern pragmatism as the women bake pies, brew beer, nurture unlikely friendships, and find redemption.
4 min
1609
THE MARYLEBONE DROP by Mick Herron, read by Ger...
The tradecraft of espionage is the focus of the short and satisfying audiobook from a classic pair—British author Mick Herron and Golden Voice Gerard Doyle. Our conversation reveals just enough to get you listening.
4 min
1610
AKIN by Emma Donoghue, read by Jason Culp
Unlikely traveling companions Noah—a 79-year-old retired professor—and Michael—his 11-year-old grand nephew—embark on a trip of emotional intensity. Our conversation focuses on how narrator Jason Culp’s nails the dialogue. From the author of ROOM.
5 min
1611
WAYWARD SON by Rainbow Rowell, read by Euan Morton
Listeners will be hard-pressed to believe they aren’t listening to a full-cast production. Narrator Euan Morton of Broadway fame brings this highly anticipated sequel to life. Simon Snow defeated the Insidious Humdrum in CARRY ON. What comes next?
6 min
1612
THE LONG CALL by Ann Cleeves, read by Ben Aldridge
Journey to North Devon in a new mystery series from Ann Cleeves. DI Matthew Venn’s team finds a man stabbed on the beach, and clues are connecting the murdered man to Matthew’s past, and to his sweet husband. Ben Aldridge captures Matthew’s cool exterior.
6 min
1613
THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY by Alix E. Ha...
January Scaller’s life changes when she discovers a secret—a Door that leads to another, brighter world. A hidden book shows her the infinite potential of hidden Doors. Narrator January LaVoy’s skilled performance makes this fantasy one not to miss.
5 min
1614
FRANKLY IN LOVE by David Yoon, read by Raymond ...
Narrator Raymond J. Lee captures the intergenerational family dynamics and magic of first love in this teen bestseller. Frank Li is falling in love with the wrong girl, according to his Korean parents. His fake dating scheme is the perfect answer. Right?
5 min
1615
THE TESTAMENTS by Margaret Atwood, read by Ann ...
Listening adds an entirely new dimension to a riveting tale. Discover what has happened in Gilead since Offred fled as a runaway handmaid fifteen years before. Listeners are privy to the secrets of a key player in creating Gilead—the imposing Aunt Lydia.
4 min
1616
ENDLESS NOVELTIES OF EXTRAORDINARY INTEREST by ...
Victorian oceanography? Extraordinary! Head out to sea with this history of H.M.S. Challenger, which led the first scientific studies of the ocean in the 1870s. Anyone who loves science and stories of discovery will enjoy this listen.
5 min
1617
THE MOSQUITO by Timothy C. Winegard, read by Ma...
Hear the history of how human civilization has been shaped by a tiny enemy—the mosquito. Narrator Mark Deakins skillfully delivers the story of how mosquitoes may have affected everything from the ancient Greeks to the American Revolution.
5 min
1618
THE MAN IN THE WHITE LINEN SUIT by David Handle...
Laugh along with ghostwriter Stewart Hoag in this clever mystery. When Hoag and his faithful basset hound Lulu find themselves entangled in a literary mystery, mayhem ensues. Berkrot’s spot-on delivery makes this a memorable listening experience.
4 min
1619
THE GRAMMARIANS by Cathleen Schine, read by Hil...
Twin girls share a deep love of language and words, until that love tears them apart. Hillary Huber’s performance captivates listeners as she narrates the young girls’ delight and wry commentary. The author’s wordplay shines through.
4 min
1620
STEALING THE SHOW by John Barelli, Zachary Schi...
What does it take to steal priceless works of art? The Met’s former Chief Security Officer has entertaining tales to share in this memoir, including famous heists from the Met and beyond—and all the work that goes into preventing thefts.
4 min
1621
AudioFile Favorites: BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey, re...
The comedy is amplified through the author’s memorable performance of an audiobook that is part memoir, part career advice, and 100% going to make you laugh. Get a behind-the-scenes look into Tina Fey’s life in this AudioFile favorite listen.
5 min
1622
AudioFile Favorites: THE POET X by Elizabeth Ac...
Acevedo’s performance chops pull the listener into Xiomara’s world. X is a first-generation Dominican-American girl who finds her voice through poetry. Hearing the author narrate this award-winning audiobook is the ideal way to experience the novel.
5 min
1623
AudioFile Favorites: HIDDEN FIGURES by Margot L...
The true story of four black women who helped pave the way for space exploration. Robin Miles does an excellent job of voicing the women clearly and separately, and her narration brings out the heart in a story built on science.
5 min
1624
AudioFile Favorites: HAMILTON by Lin-Manuel Mir...
“Hamilton: the Musical” is a cultural phenomenon, and this audiobook is a must-listen to learn all about how a musical is made. Narrated by superfan Mariska Hargitay along with Lin Manuel Miranda himself reading the libretto footnotes.
5 min
1625
AudioFile Favorites: BELOVED by Toni Morrison, ...
The wounds of slavery run deep in this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, thoughtfully narrated by the author herself. A compelling and complicated tale with an emotional punch and a musical pace that will stay with the listener.
5 min