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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Arts
Books
Performing Arts
1676
VIRAL by Ann Bausum, read by Vikas Adam, Ann Ba...
Essential nonfiction listening for teens and adults alike. Ann Bausum revisits the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and Vikas Adam narrates with urgency and sincerity. Listeners will be drawn in and motivated to learn more.
4 min
1677
LIGHT FROM OTHER STARS by Erika Swyler, read by...
Kyla Garcia launches listeners into a story that ranges across space and time. Eleven-year-old Nedda is determined to be an astronaut, and she’s devastated by the Challenger explosion. She then discovers her father’s invention triggered a catastrophe.
5 min
1678
ON EARTH WE'RE BRIEFLY GORGEOUS by Ocean Vuong,...
A stunning debut novel from an award-winning poet. Ocean Vuong narrates with a devastating delivery as he tells the story of Little Dog, a gay Vietnamese boy growing up in America. It’s tender and raw, and made all the more so by his poetic narration.
4 min
1679
NATURALLY TAN by Tan France, read by Tan France
Queer Eye’s resident fashion expert narrates his memoir with the perfect cheeky delivery. Fans will love listening to his unique accent as they get to know more about his road to living life on his own terms.
4 min
1680
Interview with January LaVoy Golden Voice Narrator
Newly honored as a Golden Voice January LaVoy is a skilled narrator who draws listeners into whatever she's performing, whether it's a thrilling mystery or a compelling history. January talks about her passion for books and audiobooks.
32 min
1681
CITY OF GIRLS by Elizabeth Gilbert, read by Bla...
Perfect summer listening. Bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert dazzles in her novel set in 1940s Manhattan. Vivian moves in with her aunt at her crumbling theater and discovers the joys of living with gusto. Blair Brown’s lively voice makes it shine.
5 min
1682
STEFAN RUDNICKI: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Stefan Rudnicki has a distinctive baritone voice. His confident world-building in many fantasy and sci-fi audiobooks—from Ben Bova to BATTLEFIELD EARTH—is legendary. His performances of literary works make them approachable.
6 min
1683
SIMON VANCE: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Simon Vance brings a sense of adventure and wonder to his work—he’s on the journey with us to discover new worlds, characters, ideas. His charming British voice fits naturally with so many different characters.
5 min
1684
JIM DALE: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Jim Dale may be responsible for bringing more people to audiobooks than any other narrator. Jim, as the narrator of all the Harry Potter audiobooks, created dozens of whimsical, imaginative character voices. His wit and timing are legendary.
7 min
1685
DAVINA PORTER: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Davina Porter creates elegant, articulate narrations that seem effortless. Davina’s love of historical detail and her Scots heritage make her a perfect choice to narrate Diana Gabaldon’s multi-volume OUTLANDER series.
7 min
1686
GROVER GARDNER: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Grover Gardner brings alive nonfiction, especially history and philosophy, with a voice of “sandpaper and velvet.” He’s also adept at mysteries. His astute pacing brings home the story to listeners.
6 min
1687
JOHN LEE: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice John Lee has a great gift with vocal portraits of characters. In his many English and international mysteries, his distinctive British voice and cadence help listeners remember important elements of a story.
6 min
1688
ROBIN MILES: Golden Voice Narrator
Robin Miles is a student of dialects and accents, including African, Haitian, Creole, or simply brilliant regional American accents. Her timing and pace within each work are finely tuned, and she keeps listeners within the story.
5 min
1689
GERARD DOYLE: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Gerard Doyle has a voice that begs to be followed—like the Pied Piper. From Irish noir to fantasy, let Gerard immerse you in the story.
6 min
1690
ALYSSA BRESNAHAN: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Alyssa Bresnahan is a confident storyteller who can match the emotion of the characters. She’s able to elevate a story and make it memorable for listeners. Alyssa is active on Broadway but makes time for audiobooks.
5 min
1691
GEORGE GUIDALL: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice George Guidall is a consummate storyteller. He astutely understands an author’s approach and delivers the essence of the written work. One of the first narrators to elevate the audiobook art form, he has recorded more than 1,300 audiobooks.
7 min
1692
SIMON JONES: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Simon Jones played the role of Arthur Dent in the original BBC Radio cast of THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. His roles on stage and screen and in audiobooks capitalize on Simon’s keen sense of wit and humor.
4 min
1693
DION GRAHAM: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Dion Graham is a storyteller for any age group. Dion can swing from Miles Davis to Trombone Shorty. He always connects with his audience, whether he’s narrating mysteries, history, or audiobooks for children.
6 min
1694
BARBARA ROSENBLAT: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Barbara Rosenblat is an audiobook superstar. She creates an energy field around her electrifies each audiobook she records. She is superb with accents, unfailingly accurate and consistent—from the Bronx to Bridget Jones.
6 min
1695
SIMON PREBBLE: Golden Voice Narrator
Golden Voice Simon Prebble’s smooth British voice and keen facility with accents distinguish his performances of multi-volume mystery and romance series, literary fiction, and history—from Sherlock Holmes to Shackleton.
6 min
1696
Interview with Scott Brick - AudioFile Magazine...
Golden Voice narrator Scott Brick celebrates 20 years in audiobooks this June. He received the honor of Golden Voice fifteen years ago as his prolific career took off quickly. He delights listeners with his many sci-fi, fantasy, and suspense audiobooks.
29 min
1697
SUZANNE TOREN: Golden Voice Narrator Interview
In June 2019, Suzanne Toren was honored as a Golden Voice, AudioFile's lifetime achievement honor for audiobook narrators. Suzanne chats with Robin Whitten about her long career in audiobooks and some of the aspects she particularly loves.
10 min
1698
JOHNNY HELLER: Golden Voice Narrator Interview
Audiobook narrator Johnny Heller was honored as a Golden Voice in June 2019. This achievement honor is given to top narrators who exemplify the very best in audiobook talent. Johnny chats with Michele Cobb about some of his audiobook adventures.
6 min
1699
BAHNI TURPIN: Golden Voice Narrator Interview
In June 2019, Bahni Turpin was honored as a Golden Voice, AudioFile's lifetime achievement honor for audiobook narrators. Stories with a bit of magic are among Bahni’s favorites—listen as Bahni and Robin Whitten chat about her favorite genres.
9 min
1700
EDOARDO BALLERINI: Golden Voice Narrator Interview
Audiobook narrator Edoardo Ballerini was honored as a Golden Voice in June 2019. AudioFile’s lifetime achievement honor is given to top narrators who exemplify the very best in audiobook talent. Edoardo chats with Michele Cobb about his craft.
6 min