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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1751
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON by Cressida Cowell, re...
Perhaps best known for his role as the Doctor, actor David Tennant brings a slew of Scottish accents to this high-spirited rendering of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III’s journey toward true heroism. A romp the whole family can enjoy.
4 min
1752
THE ISLAND OF SEA WOMEN by Lisa See, read by Je...
An evocative tale of two best friends whose bonds are both strengthened and tested over decades. Women divers from a small island off the coast of South Korea were the breadwinners in their families.
4 min
1753
THE SOURCE OF SELF-REGARD by Toni Morrison, rea...
A new collection from Toni Morrison, with essays on social issues and current events, speeches, and mediations. Not surprisingly, they are inspiring, intellectual, and important. Finely narrated by Bahni Turpin.
4 min
1754
THIS YEAR YOU WRITE YOUR NOVEL by Walter Mosley...
Investigate the creative writing process with the author of the acclaimed Easy Rawlins mysteries. Mosley’s tone overall is educational—it imparts knowledge and inspires listeners to action. Graham captures it perfectly.
4 min
1755
THE HEARTBEAT OF WOUNDED KNEE by David Treuer, ...
Ojibwe author Treuer’s new history, with its first-person accounts of indigenous people of North America, provides an uncompromising story of the oppression and violence tribes have experienced—from 1890 to the present.
5 min
1756
ELSEY COME HOME by Susan Conley, read by Cassan...
A woman journeys toward self-discovery in celebrated author Conley’s new novel. Elsey is a painter and married mother living in China who has started drinking instead of making art — her time at a yoga retreat reveals many truths.
4 min
1757
THE RIVER by Peter Heller, read by Mark Deakins
A late-summer canoe trip in Canada goes horribly wrong for two college friends despite their being well prepared and lifelong outdoorsmen. Like making the perfect cast to a rising trout, Deakins’s performance entices listeners to the bait.
4 min
1758
GOOD OMENS by Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
An angel and a demon form an alliance to postpone the Apocalypse. Humor and wordplay know no bounds in this absurdly delightful comedy. Two audiobook versions of the 1990 collaboration between Gaiman and Pratchett offer great listening.
5 min
1759
THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD by Alan Bradley,...
The irrepressible Flavia de Luce is at it again, as the young sleuth finds a new mystery at her sister Ophelia’s wedding. Jayne Entwistle’s portrait of Flavia and all the colorful characters never disappoints.
4 min
1760
THE BEAST'S HEART by Leife Shallcross, read by ...
A full-length fantasy takes on the classic “Beauty and the Beast,” told from the point of view of the Beast. Jim Dale, narrator of the Harry Potter series, knows his magic and delights listeners with extraordinary storytelling.
4 min
1761
THE LOST MAN by Jane Harper, read by Stephen Sh...
The bleak and unforgiving Australian Outback is a character in Harper’s riveting mystery. The clues to the death of a son in a ranching family unfold slowly. A third brilliant collaboration between Jane Harper and narrator Stephen Shanahan.
3 min
1762
A THOUSAND SISTERS by Elizabeth Wein, read by A...
An inspiring account of the Russian women combat pilots in World War II fighting against Nazi Germany. This fascinating portrait of aviator and adventurer Maria Roskova, who trained and led the female regiments, will appeal to teens.
4 min
1763
Interview with Audie Award winner Julia Whelan
Julia Whelan was named Best Female Narrator at the 2019 Audie Awards for her narration of Tara Westover’s EDUCATED. In our interview, she shares insights into the work that she puts into her audiobook narrations.
19 min
1764
Romance 2019 Audie Awards
Greg Patmore brings listers to the land of the Vikings in Olivia Norem’s HIS VIKING BRIDE, this year’s Romance Audie Award winner. Aestrid has been kidnapped by Picts, and then rescued by her father’s enemy, Veleif. Patmore’s resonant timbre delights.
5 min
1765
Mystery 2019 Audie Awards
“A delightful puzzle, brilliantly read.” That’s what our reviewer had to say about the 2019 Audie Award Mystery winner, Elizabeth George’s THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES. Simon Vance narrates this vivid small-town murder mystery.
5 min
1766
Best Male Narrator 2019 Audie Awards
Don’t listen to this year’s 2019 Audies Best Male Narrator winner out in the woods at night. Edoardo Ballerini brings the suspense in WATCHERS by Dean Koontz, a story of genetic experiments and intelligent creatures.
4 min
1767
Best Female Narrator 2019 Audie Awards
Congratulations to Julia Whelan, named Best Female Narrator at the 2019 Audie Awards for her narration of EDUCATED by Tara Westover. Discover more about this riveting memoir and Westover’s journey out of a dangerous home and into the wider world.
6 min
1768
Audiobook of the Year 2019 Audie Awards
Six excellent audiobooks are up for the coveted Audiobook of the Year award at the 2019 Audies, taking place tonight. We’re highlighting two of the finalists in today’s episode, but they’re all excellent choices for the top honor. Which one will take home the award?
10 min
1769
THE DREAMERS by Karen Thompson Walker, read by ...
What if you fell asleep and never woke up? What if an entire town did? Delve into the chaos with Cassandra Campbell’s elegant narration as your guide. Another story of compelling catastrophe from the author of AGE OF MIRACLES.
4 min
1770
NEW KID by Jerry Craft, read by Jesus Del Orden...
What’s it like being the new kid in a fancy private school? Jordan is black and desperate to go to art school, but his parents want him to get the best education he can. A full cast animates this lively middle-grade graphic novel.
4 min
1771
ON THE COME UP by Angie Thomas, read by Bahni T...
The award-winning team of author Angie Thomas and narrator Bahni Turpin is back with ON THE COME UP. Sixteen-year-old Bri is desperate to make it big as a rapper. Listen as Turpin brings Bri vibrantly to life.
4 min
1772
THE RAVEN TOWER by Ann Leckie, read by Adjoa Andoh
Andoh’s dynamic characterizations combined with Leckie’s intelligent and well-developed fantasy world make this an audiobook you’ll love. Known for her sci-fi, Leckie proves that she can write fantasy just as well.
3 min
1773
SADIE by Courtney Summers, read by Rebecca Sole...
Perfect listening for true crime podcast lovers. SADIE has won recognition for being one of the best YA audiobooks this year, for good reason. Part podcast, part vengeance road trip, and narrated by a full cast, it will keep you glued to your earphones.
4 min
1774
Hearing Black History: A conversation with Robi...
Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles is known for her powerful, versatile voice and has narrated hundreds of audiobooks, including important works of women's and Black History, fantasy and science fiction, and literary fiction.
29 min
1775
THE ENCHANTED HOUR by Meghan Cox Gurdon, read b...
Meghan Cox Gurdon, the Wall Street Journal’s children’s book reviewer, delivers her lively discussion of “the miraculous power of reading aloud in the age of distraction.”
4 min