Every month, AudioFile Magazine reviewers and editors select the best new audiobooks just for BookTrib’s readers. This month, listeners will dive into messy Millennial conflicts, get swept up in a holiday romance, become enamored by women making history in three different fields and more. So, grab your earbuds and queue ’em up!
Beautiful World, Where Are You
by Sally Rooney | Read by Aoife McMahon
Macmillan Audio | 10 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Narrator Aoife McMahon’s voice makes the conflicts of Millennials beautiful in today’s messy world. Author Sally Rooney presents a tableau of Irish friends — Eileen, Alice, Felix and Simon — who wrestle with relationships, mental health, politics and the purpose of life. McMahon’s acting dexterity shows in seamless shifts between points of view, characters and emotions. The listener won’t soon forget a silk blouse caressed like a pet, freckled arms made pink by the sun, the coast of Ireland at nightfall, or the forgiveness of a best friend. (Read BookTrib’s review here.)
The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family
by Ron Howard, Clint Howard | Read by Ron Howard, Clint Howard, Bryce Dallas Howard
Harper Audio | 13.25 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Entertainment icon brothers Ron and Clint Howard share a memoir that never strays far from being a sincere loving tribute to their late Midwest-born parents and grandparents for the values they instilled. With voices bright with high style and that special talent some actors have for making the conversation seem so intimate and direct, the tales of the Hollywood television and film industries of the 1950s, 1960s and beyond are gently and effectively told.
by Naomi Ragen | Read by Gabra Zackman
Macmillan Audio | 12.25 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
In this sequel to An Unorthodox Match, Gabra Zackman returns to narrate the story of secular-born Jewish Leah and her Orthodox Jewish husband, Yaakov, a widower. Zackman expertly creates the watchful atmosphere of their insular Brooklyn neighborhood. The devotion this unlikely couple shares with each other, and with their five children from Yaakov’s first marriage, as well as the support they receive from Yaakov’s wise former mother-in-law, comes through in Zackman’s warm tones, sparkling characterizations and delicious accents.
The Dark Hours (Harry Bosch, Book 23)
by Michael Connelly | Read by Christine Lakin, Titus Welliver
Hachette Audio | 11 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
In this fourth audiobook in the Renee Ballard series, listeners enjoy the talented partnership of author Michael Connelly and narrators Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver. Ballard faces obstacles presented by the pandemic and the blowback on law enforcement from police brutality protests. This is a compelling listen with a gritty portrayal of the current social environment.
by Jean Meltzer | Read by Dara Rosenberg
Harlequin Audio | 10.25 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Narrator Dara Rosenberg whirls listeners through Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt’s desperate plan to save her writing career. Rachel is Jewish, but she secretly writes Christmas romances. Without stereotypes, Rosenberg creates a variety of New York accents for Rachel’s Jewish community. Rachel’s sweet, feisty voice and the rough, clipped speech of her archnemesis, Jacob, perfectly mix to show listeners the magic of Hanukkah.
Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton
by Lydia R. Hamessley, Steve Buckingham [Fore.] | Read by Janet Metzger
Tantor Media | 12.5 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Dolly Parton jokes about being a prisoner of the “cartoon character” stage persona she herself created, but she is dead serious when it comes to her music. This audiobook reveals the songwriting skill and dedication of one of the nation’s most revered country and pop musicians. Narrator Janet Metzger’s skillful performance paints a respectful picture of the first lady of county music, who fought for equality in a male-dominated business.
Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence
by Anita Hill | Read by January LaVoy
Penguin Audio | 10.75 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
January LaVoy’s narration precisely reflects Anita Hill’s call to effect real change in the institutional acceptance of gender violence against women, men and nonbinary individuals. LaVoy expertly delivers Hill’s cringe-worthy examples of actual instances of mansplaining, victim-blaming, flat-out denial and gaslighting. Hill’s deeply affecting work to promote a progressive women’s agenda is made even better by LaVoy’s intelligent presentation.
The Heart Principle (The Kiss Quotient, Book 3)
by Helen Hoang | Read by Natalie Naudus, Brian Nishii
Dreamscape | 9.5 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Natalie Naudus and Brian Nishii narrate an emotionally demanding but, ultimately, rewarding romance. Musician Anna Sun feels trapped both professionally and personally when fate leads her to Quan Diep. The biker is the first person who has ever loved her simply for who she is. The journey Anna and Quan undertake is intense, but Naudus and Nishii see them through.
Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter’s Love Story in Black and White
by Kitt Shapiro, Patricia Weiss Levy | Read by Karen Chilton
Dreamscape | 8 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Entertainment icon Eartha Kitt’s biological daughter, Kitt Shapiro, offers a stirring and nuanced memoir of both her mother and herself — their lives were so very intertwined. Narrator Karen Chilton’s performance is a showstopper, at once superb, stunning, evocative and moving. Eartha’s difficult early years are not glossed over, but her later triumphant successes are celebrated in the most positive fashion. (Read BookTrib’s review here.)
by Howard Markel | Read by Donald Corren
Recorded Books | 15 hrs.
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Many listeners will feel growing indignation as this audiobook unfolds. James Watson has already told the story of how, in 1953, he and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA. Their breakthrough, however, relied on crucial laboratory results stolen from X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin. Expertly narrated with subtle grace by Donald Corren, refreshingly clear and easy to follow, here’s a true-crime story as compelling as any whodunit.
This story appears through BookTrib’s partnership with AudioFile and contains material originating from the AudioFile website.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Narrator Aoife McMahon’s voice makes the conflicts of Millennials beautiful in today’s messy world. Author Sally Rooney presents a tableau of Irish friends — Eileen, Alice, Felix and Simon — who wrestle with relationships, mental health, politics and the purpose of life. McMahon’s acting dexterity shows in seamless shifts between points of view, characters and emotions. The listener won’t soon forget a silk blouse caressed like a pet, freckled arms made pink by the sun, the coast of Ireland at nightfall, or the forgiveness of a best friend. (Read BookTrib’s review here.)
The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family by Ron Howard, Clint Howard
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Entertainment icon brothers Ron and Clint Howard share a memoir that never strays far from being a sincere loving tribute to their late Midwest-born parents and grandparents for the values they instilled. With voices bright with high style and that special talent some actors have for making the conversation seem so intimate and direct, the tales of the Hollywood television and film industries of the 1950s, 1960s and beyond are gently and effectively told.
An Observant Wife by Naomi Ragen
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
In this sequel to An Unorthodox Match, Gabra Zackman returns to narrate the story of secular-born Jewish Leah and her Orthodox Jewish husband, Yaakov, a widower. Zackman expertly creates the watchful atmosphere of their insular Brooklyn neighborhood. The devotion this unlikely couple shares with each other, and with their five children from Yaakov’s first marriage, as well as the support they receive from Yaakov’s wise former mother-in-law, comes through in Zackman’s warm tones, sparkling characterizations and delicious accents.
The Dark Hours by Michael Connelly
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
In this fourth audiobook in the Renee Ballard series, listeners enjoy the talented partnership of author Michael Connelly and narrators Christine Lakin and Titus Welliver. Ballard faces obstacles presented by the pandemic and the blowback on law enforcement from police brutality protests. This is a compelling listen with a gritty portrayal of the current social environment.
The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Narrator Dara Rosenberg whirls listeners through Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt’s desperate plan to save her writing career. Rachel is Jewish, but she secretly writes Christmas romances. Without stereotypes, Rosenberg creates a variety of New York accents for Rachel’s Jewish community. Rachel’s sweet, feisty voice and the rough, clipped speech of her archnemesis, Jacob, perfectly mix to show listeners the magic of Hanukkah.
![Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton by Lydia R. Hamessley, Steve Buckingham [Fore.]](https://booktrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/UnlikelyAngel_audio2.jpg "Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton by Lydia R. Hamessley, Steve Buckingham [Fore.]")
Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton by Lydia R. Hamessley, Steve Buckingham [Fore.]
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Dolly Parton jokes about being a prisoner of the “cartoon character” stage persona she herself created, but she is dead serious when it comes to her music. This audiobook reveals the songwriting skill and dedication of one of the nation’s most revered country and pop musicians. Narrator Janet Metzger’s skillful performance paints a respectful picture of the first lady of county music, who fought for equality in a male-dominated business.
Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence by Anita Hill
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
January LaVoy’s narration precisely reflects Anita Hill’s call to effect real change in the institutional acceptance of gender violence against women, men and nonbinary individuals. LaVoy expertly delivers Hill’s cringe-worthy examples of actual instances of mansplaining, victim-blaming, flat-out denial and gaslighting. Hill’s deeply affecting work to promote a progressive women’s agenda is made even better by LaVoy’s intelligent presentation.
The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Natalie Naudus and Brian Nishii narrate an emotionally demanding but, ultimately, rewarding romance. Musician Anna Sun feels trapped both professionally and personally when fate leads her to Quan Diep. The biker is the first person who has ever loved her simply for who she is. The journey Anna and Quan undertake is intense, but Naudus and Nishii see them through.
Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter's Love Story in Black and White by Kitt Shapiro, Patricia Weiss Levy
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Entertainment icon Eartha Kitt’s biological daughter, Kitt Shapiro, offers a stirring and nuanced memoir of both her mother and herself — their lives were so very intertwined. Narrator Karen Chilton’s performance is a showstopper, at once superb, stunning, evocative and moving. Eartha’s difficult early years are not glossed over, but her later triumphant successes are celebrated in the most positive fashion. (Read BookTrib’s review here.)
The Secret of Life: Rosalind Franklin, James Watson, Francis Crick, and the Discovery of DNA's Double Helix by Howard Markel
AudioFile Earphones Award Winner
Many listeners will feel growing indignation as this audiobook unfolds. James Watson has already told the story of how, in 1953, he and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA. Their breakthrough, however, relied on crucial laboratory results stolen from X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin. Expertly narrated with subtle grace by Donald Corren, refreshingly clear and easy to follow, here’s a true-crime story as compelling as any whodunit.
