Every month, AudioFile Magazine reviewers and editors select the best audiobooks just for BookTrib’s readers. Let your last days of summer, the first days of fall and the beginning of spooky season be filled with these multi-genre recommendations!
This story appears through BookTrib’s partnership with AudioFile and contains material originating from the AudioFile website.
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
Read by Seth Numrich, Stephen King
[Simon & Schuster Audio | 24 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Seth Numrich’s narration of 17-year-old Charlie Reade’s story is moving and frightening in equal measure. Charlie befriends a reclusive curmudgeon, Howard Bowditch, and his aging dog. When Howard dies, Charlie inherits his house and dog, and a cassette recording — voiced remarkably by Stephen King. On it, Howard tells of a locked shed, a portal to a dying world, and Charlie’s part in a plan for salvation. Numrich creates a distinctive voice for each character, complete with growls and guttural snarls for evildoers. Listeners will be drawn into this audiobook by the intimate tone of Numrich’s narration, which is like hearing Charlie himself.
Less Is Lost: Arthur Less, Book 2 by Andrew Sean Greer
Read by Robert Petkoff
[Hachette Audio | 7.75 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Robert Petkoff clearly enjoys himself in recounting the insightful and humorous misadventures of the hapless gay minor novelist Arthur Less. The novel’s narrator is Arthur’s partner, Freddy, who is in Maine for work. Petkoff imbues him with a tone of wry amusement as he describes Arthur’s travels across America in a camper van, on a literary tour to earn desperately needed cash. Through his adventures, the listener begins to understand the kindhearted Arthur and his quest for certainty. Especially humorous are passages in German (with translations), a language that Arthur thinks he speaks very well.
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Read by Stacy Gonzalez, Mary Carillo, Patrick Mcenroe, Rob Simmelkjaer, Brendan Wayne, Max Meyers, Reynaldo Pienella, Vidish Athavale, Tom Bromhead, Heath Miller, Julia Whelan, Sara Arrington
[Random House Audio | 10.5 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Stacy Gonzalez gives an impassioned performance of a fictional renowned tennis professional. The story covers Carrie’s career from when she was first coached by her father at the age of 2 through her decades as a professional to her retirement after shattering every record. Now, at 37, Carrie decides to make a comeback. Gonzalez sounds fierce as she portrays Carrie’s determination. A large supporting cast, including former tennis pros Patrick McEnroe and Mary Carillo, provides riveting commentary in this action-packed audiobook.
Lucy By the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
Read by Kimberly Farr
[Random House Audio | 8.5 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Kimberly Farr brings her characteristic blend of introspection and compassion to this next chapter in Lucy Barton’s life. As the pandemic begins, Lucy, at the urging of her ex-husband, William, flees New York City for the relative calm of coastal Maine. Farr describes Lucy’s initial confusion over William’s worries, which morphs into dread as she comes to see the devastating impact of COVID. With perfectly modulated tones, Farr depicts Strout’s awkward, frail, and flawed characters while allowing listeners to glimpse the powerful emotions that threaten to overwhelm them.
To Fall in Love, Drink This: A Wine Writer's Memoir by Alice Feiring
Read by Gabra Zackman
[Simon & Schuster Audio | 7 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Gabra Zackman has that rare ability to get inside the souls of her authors. She reads Feiring’s memoir with an understanding of its confessional dips into the past and its compelling journeys into the wine world of the present. The audiobook is an appreciation of how a woman overcame a stressful childhood and unfulfilling romances to become one of the most important wine writers of her time. The merging of this talented narrator with the irreverent but essential wine writer creates a remarkable listening experience.
![My Life: Growing Up Asian in America by CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) [Eds.], SuChin Pak [Intro.], Michelle K. Sugihara [Afterword]](https://booktrib.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/81ZJ4V2WnPL._AC_UY218_.jpg "My Life: Growing Up Asian in America by CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) [Eds.], SuChin Pak [Intro.], Michelle K. Sugihara [Afterword]")
My Life: Growing Up Asian in America by CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) [Eds.], SuChin Pak [Intro.], Michelle K. Sugihara [Afterword]
Read by Jennifer Aquino, Ramón de Ocampo, Deepti Gupta, Kamran R. Khan, Marie Lu, Michelle Myers, Soneela Nankani, SuChin Pak, Sura Siu, Michelle K. Sugihara, Sokunthary Svay, Catzie Vilayphonh
[Simon & Schuster Audio | 5.75 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
This anthology covering the diverse lived experiences of Asian Americans is enhanced by a full cast narration. Composed of 30 essays and poems, the collection covers a wide range of experiences from different intersectionalities. The talented narrators deliver the vignettes in varying styles, creating a compelling aural smorgasbord. Similar themes of being othered, fetishized, or erased or of being considered the perpetual foreigner or part of the model minority myth help create cohesiveness. This resonant collection is filled with heartfelt and thought-provoking experiences and messages that serve as powerful windows and mirrors.
Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer
Read by Dara Rosenberg
[Harlequin Audio | 10.5 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Dara Rosenberg gives a magnificent performance of this hilarious and heartwarming rom-com. Dara Rabinowitz, a successful developer of a Jewish matchmaking app, appears on a television show hosted by anchor Chris Steadfast. Dara’s grandmother, Bubbe Miriam, accompanies Dara and shares an embarrassing list of qualities Dara imagines in her perfect Jewish husband-to-be. After the segment proves a resounding success, Dara reluctantly agrees to be filmed on a series of (disastrous!) dates through the High Holidays. Yet Dara finds herself drawn to the anchor, Chris. Rosenberg expresses the wit, charm, and sensibility of every character.
Tell Me I'm An Artist by Chelsea Martin
Read by Devon Sorvari
[Blackstone Audio | 7.25 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Narrator Devon Sorvari captivates listeners with her magnificent portrayal of Joey, a 20-something everywoman who is attending a San Francisco art school in 2011. Sorvari exquisitely expresses every moment of Joey’s nail-biting distress and sharply observed humor as she wrestles with the demands of her family, her perpetual lack of money, and her envy of her privileged classmates. With subtle shifts in her intonation and expression, Sorvari differentiates Joey’s friends and classmates. It’s a joy to listen to Sorvari’s wondrous portrait of a young woman who is learning to trust others and finding her path.
Murder through the English Post: Beryl and Edwina, Book 6 by Jessica Ellicott
Read by Barbara Rosenblat
[Recorded Books | 9 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
A phenomenal narration by the esteemed Golden Voice narrator Barbara Rosenblat brings all of the characters of this cozy mystery to life. Delivering seamless transitions between Beryl, the American adventuress, and Edwina, the prim and proper Brit, Rosenblat deftly navigates this story of poison-pen letters and preposterous rumor mongering. Convincing accents for all the characters set this narration apart. Set in a deliciously quaint English boardinghouse, this mystery will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and MC Beaton.
Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore
Read by Brittany Pressley, Amy McFadden, Dan Bittner, Fred Berman, Hillary Huber, Johnny Heller, Katharine Chin, Ramon de Ocampo, Suzanne Toren, Alejandro Ruiz
[Macmillan Audio | 11 hrs.]
AudioFile Earphones Award
Brittany Pressley skillfully headlines an expansive full cast in this immersive audio production. Violet Volk is a dazzling and daring superstar magician. When she vanishes during a flashy performance, her sister, Sasha, is left behind to pick up the pieces. Ten years later, unanswered questions continue to haunt her. This intriguing mystery sounds as if it were designed for audio with its clever mix of traditional narration intercut with emails, newspaper articles, and a podcast. The large cast of outstanding narrators is seamlessly woven together with well-chosen music and sound effects.
