AudioFile Magazine

09/22/2022

"Want to try out a new voice? Shorter novellas that don't require a significant time commitment and short story anthologies performed by multiple narrators can be great discoverability tools" https://bit.ly/3qY23Yl

09/20/2022

Come Back to Me: 8 Romantic Reunions on Audio

Romance listening spiced w/ characters who’ve been apart & then return to find themselves newly in love

If you love unexpected encounters between characters with a past together, these audiobooks are for you. These eight romances feature couples who knew each other when they were younger and find romance after time apart.

09/15/2022

Talking with Narrator Robert Petkoff

“It's that tongue-in-cheek attitude, that wit. The thing I love about good writers is their ability to express things that we all feel but can't put into words. They're able to look at something & turn it into something clever & witty" - Narrator Robert Petkoff

American actor Robert Petkoff’s impressive list of stage and audiobook credits and his numerous industry awards alert listeners to the fact that choosing an audiobook narrated by him promises a satisfying listening experience. Petkoff talked with us about how the world and the audiobook indust...

09/14/2022

Are you listening to Season 4 of Audiobook Break? To set the stage & to extend understanding of the real-life events depicted in these dramas we’ve pulled together a list of more audiobooks exploring Japanese American experiences during the 20th century https://bit.ly/3BGMaMe

09/14/2022

Audiobook Break Podcast

Tune in to Audiobook Break to hear the podcast cycle of L.A. Theatre Works Japanese American Civil Liberties dramas, starting today!

Listen to an audiobook chapter by chapter. AudioFile serializes extraordinary audiobooks.

09/12/2022

How Multiple Narrators Can Enhance the Mystery Listening Experience

"When the use of multiple narrators is done well, listeners experience the full drama and thrill of the author's story" - Ellen Quint

Having recently listened to several mystery audiobooks featuring multiple narrators, I have come to appreciate the investment made to provide listeners with the resulting immersive experience. David Baldacci, author of numerous thriller series, mentioned in my interview with him that he felt it was....

09/12/2022

Narrator Kirby Heyborne on WE OWN THE SKY

"It's an adventure, uplifting, and . . . peril! I love peril!"—Narrator Kirby Heyborne

Kirby Heyborne shares why he loved narrating Rodman Philbrick's new middle-grade historical fiction audiobook, WE OWN THE SKY, and why families will love listening together.

09/09/2022

In Conversation: Diverse Perspectives in Mystery Audiobooks

Pete Cross, Janina Edwards, Frankie Corzo, and Tanya Eby discussed new mystery series and favorite characters and read excerpts for AudioFile listeners. You can watch the full conversation from the link in this article

AudioFile Magazine was excited to be in conversation with narrators of mystery audiobooks featuring characters with diverse perspectives. We enjoyed hearing from Pete Cross, Janina Edwards, Frankie Corzo, and Tanya Eby as they discussed new mystery series and favorite characters and read excerpts fo...

09/07/2022

"It’s back-to-school for adults without any of the accompanying angst" in this suggested roundup of new audiobooks https://bit.ly/3B1UcxI

09/03/2022

Narrator Elizabeth Wiley on WOMAN, WATCHING

"I love telling stories of remarkable women, and Louise de Kiriline Lawrence certainly was that."—Narrator Elizabeth Wiley

Narrator Elizabeth Wiley tells AudioFile readers about narrating WOMAN, WATCHING, Merilyn Simonds' biography of Louise de Kiriline Lawrence.

08/31/2022

Season 4 of our podcast Audiobook Break begins September 13 and will include the full cycle of L.A. Theatre Works Japanese American Civil Liberties dramas. Join us on your favorite podcast platform or at https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/audiobook-break/

08/29/2022

AudioFile's Editors Pick 16 Big Audiobooks for September

New coming in September include “fresh entries in favorite series, the newest titles from no fewer than three Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, and a new biography of late beloved author Terry Pratchett”

Fall listening is almost here! September marks the beginning of a busy season for new audiobooks—your listening list is about to get a lot longer (sorry, not sorry). We’re excited to call out fresh entries in favorite series, the newest titles from no fewer than three Pulitzer Prize-winn...

08/26/2022

Australian Narrators of Tim Winton's Audiobooks

"Winton...is a very visceral writer. The images are incredibly strong. He literally writes about what he sees, & smells & feels. It's very physical, sensory language" —Narrator Humphrey Bower

AudioFile Magazine was thrilled to host four Australian narrators to discuss narrating Tim Winton's audiobooks. Australian author Tim Winton writes for both adults and children. His fiction showcases the natural landscapes of Australia and the relationships of his characters with that land. In a...

08/24/2022

Join us and 4 narrators who will share their experiences with all things in the mystery genre, courtesy of Dreamscape! Register for this free event at https://bit.ly/3PFFMbG

08/23/2022

Fake Relationships, Narrators Who Are the Real Deal

"...while the romantic relationships in these audiobooks may start out fake, the narrator talent on display here is real" in these 6

We're featuring six romance audiobooks with different twists—public image, family pressure, and more—on the fake relationship motif. But while the romantic relationships in these audiobooks may start out fake, the narrator talent on display here is real. In narrator Weruche Opia&rsqu...

08/18/2022

Fantasy Retellings That Captivate on Audio

Retellings of the classics done by contemporary fantasy authors are my favorite audiobooks to listen to lately....

It's no wonder that authors turn to classics or myths for inspiration—these stories span cultures and eras. Retellings of the classics done by contemporary fantasy authors are my favorite audiobooks to listen to lately, both as an opportunity to see how the author is influenced as a writer...

08/15/2022

Keep Kids & Teens Busy with Mystery Audiobooks

Kids mystery audiobooks for end of summer listening

It’s mid-August, and many children and teens are in between camp, travel, and back to school. What's a parent to do? We suggest entertaining them with some fantastic, age-appropriate mystery audiobooks. For children ages 8+, Golden Voice Dion Graham performs BLACK PANTHER: SPELLBOUND by Ro...

08/13/2022

THE BANGALORE DETECTIVES CLUB "paints such a vivid picture of 1920s colonial Bangalore . . . but also makes a really profound statement about Indian society today."—Narrator Soneela Nankani https://bit.ly/3piMtpg

08/10/2022

Brilliant and Affecting Historical Fiction on Audio

Get away for the last days of summer w/ &

Just in time for the last lazy days of summer listening, I give you four authors and seven—seven!—historical fiction titles that will spirit you away in your own private time machine. In JOAN, author Katherine J. Chen and narrator Hannah Morrish create an indelible and affecting new port...

08/06/2022

Narrator Imogen Church on ANNA: The Biography

“I think Amy manages to paint the picture of a whole person, not this mythologized ice queen that we read about in the press."—Narrator

Dive into the world of haute couture with Amy Odell's biography of fashion icon Anna Wintour. Imogen Church, wearing Vivienne Westwood (of course!) and joined by her dog Snowy, tells AudioFile listeners about narrating ANNA.

08/05/2022

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: In Conversation with Australian narrators of Tim Winton’s audiobooks with AudioFile Magazine. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

New narrator webinar coming up August 22! This time we'll be discussing bringing voices to Australian author Tim Winton's works, thanks to Bolinda audio. Register to hear from Stig Wemyss, Suzi Dougherty, Humphrey Bower & Caroline Lee during this free event

Join a live talk with narrators on August 22nd 7AM EST, 9PM AET! AudioFile Magazine is excited to speak with four Australian narrators about the joys of narrating Tim Winton’s audiobooks. Ask your questions and hear live readings from talented narrators, including Humphrey Bower, Suzi Dougherty, C...

08/04/2022

Every Audiobook Needs a Listener

"We celebrate people who listen at the same time as we celebrate all of the amazing listening choices. A perfect combination: more audiobooks and more listeners" - Robin Whitten

As part of AudioFile’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, we took a look back at all the listeners we have profiled in our signature “Listening With” photo essay in the magazine. For our Instagram——we selected 30 listeners to revisit from the mo...

08/03/2022

Laura Sackton discusses 3 audiobooks that offer "a wonderful messy mix of it all—funny and heartbreaking, silly and serious, painful and celebratory" https://bit.ly/3zm6BeU

08/03/2022

New issue's here! View on your desktop, or optimized for your mobile device. Click on links to be taken to advertiser websites, narrator videos, podcast episodes, and more.

08/02/2022

AudioFile's Best Audiobooks of July

AudioFile's Best Audiobooks of July

The month in literary listening

07/30/2022

Narrator Eunice Wong on THE VERIFIERS

"When I was in 5th grade, my favorite book was HARRIET THE SPY . . . Claudia is like if Harriet was Chinese American, a lesbian, and grew up in a working-class, single-parent, very complicated immigrant family in Queens."—Narrator Eunice Wong

Narrator Eunice Wong tells AudioFile listeners about Jane Pek's THE VERIFIERS, a detective story, rom-com, and funny but piquant family drama all at once, and its scrappy, whip-smart heroine, Claudia Lin.

07/28/2022

Pamela Almand on Being a Narrator, Being a Pilot, and Amelia Earhart

“Girls, in particular, don’t think of flying when dreaming of careers,” says Pamela Almand, who has voiced Earhart. “I encourage them to consider the skies”

Pam Almand, who recently narrated Amelia Earhart’s memoir, 20 HOURS, 40 MINUTES, is also a pilot who knows what it’s like to fly alone across the ocean. “I built my flying time by ferrying planes solo across the Atlantic. In my final few flights, I piloted two-seater single-engine....

07/26/2022

Leading Change: Disability Pride

32 years ago today the Americans with Disabilities Act became law--in large part due to the activism of disabled persons. Happy Disability Pride Month! Check out our curated list of audiobooks that tell angles on the story

We’re celebrating the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) becoming law with an introduction to our curated audiobook list about Disability Pride. Narratives of Disability Pride center on the experiences and achieved goals of the many differently abled activists who ha...

07/25/2022

Mysterious Beach Listens

Ellen Quint is “going to throw my sunhat in on what I consider to be a sizzling summer listen”

While there doesn’t seem to be universal agreement on what constitutes the ideal beach book, I am going to throw my sunhat in on what I consider to be a sizzling summer listen. Summer is a time to escape, enjoy, and have fun—and for me, to learn something new along the way. And a good su...

07/23/2022

In Conversation with Adjoa Andoh, 2022 Golden Voice Narrator

"I was the kid who could make people laugh. I loved stories. I loved acting. We were a house full of readers, always reading & I could also fight people” Adjoa Andoh

Adjoa Andoh is one of AudioFile's 2022 Golden Voice narrators. She is a well-loved British actor of stage, screen, and radio, and she has brought hundreds of audiobooks to life for listeners over the years, many of them winners of Earphones Awards. She has been recognized on AudioFile's annu...

07/22/2022

In Conversation with Adjoa Andoh, Golden Voice Narrator

Here's an interview you want to hear right now! Listen up to Golden Voice narrator Adjoa Andoh talk about acting, voice acting & more!

Hear from a 2022 Golden Voice

07/20/2022

8 New August Audiobook Picks from AudioFile's Editors

Let's hear it for audiobooks arriving in August...audiobooks w/ audiobook settings. Just listen!

Highlights this month include a true treat for audiophiles—an audiobook set in the world of audiobooks, written AND read by Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan. There’s also fiction that will transport you to London or France or Ireland, an important biography of the Olympian Jim Thorpe,....

07/19/2022

Author Vanessa Riley on Historical Fiction Audiobooks

"Andoa Adjoh brings these characters to life. Her theatrical performances embody the heart of the novels. I absolutely love her and the experience and grace she brought to these projects" - author Vanessa Riley

Story by story, author Vanessa Riley opens up new worlds for listeners. With her degrees in engineering from Stanford and Penn State University, one might picture Riley in a lab somewhere—luckily for us, her interest in Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency history inspired her to write the histori...

07/16/2022

30 Years of Audiobooks

"To all the narrators, publishers, producers, sound engineers, reviewers & dedicated audiobook listeners, thank you for helping AudioFile celebrate over these 30 years. Here's to many more!"

AudioFile is excited to be celebrating 30 years of helping listeners find great audiobooks. We've also spent 30 years highlighting the amazing voices behind the audiobooks we love—the narrators! We're honored and humbled to share this video featuring comments from many beloved narrator...

07/15/2022

Thank you audiobook narrators for the 30th anniversary greetings!

07/13/2022

Highlighting 3 that feature journeys, often long & arduous ones, across countries & continents https://bit.ly/3RuhXWo

07/11/2022

Talking Audiobooks with Author David Baldacci

“A book isn’t finished until the reader reads or listens to it. I give them the template of what I think the story is & they go & finish it off. It’s like I hand them a sculpture that is 85% complete & they finish the rest of it themselves” David Baldacci

According to thriller author David Baldacci, “A book isn’t finished until the reader reads or listens to it. I give them the template of what I think the story is, and they go and finish it off. It’s like I hand them a sculpture that is 85% complete and they finish the rest of it t...

07/07/2022

Author Jim Butcher on narrating THE LAW

"Why would I get involved in recording audio, you may ask. I got a little bit bored. I was stuck inside for a long time like everybody else and wanted to find some new things to do." —Author Jim Butcher

Author Jim Butcher takes a turn behind the mic and tells AudioFile listeners about the fun and challenges of narrating his new audio-first Dresden Files novella, THE LAW. Fans of the series will be happy that he did—our reviewer raves that Butcher's performance is an unqualified success.

07/06/2022

I Do: 7 Wedding-Themed Romance Audiobooks

Celebrate the summer wedding season with these wedding-themed audiobooks

Do you love hearing wedding vows? Celebrate the summer wedding season with these wedding-themed audiobooks. There’s an art to narrating Christian romance, and Nancy Peterson is a true artist in her reading of UNFAILING LOVE by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. The third book in the When Hope C...

07/02/2022

In Conversation with Author Shane Jenek, AKA Courtney Act

Author & drag performer Shane Jenek AKA Courtney Act discusses writing & narrating his new memoir

Australian author and drag performer Shane Jenek, also known as Courtney Act, joined AudioFile's Michele Cobb to discuss writing and narrating his new memoir CAUGHT IN THE ACT. Watch their video interview to learn more about Shane's writing process, what it was like recording the audiobook,....

07/01/2022

“In June 1992 I published the very first issue of AudioFile. It was 12 pages & we reviewed 25 audiobooks” - Robin Whitten Join us in celebrating https://bit.ly/3y5lXUw

06/29/2022

Celebrating 30 Years of AudioFile: Q&A with Editor & Founder Robin Whitten

Celebrate our 30th anniversary with us! Listen to an audiobook today and everyday!

On the occasion of AudioFile's 30th anniversary, Diane Reid spoke with editor and founder Robin Whitten about AudioFile’s origins, its growth, and how the mission propels the work. Take a deep dive into the history—and future—of AudioFile. Diane Reid: Tell me what led you to st...

06/28/2022

What's Happening in the Outside World

"...when one listens to these fine while walking outside on a sunny day, they become fast-moving streams of accessible information and insights"

A lot of things we used to take for granted have changed over the last few years. Though the focus of my articles has often been the inner game of personal growth, it’s hard to work on yourself when the world around you is changing daily and in dramatic ways. Of course, one big issue for all o...

06/28/2022

Thrills Once Again at Thrillerfest XVII

Inspired listening after ThrillerFest XVII

It was a thrill to attend Thrillerfest XVII in person in Midtown Manhattan in early June. As with so many other events, the conference had been held virtually the past two years. While there are certainly advantages to going virtual, there is no substitute for being in a ballroom filled with thrille...