Discover more listening recommendations from the Audible Editors.
My favorite memoir of the year
This is not the story I thought we were all going to get. When I first heard Matthew Perry was writing a memoir, I thought, “Oh fun! We’ll get some Chandler jokes, I’m sure a bit about his addiction struggles, but mostly a good listen for ’90s nostalgia.” Instead, Perry opens his memoir with a harrowing story from just a few years ago when he found himself in a coma with a two percent chance of survival. From there, the memoir proceeds in a nonlinear fashion, alternating between this event and its aftermath, and his own personal history, starting in childhood, that brought him to this moment. So while yes, Friends fans will enjoy Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, it’s really a story for addicts, recovering addicts, and their families. Perry believes he’s still here and alive today to help people, and his writing and performance conveys and delivers on that conviction. —Katie O.
When I was younger, I was certain that I’d be a professional chef when I grew up. I was constantly glued to the Food Network, where I’d watch in awe as simple ingredients were totally transformed. Though my career aspirations have since shifted, I retain a soft spot for the art of cooking and the intersection of sharing a meal and sharing your story. It’s a wonder well explored by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson in his new podcast, Seat at the Table. Samuelsson and California cuisine icon Jonathan Waxman sit down with the restaurateurs behind some of the nation’s most celebrated culinary institutions, from the sophisticated to the unsung to the truly legendary. Featuring industry giants like Wolfgang Puck and Nancy Silverton, this listen goes beyond the menu to explore the history and cultural impact of the spots synonymous with good eats. —Alanna M.
What lengths would you go to for a second chance at life? To be a smarter, faster, stronger version of yourself? Those are some of the questions asked in Ezra Claytan Daniels’s Upgrade Soul, the haunting audio adaptation of his award-winning graphic novel. The cast—which includes Marcia Gay Harden, Wendell Pierce, and Phil LaMarr, among others— is stellar, and what they accomplish as the story jumps between time lines and…er…bodies is nothing short of masterful. It’s a dark and disturbing yet thoughtful tale punctuated with surprising moments of humor and heart. I can’t do this one justice, and I refuse to spoil it for you (even if you’ve read the graphic novel, there are new things here for you)—so I’ll leave it at this: As a fan of sci-fi and horror, this was one of my favorite listens of the year. —Sam D.
I couldn’t image a better duo than Wesleigh Siobhan and Jakobi Diem to bring their sexy, sultry tones to voice Kennedy Ryan’s new romance, Before I Let Go. Yasmen and Josiah have been divorced for two years, but their lives are still intertwined between their two kids and the restaurant business they share. Old feelings resurface and lead to a night of passion where they agree to get their lust out of their systems one last time. But one night becomes many as they discover new love, respect, and appreciation for each other. As a 40-something romance fan, I appreciate that Ryan has written a second-chance love story that feels mature, with characters who seem like people I know, and is rooted in the hard work of healing from heartbreak and loss. Yas and Si’s story will stay with me for a long time, and their emotional journey to pave the way for a new future together is inspiring. —Margaret H.
What do you get when you take the funny and charismatic performer Lake Bell and team her up with her pal Malcolm Gladwell’s Pushkin Industries for an audio-centric deep dive into the human voice? My listening happy place. Bell, who made the 2013 film In a World… about the voiceover industry, wasn’t done unpacking her obsession with how we sound. With Inside Voice she explores every angle, from vocal mechanics, science, and psychology to cultural curiosities like the “sexy baby” and voice of God. With original interviews and recordings featuring some truly iconic pipes—Jeff Goldblum! Tracey Ullman! Obama! Bugs Bunny!—Inside Voice is brilliantly steered by Bell’s infectious inquisitiveness and (obviously) excellent narration. The meta-ness of it all is half the fun, but Inside Voice is also packed with emotion, ideas, and a sonic signature all its own. —Kat J.
A dog, a leg, and clairvoyant karaoke
After spending most of October listening to haunting thrillers, I wanted something a bit more cozy. I can't think of a better way to keep the paranormal vibes while adding a dash of cozy than with Cherie Priest's Flight Risk. It's the second book in the Booking Agents series and brings back Leda, a psychic travel agent who uses her abilities to help solve crimes, and Grady, a detective who can't get Leda to do things by the book. When Leda is approached by a man desperately looking for his missing sister, and Grady's dog finds a man's leg on a hiking trail, there is not an immediate connection. But the deeper the two dig, and the more they work together, the more entwined the cases become. With its fun premise and excellent narration, Flight Risk is the perfect post-spooky season listen. —Patty K C.
If you need a reason to listen to Marie Kondo, just hear me out: I started folding my clothes using the KonMari Method 12 years ago when I first picked up The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and haven’t had to reorganize my drawers since. In her latest listen, Marie Kondo’s Kurashi at Home, Kondo promises to bring holistic insights into how to design your ideal space and life by making conscious, mindful choices (and, of course, frequently asking yourself, “Does it spark joy?”). Considering I just moved into a fixer-upper and half of my possessions are still in boxes, I simply can’t wait to unpack new tips from the queen of clean. —Rachael X.
Daisy, a young human, wants nothing more than to be a ringside announcer for World Monster Wrestling. To work her way up, Daisy decides to interview the monstrous stars for a podcast. Each episode centers on an interview with a new, colorful, and memorable monster (or two, as is the case with the Ting-Tang Twins) where Daisy gets to the bottom of their wrestling personas, true identities, and a deeper mystery or two along the way. From the Bearicorn to Klonk to (gasp) Denise, the creatures always leave an impression—on Daisy, as well as us listeners. —Sean T.
U2’s music is a huge part of the soundtrack of my youth—the songs that immediately take me back to the ’80s and ’90s, the days when I’d listen to full albums, in order (no skipping), and on repeat. U2’s songs, and Bono’s voice, made an indelible imprint on my brain and in my heart. U2 also gave me the absolute greatest stadium concert experience of my life. The show ended, and as we exited Brendan Byrne Arena, the entire crowd sang the words of “40” in unison, on repeat, and as one. “How long, to sing this song?” I can’t wait to listen to Bono tell his story through these 40 songs that mean so much to me already. —Tricia F.
A deeply atmospheric, dark academia debut
With a nip in the air and foliage in full swing, the fates themselves could not create a more opportune time to get lost in dark academia. This month, I am grateful to Katy Hays’s debut novel for giving me the nudge I truly needed to venture to the tip of Manhattan and explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s medieval branch in all its gothic glory. As unique as America’s sole museum dedicated to the Middle Ages (which, might I add, is lush with poisonous plants), The Cloisters sets a stage unlike any other for suspicions to unfurl with mystifying momentum. Enchanting, atmospheric, and undeniably sinister, this listen will turn any skeptic into a believer in tarot’s power to teach us about unraveling the truth. —Haley H.
The comedy I’ve been waiting for
Past My Bedtime is the comedy I’ve been excited about all year—an audio mockumentary following the story of the fictional 10-year-old Donnie Dixon’s ill-fated six minutes of fame as a late-night talk show host and a journalist’s obsession to get to the bottom of what happened that night, including why the government destroyed all evidence of the broadcast. It’s the kind of story line that’s meant for the audio format. Not to mention the cast: David Harbour, Zach Galifianakis, Whoopi Goldberg, Jenny Slate, Nick Kroll, Seth Meyers, Sam Richardson, and John Early, just to name a handful. Seriously, I’d name more stars but I think I’d run out of space here. I’m telling you, this is an Original you won’t want to miss. —Aaron S.
Cult stories have a strange attraction. What would it feel like to realize your entire reality was warped for the benefit of one individual—and that individual is abusing you? I feel incredulous when I hear these stories, but also a deep sense of “There but for the grace of God go I.” I’m sure I could fall for a charismatic personality. Darkness of the World takes that sense and amplifies it to an almost unbelievable level, telling the true story of Sochil, a woman born into La Luz del Mundo and selected as an “unconditional,” committing her life to serve the Apostle. We hear directly from Sochil and her husband, Sharim. The details they share are difficult and harrowing, but their faith that they can save others from Sochil’s experience is profound. —Vanessa H.
