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Lily Chu takes us inside the world of luxury fashion for yet another insightful and uplifting story brought to life by Phillipa Soo of Hamilton fame. The Takedown follows an ambitious diversity-and-inclusion consultant who unwittingly falls in love with the handsome heir to the CEO of the company that is her newest client. Chu didn’t shy away from tackling the tough stuff in her previous two novels, and here she digs even deeper, delivering a beautiful story that addresses complex issues of anti-Asian racism, mental health, intergenerational family dynamics, and corporate wrongdoing—while also making you swoon and laugh. —Margaret H.
I can't stop thinking about The Future
Naomi Alderman may be the smartest writer working today. In The Future, as she did in her breakout hit The Power, she draws on rich religious traditions, cutting-edge technology, world history, climate science, and a deep, unflinching understanding of human nature to deliver a complex and multilayered speculative thriller with an imaginative structure that keeps you on your toes. Her massive cast of well-sculpted characters has been matched with an equally impressive narrative cast, including Natalie Naudus, Guinevere Turner, and Santino Fontana. It's hard to sum up everything I loved about this listen, but maybe top of the list is how I can't seem to stop thinking about it. —Emily C.
What would the world of mysteries and thrillers be without Molly Gray? The Maid with the mostest, so much so that she’s now Head Maid. Nita Prose takes us a little back in time and lets us in on some family secrets Molly’s loving Gran took with her to the grave. We also learn what put Molly on the path of her beloved vocation. But now a famous author has dropped dead in the hotel’s tearoom and everyone’s a suspect. Molly knows something others don’t know—the dead man. Lauren Ambrose once again delivers Molly to us in all of her empathy and charm and crisp enunciation. I enjoyed this audiobook so much that I worked out longer at the gym. That’s true love. —Yvonne D.
I’m here for the twists, turns, and notorious zingers!
As a kid, I was addicted to Sherlock Holmes stories. Holmes was the first character I ever truly loved to hate—I’d sit in awe of how cleverly he solved intricate equations and how purely unlikable he was while doing it. So, last year, I was first in line to binge-listen when Audible launched Moriarty: The Devil’s Game, a series set in the Sherlock Holmes universe where Holmes is the villain who drives his arch-nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, into the underworld. Now, with Moriarty: The Silent Order, I’m even more obsessed. There are so many exciting treats for listeners, including the addition of the infamous Lady Milverton, expertly portrayed by the incomparable Helen Mirren (spoiler alert: She’s just as chilling and calculated as you expect). The shocking revelations just keep coming, and the story’s rapid pacing and witty dialogue make for the most delightful listening experience. —Esther B.
A stirring, sentimental ode to Métis culture
I was sold on Métis poet, memoirist, and journalist Michelle Porter's fiction debut from the moment I learned that part of the story is sweetly shared from a baby bison's perspective. Once I finally had the pleasure of diving deeper into the novel, I totally fell in love with Porter's masterful storytelling skills, undeniably inherited from her native ancestry. In fact, her audiobook is made all the more special by its musical interludes featuring early recordings of performances given by her great-grandfather, grandmother, and great-aunt. Told with the unique musical cadence of a Métis jig and narrated by many Indigenous Canadian voices, A Grandmother Begins the Story is truly a stirring ode to the rhythms of generational exchange. —Haley H.
Reunited with a kindred spirit
An A-List Canadian cast breathes fresh life into one of the most iconic children’s stories of all time, and the nostalgia is flowing! While my heart ached for Victor Garber’s Matthew Cuthbert, and I seethed at Catherine O’Hara’s stern Marilla, the true delight of the cast is Michela Luci as Anne (I won’t even hold it against her that she’s not a redhead IRL). Thanks to the rich sound design, I felt as if I dipped my toe in the ripples of the Lake of Shining Waters, and reveled in the satisfying crack as Anne’s slate came crashing down on Gilbert’s head. With Sandra Oh’s tender performance as our omniscient narrator, L.M. Montgomery, listening to Anne’s adventures filled me with a sense of coziness I’ll keep with me all month long. —Robyn F.
A (low-key) adventurous origin story
Narrator-cum-Hugo-nominated-author Travis Baldree produced magic in 2022 with his debut novel, Legends & Lattes, and listeners wondered: Could he conjure it again? (Spoiler: The answer is a resounding yes). In this latest adventure, we get a glimpse into Viv's backstory and the colorful characters she meets, befriends, and loves during a pivotal period in her adventuring life. Baldree performs his charming characters with such heart and precision, it makes a listener jealous we can't conjure their voices at any moment, like he can. We'll just have to re-listen and wait for more from this multi-talented voice. —Sam D.
An all-star cast brings James Ellroy’s masterwork to life in this gripping new audio adaptation. American Tabloid is Ellroy’s gritty reimagining of the events leading up to the assassination of JFK. Hollywood luminaries including Brian Cox (Succession), Elliott Gould (Ocean’s Eleven), Maya Hawke (Stranger Things), Bobby Cannavale (The Irishman), Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire), Giovanni Ribisi (Lucky Pete), and Matt Dillon (There’s Something About Mary) lend their talents to the salacious thriller. Weaving true events into his sordid story, Ellroy has created a portrait of mid-20th century America that’s shocking, especially to my 21st century sensibilities, but I could not stop listening. —Tricia F.
A heartbreaking work of family dynamics and modern love
If you haven't noticed, the COVID pandemic novels are coming. I haven't been itching to relive the fear and anguish of those scary times, but thank goodness for Michael Cunningham's elegant prose and outstanding character examinations to bring a fresh, incisive perspective on how our personal relationships changed over the course of confinement. Covering three days in the life of an extended Brooklyn family—April 5, 2019; April 5, 2020; and April 5, 2021—we bear witness to the myriad uncomfortable, awkward, and heartbreaking ways we can love and hurt each other while yearning for intimate connections. And bravo to Julianne Moore, whose gentle voice is the perfect pairing for this story that digs deep into isolation, uncertainty, and grief. —Jerry P.
An intimate portrait of authenticity
Brief but truly exceptional, this collection of lyrical and emotionally raw poetry is narrated by the non-binary artist themselves. It is obvious, while listening, that the visceral words came from a true and deeply vulnerable place inside Alok Vaid-Menon. This meditation on femininity, gender constructs, and inherent freedom (or lack thereof) is unflinching. As they dissect painful moments, such as being verbally harassed on the street, and turn them into beautifully crafted narratives that delve under the surface and inspect the true nature of the human condition, Alok shares their soul while asking us to look honestly into our own. —Maddie A.
There’s only one thing I love more than a good audiobook, and that’s spending time with my nieces and nephews. When my sister reached out about a bullying issue at school, I eagerly stepped in with a “truly Patty” solution—a book recommendation! The Whisker Gang Doesn't Like Bullies by Jaxon Dean McMillon is the latest addition to the adorable and endearing Whisker Gang series. This audiobook not only entertained us but also provided valuable advice on staying safe when dealing with bullies. Deidre Morton's narration, combined with immersive sound effects, made the experience so enjoyable that we're now hooked on the entire series. Thanks for your help, Whisker Gang! —Patty R.
