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A descent I longed to stay in
R.F. Kuang has been an auto-download for me ever since The Poppy War trilogy broke my little soul, so I knew Katabasis would hit hard. But I didn’t expect it to stay with me like this. A dark, cerebral descent into the underworld, the story is layered with mythology, philosophy, and academic tension so sharp it hurts in the best way. Alice Law accidentally kills her mentor in a magical mishap and will do anything to bring him back, including venturing into literal Hell. Unfortunately for her, Peter Murdoch—her academic rival and former crush—is on the same path. What follows is a spellbinding blend of dark academia, mythic horror, and enemies-to-lovers romance in which every level of suffering mirrors the sins they are trying to outrun. Narrators Morag Sims and Will Watt deliver powerful performances that amplify the stakes and intimacy. Intense, brilliant, and emotionally consuming, Katabasis has easily become one of my favorite listens of the year.
Pure escapist joy
When Ellie Endicott's husband divorces her for a younger woman, she jumps in his Bentley and flees to France with her housekeeper and elderly neighbor. But the Bentley doesn't quite make it to the Riviera. Stranded in charming Saint Benet, the trio settles in and finds new purpose restoring a villa and building friendships with colorful locals—all while the specter of war hovers over Europe and beyond. Rhys Bowen masterfully balances cozy vibes with weightier themes of reinvention, female solidarity, and eventual wartime challenges. Narrator Barrie Kreinik’s performance is a delight; she nails every character (British and French) perfectly. This breezy, heartwarming listen proves it's never too late for adventure, romance, or discovering your inner strength.
A secret world hidden in plain sight
After devouring Gareth Brown’s first book, I couldn’t wait to dive into his second. He builds stories that feel lived in, full of magic, with layered characters and secrets that reveal themselves at just the right moment. Magda belongs to a secret society that tracks down powerful magical objects scattered across the world. When she’s sent to Hong Kong to follow up on a lead, things quickly spiral into something stranger—and far more dangerous than she expected. The mystery around these objects unfolds slowly, full of hidden motives and unanswered questions. Olivia Vinall’s narration made it feel like I was right there, chasing clues and trying to keep up with Magda every step of the way. And that final nod to his debut, The Book of Doors? I squealed; I hollered; it was absolute perfection. While it’s not a sequel, The Society of Unknowable Objects gave me a jolt, and the hope that we might see that world again soon.
Grab your popcorn, cinephiles!
Growing up, family movie nights and outings to my local cinema were fairly routine. But in adulthood, those embers of a hobby escalated into a blaze of obsession, bolstered by an unlimited monthly pass to my local theater and an ever-expanding media collection. But when the big screen just isn’t enough, I keep an ear out for stories that go behind-the-scenes of some of Hollywood’s biggest hits. The Film Makers does just that by centering candid, deeply personal reflections from some of the modern masters of movie magic. With firsthand insights from acclaimed filmmakers—including Ron Howard, Richard Linklater, and Chloé Zhao—this Audible Original is a treat for movie buffs and storytelling obsessives alike that rivals even the most delectable of concession stand offerings.
Perfect for fans of Love Island
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn burst onto the romance scene with Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, and she's back with another fun, relatable rom-com. The Re-Write follows Temi, an aspiring author hired to ghostwrite a memoir for her ex-boyfriend, who broke up with her months before to star on a Love Island-inspired reality dating show. As Temi navigates career and family pressures and Wale adjusts to life after the villa, narrator Faith Alabi shifts easily between British and Nigerian accents to bring this vibrant story to life. You’ll laugh, cringe, and swoon as Temi and Wale (re)write their own happy ending in this refreshingly modern take on second chances.
Did he ever know his dad at all?
I was floored while listening to the confessions from comedian Barry Rothbart and his journey for the truth in his latest Audible Original. Turns out, Barry didn’t know his dad all that much. It’s not because Allan was absent in his life—he even included his son in some of his mob activities—but what began as “cool” for Barry in his teens, takes a dark turn in adulthood after his father’s death. Listening in as Barry tracks down his father’s former friends, colleagues, and lovers, I enjoyed the rollercoaster of laughs and shocking disclosures—and remained hooked all the way until the final revelation.
Hit the jackpot with surrealist gore
Ever since Bury Your Gays, I’ve been curious about Chuck Tingle’s brand of horror—especially since it’s not my typical go-to genre. Marauding pigs with cherubic masks, exploding faces, and a costumed chimpanzee wielding a typewriter are just a taste of the ghastly details—so random and outrageous that they become laughable camp. Turns out, I can giggle at terror when it’s done with love. Vera, our bisexual mathematics professor protagonist (narrated in perfect deadpan fashion by actress Mara Wilson), is enlisted to investigate the “Low Probability Event” that combusts the world, probing our existential dread in the process. Lucky Day is what happens when you put The Leftovers through a meat grinder and then cram in the craziest NSFW episode of Rick & Morty imaginable and serve it as chilled haute soup.
Small town, big secrets
Karin Slaughter is one of those authors I always turn to when I want a story that completely pulls me in. We Are All Guilty Here focuses on a small Southern town where a violent crime sends shockwaves through a community full of secrets. I’m intrigued that this isn’t just a whodunit, but more of a “what did we all do?” I’ve got a feeling it will leave us questioning everything—and talking about it long after. Expect a slow-burn suspense that packs a serious emotional punch. If you loved Pieces of Her or Pretty Girls, this one should already be in your wish list.
When caregiving becomes self-care
I was deeply touched by the tenderness woven throughout every detail of this special debut memoir. Brian Buckbee is an elderly man suffering from a mysterious illness causing a debilitating years-long headache, as well as prolonged heartbreak and loneliness. His misery compounds during the COVID-19 pandemic, until Buckbee finds a glimmer of companionship and purpose when he takes in a wounded bird named Two-Step, then others, turning his home into a rescue-and-return bird sanctuary. Editor Carol Ann Fitzgerald documents the details of Buckbee’s lifelong memories in a series of intimately narrated vignettes by Buckbee—who is otherwise unable to write or concentrate for extended periods of time due to his condition. The two form an unlikely friendship in the process. Grab your tissues—lots of them. We Should All Be Birds reminds us that every connection in life is at once precious and powerful.
An unexpected return from a favorite
Fantasy listeners will be delighted to know that Louis Sachar, the beloved children’s book author of Holes, has written his first adult novel about a kingdom in peril, a doomed princess, and a down-on-his-luck magician. It’s a quirky tale that feels adult without being adult, catering to the classic fantasy elements we all know and love. Narrator Edoardo Ballerini captures the magician Anatole’s skeptical but playful inner voice as he observes his slightly absurd world of tigers in castles, silly kings, and star-crossed lovers. Touched by real-life historical details about living during Renaissance times, Sachar leads the listener down a whimsical path with a satisfying, it-all-comes-together moment at the end.
A timely oral history
Pulitzer Prize finalist Garrett M. Graff’s intricate, human, and deeply researched oral histories have focused on two defining global moments—9/11 and D-Day—and felt like gifts. Now, Graff returns with a terrifyingly relevant oral history of the making of the atomic bomb. Timed to the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Devil Reached Toward the Sky weaves together accounts from scientists, soldiers, and civilians alike to create a comprehensive picture of this remarkable and devastating technology that changed history. Anchored by the inimitable Edoardo Ballerini, this vivid full-cast production will both illuminate and haunt you—a true must-listen.
Perfect for fans of The White Lotus
If the next season of The White Lotus were to take place in the Dominican Republic, I imagine it would look a lot like The Grand Paloma Resort. Spanning seven unforgettable days, Cleyvis Natera's sophomore novel takes a deep dive into the complex dynamics between the guests and staff of a luxury resort. The multiple points of view are voiced by an amazing trio of narrators—Sixta Morel, EJ Lavery, and Diana Bustelo—and the story centers around Laura, a resort manager with ambitions far beyond her Caribbean island home, and Elena, her troubled sister who threatens to derail Laura’s escape. When a guest is critically injured and two local girls go missing against the backdrop of an approaching hurricane, Natera unravels the dark underbelly of wealth and privilege for a tense and thought-provoking listen that lingers long after you finish.
Cracking the hard shell of the lobster industry
As a New Englander, I can hardly imagine summer without “lobstah” on the menu. With the help of this eye-opening glimpse into an industry on the brink of collapse, I now have another bleak potential to worry about. Tackling everything from tariffs and trade wars to the nuances that make overfishing restrictions on this market murky at best, The Lobster Trap reveals that the age of abundance is over for these delicious crustaceans. While I never questioned whether Greg Mercer, a well-seasoned reporter for The Globe and Mail, would mesmerize me with his analysis of the financial risks that fishermen take to stay afloat, I was pleasantly surprised by his commitment to narrating this listen in different regional accents. (His Boston is on par with several Hollywood actors, none of whom locals ever expect to get it quite right.) I recommend savoring this listen with a side of melted butter.
A better way to think about masculinity
I will never turn down an audiobook about masculinity, so this collection of essays written and performed by gender nonconforming activist and writer Jacob Tobia was an immediate add-to-library for me. Though Tobia leans on many of their own personal experiences in this listen, Before They Were Men is more of a handbook to explore different concepts and myths of “manhood.” They encourage us to open up our minds, reframe how we think about terms like “toxic masculinity” and “male privilege,” and lead with more compassion. The end result is an incredibly important listen that offers a much-needed call to action for all of us to work together to make the world a better and safer place.
The world of The Stand expands!
Stephen King’s 1978 classic The Stand is one of his longest, clocking in at nearly 48 hours. Get ready for an additional 28 hours from some of the most-gifted minds of modern horror storytelling in this well-crafted anthology. Featuring stories from visionary authors—including S.A. Cosby, Caroline Kepnes, Tananarive Due, Nat Cassidy, Josh Malerman—it’s performed by award-winning narrators Sean Patrick Hopkins and Adenrele Ojo. The terrifying tales ensnared me immediately, and King multiverse fans are in for a real treat with these diverse, horrifying happenings set within this specific universe.
