Editors Select | October 2021

Fiction

You'll want to take this one on the road

I'm a huge fan of Amor Towles, so a new release from him is always an unexpected pleasure. I say ''unexpected'' not because I'm surprised it's good, but because everything he writes is entirely unique. His debut followed a year in the life of a young woman in New York City, and his second novel explored the entire adult life of a Russian count on house arrest. With his third, Towles branches out into multi-perspective with an Americana-soaked work of historical fiction that is both an ode to the Homeric epics and a buddy-road-trip narrative that's been flipped on its head. The shifting vantage points and propulsive motion of the story make for a rich listening experience, with a world beating multi-cast. Clever, moving, at times tragic, and always, always insightful, The Lincoln Highway is a joy of a listen.

Emily C.

Editor Audible

Audible Original Podcast

An engrossing and expertly narrated mystery

I’d been itching for my next great true crime listen, so this fascinating podcast could not have arrived at a better time. Narrated by Pamela Adlon (of King of the Hill, Louie), Death by Unknown Event follows the baffling death of Cindy James—a Canadian nurse who had reported more than 100 incidents of harassment from an unknown assailant in the seven years prior to her death, and whose case was officially classified as an ''undetermined death as a result of an unknown event.'' Featuring interviews with those who knew her, this case goes deep, and the theories span the spectrum from murder to an elaborate hoax leading up to death by suicide. Adlon guides us through the story like a pro: sensitively handling the accounts of the victim and her loved ones while pulling us deeper into this compelling case.

Sam D.

Editor Audible

Memoir | Humor

Up close and personal

Something about David Sedaris makes me want to wrap myself up in a warm blanket. As a lifelong fan of short stories and intimate subject matter, any entry from the king of self-aware comedy is bound to work for me. This time around, Sedaris shares his personal diary entries from 2003–2020. While his work often has a very conversational feel, A Carnival of Snackery brings the listener right to the source with some of the least-filtered ideas he has ever dished out. This will without a doubt be a repeat listen for me.

Seth H.

Editor Audible

Mystery | Thriller

Protagonists belong in the house—and State Department!

I thought I knew what to expect from a story co-written by a former Secretary of State and a best-selling, multi-award-winning mystery author. (Confession: I expected a lot of decorous handshakes and bloodless conflict.) Instead, State of Terror grabbed me from the opening scene and threw me into a detailed, fast-moving, emotionally rich milieu where bombs actually go off, and powerful people (often women) rely on soft skills to fight danger. The main characters unflinchingly confront the effects of violence—whether professional, personal, or international—in a series of locales with a strong sense of place. After a while I noticed how deliciously novel it felt to have women at the center of a (not psychological) thriller. The cool energy of Joan Allen’s performance brings out every nuance of humor, suspense, and heartfelt connection between the characters, about whom I cared a lot. It’s a dangerous world, but a really fun thriller.

Christina H.

Editor Audible

Audible Original Podcast

My POV on P.O.C.

As a Black woman, after listening to Soledad O’Brien’s podcast, Growing Up P.O.C., it’s confirmed: being a person of color can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating. O’Brien’s Australian father encouraged his children to be proud of being Black. Interestingly, if he were Black he’d most likely say the same thing, but he knew that his children were going to be treated differently because their mother was Black Cuban. As intellectually and professionally prepared as she is, O’Brien was once referred to as the ''affirmative action'' hire. Her pointed questions and dash of humor as she engages with her guests inform the listener that she knows her way around the topic. She’s been there, and still is there, but chooses to not let it weigh her down; neither do guests such as chef Marcus Samuelsson; co-founder of Black Lives Matter Alicia Garza; and writer, director, and actor Chad Sanders. I am not fully there, yet. More P.O.C. will help.

Yvonne D.

Editor Audible

Romance

Mix together cinnamon, nutmeg, and some lighthearted revenge

Looking to get into the pumpkin spice latte vibe? Payback’s a Witch is your ticket there. Set in Thistle Grove, a Halloween-festive town, you can practically see autumn leaves and smell apple cider doughnuts throughout this listen. Emmy Harlow is returning to her hometown after years away, thinking herself the city slicker to the other witches that live in Thistle Grove and never leave. What she doesn’t expect? How much she’s missed Thistle Grove, her friends and family, and her magic, which dissipated as soon as she left the enchanted town. It’s lovely to see her reconnect with her best friend, Linden, and spark a new flame with the seriously sexy Talia (made even sexier by narrator Jeremy Carlisle Parker’s husky voice) as they hatch their plan to take down the man who wronged them all. Also, you do love to hate the popular boy Gareth Blackmoore. Witchy teamwork is the best!

Melissa B.

Editor Audible

Self Development

It’s the little things

As we enter cozy sweater season, I’m looking forward to a gentler approach to self-improvement—one that reminds me of how far I’ve come and that it’s okay to take things one small step at a time. While most wellness listens focus on what we still need to achieve (after all, you can never be too fit, too mentally strong, too organized, or too successful), Jade Chang’s You’ve Already Changed Your Life promises that we build strength through the small decisions we make each day—and that we don’t need to rely on tools like personality tests to help us become our best selves.

Rachael X.

Editor Audible

Fiction

Not every story is black and white

Well before I learned the incredible story of how writers (and friends) Christine Pride and Jo Piazza teamed up to write We Are Not Like Them, I knew it would be a must listen. Narrators Shayna Small and Marin Ireland are two of my favorites, and they proved to be the perfect pair to perform this compelling novel about the lifelong friendship between two women that is tested by the killing of an unarmed Black teenager by a White police officer. This unflinching story of race, friendship, and police violence goes behind the headlines of the all-too-familiar tragedy to explore its devastating impact on ordinary lives. The novel’s epilogue, performed by Chanté McCormick from the perspective of the grieving mother, will linger with you for a long time.

Margaret H.

Editor Audible

History

Mai Tai-pe of feminist history

I'd like to thank my college experience for piquing my interest in Girly Drinks. Of course, it’s not unique for me to say that I began drinking during my undergraduate years. But this audiobook has led me to question, for the first time, my school’s unique relationship to the history of drinking culture. I attended a historically women’s college founded by a prominent American brewer. Our mascot was a metal keg (I’m not joking). However, I have Mallory O’Meara to thank for opening my eyes to the overlooked history of female distillers and drinkers. I’m grateful that her work has shifted my focus from one male brewer’s impact on feminist history and to the influence of the many women who have helped shape our drinking culture since the dawn of time. After this listen, my fruity drinks will forever taste sweeter.

Haley H.

Editor Audible

Kids & Family

A boy and his toy pig

When Jack’s favorite stuffy, Dur Pig, is lost, Jack means to get him back at any cost. And with the help of Christmas Pig, Jack might be able to pull it off in time for Christmas morning. J.K. Rowling’s newest tale does not disappoint. I was absorbed in the story from the get-go, thanks to the full cast, 3D audio, and the honest and heartfelt portrayal of a boy struggling with change and loss. Jack’s adventure, like all great stories for kids, treats the listener with respect by rendering the overwhelming emotions of youth in ways that will make kids feel seen, and transport adult listeners back to their childhoods. Enjoy this one with your kids this holiday season.

Sean T.

Editor Audible

Audible Original Podcast

A notorious DC murder with a slice of queer history

If you were in the DC area in 2008, you probably heard about the murder of Robert Wone, a 32-year-old attorney killed at the million-dollar Dupont Circle home of his friends, three men in a reported polyamorous relationship. If you weren’t, though, you might have missed the lurid headlines about this once-urgent case, whose central questions remain unsolved: If an intruder had stabbed Wone, as the housemates claimed, why was there so little blood, and why were no valuables stolen? Why was Wone, a married straight man who lived a short train ride away, staying there? Why were the housemates in bathrobes, as if fresh from the shower, when paramedics arrived—and why, if untrue, did their version of events line up so neatly, never wavering more than a decade on? Hosted by writer and self-described true crime junkie H. Alan Scott, this twisty eight-part series blends original interviews, audio, and chillingly subtle reenactments with key context about the political and LBGTQ+ issues at play to bring renewed attention to this fascinating case—and hopefully, justice for the family of Robert Wone.

Kat J.

Editor Audible

Memoir

Delizioso!

Warning: Taste by Stanley Tucci is not to be listened to on an empty stomach. Like Tucci, my family hails from Southern Italy, and we watched his CNN series, Searching for Italy, with rapt attention. My husband even went so far as to make the zucchini alla nerano featured on the show, and our family text threads included debates about Bolognese, serious bouts of wanderlust, and a deep admiration for Tucci’s white pants. Taste explores how his love of food has touched all areas of his life. The dulcet tone of his voice makes you feel like you’re listening to a friend as he recounts stories from his childhood and career, makes food puns, and shares plenty of recipes. Make yourself a drink (and a snack), grab your headphones, and get ready to devour this listen (see what I did there?).

Katie O.

Editor Audible

Fiction

The Lincoln Highway

I'm totally opposite

Audible Original Podcast

Death by Unknown Event

Thoughtfully presented

Memoir | Humor

A Carnival of Snackery

Tracey Ullman?

Mystery | Thriller

State of Terror

Wonderful story and great narration

Audible Original Podcast

Growing Up P.O.C.

Great perspectives

Romance

Payback's a Witch

An interesting listen

Self Development

You’ve Already Changed Your Life

Absolutely loved content AND narration!

Fiction

We Are Not Like Them

These Author’s UNDERSTOOD the assignment!

History

Girly Drinks

A must-read book!!

Kids & Family

The Christmas Pig

More Scary & Violent Than "Heartwarming Adventure"

Audible Original Podcast

The Murder of Robert Wone

Agenda driven

Memoir

Taste

Should include a pdf of recipes