Podcasts about penguin random house audio

Acclaimed poet and Guggenheim Foundation president Edward Hirsch joins us in an unforgettable episode to discuss his powerful memoir My Childhood in Pieces: A Stand-Up Comedy and a Skokie Elegy. Hirsch reflects on his chaotic upbringing in 1950s Jewish Chicago, his complicated relationships with his parents, and the wild characters who shaped his life. He opens up about the tragic loss of his son Gabriel, how grief became poetry, and why humor and heartbreak often walk hand in hand. From poetic craft and emotional truth to the role of art in a distracted world, this is a raw, funny, and deeply moving conversation about identity, creativity, and resilience. Follow Paul on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paul_ollinger/?hl=en Check out "My Childhood" in Pieces: https://edwardhirsch.com/ Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from MY CHILDHOOD IN PIECES by Edward Hirsch, read by the author. © Edward Hirsch ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.

What do we know about this week? We know that this week, we are breaking down Grief Counseling. We start this episode with some real life bird trouble, and we get some special audio treats from Mindy Kaling and the episode writer herself, Jen Celotta. Then we dig into chip rankings, we clear up a fan theory around Ed Trucks death, and we find out who's been moving the conference table. Finally, we get a writer's room deep dive on Dwights absorbed twin speech, and Jenna learns to not touch melons in France. Amen! Audio excerpt courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling, narrated by the author. © 2011 by Mindy Kaling, ℗ 2011 Penguin Random House LLC Office Ladies Website - Submit a fan question: https://officeladies.com/submitaquestion  Follow Us on Instagram: OfficeLadiesPod Episode Transcript To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alright, let's do something different today. This is a special bonus episode where you get to hear Chapter 1 of my new book, The Next Conversation. In this first chapter, we're setting the stage. You'll get a feel for what's inside the book, and if it clicks with you, you're going to love the full audiobook. I recorded it myself, so it's like we're sitting down together, walking through these conversations step by step. Take a listen, and if you're ready for more, order my new book, The Next Conversation, or listen to the full audiobook today. Also, come meet me on my book tour!  Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from THE NEXT CONVERSATION by Jefferson Fisher, read by Jefferson Fisher. © 2025 Jefferson Fisher, ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. Like what you hear? Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show!  Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter.  Join My School of Communication Watch my podcast on YouTube  Follow me on Instagram  Follow me on TikTok Follow me on LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Internationally bestselling author, Matt Haig, spoke with me about how the novelist became an accidental "mental health expert," why writers need resilience, and the process behind The Midnight Library. "The only reader you're ever going to truly know ... is yourself." – Matt Haig Matt is the author of 20 books, including the #1 bestselling memoir Reasons to Stay Alive, five novels, including How to Stop Time, and several award-winning children's books. His work has been translated into over 40 languages. His latest novel is The Midnight Library, a runaway, #1 bestseller and reader favorite of 2020. It was a Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction Book of 2020, a Best Book of the Year by The Washington Post, Amazon, the New York Public Library, among many others. The New York Times said of the book, "An absorbing ... vision of limitless possibility, of new roads taken, of new lives lived, of a whole different world available to us somehow, somewhere, [perhaps] exactly what's wanted in these troubled and troubling times.” Stay calm and write on … **Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, read by Carey Mulligan. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Matt Haig and I discussed: His superhero origins and the blog post that became a book How to write "like no one's watching" Inconsistent routines and the power of deadlines Why writers need to surprise themselves How he got Carey Mulligan to record his audiobook And more! Show Notes: MattHaig.com The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig (Amazon) Matt Haig Amazon author page On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King Matt Haig on Instagram Matt Haig on Facebook Matt Haig on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you make sense of the present? Nate DiMeo might suggest you look at the past. Nate is the host of the podcast and book, The Memory Palace. Nate joins Chris to discuss how the past can teach us to live life in a new, rich, and complex way. Nate shares how to exercise the muscle of curiosity, how to tap into your sense of wonder to escape algorithmic filters, and urges you to seek moments of meaning in between life's biggest plot points.Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from THE MEMORY PALACE by Nate DiMeo; excerpt read by Nate DiMeo. © 2024 Nate DiMeo ℗ 2024 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved.For the full text transcript, visit go.ted.com/BHTranscripts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This time we discussed Good Dirt, written by Charmaine Wilkerson and narrated by January LaVoy. Thank you to Libro.fm ALC Program and Penguin Random House Audio for providing audio review copies of Good Dirt for today's episode. Good Dirt [Libro.fm] Exploring Narrators[Episode 142] My Monticello (Novella) [Libro.fm] / [Episode 121]   The Turner House [Libro.fm] The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store [Libro.fm] When Stars Rain Down [Libro.fm] / [Episode 112]   The Trees [Libro.fm] James [Libro.fm] / [Episode 250] Roots [Overdrive/Libby] How Long 'til Black Future Month? [Overdrive/Libby]  

Hi, WITHpod listeners! It's an exciting day and we have a special treat for you. Today, we're sharing the first chapter of Chris' new book, “The Sirens' Call: How Attention How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource.' From the book description:We all feel it—the distraction, the loss of focus, the addictive focus on the wrong things for too long. We bump into the zombies on their phones in the street, and sometimes they're us. We stare in pity at the four people at the table in the restaurant, all on their phones, and then we feel the buzz in our pocket. Something has changed utterly: for most of human history, the boundary between public and private has been clear, at least in theory. Now, as Chris Hayes writes, “With the help of a few tech firms, we basically tore it down in about a decade.” Hayes argues that we are in the midst of an epoch-defining transition whose only parallel is what happened to labor in the nineteenth century: attention has become a commodified resource extracted from us, and from which we are increasingly alienated. The Sirens' Call is the big-picture vision we urgently need to offer clarity and guidance.Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from The Sirens' Call by Chris Hayes, read by Chris Hayes. © 2025 Christopher Hayes, ℗ 2025 Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights reserved. 

Get ready to sleigh the holiday season with audiobooks! In this special episode, Joe is joined by Hugo from Penguin Random House to share cozy, captivating, and downright delightful audiobooks from Penguin Random House Audio that are perfect to Load Your Libby app. Whether you're traveling over the river and through the woods, taking a moment of peace from the holiday hustle, or simply looking to escape into a great story, we've got you covered. Tune in for recommendations to keep your holiday spirits bright and your shelves stacked with audio treasures! Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for sponsoring the 2024 Check Our Your Library Fiction & Film tour. Titles mentioned in this episode: Hugo's Titles:   James - Percival Everett   We Solve Murders - Richard Osman   From Here to the Great Unknown - Lisa Marie Presley   Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange   Martyr! - Kaveh Akbar   Be Ready When Luck Happens - Ina Garten   Impossible Creatures - Katherine Rundell   All the Colors of the Dark - Chris Whitaker   Nexus - Yuval Noah Harari   The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt     Joe's Titles:  Come and Get It - Kiley Reid   Lies and Weddings - Kevin Kwan   First Lie Wins - Ashley Elston   Funny Story - Emily Henry   Here One Moment - Liane Moriarty   Sonny Boy - Al Pacino   By Any other Name - Jodi Picoult    Heir - Sabaa Tahir   Blood at the Root - LaDarrion Williams   The God of the Woods - Liz Moore     Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a world of magical artifacts and fantastical beings, a woman determined to save her family joins forces with an unlikely partner in this steamy romantasy by USA Today bestselling author Ruby Dixon. As a Holder's daughter, Aspeth Honori knows the importance of magical artifacts . . . which is why it's a disaster that her father has gambled all theirs away. Now that her family is in danger of losing their hold—and their heads—if anyone finds out the truth, Aspeth decides to do something about it. She'll join the Royal Artifactual Guild and the adventurers who explore ancient underground ruins to retrieve the coveted arcane items. It's a great plan—with one big problem. The guild won't let her train because she's a woman. Aspeth needs a chaperone of some kind. The best way to get around this problem? Marry someone who will let her become an apprentice. Who better than a surly guild member who requires a favor of his own? He's a minotaur (it's fine) who is her teacher (also fine) . . . and he's about to go into rut (which is where it gets tricky). He also has no idea she's a noble (oops), and he'll want nothing to do with her if he discovers her real identity. Now Aspeth just has to pass the guild tests, thwart a fortune hunter, and save her hold—oh, and survive a rut with her monstrous, horned husband, whom she might be falling in love with. It's time to dig deep. Literally. Audio excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from BULL MOON RISING by Ruby Dixon, read by Felicity Munroe and Hiro Diaz. © 2024 Ruby Dixon ℗ 2024 Penguin Random House, LLC. Print Edition/eBook Audio Book  ♥ ♥ ♥ RMR SUMMER BOX: https://bit.ly/4cas4JP

Listen to a bonus episode featuring an excerpt from Gretchen Rubin's latest bestselling book, Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World. This excerpt comes from the chapter Tasting: The Taste of the Tea and the Cake, or Why Ketchup is Magic.   Audio excerpt courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from LIFE IN FIVE SENSES by Gretchen Rubin; Read by the author. © 2023 by Gretchen Rubin ℗ 2023, Penguin Random House, LLC   To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This time we discussed James, written by Percival Everett and narrated by Dominic Hoffman Thank you to Libro.fm ALC Program and Penguin Random House Audio for providing audio review copies of James for today's episode. James [Libro.fm] Adventures of Huckleberry Finn narrated by Elijah Wood [Audible] ”This Amazing Troubling Book” by Toni Morrison The Trees [Libro.fm]

Special thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for allowing me to review these Essential Legends audiobooks! Check them out wherever you get your audiobooks! All the goods are at www.jammedtransmissions.com Please rate/review/share the episode! MTFBWY

Excerpted with permission of Penguin Random House Audio from Over the Influence: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls - And How We Can Take it Back by Kara Alaimo; Read by Sarah Mollo-Christensen. © 2024 Kara Alaimo ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC. Listen to the author's interivew on the podcast in epsiode 397: Why Social Media is Toxic for Women and Girls

John Joseph Adams here, publisher of NIGHTMARE. I recently had the honor and great pleasure of collaborating with Jordan Peele to edit the anthology OUT THERE SCREAMING: An Anthology of New Black Horror, and I'm pleased to present this story from the anthology for NIGHTMARE's listeners. So please enjoy "The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World" by Nalo Hopkinson, read by Robin Miles. To learn more about the book, visit johnjosephadams.com/OTS. This audio has been provided courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from the book OUT THERE SCREAMING: an anthology of new black horror, edited by Jordan Peele and John Joseph Adams; read by a full cast. "The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World" is written by Nalo Hopkinson and read by Robin Miles. This story and audio production are © 2023 by Nalo Hopkinson and Penguin Random House LLC.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 202 of the Book Cougars, featuring an Author and Editor Spotlight with Jessica Pryde. Chris and Emily are enjoying and learning from Jess's ground-breaking anthology, BLACK LOVE MATTERS: REAL TALK ON ROMANCE, BEING SEEN, AND HAPPILY EVER AFTERS. Thanks to listener Katie for putting this book on our radar. We're both currently immersed in audiobooks. – Chris is reading a new biography, THE VANISHING OF CAROLYN WELLS by Rebecca Rego Barry (available now from Vibrance Press and narrated by Laura Jennings). – Emily is reading a memoir, BETWEEN TWO KINGDOMS: A MEMOIR OF LIFE INTERRUPTED, by Suleika Jaouad (out 3/1 from Penguin Random House Audio and read by the author). And we are both #currentlyreading INDIGO by Beverly Jenkins, the first book in our year of Reading Romance. Thanks to this episode's sponsor, Catherine Oni, whose new romance novel, IF HER LOVE WAS ENOUGH, is available now. Meet Catherine at Bank Square Books in Mystic, CT, on Saturday, March 2nd, from 1-3 pm ET. As always, we talk about what we've read, what we want to read, and Biblio Adventures. Thanks for listening, and Happy Reading! https://www.bookcougars.com/blog-1/2024/episode202

Untangle Your Emotions is now available and today you can enjoy the first 2 chapters of the book read by Jennie!  Season 16 of the Made For This podcast kicks off on February 27th. Join us for two episodes a week over the next 12 weeks as we unpack and read together the book. Don't forget to grab our free book club kit from www.jennieallen.com! Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Untangle Your Emotions by Jennie Allen; Read by Jennie Allen © 2024, Jennie Allen, ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC. HELPFUL LINKS:  Grab a copy of Untangle Your Emotions Text “Book Club” to 214-225-6267 to get the free guide Join the newsletter | Sign up for texts from Jennie and team CONNECT ON SOCIALS:  Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | TikTok | Pinterest

There's a shiny new unabridged audiobook edition of "X-Wing: Wraith Squadron," and there's a couple of specific reasons I've been happy to dig into Legends tales like this. Maybe they apply to you, too? Let's talk about it on our review show...  Punch it! You can get this - or your first of any other Star Wars audiobook - on us! Just go to https://audibletrial.com/sw7x7. Your first title is free and yours to keep, and you get a 30-day free trial of their service, too.  And thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for sharing a review copy of the audiobook with us, too.   ~*~*~*~*~*~ Be sure to subscribe/follow the show on your favorite podcast app! If you have an extra minute, a rating or review on Apple or Spotify would be super helpful, too. :-) Like YouTube? Subscribe here: https://youtube.com/sw7x7?sub_confirmation=1 Wanna leave me a tip? Thank you in advance! https://venmo.com/sw7x7 Join the SW7x7 community: https://Patreon.com/sw7x7  ~*~*~*~*~*~ Follow the Show: Twitter: https://twitter.com/sw7x7podcast TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@sw7x7 Instagram: https://instagram.com/sw7x7 Facebook: https://facebook.com/sw7x7 Star Wars 7x7. It's destiny unleashed! #sw7x7

Director of Casting and Strategic Partnerships at Penguin Random House Audio, Julie Wilson spearheads the growth and diversification of the global talent pool and partners with key production, language, music, and technology companies. Julie has worked with worldwide celebrities and bestselling authors on 1,500+ audiobooks across genres. Recent collaborations include working with Adam Grant, Jordan Peele, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alicia Keys, Brandi Carlile, Seth Rogen, and The Tiny Chef. She created and developed the global voiceover casting platform Ahab Talent, which increases diverse casting options for content creators. Julie also founded The Articulate Coach. A coaching program that helps audiobook narrators and public speakers find their voices and elevate their careers through improving performance, branding, and networking. Our next *INTRO TO AUDIOBOOK *Class starts April 2nd. Learn more HERE (https://atlantavoiceoverstudio.com/what-we-offer-classes-audiobook-narration-virtual-class/) Learn more about *THE ARTICULATE COACH *HERE (https://www.thearticulatecoach.com) For the AHAB TALENT platform, click HERE (https://www.ahabtalent.com) *In this episode, we discuss - * * What is AHAB TALENT and how can audiobook narrators benefit from it? * The biggest mistakes audiobook narrators make with their profiles on casting sites. * What is an audiobook casting director looking for in narrator's samples? * Where is the audiobook industry going in the next 5 years? CLICK HERE for 15% off a Voice123 Membership ($359 tier and up) - https://bit.ly/3uPpO8i Terms & Conditions - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CcYMkdLxWfbmwbvu-mwaurLNtWYVpIBgkJpOQTYLDwc/edit?usp=sharing *Follow Atlanta Voiceover Studio Here: * facebook.com/atlantavoiceoverstudio instagram.com/atlantavoiceoverstudio twitter.com/atlvostudio tiktok.com/@atlantavoiceoverstudio YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/gGPFePt8Rfs Atlanta Voiceover Studio & ProVoiceoverTraining's Classes & Workshops www.AtlantaVoiceoverStudio.com www.ProVoiceoverTraining.com **Sign up for FREE weekly VO tips: https://bit.ly/AVSemail

Have you ever felt stuck in life? Psychiatrist Phil Stutz says leaning into adversity is the secret to getting unstuck. His unconventional methods have helped celebrities and everyday people find meaning and purpose when they felt lost. Now, in his new book Lessons for Living: What Only Adversity Can Teach You, Stutz shares the tools and wisdom from 40 years of therapy on how to face hardship and grow through life's storms. This fascinating conversation may challenge everything you thought you knew about living well.You can find Phil at: Website | Instagram | Lessons for Living | Episode TranscriptIf you LOVED this episode you'll also love the conversations we had with Jud Brewer about anxiety and what we can do about it in a very practical and hands-on way. Check out our offerings & partners: My New Book SparkedMy New Podcast SPARKED.Visit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount CodesAudio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from Lessons for Living: What Only Adversity Can Teach You by Phil Stutz; Read by JC Mackenzie © 2023, Phil Stutz ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tiffany is riding solo this week and answers some juicy money questions. First, a listener wants to know how to start investing for your little ones. Then a listener asks a question about job giving her "free money" that's supposedly taxed. Then, lastly, a listener had a problem using credit cards and needs some advice ASAP!Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Made Whole: The Practical Guide to Reaching Your Financial Goals by Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche; Read by Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche © 2023, Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche, ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC. MadeWholeWorkbook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiffany is riding solo this week and answers some juice money questions. First, a listener wants to know how to start investing for your little ones. Then a listener asks a question about job giving her "free money" that's supposedly taxed. Then, lastly, a listener had a problem using credit cards and needs some advice ASAP! Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Made Whole: The Practical Guide to Reaching Your Financial Goals by Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche; Read by Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche © 2023, Tiffany the Budgetnista Aliche, ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC.  MadeWholeWorkbook.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dalton and Devan celebrate Halloween week by making their picks for the scariest Star Wars scenes ever, and their selections run the gamut — from the original trilogy, to the prequels, to a standalone film, to one of the signature streaming series. What made the list? Listen in to find out! Plus, we have an exclusive audio excerpt from the latest Star Wars The High Republic novel, ‘The Eye of Darkness' by George Mann. Check it out for a choice scene from the new audio book. Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Star Wars: The Eye of Darkness (The High Republic) by George Mann; Read by Marc Thompson © 2023, George Mann, ℗ Penguin Random House, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When we think about nature preservation, many of us picture not just wetlands and forests, but farms and pasturelands. Yet journalist George Monbiot argues that the most destructive effects that humans have had on the planet has been through farming – through deforestation, the destruction of the soil, and the massive loss of habitat. Resources: George Monbiot's TED Talk Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Regenesis by George Monbiot, read by the author. The post Fund Drive Special: Regenerating a Damaged Planet appeared first on KPFA.

This week we discussed Silver Nitrate, written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and narrated by Gisela Chípe. Review & discussion with Lisa and Scott. Thank you to Libro.fm ALC Program and Penguin Random House Audio for providing an audio review copy of Silver Nitrate for today's episode. Silver Nitrate [Libro.fm] The Daughter of Doctor Moreau [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Audible] Episode 217: 2023 Hugo Finalists - Best Novel Ring Shout [Overdrive/Libby] / [Libro.fm] / [Audible] Siren Queen [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Audible] / [Episode 153] Prime Meridian (ebook) [Overdrive/Libby]

The first two episodes of Ahsoka are out now, and we are breaking down all the big surprises along the way. We get the timeline of the first two installments, the connections to Star Wars Rebels, the kick-ass villains, and ponder why a lightsaber to the chest is just a flesh wound. Plus, in addition to recapping and reviewing the show, we also have an exclusive audio excerpt from the latest Star Wars book— From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi. Not only that, but said audio excerpt is read by none other than Adam Scott. Want to hear the Parks and Recreation and Severance star playing a cranky stormtrooper. Here's your chance! You can also call us and leave us a message for the pod with your thoughts on Ahsoka so far. Just dial us up at 657-799-1566. Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from Star Wars: From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi by Various Authors, read by A Full Cast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a huuuuuuuuuge episode this week as are not only joined by ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' star Jude Law and co-creator Chris Ford, but also have a visit with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, and director James Mangold from ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.' And that's not all as we also have an exclusive audio excerpt from the new ‘Star Wars: Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade' novel by Delilah S. Dawson, and dive into the weird, wild world of Star Wars Pez dispensers. Dive in with us! Audio excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio from Star Wars: Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson, read by Kristen Sieh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton introduce “Enough!”, a short story by Jamil Jan Kochai, from his collection The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories. Kochai's story discusses intergenerational trauma, violences of both war and refuge, and rage as we follow Rangeena, a mother reflecting on her family and own past. The story is performed by Suehyla El-Attar Young, and it's excerpted from the audiobook of The Haunting of Hajji Hotak, produced by Penguin Random House Audio. Our thanks to them for sharing this story with Ursa's listeners. Jamil Jan Kochai's writing is lyrical, his images surreal, and because of the cyclical narrative, the repetition, and obsession with themes of rambling, the story leaves us breathless.  “Enough!” interrogates the ways in which we suffocate, the ways we're haunted, and the ways we survive. “Enough rambling, enough advice, enough pills, enough nightmares, enough lung damage, enough ghosts, enough beautiful dying boys, enough bomb smoke, enough burning apple trees, enough staring white neighbors, enough heavy breathing…” Come back next week for our conversation with Jamil Jan Kochai. Help Us Fund Future Seasons and Shows Ursa Short Fiction is supported by our listeners. Share this podcast with a friend—or become a Member to help fund production: https://ursastory.com/join/ Reading List The Haunting of Hajji Hotak, by Jamil Jan Kochai (Penguin Books) The Haunting of Hajji Hotak audiobook (Penguin Random House Audio) More stories and essays by Jamil Jan Kochai About the Author  Jamil Jan Kochai is the author of The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories, winner of the 2023 Aspen Words Literary Prize and a finalist for 2022 National Book Award. His debut novel 99 Nights in Logar was a finalist for the Pen/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel. His short stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Ploughshares, Zoetrope, The O. Henry Prize Stories, and The Best American Short Stories. His essays have been published at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. Kochai was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University and a Truman Capote Fellow at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Currently, he is a Hodder Fellow at Princeton University.  More from Deesha Philyaw and Dawnie Walton: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies (Deesha Philyaw) The Final Revival of Opal & Nev (Dawnie Walton) *** Episode editor: Kelly Araja Associate producer: Marina Leigh Audio excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from THE HAUNTING OF HAJJI HOTAK by Jamil Jan Kochai, excerpt read by Suehyla El-Attar Young. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://ursastory.com/join

Lisa discusses The Ferryman, written by Justin Cronin and narrated by Scott Brick & Suzanne Elise Freeman. Thank you to the Libro.fm ALC Program and Penguin Random House Audio for providing advance review copies for today's episode. The Ferryman [Libro.fm] Logan's Run (1976) [IMDb] An Island Too Lovely [Kindle]

Welcome to the Green Room Meditations Podcast, presented by the Indiana Repertory Theatre and hosted by Devon Ginn.  Today, we are in conversation with: Eric Sharp (he/him). Mr. Sharp portrays Mr. Green in the Indiana Repertory Theatre's production of Clue! If you missed the Indianapolis run, you can catch our co-production with Syracuse Stage from June 7th - 25th in 2023.   Eric is an actor, writer, and director based in Minneapolis with over 20 years of professional stage and screen experience. Commercial and voiceover clients include Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Independent Lens, Penguin Random House Audio, Best Buy, Mayo Clinic, Target, and more. He has appeared onstage nationally and internationally at the Guthrie Theater, Ten Thousand Things, The Jungle Theater, Mixed Blood Theatre, Alliance Theatre, and the Minnesota, Toronto, and Edinburgh Fringe Festivals. Eric played Mowgli in The Jungle Book at Children's Theatre Company, and the young Dalai Lama on multiple tours of TigerLion Arts' The Buddha Prince. An Associate Artist at Theater Mu, Eric wrote and starred in the world premiere of Middle Brother, and has appeared in Cambodian Rock Band, Hot Asian Doctor Husband, Two Mile Hollow, Twelfth Night, Charles Francis Chan, Jr..., Yellow Fever and many more. He recently directed the educational video series The Remix with Theater Mu (available on YouTube), and created and produced the audio series: You Shall Hear Me: Stories from Beyond. He serves as curator for AKOA (All Kinds of Awesome): a live storytelling event featuring true stories from the international adoptee community.   www.worksharp.org About the Indiana Repertory Theatre: Founded in 1971, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of the Indiana Repertory Theatre is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA): The IRT strives to celebrate and serve the diverse people and cultures that make up our whole community. The IRT is committed to providing access for all; to creating and maintaining an antiracist theatre that is inclusive, safe, and respectful. https://www.irtlive.com/ 

New York Times bestselling author and Pulitzer finalist, Rebecca Makkai, spoke with me about her love of the short story, the true crime industrial complex, and her latest “literary feminist boarding school murder mystery,” I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU. Rebecca Makkai's last novel, The Great Believers, was a Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award finalist, won a slew of awards, and was one of The New York Times' Ten Best Books of 2018. Her latest novel is I Have Some Questions for You, named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by TIME, The Seattle Times, Good Housekeeping, Today.com, CrimeReads, NPR, and many others. Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as, "part true-crime page-turner, part campus coming-of-age," and The New York Times Book Review as, "A spellbinding work …" Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jennifer Egan called the book, “Part boarding school drama, part forensic whodunnit, I Have Some Questions for You is a true literary mystery—haunting and hard to put down.” Rebecca is a 2022 Guggenheim Fellow, on the MFA faculties of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe and Northwestern University, and is Artistic Director of StoryStudio Chicago. Her work has been translated into 20 languages, and her short fiction has been anthologized in The Pushcart Prize XLI (2017), The Best American Short Stories 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, and many others. Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU by Rebecca Makkai, read by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Rebecca Makkai and I discussed: Why she chose to become an educator early on in her career The importance of 15 years of writing and publishing short stories How luck and maturity played a role in her career as a novelist The most underutilized tool in fiction Her Zen koan for fellow writers And a lot more! Show Notes: I Have Some Questions for You A NOVEL By Rebecca Makkai (Amazon) Rebecca Makkai's Amazon Author Page By the Book Interview: Rebecca Makkai - The New York Times A Novel That Confronts Our True-Crime Obsession | The New Yorker Rebecca Makkai on Facebook Rebecca Makkai on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and debut novelist, Iris Yamashita, spoke to me about working with Clint Eastwood, her journey from Hollywood to publishing, and falling down the rabbit hole with her first mystery “City Under One Roof.” Iris Yamashita has been working in Hollywood for over 15 years and was nominated for a “Best Original Screenplay” Oscar for the movie Letters from Iwo Jima (directed by Clint Eastwood). Her debut novel is City Under One Roof, described as “Alice in Wonderland meets Fargo,” and, “The ultimate locked room mystery, [the novel] drops readers into an isolated, snowy town and is perfect for fans of Twin Peaks, Mare of Easttown, and Broadchurch.” A Publishers Weekly starred review noted, “Unusual topography plays a major role in screenwriter Yamashita's atmospherically charged debut….This distinctively original perspective on a ‘community of stragglers, oddballs, and recluses' heralds the arrival of a major new talent.” #1 New York Times bestselling author C.J. Box called the book, “A compulsive page-turner that's both atmospheric and claustrophobic at the same time.” Iris continues to work in Hollywood, developing for both film and streaming media. She has taught screenwriting at UCLA and the American Film Institute. Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, read by Aspen Vincent, Shannon Tyo, and Anna Caputo. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Iris Yamashita and I discussed: How she kept her dream of becoming a novelist alive The reverse path from TV pilot to novel What her transition from the movie world to the book world was like Why nothing is precious Vomit drafting Finding flow state versus slow state And a lot more! Show Notes: City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita (Amazon) www.irisyamashita.com Iris Yamashita on Facebook Iris Yamashita on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 126, audiobook producer Karen Dziekonski from Penguin Random House Audio joins me for today's deep-dive discussion. Karen takes us behind the scenes from the growth of audiobooks in the industry to the ins and outs of how audiobooks are produced. Plus, Karen shares her audiobook recommendations! This post contains affiliate links, through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). Highlights What it means to be an audiobook producer and Karen's career progression. How the landscape has changed for audiobooks over the past 20 years. The days of abridged audiobooks and the process of editing down a print book. The types of books today that make it to the audiobook format. The process of auditioning an audiobook narrator, including deciding on celebrities or full-cast recordings. How much the author's relationship has grown to incorporate production input — especially for books in translation or featuring foreign language text. The decisions behind when the author narrates their own audiobook — fiction vs nonfiction. How producers court celebrities to narrate audiobooks. A bit about post-production editing of audiobook performances and checking for errors. How much the audiobook segment has grown over the past decade and the anticipated continued trajectory. Karen's Audiobook Recommendations [38:12] Two OLD Audiobooks She Loves Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm [38:31] The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, narrated by Jayne Entwistle | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm [40:25] Two NEW Audiobooks She Loves Bittersweet by Susan Cain, narrated by the author | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm [42:42] Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown, narrated by the author | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm [44:57] How She Feels About Talking About Books She DOESN'T Love [48:40] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor (January 3, 2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm [50:25] Last 5-Star Book Karen Read The Maid by Nita Prose | Amazon | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm [52:57] Other Books Mentioned Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, narrated by Lucy Liu [1:37] 41-Love: A Memoir by Scarlett Thomas [8:57] Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez, narrated by Megan McDowell [17:18] The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, narrated by Julia Roberts [28:52] Sparring Partners: Novellas by John Grisham, narrated by Ethan Hawke, Jeff Daniels, and others [32:58] Angels in America by Tony Kushner, narrated by Nathan Lane (and the full Broadway cast) [34:22] What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry, M.D. Ph.D. [36:33] The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley [41:59] Quiet by Susan Cain [43:31] The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece: A Novel by Tom Hanks (May 9, 2023) [48:55] She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey [49:55] Other Links Ep. 81: Behind the Scenes of Narrating Audiobooks with Julia Whelan About Karen Dziekonski Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Karen Dziekonski, VP, Audio Production for the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, has been an influential member of the audiobook industry for over twenty years. Starting at Random House in 2000, Karen has produced thousands of audiobooks and forged strong collaborations with bestselling and debut authors, celebrities, and professional narrators. An excellent problem-solver and active collaborator, Karen leads a team of elite, award-winning producers in the day-to-day operation of one of the most successful audio publishers in the United States. She lives on Long Island, New York, with her chef husband and two daughters.

Narrator Ginnifer Goodwin expertly matches author Kevin Wilson's intensity in his singular novel, which delves into the depths of friendship and art. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Michele Cobb discuss this audiobook that is perfect for anyone who has felt like an outsider and explored their own creative voice to escape the boredom of small-town life. When Frankie receives a phone call threatening to unravel a decades-old secret, she flashes back to the summer she was a smart, introverted girl of 16. That was when she met Zeke, and together they secretly created a work of art to wake up their Tennessee town. A listen to savor. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Three talented women—narrator, author, and protagonist—combine forces for this gripping historical novel set in Renaissance Italy. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Robin Whitten discuss this Earphones Award-winning historical audiobook about Lucrezia de' Medici of Florence. Lucrezia married Duke Alfonso d'Este of Ferrara in 1559, when she was 15 years old. Genevieve Gaunt's captivating performance illuminates the suspenseful tale like gold leaf on a beautiful manuscript. Author Maggie O'Farrell, author of the award-winning HAMNET, delivers her afterword explaining her novelistic modifications to the few available historical facts. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspector Barnaby and his team are called out to a cultic commune to determine the cause of a series of brutal murders in this third installment of Midsomer Murders, narrated exquisitely by John Hopkins. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Robin Whitten discuss what it's like to hear Hopkins voice all of the varied characters in this mystery. Listeners will enjoy this excellent, complex cozy mystery as they discover clues along with DCI Barnaby. John Hopkins recently joined an AudioFile webinar, where he discussed narrating the Midsomer Murder mysteries and his time on the popular television series. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Bolinda Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anya Kamenetz's narration enlightens nonfiction elements and hard-hitting stories of school closures's impact on children. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Robin Whitten discuss her reporting on the school closings that started in America at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that she narrates with the directness and intensity of a radio reporter (which she is). For many children, school is a critical social safety net, and Kamenetz shares her perspective on education struggles before, during, and after COVID closures. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Hachette Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vivienne Leheny's steady delivery and warm tone welcome listeners into Laurie R. King's contemporary mystery set in California. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Robin Whitten discuss the fun of listening to another mystery from Laurie R. King. Raquel Laing, who works on cold cases for the police department, investigates a corpse found on the grounds of the Gardener Estate Museum. When the action explodes, Leheny delivers a satisfying burst of frenzy. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator George Guidall compellingly narrates Craig Johnson's latest Longmire mystery. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Robin Whitten discuss this long-running series, which Guidall has voiced from the very beginning. Walt Longmire awakens in the street in the middle of a blizzard, remembering nothing of his past. Now he has to piece together who he is, and why he's in Fort Pratt, Montana, site of an infamous Native residential school that had devastating impacts. Guidall's grizzled voice fully embodies Longmire's struggle to make sense of his situation. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#PodcastersForJustice Note: Hey, just a quick note that the podcast is on hiatus this week but we're bringing back a fan favorite. Here is my interview with the amazing Tana French from late 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Catch you soon and thanks for your support! The New York Times bestselling crime novelist, Tana French, took a break to talk with me about her early training as an actress, her definition of creativity, and how to write through the tough times. "I didn't know if I could write a book. I'd written short stories and really galactically bad teenager poetry, but I'd never tried to write a book before." — Tana French The author has written eight mystery novels and is considered a master of suspense and the modern psychological thriller. Her work has been compared to writers including James Ellroy and Donna Tartt, and has been called "incandescent" by Stephen King, and "absolutely mesmerizing" by Gillian Flynn. Her novels have sold over three million copies and won numerous awards, including the Edgar and Barry awards, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Best Mystery/Thriller, and the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction. Her latest bestseller, The Searcher, is her second stand-alone novel, and she was described by The Washington Post as "...the most important crime novelist to emerge in the past 10 years." Stay tuned for a clip from The Searcher audiobook at the break, “... excerpted courtesy [of] Penguin Random House Audio ... read by Roger Clark.” Stay calm and write on ... Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Tana French and I discussed: Her "galactically" bad poetry The archaeological dig that inspired “In the Woods,” her Edgar-winning 2007 debut novel How she came to riff on the Western genre in her latest And why writers need to fight off the struggle of isolation Show Notes: TanaFrench.com The Searcher: A Novel by Tana French [Amazon] Tana French Amazon page The Essential Tana French, The New York Times Tana French on FaceBook Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lydia Wilson and Tamsin Greig deliver complimentary performances to tell the story of Lia, a British woman whose cancer has just come out of remission. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Kendra Winchester discuss Maddie Mortimer's novel, which follows Lia as she faces what could be her final months of life. Wilson captures Lia's perspective with a reflective performance, while Greig voices Lia's cancer, perfectly capturing the disease's wry narrative voice as it remarks on the changes in Lia's body. Their performances work in harmony, giving listeners an emotionally intimate listening experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Simon & Schuster. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angel Pean delivers a thrilling performance of a story set in a dystopian alternative future. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Kendra Winchester discuss this suspenseful story, where unmarried women must register with the government at age 28 and are assumed to be witches until they marry. Protagonist Jo is faced with even more suspicion as a Black woman, and as her 28th birthday looms, she learns that her mother left her something in her will — but she must travel far to claim it. Pean skillfully captures the suspenseful story and creates the perfect chilling mood. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicole Lewis performs a chorus of voices in this multiperspective story that centers around Circus, a middle-aged jazz musician who has just left his pregnant girlfriend. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Kendra Winchester discuss Lewis's skill at creating emotional intimacy for each of the characters. The novel jumps between perspectives, from Circus himself to the many women in his life, including his ex-wife, his daughter, and a seemingly endless string of hookups. With her heartfelt narration, Lewis ensures that listeners will remember these characters long after their story ends. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nancy Wu performs this memoir from disability rights activist Alice Wong. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Kendra Winchester discuss Wu's narration, which includes descriptions of photos and illustrations, making the audiobook all the more accessible for listeners. Born with spinal muscular atrophy, Wong has spent her life advocating for equal access, for herself and for other disabled people. Wong describes life before and after the Americans with Disabilities Act, and how far we still have to go. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danielle Vitalis delivers a stunning performance in this family drama set in London that will have listeners hanging on every word. AudioFile's Kendra Winchester tells host Jo Reed about Vitalis's excellent performance of Candice Carty-Williams's sophomore novel. Cyril Pennington's five children barely know each other, but when Dimple seems to have accidentally killed her boyfriend in self defense, all four of her half siblings show up to help. With such an excellent, incredibly funny story and a stellar performance from Vitalis, this audiobook is a definite must-listen. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fifth season of Audiobook Break, featuring Bram Stoker's DRACULA, read by Gildart Jackson. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cassandra Campbell's melodious tone and deliberately paced delivery seem created for the figurative language and poetic lilt of this audiobook. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Alan Minskoff talk about catching up with Frances Mayes, who first delighted readers with her tales of making a home in Italy in UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN. Mayes's memories range from her southern roots to her passion for restoration, and an appreciation of her Italian hill town where her now-famed villa sits. Campbell's eloquent intonation suits Mayes's musings on place, home, and family. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Random House Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fourth season of Audiobook Break, featuring the Japanese American Civil Liberties Collection. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Edoardo Ballerini immerses listeners in a lost world with André Aciman's 1996 memoir. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Alan Minskoff discuss how Ballerini brings this memoir of Aciman's boyhood to life. The author longs for his home in cosmopolitan Alexandria, Egypt, and Ballerini masterfully portrays the characters, especially his quirky grandmothers, and ensures the other members of his lively Sephardic Jewish family come through vividly. A classic story of a family who lost everything in the fraught years after 1956, when President Nasser expelled English and French nationals and Jews from their homes in Egypt. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Macmillan Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fourth season of Audiobook Break, featuring the Japanese American Civil Liberties Collection. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This audiobook read by the author and eleven other narrators offer a cornucopia of T.C. Boyle's vivid imaginings. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Alan Minskoff discuss the stories in the collection, including dark fantasies and a haunting story of a couple quarantining on a luxury cruise ship in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Boyle's poignant stories and the skilled narrations create a satisfying listening experience. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Harper Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fourth season of Audiobook Break, featuring the Japanese American Civil Liberties Collection. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

British actor and narrator George Weightman gives Tom Bradby's tale of espionage the gravitas and polish it deserves. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Alan Minskoff discuss the thriller set in 1953 Iran, poised on the CIA backed overthrow of Mossadegh by the Shah's henchmen, with flashbacks to pre-WWII Germany and post-war England and Yugoslavia. Harry Tower, the anti-hero of the novel, has to travel to Tehran to search for his journalist son, who has gone missing. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Recorded Books. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Listen to AudioFile's fourth season of Audiobook Break, featuring the Japanese American Civil Liberties Collection. Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AUDIO, dedicated to producing top-quality fiction and nonfiction audiobooks written and read by the best in the business. Visit penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/audiofile now to start listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Deanna Raybourn, spoke to me about how she still feels like a debut author, why she doesn't read reviews, and her new contemporary thriller "Killers of a Certain Age." Deanna Raybourn is the author of 19 books including the award-winning, New York Times bestselling Lady Julia Grey series, as well as the USA Today bestselling and Edgar Award-nominated Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and several stand-alone works. Her latest is Killers of a Certain Age, described as "a witty contemporary spy thriller perfect for fans of Killing Eve and Ocean's Eight."  An instant New York Times bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of Month 2022, Buzzfeed said of the book, “This Golden Girls meets James Bond thriller is a journey you want to be part of." Deanna Raybourn graduated with a double major in English and history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Stay tuned until the end of the show for a preview of the Audiobook, excerpted courtesy Penguin Random House Audio from Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, read by Jane Oppenheimer and Christina Delaine. Stay calm and write on ... Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please "Follow" us to automatically see new interviews. In this file Deanna Raybourn and I discussed: Why her agent told her to stop writing for a whole year What it feels like to get that first three-book deal How she came to writing older women doing kick-ass things When she turns into a feral author in her pajamas Why writers need to trust their inner voice And a lot more! Show Notes: deannaraybourn.com Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Amazon) Deanna Raybourn on Instagram Deanna Raybourn on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He went to prison at age 19. When released, he had to learn how to be a father to two Black sons with very different life experiences. His letters to them have lessons for us all. Hear more from Shaka Senghor in his book, Letters to the Sons of Society: A Father's Invitation to Love, Honesty, and Freedom, available now. Audio included in the episode excerpted courtesy of Penguin Random House Audio, read by Shaka Senghor.  Companion listening for this episode: Jason Reynolds Needs to Be Useful (7/18/2022) The YA author talks about his successes, fears, and his new podcast that explores his relationship with his mother. “The United States of Anxiety” airs live on Sunday evenings at 6pm ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts. To catch all the action, tune into the show on Sunday nights via the stream on WNYC.org/anxiety or tell your smart speakers to play WNYC.    We want to hear from you! Connect with us on Twitter @WNYC using the hashtag #USofAnxiety or email us at anxiety@wnyc.org.