New Reviews by Title: U-Z

London's historical Bethnal Green Library comes to life as the WWII Blitz turns every day into a fight for survival. Fenella Woolgar narrates with a comforting British accent, immersing the listener in the stories of three courageous women who are dedicated to the library and its community. Juliet Lansdown, the newly arrived deputy librarian, speaks with determination as she... Read More

Doris Kearns Goodwin's voice is well known from TV appearances; not surprisingly, her narration comes across as thoughtful and familiar. Bryan Cranston's role is minimal. The use of snippets of speeches from John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Robert Kennedy add to the authenticity of the presentation. This is a kind of oral history of the 1960s told through the unique lens of... Read More

Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta, portrayed by January LaVoy, works side by side with her niece, Secret Service Agent Lucy Farinelli, to solve the murders of two suspected Russian spies. At a remote crime scene in the woods, an investigator casts an unusual oversized footprint and sends it to the lab for evaluation in secret. LaVoy's warm yet businesslike delivery... Read More

Gabriel Garcia Márquez's last novel, although far from his best, deserves a better reading than it gets in this audio version. Catalina Sandino Moreno's English pronunciation is decidedly imperfect. A Spanish accent is not necessarily a problem with a Latin American novel, but an accent that interferes with our understanding of the text is not ideal. Moreno's phrasing also... Read More

Anthony Rey Perez has just the right tone for this satirical debut novel, especially as he aptly mimics the protagonist's self-justifying voice and truth twisting. Perez's pace moves the story forward--no matter the circumstance. He sounds just like the smart Puerto Rican kid from the Bronx featured in the story. Javi Perez succeeds until he doesn't by playing the victim... Read More

This is the latest of the classic works by Joseph Conrad ably narrated by David Horovitch. This 1915 work, relatively unknown, concerns a drifter named Axel Heyst who runs a coal company on a remote island in the Malay Archipelago and his relationship with an English girl. He saves her from her employer, and then she saves Heyst from himself. There is quite a bit of... Read More

Brian Nishii narrates this science fiction collection, which contains compelling short stories, articles, and interviews by and with the author. Nishii draws listeners into the various fictional stories with his emotional range. In one story, he delivers the evil laugh of a drug lord who is smuggling drugs with the assistance of a whale; in another, he embodies a child who... Read More

In this sequel to CITY UNDER ONE ROOF, Cara Kennedy, compellingly portrayed by Aspen Vincent, is a smart detective from Anchorage who is adjusting to her new life after the deaths of her husband and son while hiking. Now she learns that what was determined to be an accident may have been murder. Blaire Chandler energetically takes on the role of Ellie, a hard-boiled character... Read More

Myriam J.A.Chancy's complex story looks at the fallout from colonialism, family secrets, class, and racism on the split island of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Golden Voice Robin Miles does a good job of putting listeners on the island as schoolgirls Gertie and Sisi become best friends in 1940s Port-au-Prince in spite of their very different class and family standings.... Read More

Darren Eliker provides an excellent narration of this complex and highly creative installment of the Venery series. Eliker's delivery allows listeners to become immersed in the adventures of Pelippé Trueblood and Fen il-Kheir, a fantastical kheiron, a creature that can shift between being a man and a horse. Each character and species has a distinguishable sound. The story... Read More

Narrator Justine Eyre returns to 1830s London in Book 2 of the Once Upon the East End series. She brings a seasoned flair for accents to the large cast of this novel, a gender-flipped retelling of "Snow White." When Jewish pawnshop owner Hannah Moses rescues Jewish financier Solomon Weiss, she's tempted to explore her attraction to him. But as the daughter of criminals, she... Read More

Linda Jones narrates this classic memoir with compassion and authenticity. Some of its quirky observations haven't worn well with the passage of time and may turn off some contemporary listeners. But Jones adds emphasis and a playful tone to Thoreau's list of budget items and explanation that he is a squatter on his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson's farm. First published in 1854,... Read More

Narrators Renee Thorn and Ryan Stone take listeners into the secret society of the Oakmont Elite in this dark collegiate romance. Maybell Jacobs is a quiet and awkward wallflower until she has a chance encounter with the intimidating, rich Drew Marshall. For an opportunity to win some much-needed money, Maybell agrees to take part in a wicked tradition, The Hunt, in which she... Read More

This audiobook pays tribute to two of the wealthiest and most generous entrepreneurs in the U.S., Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. The long friendship between Warren and Bill, as they're called here, offers little drama and narrative tension, and narrator George Newbern effectively keeps the tone light, buddy-to-buddy. He chronicles how each man made his fortune, but the focus is... Read More

This contemporary middle-grade fairy tale is given a lively performance by Jeanette Illidge. Chloe returns home during an intense storm to find her house suddenly filled with fairy-tale creatures. They enlist Chloe and her father's help to locate a magical portal back to their home. Chloe and her dad need to work out their differences as they embark on the quest. Illidge is... Read More

Hannah Arendt (1906-1975) was a German American philosopher. An outspoken opponent of totalitarianism, she has a fascinating story, superbly told here by narrator Cosima Shaw. At its core, this is a biography, but it is also an explanation of Arendt's passion and the reasons her beliefs are as relevant today as they were when she lived. Her conviction was bolstered by her... Read More

Longtime television and radio broadcaster Ray Suarez's professional voice, ease of delivery, and acute sense of story are a pleasure to listen to. His intimate performance gives the many oral histories and profiles in this audiobook a cumulative power. An empathetic reporter, Suarez has spent years gathering the material for this timely appreciation of immigrants at this... Read More

In this middle-grade novel set in 1985, Stevie is on summer tour with a lip-syncing group. Jorjeana Marie is immediately likable as the youthful narrator of Stevie's first-person account. Marie shows Stevie's many sides with ease--stumbling and nervous around her crush, decisive and assured when her brother's epilepsy becomes an issue, and, finally, happily confident after a... Read More

Lindsey Dorcus depicts a teen romance between a newspaper nerd and a volleyball jock. When Jordan Elliott is given the volleyball beat for her school newspaper, she's devastated--not least because her nemesis, Mackenzie West, is captain of the volleyball team. Dorcus captures all the conflicting feelings that Jordan has about her unwanted assignment and about working closely... Read More

Xe Sands narrates this meditative collection of essays on life and preserving our threatened planet. Provocative yet tender, each free- flowing essay provides a glimpse of Millet's interconnected world. Personal anecdotes are juxtaposed with deep pondering about humanity's role in climate change. Expertly pairing animal facts with thoughtful observations of the human world,... Read More

Rosa Escoda's narration of this slice-of-life audiobook is like being wrapped in a blanket still warm from the dryer. Frustrated by her indifferent marriage and burned-out by her competitive career, Yeongju leaves both behind to open a bookstore that becomes a refuge to those seeking peace and renewal. Escoda's brisk pace and gentle tone carry listeners along as Yeongju... Read More

Gwyneth Keyworth's nuanced portrayal of Manod reveals the 18-year-old's transformative journey in this haunting story, set in 1938. Keyworth smoothly transports listeners to an isolated Welsh island and evokes the poignant interactions between Manod, a local, and the English couple, both ethnologists, who arrive to study the villagers' traditional ways. Dyfrig Morris, Gabrielle... Read More

An ensemble of outstanding narrators breathes terror into this stand-alone thriller focused on the disappearance of college student Nina Fraser. When Nina fails to return home from a vacation with her boyfriend, Simon Jordan, the stories, lies, and the demonic use of social media create a dark hole that listeners will fall into. Listeners hear from each of the main characters... Read More

Isabella Star LaBlanc maintains a steady, direct approach in her narration of this audiobook, which blends mystery, suspense, and family drama. She takes listeners to Backravel, Arizona, a mysterious place that once held sway over Beck's late mother. Now Beck and her sister, Riley, go there seeking answers about their mom. LaBlanc's measured approach is not as effective as it... Read More

Author Kao Kalia Yang's soft Hmong-accented voice opens this forthright and heartrending refugee story with the birth of her own children. She then moves on to chronicle family history from her mother Tswb's (pronounced "Chew") point of view. Yang narrates the introductory and concluding elements of the story herself, with Pamela Xiong picking up the body of the narrative,... Read More

Joshua Riley delivers a suspenseful narration of this tale of betrayal, icebound ships, and cannibalism. Explorer William Day returned from a trip to the Arctic in disgrace after his men survived by eating their deceased comrades. Thirteen years later, Day's former second-in command, Jesse Stevens, has gone missing, and Stevens's wife, a spirit-medium, needs Day's help to find... Read More

Narrator Aoife McMahon transports listeners to 1960s Dublin, where a young journalist, Nicoletta Sarto, strives to be successful in a profession dominated by men. When Nicoletta covers a story about bones being found in a garden, she finds herself investigating a 25-year-old mystery with connections to her. McMahon is the perfect narrator for this story, especially as she... Read More

Ray Porter's straightforward presentation highlights Schaller and Waldman's observations on why white voters in rural America have been won over by candidates whose political actions oppose the voters' best interests. The authors detail ways that our system gives an inordinate advantage to these rural voters, who are vastly smaller in number than their urban counterparts.... Read More

Paige McKinney offers a lively delivery of Shannon Reed's musings on her lifelong love of books. Listeners will quickly note that what's offered is an accounting of why the author reads--for her amusement, edification, and comfort. Listeners will likely find common ground, and those who share Reed's sense of humor will be amused. Sometimes Reed's background as a humor writer... Read More

Of the several audiobooks about British sea explorer James Cook, this is one of the most memorable. Peter Noble is a powerful narrator, and he weds himself to this action-packed story with deep empathy and understanding. As the Revolutionary War unfolded on the east side of the North American continent, Cook explored the west, searching in vain for a Northwest Passage. Along... Read More

A talented trio of narrators, Zac Aleman, Andre Bellido, and Alejandra Reynoso, bring this story of transformative change to life. Unhoused 17-year-old Ana and her mother live in a car in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. One night, she meets 17-year-old Leandro and his service dog, Cielo. The story is told from the alternating points of view of Ana, Leandro, and Cielo.... Read More

Anne Marie Arvdal-Richardson does a first-rate job of narrating this intense portrait of a woman who is in love and in denial. Ester, a poet, is an efficient woman who prides herself on her intellect and intuitiveness. The listener has a front-row seat as Arvdal-Richardson depicts the disintegration of Ester's mind as she experiences her sudden and overwhelming love for Hugo,... Read More

Listeners will find an honest coming-of-age story in this vivid performance by Krysta Gonzales. Twelve-year-old Winnie is staying at her grandmother's in New York City for the summer. She has always known she's a lesbian, but she still hides it from her family, and that makes her plans to attend Pride celebrations a lot harder. Gonzales's performance is focused heavily on... Read More

Using the infamous 1843 murder trial of Polly Bodine of Staten Island, narrator Erin Bennet recounts the rise of tabloid journalism and the public's fascination with true crime. Indicted for killing her sister-in-law and niece, Bodine was the first American woman to be tried for capital murder. Her case perfectly illustrates media sensationalism. Bennett's delivery reflects the... Read More

Robert Petkoff's rich voice enlivens the adventures of witch Poppy Dyer and demon Rok Kours. Poppy is cursed to forever manifest the creatures of humans' nightmares. Locked in a magical castle on Halloween, she and Rok attempt to break that curse. Petkoff provides sound effects as various creatures such as skeletons, aliens, and evil dolls are brought into being by Poppy.... Read More

A star-studded cast masterfully performs Napolitano's debut novel. Her recent success with HELLO BEAUTIFUL has brought this long out-of-print title back. And this stellar audiobook demonstrates its worth. It's hard to limit praise to just a few of the half-dozen sparkling narrations. But Brittany Pressley as Gracie, the lost-soul writer who works as a kind of "Dear Abby," gives... Read More

A business journalist combines flawless narration with intelligent writing to explain how cultural and institutional barriers have blocked U.S. women's access to financial independence and the power that comes with it. Josie Cox's mature-sounding performance and British accent add dignity to her careful research and writing. The stories of pioneers like Betty Friedan, Ruth... Read More

Alex Knox performs a thrilling adventure in which the discovery of a body on the Pacific Coast Trail is only the beginning of a hiker's quest for survival. Josh's marriage is on the rocks, so he takes to the lengthy PCT to get away and clear his mind. After he encounters grisly remains and a lack of concern about them from the authorities, he realizes he's not alone on the... Read More

This extraordinary anthology of stories, brought to life by the Ukraine Audiobook Relief Project, features a diverse and talented group of narrators who illuminate the rich tapestry of Ukrainian storytelling. The stories cover an array of experiences, ranging from tales of immigrant grandparents to traditional Cossack folktales. The diversity of the full cast mirrors the rich... Read More

André Santana narrates this Brazilian import translated from Portuguese. The narrative switches from the present day, when elderly Raimundo is learning to read, to his past, when as a young, gay man he experienced homophobic violence from his father. As the story unfolds, the cycle of queer trauma in Raimundo's family is made clear. Unfortunately, Raimundo's trauma and... Read More

Narrating parts of this personal growth audio, the author sounds sincere and easy to understand. Her humane interest in helping others navigate today's challenging workplaces creates a satisfying connection between listeners and the humble person behind this guidance. When Winsome Brown narrates her chapters, her polished cadences and pitch range convey the strength and... Read More

Cindy Kay narrates Dr. Fei-Fei Li's memoir of her life at the vanguard of artificial intelligence (AI) with an emotionally attuned ear. As a teenager, Li's family emigrated from China to the United States, a move that led to both opportunities and challenges. Kay sensitively conveys the author's confidence and vulnerability; her expansive delivery allows listeners to experience... Read More

Jamie Kern Lima shares her inspirational story and its important lessons as if she were your best friend telling it like it is. Her foundational message is that reaching your dreams is dependent upon your sense of what you deserve. Lima addresses the importance of assessing your sense of your own worthiness, identifying sources of self-doubt, and actively taking steps to turn... Read More

Caitlin Kinnunen's youthful voice increases sympathy for vulnerable 12-year-old Fern, who wants to return to The Ranch, a cult community that is the only home she can remember. Fern's mother woke her in the middle of the night and took her to a new home a coast away. Kinnunen's narration reflects Fern's confusion, anger, and determination to return to The Ranch. She also... Read More

Author A.J. Jacobs narrates his newest pop-culture examination of history with energy and enthusiasm. Setting out to understand what it means to live by the Constitution, Jacobs blends serious reflection and interviews with constitutional law experts with personal experiments. He uses a quill pen on cotton rag paper to write opinions that he hands out in Times Square (the right... Read More

Heads up, listeners: This audiobook runs over 29 hours. Listening feels like the equivalent of bingeing on a twelve-season streaming spy thriller. Harding's deep voice for the protagonist, Kane, a specialist who infiltrates extremely hostile areas, seems more mature than the character but sustains interest throughout. In efforts to address threats to the United States, Kane... Read More

Writer Morgan Parker, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, performs her latest work, a collection of essays that revolve around religious trauma, mental health, racial justice, and life as a single person in America. Her ideas are crafted with precision, and each piece in her collection feels intimate. Her performance further expresses her complex feelings, giving... Read More

Narrator Joel Leslie brings his usual charm to Cat Sebastian's latest historical romance. Eddie O'Leary, the star shortstop for the New York Robins, is not having a star season--he's deep in a record-breaking slump. Mark Bailey, a reporter for the NEW YORK CHRONICLE who is mourning the death of his partner, certainly doesn't want to write weekly columns about Eddie. Leslie... Read More

Alexis Floyd and Jenni Barber are perfect with their emotional narration of a story that examines the complexities of friendship and race. Cinnamon, a Black career counselor, has fought hard for the life she has and feels bad for wanting more. Daisy, a white 19-year-old, is broke, alone, and hiding her pregnancy. The two become unlikely friends. Cinnamon finds an abandoned... Read More

Four narrators deliver a YA epistolary novel set at the end of the nineteenth century. Sophia, Polly, and Tirzah were friends at school but have now gone their separate ways: Sophia to London, Polly to Liverpool, and Tirzah to Scotland. The narrators imbue the characters' ensuing letters with the emotions of each girl as she overcomes her personal difficulties. Dowd gives voice... Read More

Narrator Mara Wilson delivers this satirical zombie-apocalypse audiobook with careful pacing, intensifying the horrors and keeping listeners on edge. Wendy is recovering from a bad breakup at a Pride party. Seeing her ex-girlfriend hook up with her friends is difficult, but then the party attendees become suddenly violent, and soon the violence spreads. Wilson distinctly voices... Read More