Julia Whelan Interview: Best Fiction Audiobooks 2024

Narrator Elizabeth Knowelden joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss one of this year’s Best Romance Audiobooks, THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE by India Holton. Elizabeth tells Michele about what’s most interesting and fun to her about romance audiobooks. She gives a charming performance of the audiobook, and in her interview, she explains how she created the voices for the many characters listeners will encounter in the story. Read AudioFile’s review of THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE. Published by Penguin Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Romance Audiobooks are: AVENGING ANGEL by Kristen Ashley, read by Stella Bloom THE BREAK-UP PACT by Emma Lord, read by Natalie Naudus JUST FOR THE SUMMER by Abby Jimenez, read by Christine Lakin, Zachary Webber LOVE AT FIRST BOOK by Jenn McKinlay, read by Brittany Pressley THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE by India Holton, read by Elizabeth Knowelden THE PAIRING by Casey McQuiston, read by Emma Galvin, Max Meyers Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Elizabeth Knowelden photo by Dana Patrick. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator Edoardo Ballerini joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss narrating one of this year’s best in Mulit-Voice audiobooks, the oral history WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE, edited by Garrett M. Graff. Edoardo tells listeners about the challenges of narrating audiobooks that include so many voices—here, there were 26 narrators performing 700 real-life historical figures. It’s an impressive and moving listen, and deep exploration into those who participated in D-Day. Read AudioFile’s review of WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Multi-Voice Audiobooks are: DANGEROUS VISIONS by Harlan Ellison [Ed.], read by Mara Wilson, Jim Meskimen, Simon Vance, Steven Jay Cohen, Johnny Heller, Edoardo Ballerini, Dion Graham, et al. GEORGE ORWELL'S 1984 by George Orwell, Joe White [Adapt.], read by Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, Tom Hardy, Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther, Katie Leung HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC by Alison Fensterstock [Ed.], Ann Powers [Intro.], National Public Radio, read by Alison Fensterstock, Ann Powers, et al. JOURNEY'S END by R.C. Sherriff, read by James Callis, Josh Cole, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Tobias Echeverria, Adam Godley, Ian Ogilvy, Darren Richardson, Simon Templeman, Matthew Wolf MOON CALLED by Patricia Briggs, read by Khaya Fraites, Gregory Linington, Christopher McLinden, Rayner Gabriel, Chris Stinson, Renee Dorian, and a Full Cast WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE by Garrett M. Graff [Ed.], read by Edoardo Ballerini, Garrett M. Graff [Note], and a Full Cast Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Edoardo Ballerini photo by Ed Brantley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Moira Quirk joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss a fantastical dark academia tale by M.L. Wang, BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN. Moira tells listeners about what she enjoys the most about narrating science fiction and fantasy audiobooks, and the particular challenges she encounters while narrating the genre. BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN not only explores the realm of dark academia, but also examines the ripple effects of colonization, and it makes for an engrossing listen. Read AudioFile’s review of BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN. Published by Random House Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Audiobooks are: BLOOD OVER BRIGHT HAVEN by M.L. Wang, read by Moira Quirk THE CRONE OF MIDNIGHT EMBERS by Iris Beaglehole, read by Bethan Dixon Bate THE MERCY OF GODS by James S.A. Corey, read by Jefferson Mays THE STARS TOO FONDLY by Emily Hamilton, read by Vico Ortiz THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden, read by Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden WHEN AMONG CROWS by Veronica Roth, read by Helen Laser, James Fouhey, Tim Campbell Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Jean Brassard joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss narrating Louise Penny’s latest in the Three Pines series, THE GREY WOLF. It’s a thrilling mystery and a new voice for a beloved series, and Brassard describes what it was like to step into the shoes of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. He discusses how his Quebecois background informed his performance and what he enjoyed the most about narrating this mystery named one of AudioFile’s Best of 2024. Read AudioFile’s review of THE GREY WOLF. Published by Macmillan Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks are: THE BRIAR CLUB by Kate Quinn, read by Saskia Maarleveld THE GREY WOLF by Louise Penny, read by Jean Brassard A NEST OF VIPERS by Harini Nagendra, read by Soneela Nankani THE SEQUEL by Jean Hanff Korelitz, read by Julia Whelan SHANGHAI by Joseph Kanon, read by Jonathan Davis YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME by Allison Brennan, read by Hillary Huber Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Jean Brassard photo by Steve Vaccariello. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Narrator Gabra Zackman joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss her narration of CUE THE SUN! The Invention of Reality TV by Emily Nussbaum. It’s one of our picks for Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks this year, and it takes listeners on a deep exploration of reality TV. Gabra tells Michele about how this audiobook may have changed her view of reality TV, and what surprised her about performing this audiobook. Read AudioFile’s review of CUE THE SUN! Published by Random House Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks are: CUE THE SUN! by Emily Nussbaum, read by Gabra Zackman THE MESSAGE by Ta-Nehisi Coates, read by Ta-Nehisi Coates OUR HIDDEN CONVERSATIONS by Michele Norris, read by Michele Norris and a Full Cast A POETRY HANDBOOK by Mary Oliver, read by Kimberly Farr THERE'S ALWAYS THIS YEAR by Hanif Abdurraqib, read by Hanif Abdurraqib WHAT'S NEXT IS NOW by Frederik G. Pferdt, read by Sean Pratt Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Gabra Zackman photo by Ashley Garrett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator Dion Graham joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to discuss his performance of James Kaplan’s biography of jazz greats, 3 SHADES OF BLUE. The audiobook traces the lives of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans, and required some research before recording. Listen to Dion’s discussion with Michele for more insights into his narration of this exceptional audiobook that’s one of AudioFile’s Best Biography & Memoir titles of 2024. Read AudioFile’s review of THREE SHADES OF BLUE. Published by Penguin Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Biography & Memoir Audiobooks are: BITS AND PIECES by Whoopi Goldberg, read by Whoopi Goldberg BITTER CROP by Paul Alexander, read by Maya Days JOHN LEWIS by David Greenberg, read by David Sadzin PROFILES IN MENTAL HEALTH COURAGE by Patrick J. Kennedy, Stephen Fried, read by Johnny Heller, Patrick J. Kennedy 3 SHADES OF BLUE by James Kaplan, read by Dion Graham WHAT I ATE IN ONE YEAR by Stanley Tucci, read by Stanley Tucci Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan joins AudioFile’s Michele Cobb to tell listeners about narrating Kristin Hannah’s memorable historical fiction audiobook, THE WOMEN, one of our picks for Best Fiction of 2024. It’s an emotional story about Vietnam War combat nurses, and Julia details how she prepared for performing this intense listen. Julia has narrated several of Hannah’s audiobooks, and she explains what she likes about getting to narrate multiple works by the same author, and what’s stayed with her about this audiobook. Read AudioFile’s review of THE WOMEN. Published by Macmillan Audio. AudioFile’s 2024 Best Fiction Audiobooks are: THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES by Julia Alvarez, read by Alma Cuervo COME AND GET IT by Kiley Reid, read by Nicole Lewis HERE ONE MOMENT by Liane Moriarty, read by Caroline Lee, Geraldine Hakewill JAMES by Percival Everett, read by Dominic Hoffman THE LIMITS by Nell Freudenberger, read by Rebecca Lowman THE WOMEN by Kristin Hannah, read by Julia Whelan, Kristin Hannah Find the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Julia Whelan photo by Kelly Puleio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Robin Whitten joins host Jo Reed to discuss AudioFile’s 2024 Best Audiobooks. Listen to their conversation to discover how AudioFile’s editors choose the year’s best audiobooks, which titles Robin is particularly excited about, and to hear all the details on our upcoming interviews with narrators of some of this year’s honored titles. Explore the full list of 2024 Best Audiobooks on our website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Tony Keith Jr. photo by Randolph Garrett, Hope Newhouse photo by Jessica Wolpman, Dion Graham and Julia Whelan photos courtesy of the narrators. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jo Reed and Laura Rossi, AudioFile’s Director of Publicity and Social Media, talk all things holiday gifting on today’s episode of Behind the Mic. Laura recommends a favorite audiobook to give to friends and family this time of year, HOLIDAYS ON ICE, written and read by David Sedaris, with a little help from Amy Sedaris and Ann Magnuson. This is where you’ll find the hilarious “SantaLand Diaries,” among other essays. Laura talks about what she loves about the audiobook, and what listeners can expect from the raucous collection. Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Hachette Audio. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website. Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AudioFile’s Managing Editor, Jenn Dowell, joins host Jo Reed on our podcast to talk about a favorite gift of hers for the holiday season — SMITTEN KITCHEN KEEPERS, written and read by Deb Perelman. Deb is well known in the food world for her long-time blog Smitten Kitchen, and her accessible cookbooks, both packed full of recipes. Now, she has an audio adaptation of her newest cookbook, giving listeners a chance to learn more about the recipes and spend time with Deb’s friendly voice in your ear. Jenn shares a bit about her interview with Deb for a recent issue of AudioFile Magazine, and tells listeners about gifting this great cookbook and audiobook pairing.   Read our review of the audiobook at our website. Published by Random House Audio. Read Jenn’s interview with Deb Perelman in the December/January issue of AudioFile magazine. Discover thousands of audiobook reviews and more at AudioFile’s website.      Today’s episode is brought to you by Brilliance Publishing. The Sound of Storytelling. Discover your next great listen at https://www.brilliancepublishing.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices