Narrated

Our audiobook club takes a deeper look at one of Shachi’s picks from our Favorite Audiobooks of 2020 Draft: Sh

Mark Siegal joined me to discuss To Be Taught, If Fortunate, a stand-alone science fiction novella written by Becky Chambers and narrated by Brittany Pressley; that celebrates curiosity and exploration with a different look at interstellar travel. To Be Taught, If Fortunate [Overdrive/Libby]  / [Audible] / [Libro.fm] Wayfarers (Series) [Overdrive/Libby]  / [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [Episode 45]   Book Riot’s 2021 Read Harder Challenge   2021 Libro.fm Audiobook Challenge

Kate Reading and Michael Kramer joined me to discuss their experiences as audiobook narrators of hundreds of titles across all genres including their work with the Library of Congress Talking Books Program. We also discussed how they prepare for even the longest audiobooks and their insights into the technical and business side of audiobook production. Kate Reading [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] Michael Kramer [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby]   Referenced Works: Wheel of Time (series) [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] Stormlight Archive (series) [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] Wanderer of the Wasteland [Libro.fm] [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] The Prophet [Awesound] / [Libro.fm] / [downpour] / [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance [Libro.fm] [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby]   Other References: Grover Gardner Flo Gibson 2Cellos The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Piano Technicians Journal Books to Prisoners [

As we begin 2021, our Audiobook Club explores stories of kindness and positivity as we discuss Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community, written by Lady Gaga & Born This Way Foundation Reporters, and narrated by Lady Gaga, Alex Aide, Aysha Mahmood, Connor Long, Cynthia Germanotta, Hanna Atkinson, Mitu Yilma & Shadille Estepan. Thank you to the Libro.fm ALC Program and Macmillan Audio for providing a review copy of Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community to Shachi and inspiring this episode. Audiobook Club: Shachi Bhatt, Gilbert Tang, Mark Siegal, and Scott Ullery Channel Kindness: Stories of Kindness and Community [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] Born This Way Foundation Gilbert’s Year of Positivity: EDIT/OR Episode 52 Episode 58: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Birthday Cakes 4 Free Cathouse of the Kings Ted Lasso [IMDb] / [Apple TV+] Schitt's Creek [IMDb] / [Netflix]

As 2020 comes to a close, our panel (Gilbert Tang, Shachi Bhatt, Mark Siegal, and Scott Ullery) take a look back at our favorite audiobooks from 2020 and titles we are looking forward to in 2021. Round 1 (2020): Gilbert: Cubed: The Puzzle of Us All (Written by: Erno Rubik / Narrated by: Alistair Petrie) [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Audible] Shachi: When No One Is Watching (Written by: Alyssa Cole / Narrated by: Susan Dalian & Jay Aaseng) [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Audible] Mark: Ready Player Two (Written by: Ernest Cline/ Narrated by: Wil Wheaton) [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Audible] / [Ep 84: Ready Player Two] Scott: Black Sun (Written by: Rebecca Roanhorse/ Narrated by: Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab & Shaun Taylor-Corbett) [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Audible] / [Ep 84: Black Sun] Round 2 (2020): Gilbert: This Isn’t Happening: Radiohead's "Kid A" and the Beginning of the 21st Century (Written by: Steven Hyden / Narrated by: Angelo Di Loreto) [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Li

Ernest Cline’s Ready Player Two, narrated by Wil Wheaton, picks up soon after the events of Ready Player One and follows as Wade Watts and friends with new technology and a new and more personal quest.  Ready Player Two [Libro.fm] /[Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] Ready Player One [Libro.fm] /[Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Ep 7] / [Ep 11 (Movie Adaptation)] Other Referenced Works: Ender's Game Alive: The Full Cast Audioplay [Audible Plus] / [Ep 80: Audible Plus] Ep 15: Audiobooks for Kids Arc of a Scythe (Series) [Audible] / [Ep 12] The Lord of the Rings (TV Series)

Author C.M. McGuire joined me to discuss her debut YA Fantasy novel Ironspark. We also discussed writing, publishing, and audiobook production from an author's perspective. Ironspark [Libro.fm] /[Audible] Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Other Referenced Works: Abhorsen/The Old Kingdom (Series) [Libro.fm] / [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] Name of the Wind [Audible] Discworld (Series) [Libro.fm] / [Audible] C.M. McGuire: Twitter (@SeeEmMcGuire) Instagram Website

Black Sun begins a dynamic new fantasy series by award winning author Rebecca Roanhorse including expert world building that incorporates inspirations from pre-Columbian civilizations. The converging stories of four point of view characters, expertly narrated by Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab, and Shaun Taylor-Corbett create an engaging story that works particularly well in audio format. Thank you to the Libro.fm ALC Program and Simon & Schuster Audio for providing a review copy of Black Sun for this episode. Black Sun [Libro.fm] Other Referenced Works: The Sixth World (series) [Audible] Resistance Reborn [Overdrive/Libby] / [Audible] Doctor Aphra [Overdrive/Libby] / [Audible] The Light Brigade [Libro.fm]

This time we discuss a pair of recent listens, with Shachi sharing These Ghosts are Family written by Maisy Card and narrated by Karl O’Brian Williams; while Scott shares Vagabonds, written by Hao Jingfang, translated by Ken Liu and narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.  Thank you to the Libro.fm ALC Program and Simon & Schuster Audio for providing review copys of These Ghosts are Family and Vagabonds for today’s episode. These Ghosts are Family [Libro.fm] Vagabonds [Libro.fm] Other Referenced Works: Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots [Libro.fm] [Ep 78] The Three-Body Problem [Libro.fm] Red Mars [Libro.fm]

Audible recently updated their membership options to include Audible Plus, providing an "All-You-Can-Listen" option with over 9,000 titles to subscribers. Mark Siegal joined me to discuss the new offering, how it has impacted our listening habits, and what the future may hold for the service. We also share some recent  listens and what we are looking forward to. Audible Plans EDIT/OR Episode 37: Huge Unicorn Sledgehammer What are we listening to? Quest for the Diamond Sword (Minecraft) [Audible Plus] Vorkosigan Saga (series) [Audible Plus & Audible] Do Over [Audible Plus] Sherlock Holmes (Narrated by Stephen Fry) [Audible Plus] The Dispatcher (series) [Audible Plus]   Related Episodes on Audiobook Services: 8: Intro to Audiobooks (Audible) 21: Free Audiobooks From Your Local Library (Overdrive, Libby, and Hoopla) 31: Scribd ('Unlimited' audiobook borrowing) 41: Kobo & Walmart Audiobooks 47: Boston Public Library (including RBdigital) 49: Libro.fm 56: Audiobooks.com 60: Chirp Audiobooks

Audiobook narrator Marc Thompson joined me to discuss narrating audiobooks in the Star Wars universe including the recent Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book I: Chaos Rising). Marc also shared how he approaches the many familiar and new voices that bring these audiobooks to life. Marc Thompson earned his BFA from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, in 1997. His voice can be heard in commercials, on radio, and on many cartoons, including MTV’s Daria, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and G.I. Joe: Sigma 6. He narrates many audiobooks in the Star Wars series. Marc Thompson [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby]/ [IMDb] Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book I: Chaos Rising) [Penguin Random House Audio] / [Audible] / [OverDrive/Libby] Star Wars: Legacy of the Force (series) [ Audible] / [OverDrive/Libby] Connect with Marc Thompson: Twitter: CaptainEhud Instagram: CaptainEhud Facebook: Marc Thompson Website: Marc Thompson

Shachi joined me to discuss Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots, written and narrated by Morgan Jerkins.   Thank you to the Libro.fm ALC Program and HarperAudio for providing a review copy of Wandering in Strange Lands for today’s episode. Wandering in Strange Lands: A Daughter of the Great Migration Reclaims Her Roots [Libro.fm] The print and ebook versions of Wandering in Strange Lands does include an extensive Notes and Bibliography section that are not included in the audiobook edition. The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-american Culinary History in the Old South (Written + Narrated by: Michael W. Twitty) [Libro.fm]

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, written by Suzanne Collins and narrated by  Santino Fontana, is the anticipated prequel to the Hunger Games exploring the beginning of Coriolanus Snow's rise to power during the 10th Hunger Games. While the audio production was surprisingly off at times, the story itself is a worthwhile addition to the series that manages to expand our view of Panem and the Hunger Games, while staying true to the beloved trilogy.  Panelists include: Gilbert Tang and Scott Ullery The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes [Libro.fm] / [Audible] / [OverDrive/Libby]

Embrace Your Weird, written and narrated by Felicia Day, is an entertaining follow-up to You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost), that challenges the listener to break down the barriers in their own creative endeavors. The enthusiastic narration is one of the best in the self development genre and an included PDF (when included by audiobook provider) allows you to follow along with the exercises. Panelists include: Mark Siegal and Scott Ullery Embrace Your Weird [Audible] You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] The Guild [Website] / [Netflix]  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Ep 3] / [Ep 58 (Revisit)]

Star Wars audiobook producer Nick Martorelli returned to discuss the latest Star Wars Audiobook Original audiobook: Doctor Aphra including its exceptional cast of narrators. We also discussed production lessons and adjustments made since Dooku: Jedi Lost, adapting to the audiobook or audio drama format, and upcoming Star Wars audiobook releases. **Referenced Star Wars Works:** Doctor Aphra [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Episode 74] Darth Vader (2015-16 Comic) Dooku: Jedi Lost [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Episode 38] Doctor Aphra (2020-Present Comic) From a Certain Point of View (Star Wars) [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] The Rise of Skywalker [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Episode 68] Galaxy's Edge: Black Spire [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: A Crash of Fate [Audible ] / / [Overdrive/Libby] Star Wars: Light of the Jedi (The High Republic) Star Wars The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book I: Chaos Rising) From a Certain Point of Vi

Doctor Aphra (Star Wars), written by Sarah Kuhn, and narrated by a full cast is the second Star Wars audiobook original. The story follows rogue archaeologist Doctor Aphra's adventures searching for and exploiting artifacts and working for Darth Vader. Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio Advanced copy received for review purposes. Narrated by a full cast: * Emily Woo Zeller as Doctor Aphra * Jonathan Davis as Boba Fett * Sean Patrick Hopkins as Luke Skywalker * Sean Kenin as Triple-Zero * Nicole Lewis as Sana Starros * Carol Monda as Maz Kanata * Euan Morton as The Emperor * Catherine Taber as Leia Organa * Marc Thompson as Darth Vader Doctor Aphra [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] Dooku: Jedi Lost [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Episode 38] Darth Vader (2015-16 Comic) From a Certain Point of View (Star Wars) [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby]

Author and narrator Mary Robinette Kowal joined me to discuss her latest novel The Relentless Moon. We also discuss audiobook production and space flight in our timeline. Hugo Award-winner Mary Robinette Kowal is the author and narrator of: The Glamourist Histories series, Ghost Talkers and the Lady Astronaut series. Her stories appear in Uncanny, Cosmos, and Asimov’s. The Relentless Moon [Audible] Lady Astronaut (series) [Audible] The Relentless Moon audiobook recording sessions (available until 14 Jul 20) [YouTube] Alice in Wonderland (series) [Audible] The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Radio Plays) [Audible] Flower of the Dusk (ebook) [Amazon] Lavender and Old Lace [Amazon (ebook)] / [Audible] Adult Space Academy Mary Robinette Kowal (website)

p>Food and drink often feature prominently in our favorite stories. It can help introduce us to new or fantastical cultures, connect us with our past, and bring together our favorite characters in celebration or loss. Our panel (Shachi Bhatt, Mark Siegal, and Scott Ullery) will be cooking up their favorite literary meals with each course coming from a different audiobook. Round 1: Shachi: Páramo de Guzmán Cheese from The Telling Room (Written by: Michael Paterniti / Narrated by: L.J. Ganser) [Audible] Mark: Green Smoothies from Laurie Berkner's Song and Story Kitchen (Written by: Laurie Berkner, The Laurie Berkner Band / Narrated by: Laurie Berkner, Josiah Gaffney) [Audible Stories (free)] / [Audible]/ [Ep 29: Audible Originals] Scott: Dr. Chef’s Smoky Buns from The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Written by: By: Becky Chambers / Narrated by: Rachel Dulude) [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] / [Audible] / [Ep 45: Wayfarers] Round 2: Shachi: The Cooking Gene: A Journey Through African-american Culinary Histo

The Narrated audiobook club discusses The Hate U Give, written by Angie Thomas and narrated by Bahni Turpin. Panelists include: Shachi Bhatt and Scott Ullery The Hate U Give [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Audible] Children of Blood & Bone (also narrated by Bahni Turpin) [Libro.fm] / [OverDrive/Libby] / [Audible] Talking to Strangers [Libro.fm] / Overdrive/Libby] / [Audible] / [Ep: 59]

Dan Moren returns to Narrated to discuss his latest novel The Aleph Extraction in The Galactic Cold War series. We also discuss audiobook production during a pandemic and play a quick game of Disney themed mashups.The Aleph Extraction is available in print and ebook on May 12th. The audiobook release is currently TBD, and will be narrated by Victor Bevine. The Aleph Extraction [Indiebound] / [Overdrive/Libby]   The Bayern Agenda [Audible] / [Overdrive/Libby] The Caledonian Gambit [Audible] / [Libro.fm] / [Overdrive/Libby] Short Stories (The Galactic Cold War series) [dmoren.com] Six Colors: Self publishing **Other Referenced Works:** Gargoyles (Disney+) Logan Lucky Mission: Impossible Felix Castor (series) The Dresden Files (series)   **Dan Moren:** The Incomparable Total Party Kill Inconceivable!  Not Playing with Lex & Dan Clockwise The Rebound Website Twitter (@dmoren) Instagram