when the audiobook is calling to you, listen to your heart
The Marigold Murder Collective by Jo Nichols Narrated by Jim Meskimen and Meg Price
Highlights: Nails various different characters of different ages/identities/backgrounds
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le Narrated by Ryan Do and Vyvy Nguyen
Highlights: We know I feel about Ryan Do . . .
The Ernest Cunningham Series by Benjamin Stevenson Narrated by Barton Welch
Highlights: Breaks 4th wall, nails sassiness of narrator and all for the drama
Secret Staircase Series by Gigi Pandian Narrated by Soneela Nankani
Highlights: I’m assuming by the names here that this is own voices tbh
Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
Highlights: Funny teenager voices, and gets the embarrassment right
Happiness Falls by Angie Kim Narrated by Shannon Tyo, Sean Patrick Hopkins, and Thomas Pruyn
Highlights: Neurotypical character read by Neurotypical Character, the FL has a distinct thought process that the narrator keeps in rhythm with emotion and tone which helps keep us plugged in and avoids confusion
The Last Tiger by Julia Riew and Brad Riew Narrated by Joshua Hyunho Lee, Inte Kim, and Sue Jean Kim
Highlights: This is an emotionally complex novel, but there are spots of happiness, and you feel the naivete of adolescence through the voices, if that makes sense . . .
Kill Her Twice Narrated by Jennie Kwan and Eunice Wong
Highlights: Cute sister dynamic matches clash with sassy and responsible
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar Narrated by Gem Carmella (admittedly not finished listening, its’ emotionally intense)
Highlights: Narrator performs different characters and sings
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods Narrated by Avena Mansergh-Wallace, Olivia Mace, and Nick Biadon
Highlights: Very complex storyline, spanning two different (but connected) time periods. Several accents, though by different narrators, there’s a lot of emotion here, so you’re not bored and its very page comes to life
The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre Narrated by Carly Robins
Highlights: Hard to narrate an ensemble cast with one person, but I feel the distinct voice of each characters
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley Narrated by Clare Corbett
Highlights: Just noticing the two Clare’s lol, similar to above they capture the unique voices of an ensemble cast
The Pheonix Pencil Company by Allison King Narrated by Carolyn Kang and Jodi Long
Highlights: The voice of the grandmother is so adorable and animated