Indexing by Seanan McGuire

Reader: Mary Robinette Kowal

Short Review: A team of government agents try to stop predatory fairy tales from taking over the world by solving fairy tale crimes in this episodic tale where happily ever after isn’t nearly as wonderful as it sounds. An exciting overarching story told through episodes reminiscent of the very best crime shows.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Reader: Neil Gaiman

Short Review: An excellent new dark fantasy for adults, read by the author.

The Girl with Glass Feet by Ali Shaw

Reader: Heather O’Neill

Short Review: An enchanting mythic fantasy about a woman searching for a cure or explanation for the mysterious ailment that is causing her feet to turn to glass, read beautifully by one of my favorite readers.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Reader: George Guidall
Short Review: A fantastic picaresque novel about a man traveling throughout the US, working for and with American Gods. It’s expertly read by one of the most respected narrators in the business.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

Reader: Martin Jarvis

Short review: One of my favorite humorous novels, expertly read by Martin Jarvis. I’m sure I’ll listen to this book over and over again.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly

Reader: Steven Crossley

Short Review: A decent book with a major flaw, read beautifully by Steven Crossley. Connolly’s book starts out as a promising depiction of the interior life of a bookish, depressed boy with apparently undiagnosed epilepsy and OCD. Unfortunately, it continues on into an all-too-familiar series of retellings of classic fairytales, several of which villanize women for no clear reason. I expected and hoped for more from the book itself. Thankfully, I truly enjoyed Crossley’s narration, and allowed it to carry me through a book that otherwise left me scratching my head and feeling disappointed and maligned.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

 Reader: Neil Gaiman

 Short Review: Neil Gaiman reads his Newbery Medal winning book beautifully. His nod to Kipling’s The Jungle Book is just scary enough, intriguing, inventive, well-written, enchanting . . . it’s downright wonderful. I loved Bod, Silas, Scarlett, Liza, Miss Lupescu, and the rest of the graveyard’s denizens and rooted for them throughout the story. I miss them. I’ll return to this book again and recommend it to adults and kids.

The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon

Reader: Peter Riegert

Extra features: The audiobook includes an interview with Michael Chabon about his inspiration for the book, his favorite books and genres, and his writing process.

Short Review: Chabon’s Hugo and Nebula award-winning alternate history of a world without Israel but with a temporary Jewish homeland in Sitka, Alaska. Hard-boiled detective Meyer Landsman investigates the murder of a junkie chess-player with his partner and cousin Berko Shemets, a half-Tlingit, half-Jewish cop who is a good father, a good Jew, and a good partner trying to save Landsman from himself. As the case progresses, more and more connections to organized crime, shady US government machinations, separatist Orthodox communities, and zealotry reveal themselves. Riegert is an ideal reader, comfortable with accents, Yiddish, noir, and sadness.

Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney

 Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney  Translator: Seamus Heaney  Reader: George Guidall  Short Review: Heaney’s excellent translation read well, though not perfectly, by Guidall.  Long Review: You know already whether or not you want to listed to Beowulf as an audiobook. There are those of us who perk right up at the thought of listening to […]

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel Author: Susanna Clarke Reader: Simon Prebble Short Review: A gorgeously read version of a Hugo Award winning modern epic I absolutely love. Clarke’s novel is part Harry Potter, part Tolkein, part comedy of manners, and part historical fiction of the Napoleonic Wars. It’s long, detailed, engaging, and by […]

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl

Author: Shannon Hale

Reader: Full Cast Audio

Short Review: A magical fairy tale brought to life by an amazing cast of readers. This modern retelling of a Grimm’s tale follows Ani, Princess of Kildenree, as she finds her own inner strength and true path in life. It is officially listed for Grades 6-9, but I am here to tell you that it is a fine choice for any adult interested in getting swept along by a well told tale of magic and strength.

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

Short Review: Margaret Atwood’s retelling of a portion of The Odyssey in Penelope’s voice, her contribution to the Canongate Myth Series, read by Laurel Merlington.