The Texas accents, hardscrabble lives, and arid landscape give this taut collection an air of reality.
At their best, these short fictions set mostly in Corpus Christi, Texas, present compelling characters in complex circumstances. Jay, the central character of “The Beginning of Wisdom,” is a romantic yet realistic young man, and Eddie Lopez adopts different accents, styles, and personalities in his fine performance. Kaleo Griffith is equally adept in “Dixon,” where his tone and tempo capture the hapless protagonist’s hardships, foolhardiness, and angst. Geoge Newbern gives a well-paced narration of the remarkable title story, enlivening the dramatic plot and expressively performing dialogue.
The Texas accents, hardscrabble lives, and arid landscape give this taut collection an air of reality.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 8 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593908969
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2026
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.
Samek's collection of 12 short stories is thought provoking, surreal, and original. These creative stories are linked by several common threads: psychology, technology, and time. Narrator Chandler Gregoire adopts a personable tone, feminine and relatable, though her pacing can sometimes become a little bit rapid. Several standout stories from the collection include the titular tale of an older brother who has a puppeteer to control him; “Muscle to Muscle, Toe to Toe,” in which a couple is matched by an algorithm but it ends up feeling artificial; and “The Cloud,” in which mothers' limbs are stored in the cloud.
Gregoire's performance of these original stories stimulates listeners' imagination, providing plenty of food for thought.Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217278107
Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: yesterday
Listeners will find themselves thinking about these compelling and engaging short stories long after the audiobook ends.
Narrator Max Meyers shines in this collection of short stories that addresses two central questions: What does it mean to be a father in today’s society, and how has our concept of fatherhood evolved? The ten stories address a wide range of topics including masculinity, navigating divorce, financial issues, responsibilities, identity, and societal expectations. Meyers' delivery is measured and thoughtful throughout, inviting listeners to engage with the situations presented in each story. Some of the selections are humorous, some touching, and some complicated, but all are powerful in their own way. The title story is particularly engaging, as are "Divorce Story," "Pony," and "OnlyFans."
Listeners will find themselves thinking about these compelling and engaging short stories long after the audiobook ends.Pub Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Duration: 5 hrs, 57 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668120163
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 17, 2026
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