by Catherynne M. Valente ; read by Julia Whelan ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 3, 2014
This adaptation of the classic fairy tale is superbly performed by Julia Whelan. A half-Native-American child is named Snow White by her wicked stepmother. With a sweet, youthful voice, Whelan captures Snow White’s desperation to be loved and her despair at suffering terrible abuse—until she finally flees. Whelan then switches to a rough drawl to portray Snow White as a woman on the run, living a hard life in the Wild West. Whelan’s voice reflects the evocative ambiance of this genre-crossing combination of fairy tale and Native American legend. The story itself, full of symbolism and poetic language, can be confusing. But Whelan’s storytelling never falters as she brings out the enigmatic imagery of this thought-provoking tale.
Pub Date: June 3, 2014
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781629237374
Publisher: Dreamscape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
by TJ Klune ; read by Kirt Graves ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 28, 2026
This highly emotional audiobook won’t leave listeners dry-eyed.
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Kirt Graves tenderly narrates this audiobook about the end of the world. Don and Rodney, married for the last 40 years, have one month left to live as a black hole approaches Earth. They hit the road on a desperate trip across the country to fulfill one last promise. Graves easily distinguishes a variety of characters as they grapple with their impending deaths. He shows remarkable emotional versatility in his depictions of hope, desperation, apathy, and acceptance. Graves gives Rodney a low, gruff, and tough voice, while sentimental Don sounds gentler. Graves’ performance is leisurely paced, letting listeners linger in the stories of the people Don and Rodney meet along their journey.
This highly emotional audiobook won’t leave listeners dry-eyed.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 6 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250435606
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
by Francis Spufford ; read by Lydia Wilson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 10, 2026
Wilson’s spirited and heartfelt performance makes this beautifully told story a must-listen.
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English actress Lydia Wilson’s lively delivery of Spufford’s genre-blending adventure adds much to the captivating tale. Iris, a high-spirited young woman, chafes at the limits of life as a stockbrokerage secretary in 1939 London. On a whim, she hooks up one night with Geoffrey, a sincere young engineer. Soon, they find themselves battling time-traveling fascists who seek to change history. Wilson’s attractive, clear voice and sensitive pacing add nuance to Spufford’s evocative portrayal of life in wartime London. During conversations, Wilson’s mix of tonal shifts and a realistic tempo make one feel deliciously like an eavesdropper. While Wilson’s male characters don’t always have deeper voices, that is a quibble, as individual personalities shine through.
Wilson’s spirited and heartfelt performance makes this beautifully told story a must-listen.Pub Date: March 10, 2026
Duration: 15 hrs, 29 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668151099
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: May 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
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