Blog

A writer and an actor, Aaron Hartzler’s autobiographical performances have been seen in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, where he received a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Off-Off Broadway Performance. RAPTURE PRACTICE, his memoir for young adults, was published in April. In our latest audiobook blog post, Aaron talks about how a great narrator can make or break the tone of a book --- as well as make all the unread classics in your to-be-read pile seem a little less intimidating --- and why it’s unsafe to drive while listening to Rupert Everett read his own memoir, RED CARPETS AND OTHER BANANA SKINS.

Gary Dell'Abate, a.k.a. “Baba Booey,” has been the producer of the world-renowned Howard Stern Radio Show for nearly 30 years. In this interview, the author of the bestselling memoir THEY CALL ME BABA BOOEY talks about some of his favorite audiobooks, why actors make the best narrators, and how listening to books has made his hour-long commute not only bearable but enlightening as well.

Together with her mother, author Lisa Scottoline, Francesca Serritella writes the weekly “Chick Wit” column in The Philadelphia Inquirer. The column has been published in four collections, the most recent of which, MEET ME AT EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE CLAIM, released in November. With her signature humor, Francesca discusses why funny memoirs make the best audiobooks, and how fun --- and unexpectedly emotional --- it was to record her own work with her mother.

Jack Gantos has written novels for adults, young adults and middle-grade readers, as well as over 20 books for primary readers, including 12 titles chronicling the misadventures of Rotten Ralph. FROM NORVELT TO NOWHERE, the sequel to his Newbery Award-winning DEAD END IN NORVELT, will be published in September. In this interview, Gantos shares some of his favorite audiobooks and explains the terrifying art of narrating his own work. 

The qualities of a good audiobook are no mystery to Mary Kay Andrews. In this interview, the New York Times bestselling author of 20 books --- 10 of which are mysteries penned under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck --- discusses the captivating power of audiobooks and how especially useful they are on long car rides with children. Her 10th Mary Kay Andrews novel, LADIES' NIGHT, is now in stores.

June is Audiobook Month, and to celebrate, we’re kicking off a month-long blog series with pieces from authors who are avid fans of audiobooks. First up is Janis Ian, author of the top-selling autobiography SOCIETY’S CHILD; the audiobook version won the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album. She’s also a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, singer and musician, so she has a good ear for what makes a great audiobook (hint: anything read by Katy Kellgren has a huge head start).

In anticipation of publication of AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED by Khaled Hosseini (pub date: May 21, 2013) we asked readers to share their comments about his first two books THE KITE RUNNER and

We wrap up this year’s Mother’s Day Author Blogs with Patti Callahan Henry, whose latest novel is AND THEN I FOUND YOU. Patti recalls warmly how her love of books blossomed from her childhood, throughout her adolescence, and into her adulthood. Her mother’s encouragement was the key to her transition from spellbound reader to confident storyteller in her own right. The freedom to explore the worlds of her imagination was the best gift her mom could’ve given her, and one of the most important things a mother can do for her kids.

While writing her most recent novel, WHEN SHE CAME HOME, Drusilla Campbell had to find a way into her main character Frankie’s head. Frankie is a mother and a Marine, called to war by her desire to protect her own children and her country’s children. Drusilla recounts a story of her own fierce protectiveness, and the lengths to which she is willing to go to keep her kids safe --- including staging a nonviolent sit-in and spending a day in jail. She empathizes with Frankie and with all mothers who want their children to be happy and healthy.

Motherhood can be daunting for any woman, and Kimberly McCreight is no exception. The debut author of RECONSTRUCTING AMELIA has found that being a mother is not something that can be mastered; rather, it’s a constantly evolving process of triumphs, mistakes and growth. And along the way, Kimberly has learned to stop battling her worries and embrace the mysterious and ever-unknowable landscape of motherhood.