Sponsored by Andrews McMeel Publishing
What would happen if a shy introvert lived like a gregarious extrovert for one year? If she knowingly and willingly put herself in perilous social situations that she’d normally avoid at all costs? Writer Jessica Pan intends to find out. With the help of various extrovert mentors, Jessica sets up a series of personal challenges (talk to strangers, perform stand-up comedy, host a dinner party, travel alone, make friends on the road, and much, much worse) to explore whether living like an extrovert can teach her lessons that might improve the quality of her life.
Hola Audiophiles! Happy Thursday and welcome to another round of audio love with yours truly! I’m still living out of a suitcase with one foot in my hometown and one in my new home, but at least the bulk of the packing and shlepping is done so I finally have time to read. Yippee!
This week I’ve got a few new releases, a recent listen, and a batch of mostly good news. There is indeed more evidence that AI is coming for us all, so let’s all just hold hands and hope the bots are nice to us.
Ready? Let’s audio.
New Releases – August 21 (publisher’s descriptions in quotes)
Color Me In by Natasha Diaz, narrated by Bahni Turpin – White-passing Nevaeh Levitz has grown up comfortably in a posh New York City neighborhood, the daughter of a Black mom and Jewish dad. When her parents split up, Nevaeh goes to live with her mom in Harlem and instantly clashes with that side of the family. She’s forced to confront her privilege and her roots as she straddles both sides of her identity, all while falling in love for the first time. Sounds like a great coming-of-age story to round out your summer reading.
- Narrator Note: *airhorns* Bahni Tuuuuuurrrrrppiiiiinnnnnn. That is all.
Polite Society by Mahesh Rao, narrated by Deepti Gupta – Hey! It’s a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma set in Delhi! Ania Khuran is super pretty, super smart, and super bored, getting her kicks by playing matchmaker for her family and friends. Then her aunt’s handsome nephew arrives from America and brings with him a shift in the tides of Delhi’s polite society. Are her sensibilities any match for “old money and new; relentless currents of gossip; and an unforgettable cast of socialites, journalists, gurus, and heirs?” We shall see.
- Narrator Note: Deepto Gupta most recently narrated A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza, the first title from by Sarah Jessica Parker’s imprint, SJP for Hogarth.
Going Dutch by James Gregor, narrated by Michael David Axtell – Richard is a broke, lonely, gay male grad student in what is at first a transactional relationship with Anne, a brilliant female classmate offering to “help” him write his papers in exchange for company. She knows he’s gay, and he knows that she knows he’s gay, but they proceed and find a friendly companionship. When a “one-swipe-stand” turns into something more serious for Richard, he “finds himself on a romantic and existential collision course – one that brings about surprising revelations.”
- Narrator Note: Michael David Axtel’s voice reminds me a lot of Michael Urie, the narrator of Steven Rowley’s The Editor. It’s that classic, crisp style that could easily be the friendly voice behind a company recording, but not in a fake way.
Latest Listens
I think I’ve told you before that self-help and business books don’t generally speak to me. Then along came Radical Candor: Be A Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott. I am changed! The concepts in it are simple and yet seem antithetical to the habits so many of us learn in Corporate America. Get personal at work! Do away with the word “superior!” Reward folks on a gradual promotion trajectory as much as those on a steep one – you need both kinds of people! For anyone who’s ever had (or perhaps even been) a boss that didn’t put their humanity first, this book may just revolutionize your views on effective leadership.
Listens on Deck
Though I am still living out of a suitcase and splitting my time between San Diego and Portland, I am finally finding time to audio again. I’m not sure what I want to take on next, though the new Téa Obrecht (Inland) and Ibi Zoboi (My Life As An Ice Cream Sandwich) are calling my name. It’s a toss up between one of those and Speaking of Summer.
From the Internets
It’s official: all of the Baby-Sitters Club books are live on Audible. Narrated by Elle Fanning!
A Chinese search engine is creating AI to narrate audiobooks in popular authors’ voices. Oh sure, fine. This is all fine.
New Directions Publishing has entered the audiobook market.
Have you ever thought about narrating an audiobook? Here’s a piece on finding voiceover work in audiobooks and other markets.
Over at the Riot
Jenn was on vacation hugging trees this week, so I popped in as a guest on this week’s Get Booked! One reader asked for easy-to-follow audiobooks on account of a recent concussion (yikes! feel better!). The show title is Suck My Galoshes, which is a clue as to my pick if you’re in the know. Bahaahaha.
That’s all I got today! Shoot me an email at vanessa@riotnewmedia.com with audiobook feedback & questions or find me on Twitter and the gram @buenosdiazsd. Sign up for the In The Club newsletter, peep the Read Harder podcast, and watch me booktube every Friday too!
Stay bad & bookish, my friends.
Vanessa