A descent I longed to stay in

R.F. Kuang has been an auto-download for me ever since The Poppy War trilogy broke my little soul, so I knew Katabasis would hit hard. But I didn’t expect it to stay with me like this. A dark, cerebral descent into the underworld, the story is layered with mythology, philosophy and academic tension so sharp it hurts in the best way. Alice Law accidentally kills her mentor in a magical mishap and will do anything to bring him back, including venturing into literal Hell. Unfortunately for her, Peter Murdoch—her academic rival and former crush—is on the same path. What follows is a spellbinding blend of dark academia, mythic horror, and enemies-to-lovers romance in which every level of suffering mirrors the sins they are trying to outrun. Narrators Morag Sims and Will Watt deliver powerful performances that amplify the stakes and intimacy. Intense, brilliant and emotionally consuming, Katabasis has easily become one of my favourite listens of the year.

Pure escapist joy

When Ellie Endicott's husband divorces her for a younger woman, she jumps in his Bentley and flees to France with her housekeeper and elderly neighbor. But the Bentley doesn't quite make it to the Riviera. Stranded in charming Saint Benet, the trio settles in and finds new purpose restoring a villa and building friendships with colourful locals—all while the spectre of war hovers over Europe and beyond. Rhys Bowen masterfully balances cosy vibes with weightier themes of reinvention, female solidarity and eventual wartime challenges. Narrator Barrie Kreinik’s performance is a delight; she nails every character (British and French) perfectly. This breezy, heartwarming listen proves it's never too late for adventure, romance or discovering your inner strength.

The world of The Stand expands!

Stephen King’s 1978 classic The Stand is one of his longest, clocking in at nearly 48 hours. Get ready for an additional 28 hours from some of the most-gifted minds of modern horror storytelling in this well-crafted anthology. Featuring stories from visionary authors—including S.A. Cosby, Caroline Kepnes, Tananarive Due, Nat Cassidy, Josh Malerman—it’s performed by award-winning narrators Sean Patrick Hopkins and Adenrele Ojo. The terrifying tales ensnared me immediately, and King multiverse fans are in for a real treat with these diverse, horrifying happenings set within this specific universe.

A secret world hidden in plain sight

After devouring Gareth Brown’s first book, I couldn’t wait to dive into his second. He builds stories that feel lived in, full of magic, with layered characters and secrets that reveal themselves at just the right moment. Magda belongs to a secret society that tracks down powerful magical objects scattered across the world. When she’s sent to Hong Kong to follow up on a lead, things quickly spiral into something stranger—and far more dangerous than she expected. The mystery around these objects unfolds slowly, full of hidden motives and unanswered questions. Olivia Vinall’s narration made it feel like I was right there, chasing clues and trying to keep up with Magda every step of the way. And that final nod to his debut, The Book of Doors? I squealed; I hollered; it was absolute perfection. While it’s not a sequel, The Society of Unknowable Objects gave me a jolt, and the hope that we might see that world again soon.

Cracking the hard shell of the lobster industry

I can hardly imagine summer without lobster on the menu. Now, with the help of this eye-opening glimpse into an industry on the brink of collapse, I have another bleak potential to worry about. Tackling everything from tariffs and trade wars to the nuances that make overfishing restrictions on this market murky at best, The Lobster Trap reveals that the age of abundance is over for these delicious crustaceans. While I never questioned whether Greg Mercer, a well-seasoned reporter for Canada’s The Globe and Mail, would mesmerise me with his analysis of the financial risks that fishermen take to stay afloat, I was pleasantly surprised by his commitment to narrating this listen in different North American regional accents. (His Boston is on par with several Hollywood actors, none of whom locals ever expect to get it quite right.) I recommend savoring this listen with a side of melted butter.

But a particularly delightful audiobook

Perhaps best known for his bestselling memoir and its BBC adaptation, This Is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay is back and better than ever with his debut mystery novel. Fans of Kay already know that he’s incredibly funny, and A Particularly Nasty Case brilliantly blends that humour with a witty, fast-faced and, at times, delightfully unhinged tale of amateur sleuthing and mental health. It’s equal parts silly, significant and engrossing, delivering a satisfying whodunit alongside the candour and medical insight we’ve come to expect from his work. And though I’ve absolutely loved his previous performances of his audiobooks, casting Andy Serkis (of LOTR fame) as the narrator was the cherry on top.

Grab your popcorn, cinephiles!

Growing up, family movie nights and outings to my local cinema were fairly routine. But in adulthood, those embers of a hobby escalated into a blaze of obsession, bolstered by an unlimited monthly pass to my local theater and an ever-expanding media collection. But when the big screen just isn’t enough, I keep an ear out for stories that go behind-the-scenes of some of Hollywood’s biggest hits. The Film Makers does just that by centering candid, deeply personal reflections from some of the modern masters of movie magic. With firsthand insights from acclaimed filmmakers—including Ron Howard, Richard Linklater and Chloé Zhao—this Audible Original is a treat for movie buffs and storytelling obsessives alike that rivals even the most delectable of concession stand offerings.

When caregiving becomes self-care

I was deeply touched by the tenderness woven throughout every detail of this special debut memoir. Brian Buckbee is an elderly man suffering from a mysterious illness causing a debilitating years-long headache, as well as prolonged heartbreak and loneliness. His misery compounds during the COVID-19 pandemic, until Buckbee finds a glimmer of companionship and purpose when he takes in a wounded bird named Two-Step, then others, turning his home into a rescue-and-return bird sanctuary. Editor Carol Ann Fitzgerald documents the details of Buckbee’s lifelong memories in a series of intimately narrated vignettes by Buckbee—who is otherwise unable to write or concentrate for extended periods of time due to his condition. The two form an unlikely friendship in the process. Grab your tissues—lots of them. We Should All Be Birds reminds us that every connection in life is at once precious and powerful.

An unexpected return from a favourite

Fantasy listeners will be delighted to know that Louis Sachar, the beloved children’s book author of Holes, has written his first adult novel about a kingdom in peril, a doomed princess and a down-on-his-luck magician. It’s a quirky tale that feels adult without being adult, catering to the classic fantasy elements we all know and love. Narrator Edoardo Ballerini captures the magician Anatole’s sceptical but playful inner voice as he observes his slightly absurd world of tigers in castles, silly kings and star-crossed lovers. Touched by real-life historical details about living during Renaissance times, Sachar leads the listener down a whimsical path with a satisfying, it-all-comes-together moment at the end.