Harry Potter like you’ve never heard it before

As a mother of school-age children, nothing delights me more than seeing my kids begin to fall in love with the stories that empowered and inspired me when I was young. What’s even more special is that with this new full-cast audio edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, new audiences and established fans (like me!) will find it equally enchanting. The breathtaking sound design, immersive score, and outstanding performances by hundreds of actors had my kids on the edge of their seats, and I was squealing with delight right alongside them. Even if you know everything there is to know about Harry Potter, you’ve never heard it quite like this—and if you’re new to the stories, there has never been a better way to dive in.

A millennial take on loneliness

I was immediately drawn in by author Don Martin’s nostalgic recollection of playing Animal Crossing with friends during the pandemic. After all, with limited options for socialising, meeting up with others in a virtual world filled with activities was the closest I could get to an in-person hangout, too. Where Did Everybody Go? is a deep dive into the paradox of a loneliness epidemic that affects everyone. With insights from cultural, historic, scientific, and personal research, delivered through Martin’s engaging, humourous, and warm performance, Where Did Everybody Go? helps bridge the gap between isolated despair and hope for a more connected future.

A sequel sweeter than Thimble’s cinnamon rolls

When it comes to dark, chilly autumn nights, there’s no better companion than a feel-good cosy fantasy. And it just doesn’t get warmer or fuzzier than Travis Baldree’s Legends & Lattes series. The listening equivalent of a fleecy blanket and a mug of mulled cider, each story is unfailingly wholesome, full of heart and humour, and buoyant with a cast of captivating characters. Brigands & Breadknives centres on Fern, the rattkin bookseller with a delightful vulgar streak introduced in Bookshops & Bonedust. When she’s unexpectedly carted away—quite literally—by the legendary elven Oathmaiden Astryx, Fern is swept off on a madcap adventure that features, in no particular order, a goblin named Zyll with a penchant for filching silverware, two talkative elder blades, large venomous chickens, and a fresh appreciation for dry socks. Along the journey, Fern considers that perhaps living out campfire stories is even better than selling them. Baldree’s narration shimmers with a magic matching his writing, making this heartfelt story of veering off-path and finding yourself along the way all the more charming.

Nevertheless, she persists

Those searching for a grimoire of writerly wisdom in Margaret Atwood’s memoir may be surprised to find something closer to an almanac of home economics, warnings about bear or moose maulings, and guidance for mild revenges—along with poems, aphorisms, and jokey asides. Naturally, she provides insights into her masterworks, but her curious mind seems primarily interested in turning over minutiae, looking for grubs to devour. Atwood also details her lasting love with her longtime partner, Canadian novelist Graeme Gibson, who died in 2019. She narrates all of her perceptive prose in a steady, mesmerising cadence that drips with dry wit. Atwood claims to have been resistant to writing a “literary memoir,” but thankfully she relented and takes us along for the ride of a lifetime. This is the type of listen that I’ll return to on autumn nights with a warm drink in hand, dipping in to savour a quirky Ontario tale from 70 years ago or a sinister truth gleaned from her years of gimlet-eyed observations. This woman contains multitudes!

This mind-bending story has taken up permanent residence in my brain

Blossoming out of a collaborative fictional landscape known as the SCP Foundation, whose mission is to "secure, contain, and protect" mankind from a variety of unexplainable entities, this fascinating novel from a British computer programmer contemplates the idea that the world is full of "antimemes." These are entities that by their very nature are impossible to retain or remember. While some are relatively harmless (like giant, gentle creatures who use antimemetic properties as camouflage), the more nefarious antimemes are devouring entire teams of scientists with no one the wiser. Because how do you fight an enemy you aren't even aware exists? The structure of the story—moving back and forth in time and peppered with redacted classified documents—makes room for rich audio elements, while also surfacing compelling and relevant questions around history, memory, and fascism in a world rife with deepfakes and misinformation.

Part memoir, part battle cry

As a mom to four young boys, my eyes have been wide-open to the fact that men and boys are falling behind. The data is enough to make anyone spiral. When I saw Notes on Being a Man coming from entrepreneur, professor, and podcast host Scott Galloway, I knew I had to listen. Part memoir, part battle cry, the book delves into Galloway's own personal history to underscore the crisis that men and boys are facing today. He highlights his successes, yes, but more importantly, he vulnerably emphasises where he has fallen short to help show a better path forward for the next generation. Narrated by Galloway, Notes on Being a Man offers clear lessons on how we can help men and boys live out more fulfilling, balanced, and healthier futures.

Quicksilver fans, rejoice!

I’ve been waiting for Brimstone since the moment I finished Quicksilver, and this was worth every second. Saeris is navigating the weight of power, the ache of distance, and the kind of decisions that change everything. The journey feels bigger this time, riskier and sharper, and I had no idea where we’d end up. The emotional tension, the slow-burn momentum, the knife’s edge choices—I couldn’t stop listening. Stella Bloom and Anthony Palmini bring it all to life in a duet performance that captures every twist, shift, and simmer.

A walk back in time

As a history enthusiast and someone who likes to get their listening in while walking, I knew historian Alice Loxton’s Eleanor was an immediate add-to-library for me. By walking the 200-mile funeral procession of Eleanor of Castile, Loxton crafts a history that is as engaging and insightful as it is easy to get lost in. Eleanor is a feat of storytelling that not only offers a look back at one of England’s lesser-known queens but also provides a fascinating take on how Britain and its countryside have evolved over the past seven centuries. Performed by Loxton herself, it’s an accessible and engaging listen that’ll transport you back in time.

Simply authentic

Cynthia Erivo doesn’t need to try hard to convince us that she achieves a level of sacred, spiritual connection with her listeners every time she performs. That fact has long been evident in the audiobooks space, just as it is in the world of musical theatre. And her new memoir is no exception. In under four hours Erivo tells the story of how she learned to thrive as her most authentic self, translating it into a collection of helpful affirmations that serves as a grounding reminder for anyone who needs to take a deep breath during this busy time of year.