Nominations for Amazing Audiobooks Committee 2009- 2010
Updated July 1, 2009
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Vol. 2, The Kingdom on the Waves, by M.T. Anderson, read by Peter Francis James. Listening Library, 2008, 13 hours 30 minutes, 11 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-6788-9, $75.00 ISBNCD
Octavian, with his classics tutor Dr. Trefusis, flee to Boston, which is occupied by British forces. When the governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore offers freedom to slaves in return for their service against the revolution, Octavian joins Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment, off the coast. The rich and resonant voice of Peter Francis James captures the scholarly Octavian as well as multiple dialects of other characters.
Brooklyn Bridge, by Karen Hesse, read by Fred Berman. Macmillan Audio, 2008, 4 hours 45 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4272-0546-9, $24.95
The juxtaposition of Joseph Michtom's story--first born American child of a family of Russian immigrants who make good in America with their creation of the teddy bear--with the life stories of young people living under the Brooklyn Bridge, sends the listener right back in time. Fred Berman's narration vividly brings 1903 Brooklyn to life through his voicing of Joseph and other characters that populate the two parallel storylines in Brooklyn Bridge.
Carter Finally Gets It, by Brent Crawford, read by Nick Podehl. Brilliance Audio, 2009, 8 hours 27 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-9181-4, $87.97
A year in the life of Carter begins with a party before his freshman year, and ends with him realizing where his true interests and talents lie. This is a hilarious, poignant, and so true picture of a 14 year old boy's life. Nick Podehl reads Carter with the perfect blend of humor, irony, and innocence, while narrating a true-to-life glimpse into the mind of a teenage boy.
The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams, read by Jenna Lamia. Macmillan Audio, 2009, 5 hours 30 minutes, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4272-0706-7, $24.99
Kyra is being forced to marry her sixty year old uncle who is an elder in their religious group "The Chosen Ones". This is untenable for Kyra who shows her independence by loving a sixteen year old boy and visiting a bookmobile. Jenna Lamia brings the perfect tone and emotions to thirteen year old Kyra and enables the listeners to hear her terrible sadness, righteous anger, and her love for her family.
If I Stay, by Gayle Forman, read by Kirsten Potter. Listening Library, 2009, 4 hours 48 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-8084-0, $45.00
Mia has a great family, boyfriend and is a talented musician. It all gets taken away when her entire family, except her, is killed in a car crash. While clinging to life, she wonders, should she stay. This highly emotional story is captured wonderfully with Potters' authentic and genuine tone for Mia's constantly struggling mind.
The Killer's Cousin, by Nancy Werlin, read by Nick Podehl. Brilliance Audio, 2008, 6 hours, 5 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4233-8078-8, $54.97
The jury found David innocent when tried for the murder of his girlfriend, but his name will always be associated with her death. To try for a fresh start, he moves in with his uncle's family in Cambridge, Massachusetts for his senior year in high school. The narrator is convincing as he subtly voices the self-doubt, threat, fear and suspicion that build in this tautly-crafted mystery.
Lady Knight, Book 4 of the Protector of the Small Quartet, by Tamora Pierce, read by Bernadette Dunne. Listening Library, 2009, 11 hours 11 minutes, 9 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7974-5, $65.00
Keladry of Mindelan has finally become a knight, but it is turning out a bit differently than she had imagined. Bernadette Dunne is able to create consistent, distinct and telling voices for each character, which makes the story that much more engrossing.
Slumdog Millionaire, by Vikas Swarup, read by Christopher Simpson. BBC Audiobooks America, 2009, 10 hours 47 minutes, 9 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7927-6162-4, $89.95
Ram Mohammad Thomas has his own reasons for wanting to win a billion rupees in India's quiz show. For each question that he is asked listeners learn how he came to know the answer, and the events of his life which affected him and intertwined with many other people. Christopher Simpson brings all the characters to life with his splendid Indian accent while showing emotion unique to each person and situation.
The Summoning, by Kelly Armstrong, read by Cassandra Morris. Recorded Books, 2009, 8 hours 45 minutes, 7 discs, ISBN: 978-1-4361-9720-5 , $77.75
When Chloe starts seeing ghosts, she is sent to Lyle house, a place for troubled teens. There she meets people just like her, with hidden supernatural powers. Chloe is portrayed as childlike and naive; Morris does an excellent job showcasing her personality with a distinct voice.
Tree Girl: A Novel, by Ben Mikaelsen, read by Amber Sealey. Listening Library, 2009, 4 hours 37 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7265-4, $30.00
Gabi has survived the brutal massacre of her village in Guatemala by hiding in trees. Her amazing journey to Mexico to build a new life is compelling portrayed by the authors text and the distant but emotionally charged narration. This novel is based on a true story told to the author. The story is tender but horrible, showing the atrocities of genocide in a lesser known area of the world.
Wildwood Dancing, by Juliet Marillier, read by Kim Mai Guest. Listening Library, 2008, 12 hours 54 minutes, 11 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-7940-0, $50.00
Five adventurous sisters enter an enchanted forest each full moon to dance the night away with their magical friends until the evening the mysterious Night People join the party. Guest's light and lilting voice brings the fantasy and enchantment to life.
Would You, by Marthe Jocelyn, read by Renee Raudman. Listening Library, 2009, 3 hours 41 minutes, 3 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-8009-3, $38.00.
Claire and her sister Natalie are very close. A tragedy forces Claire to imagine life without her sister. Raudman expresses happiness, grief and mourning perfectly in the voice of an authentic teenager.
Your own, Sylvia: a verse portrait of Sylvia Plath, by Stephanie Hemphill, read by Full cast. Listening Library, 2009, 4 hours 52 minutes, 4 discs, ISBN: 978-0-7393-8087-1, $38.00
Hemphill’s poems paint many different portraits of Sylvia Plath as she is seen by different people in her life. The full cast of narrators makes the story more intimate--you feel as if the person were letting you into their own lives as they talked about Sylvia.
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