Starred Audio Reviews for Adults and Kids: More Love for SOUNDTRACK by Jason Reynolds, plus, Margaret Atwood, Kiran Desai, Gish Jen, Clay McLeod Chapman, and more! (Dec 2025)

Read by the Author

“[Atwood] is also that rarity among writers: an excellent narrator. Now in her 80s, she has a tone with a hint of gravel, she reads with her characteristic deadpan wit, and her Canadian accent adds to her delivery.”—AudioFile Earphones Award

Read by Vidish Athavale

“Virtuoso [narrator] Athavale ensures an aural feast, expanding his single voice into an entire village of captivating characters. . . His effortless transitions—between age, gender, career, levels of self-importance—tirelessly enhance Desai’s playful, delightful, lyrical prose.”—Booklist starred review

Read by Jen Zhao

“Inspired by her family history in China and the U.S., Gish Jen’s novel is narrated with nuance, emotional depth, and clarity of purpose by Jen Zhao. Her pitch-perfect performance enhances this multigenerational story. . .  Zhao’s immersion in this family story is so complete that it often sounds as if she’s narrating her own family saga.”—AudioFile Earphones Award

Read by the Author

“Chef and author Gabrielle Hamilton expertly narrates her memoir about her family of origin. . . Overall, she projects her emotions as she narrates. Listeners can hear her smile at childhood antics and her regret as she speaks about painful subjects.”—AudioFile Earphones Award

Read by Chris Andrew Ciulla

“Chris Andrew Ciulla’s balanced performance is hilarious yet fully grounded. . . Ciulla sounds like he’s having fun as he takes listeners on a wild ride. Ackerman’s latest is a shift from his usual more serious military narratives.”—AudioFile Earphones Award

Read by a Full Cast

“Reynolds’s audiobook original vibrates with energy, telling the story of a group of New York City teens who combine their talents, creativity, and hope as they form a band. . .A full cast of outstanding narrators effectively conveys the energy and emotions of the characters as they create music, forge bonds, and face unexpected challenges. While the narrative is compelling on its own, it is glorious in audio, leaping exuberantly from the page with Justin Ellington’s score and perfectly interwoven riffs from jazz musicians. Adding to the fun, listeners can experience the band’s changing sound when they take their pop-up concerts to the subway stations. Instead of keeping the music the same, they incorporate rhythms from the surrounding neighborhoods, producing vibrant and exciting creations each time. VERDICT An immersive must-listen that’s sure to delight.”—School Library Journal, starred review

Read by Dominique Salvacion

“Narrator Dominique Salvacion’s emotionally vulnerable performance suits this young adult horror audiobook. . . Salvacion adjusts her pacing masterfully to immerse listeners in the developing horrors.”—AudioFile Earphones Award

Read by Victoria Villarreal

“Narrator Victoria Villarreal lends her impressive vocal talents to the conclusion of the Los Monstruos trilogy. . . Villarreal uses slight changes in tone and accent to convincingly portray these characters. Her expressive narration highlights moving passages in which characters heal in magical ways.”—AudioFile Earphones Award