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As we kick off the new year with fresh goals and aspirations, there’s one Audible Original that I’m looking forward to inspiring me on my quest for success. The Unusual Suspects with Kenya Barris and Malcolm Gladwell offers unfiltered conversations with some of today's most influential figures, from trailblazing business leaders to sports legends and creative powerhouses. I'm particularly looking forward to the episode featuring the first Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Ursula Burns. I've been a fan of the former Xerox CEO since 2018 when I first heard her Bloomberg interview on disruption. With award-winning producer Kenya Barris and bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell at the helm, I know we're in for deep, insightful discussions that go beyond surface-level success stories. This podcast feels like a master class in ambition, creativity and perseverance, all wrapped up in candid, engaging dialogue. I can't wait to glean wisdom from these extraordinary individuals and apply their insights to my own life. Plus, if you’re looking for even more inspiration to reach your goals, check out our well-being collection. —Rachael X.
A perfectly addictive thriller to start the new year
Alice Feeney, the "Queen of Twists," has done it again with her latest darkly addictive thriller, Beautiful Ugly. Feeney masterfully intertwines suspense and emotion, and what begins as a seemingly straightforward tragedy takes a shocking turn that left me questioning everything. The alternating perspectives between the deeply flawed main characters, Grady and Abby, provide a multifaceted view of the shifting dynamics of their marriage, with each harbouring secrets, grief and unsettling revelations that challenge one’s perception. Richard Armitage gives an amazing performance as Grady Green, with his desperation and guilt pulling me into his unravelling world. Beautiful Ugly is a sharp, thought-provoking look at how people change in relationships and the lengths they’ll go to for love—or revenge. Gripping, haunting and beautifully written, this book is an absolute must-listen for anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers with heart, soul and a touch of menace. —Dawn G.
A word to my family, friends and fellow listeners—kindly prepare for my entire personality to become Onyx Storm for the foreseeable future. The hotly anticipated third book in Rebecca Yarros’s much beloved Empyrean series is finally here, and I spent the holiday season re-listening to books 1 and 2 with some fellow Fourth Wing enthusiasts, so the details are fresh in our minds as we learn the fates of our favourite characters. While I’ve been particularly nervous about a certain brooding, shadow-encased leading man after that cliffhanger in Iron Flame (😱), I also simply can’t wait to see where Yarros takes the series from there. So, grab your headphones and your flight leathers—it’s time to fly back to Basgiath. —Katie O.
Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six
I was lucky enough to get early access to The Favorites, and I devoured it in a day, falling head over heels for this compelling and beautifully layered novel. Author Layne Fargo viscerally transported me into the cut-throat world of competitive ice dance. Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha are an unlikely pair, “small-town Midwestern trash” and teen lovers who enter the world of skating at the 2000 Nationals. There, they meet their rivals, brother and sister duo Garrett and Bella Lin, who also happen to be the children of Kat’s idol, two-time Olympic gold medalist ice dancer Sheila Lin. For the next 14 years, passion, betrayal, sabotage and scandal haunt these skaters as they move from rink to rink, culminating in the 2014 Sochi Games. Alternating between interviews from a documentary about the couple timed to the 10th anniversary of their epic final skate and Kat telling her own story about what really happened, this gripping, full-cast performance led by Christine Lakin is not to be missed. —Margaret H.
Harry Trevaldwyn at his very best
Whether you know him for his acting or his comedy, I’m sure you’ll recognize Harry Trevaldwyn’s voice in this funny, heartfelt and fabulously queer debut novel. Performed by Trevaldwyn himself, this rom-com follows the romantic misadventures of Patch Simmons as he navigates the challenge of finding his first boyfriend before prom. Filled with banter, wit and tons of queer joy, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King pulled all of my little gay heartstrings. I just wish Patch and his sometimes hilariously high levels of self-confidence and flair for the dramatic were around when I was a queer teen trying to figure it all out. —Michael C.
Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, has created a novel that is immersive, soul-wrenching and eye-opening. This literary and historical tale follows Kyungha, a writer who has lost her creative voice and finds herself on an unexpected trip from Seoul to Jeju Island to care for a sick friend’s pet bird. This takes Kyungha to a place haunted by a 1948 massacre, forcing her to confront its painful legacy. Divided into three sections—Birds, Nights and Fires—each beautifully narrated by Greta Jung, the story marks three pivotal shifts in Kyungha's journey. More than a retelling of the little-known Jeju massacre, We Do Not Part brings listeners on a moving exploration of memory, identity and resilience in the face of collective suffering. —Tricia F.
Though Nnedi Okorafor’s (Binti; Who Fears Death) latest novel technically fits into a recent trend of metafiction—that is, books about writing books—this ambitious and propulsive story stands apart. It follows Zelu, a down-on-her-luck writer who just got fired from her teaching job and received a series of rejections on her latest novel. Lost, she begins writing a sci-fi story that consumes her life, in unpredictable ways. Okorafor shifts between Zelu’s POV, interviews with her family members and chapters of Zelu’s novel, Rusted Robots, sending listeners on a scavenger hunt to piece together the true story. Four narrators make this unique structure all the more compelling. It’s hard to imagine anyone other than the amazing Okorafor spinning this tale. —Sam D.
Renée Rosen’s Let’s Call Her Barbie is a fictionalized story of Ruth Handler, the trailblazing co-founder of Mattel, as she defies 1950s norms to create a doll that would inspire little girls to dream beyond motherhood. Told in third person, the story captures Ruth’s relentless drive as she faces skepticism, personal sacrifices and high-stakes challenges to bring Barbie to life. With her husband, Elliott, by her side, Ruth is joined by Jack Ryan, a brilliant but troubled engineer, and Charlotte Johnson, the designer behind Barbie’s stylish wardrobe, as they race to turn her ambitious vision into reality. Packed with drama and determination, this story shines even brighter with Abigail Reno’s dynamic narration bringing every twist and triumph to life. —Patty R.
I’m not normally a horror listener, but the premise of this novel was so compelling that I had to give it a shot—and I’m so glad I did. I love stories that centre on investigations, and Old Soul, formatted as a series of testimonies gathered by a man named Jake about a mysterious woman who’s left a trail of destruction in her wake for centuries, definitely scratches that itch. This is a brilliantly paced story, with each new testimony revealing more about the nature of this creepy, powerful woman and what becomes of her victims, all culminating in a gut-punch of a final showdown. But what really made this listen so exceptional for me was the writing. Hats off to author Susan Barker for bringing such evocative nuance to each and every character in this sprawling tale. —Phoebe N.
A few years back, I downloaded South to America as my audio companion on a flight bound for North Carolina. By the time the plane landed, I found myself wishing for a few more hours to continue gazing down at the landscape while listening to Imani Perry illuminate the dynamic history of the region with her captivating narration and dazzling prose. Ever since, I have been eager to follow the author’s insights anywhere and everywhere, especially now as her contemplation of colour takes a literal turn to unearthing various shades of blue. Imagine that Maggie Nelson’s piercing meditations in Bluets meet the rich patchwork of Imani Perry’s profound ability to illuminate Black history through a vivid contemporary lens, and you get this listen. “‘True Blue’ is a name for dependable honesty,” Perry reminds us, and that’s exactly what she delivers with her latest. —Haley H.
Something witchy this way comes
Well, well, well, what fresh hell is this? I mean that in the best way—this is new horror from Grady Hendrix, so “fresh hell” is quite appropriate! But it’s also the question on the mind of our main character when she’s unceremoniously dumped by her angry father at a Florida home for teenage unwed mothers in the 1970s. Fifteen, knocked up and scared out of her wits, Fern soon meets more “wayward girls” waiting out their pregnancies with fake names, cigarettes and little else in the world ... until Fern gets her hands on a mysterious book that dangles something they’ve never had: power. If the pitch-perfect cast (Leslie Howard, Hillary Huber and Sara Morsey), witchy plot and authentic ’70s vibes don’t put you under their spell, then the darkly swirling sisterhood and very real horrors of pregnancy and fear of women’s autonomy will. Body horror, lava lamps and big “smash the patriarchy” energy from a male author who dares to go there? Groovy. —Kat J.
Girding myself, and my brain...
My best friend's nine-year-old son recently made this startling and horrifying observation: "If the first thing I do in the morning is watch YouTube Shorts, the rest of the day feels boring." This, in addition to the disturbing observations of my own children's reliance on screens, has kicked me into making the vaguest of New Year's resolutions: to get a handle on how my kids are using their brains. I don't yet know the destination, but I think this journey actually needs to begin not with my kids but with me, and Chris Hayes's thoughtful exploration of the attention economy was an excellent place to start. As a leading political journalist and podcaster during an era that is increasingly cacophonous, Hayes is uniquely situated to tell the story of how we, the viewers—and our attention spans—have become the true commodity in this content-rich world. Buckle up, listeners, this topic's relevance is only set to grow, and Hayes's insights will help prepare us for what's to come. —Emily C.
Dark academia was a trend that captivated me in 2024, and while this boarding-school-set YA drama definitely scratches that itch, it also incorporates two of my other favourite literary tropes: royalty and love triangles. Cousins and royal heirs Titus, Alaric and Emmeline grew up outside of their home country of Ashland—seemingly unaware of their royal lineage—under very different circumstances. Yet they all find themselves at Almus Terra Academy, a breeding ground for future leaders, alongside Ashland commoner Sadie Aurelia, who won a king’s scholarship to the school. When they arrive, they discover that while they’ll need to do well to maintain their enrolment at Almus Terra, they’ll also be competing for the king’s favour as he will pick the next ruler of Ashland from among the four of them. Brimming with romantic tension and revenge, Lindsey Duga’s Royal Heirs Academy already has me desperate for a sequel. —K.O.
In this case, it wasn’t about love, just an extreme adventure—three friends who decided to take on Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. It was their dream trip to summit it together. With determination, skill and vital supplies, they began the journey. Only thing, Mother Nature made an appearance and no matter how well they prepared, she was winning. It can get so cold that people are flash-frozen forever in minutes. But it gets really twisty when one of the friends volunteers to go and seek help, or so the story goes. You’ll try and guess where it’s going and why. My advice, just go with the snow. I actually got a chill while listening as the drama unfolded. The narrators are very convincing, and it feels as if they recorded right from Denali with the sounds of that frozen, forbidding place. Maybe throw on a sweater while you listen, and have a hot drink. Brrr. —Yvonne D.
