AUDIBLE EDITOR

Tricia Ford

Tricia listens to discover characters and voices that transport her, not to a fantasy world, but to the heart of what it is to be human in this world. Fiction, memoirs, and quirky science can all fit the bill, but what enthralls her the most are characters who are perfectly alive even if they happen to be make-believe.

Tricia's Featured Reviews

A must-listen for fans of Toni Morrision

The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.

Performed by Karen Chilton

The Prophets is a debut novel by a writer with an extraordinary gift for storytelling. Robert Jones, Jr.’s prose is lyrical, challenging, beautiful, and horrifying. This epic historical fiction tells the story of Samuel and Isaiah—two enslaved men in love on a Deep South plantation. They have always been known as an inseparable pair, but as their romantic love is revealed to others, they begin to find themselves in increasing danger. Told from the perspective of an array of characters, the narrative is largely in third person, with each chapter coming from a different perspective. Mixed in are chapters told in first person plural—where the old gods of Africa, watching over the descendants of those who worshiped them, share wisdom and serve as witnesses. This is where I became completely mesmerized by narrator Karen Chilton’s performance. I listened, and relistened, and will surely go back again to reexperience the profound beauty of this masterpiece.

A treasure trove of songs and stories

Dolly Parton, Songteller by Dolly Parton

Performed by Dolly Parton

Musical memoirs are all the rage here at Audible! So while I typically go for fiction finds when choosing my picks, I just had to jump on the bandwagon (get it, “band” wagon?) and join in on the fun. How lucky are we to have a new memoir—filled with personal stories, life wisdom, and yes, musical interludes—from the American treasure that is Dolly Parton!?! She frames her story through her songs—taking the listener on a real musical journey. Dolly is timeless. Her authenticity and talent shine through and she reminds me of all that is good in this world.

A locked-room mystery that's pure Backman

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

Performed by Marin Ireland

After unsuccessfully attempting to hold up a cashless bank, a desperate father accidentally creates a hostage situation after running headfirst into an apartment viewing. From our bumbling would-be robber, to the collection of “regular” folks locked in together, to the father–son cop team who lead the investigation, each character has a story to be told. What’s revealed is pure Backman truth-telling that perfectly captures the human experience with humor, tenderness, and wisdom. And the shining glory of this listen is narrator Marin Ireland’s performance. She simply nails it—all of it: Backman’s uncanny ability to get to the heart of things and in giving each and every quirky character a voice that resonates. I’m still smiling and can’t wait for the next Backman/Ireland collaboration!

Portrait of an artist as a young woman

Casey Peabody is the central character of this new novel by Lily King. She’s in her early 30s and living the kind of life some would argue should have ended in her 20s—most of her friends have moved on from the "artist’s" life and gotten "real" jobs, while Casey still waitresses, lives alone is what’s basically a potting shed, and has been working on her novel for the past six years. And while Casey is far from happy—she is reeling from her mother’s death and suffers debilitating anxiety—her life is in no way a cautionary tale, or a cliché. Casey is not perfect, or even 100% likable, but I felt intense empathy for her, and there were plenty of times when her musings made me laugh or even cringe a little bit with self recognition. Most strikingly, throughout the whole story she felt real—the result of a well-drawn character and stellar narration. For a story that’s so much about the internal voice of one woman, having the right person narrate is crucial, and Stacey Glemboski’s performance is an example of perfection in casting. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see the world through Casey’s eyes for a time—King has masterfully captured the essence of one young(ish) woman making her way in the real world.

Tricia's Past Reviews

Oona Out of Order

A Novel

By: Margarita Montimore

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley

Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins

Release date: 02-25-20

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 3,012 ratings

An uplifting joyride

Imagine living your life out of order… What would it be like to be 19 years old on the inside forever? What would you do it you woke up tomorrow 30 years older than you are today? These are just a few of the questions you can’t help but ask yourself while listening to Oona—a delightful time travel novel that made me take my own trip down memory lane all while imaging various "what-if" scenarios for myself. How much fun would it be to have invested wisely (based on having already lived the future) and now have all of the money you could ever want or need? I’d have a Brownstone too, for sure. I also found myself immediately sympathizing with Oona—cringing at her many missteps and bad choices and reveling alongside her as she parties like a 27-year-old woman who’s already been a 51-year-old woman and is really only 19 years old on the inside. Narrator Brittany Pressley sounds exactly how I’d imagine Oona to sound—capturing the enthusiasm and hopefulness of a 19 year old who also holds a more tempered wisdom—something earned by having already lived so much of her later life.
Nothing to See Here

By: Kevin Wilson

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins

Release date: 10-29-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 11,706 ratings

Such a great story to listen to!

I've finally discovered Kevin Wilson and will diving into his backlist for sure! Having fallen for Marin Ireland's narration in Beartown (Fredrik Backman) I was immediately drawn to trying out more of her performances (fingers crossed that her audiobook resume will continue to grow). I adore her, and she is just too perfect for this quirky, heartfelt story filled with a wonderfully authentic cast of characters. The fact that there are children who spontaneously burst into flames (or occasionally more subtlety smolder if only slightly agitated) somehow only adds to its realness. You will care deeply for these people--you will laugh and you may cry. I did all of these things and I'm left with the overwhelming sense of satisfaction found in experiencing a story that is both entertaining and moving--the joy of time well-spent. 😊
City of Girls

A Novel

By: Elizabeth Gilbert

Narrated by: Blair Brown

Length: 15 hrs and 8 mins

Release date: 06-04-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 24,742 ratings

Looking back with no regrets

Vivian Morris is a 95-year-old woman who looks back on her youthful indiscretions with zero regrets. Zero. From the time she arrived at her Aunt Peg's rundown Manhattan theater at age nineteen, escaping the rigor and elitism of 1940's Vassar, Vivian enthusiastically sought out the kind of life lessons best taught by show girls. She considered those years of youthful hedonism as the best of her life—living with intent and absolutely no shame—and (almost surprisingly) she was not destroyed by it! Narrator Blair Brown's performance is amazing. She captures the spirit of this dauntless NYC woman and a place and time forever immortalized in Gilbert's glittery prose.
Where the Forest Meets the Stars

By: Glendy Vanderah

Narrated by: Lauren Ezzo

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Release date: 03-01-19

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 14,348 ratings

Real-life magic

Where the Forest Meets the Stars is my favorite audiobook so far this year! As mesmerized as I became with this tale, you may be surprised to find out that there's no actual magic in this story. The whole thing is more tortuously real than fantastic. The magic is in connections forged between some very likable people. But before I give too much away, let's just say that it’s one of those stories that hooked me immediately, and kept me 100% invested through the bitter end (yes, there were tears). The characters will capture your heart—in large part due to Lauren Ezzo’s performance. My god, can she transition from adult to child with ease and skill. She will make you believe that eight-year-old Ursa is a very real little girl (and possibly a genius alien). Dare I say it's a near-perfect listen for fiction lovers? Yes, I do.
Last Seen Wearing

By: David Hewson

Narrated by: Samantha Dakin, Stuart Milligan, John Guerrasio, Laurence Bouvard, Vaughn Johseph, Martin T. Sherman, Adela Leiro, Jared Zeus, Danielle Lewis, Lorelei King, Thomas Stroppel, Paul Panting, Lachele Carl

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Release date: 01-10-19

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 360 ratings

Created especially for Audible

Author David Hewson is behind some of my favorite "audio-first" projects like Macbeth: A Novel and Hamlet, Prince of Denmark: A Novel in which he and co-creator A. J. Hartley brilliantly re-imagined two of Shakespeare's classics. Last Seen Wearing is something quite different and is even more audio-centric. Here, Hewson, in this full-cast production, takes on NYC with a crime story unlike anything else you've listened to. If you're a fan of TV shows featuring cops, PI's, and detectives you'll want to check this one out. Warning: If listening while driving, take care to ignore random sirens and car horns—you're not (likely) getting pulled over by the fuzz or being tailgated by an 18-wheeler.
A Ladder to the Sky

A Novel

By: John Boyne

Narrated by: Richard E. Grant, Richard Cordery, Nina Sosanya, Laurence Kennedy

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Release date: 11-13-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 1,139 ratings

A literary psychodrama

A Ladder to the Sky is set in the supposedly genteel world of writers. But where do writers get their ideas from? For one particularly dark, ambitious, and cunning writer who has skill but lacks imagination...he steals them. The story is told is three distinct parts, each wonderfully performed by a different narrator and from the perspective of three separate characters: the successful author with a secret past who takes on a young Maurice as a protégé, Maurice's author-wife, and finally from an aged Maurice himself. It's a full-circle reveal of a very bad man.
Milkman

By: Anna Burns

Narrated by: Bríd Brennan

Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Release date: 12-04-18

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 1,981 ratings

Winner of the 2018 Man Booker Prize

Every once in a while I like a challenge and Milkman is that in spades. But one well-worth taking on because it's oh-so-smart, and well written, and it got in my head and made me think differently. It didn't change my mind about the political and social implications of the Troubles in Northern Ireland in the '70s—but it altered how I saw the world for a while after I finished listening. The 18-year-old female protagonist may be unnamed, but boy is she a unique and brilliantly drawn character. It's through her eyes, and the unflinching performance of narrator Bríd Brennan, that I came to see what happens in a world where illogical, even absurd, lines are made between us and them—and almost no one thinks to question it.
The Witch Elm

A Novel

By: Tana French

Narrated by: Paul Nugent

Length: 22 hrs and 7 mins

Release date: 10-09-18

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 8,512 ratings

A satisfying slow burn

I'm a huge fan of Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad series, so I was more than excited for her first-ever stand-alone novel, The Witch Elm. What it shares with her other books is that knack she has for creating an amazing sense of place: always modern-era Ireland, but so much more precise than just that. Narrator Paul Nugent is new to me, but he’s quickly become a favorite. He gives a very clear picture of the book’s central character, Toby—a 20-something year old who (up until now) seems to have been blessed with good luck in all things. When something terrible happens to him, this completely likable-enough guy goes through physical and emotional challenges, to say the least. As he recovers from his own trauma, he finds himself back at the old family compound, Ivy House, to care for his ailing uncle. True to form, French turns Ivy House into a character in and of itself. It’s not your typical haunted house, but is equally as unnerving, especially after a skull is discovered hidden in the hollow of a witch elm in the backyard. Toby’s former sense of ease in life has been obliterated, and now he must confront the fact that he may have had it all wrong his entire (privileged) life.
Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree

By: Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Viviana Mazza - afterword

Narrated by: Robin Miles

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Release date: 09-04-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 133 ratings

Harsh truths revealed in fiction

This is an artfully executed blend of fact and fiction told from the perspective of a teenaged girl in Nigeria who is abducted by the radical group, Boko Haram. Presented in short vignettes, each chapter highlights what her life is like in the small village where Christians and Muslims have lived together peacefully—aware of but not threatened by their differences—where her focus is on school, family, and her best friend. Everything changes when Boko Haram charges into the village and she's ripped from her family, but her indelible spirit remains strong. Narrator Robin Miles embodies this spirit with an impassioned and authentic performance that gives this unnamed girl a voice to be remembered.
The Ruin

By: Dervla McTiernan

Narrated by: Aoife McMahon

Series: The Cormac Reilly Series, Book 1

Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins

Release date: 07-03-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 28,668 ratings

For fans of Tana French

Because it's one of my favorite places in the world, I could not resist the Galway locale of The Ruin, even if it might reveal a disturbing side of life in this otherwise idyllic Irish city. Not unexpectedly, the setting does add a distinct air of Irish melancholy that permeates the story, but dare I say it's in a "good" way? In the end, the unnerving themes explored in this cleverly composed police procedural speak mostly to the universal demons that haunt so many people—just in an Irish accent. Debut author Deverla McTiernan makes full use of her Irish upbringing, legal training, and calculating mind to create the perfect tale for those who like their mysteries on the darker side. Brace yourself, but don't let it keep you from visiting Galway!
Calypso

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Release date: 05-29-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 22,163 ratings

Why would you name a house "Sea Section"?

We're all getting older, I suppose. Even David Sedaris. And with age comes . . . even more darkly funny, laugh-out-loud humor. The kind of humor I personally like to share with my family—my perfectly imperfect siblings and their offspring. This is why Calypso is the book my sister and I will be listening to on our road trip to our own (rented) beach house which, like David's, is also on the Carolina Coast and also has a unique name. The Sedaris clan has "Sea Section" to congregate in, and my clan will gathering at "Perfect Peace" where naps will be taken, waves ridden, and resentments both fostered and forgotten. (I’ll let David tell you where he got the name for his house.)
Us Against You

By: Fredrik Backman

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Series: Beartown, Book 2

Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins

Release date: 06-05-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 7,179 ratings

What happens in Beartown . . .

I spent a week last spring listening to Marin Ireland perform Fredrik Backman's Beartown and became completely engrossed in its Swedish small-town setting and the characters that filled it. So, when I saw that Marin would be returning to narrate the sequel it was an easy pick for me. I knew this would be more time well spent, and I was right. The inevitable fallout from the tragic event at the center of Beartown plays out in expected and unexpected ways. There are revelations and secrets revealed. Each character's reaction sheds light on the ways politics, homophobia, racism, and sexism play out in this remote northern village, and by extension, in small towns and big cities everywhere.
Travel as a Political Act

By: Rick Steves

Narrated by: Rick Steves

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Release date: 02-06-18

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 394 ratings

Travel transforms

Way back when, I worked for an educational tour company—sending groups of American students and teachers on European adventures with the goal of creating a "living" classroom. To keep us up-to-date, the documentary series Rick Steves' Europe was required watching for staff (we had a library of VHS tapes to choose from). Many years later, Rick Steves is still making documentaries and writing books, but now there’s also a nifty audiobook app that allows me to listen to this 3rd edition (updated for 2018) of the industry classic Travel as a Political Act, in Rick's distinct voice. It’s a welcome reminder of how simply leaving the U. S. and experiencing the world beyond my bubble—meeting actual people, in real life—is a kind of political act. At the very least, it’s a great first step.
The Chalk Man

A Novel

By: C. J. Tudor

Narrated by: Euan Morton

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Release date: 01-09-18

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 2,952 ratings

Beware the chalk men

Just a few chapters into C. J. Tudor's debut thriller I could understand why this book sparked a nine-way publisher auction with early chatter of a future film. It's simply that gripping. With all the charm and nostalgia of 80s movie favorites like Stand By Me and The Goonies, The Chalk Man is a perfect combination of richly created characters and a super twisty plot that hooks you. Summer 1986: Anderbury England. 4 friends. Eddie "Munster" Adams, Fat Gav, Metal Mickey, Hoppo, and Nicky are 12 years old and spend their days getting into mischief on their bikes, having fun, and creating a secret way of communicating through chalk men symbols. 30 years later, the chalk men game restarts—with terrifying consequences. Narrator Euan Morton's performance moves seamlessly between the 12-year-old Eddie and the 40-something Eddie, with every flashback and return a perfectly natural transition—making The Chalk Man all the more compulsively listenable.
Beartown

By: Fredrik Backman

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Series: Beartown, Book 1

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Release date: 04-25-17

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 18,061 ratings

Teen Angst and Parental Fear

I'm so happy that Fredrik Backman has become a prolific writer! For me, A Man Called Ove created a kind of book-itch I never had before, the Backman itch. Luckily, his several newer novels have satisfied this new literary requirement for me. But Beartown is different and sparks something new. It’s darker, almost YA in feel, and broader in scope. It's a "hockey" book, but, like TV's Friday Night Lights, it's about more than youth sports. Marin Ireland’s performance perfectly captures the overarching teen angst as well as the parental fear that permeates the story (having a female narrate was a very daring choice for a "hockey" book, and it works!). Beartown is a coming-of-age novel, a morality play, and a witnessing of groupthink. Like all of Backman’s books, it resonates and lingers–coming to mind months later when you least expect it.
Manhattan Beach

A Novel

By: Jennifer Egan

Narrated by: Norbert Leo Butz, Heather Lind, Vincent Piazza

Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins

Release date: 10-03-17

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 5,144 ratings

Historic Brooklyn Brought to Life

In contrast to her Pulitzer Prize-winning and very modern A Visit From the Goon Squad, Jennifer Egan's Manhattan Beach is traditional historical fiction in every way. Obviously impeccably researched, it's a sweeping novel steeped in the atmosphere of NYC, in particular the seaport neighborhoods of Brooklyn, from the Great Depression to WWII. Adding to Egan's brilliantly descriptive prose are the outstanding performances by narrators Norbert Leo Butz (two-time Tony Award winner), Heather Lind (TURN: Washington's Spies), and Vincent Piazza (Jersey Boys, Boardwalk Empire). This trio "ups the ante" so to speak, making listening a truly immersive experience.
The Golden House

A Novel

By: Salman Rushdie

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins

Release date: 09-05-17

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 504 ratings

Rushdie Tackles Our Current Reality

A new book by Salman Rushdie is always a literary event, so The Golden House has been on my radar since I first heard rumors of an upcoming “Trump-themed” Rushdie novel. Then Vikas Adam (Lion) was announced as narrator, and it quickly went to the top of my to-listen list. With its plethora of mythic, literary, and pop culture references, this book is a challenge – but one well worth taking on. It deftly explores issues of the day (and eternity, apparently), from love, immigration, class, and gender identity to family, history, and yes…politics. At times mesmerizing, often confounding, but always verbose and beautiful,The Golden House is Rushdie doing realism (rather than magical realism) with the skill of a master storyteller.
Homegoing

A Novel

By: Yaa Gyasi

Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman

Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins

Release date: 06-07-16

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 10,476 ratings

A Brilliant Debut

An epic tale that follows two sisters from Ghana to America and back again, Homegoing beautifully captures a shared history of Africa and the US and the ties that bind these two seemingly opposite worlds. It's the perfect kind of historical fiction: a book that transports you through time and place while keeping you personally connected to each character. It's stunningly real and otherworldly at the same time, and while I didn't want it to end, the ending was one of the most satisfying I've heard in a very long time. Narrator Dominic Hoffman is a vocal genius, shifting from character to character, adapting his tone, accent, and cadence effortlessly. I'm so happy to have discovered this gem and cannot wait to hear more from Yaa Gyasi.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Reese's Book Club (A Novel)

By: Gail Honeyman

Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Release date: 05-09-17

Language: English

4.5 out of 5 stars 66,237 ratings

The Perfect Narrator For a Very Special Book

Eleanor Oliphant is the kind of literary character who absolutely shines in audio. She is distinctly cranky, uniquely out of touch with the trends of the day, and has warped ideas about proper social etiquette. Thanks to the brilliant performance by narrator Cathleen McCarron, we get to hear Eleanor's hysterically deadpan inner dialogue with the Scottish brogue it deserves (as opposed to the American version I would have imagined while reading). In a chance encounter, Eleanor finds unlikely friends who help her slowly break through mental and emotional barriers that at one time served the very necessary purpose of self-preservation. As her past is revealed and remembered, Eleanor becomes an even richer character and all the more a lovable weirdo you can't help but root for.
When the English Fall

A Novel

By: David Williams

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Release date: 07-11-17

Language: English

4 out of 5 stars 182 ratings

Amish Dystopia

As a kid, Amish Country was a vacation destination for my family (Lancaster, PA was far enough away to make it an overnight and close enough to make it a regular thing). Looking back, it does seem a little strange, but those trips were mostly all about the drive itself, the furniture shops, and delicious breakfast foods. Then came the 1985 movie, Witness, and my slight obsession with anything Amish was solidified. Whatever the reason, I was immediately drawn to David Williams' debut, which he refers to as: Post-apocalyptic Amish fiction. I'm also a fan of the epistolary novel, so this story told in a series of journal entries written by Amish farmer, Jacob, further piqued my interest. Without attempting a put-on Amish accent, narrator Eric Michael Summerer beautifully captures Jacob's calm affect and unassuming piousness. When the upheaval that's hit the outside world eventually arrives on Jacob's doorstep, his reaction and the final consequences are utterly fascinating to follow.