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Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Audiobook Reviews
The Comfort Of Ghosts
Horror Movie
The Stormlight Archive
Lady Sherlock
The Wheel Of Time
The Mirrored Heavens
Birding With Benefits
Sarah T. Dubb
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Evan Sibley
One Of Our Kind
Audiobook Industry
Kate Reading
Audiobook
Science Fiction
Maisie Dobbs
Housemates
90s Horror Films
Nicole Lewis
Chicago

Kirkus Audiobook Reviews Find your next great audiobook on Behind the Mic with Kirkus Reviews. Every Thursday, host Jo Reed and her guests discuss what they’ve been listening to and recommend the very best audiobooks. It’s the perfect way to keep up with new releases and hear about the ones you may have missed. Launched by AudioFile magazine in 2018, Behind the Mic now has its home at Kirkus Revie... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1897Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksPerforming Arts

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Artwork for Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Latest Episodes

Contributor Alan Minskoff joins host Jo Reed to talk about three notable books—from George Saunders, Xochitl Gonzalez, and Lauren Groff—that offer rich and rewarding listening. They begin with George Saunders’s Vigil, an inventive, full-cast producti... more

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Host Jo Reed and contributor Stephen Cummings begin with Escape by Stephen Fischbach, an Earphones Award winner narrated by Julia Whelan, Imani Jade Powers, and Sean Patrick Hopkins; it’s a debut novel that digs into the machinations of reality TV an... more

YouTube

Host Jo Reed and contributor Alex Ritchie dive into three striking audiobooks, beginning with Half His Age, Jennette McCurdy’s

unsettling and sharply observed debut novel, narrated by the author in a style that mirrors its protagonist’s fragile brava... more

YouTube

Host Jo Reed and contributor Leslie Fine kick off their discussion of rule-breaking new thrillers with Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino, performed by Cia Court, in which a competitive housing market becomes the breeding ground for obsession. They tu... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Alex Ritchie
Episode: Narration in Three Keys
Karen Murray
Narrator of How Sweet the Sound
Episode: Interview with Karen Murray: Best Children & Family Audiobooks 2025
Greta Jung
Narrator of All the Tomorrows After
Episode: Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Christine Lakin
Narrator and actress known for her role in 'Step by Step'
Episode: Interview with Christine Lakin: Best Romance Audiobooks 2025
Maggi Meg-Reed
Narrator of the audiobook 'The Correspondent'
Episode: Interview with Maggi Meg-Reed: Best Multi-Voice Audiobooks 2025
Eunice Wong
Award-winning narrator
Episode: Interview with Eunice Wong: Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Audiobooks 2025
Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
Professional actor and audiobook narrator
Episode: Interview with Mia Hutchinson-Shaw: Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks 2025
Sara DiVello
True crime writer, founder and host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, and co-chair of the Nantucket Book Festival
Episode: Who’s Listening? Author Sara DiVello
Grover Gardner
Award-winning narrator and audiobook producer
Episode: Interview with Grover Gardner: Best Nonfiction & Culture Audiobooks 2025

Hosts

Jo Reed
Host of Behind the Mic, discussing various audiobooks and contributing to the audiobook community through insightful conversations.
Michele Cobb
Co-host with experience in audiobook production and industry insights, focusing on literary discussions and recommendations.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 170 ratings
  • Make it part of your morning routine!

    Great show. It’s a part of my daily morning podcast routine along with NPR’s Book of the Day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hachimitzu
    United States9 months ago
  • The Ads???!

    Would have easily been a four star but for the AIPAC ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    duckpat
    United States10 months ago
  • Great content but ads are far too long for the length of the podcast

    If you have a 5-minute podcast, please don’t add 2-3 minutes of ads onto it.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    janeycanuck
    Canadaa year ago
  • An excellent resource that’s fun to listen to

    I love listening to these reviews and the sheer joy that the host and guests share for this Format. I’ve been introduced to narrators I’ve never heard before and have discovered must listen audiobooks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MayWJ
    United Statesa year ago
  • Honest reviews

    I like that Jo adds a personal comment, occasionally negative, on the selections.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    PSDExpat
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the concise, informative content that helps them discover new audiobooks and narrators. Many find it to be an essential part of their daily routine and value the expertise of the hosts.
Overall, the positive reviews emphasize the hosts' enthusiasm and knowledgeable insights, appealing to both audiobook fans and industry professionals.
Some feedback mentions a balance between high-quality content and interruptions from advertisements, which can detract from the listening experience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#173
Germany/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#146
Brazil/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#189
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#243
Brazil/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Narration in Three Keys
Q: Tell us about Half His Age and who Jennette McCurdy is for listeners who might not know.
Jennette McCurdy is a former child actress who wrote the memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died; Half His Age is her first work of fiction, which she narrates herself, offering a restrained, observational narration that emphasizes the main character's naivety and longing.
Robin Whitten: Transitions and Continuity
Q: What do you find exciting when you're looking ahead at audiobooks and the work narrators are doing?
There will always be new voices to captivate listeners with new stories or revisit favorites.
Robin Whitten: Transitions and Continuity
Q: Robin, after 220 issues and 34 years of reviewing audiobooks, why did you decide to fold AudioFile Magazine into Kirkus Reviews?
Whitten believed it was time to find a new future for AudioFile and that Kirkus was the perfect partner.
Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Q: Why do you love doing books for young listeners and teens?
Stories help kids feel less alone, especially during confusing times in their lives.
Interview with Greta Jung: Best Young Adult Audiobooks 2025
Q: Did you reach out to Joanne Yi?
We exchanged messages on Instagram, and I found it inspiring that this was her first novel.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

What is Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast offers engaging discussions centered around audiobook recommendations, insights from narrators, and reviews of notable releases. With a focus on diverse genres, episodes feature in-depth conversations that highlight the craftsmanship behind narration and storytelling, making it a valuable resource for listeners seeking new audiobooks to explore. The format consists of brief episodes that often include samples of the audiobooks discussed, allowing audiences to preview different styles and storytelling techniques. This unique combination of literary discussion, expert recommendations, and access to new releases is particularly appealing to audiobook enthusiasts and those looking to enrich their listening experience.

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Which podcasts are similar to Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews:

1. NPR's Book of the Day
2. Poured Over
3. The Book Case
4. Totally Booked with Zibby
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews are there?

Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews launched 8 years ago and published 1897 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews?

Recent guests on Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews include:

1. Alex Ritchie
2. Karen Murray
3. Greta Jung
4. Christine Lakin
5. Maggi Meg-Reed
6. Eunice Wong
7. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
8. Sara DiVello

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