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Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Audiobook Reviews
Audiobooks
Audiobook
New York City
Science Fiction
Horror
Family Dynamics
Mental Health
Narration
Audiofile Magazine
Audiobook Narration
True Crime
Big Chief
New York
Racism
Aging
A Study In Scarlet Women
Whoopi Goldberg
Dark Academia
Disability Advocacy
Kimberly Farr

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 weeklyEpisodes1910Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsBooksArts

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Latest Episodes

On this special sponsored episode of Behind the Mic, Kirkus’ Michele Cobb is joined by acclaimed narrator January LaVoy. Together, they go behind the scenes of recording Freida McFadden’s latest bestseller, The Divorce—without spoilers. The novel exp... more

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From haunted New Jersey suburbs to melancholy Irish landscapes to the contested wilds of the American West, Alan Minskoff joins host Jo Reed to discuss three sharply different works of fiction in audio. Tom Perrotta’s Ghost Town, narrated by Robert P... more

YouTube

Three women tell deeply personal stories in audiobooks that gain even more force through performance. Michele Cobb joins host Jo Reed to discuss A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot, who discovered that her husband had drugged her and arranged to have do... more

YouTube

Contributor Stephen Cummings joins host Jo Reed to talk about David Pogue’s Apple: The First 50 Years, which Pogue narrates with the confidence and curiosity of a longtime tech journalist, weaving in archival

clips and company lore. They turn to Noam... more

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Amy Metsch
Associate Publisher and Director of Audio Programming
Spiegel & Grau
Episode: Exploring Kathryn Stockett’s The Calamity Club
Deanna Anthony
Narrator of Toni at Random
Deanna Anthony
Episode: Toni Morrison in Three Dimensions
Dana A. Williams
Author of Toni at Random, Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship
D. A. Williams (publisher/author)
Episode: Toni Morrison in Three Dimensions
Namwali Serpell
Author of On Morrison
Namwali Serpell
Episode: Toni Morrison in Three Dimensions
Tayari Jones
Author of Kin
Author
Episode: Mothers, Memory, and the Search for Self
Angel Pean
Narrator for Kin (Nisi)
Voice actor
Episode: Mothers, Memory, and the Search for Self
Ashley J. Hobbs
Narrator for Kin (Annie)
Voice actor
Episode: Mothers, Memory, and the Search for Self
Sam Sussman
Author and narrator of Boy From the North Country
Author
Episode: Mothers, Memory, and the Search for Self
Joy Osmanski
Narrator for My Other Heart
Voice actor
Episode: Mothers, Memory, and the Search for Self

Host

Jo Reed
Host of Behind the Mic with Kirkus Reviews

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 171 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 Statesa year ago
  • The Ads???!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    duckpat
    United Statesa year 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
    Canada2 years 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 States2 years 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.

Fans appreciate insider industry context and guest expertise from narrators, editors, and authors.
Some listeners note ads can feel lengthy relative to episode length.
Listeners praise concise, bite-sized explorations of audiobook narration with accessible sample clips.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#239
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lauren Groff: In Her Own Voice
Q: Have you ever considered narrating any of your novels?
She says novels require a different voice and that her first-person stories in Brawler align with autofiction, while her novels demand voices closer to the narrative and character register.
Lauren Groff: In Her Own Voice
Q: Was there a story that was particularly challenging for you to read?
She cites Annunciation as challenging yet moving, noting how Word for Word's live adaptation helped her see the story in three dimensions and how actors' interpretations influenced her own reading.
Hockey, Heat, and Two Very Different Voices
Q: What do these books deliver that feels true to romance conventions, and where do they stretch it?
Laurie explains that the series adheres to core romance conventions like a happily-ever-after while exploring deeper issues such as homophobia in hockey and mental health, which adds emotional realism without sacrificing the romantic payoff.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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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?

A show focused on audiobooks and narration, featuring hosts who review and discuss recent releases, narration quality, production decisions, and behind-the-scenes stories. Episodes frequently cover multi-narrator casts, author involvement, casting choices, pacing, sample clips, and industry partnerships, with a steady stream of author, narrator, editor, and publisher guests providing practical insights for listeners who love audio storytelling. A notable pattern is the blend of craft analysis with behind-the-scenes production notes and sponsor/partnership context, making it useful for audiobook enthusiasts, pros in audio production, and booksellers scouting audiobook recommendations.

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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. Book Riot - The Podcast
2. The Book Case
3. NPR's Book of the Day
4. Zero to Well-Read
5. Totally Booked with Zibby

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

Behind the Mic With Kirkus Reviews launched 8 years ago and published 1910 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. Amy Metsch
2. Deanna Anthony
3. Dana A. Williams
4. Namwali Serpell
5. Tayari Jones
6. Angel Pean
7. Ashley J. Hobbs
8. Sam Sussman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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