Alexander Shines a Light at Hachette
Elizabeth Alexander was in the Hachette recording studios in January to narrate her memoir, The Light of the World. Alexander, a poet and professor, was shortlisted for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for her poetry collection American Sublime. Hachette says this “heartbreakingly beautiful” book chronicles Alexander’s life with, and the sudden death of, her beloved husband, artist Ficre Ghebreyesus (whose painting serves as the book cover). The audiobook goes on sale April 21 (Grand Central is releasing the book in hardcover the same day).
Macmillan Brings in Berry
Steve Berry was recently in the studio for Macmillan Audio to record commentary for a writer’s cut of the audiobook of his upcoming novel, The Patriot Threat, narrated by Scott Brick. In the audiobook, Berry provides behind-the-scenes commentary that “enlivens key scenes” with insights into his research, his writing process, and the hero’s backstory, according to the publisher. The Patriot Threat goes on sale in print and audio on March 31.
Morrison Back in the Booth at RH
Nobel laureate Toni Morrison will read her new novel, God Help the Child, for Random House Audio. The novel, on sale in hardcover and audio on April 21, is a story about “the way childhood trauma shapes the life of an adult,” says Random House. Morrison has also read her past titles for publisher, and per Random House, “returns to the studio to share her passionate and intimate storytelling skills with her audience.”
Epstein Talks Fossil Fuels at Tantor
Alex Epstein recorded the audio for his book, The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels. The book, released in hardcover by Penguin Random House imprint Portfolio in November 2014, makes a “sure to be controversial” (according to Tantor) defense of the fossil fuel industry. The author is the founder and president of the think-tank Center for Industrial Progress and has written for the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle. Tantor’s audiobook goes on sale February 24.
S&S, Rae Get ‘Awkward’
Issa Rae will read from her memoir, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, for Simon and Schuster Audio. The book, to be released by Atria in hardcover, will go on sale February 10. Likened by the publisher to Sloane Crosley’s I Was Told There’d Be Cake and Mindy Kaling’s Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Rae’s essay collection chronicles what it’s like to be “unabashedly awkward in a world that regards introverts as hapless misfits, and black as cool.”
Doyle Returns to Blackstone
Narrator Gerard Doyle was in the Blackstone recording studios reading Adrian McKinty’s upcoming Detective Sean Duffy Novel, Gun Street Girl. In the fourth book of the author’s Troubles series, Duffy “struggles with burnout as he investigates a brutal double murder and suicide,” according to the publisher. “Doyle has won a number of Earphones Awards for his narration of Adrian McKinty’s books,” says Blackstone. “[He] is truly the voice of Detective Sean Duffy.” The audiobook goes on sale March 3 (Seventh Street Books will publish the title in print).
