Fall 2009 Audio

Summer is nearly in full swing, which means the big titles of autumn will soon be dropping. The season's lineup is particularly deep in memoir—from celebrities and everyday heroes alike—as well as in general nonfiction, with new entries from titans like Stephen J. Leavitt, Jon Krakauer, Al Gore, Malcolm Gladwell and Po Bronson. Novels from a roster of heavy hitters and a few rookies are plentiful, and a distinctive group of children's and young adult titles is on deck, too.

Fiction

The Mighty Boosh by Noel Fielding and Julian Barratt, read by the authors. Like TV hits Flight of the Conchords and Little Britain before it, The Mighty Boosh started out as a radio program on BBC before heading to TV. This comedy smash soon became BBC Audiobooks' #1 download title of all time. Now it makes its U.S. debut on CD, going on sale simultaneously with the release of the first three seasons on DVD. Stateside, the show is currently running as part of the Adult Swim lineup on Cartoon Network. This disc also includes never-before-heard material: an exclusive interview with the creators. (BBC Audiobooks America, July)

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson, read by Simon Vance. This is Larsson's follow-up to 2008's bestseller, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which has sold more than 6,000 units on audio. (Random House Audio, July)

Music and Silence by Rose Tremain, read by Michael Praed, Clare Wille and Alison Dowling. According to Naxos, Tremain agreed to abridgments of two of her most popular novels, Music and Silence and Restoration, because the audio publisher offered to present them with music of the period, in this case 17th-century viol, lute and ensemble music. “Music and Silence is all about music,” said executive producer Nicolas Soames. “It tells the story of lutenist Peter Claire, who visits the court of [Danish] King Christian IV... and Naxos can provide the exact music Rose had in mind when writing it. And music is closely interwoven with the story of Merivell and the court of King Charles II.” The contract between author and publisher stipulated that the author had approval rights on the music. “There was only agreement, I am glad to say,” said Soames. (Naxos, July)

Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales, edited by Nelson Mandela, read by various artists including Hugh Jackman, Alan Rickman and Samuel L. Jackson. Published to coincide with worldwide celebrations of Mandela's 91st birthday and Nelson Mandela Day (July 18), the net proceeds from this audiobook will benefit children affected and orphaned by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The recording includes a special message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and original music by South African legends Johnny Clegg and Vusi Mahlasela. Directed by Alfre Woodard, the project was a truly international affair recorded in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London and Johannesburg. All the individuals and companies involved in the effort have donated their services to allow the maximum proceeds to benefit the charities. (Hachette Audio, July)

Storm Cycle by Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen, read by Tanya Eby. Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen create a perfect storm of suspense in Storm Cycle, their second book together. Tanya Eby brings 10 years of narration experience to Brilliance Audio's production (Brilliance, July)

Sylvester by Georgette Heyer, read by Richard Armitage. Armitage has made his mark as a dark romantic lead on British TV in roles like Sir Guy of Gisborne in Robin Hood and John Thornton in the TV adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. Naxos sales director William Anderson notes, “When his fan club heard that he had been into the studio to record Sylvester, the label was besieged for requests for samples of the recording from a growing list of his fan Web sites, including thearmitagearmy.co.uk. The temperature of anticipation rose, with pre-orders piling into Amazon. The pull of a growing star!” (Naxos, July)

Tristram Shandy by Laurence Stern, read by Anton Lesser. Naxos sales director William Anderson points out that this quirky 250-year-old classic, “notorious for pages in Latin or French, a page with nothing on it, a page all black, missing chapters... all represented a challenge for this first complete and faithful recording on audiobook.” British classical actor Lesser says, “It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.” He worked closely with producer Roy McMillan to prepare for the eight-day recording. “One reason why it took slightly longer than we expected was that we kept on laughing,” says McMillan. (Naxos, July)

Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon, read by Holter Graham. Narrator Graham returns for his third Kenyon audiobook recording. The title will be packaged with a free exclusive bonus; Kenyon fans are currently voting online to determine the prize from among three choices—a window decal, temporary tattoo or bumper sticker. (Macmillan Audio, Aug.)

Brief Interviews with Hideous Men by David Foster Wallace, read by a full cast. The actors in the feature film adaptation of the late Wallace's story collection narrates. Confirmed talent includes John Krasinski, Bobby Cannavale, Will Forte, Christopher Meloni, and Malcolm Goodwin. (Hachette Audio, Aug.)

Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson, read by Will Patton. Patton's reading of the National Book Award—winning, Pulitzer Prize—finalist Tree of Smoke won the 2008 Audie Award for Best Literary Fiction. Johnson has said, “I've worked with Will Patton on a couple of stage efforts, and I quickly decided he's not only one of the finest actors working today, but he also has a miraculous connection to the rhythms and the people and the language in my pieces. I think of him as 'my' actor, and there's no one I'd rather have narrating [my audiobooks].” (Macmillan Audio, Aug.)

The Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink, read by Eliza Dushku. This debut gothic novel, a romantic story about twin sisters fated to be enemies, is narrated by the star of Joss Whedon's new cult hit TV series, Dollhouse, which was recently renewed for another season. The in-demand Dushku reportedly left one recording session to go directly to a cover shoot for Maxim. (Hachette Audio, Aug.)

That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo, read by Arthur Morey. Russo's last novel, Bridge of Sighs, sold more than 10,000 units on audio. (Random House Audio, Aug.)

Waiting for Columbus by Thomas Tromfimuk, read by Grover Gardner. A man arrives at an insane asylum in contemporary Seville, Spain, claiming to be the legendary navigator Christopher Columbus. Who he really is, and the events that led him to break with reality, lie at the center of this stunning and engrossing novel. (Blackstone, Aug.)

13½ by Nevada Barr. A tale of psychological suspense, 13½ is the first stand-alone novel by Barr and also the first book by the author that Brilliance will produce unabridged. (Brilliance, Sept.)

The J.R.R. Tolkien Collection by J.R.R. Tolkien, read by a full cast. The collector's edition box set includes dramatizations originally broadcast on BBC Radio, of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and Tales from the Perilous Realm. Fans will appreciate the addition of J.R.R. Tolkien: An Audio Portrait, a compilation of radio and TV archive material from the 1960s and '70s featuring interviews with Tolkien, his relatives and colleagues. A bonus hand-drawn map of Middle Earth by Tolkien's son Christopher is also included. (BBC Audiobooks America, Sept.)

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Brown's 2003 phenomenon The Da Vinci Codehas been a blockbuster audio bestseller, selling nearly a million copies across all audio formats. (Random House Audio, Sept.)

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré, read by Simon Russell Beale and a full cast. This is the first release in a series of the le Carré spy classics starring agent George Smiley that were recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the U.K. The author has said of the BBC Radio 4 casting: “Simon Russell Beale is unique. No living actor can match his understanding of language or his interpretation of character. He will make a superb Smiley, and I feel deeply honored.” (BBC Audiobooks America, Sept.)

Blood Game by Iris Johansen, read by Jennifer Van Dyck. Actress Van Dyck narrates the thriller series starring forensic sculptor Eve Duncan at Johansen's request. (Brilliance Audio, Oct.)

Wild Things by Dave Eggers. Based loosely on the storybook by Maurice Sendak and the screenplay co-written with Spike Jonze, this is a darkly comic tale for all ages. (Blackstone, Oct.)

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, read by Martin Jarvis and available unabridged on CD for the first time in the U.S. Jarvis is one of Britain's most distinguished and versatile actors and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine. (Harper Audio, Nov.)

The Humbling by Philip Roth, narrated by Dick Hill. The Humbling is Philip Roth's 30th book and the second frontlist release from Brilliance Audio. Brilliance will publish key backlist works in 2009 and 2010. (Brilliance, Nov.)

Invisible by Paul Auster, read by the author. Auster's narration of Man in the Dark, his previous novel published by Macmillan Audio, received wide praise. The Winston-Salem Journal has said, “[Auster] does better than any actor could in articulating his skewed imagination.” (Macmillan Audio, Nov.)

The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry. This action thriller follows The Charlemagne Pursuit, Berry's most recent audiobook, which has sold more than 20,000 units across all formats since its release in December 2008. (Random House Audio, Dec.)

U Is for Undertow by Sue Grafton, read by Judy Kaye. Lots of fans are listening their way through Grafton's alphabet series, which has thus far sold over 1.3 million units. (Random House Audio, Dec.)

Nonfiction

After America: Narratives for the Next Global Age by Paul Starobin, read by Lloyd James. Nominated for two Audie Awards in 2009, Lloyd has recorded more than 400 audiobooks in almost every genre. (Tantor, July)

Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body by Carl Anderson and Fr. Jose Grenados, read by Brian Patrick. Patrick is the radio host of Cincinnati's daily SonRise show on Sacred Heart Radio. (St. Anthony Messenger, July)

Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter, read by Karen White. White is a voice coach and actress who has performed on stage, film and television. She has narrated more than 40 audiobooks. (Tantor, July)

The Rite: The Making of a Modern Exorcist by Matt Baglio. According to the publisher, Baglio provides fascinating—and frightening—vignettes from the lives of exorcists and people possessed by demons, including firsthand accounts of exorcists at work casting out demons, culminating in one priest's confrontations with the devil. (St. Anthony Messenger, July)

Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al Qaeda by Gretchen Peters, read by Laural Merlington. Merlington has recorded more than 100 audiobooks and has performed and directed in theaters throughout the country for 30 years. (Tantor, July)

I Drink for a Reason by David Cross. According to Hachette Audio, comedian Cross plans to use some unorthodox ideas for his first audiobook, including some behind-the-scenes access to the recording booth. He also plans to call his posse of funny friends into the studio for extra special treatment. (Hachette Audio, Aug.)

You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas by Augusten Burroughs. The audio of Burroughs's most recent memoir, A Wolf at the Table, was a finalist for the 2009 Audiobook of the Year Audie Award from the Audio Publishers Association. Online promotion at iTunes and on the author's Web site is planned for this new collection. (Macmillan Audio, Aug.)

The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert Edsel with Bret Witter. Audio rights for The Monuments Men were acquired from outside the Macmillan family; the book is being published in hardcover by Hachette/Center Street. Kristin Lang, Macmillan Audio's editorial director, says: “When I first started reading the submission for The Monuments Men, the story of these soldiers and their mission jumped right off the page. I was impressed with how this nonfiction tale was also incredibly exciting and dramatic, reading like adventure fiction—the story seemed ideal for bringing to life in the audio format.” Extensive audiobook marketing plans include a national radio satellite tour; joint promotion with Edsel's speaking engagements; inclusion in the Audio Publishers Association's Audio Box mailing to 250 bookselling accounts nationwide and online advertising and promotion on such sites as military.com, greatesttheft.com, robertedselblog.com and on WWII and history social networking sites. (Macmillan Audio, Sept.)

Official Book Club Selection by Kathy Griffin, read by the author. Comedian and reality TV star Griffin will include her experiences recording the audiobook in future episodes of her show on Bravo, My Life on the D List. (Random House Audio, Sept.)

On the Line by Serena Williams. Williams, the tennis superstar, adds another title to her already full résumé with “audiobook narrator” as she reads her own story. Hachette's Megan Fitzpatrick notes, “We'll be recording her, internationally if necessary, between matches.” (Hachette Audio, Sept.)

Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman by Jon Krakauer. Krakauer's previous audiobooks (Into the Wild, Into Thin Air and Under the Banner of Heaven) have combined net sales of more than 230,000 copies. (Random House Audio, Sept.)

Big Man by Clarence Clemons and Don Reo. Clemons tells stories from life with Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band never before heard by the public. Hachette plans to feature a conversation between Clemons and his old friend and coauthor, TV writer/producer Reo, for the audiobook. (Hachette Audio, Oct.)

The Most They Ever Had by Rick Bragg, read by the author. In these real-life stories, bestselling and Pulitzer Prize—winning author Bragg brilliantly evokes the hardscrabble lives of those who lived and died by an American cotton mill. (Blackstone, Oct.)

Women, Work, and the Art of Savoir Faire by Mireille Guiliano, read by the author. The author of French Women Don't Get Fat shares her secrets on living well and working well in this book with rich insights on her professional life. (Blackstone, Oct.)

Cleaving: A Story of Marriage, Meat and Obsession by Julie Powell.Cleaving will be released as an audiobook following what Hachette hopes will be a highly successful film adaptation of Powell's first memoir, Julie & Julia (which will be released in a movie tie-in in July). Powell received positive reviews for her voice and impeccable French as narrator for her first title; she returns to read this second installment. (Hachette Audio, Dec.)

Children's And YA Audio

Blue Moon: The Immortals by Alyson Noël, read by Katie Schorr. Both Blue Moon and the first audio in the Immortals series, Evermore, are read by Schorr, a New York—based actress and writer who used to work at Macmillan Audio as assistant to publisher Mary Beth Roche, but left in 2006 to pursue acting full-time. Schorr's one-woman show, Take Me. Seriously, ran for six months at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. (Macmillan Young Listeners, July)

The 39 Clues, Book Five by Patrick Carman, read by David Pittu. Pittu has narrated the previous books in the 39 Clues series. Book One: The Maze of Bones received an ALA Notable Recording Award. The first six audiobook titles in the series include exclusive bonus material and game cards. (Scholastic Audio, Aug.)

Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman. Frank Portman and his band, the Mr. T Experience, will be writing and recording original music for this YA audiobook production, a follow-up to King Dork. Video footage of the recording process will be made available for use online by accounts and on the Listening Library Web site. (Listening Library, Aug.)

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri, narrated by Katherine Kellgren. Odyssey Award—winning actress Kellgren expertly handles this retelling of the Faust story set at an elite Manhattan prep school. (Brilliance, Aug.)

Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories about Growing Up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka. Scieszka, the first national ambassador for young people's literature, has recorded a clip in which he promotes the value of listening to audiobooks, especially for young guys. The message is part of his larger Guys Listen campaign, a spinoff of Guys Read, www.guysread.com. (Brilliance, Aug.)

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, read by Jenna Lamia & David Ledoux. Lamia tells people that narrating an audiobook is “...acting without ego.... You are not limited by your height or hair color, and you can inhabit any character, male/female, any regionality and race. It's exhilarating for an actor.”Ledoux has narrated two Audie-winning books as well as one Audie-nominated book. (Scholastic Audio, Aug.)

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, read by Carolyn McCormick. McCormick's sons are huge fans of Collins's previous novel The Hunger Games, which McCormick also narrated. She says her boys “...are now always talking about what their weapon would be in the arena: sword, armor, dagger, sai? They keep coming up with all kinds of weapon ideas, homemade sling shots and on and on.” (Scholastic Audio, Sept.)

The Everafter by Amy Huntley. Debut author Huntley plans to visit the Brilliance studios during the recording of her novel and record a special feature. (Brilliance, Sept.)

The Midnight Charter by David Whitley, read by Simon Vance. Special sampler audio CDs were included in the print edition ARCs for The Midnight Charter, but rather than use the typical first 20 minutes of the program for the ARC CD, Macmillan Young Listeners worked with Whitley's editor at Roaring Brook to select and record a custom audio sampler pulled from different sections of the book, highlighting some of its most important themes. (Macmillan Young Listeners, Sept.)

Riot by Walter Dean Myers, read by a full cast. Myers's screenplay format is suited to dramatization. This production will be recorded on location in London with a full cast. The audiobook will also feature an interview with author Myers and the historian he consulted on the project. (Listening Library, Sept.)

This Book Is Not Good for You by Pseudonymous Bosch, read by a full cast. Narrator Cassandra Morris says: “People are sometimes surprised to hear that a multicast audiobook wasn't recorded in a huge studio with all the actors reading their lines like a play. I enjoyed reading [my part of] This Book Is Not Good for You solo, because I was able to focus 100% on my character, really get inside her head and concentrate on how she would react to each situation presented without the influence of other actors' interpretations.” (Hachette Audio, Sept.)

Going Bovine by Libba Bray. Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty; Rebel Angels; The Sweet Far Thing) has sold over 5,000 units in audio. (Listening Library, Oct.)

The Julie Andrews Collection by Julie Andrews and others, read by Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. “Andrews and her daughter [Emma] have been having a wonderful time recording together, and we've so enjoyed being around them!” says Megan Fitzpatrick at Hachette Audio. “They have a lovely, loving relationship and don't mind at all the tight quarters that sharing a recording booth means. Their different accents play very well on the audiobook together (Emma's is American).” (Hachette Audio, Oct.)

The Looking Glass Wars: ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor, read by Gerard Doyle. Scholastic Audio will include interactive bonus materials with this recording as well as several video games from Beddor's Web site. This is the final book in the trilogy, and Gerard Doyle has narrated all three books, including Seeing Redd, which won an AudioFile Earphones Award. (Scholastic Audio, Oct.)

The Spirit of Christmas by Nancy Tillman, read by Jim Dale. This title will include a keepsake ornament featuring a Tillman illustration from the book; it will also include bonus traditional Christmas carols, sung by a children's chorus, and a reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Jim Dale. (Macmillan Young Listeners, Oct.)

Starclimber by Kenneth Oppel, read by David Kelly and the Full Cast Family. “We took a gamble when we tapped teenager Kelly to make his audio debut by tackling first-person chores on our 10-hour recording of Airborn, the first book in Ken Oppel's wildly popular Matt Cruse series,” says Full Cast publisher Bruce Coville. “David scored big time, garnering glowing reviews, and the recording nabbed the Audie Award for teen listening that year. He repeated the role for Skybreaker, which was up for another Audie this year, but had moved across the country in the interim. Happily, we were able to bring him home to reprise his role for this third volume.” (Full Cast Audio, Oct.)

What I Saw and How I Lied by Judy Blundell, read by Caitlin Greer. National Book Award—winning author Blundell is featured in the exclusive bonus material on this recording. (Scholastic Audio, Oct.)

The 39 Clues, Book Six by Jude Watson, read by David Pittu. Award-winning actor, writer and director Pittu has appeared on Broadway in Never Gonna Dance and The Coast of Utopia. He received Tony nominations for his work in LoveMusik and Is He Dead? and is the voice for all 10 books in The 39 Clues series. (Scholastic Audio, Nov.)

Football Champ by Tim Green, read by Green and the Full Cast Family. Full Cast's publisher Bruce Coville says, “It's Tim Green family theater time again, with Tim narrating his newest sports novel and his kids Troy and Tate reprising their roles from Football Genius. (Since Tim based the characters 'Troy' and 'Tate' on these two, this works very well.) Tate, who has the acting bug, did such a great job with us that we have since cast her as Emmy in Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat and Princess Bitterblue in our recording of the novel Graceling.” (Full Cast Audio, Nov.)