What We’re Listening To: Ava’s February Picks
My name is Ava Fischer, and I am currently interning with Penguin Random House Audio’s Marketing and Social teams. From hunkering down during recent snowstorms to making playlists for my recent cross-country move, here is an amalgamation of what I’ve been listening to over the past few months, including some picks directly inspired by the PRH Audio team. Enjoy!
Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa
My current listen is a recommendation by none other than one of our PRH audiobook narrators! Isuri Wijesundara, alongside fellow narrators, visited the office to talk about her experiences with PRH Audio. I loved hearing about Isuri’s career in audiobook narration: everything from auditioning and recording demos, to the long days of recording audiobooks. She gushed about working on Island Witch, a historical fiction title set in Sri Lanka and inspired by local folklore.
Although I am only a few chapters in, I am engrossed by this story of Amara, the daughter of a village demon-priest, who sets out to solve the mysterious attacks that have been terrorizing her coastal village. Isuri brings the audiobook to life with her brilliant voice acting–I cannot wait to keep listening!
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
A few months ago, I was chatting with a fellow reader. When I shared that I was looking to read more nonfiction she introduced me to the idea of “listening to audiobooks as if they’re podcasts.” On paper it may seem simple, but for the two of us, treating an audiobook like a podcast opened a world of possibilities. Listening to one chapter (or “podcast episode”) at a time suddenly seemed much more accessible and less daunting than trying to get through a nonfiction tome.
I chose Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe. This title was recommended to me by a close friend who described it as truly life-changing and paradigm-shifting read. I put it on audio, and I was absolutely immersed in the jaw-droppingly manipulative actions of the Sackler family, who established their dynasty in peddling pharmaceutical drugs that were the catalyst for the opioid crisis. I am still making my way through the audiobook, one shocking chapter at a time.
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
There’s so much to love about winter, and I am quite used to existing deep in snowy climates, but summery book settings strike a chord in my Midwest summer- loving heart. Last June, I listened to Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry on many drives back and forth from “Up North” as we Michiganders say. Not only do I love the beachy settings of Emily Henry’s books, I love any media about media, so listening to the two characters fall in love while they practice boots-on-the-ground journalism was incredibly fun.
I look back on last summer as my Great Big Beautiful Life era, and I cannot wait for summer audiobook season here in NYC.
Girl Historians with Carley Thorne and Blair MacMillan
I maintain to this day that Carley Thorne and Blair MacMillan have shaped my entire sense of humor. Never have I laughed harder than when Carley and Blair were comparing the crew of the Titanic to Newsies, or when they fan-cast Rachel Zegler in the Salem Witch Trials. If you like your improvised comedy alongside a history lesson, then Girl Historians is for you. These hosts have the perfect mix of well-thought commentary, absolutely fire takes on historical events, and respect for serious topics, all while being simply so funny. They even had John Green on the pod to talk about his book Everything is Tuberculosis! I never miss an episode, and I recommend this podcast to everyone I meet.
The Dream by The Favors
I saw The Favors live in NYC before I actually moved my life to NYC last month. Finneas and Ashe are each geniuses on their own and put together they’re downright incredible. This song is about moving to a new town to pursue (you guessed it!) your dream. It’s my I-just-moved-to-NYC song.
girl i’ve always been by Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo has been my girl since her Disney days. Something about this specific acoustic-backed song coupled with its clever lyrics make for such fun coming-of-age vibe.
White Winter Hymnal by Fleet Foxes
Despite my love for summer, I do have to embrace the cold and snow…especially because it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. White Winter Hymnal has been on repeat since January. Its gorgeous vocal harmony makes my former choir kid heart soar.
