It’s politics on paper. With the Canadian federal election just around the corner, Karoline Bordeau and Jacob Shymanski explore two popular books that shine a light on the two main political players. Jacob reviews Ripper: The Making of Pierre Poilievre by Mark Bourrie—a compelling biography of a driven and divisive politician. Karoline dives into Values by Mark Carney, a thick, heady exploration of economics, ethics, and leadership from the former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor. Plu...
Apr 18, 2025•30 min•Ep. 226
What makes beautiful writing beautiful? CELA’s Karen McKay and Theresa Power join us to unpack the essence of great prose. Flow, rhythm, emotion, clarity; why are some sentences unforgettable? We go around the table and share our favourite examples of prose that stirs the soul. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe We want your feedback! Be that c...
Apr 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 225
Danielle McLaughlin leads us through a poetic journey through memory and meaning. We reflect on the poems we carry from childhood to adulthood, from Dennis Lee to Robert Frost. Discover the history of poet laureates, hear a few stirring recitations, and enjoy listening to our own experimental poetry. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe We want y...
Apr 14, 2025•30 min•Ep. 224
Impressive worlds like Westeros or the USS Enterprise didn’t just spring from a map—they were shaped by values, power structures, and human history. Author and voice actor J.M. Frey explains why great worldbuilding goes far beyond geography. Frey dives into how she builds worlds readers instinctually believe, and all it takes sometimes is a subtle shift in reality. Plus, she previews her new audiobook Time and Tide, coming out May 2025. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publ...
Apr 11, 2025•28 min•Ep. 223
Ardra Shephard, creator of the Tripping on Air blog and host of Fashion Dis, reflects on her freshly released memoir, Fallosophy. She reveals the truths behind writing about her experiences living with MS–the pressure, beauty, support, humours and vulnerable sides to her story. A self-advocacy expert, Ardra shares love to her editors, flips scary tones into funny, and brings us her unashamed realities of living with chronic illness. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishe...
Apr 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 222
From the biting irony of Swift’s A Modest Proposal to the bureaucratic absurdity of Heller’s Catch-22, satire has long been a tool for exposing society’s flaws—one dark laugh at a time. Red Széll explains the wit of satire, and shares his top satirical picks. We explore classics and contemporary gems, including Terry Pratchett’s wildly entertaining Going Postal and Paul Beatty’s provocative The Sellout. Books discussed in this episode are: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift A Modest Proposal b...
Apr 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 221
Buckle up! Karen Magee is back for another Rapid-Fire Review, where she races against the clock to give us the gist of her five most recent reads, which range from mysteries, memoir, and cerebral descriptions from space. The books discussed in this episode are: Don't you Cry by Mary Kubica How to Save a Life by Lynette Rice Every Last List by Mary Kubica Orbital by Samantha Harvey The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new ...
Apr 04, 2025•28 min•Ep. 220
Sara Hillis explores John Lee’s fascinating journey from working odd jobs across Europe (like picking fruits in France) to becoming an Audie Award-winning voice behind some of the best-loved books in fiction and nonfiction. Plus, Sara shares her fresh thoughts on Paula Hawkins's latest thriller “The Blue Hour” with all its winding plot and character complexities. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET...
Apr 02, 2025•31 min•Ep. 219
Vikas Adam has narrated over 500 audiobooks, earned 25 Earphones Awards, and was an inaugural inductee into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame. He shares insights on how he prepares to step into the studio, from warm teas to prep reading, and intrigues us on what he believes it takes to truly bring a story to life. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobook...
Mar 31, 2025•30 min•Ep. 218
Sadie by Courtney Summers is a young adult thriller told in alternating perspectives—a documentary maker following a missing girl’s story and Sadie’s own journey. With immersive sound design meeting audiobook narration, Jacob and Aamer unpack their thoughts on the success of this true crime audiobook. Plus, Aamer Khan runs a “just for fun” Literary Guessing Game; seven questions featuring seven books, is Aamer testing Jacob’s knowledge, or just sneaking in some more recommendations? Books featur...
Mar 28, 2025•30 min•Ep. 217
Karoline Bordeau unpacks Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, where Indigenous wisdom meet scientific exploration. Kimmerer’s reflections on traditional teachings and ecological science offer a transformative perspective on the gifts of the land, the power of gratitude, and the importance of reciprocity. Jacob is struck by the idea that protecting nature is a response to the earth’s love for us, and he unwinds the concept of Indigenous languages animating the natural world through verbs, ...
Mar 26, 2025•29 min•Ep. 216
Jacob Shymanski and Red Szell unravel their impressions of what it means to experience a short story in all its intended brilliance. From gothic tales by Poe, to 20th-century icons like Fitzgerald and contemporary voices like Munro and Atwood, they explore the gamut of authors who’ve left lasting impact in this genre, sometimes with prose that take only twenty minutes of our time. Short stories mentioned in this episode are: The Mezzotint by MR James from ‘Collected Ghost Stories of MR James’ Wh...
Mar 24, 2025•29 min•Ep. 215
Long time friend and avid reader Paul Daniel takes us on a journey through three of his most recent reads: Imminent by Luis Elizondo, Ringmaster by Abraham Josephine Reisman, and Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Paul has a few choice words, some bold opinions, and a lot of literary sass. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe We want your feedback! ...
Mar 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 214
During Part 2 of Jacob’s chat with Alina (of According to Alina), they explore the effects of BookTok on book consumption habits, particularly the trend of overconsumption and its impact on the publishing industry. They discuss the resurgence of bookstores like Barnes & Noble, and speculate on the future of BookTok amid potential platform bans. Is it all doom and gloom? They reflect on positive trends emerging from BookTok and the evolving landscape of reading in the digital age. Audiobook C...
Mar 19, 2025•30 min•Ep. 213
We explore Wild Life, the newest novel by Canadian Author and disability advocate Amanda Leduc. Wild Life follows two hyenas, Barbara and Kendrith, who, through their interactions with humans over decades, reveal what is possible when the barriers between human and animal are broken. Amanda Leduc shares how she pitched such an unconventional idea to publishers, and why she leans into the weird and unexpected. Plus, she lets us in on the lasting impact of her mentor, Jon Gould. Audiobook Café is ...
Mar 17, 2025•28 min•Ep. 212
Is it better when rockstars tell their own stories? Celebrity memoirs are supposed to capture the highs and lows of fame, creativity, and personal struggles, but is that enough for the reader? Greg David gives us his reviews of: Brothers by Alex Van Halen The Storyteller by Dave Grohl Face the Music by Paul Stanley Kiss and Make-Up by Gene Simmons The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx We share personal reflections on picking up books about legends, and whether they’re worth the hype. Audiobook Café i...
Mar 14, 2025•28 min•Ep. 211
The Audies’ 30th anniversary was a mix of celebration and chaos. Sara Hillis recaps the major winners, highlights moments from the nostalgia-filled ceremony, and questions why accessibility considerations were missing from the world’s biggest audiobook award event. Plus, Stephen King writes about nightmares, but in Insomnia, he also writes about love, grief, and sacrifice. In her Solo Review, Sara explores why King’s stories are as much about the light as they are about the dark. Audiobook Café ...
Mar 12, 2025•29 min•Ep. 210
In every great story, there’s an outsider. The Other has been a defining theme in literature for centuries, shaping everything from Gothic horror to modern fantasy. Red Széll of My Life in Books explores the role of The Other in fiction, why it captivates us, and how it continues to evolve in storytelling today. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCa...
Mar 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 209
We meet Robin Whitten, founder and editor of AudioFile Magazine. She traces the magazine's inception in 1992, its dedication to reviewing and celebrating audiobooks, and the introduction of awards like the Golden Voices and Earphones Awards. Robin discusses the magazine's podcast, "Behind The Mic," and shares her perspective on the evolving audiobook industry, including the rise of AI narration. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on F...
Mar 07, 2025•29 min•Ep. 208
Jacob is joined by UK-based YouTuber Alina (of According to Alina) to delve into the phenomenon of the BookTok community on TikTok. What is typical content found on BookTok, and how does it contribute to the cyclical nature of creator engagement? We hear Alina’s concerns regarding anti-intellectualism within the community, and her opinions on the potential negative implications of endless romance trope discussions. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast ...
Mar 05, 2025•29 min•Ep. 207
Dictatorships, book bans, and doublespeak—just dystopian fiction, or a reflection of the world today? Danielle McLaughlin dives into Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. These classic novels explore power, control, and free thought—ideas that still resonate in 2025. Are we living out the futures they imagined? Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episo...
Mar 03, 2025•30 min•Ep. 206
Review 1: The Wager by David Grann is a meticulously researched narrative immersing readers in the harsh realities of 18th-century sailing, offering a vivid portrayal of maritime life. Aamer and Jacob sift through why it’s difficult connecting to characters in this book, and explain the emotional toll of its intense, male-dominated atmosphere. Review 2: Set in the deep south, All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney follows Allie Abraham, a teenager grappling with her Muslim identity in...
Feb 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 205
Paul Hough is the writer of The Creepy School Bus viral YouTube series, and newly released Audiobook of the same name. He explains the thought process behind including non-stereotypical disabled characters in the creation of this eerie world, what it’s like to write the psyche of child characters, and shares excitement about the full cast approach of bringing this drama to life. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturd...
Feb 26, 2025•27 min•Ep. 204
Red Széll reminds us exactly how books hold the power to provoke, challenge, and inspire. He tributes John Steinbeck’s remarkable literary influence in The Grapes of Wrath, explains how Of Mice and Men still resonates today, and credits the role of fiction in shaping our understanding of humanity. Plus, Jacob Shymanski sifts through the noise and gives us the goods on this week’s AMI Audiobook Review Best Sellers Breakdown. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new...
Feb 24, 2025•28 min•Ep. 203
Karoline Bourdeau has never missed a year of the Canada Reads debates. She breaks down this year’s shortlisted top five books, focusing on the one that left her with the biggest impression, Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew. She shares how immigrant stories reflect her own journey, feeling like a lost teen soul navigating a new country, balancing the perspectives of other immigrants and their challenges with her own troubles. Plus, we get Theresa Power’s review of Colours in Her Hands by Alice Zo...
Feb 21, 2025•28 min•Ep. 202
Fifty Shades of Grey and the Twilight saga—are they loved because they’re great, or just because they’re everywhere? Jacob Shymanski and Theresa Power break down the psychology of popular books, featuring responses from our book club community on what makes a book worth (or not worth) the mass buy-in. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe We want ...
Feb 19, 2025•29 min•Ep. 201
Are you frustrated when authors can’t justify their own logic in the worlds they’ve built? Jacob and Ramya discuss some of the biggest logic gaps in popular books (Harry Potter and A Song of Ice and Fire make the list). Some dialogue is too good to believe. Time travel is a beast to master and no reader is ever satisfied. And what happens when hard magic is flimsy? Here are hot takes on why internal consistency is key to a satisfying read. Plus, is a ‘Slow Burn’ Book Worth Our Patience? Not alwa...
Feb 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 200
Sara Hillis and Jacob Shymanski review The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, a slow-burn story weaving together a rich tapestry of characters, over a decade of time. Part mystery, part thriller, part family drama—we unpack the eerie summer camp setting, the tangled secrets of the Van Laar family, and the masterful narration by Saskia Maarleveld. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Ca...
Feb 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 199
Danielle McLaughlin reviews We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida, a unique narrative of a transient clinic offering cats as solutions to personal dilemmas. We also examine the portrayal of cats in other literary works, namely Japanese literature, highlighting the animals’ metaphorical roles. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe We want your f...
Feb 10, 2025•27 min•Ep. 198
Métis history, generational pain, and the lies of reconciliation—Avenue of Champions doesn’t hold back. Jacob breaks down Connor Kerr’s powerful reality checks on Indigenous truths, before Ramya dives into Greenlights, where Matthew McConaughey’s larger-than-life personality takes us on a ride through Hollywood games, questionable family ties, and McConaughey’s over-the-top poetic philosophy of “catching greenlights.” Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podca...
Feb 07, 2025•30 min•Ep. 197
