Audible’s full-cast audio editions of Harry Potter have been capturing audiences with a whole new sound. The fourth installment “The Goblet of Fire” dropped earlier this month. Friend of the show Ramya Amuthan joins host Jacob Shymanski for a candid review of the first four audiobooks by Audible. 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 ...
Feb 27, 2026•32 min•Ep. 320
What kind of work goes into producing an audiobook? Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Kathleen Jones about her role as an audiobook producer at Penguin Random House Canada. She shares insight into the life of a producer and the art of adapting a print book into an audio format. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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 @...
Feb 20, 2026•33 min•Ep. 319
There are many authors who have life stories that are just as interesting as their body of works. Who are you most intrigued by? Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll share a list of authors, dead or alive, that they would love to have a one-on-one conversation with. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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 @AMIAud...
Feb 14, 2026•28 min•Ep. 318
The audiobook platform Libro.fm continues to grow worldwide as an ethical alternative to its competitor Audible. Host Jacob Shymanski catches up with co-founder Mark Pearson to learn how the service is expanding while supporting local bookstores and curating human-generated book recommendations. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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...
Feb 13, 2026•30 min•Ep. 317
Could AI redefine our notions of love and relationships? In this episode of Audiobook Café, host Jacob Shymanski chats with digital anthropologist Caia Hagel about her upcoming memoir “Anon.” The book exhibits her experience during a trial of a new AI app that became her friend and companion. ""Anon"" officially comes out on February 10 via Harper Collins and will be available in both audiobook and print formats! This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on A...
Feb 07, 2026•38 min•Ep. 315
“Black Boys Like Me” is a collection of personal essays by Matthew R. Morris that explore his upbringing as a biracial, Black-Canadian man in Scarborough, Ontario. Host Jacob Shymanski catches up with the author to reflect on his journey with race, belonging and identity from childhood to adulthood. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Note: This episode contains an excerpt from “Black Boys Like Me: Confrontations with Race, Identity, and Belonging” by Matthew R. Morris, Copyright ...
Feb 06, 2026•35 min•Ep. 313
Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll from the “My Life in Books” podcast break down the differences between bad and quality non-fiction. They share the dos and don’ts when it comes to non-fiction writing. Books mentioned in this episode include: • “Everything Is Tuberculosis” by John Green • “Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism” by Sarah Wynn-Williams • “The Red Emperor: Xi Jinping and His New China” by Michael Sheridan • “Jackie - Public, Private, Secret” b...
Feb 01, 2026•28 min•Ep. 309
From the author of the smash hit thriller “My Sister, the Serial Killer” comes “Cursed Daughters,” a fictional drama about a young woman trying to shake off a family curse. Host Jacob Shymanski catches up with author Oyinkan Braithwaite to learn about the making of her book, her inspiration and why she still hasn’t listened to the audiobook herself. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week ...
Jan 31, 2026•28 min•Ep. 311
Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll define quality prose in fiction novels. Together, they explore what it feels like to read well-written books. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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 comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your...
Jan 25, 2026•28 min•Ep. 308
Sharon Bala’s new novel “Good Guys” challenges ideas of philanthropy and charity by telling the story of a fictional NGO that operates in Central America. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Sharon about the inspiration behind the book and the extensive research she did into developing its story. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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...
Jan 24, 2026•30 min•Ep. 307
Author Uzma Jalaluddin’s mystery novel “Detective Aunty” was a Globe and Mail top 100 book of the year in 2025. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Uzma about the inspiration of the book’s main character and setting, as well as the choice behind her audiobook’s narrator. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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 @AMIAudiob...
Jan 18, 2026•31 min•Ep. 306
Blind ice hockey player Craig Fitzpatrick dropped his brand-new audiobook this week, “Finding the Puck: Leadership Lessons from My Journey Through Blind Hockey.” Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Craig about his experience with vision loss, his discovery of the sport, and why he chose to release his audiobook before the print edition. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Sa...
Jan 17, 2026•28 min•Ep. 305
What did you read over the holiday season? Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll, from the “My Life in Books” podcast, reflect on some of the audiobooks on their must-read list that we were finally able to catch up on! Books mentioned in this episode include: • “The Last Murder at the End of the World” by Stuart Turton • Audible’s full-cast audio editions of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” • “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman • “Heated Riv...
Jan 11, 2026•28 min•Ep. 304
Highly acclaimed narrator and author Julia Whelan is bridging the gap in audiobook royalties for narrators. She tells you all about Audiobrary, an independent and audio-first publishing platform that she designed to correct industry inequities. She also explores the stark differences of human narration to AI and explains why it’s important to protect human narration in the audiobook sphere. The episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and p...
Jan 10, 2026•28 min•Ep. 303
Thank you for listening this year! New episodes of Audiobook Café will resume on January 10, 2026. In the meantime, enjoy our extensive archive of episodes. Happy holidays and happy listening! 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 comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit...
Dec 27, 2025•30 sec•Ep. 302
In this year-end special, host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll reflect on the best interviews of the show from the past year! Past episodes mentioned in this program include: Unseen: In Conversation with Author Molly Burke Flesh: In Conversation with David Szalay Wayback Playback: In Conversation with Author Waubgeshig Rice Fair Pay, Fair Play: Royalty Issues at Audible According to Alina This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publ...
Dec 21, 2025•28 min•Ep. 301
In this year-end special, Jacob Shymanski hosts a roundtable discussion with three friends of the program: Ramya Amuthan, Aamer Khar and Sara Hillis. Together, they reflect on their favourite audiobooks of the year. Plus, they share their favourite discovered titles in 2025! This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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 @A...
Dec 20, 2025•28 min•Ep. 300
“Local Heavens” is K.M. Fajardo’s reimagining of the classic novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The book was a readers’ favourite in the category of science fiction for 2025’s Goodreads Choice Award. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with the author about how her reimagination relates to modern day and why she chose to use cyberpunk in the tone of the book. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast e...
Dec 14, 2025•28 min•Ep. 299
This episode was recorded on December 10, 2025, and is published early to address a recently proposed change in Bill C-15 which would repeal the free 'Literature for the Blind' service under the Canada Post Corporation Act. Host Jacob Shymanski explores the issues, the implications and the circumstances of the proposed change with Daniella Levy-Pinto, the manager of the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) and Laurie Davidson, the Executive Director of the Centre of Equitable L...
Dec 10, 2025•22 min•Ep. 298
Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll, host of the My Life in Books podcast, continue their discussion on the dividing issues between fiction and nonfiction literature. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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 comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or ...
Dec 07, 2025•28 min•Ep. 297
Liann Zhang’s debut novel “Julie Chan is Dead” was an instant international bestseller. The diabolical thriller follows a young woman who steps into her deceased twin’s influencer life, only to discover dark secrets hidden behind her social media façade. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Liann about the making of her book and how her personal experiences as a former social media influencer inspired some of the backdrop to the story. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café...
Dec 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 296
In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we dive into a new memoir by lawyer and disability rights advocate David Lepofsky titled “Swimming Up Niagara Falls! The Battle to Get Disability Rights Added to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” Host Jacob Shymanski chats with David about his involvement in the successful fight to guarantee equal rights for people with disabilities in Canada. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. David's memo...
Nov 30, 2025•28 min•Ep. 295
In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we look back on an incredible memoir of the late Judith Heumann titled “Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist.” Judith co-authored the book with Kristen Joiner. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Kristen about Judith’s fight for the recognition of human rights of people with disabilities in the American Civil Rights Movement. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café...
Nov 29, 2025•27 min•Ep. 294
How are non-fiction and fictional books perceived and valued in literature? Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll, host of the My Life in Books podcast, discuss the dividing issues between the categories and why there shouldn’t be any weight between the two. 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 comments, suggestions, h...
Nov 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 293
“Wicked: For Good” is out in theatres! The film is loosely based on the classic 1995 novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” by Gregory Maguire. Host Jacob Shymanski and avid audiobook reader Karoline Bourdeau dive into a Wayback Playback with their honest review of the book. In the latter portion of the show, senior producer Andrika De Lanerolle shares the Book Report featuring news about author Alice Wong and the 2025 Giller Prize winner. Audiobook Café is broadcast ...
Nov 22, 2025•28 min•Ep. 292
Indie author Evan Tomos recently released a full-cast audiobook version of his young adult book “ Rupert Blacklock and the Prophecy of Whimsy Fickle .” What makes this audiobook different from others? It features 45 characters completely read by digital voices using ElevenLabs, an AI voice generating platform. Jacob and Evan explore the use of AI in audiobook narration and how AI models can expand opportunities for independent authors in the publishing industry. This episode was produced by Andr...
Nov 16, 2025•28 min•Ep. 291
This month, Crave is launching “Heated Rivalry,” a new hockey romance show based on the best-selling book series “Game Changers” by Rachel Reid. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with the author about the growing popularity of hockey romance and why the smut is so crucial to the plot of her stories. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. 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...
Nov 15, 2025•28 min•Ep. 290
Netflix’s recent adaptation of “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware has inspired host Jacob Shymanski to review the original book with audiobook fanatic Sara Hillis. Is this New York Times bestseller worth reading? Listen in for their honest review! 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 comments, suggestions, hot-tak...
Nov 09, 2025•28 min•Ep. 289
Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” has host Jacob Shymanski thinking about book adaptations. He chats with Red Széll from the “My Life in Books” podcast about the characteristics that allow for a good adaptation of a book into another medium. They also debate whether a book always trumps its adapted film or TV show. 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...
Nov 08, 2025•28 min•Ep. 288
David Szalay’s novel “Flesh” is shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize! Host Jacob Shymanski chats with David about the intricacies of the novel’s main character Istvan. They also explore the book’s writing style and discuss the interpretation for book endings. “Flesh” is available at CELA Library. The announcement for the Booker Prize winner is scheduled for November 10. This episode is produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new pod...
Nov 02, 2025•28 min•Ep. 287
