Christian Cooper may have come to national prominence as the Central Park bird-watcher who was the target of a racist incident in 2020, but as his memoir makes perfectly clear, that viral episode hardly defines his life story. In Better Living Through Birding (10.5 hours), Cooper delves into his identities as a gay man, a Black person, a devotee of comic books, superheroes and other facets of nerd culture—and, of course, a birder.

With birding tips and many glimpses of the often surprising rewards of birding, Cooper makes a compelling argument for his obsession—er, hobby—to become more inclusive. He inspires by showing how he has allowed his recent fame to propel him into new and rewarding professional directions, such as becoming the host of National Geographic’s TV show “Extraordinary Birder.” Cooper’s voice is warm and approachable as he reads his book, and the bird songs that punctuate section and chapter breaks offer clever and appropriate ambiance.

Read our review of the print edition of Better Living Through Birding.

Actor Imogen Church’s voice is inextricable from Ruth Ware’s thrillers, consistently keeping the emotions high through each adrenaline-filled novel. Church returns once again to voice Zero Days (14 hours), the story of two hired hackers whose assignment to test a corporation’s security system goes badly awry. Madly in love, Jack and her husband, Gabe, cannot stop flirting with each other, but Church balances their passion with a strong sense of tension as they attempt to outsmart both physical and cyber security systems. When Gabe turns up dead, Jack becomes the main suspect for her husband’s murder and must go on the run while trying to find the real killer.

Church’s female voices are particularly strong, and her British accents keep the highest intensity moments—which are filled with hurled insults—especially entertaining. Church narrates at the pace of a racing heartbeat, mirroring the moment-by-moment chase as the action unfolds—and leaving the listener hanging onto every last word.

Read our interview with Ruth Ware about Zero Days.

In Fatherland: A Memoir of War, Conscience, and Family Secrets (9 hours), New Yorker staff writer Burkhard Bilger recounts his search for the truth about his grandfather, Karl Gönner, a former Nazi party chief who was credited with shielding an Alsace village from Nazi reprisals—and also accused of being a war criminal who ordered the death of an innocent man.

Bilger’s narration of his book reflects the ambiguity of his family’s history. Raised in Oklahoma by German immigrant parents, Bilger has a barely perceptible Oklahoma twang, softened by years spent away from his birthplace. He also speaks fluent German, a clear legacy from his extended family that sometimes inflects his spoken English. Like Karl, Bilger’s voice is neither purely one thing nor another, but rather an unexpected amalgam reminding the listener that human stories are not drawn in black and white but in complex and varied shades of gray.

Read our starred review of the print edition of Fatherland.

Perry Firekeeper-Birch wants nothing more than a relaxing summer, but when she’s forced into an internship, she discovers that a state college is using legal loopholes to withhold Anishinaabe ancestral remains. She rounds up family, friends and fellow interns to pull off a daring heist—but there may be more to the conflict than meets the eye. In Warrior Girl Unearthed (11.5 hours), Angeline Boulley expands on her bestselling debut novel, Firekeeper’s Daughter, with a deep and layered mystery.

Actor Isabella Star LaBlanc, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota tribal nation who lent her voice to Firekeeper’s Daughter, also narrates Warrior Girl Unearthed. She excels at leading the reader deeper into the story with a tone that exudes both intriguing mystery and genuine emotion. LaBlanc’s narration helps us hear Perry’s wit and snark, her sister Pauline’s anxious perfectionism and her supervisor Cooper Turtle’s wistful wisdom. From heart-pounding to heart-wrenching moments—and the quotidian in between—LaBlanc’s lyrical performance is both smooth and striking, making it a compelling listen for all who enjoy a good mystery.

Read our interview with Isabella Star LaBlanc on her performance in Warrior Girl Unearthed.