Fiction vs. Non-fiction: The Literary Divide Part 2
07 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll, host of the My Life in Books podcast, continue their discussion...
Julie Chan is Dead: In Conversation with Liann Zhang
06 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Liann Zhang’s debut novel “Julie Chan is Dead” was an instant international bestseller. The ...
Swimming Up Niagara Falls: In Conversation with David Lepofksy
30 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we dive into a new me...
Being Heumann: In Conversation with Kristen Joiner
29 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we look back on an in...
Fiction vs. Non-fiction: The Literary Divide
23 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How are non-fiction and fictional books perceived and valued in literature? Host Jacob Shymanski a...
Wayback Playback: “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire
22 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Wicked: For Good” is out in theatres! The film is loosely based on the classic 1995 novel “Wi...
AI Narration for Indie Audiobooks
16 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Indie author Evan Tomos recently released a full-cast audiobook version of his young adult book “R...
Hockey Romance: In Conversation with Author Rachel Reid
15 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month, Crave is launching “Heated Rivalry,” a new hockey romance show based on the best-sel...
Wayback Playback: “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Netflix’s recent adaptation of “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware has inspired host Jacob Sh...
Adaptations: Books vs. Movies
08 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” has host Jacob Shymanski th...
Flesh: In Conversation with David Szalay
02 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Szalay’s novel “Flesh” is shortlisted for the 2025 Booker Prize! Host Jacob Shymanski ...
We Survived the Night: In Conversation with Julian Brave NoiseCat
01 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat debuted his very first book this month, a memoir ent...
Books That Make You Think
26 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are some books that introduce thought-provoking concepts and ideas that make you ponder? Jaco...
Self Help Me: In Conversation with Dena Jackson
25 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian and professional speaker Dena Jackson chats with host Jacob Shymanski about her new book “...
Conspiracy Theories: Paul Daniel’s Top 5 Recommendations
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ready to dive into some conspiracy theories? Avid book reader Paul Daniel describes his top ...
A Two-Spirit Journey: In Conversation with Ma-nee Chacaby
18 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Ma-nee Chacaby is the 2025 winner of the Canada Reads competition for her 2016 book “A Two-...
The Power of Character Development
12 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How important is character development in a story? Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll explore the...
Banned Books Week: Issues of Literary Censorship
11 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In recognition of Banned Books Week, host Jacob Shymanski discusses issues of censorship and discrim...
AI in Storytelling: In Conversation with Tim Boucher
05 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tim Boucher has been defending his use of generative AI to write books. Host Jacob Shymanski chats w...
Remembering John Candy: In Conversation with Author Paul Myers
04 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Myer’s highly anticipated biography about the late comedian John Candy comes out this month! ...
Wayback Playback: In Conversation with Author Waubgeshig Rice
28 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Waubgeshig Rice’s 2018 post-apocalyptic novel “Moon of the Crusted Snow” is still going strong...
Unseen: In Conversation with Author Molly Burke
27 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Molly Burke’s highly anticipated memoir “Unseen: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice” is s...
Review of “Bury Your Gays” & Valerie D. Maidment’s Memoir
21 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The USA Today bestseller “Bury Your Gays” by Chuck Tingle explores what it takes to succeed in a...
Rosy Retrospection: The Cultural Impact of Literature
20 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a book a classic? Does a bestselling book mean that it will stand the test of time? Are b...
Eerie Page Turners: Horror Settings in Books
14 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does the setting of a book add to your perception of the story? Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll c...
The Art of Narration: In Conversation with Simon Mattacks
13 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you tell the difference between real voices and AI narration? What differentiates a bad narrator...
Rejecting Perfectionism in Parenting: In Conversation with Jessica Slice
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Shymanski chats with author Jessica Slice about her 2025 non-fiction book “Unfit Parent: A D...
Fair Pay, Fair Play: Royalty Issues at Audible
06 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author advocate Robin Sullivan and YouTuber Daniel Greene discuss the issues surrounding Audible’s...
Show Trailer - New Name!
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We have some news! "AMI Audiobook Review" is changing its name to "Audiobook Café."Starting this mo...
Best of AMI Audiobook Review
31 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Shymanski shares an exciting announcement for the show and takes a trip down memory lane. Au...
The Audiobook Debate: Is Listening the Same as Reading?
30 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is your reaction when people are dismissive of audiobooks as a medium for reading? Jacob Shyman...
Book Review: “Not Quite Dead Yet” by Holly Jackson
24 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Holly Jackson, a New York Times bestselling author, is back with a twisty thriller about a young wom...
Disability Portrayal in Literature Part Two: In Conversation with Red Széll
23 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll continue their conversation on authentic portrayals of disability in ...
From Baseball to Politics: Rapid Fire Review with Jeff Rainey
17 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this rapid-fire review, Jacob Shymanski and Jeff Rainey explore five titles that have an eclectic...
Classic Book Review: "A Song of Ice and Fire"
16 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this classic throwback, Jacob Shymanski and Aamer Khan review George R. R. Martin’s 1996 fantas...
A Tale of Biological Marvels: Review of “The Ocean's Menagerie” by Drew Harvell
10 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The Ocean's Menagerie” is a science and nature book by marine ecologist Dr. Drew Harvell. The boo...
Disability Portrayal in Literature: In Conversation with Red Széll
09 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you encountered a character with a disability in a book? Were they accurately...
Self-control: A Review of “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You can’t control others, but you can control how you respond. This is the concept behind Mel Robb...
Suburban Thriller: A Review of Megan Abbott’s “El Dorado Drive”
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Megan Abbott’s “El Dorado Drive” follows three once-wealthy sisters in suburban Detroit who be...
The 7 A’s of Vision Loss: Victoria Nolan Discusses Her New Book “Refocus”
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Refocus is an essential guide designed to empower people experiencing vision loss to live happy and ...
Memorable Characters: The Best & Worst with Red Szell
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does plot propel characters or do characters propel the plot? Jacob Shymanski and Red Szell discuss ...
Far-fetched: A Review of “The Retirement Plan” by Sue Hincenbergs
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sue Hincenbergs’s number one bestselling novel “The Retirement Plan” has garnered generally po...
Plot Twists: The Best & Worst Examples with Red Szell
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plot twists, with all their glory and goodness, can be a mixed bag. Jacob Shymanski and Red Szell sh...
Narrator Kimberly Farr is a Golden Voice + The High Standard of Modern Audiobook Narration
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every June, during audiobook month, Audiophile magazine releases it’s latest inductees into their ...
This One’s For the Stephen King Fanatics
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s nothing like sitting down for a Stephen King chat with his Number One fan, AMI’s Greg Da...
Another Canadian Romance Hit: Reviewing One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Carley Fortune’s One Golden Summer is topping charts, filling drugstore shelves, and giving Canadi...
Who Are You When You're Away: Far-from-home Stories with Red Széll
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
True change begins when characters leave everything familiar behind and move away to new places. Red...
2025 Golden Voices & The Soul of Story with Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robin Whitten, Founder of AudioFile Magazine, returns for Audiobook month to celebrate their 2025 Go...
Justice, Jane Eyre, and The Count: Rapid Fire Review with Julia Bonnett
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Old friend of the show Julia Bonnett races through five reviews under the 15-second clock, from secr...
Rapid Fire Review with Marcia Yale
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marcia Yale reviews five books under the 15-second timer, on another edition of Rapid Fire Review. F...
Grammar is Magic: Reviewing The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar is a novella that’s turning heads for its lyrical prose and ...
Salt Water & Storylines: Naval Literature with Red Széll
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Some of our favourite literature makes beauty and sense of the sea, so let’s explore it. Red Szél...
Triple the Solo Reviews: Books that unpack inner belief, outer space, and inner circles
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Shymanski and Ramya Amuthan unpack Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey, The Power of Myth by ...
Kiss My Foot: The Humor and Heart of Eudora Welty
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle McLaughlin brings us into the witty, richly drawn world of U.S. writer Eudora Welty. With h...
Don’t Judge a Book by Its Binding: Unexpected Page Turners
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever changed your mind about a book’s title, synopsis, or other first impression? Jacob Shymanski ...
Audible Adds AI Voices: Our Reactions
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Audible makes its AI narration tools available to traditional publishers, Jacob Shymanski and Ram...
Trust No One: Our Top Unreliable-Narrator Reads
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Bold authors have been lying to their readers for years and somehow, we love every moment of it.The ...
Our 8 favorite teachings from The Prophet by Kahlil Jibran
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet has been quoted at weddings, funerals, and spiritual retreats for over...
Inside the Vatican’s Walls: A Review of Conclave by Robert Harris
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
118 cardinals, one locked room, one global secret. Karoline Bordeau helps us review Conclave by Robe...
Resilience and Purpose: Anne Moc’s Memoir on Perseverance
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When vision loss and all its realities disrupted her life, Anne Moc turned to social media, storytel...
Writing Coach Becca Syme on Finding Success as an Author
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Becca Syme has coached thousands of writers, hosts the QuitCast channel, and believes the best advic...
Still Hooked: More of What We Want From Authors
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From footnote gags and dramatic time jumps to unreliable narrators and human writing, Ramya Amuthan ...
I’m Hooked: What Readers Want More From Authors
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We asked the book club: What do you love when authors do? From time-jumping stories to snarky all-kn...
Books, Bots, and Blurred Realities: Reviewing Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Zelu’s life is already chaotic, until she writes a sci-fi novel that truly changes everything. Nne...
Crime, Fiction, and the Ethics of Storytelling
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When novelists borrow from real horror… Red Széll joins us to trace the tangled line between actu...
Adaptations: The Wheel of Time's Journey from Books to Audiobooks to TV
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Hillis and Jacob Shymanski, two enduring fans of the 14-book Wheel of Time series, explore its ...
Inside Publishing with Author Mark Leslie Lefebvre
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The book industry has changed dramatically since the 90s, and Writer, editor, self-proclaimed book n...
Poetry Revisited with Danielle McLaughlin: Dub Rhythms & Disaster Rhymes
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a second celebration of Poetry Month, Danielle McLaughlin continues to school us on what makes po...
Hooked on the Story, Tripped by the App: A Pocket FM Deep Dive
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when an ad pulls you into a 2,000-episode audiobook? Aamer Khan shares how he stumbled ...
The Worst Opening Lines Ever Written: A Tribute and Farewell to the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest
23 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the contest that turned bad writing into comical, witty, creative art. We explore the spectac...
From Moby Dick to Monte Cristo: A Case for Lengthy Listens
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Long audiobooks are a commitment, and we’re here to defend why that commitment is worth our while....
Carney Vs. Poilievre: Political Audiobooks Before Canadian Election Day
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s politics on paper. With the Canadian federal election just around the corner, Karoline Bordea...
From Flow to Feeling: Exploring Beautiful Prose - Wednesday April 16th, 2025
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes beautiful writing beautiful? CELA’s Karen McKay and Theresa Power join us to unpack the...
Haikus, Rhymes, and Timeless Lines: April is Poetry Month with Danielle McLaughlin - Monday April 14th, 2025
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle McLaughlin leads us through a poetic journey through memory and meaning. We reflect on the ...
The Culture of Story: Author J.M. Frey on Worldbuilding That Lasts - Friday April 11th, 2025
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Impressive worlds like Westeros or the USS Enterprise didn’t just spring from a map—they were sh...
Fallosophy by Ardra Shephard: Talking Through Living with MS - Wednesday April 9th, 2025
09 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ardra Shephard, creator of the Tripping on Air blog and host of Fashion Dis, reflects on her freshly...
Laughing Through the Madness: A Journey into Satirical Fiction - Monday April 7th, 2025
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From the biting irony of Swift’s A Modest Proposal to the bureaucratic absurdity of Heller’s Cat...
From Grey’s Anatomy Tell-All to The International Space Station: Karen Magee’s Rapid Fire Book Blitz
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up! Karen Magee is back for another Rapid-Fire Review, where she races against the clock to g...
Know Your Narrator: The Golden Voice of John Lee
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Hillis explores John Lee’s fascinating journey from working odd jobs across Europe (like pick...
Mastering the Audiobook Performance: Narrator Vikas Adam’s Studio Secrets
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vikas Adam has narrated over 500 audiobooks, earned 25 Earphones Awards, and was an inaugural induct...
Review of Sadie by Courtney Summers: Audiobook Meets Podcast
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sadie by Courtney Summers is a young adult thriller told in alternating perspectives—a documentary...
Review of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer: A Journey Through Indigenous Wisdom
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Karoline Bordeau unpacks Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, where Indigenous wisdom meet sc...
The Art of Short Stories with Red Széll: Classics, Surprises, and Modern Gems
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob Shymanski and Red Szell unravel their impressions of what it means to experience a short story...
From UFOs to Vince McMahon: Paul Daniel’s Most Recent Must-Reads
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Long time friend and avid reader Paul Daniel takes us on a journey through three of his most recent ...
BookTok and the Future of Digital Literature Consumption
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During Part 2 of Jacob’s chat with Alina (of According to Alina), they explore the effects of Book...
When Animals Speak: Chat with Author Amanda Leduc on Wild Life
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We explore Wild Life, the newest novel by Canadian Author and disability advocate Amanda Leduc. Wild...
Rockstar Biographies & Music Memoirs with Greg David
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it better when rockstars tell their own stories? Celebrity memoirs are supposed to capture the hi...
Highlights from the 2025 Audies + Sara Hillis’s Case for Stephen King
12 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Audies’ 30th anniversary was a mix of celebration and chaos. Sara Hillis recaps the major winn...
Monsters or Creatures: How Fiction Explores The Other
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In every great story, there’s an outsider. The Other has been a defining theme in literature for c...
33 Years of Audiobook Engagement with Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We meet Robin Whitten, founder and editor of AudioFile Magazine. She traces the magazine's inception...
Romance Tropes and Short-form Book Talk: Breaking Down BookTok’s Influence
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacob is joined by UK-based YouTuber Alina (of According to Alina) to delve into the phenomenon of t...
Talking Pigs & Thought Police: Political Literature with Danielle McLaughlin
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dictatorships, book bans, and doublespeak—just dystopian fiction, or a reflection of the world tod...
Reviews of The Wager by David Grann and All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Review 1: The Wager by David Grann is a meticulously researched narrative immersing readers in the h...
Full Cast Horror: Inside The Creepy School Bus Audiobook with Author Paul Hough
26 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Hough is the writer of The Creepy School Bus viral YouTube series, and newly released Audiobook...
John Steinbeck’s Influence: Hard Truths of the Human Condition
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Red Széll reminds us exactly how books hold the power to provoke, challenge, and inspire. He tribut...
Canada Reads 2025 & How Stories Shape our Sense of Home
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Karoline Bourdeau has never missed a year of the Canada Reads debates. She breaks down this year’...
The Mob Mentality of Reading: Is it Good Because It’s Popular?
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fifty Shades of Grey and the Twilight saga—are they loved because they’re great, or just becaus...
Logic Gaps, Slow Burns, and Broken Worlds
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you frustrated when authors can’t justify their own logic in the worlds they’ve built? Jacob...
Reviewing The God of the Woods by Liz Moore: A Deep Dive into Mystery and Family Secrets
12 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Hillis and Jacob Shymanski review The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, a slow-burn story weaving ...
Cats in Literature: Review of We’ll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danielle McLaughlin reviews We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida, a unique narrative of a transi...