By Cameron Phillips, Kathryn Alley, Samantha Ross, and Nathasya G
This issue we’re spotlighting Black stories, sounds and voices in the audio format with incredible listens that we recommend. From moving stories to dynamic performances, these picks make for exceptional listening experiences in the audio format.
Samantha’s Pick: Becoming, Written and Narrated by Michelle Obama
Memoirs got me into the habit of incorporating audiobooks into my daily life, and one of the first I listened to was Becoming by Michelle Obama. Memoirs and audiobooks go together better than any other combination, especially when the writer is also the narrator. The experiential writing becomes more immediate and inclusive when listened to, increasing my enjoyment and investment in the anecdotes.
Becoming is split into three sections, Becoming Me, Becoming Us, and Becoming More, which allows for Obama to share her upbringing on the South Side of Chicago, her education at prestigious universities, her role as an attorney, her involvement in non-profits and, of course, her experience of becoming the First Lady of the United States. As the first African American to serve, Obama uses her voice to advocate for those who go unheard, and for families she grew up around or worked alongside. Honest and personal, this memoir shows that perseverance and hard work can get you anywhere, regardless of what you look like or where you come from. Change doesn’t happen overnight; for Michelle Obama, it’s an ongoing fight.
It’s apparent why the audiobook won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album and was named one of the Top 10 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults by the American Library Association in 2020. You can hear her zeal, the importance of each spoken word, and the responsibility of fighting for a voice in a country that wants to silence you, and then using your influence for good. I loved the experience of listening to the audiobook version of Becoming and urge everyone to give it a listen.
Cameron’s Pick: Open Water, Written and Narrated by Caleb Azumah Nelson
This is simply an incredible book. Nelson writes the story of two young Black artists, one a dancer and the other a photographer, who fall in love after meeting in Southeast London. This story is a love letter to Black love itself and Black art. It is a tale of two people who find love in a world that is determined to tear them apart through fear, discrimination and violence. The protagonists’ artistic occupations are deliberate choices from Nelson, because they are typically available only to the wealthy and privileged.
There are two moments in the book in which white people dominate the artistic scenes – showing the importance of Black art. Touching on masculinity and race, Open Water is a powerful, poetic and soulful insight into the lives of Black youth and is elevated by Nelson’s narration.
Nathasya’s Pick: If Beale Street Could Talk, Written by James Baldwin, Narrated by Bahni Turpin
The story follows Tish, a young woman in love with Fonny, who is falsely imprisoned for a crime. Baldwin's writing has always been powerful, but the audio format adds an extra emotional layer to the story. It’s narrated by Bahni Turpin, whose performance adds more emotion to the novel’s intense theme of love and racial injustice. She captures the tenderness between Tish and Fonny while conveying the frustration and sadness they face as a young Black couple in 1970s Harlem.
This audiobook stands out to me because Turpin’s voice creates a more immersive experience. She masterfully uses tone and pacing to reflect Baldwin's characters’ emotional highs and lows, making you feel like you’re right there with them. Her narration highlights Tish’s complex perspective and draws you into her world.
Baldwin’s work is already deeply impactful, but Turpin’s narration in the audiobook format makes the story even more personal and immediate. You can feel the heartbreak and hope in each word, and the added depth does justice to Baldwin’s exploration of love and injustice in a racist society.
Kathryn’s Pick: The Water Dancer, Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Narrated by Joe Morton
Ta-Nehisi Coates’ debut novel, The Water Dancer, is an unforgettable listen that blends history, fantasy and agency into a powerful narrative. Morton’s narration immediately immerses you in the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into slavery with a gift: an incredibly powerful memory. Coates captures Hiram’s sorrow of loss and fierce determination for freedom, giving the listener an emotional and cinematic experience. I was so engrossed in the story and depth of the performance in many sections that I relistened to take it in more than once.
The audiobook explores memory in a profound way that resonated with me. It recognises the crucial role that memories play in our lives and the strength it takes to remember when all we want to do is repress and forget. Hiram’s journey goes far beyond The Water Dancer’s final chapter, and I’m sure it will remain and resonate with listeners as well.