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!

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.

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.

“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.

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 Library Access (CELA). This is a developing story. For the latest updates and for information on how you can show your support to CELA and NNELS, please visit their websites below: https://nnels.ca/news/bill-c-15 https://celalibrary.ca/blog

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.

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.

In recognition of the upcoming International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we dive into a 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 memoir can be accessed in accessible formats for free here: https://www.aodaalliance.org/publications/click-here-to-download-in-pdf-format-the-memoir-by-aoda-alliance-chair-david-lepofsky-entitled-swimming-up-niagara-falls-the-battle-to-get-disability-rights-added-to-the-canadian-charter-o/ Or online at the CELA Library in Canada.

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.

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.

“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.

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 Andrika De Lanerolle.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat debuted his very first book this month, a memoir entitled “We Survived the Night.” Host Jacob Shymanski catches up with Julian to learn about his Indigenous cultural influences behind the book and his experience as a first-time narrator. Julian also reflects on the making of his Oscar-nominated documentary film “Sugarcane.” The book is available in audiobook format at Audible and at the CELA Library. This episode is produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.

What are some books that introduce thought-provoking concepts and ideas that make you ponder? Jacob explores this question with Red Széll, the host of “My Life in Books.” Together they share some of their favourite philosophical titles that make you think! They also address the question: is pre-reading important or is it better to go in cold when picking up a new book? In the latter portion of the show, senior producer Andrika De Lanerolle gives you the "Book Report" with the latest news about the 2025 Governor General's Awards. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle. Books mentioned in this episode include: “Foucalt's Pendulum “ by Umberto; Weaver Eco “The Player of Games” by Iain M. Banks “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn “How to Read a Book” by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

Comedian and professional speaker Dena Jackson chats with host Jacob Shymanski about her new book “Self Help Me.” She reflects on the holistic wellness practices that helped in her mental health journey and shares tips on how her book can be a resource to anyone. Dena’s book is currently available in print and will become available as an audiobook in 2026. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.

Are you ready to dive into some conspiracy theories? Avid book reader Paul Daniel describes his top five recommended titles for the genre, everything from government and politics to aliens and the pharmaceutical industry. In addition, toward the end of the show, Jacob shares a special review of Stephen King’s retelling of “Hansel and Gretel.” Books mentioned in this episode include: • “Best Evidence: Disguise and Deception in the Assassination of John F. Kennedy” by David Lifton • “Cover Up: What the Government Is Still Hiding About the War on Terror” by Peter Lance • “Above Top Secret: The Worldwide U.F.O. Cover-Up” by Timothy Good • “Selling Sickness: How the World's Biggest Pharmaceutical Companies Are Turning Us All Into Patients” by Ray Moynihan and Alan Cassels • “Conspirituality: How New Age Conspiracy Theories Became a Public Health Threat” by Julian Walker, Matthew Remski and Derek Beres This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.