When my kids were younger, we didn’t read the Harry Potter books together, we listened to them together. We would sit enthralled with every single word that Jim Dale uttered. I picked the fifth book in the series because it marks a decided change, as Harry nears manhood. And Dale introduces a record-breaking number of distinct voices for our listening enjoyment. If you want your kids to fall in love with reading, try this series.

My wife and I listened to this book on a road trip. It’s one of the most originally constructed stories I’ve ever had the pleasure to embrace. There was poignancy and plot twists behind every page. The story is complex and moving, but the audiobook is so smooth it feels like you’re absorbing the tale by some sort of osmosis. The miles and pages flew by.

If you haven’t discovered the brilliance of James Baldwin, this long collection of nonfiction essays may be the perfect place. There is no writer I know of who wrote as brilliantly, seamlessly, and elegantly as Baldwin. The topics are hard, but they are necessary for anyone who wants to better understand America.

Having enjoyed his show on CNN and loving him as an actor, I listened to Taste over many a pleasant evening, or while gardening, or, like Tucci, while trying to cook. You will learn not just about making wonderful meals but a great deal about a fascinating man with a huge heart who loves food and people.

There are some books that should be both read and listened to. Angela’s Ashes is one such book. And having McCourt read his beautiful memoir makes it all the better. McCourt was extremely funny while being extremely serious, and that is extremely difficult to do, much less do well. This book is about many things, but I took away from it the enormous potential of human resilience, and the power of love.