Audiobook Café
by Accessible Media Inc.
Latest episode
Dodge City: In Conversation with Patrick deWitt
Dodge City: In Conversation with Patrick deWitt
About this podcast
Jacob Shymanski shares in-depth conversations with authors, narrators and industry experts! Tune in for the latest audiobook releases, curated recommendations and literary news.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 374 episodes
- Dodge City: In Conversation with Patrick deWitt · 28 min · Episode 379Bestselling author Patrick deWitt’s latest novel “Dodge City” was longlisted the 2026 Giller Prize! The book follows the story of a young man as he flees to Canada after…
- Juris Ex Machina: In Conversation with John W. Maly & Marc Thompson · 33 min · Episode 378Author John W. Maly recently released the audiobook of his novel "Juris Ex Machina," a sci-fi legal thriller about an innocent man who is convicted by AI of mass murder. His only…
- For the Love of Romance · 29 min · Episode 377Katie Robinson is the owner and executive producer of Lyric Audiobooks, a boutique production company specializing in romance novels. Host Jacob Shymanski catches up with Katie…
- For the Love of Genre Fiction · 28 min · Episode 376Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll explore the differences of genre fiction versus literary fiction. They also explain why genre fiction deserves greater recognition in the…
- The Renovation: In Conversation with Kenan Orhan · 28 min · Episode 375Kenan Orhan’s “The Renovation” was longlisted the 2026 Booker Prize. The book follows a woman who discovers that her bathroom has been remodeled into a prison cell where she is…
- The Attraction to Heartbreak · 30 min · Episode 374Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll ask the question: why do readers enjoy heartbreaking stories? They share their thoughts on how sad fiction helps build empathy and why…
- Helen of Nowhere: In Conversation with Makenna Goodman · 32 min · Episode 373Makenna Goodman’s novel “Helen of Nowhere” was longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. The book follows a disgraced professor as he visits a country house with a realtor who tells…
- The Hystericals: In Conversation with Vivek Shraya · 29 min · Episode 372Disclaimer: This episode of Audiobook Cafe contains discussions surrounding suicide, self-harm and sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. Bestselling Canadian author…
- The Sixth Faction: In Conversation with Veronica Roth · 28 min · Episode 371Bestselling author Veronica Roth’s upcoming book “The Sixth Faction” is a reimagining of her dystopian hit trilogy “Divergent.” The book provides an alternate universe that…
- What A Reader Wants, What a Reader Needs · 28 min · Episode 370Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll discuss what readers want most from books to make them more engaging, memorable and satisfying. Together they explore the importance of…
- Getting Away with Murder: In Conversation with Shari Lapena · 28 min · Episode 369“Getting Away with Murder” was an instant New York Times bestseller! The thriller novel follows a New York couple who kill a wealthy relative after making a bad investment that…
- Highbrow & Lowbrow Books · 28 min · Episode 367How do you distinguish “highbrow” from “lowbrow” books? Does a highbrow book imply it’s better than other books? Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Szell explore the division…
- Daughters of the Wreckage: In Conversation with Stefanie Koens · 30 min · Episode 368Earlier this month, Australian author Stefanie Koens released her debut novel in North America. “Daughters of the Wreckage,” is a gripping dual-timeline historical novel inspired…
- Tempted: In Conversation with Rick Campanelli · 28 min · Episode 366“Tempted” is a bombshell memoir by Canadian media personality Rick Campanelli. From his humble beginnings in Hamilton, Ontario, to his time as a MuchMusic VJ, Tempted is a story…
- Pick a Colour: In Conversation with Giller Prize Winner Souvankham Thammavongsa · 28 min · Episode 365Souvankham Thammavongsa is the 2025 Giller Prize winner for her book “Pick a Colour,” an intimate novel following a nail salon owner as she works for privileged clients who don't…
- Not a Word: In Conversation with Linwood Barclay · 28 min · Episode 364New York Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay is back with a new thriller! “Not a Word” follows a man whose world is upended after he stumbles upon a grisly crime scene in…
- Book Recommendations: In Conversation with Ramya Amuthan · 28 min · Episode 363Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Ramya Amuthan reflect on five books that they each personally enjoyed this past year, covering a wide range of genres including psychology…
- A Beginner’s Guide to Audiobooks Part Two · 28 min · Episode 362Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll share continue their beginner’s guide to audiobooks. In part two of this discussion, they explore: Chapter 4: learning to listen to…
- The Blood of Things: In Conversation with Jamaluddin Aram · 28 min · Episode 361“The Blood of Things, a Love Letter to Afghanistan” is an upcoming collection of essays by Jamaluddin Aram. The book explores Afghanistan's history, culture, people and beauty…
- A Beginner’s Guide to Audiobooks Part One · 30 min · Episode 360Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll share a beginner’s guide to audiobooks. In part one of this discussion, they explore: Chapter 1: why you should start listening to…
- Oxford Soju Club: In Conversation with Jinwoo Park · 28 min · Episode 359Author Jinwoo Park’s debut novel “Oxford Soju Club” is a spy thriller that follows the lives of three Koreans caught up in an espionage. The story weaves a tale of how immigrants…
- Escape!: In Conversation with Survivor Contestant Stephen Fishbach · 28 min · Episode 358Stephen Fishbach’s debut fiction novel “Escape!” was featured on Spotify's list for best audiobooks of 2026 so far. His book follows a reality TV star and a disgraced producer…
- Summer Sizzlers · 29 min · Episode 357Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll share some fun reads to enjoy on a warm summer night. They also explore the guilt of listening to books that are formulaic and easy to digest…
- Lords of Serendipity: In Conversation with Randy Boyagoda · 28 min · Episode 356Randy Boyagoda’s upcoming novel “The Lords of Serendipity” cuts deep into the world of higher education. The book explores a fictional story of a Sri Lankan village girl who…
- Disability Pride Month · 28 min · Episode 355In celebration of Disability Pride Month, we open the vault to look back on some of our favourite author discussions on disability, accessibility and inclusion. The episode…
- There Plant Eyes: In Conversation with M. Leona Godin · 31 min · Episode 354In recognition of Disability Pride Month, we look back on “There Plant Eyes” by M. Leona Godin. The book captures the cultural history of blindness while blending together…
- High-concept Novels · 28 min · Episode 353Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll talk about "high-concept" novels. Stories whose premises are distinctly creative and take big risks. Together they examine the practical…
- 2026 Canada Reads: In Conversation with Winner Loghan Paylor · 28 min · Episode 352Author Loghan Paylor’s debut novel is winner of the 2026 edition of Canada Reads! “The Cure for Drowning” is a World War II historical fiction about a messy and emotionally rich…
- You'll Love It Here: In Conversation with Natalie Sue · 28 min · Episode 351Natalie Sue’s debut novel “I Hope This Finds You Well” was an international bestseller. Now she’s back with another novel set to release in August! “You'll Love It Here” is a…
- Mighty Real: In Conversation with Barry Walters · 32 min · Episode 350Author Barry Walters’ latest book "Mighty Real" blurs the line between chronicle and memoir and explores the fascinating history of LGBTQ+ music from the underground dancefloors…
- Laughing in the Face of Tragedy · 28 min · Episode 349Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Szell explore the power of humour in storytelling and how humour can make challenging topics approachable in a way that nothing else can. They…
- Property: In Conversation with Author Kate Cayley · 28 min · Episode 348Kate Cayley’s “Property” is a 2026 finalist for the Amazon Canada First Novel Award. The fictional novel follows troubled residents in a gentrifying neighbourhood where they…
- Wayback Playback: Victoria Nolan’s “Beyond Vision · 28 min · Episode 347Paralympian Victoria Nolan’s 2014 memoir “Beyond Vision: The Story of a Blind Rower” is the inspiration behind the upcoming biopic “Blindly Victorious.” Host Jacob Shymanski…
- Authors Who Take Big Risks · 28 min · Episode 346Host Jacob Shymanski and Red Széll reflect on authors who take big risks in their storytelling, everything from subject matter to writing styles and killing off significant…
- Transness & Dad Rock: In Conversation with Author Niko Stratis · 28 min · Episode 345In 2025, music writer Niko Stratis released “The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman,” a memoir-in-essays on transness, dad rock, and the music that saves us. Host Jacob Shymanski…
- The Cultural Significance of Books · 28 min · Episode 344Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll explore the complex modern cultural significance of books. They examine books as status objects, books as a refuge of long-form content…
- The Table Where We Meet: In Conversation with Jess Janz · 30 min · Episode 343This summer, Jess Janz is coming out with a new essay collection “The Table Where We Meet.” The book reflects on ‘Dinner with Strangers,’ an initiative she created that…
- Honey: In Conversation with Imani Thompson · 29 min · Episode 342Imani Thompson’s debut novel “Honey” is a wickedly funny and suspenseful thriller about a graduate student who murders bad men and justifies it in the name of feminism. Host…
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day · 28 min · Episode 341Host Jacob Shymanski celebrates Global Accessibility Awareness Day which is recognized on May 21. He looks back on past interviews with: Matisse Hamel-Nelis, co-author of the…
- The Last Woman of Warsaw: In Conversation with Judy Batalion · 28 min · Episode 340Author Judy Batalion joins host Jacob Shymanski to talk about her debut historical fiction “The Last Woman of Warsaw.” The novel tells the story of two very different Jewish…
- The Heroes’ Journey · 28 min · Episode 339The monomyth, otherwise known as the “hero’s journey” is a story structure popularized by Joseph Campbell in his book “The Hero With A Thousand Faces.” It’s a classic…
- The Winter Witch: In Conversation with Jennifer Chevalier · 31 min · Episode 338Jennifer Chevalier’s fiction novel “The Winter Witch” captures the story of two sisters fleeing a curse aboard a bride ship from Normandy to 17th-century Quebec. Along the way…
- Fireflies in Winter: In Conversation with Eleanor Shearer · 28 min · Episode 337“Fireflies in Winter” is the latest novel by Eleanor Shearer. The book explores themes of survival, love and freedom and follows a Jamaican Maroon orphan and an escaped slave…
- No Place Like Home: In Conversation with Jessica Barrett · 28 min · Episode 336Jessica Barrett’s new book “No Place Like Home” provides an honest glimpse into Canada’s housing crisis. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Jessica about the issues of housing…
- The Practicalities of Audiobooks · 28 min · Episode 335There’s an interesting cultural difference between print books and audiobooks. Print books have been around for centuries and have been deeply engrained into society. Audiobooks…
- To Leave a Warrior Behind: Remembering Charles R. Saunders · 28 min · Episode 334“To Leave a Warrior Behind” is a new biography about Charles R. Saunders, the “Father of Sword and Soul,” a sub-genre in fantasy writing based on African inspired myths and…
- The Cure for Everything: In Conversation with Michelle A. Williams & Linda Marsa · 28 min · Episode 333“The Cure for Everything” is a new book that takes a deep dive into the struggle for public health, its history of fighting infectious diseases and its vision for human thriving…
- Moonlight Murder: In Conversation with Uzma Jalaluddin · 28 min · Episode 332Uzma Jalaluddin returns to the show to talk about “Moonlight Murder,” the brand-new sequel to her novel “Detective Aunty.” Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Uzma about the…
- Tips for Finding Your Next Read · 28 min · Episode 331Book publishing continues to rise year after year. But with all the noise in book marketing and recommendations from algorithms, how do you decipher what book to pick up next…
- Behind-the-scenes: A Glimpse in the Public Library System · 28 min · Episode 330The Calgary Public Library achieved a record-breaking year in 2025! They reached their highest circulation in history with 17.5 million items borrowed, which include 6.5 million…
