Audiobook Café

Host 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 and the way the publishing industry culturally punches above its weight. In the latter portion of the show, Jacob chats with Penny Leclair about her new book “Life with Jefferson: A Biography of a Guide Dog.” This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.

This 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 encourages strangers to gather and learn more about each other without ever talking about their work or jobs. Host Jacob Shymanski chats with Jess about the world of human interaction and belonging. She also reflects on her experience writing and narrating the audiobook. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.

Imani 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 Jacob Shymanski catches up with Imani to learn how the book explores issues of racialized systems and the Manosphere. In addition, Imani reflects on her research and process for writing her debut novel. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.

Host 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 educational book called “Accessible Communications: Create Impact, Avoid Missteps and Build Trust” Craig Fitzpatrick, a blind ice hockey player who published an audiobook called “Finding the Puck: Leadership Lessons from My Journey Through Blind Hockey” Mark Pearson, the co-founder of the audiobook platform Libro.fm and Lachi, a recording artist and musician who released “I Identify as Blind: A Brazen Celebration of Disability Culture, Identity, and Power” This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.

Author 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 women in Warsaw in the late 1930s as they unexpectedly come together in search of their missing mentor. Judy and Jacob chat about the research she did to capture 1930s Warsaw, including the fashion, art and architecture. She also describes the real-life experiences that influenced the story and its characters. This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.