FICTION

Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly, read by Jonathan Davis (Time Warner AudioBooks). Edgar Award winner Connelly (City of Bones) skillfully unfolds a story of obsessive curiosity and taut psychological suspense ideally suited to audio. Davis's masterful dramatizations deliver the perfect complement.

Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides, read by Kristoffer Tabori (Audio Renaissance). This audio edition of Eugenides's long-awaited second novel (after The Virgin Suicides) is destined to become an audiobook classic. Tabori's performance of the affecting story is phenomenal.

The Impressionist by Hari Kunzru, read by the author (Harper Audio). In today's English-speaking global village, many new writers are grappling with multiple national, racial and social identities; Kunzru stands tall among them. It's a pleasure to follow him as he leads listeners, picaresque-style, from one episode to the next, toward a painful ending.

Sin Killer by Larry McMurtry, read by Alfred Molina (Simon & Schuster Audio). Molina's chameleon-like talent for convincingly portraying one darkly comic character after another is masterfully applied to the story of the Berrybenders, a 19th-century aristocratic family who, on a whim, have decided to leave their home in England to explore the great unknown frontier of America.

NONFICTION

The Mountain of the Women: Memoirs of an Irish Troubadour by Liam Clancy, read by the author (Random House Audio). Irish folk musician Clancy masterfully recounts more than "40 years of acting, singing and great foolishness" with a powerful, melodic voice and guileless magnetism.

The Future of Life by Edward O. Wilson, read by Ed Begley (New Millennium). What's the cost of biodiversity? Wilson spells it out from both an environmentalist's point of view and businessperson's. Without being preachy, Begley delivers Wilson's plea soberly and emphatically, in a way that wholly reflects the latter's prose.

No One Left Behind: The Lt. Comdr. Michael Scott Speicher Story by Amy Waters Yarsinske, read by Terence Aselford, preface read by the author (Listen & Live). This amazingly timely audio version of Yarsinske's book about a U.S. navy fighter pilot who's likely still being held prisoner in Iraq, 11 years after Desert Storm, is performed with believability and confidence.

MYSTERY

The Eyre Affair: A Novel by Jasper Fforde, read by Elizabeth Sastre (Highbridge). Sastre's reading of this zany story works particularly well because she's good at the straight narrative, while the nature of the book's language inspires melodramatic voices for the other bizarre characters.

The Grave Maurice: A Richard Jury Mystery by Martha Grimes, read by Roger Rees (Penguin Audiobooks). Grimes's popular mysteries are named after British pubs, and Rees's excellent performance here will make readers feel as if they're at the bar themselves, listening to the actor spin a good, old-fashioned detective story.

NARRATION (FEMALE)

Atonement by Ian McEwan, read by Josephine Bailey (Publishing Mills). Bailey's confident, clear, yet soft voice is a good match for this morality tale. Her delivery carries a sense of innocence that remains throughout her performance but alters subtly for each section, establishing the appropriate atmosphere for each scenario.

The Nanny Diaries: A Novel by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, read by Julia Roberts (Random House Audio). This hilarious examination of the upper echelons of Manhattan society and the unlovable Park Avenue X family is flawlessly complemented by Roberts's limber, metamorphosing vocal performance.

NARRATION (MALE)

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, read by Tim Robbins (Caedmon Audio). There have been audio versions of Gatsby before this, but Robbins delivers a fresh and bracing vision that makes the story gleam. From the jaunty irony of the title page quote to the magical poetry of Fitzgerald's ending, Robbins conjures up a sublime portrait of a lost world.

My Country Versus Me: The First-Hand Account by the Scientist Who Was Falsely Accused by Wen Ho Lee with Helen Zia, read by Fred Stella (Brilliance). Stella chooses to avoid an obvious Chinese accent, opting instead to deliver the text with the stiffness associated with someone whose first language is not English, making for a convincing performance.

AUTHOR READING

God Save the Sweet Potato Queens by Jill Conner Browne, read by the author. (Random House Audio) Browne's honeyed purr fits this book's snappy double entendres and ribald tales perfectly, and she's a delight to listen to, whether she's discouraging marriage ("if you must marry, buy a duplex") or singing the praises of Fritos ("Is there a more perfect food on the planet?").

I Am an Oil Tanker: Travels with My Radio by Fi Glover, read by the author (Random House UK Audio [Trafalgar Sq., dist.]). A huge fan of radio, Glover took a few months off to travel the world and visit quirky radio stations in different countries. With her friendly, down-to-earth delivery and pleasant British accent, she offers amusing and enlightening tales.

DRAMATIZATION/LIVE READING

The Wavedancer Benefit: A Tribute to Frank Muller by Stephen King, Pat Conroy, John Grisham and Peter Straub (Simon & Schuster Audio). This memorable audiobook, featuring readings and commentary by four of America's best-loved novelists, has immense historical, humanitarian and humor value.

Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon, read by a full cast (L.A. Theatre Works). The actors' compassionate, three-dimensional performances, combined with Simon's nuanced writing and authentic rendering of 1940s speech, make the listener fully believe in Simon's realistic, complex characters.

BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR

Leadership by Rudolph W. Giuliani, read by Tony Roberts, intro. read by the author (Hyperion Audiobooks). New York's celebrated former mayor explains how he used specific management strategies to run the city and handle crises in this captivating memoir.

How to Lose Friends and Alienate People: A Memoir by Toby Young, read by the author (Brilliance). Young's crisp reading of this account is highly enjoyable and bitter, yet frank and funny.

RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY

Buddhism Without Beliefs: A Contemporary Guide to Awakening by Stephen Batchelor, read by the author (Sounds True). An excellent companion to Batchelor's brilliant 1997 book, this work also stands alone as proof of the special power of oral instruction.

ARCHIVAL REISSUE

Evil Under The Sun: A Hercule Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie, read by David Suchet (Audio Editions). Suchet gives an outstanding performance, enthusiatically fleshing out Christie's colorful lot of characters.

REFERENCE/DOCUMENTARY

Getting to Know William Shakespeare: A Dramatic Life by Joy Wake, read by Fred Child (Echo Peak Productions). In this original audio presentation, Child—the weekday host of NPR's Performance Today—speaks with Shakespeare biographers, professors, historians and people who work at Shakespeare festivals, giving the production credibility and depth.

Legacy by Doc Watson and David Holt, read by the authors (High Windy Audio). Fans of roots/folk music legend Arthel "Doc" Watson, as well as aficionados of the American musical genre, will find much to cheer about in this oral documentary of Watson's life.

CHILDREN'S SPOKEN WORD

The Beloved Dearly by Doug Cooney, read by Cooney and a full cast (Full Cast Audio). Child actors rise to the occasion on this spunky, entertaining recording brimming with believable dialogue.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, read by Eric Idle (Harper Children's Audio). A wholly memorable performance from the comedically gifted and enthusiastic Idle.

26 Fairmount Avenue by Tomie dePaola, read by the author (Listening Library). DePaola's warm and humorous childhood anecdotes shine in his delivery.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman, read by the author (Harper Children's Audio). With an assured tone that keeps things from getting too spooky, Gaiman leads listeners through the spine-tingling labyrinth of his excellent first novel for children.

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff, read by Hope Davis (Listening Library). Davis becomes the 12-year-old protagonist of this heartbreaking, quietly triumphant story about a girl in foster care.

Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay, read by Julia Sawalha (Listening Library). Sawalha delights with a bright, inviting manner and versatile characterizations.

CHILDREN'S MUSIC

Under a Shady Tree by Laurie Berkner (Two Tomatoes Records). Berkner sings and strums her way into listeners' hearts on this accomplished, feel-good collection.

Big Rock Rooster by Daddy a Go Go (Southern Music Distribution). Everyone's wide awake on this jangly, rockin' recording featuring solid vocals and plenty of electric guitar.

Skidaddle! by Buck Howdy (Prairie Dog Entertainment). Little cowpokes will be filled with giddyup-and-go after hearing this folksy mix of traditional and cowboy-inspired songs.

What Kind of Cat Are You? by Billy Jonas (Bang a Bucket Music). Kids get a bit of brain food along with the beat in this kicky collection of join-in-the-fun songs.

At the Bottom of the Sea and Happy Lemons by Ralph's World (Mini Fresh Records). Ralph Covert's world is the place to find polished, energetic tunes brimming with humor.

No! by They Might Be Giants (Idlewild Recordings/Rounder Records). Quirky alt-rock kings bring their refreshing stylings to the kids' arena.